Jessica Haight's Blog, page 36

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Stuck In Muck...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we're mucking around in a bog. Friday, we'll get lost in Lizzy's Middle Grade Book Review , so stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

While walking in the woods, I see a clearing pass. 
Eating flies from waters skim jumps a large mouth bass. 
Turn the bend, 'round the pond, muck seeps from the ground. 
Looking out, mossy green creeps up all around. 
And, further on, peepers sing and dragonflies take flight. 
No person here, no words to speak, as day turns into night. 
Dreamy smells, squishing peat— a place where matters meet. 
Sit and watch buzzing things or exercise your feet.

What am I referring to? Answer: Bog/ Wetlands


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

Monday's Riddle: Peat Under Feet...

Hello, Riddlers! It's good to be back. Can you guess our theme this week? One of my favorite places in nature to explore. ; ) ~ F

While walking in the woods, I see a clearing pass. 
Eating flies from waters skim jumps a large mouth bass. 
Turn the bend, 'round the pond, muck seeps from the ground. 
Looking out, mossy green creeps up all around. 
And, further on, peepers sing and dragonflies take flight. 
No person here, no words to speak, as day turns into night. 
Dreamy smells, squishing peat— a place where matters meet. 
Sit and watch buzzing things or exercise your feet.

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer.

I gave you two clues!
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Birthing A Book: Raising Your Book Right

We're taking a break to recharge! Fairday's Riddles and Lizzy's Book Review  will be back next week. Here's advice for writers interested in publishing a book...

Seeking A Story Home By Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson
— You’ve cultivated your story seed and delivered a book . The next phase in a writer's journey is the metamorphosis from manuscript to published work, and there are many paths to take as you step further into the literary forest.

If your decision is to turn toward traditional publishing, be sure you understand which side of the mushroom you’re eating.

Will you shrink or grow?

 Brick & M ortar Binding 
(PATH TO PUBLICATION: PART 1)

Tips to help find the right publisher for your work:
1. To really understand the publishing world, it’s essential to attend writers’ conferences, book fairs, and events. By networking with professionals in the industry, you’ll learn about the book buisiness and be inspired by people who have the same goals. The hardest part is going, but once you’re there, the scene is motivating. You’ll connect with agents and editors who will give you key tips on how to have your manuscript received and read by publishers.
Book events we found beneficial: Unicorn Writers’Conference CAPA Conference (CT Authors & Publishers Association) 
Connecticut Children’s Book Fair
BEA (Book Expo America) 2. Your words are going to be sliced and diced by editors once a publisher acquires your manuscript, BUT that does not mean you should wait to edit and revise. When you’re ready to seek a home for your book, your manuscript should be clean and concise. Hiring an editor to review your work or joining a critique group prior to submission is recommended. Once you’re satisfied with your words, it’s time to develop an AMAZING query letter and find a literary agent. In traditional publishing, this step can’t be missed. It’s rare a publisher will pick up an author who isn’t represented by a reputable literary agency. Developing a good query letter is not an easy task, but it's a challenge that will help you grow as a writer. The most important thing to remember about writing a query letter is this—  you’re trying to peak someone’s interest enough so that they want to read more of your words.

Margo's Musings: Bartholomew and the Oobleck

"The least you could do is say the simple words, I'm sorry." ~Bartholomew Cubbins, Bartholomew and the Oobleck
I love when Read Across America Day arrives because I know that spring is around the corner. Plus, it's awesome to get to celebrate Dr. Seuss and his fantastical books. This year, I was excited to share some of my favorites with my little sister, Margo. With so many books to choose from, we were able to enjoy lots of stories. She loves the funny rhymes and creatures that are in Dr. Seuss’s books. But this year, her choice is Bartholomew and the Oobleck. It’s hard to resist a book that's followed up with making a slimy, interesting mix that will entertain for hours!


In this book, King Derwin of Didd is tired of rain, sun, fog and snow. He wants something different and asks the royal magicians to make the sky shower something exciting upon them. The next morning, a young page, Bartholomew Cubbins, wakes up to find that the oobleck the king wanted is indeed falling. The king declares a holiday and wants everyone outside. It is green, unique, and exciting- at first. But, after a bit, there’s no doubt it’s messy. The oobleck won’t stop showering the kingdom, and creatures are getting stuck. How can they stop it? Can anything be done? What are the magic words? This entertaining story has an important message in its pages.


If Margo loves one thing, it’s a mess. That made this Dr. Seuss book perfect! Her giggles as we watched the green goop sticking to things throughout the book made me laugh too. She kept pointing and saying, “Bleck, bleck, bleck”. After we finished reading, it was time to make some of our own. The ingredients are so easy (we made it with and without the food coloring, and it’s fun either way). I know we’ll be revisiting this Seuss classic again!

Ingredients:
2 cups cornstarch1 cup water1-2 drops food coloring (optional)Mix in a bowl. Add water to cornstarch sl-ow-ly! (easier to mix)
Has anyone else read Bartholomew and the Oobleck? What’s your favorite book by Dr. Seuss? Have you ever made oobleck? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading!
~ FFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Great Gobs of Goo!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week, we're slinging slime. Friday, we'll dive into a story for National Read Across America Day, so stay tuned! See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

Here's a recipe for fun! Mix three ingredients into one: 
First, thicken the pot with maize; a substance that stirs up a craze. 
Then, drop two H's and an O; the concoction's almost ready to go. 
Lastly, spill color into the brew, whichever you'd like- red, green or blue! 
A Newtonian rebel you shall be, breaking rules of viscosity.

What am I referring to? Answer: Oobleck

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

Monday's Riddle: A Viscous Rebel...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? This is always a fun week, especially if you love sticky rhymes. ; ) ~ F

Here's a recipe for fun! Mix three ingredients into one: 
First, thicken the pot with maize; a substance that stirs up a craze. 
Then, drop two H's and an O; the concoction's almost ready to go. 
Lastly, spill color into the brew, whichever you'd like- red, green or blue! 
A Newtonian rebel you shall be, breaking rules of viscosity.

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

The Mighty Miss Malone

“…some people have kindness and gentleness wrapped around them like a blanket and there’s no doubting who they are.” ~Christopher Paul Curtis, The Mighty Miss Malone
Deza Malone is the smartest girl at her school in Gary, Indiana. She loves everything about school and checks out books from her local library regularly. Deza’s older brother, Jimmie, excels at singing and has a voice like an angel. Sadly, he hasn’t grown since he was twelve, and now people think he's her younger brother. Unfortunately, the Great Depression has hit the Malone family hard and they don’t have the money to take Jimmie to a special doctor to find out what’s going on. Mr. Malone has been out of work and Mrs. Malone works as a housekeeper, but this barely keeps a roof over their heads and a small amount of food on the table. After a tragic accident, Father seems different, until the big fight between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling is about to take place. Deza doesn’t understand it, but there’s hope everywhere. She thinks the fight is stupid until her father explains it to her and how important it is that there is an arena in which the color of skin doesn’t matter. Everyone is certain they know how the fight will end, and after it is over Mr. Malone decides he needs to leave Gary and look for a job in Flint, Michigan. It isn’t long after when their landlord kicks the rest of the Malones out of their house. Leaving behind her school, her best friend, and the only life she has ever known is painful for Deza. Still, she moves with her mother to a Hooverville in Flint hoping to find her father and be united as a family again. Will they ever find Deza’s father? Is it possible to survive without money for food or shelter? Does Deza have enough hope and perseverance to continue on? Don’t miss this trip back in history, because you won’t be able to put it down!

I read Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis and fell in love with it. I couldn’t wait to read The Mighty Miss Malone and I was not disappointed. Deza is an inspirational character because she keeps trying and does her best to stay positive no matter what. Whenever I read about the Great Depression I am amazed that people survived, especially with so many struggles. My heart went out to Deza and her family and all that they went though. Reading about the Malones was so much fun because of their relationship with each other. Seeing how hard life was for Deza made me think about all the things I take for granted and how lucky I am to have food, shelter, clothes, and even frivolous items. Sadly, there were people in the book who were prejudiced against Deza and her family because of their skin color, and when they said things to her like, “You are a credit to your race” they didn’t realize they were letting Deza know they were someone judgmental who couldn’t be trusted. I especially like how the author showed us that we often misjudge people or situations because we think we know what's going on, but really we bring our own bias with us. Reading the “Afterward” I was surprised at the information I learned and how I had misjudged a situation in the book. It’s awesome when you can read a book, fall into another time and place, and learn an important lesson. I would recommend this book to people in grades four and up who like historical fiction and characters with heart. I will certainly read anything by this author! 
Has anyone else read The Mighty Miss Malone? Or have you read another book by Christopher Paul Curtis? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Reading!
~LFEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Answer to Monday's Riddle: Seeing Sides...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll catch two sides of the story. Friday, Lizzy's review will broaden our perspective, so stay tuned. See you all around the book block. ; ) ~ F

A six or nine depends who's who- to see it clear, switch a shoe. This or that, tit for tat; think it's round or is it flat? Tales are tricky, like telephone; when words mix, scenes are known. At one point it seems right, but from another it'll cause a fight. Observation lassos the matter; an open mind prevents the latter. Good and bad are changing tides; think for yourself, and see all sides.

What am I referring to?
Answer: Two sides to the story/ different perspectives.


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

Monday's Riddle: Which Is It?

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Larry Lovell likes to remind me to keep this in mind. ; ) ~ F

A six or nine depends who's who- to see it clear, switch a shoe. This or that, tit for tat; think it's round or is it flat? Tales are tricky, like telephone; when words mix, scenes are known. At one point it seems right, but from another it'll cause a fight. Observation lassos the matter; an open mind prevents the latter. Good and bad are changing tides; think for yourself, and see all sides.

What am I referring to? Stop by Wednesday for the answer. 

I gave you a clue! 


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED

Margo's Musings: An Old Dragon Swallowed a WHAT??

“There was an old dragon who swallowed a knight. I don't know why he swallowed the knight. It's not polite!”
As soon as we got to the library my little sister, Margo, saw the bright red dragon on the cover of a book and pointed. She was very excited to start reading. She thinks dragons are cute!
There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight by Penny Parker Klostermann is told in the same style as the classic story There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. In this book however, there is a dragon that does the swallowing. He takes in all kinds of items and people that one might find near a castle. But- Margo’s favorite part is what happens when the dragon realizes that he may have eaten too much. I am surprised you couldn’t hear her cracking up at your house. The repetitive lines and rhythm make this a story that can be read over and over. There are lots of opportunities for everyone reading the story to participate. Will the dragon suffer the same fate as the old lady who swallowed the fly? Or will he live to swallow another knight?


The illustrations are vibrant, and the pictures really draw the reader in. Because the lines repeat, Margo couldn’t wait for her part, which was, “It’s not polite.” She’s been going around everywhere saying the phrase, and it does sound funny coming from a two year old, especially when it’s the reply to something she wants and has been told “no” about.  This would be a fun story for kids and adults to read together and I know we will read it at least a few more times before we return it to the Ashpot Library!

Has anyone else read There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight? Or have you read another book by Penny Parker Klostermann? 

We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~F
FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED