Carmela Dutra's Blog - Posts Tagged "caring"
Friendship
I want to take the time today to talk about friendship. You can find friendship in many ways, from individuals you grew up with; to new people you meet along the way in life. You never know where that friendship will take you, the doors it will open, or the possibilities it will create. Friendship is something vital to one’s life, we we’re all created with this need to be around people, to associate, to love. Sometimes you do not know always know your true potential, sometimes it’s revealed through friendship. The bonds that have been created, and sadly sometimes even bonds that have been broken. Friendship can help you to grow, experience things in a new way, new understandings. Friendship isn’t limited to people you’ve known your entire life. Nor is bound by age, race, and creed; friendship is founded upon diversity, or at least it should be.
It’s interesting; people often say “I have X-amount of friends on Twitter, FaceBook, and let’s not forget Instagram!” How many of these “friends” are ones that you would truly call “MY FRIENDS!” Chances are just a handful at best. I can honestly say I have such friends that I have met on Twitter, and have on FaceBook too. A friendship built on diversity, a friendship that has even crossed the Pond! A friendship that shares a common goal, interest and desire! A friendship that I am most grateful for! A friendship that believes in supporting, helping, and encouraging one another; we started off as individuals with one goal, promote children’s literacy. Through this shared goal we came together, united in our purpose, in one purpose. If even one child, just ONE CHILD picks a book and enjoys it, and wants to keep reading, then we’ve accomplished what it is that we set out to do.
This is a new friendship we have, but it is a friendship that I treasure and never wish it to part. I want to thank all of my new friends for everything that they have done, in the ways that they have encouraged me. I hope that I have been able to give them just a fraction of what they have given me.
Furthermore, I hope everyone reading this takes away the importance or friendship, and seeks it out in their own life. Never forsaking the importance of friendship; never allowing diversity of any kind, to interfere in friendship. Each friendship is special and unique in its own way; I know ours is, and I wouldn’t trade it in! We are small but mighty group of Kid Lit Authors made up of Peeps, a Sleuthing almost eight year old detective, a lovable wolf pup name Lobo, a few gnomes to liven up the bunch. Some adorable owls a chubby brown bear full of moxie; along with so many other kinds of magic, mystery and adventure. So thank you Karen, Jamie, Kristen, C.L, Rhonda, Geena, Jill, Sue, Mrs D and Steve, MY FRIENDS!
Sail away in an adventure today, and
make some friends along the way!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.LorenzotheBear.com
Faceboo.com/LorenzotheBear (like me!)
Twitter.com/LorenzotheBear @LorenzotheBear
www.kidliteratureauthors.com
https://twitter.com/PeachyEmmapeachye...
www.peepandfriends.com
www.lovablelobo.com
www.danipmystery.com
www..susannavas.com
www.geenabean.com
twitter.com/steveconoboy
https://twitter.com/CARLOTHEMOUSE
It’s interesting; people often say “I have X-amount of friends on Twitter, FaceBook, and let’s not forget Instagram!” How many of these “friends” are ones that you would truly call “MY FRIENDS!” Chances are just a handful at best. I can honestly say I have such friends that I have met on Twitter, and have on FaceBook too. A friendship built on diversity, a friendship that has even crossed the Pond! A friendship that shares a common goal, interest and desire! A friendship that I am most grateful for! A friendship that believes in supporting, helping, and encouraging one another; we started off as individuals with one goal, promote children’s literacy. Through this shared goal we came together, united in our purpose, in one purpose. If even one child, just ONE CHILD picks a book and enjoys it, and wants to keep reading, then we’ve accomplished what it is that we set out to do.
This is a new friendship we have, but it is a friendship that I treasure and never wish it to part. I want to thank all of my new friends for everything that they have done, in the ways that they have encouraged me. I hope that I have been able to give them just a fraction of what they have given me.
Furthermore, I hope everyone reading this takes away the importance or friendship, and seeks it out in their own life. Never forsaking the importance of friendship; never allowing diversity of any kind, to interfere in friendship. Each friendship is special and unique in its own way; I know ours is, and I wouldn’t trade it in! We are small but mighty group of Kid Lit Authors made up of Peeps, a Sleuthing almost eight year old detective, a lovable wolf pup name Lobo, a few gnomes to liven up the bunch. Some adorable owls a chubby brown bear full of moxie; along with so many other kinds of magic, mystery and adventure. So thank you Karen, Jamie, Kristen, C.L, Rhonda, Geena, Jill, Sue, Mrs D and Steve, MY FRIENDS!
Sail away in an adventure today, and
make some friends along the way!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.LorenzotheBear.com
Faceboo.com/LorenzotheBear (like me!)
Twitter.com/LorenzotheBear @LorenzotheBear
www.kidliteratureauthors.com
https://twitter.com/PeachyEmmapeachye...
www.peepandfriends.com
www.lovablelobo.com
www.danipmystery.com
www..susannavas.com
www.geenabean.com
twitter.com/steveconoboy
https://twitter.com/CARLOTHEMOUSE
Earth Day Every Day!
April 22nd, what comes to mind when you hear this date? Maybe your birthday? Or is it your anniversary? Well it’s someone’s anniversary, can you guess who?? That’s right, our dear Mother Earth! April 22nd is her day. It never changes, every year on this day people around the globe will celebrate Earth Day. 
On April 22, 1970, was the first Earth Day. An estimated 20 million Americans took to the street in support of the environment and in protest to harmful environmental practices. Never mind that “protests” were all the rage at the time. This effort produced a lasting impact on the environment and brought about greater awareness in regards to our planet, it’s resources, and our eco-system. The things we are putting in the air, water and earth were impacting us, and still are today.
Our dear earth is a beautiful, wonderful precious gift that we are privileged to live upon. How we treat our beautiful home is a reflection on how we feel towards this gift that we have been given. One day just isn’t enough. It’s a great start, but it’s just not enough. For any of you reading who have ever gardened know how much of an undertaking it can be, there’s a lot of work to do! We all live on this earth together, so we are all in this together.
Change is possible, even an old dog can learn new tricks! Change can start with simple things in our daily lives that go beyond just separating our papers from plastics. This amazingly beautiful planet gives us so much! What can we do in return? Simple things, add up to big things! If you live in California you are aware of the massive drought we are facing. Heck! If you turn on the news and listen to the weather for 5 minutes, you’ve likely heard about the drought we are facing here. It’s a concerning thing for us Californians, but what can we do?
Sweep. Don’t hose. I repeat SWEEP! Cleaning your driveway and sidewalks with a hose not only sends dirty water into the storm drains that lead to our beaches, it a huge waste of water! If you live in California you are experiencing first hand how precious this liquid gold is becoming.
Reusable is better. Okay, I know what you are thinking: “This Californian for the Bay Area is going all hippy on us.” While even I laughed while typing that, I’m not. I drink bottled water too, but water taste better out of glass. Instead of buying case after case of bottled water, carry a reusable bottle. Plastic bottles are one of the top five most common types of litter found. You will also save money, avoid the risk of toxins, and find the taste to be more enjoyable.
Volunteer. How many of us complain over the trash we see littering our freeways, parks, parking lots, etc. Many hands make the load light. So instead of complaining, let’s do something about it! If nothing else, pick up a piece of trash that come across and dispose of it in the proper place. Not only are we taking a simple step in helping, but we are also helping the animals. And who doesn’t want to help those cute and cuddly little guys!
These are just three simple things we can do that can lead to a big impact. What are your thoughts? What would you suggest? If we don’t start now, then when? There is no better time than now to celebrate our beautiful blue planet during this year’s Earth Day. A simple step is all it takes to making big changes.
Happy Earth Day!
On April 22, 1970, was the first Earth Day. An estimated 20 million Americans took to the street in support of the environment and in protest to harmful environmental practices. Never mind that “protests” were all the rage at the time. This effort produced a lasting impact on the environment and brought about greater awareness in regards to our planet, it’s resources, and our eco-system. The things we are putting in the air, water and earth were impacting us, and still are today.
Our dear earth is a beautiful, wonderful precious gift that we are privileged to live upon. How we treat our beautiful home is a reflection on how we feel towards this gift that we have been given. One day just isn’t enough. It’s a great start, but it’s just not enough. For any of you reading who have ever gardened know how much of an undertaking it can be, there’s a lot of work to do! We all live on this earth together, so we are all in this together.
Change is possible, even an old dog can learn new tricks! Change can start with simple things in our daily lives that go beyond just separating our papers from plastics. This amazingly beautiful planet gives us so much! What can we do in return? Simple things, add up to big things! If you live in California you are aware of the massive drought we are facing. Heck! If you turn on the news and listen to the weather for 5 minutes, you’ve likely heard about the drought we are facing here. It’s a concerning thing for us Californians, but what can we do?
Sweep. Don’t hose. I repeat SWEEP! Cleaning your driveway and sidewalks with a hose not only sends dirty water into the storm drains that lead to our beaches, it a huge waste of water! If you live in California you are experiencing first hand how precious this liquid gold is becoming.
Reusable is better. Okay, I know what you are thinking: “This Californian for the Bay Area is going all hippy on us.” While even I laughed while typing that, I’m not. I drink bottled water too, but water taste better out of glass. Instead of buying case after case of bottled water, carry a reusable bottle. Plastic bottles are one of the top five most common types of litter found. You will also save money, avoid the risk of toxins, and find the taste to be more enjoyable.
Volunteer. How many of us complain over the trash we see littering our freeways, parks, parking lots, etc. Many hands make the load light. So instead of complaining, let’s do something about it! If nothing else, pick up a piece of trash that come across and dispose of it in the proper place. Not only are we taking a simple step in helping, but we are also helping the animals. And who doesn’t want to help those cute and cuddly little guys!
These are just three simple things we can do that can lead to a big impact. What are your thoughts? What would you suggest? If we don’t start now, then when? There is no better time than now to celebrate our beautiful blue planet during this year’s Earth Day. A simple step is all it takes to making big changes.
Happy Earth Day!
Behind the scenes of an Author Visit
Well it’s that time of year again folks! School is coming to an end, or at some schools it has already ended. Summer is just around the corner and the adventures are soon to begin! This past school year has been a blur! It feels like just yesterday I was watching commercials for school supplies at the local Target. I’m sure all of you parent’s reading this are nodding your heads in agreement.
While this school year feels like it just started, it’s already coming to a close! For me, it was a very different type of school year. It wasn’t the normal collecting box tops for education to send to my niece and nephew, or even sending them notebooks and pencils. This year I was privileged to visit a variety of classrooms.
Each visit was a different experience, the grades ranged between first and third. There were English and bilingual students. I had a few combo classes, I was even working with a few special needs students. Each class came with its own challenges, some of which were the various sizes of the classes. Some school have the 20 -1- rule, and others did not. In the end, all of them were filled with a buzz of energy! I enjoyed every second I had with the students, and I cannot wait for the new school to begin so I can start them all over again!
Lately I have been getting several messages/e-mails that look something like this.
“I just got invited for my very first author visit, and I wanted to see if you had any advice since you have done these types of visits before. I will be reading to (insert grade level), what advice do you have regarding handouts, activities, selling books, etc.?”
I thought this would be a fantastic blog opportunity, to break down what goes into a classroom visits. Everything I discuss will be in reference to my series The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear.
However, the same idea can be used with any book. I will be applying these same techniques when my new series Little Katie comes out June 3rd. That’s right everyone, The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear will not be my only series! I’m so excited so share Little Katie with everyone! She has been over a year in the making. Eek! So excited!! Okay, back on topic now.
The grade levels that I tend to stick with are between 1-3, this is my target audience, but I do not limit myself to these grades. I have recently been asked to start visiting both fourth and fifth grade as well, so we’ll have to get more creative there. Before each visit there are several, and I mean several phone/e-mail/text and sometimes in person conversations between the teacher(s) and myself. Any parent knows that each of their children are unique, needing things tailored just for them. Same goes for each classroom I visit.
The needs of each school, classroom, teacher, and student’s vary. That is why I spend so much time communicating with the teacher(s) to address the needs of their student’s. I often ask what they are focusing in school? Do they want an activity that will focus on writing, or art? With their feedback, I work with them to create a custom classroom visit. I usually e-mail a few activities for them to choose from, and then we go from there.
There is a basic structure to the visits; I come introduce myself, read my story, Q&A, activities, handouts, and say goodbye. But each visit varies based on the needs of the class. Sadly, some schools I visit had their funding for Arts cut. Since I am also an illustrator, I inform the teacher(s) that I can offer art as an activity to focus on. Sometimes I’ll show a video to the class showing them how Lorenzo the Bear comes together, then I help the students to draw Lorenzo themselves. The steps they learn when drawing Lorenzo the Bear, can be then applied classroom draw any animal they desire.
Other classrooms are wanting to focus on writing, especially plot and character development. Or, writing a story with your audience in mind. In this instance I offer an activity that focuses on writing, usually a story prompt.
For the really little ones simplicity is key! I like to keep it as short and as simple as I can! I aim to keep in them engaged as much as possible. This is where we will usually play a game together, make bear hats, or color.
Sometimes teachers who just want their student’s to have fun! When this is the case we play something like MadLibs, or Word search. Regardless of the activity that is chosen, each one is custom made by myself, and ties in with the book I read to the class. There is always a theme I stick with, and that is my books. Oh and most importantly, I make it a point to personally work with each and every student in the class.
Despite what some of the kids may say, they all LOVE to color! So I am sure to always bring along coloring pages for them. These are kept as a backup to use, if we fly through the planned activity. Otherwise they get these at the end of the visit to use later in class, or to take home.
I really appreciate the enthusiasm of the teachers. They often ask: “How long can we keep you!?” I explain that it depends on how many classrooms I will be visiting that day. Overall my visits are usually 60 min. especially if I have back to back classrooms. Sometimes my visits are a little shorter for first and kindergartner’s, it just depends.
Here is the big question everyone wants to know “If you sell your books, how do you go about it?” I have to give all of the credit to my publishing house here. My editor sent me a flyer they give to all of their children’s authors to help them sell their books in schools. It’s known as a give back program. The students are sent home with a flyer allowing them to purchase the book from me directly at a discount, then a portion from each sale goes back to the school library. This is approved by the principal, and then sent home with the students. This has been very effective in selling books.
In addition to sending home book order flyers, each student receives a parting gift to commemorate our visit. Usually it’s a book marker, but sometimes it’s a printable activity like a bear and or pirate hat. The student’s seem to get most excited over the donation of a book to each classroom I visit, so they will always have it to read over and over again.
So there you have it! A breakdown of an author visit with me, Carmela Dutra. I hope this helps any of you who might be starting off with author visits. Best of luck. You will rock your author visit! Are you an author who has visited a classroom before? Please leave a comment sharing your experiences!
Are you a teacher or Librarian? Would you like to schedule your own author visit? Please, visit the link below to set one up. Do live out of state? Or perhaps out of the country? That’s OK we can schedule a Skype visit too!
Besides being a fun break from the classroom routine, an author or illustrator visit introduces students to the processes of writing, developing characters, and expressing one’s creativity. It gets readers excited about books, and it provides an opportunity to encourage young writers. All of my visits are free, as I believe strongly in giving back to schools. So schedule one for you today!
CarmelaDutra.com
While this school year feels like it just started, it’s already coming to a close! For me, it was a very different type of school year. It wasn’t the normal collecting box tops for education to send to my niece and nephew, or even sending them notebooks and pencils. This year I was privileged to visit a variety of classrooms.
Each visit was a different experience, the grades ranged between first and third. There were English and bilingual students. I had a few combo classes, I was even working with a few special needs students. Each class came with its own challenges, some of which were the various sizes of the classes. Some school have the 20 -1- rule, and others did not. In the end, all of them were filled with a buzz of energy! I enjoyed every second I had with the students, and I cannot wait for the new school to begin so I can start them all over again!
Lately I have been getting several messages/e-mails that look something like this.
“I just got invited for my very first author visit, and I wanted to see if you had any advice since you have done these types of visits before. I will be reading to (insert grade level), what advice do you have regarding handouts, activities, selling books, etc.?”
I thought this would be a fantastic blog opportunity, to break down what goes into a classroom visits. Everything I discuss will be in reference to my series The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear.
However, the same idea can be used with any book. I will be applying these same techniques when my new series Little Katie comes out June 3rd. That’s right everyone, The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear will not be my only series! I’m so excited so share Little Katie with everyone! She has been over a year in the making. Eek! So excited!! Okay, back on topic now.The grade levels that I tend to stick with are between 1-3, this is my target audience, but I do not limit myself to these grades. I have recently been asked to start visiting both fourth and fifth grade as well, so we’ll have to get more creative there. Before each visit there are several, and I mean several phone/e-mail/text and sometimes in person conversations between the teacher(s) and myself. Any parent knows that each of their children are unique, needing things tailored just for them. Same goes for each classroom I visit.
The needs of each school, classroom, teacher, and student’s vary. That is why I spend so much time communicating with the teacher(s) to address the needs of their student’s. I often ask what they are focusing in school? Do they want an activity that will focus on writing, or art? With their feedback, I work with them to create a custom classroom visit. I usually e-mail a few activities for them to choose from, and then we go from there.
There is a basic structure to the visits; I come introduce myself, read my story, Q&A, activities, handouts, and say goodbye. But each visit varies based on the needs of the class. Sadly, some schools I visit had their funding for Arts cut. Since I am also an illustrator, I inform the teacher(s) that I can offer art as an activity to focus on. Sometimes I’ll show a video to the class showing them how Lorenzo the Bear comes together, then I help the students to draw Lorenzo themselves. The steps they learn when drawing Lorenzo the Bear, can be then applied classroom draw any animal they desire.
Other classrooms are wanting to focus on writing, especially plot and character development. Or, writing a story with your audience in mind. In this instance I offer an activity that focuses on writing, usually a story prompt.
For the really little ones simplicity is key! I like to keep it as short and as simple as I can! I aim to keep in them engaged as much as possible. This is where we will usually play a game together, make bear hats, or color.
Sometimes teachers who just want their student’s to have fun! When this is the case we play something like MadLibs, or Word search. Regardless of the activity that is chosen, each one is custom made by myself, and ties in with the book I read to the class. There is always a theme I stick with, and that is my books. Oh and most importantly, I make it a point to personally work with each and every student in the class.
Despite what some of the kids may say, they all LOVE to color! So I am sure to always bring along coloring pages for them. These are kept as a backup to use, if we fly through the planned activity. Otherwise they get these at the end of the visit to use later in class, or to take home.
I really appreciate the enthusiasm of the teachers. They often ask: “How long can we keep you!?” I explain that it depends on how many classrooms I will be visiting that day. Overall my visits are usually 60 min. especially if I have back to back classrooms. Sometimes my visits are a little shorter for first and kindergartner’s, it just depends.
Here is the big question everyone wants to know “If you sell your books, how do you go about it?” I have to give all of the credit to my publishing house here. My editor sent me a flyer they give to all of their children’s authors to help them sell their books in schools. It’s known as a give back program. The students are sent home with a flyer allowing them to purchase the book from me directly at a discount, then a portion from each sale goes back to the school library. This is approved by the principal, and then sent home with the students. This has been very effective in selling books.
In addition to sending home book order flyers, each student receives a parting gift to commemorate our visit. Usually it’s a book marker, but sometimes it’s a printable activity like a bear and or pirate hat. The student’s seem to get most excited over the donation of a book to each classroom I visit, so they will always have it to read over and over again.
So there you have it! A breakdown of an author visit with me, Carmela Dutra. I hope this helps any of you who might be starting off with author visits. Best of luck. You will rock your author visit! Are you an author who has visited a classroom before? Please leave a comment sharing your experiences!
Are you a teacher or Librarian? Would you like to schedule your own author visit? Please, visit the link below to set one up. Do live out of state? Or perhaps out of the country? That’s OK we can schedule a Skype visit too!
Besides being a fun break from the classroom routine, an author or illustrator visit introduces students to the processes of writing, developing characters, and expressing one’s creativity. It gets readers excited about books, and it provides an opportunity to encourage young writers. All of my visits are free, as I believe strongly in giving back to schools. So schedule one for you today!
CarmelaDutra.com
