Jessica Haight's Blog, page 138

Answer to Monday's Riddle! Rabbit, Rabbit!

Alice/ Lucky BunnyHappy New Year's Day everyone! I remembered to say "Rabbit, rabbit" this morning before I said anything else. It's the first time I've ever lived up to that challenge, so this year is sure to be lucky!

Lizzy and I hope that you are all getting a chance to relax and reflect. It's always such an adventure to begin something new; scary at first, but then, exhilarating. Watching and recognizing life changing and evolving as the moment goes is forever a new beginning. And so, we carry on- into a world filled with hope, love, fear, sadness, inspiration, and miracles. It's a wondrous time to be human. Experiencing each new beginning as it occurs is truly an incredible thing to do!

We have a fresh start this week, and Lizzy's review will set us on course. Thursday, we look forward to bringing up beginnings on Top of the Heap . The Happy New Year 2013 Book Giveaway Hop  will be running from January 1st- January 7th, so be sure to pop by and enter for your chance to win a signed hardcover edition of the spooky, new middle grade novel The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by J. Haight & S. Robinson . Friday, Children's illustrator, Barbara McClintock will be stopping by to tell us a little more about the story behind her story  Leave Your Sleep . Saturday, we can't wait to hear your thoughts on The DMS Wants to Know . Spread the love people! See you all around the book block ; ) ~ F

Awake! And you're here with me. Open your mind, surly you'll see. I am a start that sets you on your way, showing you the path you walk today. Though the seasons scenes don't last, I will stay open for you to pass. A sign of hope when things do end, something fresh around a bend. The cycle of us spins once more; the list of things that writes the lore. I'm the joy you seize in what's new, the rest of what happens is up to you! 

What am I?  Answer: A New Beginning! 




FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Happy New Year 2013 Hop!

Thanks to  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer  and  Babs Book Bistro  for hosting the  Happy New Year 2013  Giveaway Hop!   Fairday's Blog!  is giving away a signed, hardcover edition of the middle grade novel, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow  by J. Haight & S. Robinson . Enter for your chance to follow along with Fairday and the DMS on a whirlwind adventure into the Begonia House!

The Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop will run from January 1st - 7th, so, join in the fun! This is a huge hop, and there are lots of delightful blogs participating, giving away all sorts of books and other fabulous prizes.    

Open to US and International : ) 

☞ Be sure to visit the hopping blogs! ( click here for the list )

Enter to win:1) Follow Fairday's Blog!2) Leave a comment and let us know: 
What are you looking forward to this new year?3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below 

Thanks for popping over! We hope that you will stay and visit with us for a while. Below, you will find an overview of the topics that we discuss on  Fairday's Blog!  They range from riddles, to reviews, to just things that we like to shout out about : )





The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Follow along with Fairday and her friends, as spooky meets lovely in this twisting tale of dark secrets and hidden pasts.   Read the first seven chapters 

☞ Read the reviews!
☞ DMS Home Site 



What Fairday's Blog! is all about...
Fairday's Riddles  are posted on Mondays- they can be written about anything and everything, all at the same time!
Lizzy's Book Reviews  are posted on Wednesdays. Lizzy has read just about every middle grade novel out there, and she loves to share her thoughts and, of course, her opinions.

The Top of the Heap  is a post we put up on Thursdays. We thought it would be fun once a week to put up two things that we appreciate and have been thinking about during the week.

Margo's Musings  Fridays belong to Margo, Fairday's little sister. This post focuses on reviewing local children's book authors, which we follow up with an  Author Interview .

The DMS Wants to Know  was a post we came up with for Saturdays because when we get together to hang out on the weekend, we always chat about different situations and ideas that are floating around in our brains and we like to listen to what other people think about them- some of the comments we've gotten have been absolutely fascinating!



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Monday's Riddle! The Starting Line!

Hello Riddlers! Here's this week's puzzle! Something exciting and new for today, I think. Can you guess the theme? ; ) ~ F 


Awake! And you're here with me. Open your mind, surly you'll see. I am a start that sets you on your way, showing you the path you walk today. Though the seasons scenes don't last, I will stay open for you to pass. A sign of hope when things do end, something fresh around a bend. The cycle of us spins once more; the list of things that writes the lore. I'm the joy you seize in what's new, the rest of what happens is up to you! 

What am I?  


Wishing all a bright, new year! ~ F & L 

Ode to Joy...


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

This week was a whirlwind of holiday magic! It was great to share the poem Twas' the Night Before Christmas with all of you, and our 2012 recap of The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews was quite an adventure. Looking back at our first Top of the Heap post was fun, and Friday, Margo and I were so happy to share one of our favorite gifts with all of you! Reading and listening to Leave Your Sleep written by Natalie Merchant and Illustrated by Barbara McClintock was a wonderful way to cap off the holiday season. This book was really special because we were able to meet Barbara McClintock at the 2012 UCONN Children's Book Fair , and she will be stopping by to tell us more about the story behind her story, so be sure to check back! Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: What part of your holiday traditions do you look forward to the most?

We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours!  


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

It's Time to Leave Your Sleep...

"Girls and boys, come out to play, the moon doth shine as bright as day; leave your supper, and leave your sleep, and come with your playfellows into the street." ~ Mother Goose 
Margo and I are both excited to tell you about a wonderful book that we received as a gift for Christmas this year. It is an inspiring and fun compilation of music, art, and the written word. Leave Your Sleep by Natalie Merchant and illustrated by Barbara McClintock is a treasure to enjoy. The poetry is magical- written quite a while ago by some very interesting people. Natalie Merchant set their words into her own eclectic style of music, and with illustrations by Barbara McClintock , the book is truly something special. The CD is amazing, and my whole family enjoyed listening to it and reading along. Margo lost herself with a dancing bear, and I couldn't help but fall into a dream listening to Bleezer's Ice-Cream Store . My favorite story (poem) in the book is The Blind Man and The Elephant - you will have to read it for yourself- it's a great one! Margo also liked the story and song The Janitor's Boy- she's been bouncing up and down on the sofa, proclaiming her love, and rowing her way to freedom with an umbrella. Wishing all of you much cheer and happiness in this bright, new year! Happy reading : )  ~ F


Here's a sneak peek into this rich and textured work of art...

Snippet from the introduction by  Natalie Merchant :

This collection of songs represents the long conversation I had with my daughter during the first six years of her life. It documents our word-of-mouth tradition in the poems, stories, and songs that I found to delight and teach her- this parade of witches and fearless girls, blind men and elephants, giants and sailors and gypsies, dancing bears, circus ponies, a Chinese princess and a janitor's boy. I tried to show her that speech could be the most delightful toy in her possession and that her mother tongue is rich with musical rhythms and rhymes. With these poems, I gave her parables with lessons on human nature and bits of nonsense to challenge the natural order of things and sharpen her wit...

Natalie Merchant is a musician who for the past thirty years has been recognized as one of America's most gifted singer-songwriters. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.



Barbara McClintock is an internationally acclaimed author and illustrator whose books have been named four times to the New York Times best Illustrated Books of the Year list. She lives in Windham, Connecticut. 



We were lucky enough to get to meet with  Barbara McClintock  at the  2012 UCONN Children's Book Fair . It was amazing to hear her talk about her experiences as an illustrator, and we are excited to let you know that she will be dropping by to chat with us in the month of January, so be sure to check back! 

I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER'S ICE-CREAM STORE, there are flavors in my freezer you have never seen before, twenty-eight divine creations too delicious to resist, why not do yourself a favor, try the flavors on my list:

COCOA MOCHA MACARONI TAPIOCA SMOKED BOLONEY CHECKERBERRY CHEDDAR CHEW CHICKEN CHERRY HONEYDEW TUTTI-FRUTTI STEWED TOMATO TUNA TACO BAKED POTATO LOBSTER LITCHI LIMA BEAN MOZZERELLA MANGOSTEEN ALMOND HAM MERINGUE SALAMI YAM ANCHOVY PRUNE PASTRAMI SASSAFRAS SOUVLAKI HASH SUKIYAKI SUCCOTASH BUTTER BRICKLE PEPPER PICKLE POMEGRANATE PUMPERNICKLE PEACH PIMENTO PIZZA PLUM PEANUT PUMPKIN BUBBLE GUM AVOCADO BRUSSEL SPROUT PERIWINKLE SAUERKRAUT BROCCOLI BANANA BLUSTER CHOCOLATE CHOP SUEY CLUSTER COTTON CANDY CARROT CUSTARD CAULIFLOWER COLA MUSTARD ONION DUMPLING DOUBLE DIP TURNIP TRUFFLE TRIPLE FLIP GARLIC GUMBO GRAVY GUAVA LENTIL LEMON LIVER LAVA ORANGE OLIVE BAGEL BEET WATERMELON WAFFLE WHEAT

I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER'S ICE-CREAM STORE, taste a flavor from my freezer, you will surely ask for more, twenty-eight divine creations too delicious to resist, come on do yourself a favor, try the flavors on my list. 


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Top of the Heap!

Our first Top of the Heap post December 29th, 2011! 
Happy Reading : ) 
Lizzy and I thought for the new year it would be fun to keep in the spirit of Holiday Tales and transition it into weekly posts about some of our favorite stories, poems, music, movies, etc. Just something fun to talk about and share with all of you.

This week's top of the heap: Shel Silverstein!

My favorite poem of all time... Lazy Jan e ~ F
Best Shel Silverstein Poem...Sick ~ L


SICK "I cannot go to school today,"Said little Peggy Ann McKay."I have the measles and the mumps,A gash, a rash and purple bumps.My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,I'm going blind in my right eye.My tonsils are as big as rocks,I've counted sixteen chicken poxAnd there's one more--that's seventeen,And don't you think my face looks green?My leg is cut--my eyes are blue--It might be instamatic flu.I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,I'm sure that my left leg is broke--My hip hurts when I move my chin,My belly button's caving in,My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,My 'pendix pains each time it rains.My nose is cold, my toes are numb.I have a sliver in my thumb.My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,I hardly whisper when I speak.My tongue is filling up my mouth,I think my hair is falling out.My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,My temperature is one-o-eight.My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,There is a hole inside my ear.I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?What's that? What's that you say?You say today is. . .Saturday?G'bye, I'm going out to play!"



Does anyone else have a favorite Shel Silverstein poem or any other poem that you would like to share with us? FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

What's a Whangdoodle???

Here's a book review from 2012 that we thought it would be fun to spotlight today! Happy Reading : ) ~ F & L

Have you ever heard of a Whangdoodle? Ben, Tom, and Lindy Potter hadn’t until they met Professor Savant. But once he told them about the rare creature they couldn’t wait to see it for themselves. It isn’t long before the children are in training in order to improve their powers of observation and imagination. It is a lot of hard work, but they have a lot of laughs! Together, with the assistance of their magical scrappy caps, the foursome adventure to a mysterious land that has long been forgotten by humankind. They start out slow, planning to spend a little bit more time in Whagdoodleland during each visit. There they encounter mythical creatures like Sidewinders, the High-Behind Splintercat, Swamp Gaboons and the always helpful Whiffle Bird. One morning, back at home, Lindy is missing and it is up to her brothers and the professors to try to find her. Will they be able to locate her in the strange land? What obstacles will they find in their way? You will have to read this book to find out!

A friend recommended The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards and I had never heard of it. What a treat! This fantasy adventure is filled with beautiful descriptions and amazing creatures. I think that the characters are easy to relate to and funny. I think this book will appeal to people that are in 4th grade and up. Younger kids might enjoy reading it with a parent because there are a lot of new vocabulary words! I would love to take a trip to Whangdoodleland!

Has anyone else read The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles? Or another book by Julie Andrews Edwards? (I am sure some of you recognize the author as a famous actress who has stared in many favorites, such as Mary Poppins!)

Happy Reading!
~L FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Christmas Eve Magic!

Happy Holidays readers and writers! We are wishing you warm thoughts all season long and throughout the new year! Let's cheer for peace and fill our hearts with the joy of life!

This week we will be spotlighting some of our favorite posts in 2012, and then Friday, we have a special holiday treat planned. See you all around the book block ; ) Spread the love people! ✌ ~ F & L




Every Christmas Eve, my dad reads Twas' The Night Before Christmas to us. I thought it would be fun to share it with all of you. So, in the exuberant manner of my father...



"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.



The children were all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.




When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter. I sprang forth from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his course they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet and obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.



His eyes- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.




The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all of the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, "ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was a spark of inspiration, and Lizzy's review of Takeoffs and Landings by Margaret Peterson Haddix took us on a thoughtful trip into two different perspectives. Thursday, on Top of the Heap , Stephanie and Jess popped by to tell us about a few simple ways that they plan on spreading kindness and cheer throughout this upcoming year. Friday, Leslea Newman , author of the children's book The Boy Who Cried Fabulous dropped by to tell us a little more about the story behind her story. Stop by the post and enter for your chance to win a signed copy of this fun story . Giveaway runs until Sunday, December 30th! Also, don't forget, The Drawing Contest is happening all month long, so if you're feeling inspired, pick up pencil and draw a scene from a chapter in The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow and let your creativity flow : ) Send us your artwork and enter for your chance to win a fabulous book prize pack! Contest runs until January 2nd! Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: What inspires you?
(A certain song? A painting? A person?)

We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours! 


Illustration from Edward Gorey’s The Untitled Book from Amphigorey Too.
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Author Interview with Leslea Newman!

The DMS was lucky enough to interview  Leslea Newman , author of the children's picture book  The Boy Who Cried Fabulous .  Recently, we reviewed this fun story, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind the story. So, without further ado... take it away, Leslea! 

What inspired you to write The Boy Who Cried Fabulous?


I was inspired by a friend of mine named Roger, whose favorite word is "fabulous." One day he said to me that he had a friend who called him, "the boy who cried fabulous." Roger said to me, "Wouldn't that make a great title for a children's book?" I agreed, rolled up my sleeves, and got to work!
How long did it take you to write the book?

When I get an idea, I become completely obsessed and spend every waking hour thinking about it and developing it. I usually write a first draft pretty quickly and then spend days, weeks, and months rewriting. I usually write somewhere around 20 drafts until I feel I get a book right. Especially when I write in rhyming verse, there's so much to consider. Meaning, sound, rhythm, rhyme, musicality, etc. I want the book to sing!

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

I loved anything and everything by Dr. Seuss . THE CAT IN THE HAT , and THE CAT IN THE HAT COMES BACK were particular favorites. I also loved all books about animals including CURIOUS GEORGE and BABAR THE ELEPHANT . Later I read and adored BLACK BEAUTY and OLD YELLER. And LITTLE WOMEN , of course. I wanted to be Jo when I grew up.



How did you find your illustrator, Peter Ferguson?

My editor at Tricycle Press found Peter and I think he did an amazing job.





What is the most fabulous thing in your world?

My family! My fabulous spouse, and our fabulous cat, Princess Sheba Darling. They rock my world.

If you could be friends with any character from one of your stories, who would you choose?

That's a tough question. I hate to play favorites. Perhaps I would befriend Hachiko from my book, HACHIKO WAITS . Hachiko is an actual dog who lived in Japan from 1923 - 1935 and waited at Shibuya train station for 10 years, hoping for his master's return. I would like to keep him company so he wouldn't be so lonely (though many people actually did befriend him). 

Where can we purchase a copy of The Boy Who Cried Fabulous?

Wherever fine books are sold.

Local Book Shops ☞ Amazon ☞  Barnes and Noble  

Connect with this author:
Author Website  ☞ Facebook ☞  Twitter



Read the reviews!

 ✭ Fill out the rafflecopter form for a chance to win a signed copy of The Boy Who Cried Fabulous! 



Giveaway ends Sunday December 30th!
Open to US and International ; ) 

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