Carmela Dutra's Blog, page 13
October 29, 2014
The English Language
I have often heard that the English language is one of the hardest languages to learn, let alone master. As English is my mother tongue, it’s hard to empathise. I don’t even have any recollection of learning how to read in kindergarten whilst English classes in high school all seemed a blur.
I was therefore not prepared to deal with the challenges when my daughter started pre-school. At the age of four, she began her reading journey and they did so phonetically. That in itself was hard enough for me to wrap my head around! Now that she is six, I have begun to really notice the difficulties of the language and my incapability of explaining why some words are the way they are!
Here are some examples that make my life difficult as a parent:
How does one explain that the words ‘rough’ and ‘dough’, although only have one different consonant, are pronounced so differently? I am still stumped for an answer.
Why is the past tense rule of adding ‘ed’ to end of every verb not consistent? In fact, the exceptions to the rule are aplenty! Why is the past tense of ‘buy’ not ‘buyed’, ‘run’ not ‘runned’ or ‘sleep’ not sleeped’? I am constantly correcting her. I sound like a broken record.
-- I hope everyone has enjoyed a look at my latest blog on the topic of Children's Literature. I invite you to pop over to my blog page to finish reading the rest! Please feel free to leave a comment while you are there.
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
October 19, 2014
Children's Literature
Do you like Children’s Literature? I do! I even managed to tract down some of the old books from my childhood, and yes I have reread them. Children’s literature is amazing! It’s so simple, and yet complex. The depth of the dialog, and colorful vivid illustrations are often times over looked. Sadly some have come to think of children’s literature as just that, CHILDREN’S literature. It’s for kids, and not of any interest to me as an adult.
Do you remember though what it was like to read those stories you had growing up? The carefree fun you had. Exploring, playing, and learning with them. You likely had your favorite book that had to be read over and over and over (you get the point) time and again. Likely you loved that book just as much as your favorite toy (in some cases perhaps it was your favorite toy).
Children’s literature is more than just fun. It’s a powerful tool to teach children about the world, themselves, and others.
--- I hope everyone has enjoyed a look at my latest blog on the topic of Children's Literature. I invite you to pop over to my blog page to finish reading the rest! Please feel free to leave a comment while you are there.
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
October 13, 2014
Character Book Blog
To Blog or not to Blog? That is the question! For me the answer to that is simple. YES! Well…. Now the answer is yes. A while ago I would have said something more like ‘Nah I’m good thanks.’ But now that I've gotten into the grove, and very much enjoy it. So when fellow Kid Literature Author Leigh Shearin asked me to share in the Meet the Character Blog Tour, I quickly said yes.
I have a number of characters I would like to introduce you to, but sometimes simplicity is best right? And since the first series I have out right now is entitled The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear, I thought it would be best to focus on just him (for now). First, let me introduce all of you to the wonderful Leigh Shearin.
Leigh and I became twitter pals through our mutual friend, Cat Michaels (million thanks for that Cat!). Leigh is a jack of all trades! Not only is she Writer, but she is also a Farmer, Baker, a Teacher, and a Life Long Dreamer. Her middle-grade eBook, John Bloom and the Victory Garden, will be released in November 2014 on Amazon. Filled with historical fiction set at the beginning of WWII filled with plot twist, and kid friendly recipes. You can bet it will be a great book for kids to check out! Connect with Leigh on Twitter @LeighShearin and www.winterrestfarm.weebly.com
Meet the Character: Lorenzo the Bear
What’s the name of your character? Is he/she a fictional or historic person?
In order to answer this, I have to give you a little background story. Lorenzo was actually one of my most treasured stuffed Bears as a child. Like most youngsters I was afraid of the dark, so sleeping was hard for me. My dad told me he had something that would help me, then he handed me a stuffed bear. He assured me that this bear would protect me from whatever it was that troubled me. I loved him so much! I named him the Brave Bear Lorenzo. So between Lorenzo, and a trusty nightlight, I was able to sleep again.
Thus, when I started writing for my niece and nephew who better to write about then my most beloved stuffed animal! For me, Lorenzo is most real, maybe not in the “traditional” sense. Even though he has a new home with my niece Desi, he will always be a part of my life.
When and where is the story set?
Poppy Hills Place is Lorenzo’s home town, where he has/is growing up. It’s filled with rolling hills, trees, a lake, and you guessed it. Poppies! Every story in this series will have some part in his home town. But remember, the title of this series is The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear. He will travel and explore new places, the only limit to his adventures is my imagination.
What should we know about him?
--- I hope everyone has enjoyed a look at my latest blog about Lorenzo. I invite you to pop over to my blog page to finish reading the rest!
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
I have a number of characters I would like to introduce you to, but sometimes simplicity is best right? And since the first series I have out right now is entitled The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear, I thought it would be best to focus on just him (for now). First, let me introduce all of you to the wonderful Leigh Shearin.
Leigh and I became twitter pals through our mutual friend, Cat Michaels (million thanks for that Cat!). Leigh is a jack of all trades! Not only is she Writer, but she is also a Farmer, Baker, a Teacher, and a Life Long Dreamer. Her middle-grade eBook, John Bloom and the Victory Garden, will be released in November 2014 on Amazon. Filled with historical fiction set at the beginning of WWII filled with plot twist, and kid friendly recipes. You can bet it will be a great book for kids to check out! Connect with Leigh on Twitter @LeighShearin and www.winterrestfarm.weebly.com
Meet the Character: Lorenzo the Bear
What’s the name of your character? Is he/she a fictional or historic person?
In order to answer this, I have to give you a little background story. Lorenzo was actually one of my most treasured stuffed Bears as a child. Like most youngsters I was afraid of the dark, so sleeping was hard for me. My dad told me he had something that would help me, then he handed me a stuffed bear. He assured me that this bear would protect me from whatever it was that troubled me. I loved him so much! I named him the Brave Bear Lorenzo. So between Lorenzo, and a trusty nightlight, I was able to sleep again.
Thus, when I started writing for my niece and nephew who better to write about then my most beloved stuffed animal! For me, Lorenzo is most real, maybe not in the “traditional” sense. Even though he has a new home with my niece Desi, he will always be a part of my life.
When and where is the story set?
Poppy Hills Place is Lorenzo’s home town, where he has/is growing up. It’s filled with rolling hills, trees, a lake, and you guessed it. Poppies! Every story in this series will have some part in his home town. But remember, the title of this series is The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear. He will travel and explore new places, the only limit to his adventures is my imagination.
What should we know about him?
--- I hope everyone has enjoyed a look at my latest blog about Lorenzo. I invite you to pop over to my blog page to finish reading the rest!
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
October 6, 2014
Guest Blog by Cat Michaels
Hello everyone!
I hope this blog finds all of you in good spirits, and embracing the Monday. Today I have a guest blogger for all of you wonderful readers to enjoy. She is a fellow children’s author, and good friend mine.
Drum roll please…………………………….
Cat Michaels!
Cat Started writing stories in the fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. Cat spins tales of everyday life and a twist of magic or mystery that open young minds to new ways of looking at the world. Illustrations by watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns help bring that world to life.
Today, Cat will give a peak behind closed doors, into the realm of her main character; Sweet T. So I invite all of you to get comfy cozy, and sit back as you learn what happens when a character speaks to Cat.
Listening When My Book’s Characters Speak to Me
Often when holed up in my writerly nest, my mind takes off on mental flights. It’ll swirl through ideas, sorting which ones to keep and write about.
Sometimes, I’m overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. That’s when my characters chime in and speak to me. They let me know what journey they want to take and what kind of peril I can fling at them (rated PG-13, of course).
I don’t know why this is so. And I can’t put a quantifiable, scientific explanation around why I hear my characters. It’s just one of those things in life that I delightfully accept.
That’s why I was tickled when fellow Kid Lit author and friend, K. Lamb, asked me to participate in the Meet the Character Blog Tour to introduce you to a character from one of my books.
Like most writers, I have an endearing relationship with people in my tales. And like a parent, it was hard to select which one of my literary offspring to highlight for this post. (Not to worry: I made sure my other characters didn’t feel slighted.) I can’t wait to introduce you to Tara, or Sweet T as she is sometimes called. T remains one of my favorites simply because she is the protagonist in my first book.
Ready? Put your feet up and get comfy.
http://tinyurl.com/nkz3dyc
I hope all of you enjoyed that little taste of Cat’s Blog, and have popped over to read the rest. You can find out more about Cat Michaels by visiting her website http://www.catmichaelswriter.com/
Follower her on Twitter! https://twitter.com/CatMichaelsBook @CatMichaelsBook
Like her on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/catmichaelsw...
You can also visit her Amazon Page too! http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Michaels/e/...
Happy Blogging everyone!
I hope this blog finds all of you in good spirits, and embracing the Monday. Today I have a guest blogger for all of you wonderful readers to enjoy. She is a fellow children’s author, and good friend mine.
Drum roll please…………………………….
Cat Michaels!
Cat Started writing stories in the fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since. Cat spins tales of everyday life and a twist of magic or mystery that open young minds to new ways of looking at the world. Illustrations by watercolor artist Irene A. Jahns help bring that world to life.
Today, Cat will give a peak behind closed doors, into the realm of her main character; Sweet T. So I invite all of you to get comfy cozy, and sit back as you learn what happens when a character speaks to Cat.
Listening When My Book’s Characters Speak to Me
Often when holed up in my writerly nest, my mind takes off on mental flights. It’ll swirl through ideas, sorting which ones to keep and write about.
Sometimes, I’m overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. That’s when my characters chime in and speak to me. They let me know what journey they want to take and what kind of peril I can fling at them (rated PG-13, of course).
I don’t know why this is so. And I can’t put a quantifiable, scientific explanation around why I hear my characters. It’s just one of those things in life that I delightfully accept.
That’s why I was tickled when fellow Kid Lit author and friend, K. Lamb, asked me to participate in the Meet the Character Blog Tour to introduce you to a character from one of my books.
Like most writers, I have an endearing relationship with people in my tales. And like a parent, it was hard to select which one of my literary offspring to highlight for this post. (Not to worry: I made sure my other characters didn’t feel slighted.) I can’t wait to introduce you to Tara, or Sweet T as she is sometimes called. T remains one of my favorites simply because she is the protagonist in my first book.
Ready? Put your feet up and get comfy.
http://tinyurl.com/nkz3dyc
I hope all of you enjoyed that little taste of Cat’s Blog, and have popped over to read the rest. You can find out more about Cat Michaels by visiting her website http://www.catmichaelswriter.com/
Follower her on Twitter! https://twitter.com/CatMichaelsBook @CatMichaelsBook
Like her on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/catmichaelsw...
You can also visit her Amazon Page too! http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Michaels/e/...
Happy Blogging everyone!
September 23, 2014
Thank You!
I want to personally thank everyone who listened to me read my book on the air today. Thank you for all of your support! If it were not for all of you I would not be here. Thank you ever so much truly means a lot to me!
I want to give a big thank you to JD Holiday! She is the founder of It's Story Time on Red River Radio. A Blog Talk Radio station. JD is the one who invited me to appear on her show, big thanks to her!
For anyone who missed it, and would like to hear read The adventures of Lorenz the Bar Encounter at Jellyfish Cove, you can visit http://goo.gl/zieGBz
Again thank you to everyone!
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
I want to give a big thank you to JD Holiday! She is the founder of It's Story Time on Red River Radio. A Blog Talk Radio station. JD is the one who invited me to appear on her show, big thanks to her!
For anyone who missed it, and would like to hear read The adventures of Lorenz the Bar Encounter at Jellyfish Cove, you can visit http://goo.gl/zieGBz
Again thank you to everyone!
Wishing you all a little to Adventure today!
Carmela Dutra
Author of Lorenzo the Bear Series
www.Lorenzothebear.com
Twitter.com/Lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
Facebook.com/Lorenzothebear (Like me!)
www.ablogforyourthoughts.com
September 15, 2014
It's Time to Draw!
It's time to draw! Enter the drawing contest taking place and you can win a signed copy of my latest Adventure as well as a certificate ! Hurry the Contest ends Oct 1st don't miss out!
Please like and share this with everyone you know.
Visit http://lorenzothebear.com/drawing-com... for details
Have an artistic day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of The Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear Encounter at Jellyfish Cove
www.lorenzothebear.com
facebook.com/lorenzothebear
twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
September 10, 2014
Drawing Contest!
Hello everyone!
In behalf of Lorenzo the Bear I have some Beartatstic news to share with everyone! Starting Thursday September 11th 2014 there will be a drawing contest!
This contest is open to all children 17 and under, regardless of where they live.
It's free to enter, and the top four winners will receive a signed copy of Lorenzo's latest book Encounter at Jellyfish Cove. As well as, a certificate of honorary citizenship of Lorenzo's hometown, Poppy Hills Place.
So hop on over to http://lorenzothebear.com/drawing-com... to view the rules and conditions of the contest.
image:
Have an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
www.blogforyourthoughts.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
In behalf of Lorenzo the Bear I have some Beartatstic news to share with everyone! Starting Thursday September 11th 2014 there will be a drawing contest!
This contest is open to all children 17 and under, regardless of where they live.
It's free to enter, and the top four winners will receive a signed copy of Lorenzo's latest book Encounter at Jellyfish Cove. As well as, a certificate of honorary citizenship of Lorenzo's hometown, Poppy Hills Place.
So hop on over to http://lorenzothebear.com/drawing-com... to view the rules and conditions of the contest.
image:
Have an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
www.blogforyourthoughts.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
August 31, 2014
Art touches all we Do
Before I was writing I was and will always be an artist. Everything about it, how you can take something and create wonderful works of your imagination. You can take your inner most feelings and let them out for all to see it through your eyes. The arts are an essential part of education, a vital aspect of learning that is sometimes overlooked.
Some may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up.
Motor Skills and Language Development are two areas that are greatly impacted by art. Many of the motions involved in making art, such as holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon, are essential to the growth of fine motor skills in young children. For very young children, making art or just talking about it provides opportunities to learn words for colors, shapes and actions.
What about Visual Learning? Drawing, sculpting with clay and threading beads on a string all develop visual-spatial skills, which are more important than ever. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it.
Inventiveness: Have you ever really noticed how excited they become when they can just jump right in with their hands and start creating something. It be nothing of much clarity, but it’s what they see, feel, and are expressing. When kids are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives. Learning not to be afraid, but to express themselves how ever best they can.
The human brain is wired in such a way that we can make sense of lines, colors and patterns on a flat canvas. Artists throughout human history have figured out ways to create illusions such as depth and brightness that aren't actually there but make works of art seem somehow more real.
Our biggest contributors to history are in fact artist. Can you imagine where we would be if we didn’t have ones like; Seurat, Rembrandt, Di Vinci the list goes on. Art is what molded and shaped them, shaped our world. We owe it to our children to encourage the Arts, just as much as we do reading.
We can even take the time to teach them about both. Introduce them to books on Art, about artists and their lives. Show them the things these individuals created, and help to spark their inner artist.
Wish you all a little art in your life.
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
www.blogforyourthoughts.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
August 11, 2014
Guest Blog by Karen Emma Hall
Hello Everyone and a Happy Monday!
I wanted to share with everyone my latest guest blogger Karen Emma Hall. She is an amazing writing and illustrator out of the UK, who also happens to be a dear friend of mine too boot! Karen is also the founder of Facebook page, Kid Literature Authors (KLA). If you haven’t checked that out yet don’t worry, I’ll give you a link to it.
‘You may know a child who picks the same book over and over again.’ Have you ever stopped and asked why? Why do they always gravitate to the same ones over and over again? Well Karen address this, and goes into it further explanations of not only why, but also the importance of reading to our young children.
The blog I invite you all to check is entitled ‘Let’s start from the beginning. Picture Book Love. ‘Check it out for yourself! I know you will love it as much as I did! http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Happy Reading!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://www.kidliteratureauthors.com/
http://peachyemma.blogspot.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenE...
https://www.facebook.com/KidLiteratur...
https://twitter.com/PeachyEmma
I wanted to share with everyone my latest guest blogger Karen Emma Hall. She is an amazing writing and illustrator out of the UK, who also happens to be a dear friend of mine too boot! Karen is also the founder of Facebook page, Kid Literature Authors (KLA). If you haven’t checked that out yet don’t worry, I’ll give you a link to it.
‘You may know a child who picks the same book over and over again.’ Have you ever stopped and asked why? Why do they always gravitate to the same ones over and over again? Well Karen address this, and goes into it further explanations of not only why, but also the importance of reading to our young children.
The blog I invite you all to check is entitled ‘Let’s start from the beginning. Picture Book Love. ‘Check it out for yourself! I know you will love it as much as I did! http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Happy Reading!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://www.kidliteratureauthors.com/
http://peachyemma.blogspot.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenE...
https://www.facebook.com/KidLiteratur...
https://twitter.com/PeachyEmma
August 9, 2014
Book Lovers Day!
Today is Book Lovers Day! 
A day for those who love to read, Book Lovers Day encourages you to kick back and relax with a great book. From shaded spots under arching trees to being tucked up warm in bed, there’s no better way to celebrate Book Lovers Day than to while the hours away lost in a book.
Did you ever read a book that just made you fall madly in love with it? Maybe you didn’t care to read at all, but after picking up that one book it changed how you feel about reading? Can you relate to this? I know I can!
When I was younger I was not a good reader, in fact I despised it with every fiber of my being. Mostly it was because I wasn’t a good reader. Had nothing to do with my parent’s, they always read to me, and having me read. But reading just wasn’t my forte. My mom even got me hooked on phonics (remember those books?) it helped, but I still wasn't “hooked” on reading.
My mother always took me to the local library, and insisted on me getting a book. I stumbled across this book Death Watch, by Robb White. It seemed interesting, and the last page of the book really peaked my interest (I always read the last page of a book first to see if it grabs my attention). So I took it home, and the rest is history.
It’s not my “favorite” book, but it is the book that really sparked my love of reading. The excitement of suspense, based on a fight to the finish between an honest and courageous young man and a cynical business tycoon who believes that anything can be had for a price.
My favorite book will always be held by A flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron. Set in the late 1800s filled with secrets that are so powerful and dangerous it could topple the entire monarchy. This is a book that I can get lost in over and over and over again.
I have many books that I enjoy reading, and new ones that I cannot wait to jump into. When I look back though and think about how there was a time that I did not enjoy reading, and would do anything I could to get out of it; I am grateful my parents never stopped pushing me. If they had, then I wouldn't be where I am today. I would have this love of reading, nor likely be an author.
So I implore you, all of you, to never stop looking for that book. That one book that will spark your love of reading. I owe my love of reading to my parents, and Death Watch. What about you? Do you have a love for reading yet?
Happy Reading!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
www.blogforyourthoughts.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
A day for those who love to read, Book Lovers Day encourages you to kick back and relax with a great book. From shaded spots under arching trees to being tucked up warm in bed, there’s no better way to celebrate Book Lovers Day than to while the hours away lost in a book.
Did you ever read a book that just made you fall madly in love with it? Maybe you didn’t care to read at all, but after picking up that one book it changed how you feel about reading? Can you relate to this? I know I can!
When I was younger I was not a good reader, in fact I despised it with every fiber of my being. Mostly it was because I wasn’t a good reader. Had nothing to do with my parent’s, they always read to me, and having me read. But reading just wasn’t my forte. My mom even got me hooked on phonics (remember those books?) it helped, but I still wasn't “hooked” on reading.
My mother always took me to the local library, and insisted on me getting a book. I stumbled across this book Death Watch, by Robb White. It seemed interesting, and the last page of the book really peaked my interest (I always read the last page of a book first to see if it grabs my attention). So I took it home, and the rest is history.
It’s not my “favorite” book, but it is the book that really sparked my love of reading. The excitement of suspense, based on a fight to the finish between an honest and courageous young man and a cynical business tycoon who believes that anything can be had for a price.
My favorite book will always be held by A flaw in the Blood by Stephanie Barron. Set in the late 1800s filled with secrets that are so powerful and dangerous it could topple the entire monarchy. This is a book that I can get lost in over and over and over again.
I have many books that I enjoy reading, and new ones that I cannot wait to jump into. When I look back though and think about how there was a time that I did not enjoy reading, and would do anything I could to get out of it; I am grateful my parents never stopped pushing me. If they had, then I wouldn't be where I am today. I would have this love of reading, nor likely be an author.
So I implore you, all of you, to never stop looking for that book. That one book that will spark your love of reading. I owe my love of reading to my parents, and Death Watch. What about you? Do you have a love for reading yet?
Happy Reading!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
www.blogforyourthoughts.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
