Jessica Haight's Blog, page 127

Monday's Riddle! A Sour, Green Wave

Hello Riddlers and Welcome to Monday! In Fiji, it's already Tuesday- I wish I could trade places with someone there so the weekend would be here sooner. Can you guess the theme this week? ; ) ~ F

When there's a wanton purpose you've seen, I'm the tide that turns you green. I'm a fixated wave that inspires a glower or an internal soup that's always sour. Should desire come knocking when it's fortune you're sewing, you'll realize soon that I'm not much worth knowing. For, I should be lost whenever I'm found or I'll get your mind going like a merry-go-round. 

What am I?

I gave you a clue!
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was a ode to Earth, and Lizzy's review of Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg reminded us how important it is to take care of our planet. Thursday on Top of the Heap , we showed off some of her colors, and Friday, Margo brought Grandma Says... Dream Green by Nancy-Jo Funaro . Today, we want to hear from you!


The DMS wants to know: 
What is your favorite color? What on Earth does it make you think of? 





Planet Earth, you rock! 

"Everything in the heavens is here, moving as the heavens move. This is how to know when... Suns, moons, stars. Yes, the angel of eternity." ~ Aughra, The Dark Crystal 




Aughra's OrreryFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings: Listen to Grandma!

You can guess which book Margo wanted to read, and she is excited for it to be a part of our week long celebration of Planet Earth. So, we're bringing it back into the spotlight!




Grandma Says...Dream Green by Nancy-Jo Funaro is a brilliant tribute to mother nature. Margo has loved the gardening talk around the dinner table, and has made it very clear that this was the book she wished to remind everyone about. 

Gardening is a big thing for my family in the summer. We love having fresh produce and beautiful flowers all season long. My grandmother and my mother both have very green thumbs, and Margo is bound to follow in their footsteps- though she has a special preference for all of the interesting bugs that go along with getting down into the dirt.

I enjoy thinking about colors and textures, and listening to my mom read this story to Margo was fascinating. The photography that accompanies the poem creates a visual experience and makes it easy for a child to understand. Margo loved the pumpkins and, for some reason, completely cracked herself up over a picture of a squirrel eating a nut. Now, whenever we see a squirrel, she yells, "give em' a nut!" ~ F

Grandma Says...Dream Green! From a very young age, children are introduced to the color, form, and beauty of our world. This book emphasizes the vision we have for our children through photographs and poems...read more. 

Check out our interview with Nancy-Jo Funaro and learn a little more about the story behind the story...
This is the caterpillar Margo and I found in the garden. Isn't he cool! 

(this green guy is really making his way around the book block- he must be a bookworm ; ) 
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Earth as seen from Mars Monday's Riddle brought us down to Earth, and Lizzy's review of  Just a Dream  by Chris Van Allsburg  reminded us that our home is unique and precious, and we should do our best to take care of it. Friday, we have something earthy to share with all of you, and Saturday, we always enjoy hearing your thoughts on The DMS Wants to Know . 


Today, it's all about where we are right now- here, on Earth. Most of the time, we go through the day not properly seeing the scenes we're in. So, here's to the brilliant splashes of color that make every day a trip on this planetary extravaganza! 

Remember, it is important to stop and smell the roses, even if only to consider them just for the moment. ~ F & L 

This week's top of the heap: Beautiful Planet Earth


Green
Red Blue Orange Yellow Purple Pink : )  A little extra pink for fun! Put them all together,  and you get a bunch of happy frogs ; ) 
Welcome to Earth ✌
We're Full of Surprises!FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Is it Just a Dream?

Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg is a book that really moved me. Walter thinks littering is fine and doesn’t think it matters that he drops garbage wherever he feels like it. He knows it isn’t his problem. One night when he goes to sleep he has the strangest dream. In it, he is able to see the effects of all of his littering. Walter can’t get over what Earth is like with all of the pollution and garbage. Why is the landscape missing trees and plants? Is his dream real? Will the Earth really turn out badly if he doesn’t stop littering? Come along on this journey of awareness as Walter learns how our actions can have an impact!


I recommend this picture book to people from 1st grade through adulthood. Being kind to our planet has always been near and dear to my heart. I can’t imagine throwing litter on the ground, and I love to recycle. But, I know there are people that haven’t learned about throwing your garbage in the right spot, because I see litter every day lining the sidewalks and the park near my house. My brother and I try to pick up litter at least once a month, and we try to make our city a more beautiful place. I think people will be able to relate to Walter and will think about their actions after reading this masterful book. Chris Van Allsburg has a way of touching my heart with his words and illustrations. There is so much for a reader to enjoy in this treasure! As we celebrate Earth Day (and Earth Week), this book is a gentle reminder to be kind to our home or it may be no longer offer the same gifts that we have come to love.
Has anyone else read Just a Dream? Or another book by Chris Van Allsburg?
Happy reading! Do something nice for our planet today! ~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Planet Home...

MT. WASHINGTONExcellent guessing Riddlers! It was a tricky one. This week, it's all about planet Earth. Lizzy's review will be out of this world, and Thursday on Top of the Heap , we have a few things to say about our lovely home. Friday, we have something special planned, and Saturday, we enjoy hearing your thoughts on The DMS Wants to Know . So, be sure to check back!

My cryptic clue:
I thought this looked like Earth's eye : ) The earth is not the biggest or most spectacular in the Milky Way, but in the space that's out there- it's ours, and it's beautiful. Yesterday was Earth Day, and this week we are taking some time to look around and consider the magic of the moment- after all, it's amazing! And, remember- you never know when Earth is looking back at you! See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

I'm not the youngest or oldest in line. I can't claim largest or smallest as mine. I dwell in the middle of a cold, dark place, keeping in time with a circular pace. Something bright is the star of the show. It strings me along and gives me my glow. I spin and spin; go round and round- watch the skies stir rocky ground. I've known crashing and banging, seen veils of dust. I like luminescent colors that oxidize rust. My brothers and sisters share my space- they watch the expressions change my face. For, I am as unique as can be. If you take a quick look around, surly you'll see. 

What am I? Answer: Earth ✌



Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations  


Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Available in all e-book formats
Download for only .99¢ on Smashwords

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Monday's Riddle! Order in Line

Hello Riddlers! Here's the puzzle. Can you guess the theme this week? Vacation was a blast, but it's sure nice to come home ; ) ~ F

I'm not the youngest or oldest in line. I can't claim largest or smallest as mine. I dwell in the middle of a cold, dark place, keeping in time with a circular pace. Something bright is the star of the show. It strings me along and gives me my glow. I spin and spin; go round and round- watch the skies stir rocky ground. I've known crashing and banging, seen veils of dust. I like luminescent colors that oxidize rust. My brothers and sisters share my space- they watch the expressions on my face. For, I am as unique as can be. If you take a quick look around, surly you'll see. 

What am I? 

I gave you a clue!



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Poem replaced the riddle and got us thinking about where our stories come from.  Lizzy's review of Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco took us on a journey with a unique young girl, and Thursday on Top of the Heap , we enjoyed telling you a little about our history. Friday, Stephanie and Jess stopped by to share their experience meeting Patricia Polacco at local book nook,  Linda's Story Time .


There's still time to enter the Signed Book Giveaway Hop- stop by the post for your chance to win signed copies of Thank You, Mr. Falker and My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco , plus a signed copy of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson. These books are a fabulous edition to any library! Giveaway ends Monday, April 22nd. Today, we want to hear about your stories!

The DMS wants to know: 
What is your story? Have you ever traced your family tree? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours!


The 2nd Character Book Club



Get to know the DMS on a person level ; )Check out our interview on Millie's Blog!


Eric and Stig from The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel by Gregory Slomba will be sitting down with Millie from Millicent Marie is Not My Name by Karen PokrasToz . Stay in the loop! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to find out when the next meeting of the CBC will be!




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Make time to riddle and rhyme!
Fairday's Riddles: Volume 1

62 original riddles and illustrations
Available in all e-book formats 

Free today & tomorrow!
COUPON CODE: YK55J
Next roundtable feature:



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Meet the Author: Patricia Polacco!

Monday's poem was puzzling, and it made us think about where our stories come from. Lizzy's review of Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco was an inspiration, and Thursday on Top of the Heap , we shared a bit of our history with you.

Today, we want to tell you about the amazing time we had meeting  Patricia Polacco  at Linda's Story Time in Monroe, CT last Saturday! This local book nook was the perfect place to meet and greet with this well-known storyteller. It was wonderful to see all of the young readers getting excited about their books, and we enjoyed chatting with the charismatic crew that ran the event- keep an eye out for an interesting Village Story Peddlers post!

It's important to support your local bookstore, and we love to see authors connecting with their readers. The experience was well worth the time, and we look forward to visiting Linda's Story Time again : ) ~ Jess & Stephanie

Be sure to stop by the Signed Book Giveaway Hop and enter for your chance to win signed editions of Thank You, Mr. Falker and My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother by Patricia Polacco - Giveaway ends April 22nd.
Connect with this author: 
☞ Author website ☞ Facebook ☞ Goodreads



FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Monday’s Riddle was a tricky poem to get us thinking about where our stories come from.  We are giving away three signed books in the Signed Book Giveaway Hop, which all tie into the theme for the week. Lizzy's review of The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco shows us the power of using our own stories in our writing. Friday, we will be showcasing our meeting with Patricia Polacco, and Saturday, we can't wait to hear from you on The DMS Wants to Know . Today we thought we would share with you two of the coolest ways we know of to learn the stories from our lives…
This week's top of the heap: The best way to get to know our stories!  Ken Thomas, Wikipedia photo
Fairday: There are so many ways to learn about the stories that make up who we are. Living so close to Ellis Island for most of my life, it became a magical thread connecting me to family members that I had never met.  Walking in to the building I felt like I could hear the voices of my great-great-grandparents whispering to me about their journey. Because the museum brought the past alive it made me interested and where I came from and what life was like for my family. I know Ellis Island was badly damages in Hurricane Sandy and isn’t open to the public now, but I hope its doors will open again soon so others can experience the wonders of history.  ~F Lizzy's footprint: Day 1Lizzy: I love to look at old photographs and have my mom, dad, or grandparents tell me stories about the old days.  I think that is why I find it so fascinating to go through albums with black and white pictures. The pictures tell their own tales and capture a moment of interest.  Nowadays so many people don’t print out pictures, but I am lucky because my mom has been working on an album about me since I was born. It has journal entries from my mom telling about different events that happened, along with pictures. I love to curl up on the couch and flip through photos and mementos that I don’t even remember, but that still make me who I am.  There are clippings of my first haircut, a hospital bracelet from when I got my tonsils out, and so many odds and ends. Keepsakes and photographs help me get in touch with my personal history.  ~L
Each of our stories makes us unique! FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED