Jessica Haight's Blog, page 33

Margo's Musings: Who Wants a Waffle?

My little sister, Margo, loves anything that comes with the syrup. Of course, she’s a sticky mess afterwards! I knew when she saw Woodpecker Wants a Waffleat the local library it would be this week’s favorite.
In the story Benny, the woodpecker, smells something delicious and learns that it’s waffles he's craving. The other animals of the forest think he’s crazy. They don’t think that woodpeckers should eat waffles. Benny doesn’t care! He wants what he wants. He devises a plan to get the tasty breakfast treat. Nobody believes he’ll be able to pull it off. But will he?


This was a really cute read and Margo was rooting Benny on the whole time. We found out there is a “Flat Benny” online that kids can print. Then, they can take Benny to get waffles or some other treat and share the picture with a special hash tag.  I’m sure you can guess what we had for breakfast three times this week! Luckily, my dad’s a wizard in the kitchen, and cooking up delicious breakfast goodies is one of his specialties.
Has anyone else read Woodpecker Wants a Waffle? Or have you read another book by Steve Breen? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Reading!
~ F
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Waffles in the House!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we're ironing out the dough. Tune in Friday to fill up on the children's picture book Margo's pulled off the shelf. See you all around the book block.

Fairday's Riddle: House of Dough...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? I think it's exciting when we have this for dinner.

What's Happening on Shady Street?

“It’s watching me, this house. Waiting to swallow me whole in its cobwebby corners and creaky closets.” ~Lindsay Currie, The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street




Tessa Woodward‘s family moves from Florida to Chicago when her father gets offered a job he can’t pass up. Leaving her best friend behind in sunny Florida is hard, but she acts like everything’s okay so her parents don’t feel bad. It isn’t long before Tessa’s creepy house starts making her nervous. After her brother’s ventriloquist dummy shows up in her room in the middle of the night and he’s crying real tears, Tessa knows something or someone is trying to get her attention.  And what are the crying sounds she hears? Luckily, she has befriended a few kids from school and they agree to help Tessa solve the mystery. If it wasn’t for them she’d never have the nerve to visit the local cemetery and find out who is haunting her house on Shady Street. Will they be able figure out what’s happening in Tessa’s house? Is there any way to make the strange occurrences stop? You’ll have to read this spooky to find out.
After my class did a Skype visit with Lindsay Currie, I was curious about The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street. and was not disappointed! Tessa is someone Fairday and I definitely would be friends with, and imagine all the help we could give each other with creepy houses! I especially loved the reference to Watcher in the Woods, which is one of our go to movies when we want to scare ourselves silly. I enjoyed the writing and the characters are interesting. Tessa’s parents are nice and involved, even though she keeps her sleuthing a secret. The addition of the ventriloquist definitely upped the scary factor. I have always found them a little unsettling, and the one in this book really made me shiver. Although this was my first book by Lindsey Currie, I will be looking for more books by her in the future. I recommend this to kids in fourth grade and up who like a book to give them a fright.

Has anyone else read The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay Currie? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading~L
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Who's Talking?

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll be throwing voices. Tune in Friday for Lizzy's review and find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

You'll listen up when I speak. I might be funny or sound weak. I don't care, for I've no mind; dumb and empty is my kind. Sound dispelled by teeth and tongue travel far when words are flung. Master's always got my back, lending voice for what I lack. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Ventriloquist's Dummy

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I  Make time to riddle and rhyme!62 original riddles and illustrations Available in all e-book formats FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Fairday's Riddle: Throwing Words...

Hello, Riddlers! It's good to be back. Can you guess our theme this week? I've never seen this in person, but it's on my list of things to do. ; ) ~ F
You'll listen up when I speak. I might be funny or sound weak. I don't care, for I've no mind; dumb and empty is my kind. Sound dispelled by teeth and tongue travel far when words are flung. Master's always got my back, lending voice for what I lack. 

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer.
I gave you a clue!

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Time Out For Family...

Hello, Readers! We'll be away visiting family this week. Stay tuned for more riddles , book reviews , and literary fun when we're back! In the meantime, here's our recent highlights in case you missed them. See you all around the book block soon! ~ F & L

Find out what's in a writer's tool kit
Crafting stories with Stephanie and Jess
Visit the Edward Gorey House
Relax with pencils and paper

Hop into A Tale of Two Meadows with Alice the bunny
HAPPY READING!
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Edward Gorey, Master of Mystery

"I just kind of conjured them up out of my subconscious and put them in order of ascending peculiarity." ~ Edward Gorey
Today, it's is my personal pleasure to share with you an artist and writer who inspires me. Edward Gorey's books and illustrations are thought provoking and filled with mystery. I was introduced to his work by a friend who gave me a copy of The Gashlycrumb Tinies.

Edward Gorey's stories are like a macabre martini with a twist of peculiar. His lines are, oh so detailed, and they capture the essence of a scene in a most unique way. 
I've visited the Edward Gorey House, and I was delighted by what I found amidst his collection of extraordinary, and ordinary, things. Peculiarities indeed!
Edward Gorey was a fascinating person who enjoyed exploring his imagination. 
I very much appreciate the care and time he put into his illustrations and books. 
He was undoubtably a perfectionist.
His love for Balanchine's choreography in the New York City Ballet is legendary. It would have been amazing to see him there—and possible, as he attended every show. Edward Gorey has been a great influence on my drawing and writing craft. I feel excited when something pops into a picture unexpectedly, and a new idea is born.


"When people are finding meaning in things, beware." ~ Edward Gorey

To learn more about Edward Gorey, visit the Edward Gorey House in Cape Cod. It's an experience you won't soon forget!
Edward Gorey, 1925-2000 ____________________________________________________________

Here is a "Goreyesque" attempt at a short story. I didn't have time to finish this project for the post, as the idea came about on Sunday when Stephanie and I decided the theme this week was Edward Gorey. I will finish it at some point, as I absolutely adore illustrating short story lines like these. It will take a long time to complete the sketches (I had big aspirations of getting it done by Friday, but that was a ridiculous goal). I did listen to Igor Stravinsky and watch Agon performed to Balanchine's choreography by the New York City Ballet to channel inspiration. I can understand why Edward Gorey enjoyed it. The performance is methodical and mesmerizing, like his art. 
The Lingering Lull
By Jessica Haight





Abby sat with naught to do.




Becket tied up his shoe.



Caitlin flipped through a book.


Dedalus was afraid to look.





Enon waited for the call.







Fran crept lightly down the hall.


Goodwin raced toward the door.




Hadley knew she wanted more.

















Icarus swatted at a fly.



Jessica sneaked in like a spy.














Kathryn shouted, “Zip it up!”
          Lori sipped from a cup.
                           Maureen tutted at the show.                                      Ned decided where to go.
                                              Olive made a big mistake.                                                       Paul cut out a slice of cake.
                                 Quentin couldn’t find the word.                                        Rachel wasn’t seen nor heard.
                            Stephanie twiddled two bored thumbs.                                       Tony swept up breadcrumbs.
                Ursula sneezed from a cold.                         Victor hated being old.
       Winnie chased off a cat.                Xena fell over flat.
Yori stood to get a drink.        Zack didn’t wish to think.
______________________________________________
Check out Edward Gorey's Books FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Mysterious Master Gorey

Edward Gorey's Sketchpad

Excellent guessing, Riddlers. This week we're dipping into the mind of the mysterious Edward Gorey. He was a brilliant person whose words and art inspire me. So, get ready for some creative fun on Friday. Stay tuned! See you all around the book block.

A Tale of Two Meadows...

G'day! My name's Alice, and I'm a garden bunny. I feel hoppy, and if you'd like, I'll tell you a story. Do you have the ears to catch the buzz?
Yes! Brilliant. Let's leap into a tale of two meadows.


Our story is told from the wings of Malcom Butterfly, a master at the art of drinking flowers. When the warm sun stirs colors, and things begin to bloom, he sets out on a quest.
Others join him for delicious blossoms and fragrant folly.
Malcom doesn't know he's a butterfly, he just loves living and being in the light. 
He flits and flutters, stopping here and there to rest, keeping a keen eye for the perfect snack.



The first meadow Malcom stumbles on is full of flavors. Delighted by the bounty, he zooms in on a juicy purple thistle. Bees busy themselves around him, squeezing in for a sip. His friends catch the buzz and head over to the beautiful flowers.
Malcom finds a perfect spot and takes a long, slow, deep drink from the decadent thistle.

When butterfly spirit dances with Nature's nectar, the moment sings in high vibrations. 

Malcom feels good. The day is lazy, and there's so much more to explore!


He casually makes his way to a neighboring meadow. Sunlight cascades over green hills, sprinkling prism rainbows on the scene. The butterfly stretches his wings and soars in.



There's plenty of flowers and lots of places to soak in the day. Malcom takes his time, landing on different colors and textures, filling up with love.

As the sun settles, Malcom's adventure comes to an end. A day in the life of a butterfly is part of Nature's blooming magic. With eyes to see and ears to hear, you can't miss it. 
Flutter away with Malcom Butterfly. Enjoy!


HOPPY SPRING!

In the mood for more natural magic?
Take a spooky stroll through an enchanted forest.
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED