Carmela Dutra's Blog, page 14
August 6, 2014
Are Books a Luxury, or Necessity?
When you think about books, how do you view them?
Are they a luxury, something that is nice to have but not needed? Or are they a necessity, where you must have them? Are they something that add to your life and home? Or do you feel they are just something that sits on a shelf, collecting dust?
Books offer a wide breadth of information, experience, and knowledge. But unlike many electronic mediums, books also offer a great depth of information, experience, and knowledge. Books inform us about other people, countries, customs and cultures. They help us to teach ourselves about history, the arts, science, religion, nature, mathematics, the list goes on. Books also help us to understand the effect that all those things have on us and our world.
To finish reading this Blog please visit Carmela's Blog site http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Are they a luxury, something that is nice to have but not needed? Or are they a necessity, where you must have them? Are they something that add to your life and home? Or do you feel they are just something that sits on a shelf, collecting dust?
Books offer a wide breadth of information, experience, and knowledge. But unlike many electronic mediums, books also offer a great depth of information, experience, and knowledge. Books inform us about other people, countries, customs and cultures. They help us to teach ourselves about history, the arts, science, religion, nature, mathematics, the list goes on. Books also help us to understand the effect that all those things have on us and our world.
To finish reading this Blog please visit Carmela's Blog site http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
August 2, 2014
Guest Blog
Good evening everyone!
I recently set up my own blog site awhile back. It's been a lot of fun exploring the new possibilities, learning the ins and outs etc.
One of the new things I'm doing on there is guest blogs. I'm really excited about this step. It's great to make posts and express myself, but when you have contributors that opens new doors! Topics that I may never have even thought to touch.
This is the case with my first guest blogger, a friend of mine and fellow author, Cat Michaels. She is my guest blogger, but hopefully not my last.. I LOVED her blog ECHOES OF THE PAST IN OLD-TIMEY MOVIE THEATER
Cat really paints a beautiful picture for the reader. When reading her blog, I felt as if I was right there with her. Stepping back in time to the 1940s taking it all in.
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
https://www.facebook.com/catmichaelsw...
https://twitter.com/CatMichaelsBook
I recently set up my own blog site awhile back. It's been a lot of fun exploring the new possibilities, learning the ins and outs etc.
One of the new things I'm doing on there is guest blogs. I'm really excited about this step. It's great to make posts and express myself, but when you have contributors that opens new doors! Topics that I may never have even thought to touch.
This is the case with my first guest blogger, a friend of mine and fellow author, Cat Michaels. She is my guest blogger, but hopefully not my last.. I LOVED her blog ECHOES OF THE PAST IN OLD-TIMEY MOVIE THEATER
Cat really paints a beautiful picture for the reader. When reading her blog, I felt as if I was right there with her. Stepping back in time to the 1940s taking it all in.
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
https://www.facebook.com/catmichaelsw...
https://twitter.com/CatMichaelsBook
July 30, 2014
Family Reading Night
Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event held the third Thursday in November to encourage families to spend quality time reading together. It is sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White and Illinois Center for the Book. The next Family Reading Night will be November 20, 2014. read-family
The point behind this is to encourage families to read at home with their children. When I heard about this I thought it was a wonderful idea! A yearly event to remind and encourage families to read. Filled with helpful hints, and suggestions, are given to parents so they can keep this going at home.
When I was a child my one of my parents read to/with every night before I went to bed. Unfortunately today many parents do not have the opportunity to read with their kids every night. If that is the case could you manage to set aside one night every week to read with your kids?
What would this take? Some planning, and effort. As is true with everything in life, you must put forth effort. If you want to accomplish something you need to put forth the effort to do so, it won’t just happen on its own.
What if you feel overwhelmed, and can’t think of anything? There are wonderful suggestions you can find online, or at your local library. For example: you could follow along to books on tape, read comic books, or even make up your own story!
Get your kids involved! Have them help chose the day your family will read together. Encourage them to pick out books they like, and book that will be good for the whole family to enjoy. Make a party out of it! Pick up pizza, go to a park and then play after you’re done reading.
As parents, get excited about reading. When your children see you’re getting excited about family reading night, they will too! This is something that is not only economical (free if you go to the library and borrow books) but this is a way to draw your family closer to each other. Build memories, improve literacy, and maintain family unity.
We live in a time where everything is on the go, we can hardly keep up! Often times, children are the ones who get left behind. By setting aside time for family reading, it will help your children to see how much you value your time with them. It will help them to see reading as something fun they do with their family, and not a chore.
It doesn't cost much, just a little time, and little planning. We always say, ‘We want to give our children the best!’ This is a small thing you can give them that will make a huge impact, and yield great rewards.
Happy Family Reading!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
The point behind this is to encourage families to read at home with their children. When I heard about this I thought it was a wonderful idea! A yearly event to remind and encourage families to read. Filled with helpful hints, and suggestions, are given to parents so they can keep this going at home.
When I was a child my one of my parents read to/with every night before I went to bed. Unfortunately today many parents do not have the opportunity to read with their kids every night. If that is the case could you manage to set aside one night every week to read with your kids?
What would this take? Some planning, and effort. As is true with everything in life, you must put forth effort. If you want to accomplish something you need to put forth the effort to do so, it won’t just happen on its own.
What if you feel overwhelmed, and can’t think of anything? There are wonderful suggestions you can find online, or at your local library. For example: you could follow along to books on tape, read comic books, or even make up your own story!
Get your kids involved! Have them help chose the day your family will read together. Encourage them to pick out books they like, and book that will be good for the whole family to enjoy. Make a party out of it! Pick up pizza, go to a park and then play after you’re done reading.
As parents, get excited about reading. When your children see you’re getting excited about family reading night, they will too! This is something that is not only economical (free if you go to the library and borrow books) but this is a way to draw your family closer to each other. Build memories, improve literacy, and maintain family unity.
We live in a time where everything is on the go, we can hardly keep up! Often times, children are the ones who get left behind. By setting aside time for family reading, it will help your children to see how much you value your time with them. It will help them to see reading as something fun they do with their family, and not a chore.
It doesn't cost much, just a little time, and little planning. We always say, ‘We want to give our children the best!’ This is a small thing you can give them that will make a huge impact, and yield great rewards.
Happy Family Reading!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
July 20, 2014
Are Libraries important?
Are libraries really important? I mean after all we have the internet right? What good can they still offer? Are they old out of date buildings? Or do they play key roles in our community? Key roles in children literacy? Are they dynamic, versatile community centers?
Some of my fondest memories include trips to the local library. I spent most of my summers there, entering reading contests, checking out my first chapter books; then as I got older, I was able to use their computers. The library was a safe haven for kids my age, our parents knew where we were, knew we were safe, and knew that we would be involved in something educational.
Libraries really are the gates to the future,libraries focus on the value of information. Information in any format – hardcopy books, ebooks, audiobooks etc. While yes the internet does offer a value of information that is not the primary focus. Libraries are places, portals and resource hubs that link us to valuable information. Libraries and librarians, with their knowledge and research skills, are in the best position to provide much needed search and digital literacy skills to ensure that we, and our children, access the right learning resources. (I’ve yet to find someone on the internet who can do that.)
Yes we do have the internet, and can browse information from the comfort of our home; and if you are looking for speed, well, then the internet is what you want! A lot of things are even free on the internet, but how does the internet compare to a library?
Not everything is Available on the Internet: The amazing amount of useful information on the web has, for some, produced the false assumption everything can be found online. It's simply not true. Another area of concern in regards to our children is quality control. Yes, we need the Internet, and it can be useful but in addition to all the scientific, medical, and historical information (when accurate), there is also a cesspool of waste. There is no quality control on the Web, and there isn’t likely to be any. Unlike libraries where vanity press publications are rarely, if ever, collected, vanity is often what drives the Internet. Libraries ensure the best quality given to children, does the internet?
Libraries allow for parents the opportunity to actively participate in their children’s reading. They offer a place where families can spend time with one another. Some have reading programs for children who need a little extra help in this area. Others have sing along and reading time for infants and toddlers where parents can be involved. The internet can offer this too, but is it always free? Can the parents be involved? Are they encouraged to be involved? How does a virtual person singing and reading compare to someone in person?
Valid questions to meditate on. So what do you think, are libraries important?
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Some of my fondest memories include trips to the local library. I spent most of my summers there, entering reading contests, checking out my first chapter books; then as I got older, I was able to use their computers. The library was a safe haven for kids my age, our parents knew where we were, knew we were safe, and knew that we would be involved in something educational.
Libraries really are the gates to the future,libraries focus on the value of information. Information in any format – hardcopy books, ebooks, audiobooks etc. While yes the internet does offer a value of information that is not the primary focus. Libraries are places, portals and resource hubs that link us to valuable information. Libraries and librarians, with their knowledge and research skills, are in the best position to provide much needed search and digital literacy skills to ensure that we, and our children, access the right learning resources. (I’ve yet to find someone on the internet who can do that.)
Yes we do have the internet, and can browse information from the comfort of our home; and if you are looking for speed, well, then the internet is what you want! A lot of things are even free on the internet, but how does the internet compare to a library?
Not everything is Available on the Internet: The amazing amount of useful information on the web has, for some, produced the false assumption everything can be found online. It's simply not true. Another area of concern in regards to our children is quality control. Yes, we need the Internet, and it can be useful but in addition to all the scientific, medical, and historical information (when accurate), there is also a cesspool of waste. There is no quality control on the Web, and there isn’t likely to be any. Unlike libraries where vanity press publications are rarely, if ever, collected, vanity is often what drives the Internet. Libraries ensure the best quality given to children, does the internet?
Libraries allow for parents the opportunity to actively participate in their children’s reading. They offer a place where families can spend time with one another. Some have reading programs for children who need a little extra help in this area. Others have sing along and reading time for infants and toddlers where parents can be involved. The internet can offer this too, but is it always free? Can the parents be involved? Are they encouraged to be involved? How does a virtual person singing and reading compare to someone in person?
Valid questions to meditate on. So what do you think, are libraries important?
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
July 17, 2014
Play Time
Oh to be a kid again! We’ve all had those days when the stresses of adulthood mount and we find ourselves yearning for the carefree days of childhood, “the good old days” when we played all day.
As it turns out play is just what the doctor ordered. Recent reports reveal that good, old fashioned free play, (sadly an activity that is currently in decline) is crucial for children’s development. How do you just let kids play?
To finish reading this blog please visit http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Have a playful day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
As it turns out play is just what the doctor ordered. Recent reports reveal that good, old fashioned free play, (sadly an activity that is currently in decline) is crucial for children’s development. How do you just let kids play?
To finish reading this blog please visit http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Have a playful day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear
www.lorenzothebear.com
Facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
Twitter.com/lorenzothebear @lorenzothebear
July 14, 2014
Video
Check out the latest video on Lorenzo's YouTube Channel. IT's a short little video packed with information about him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoLdb...
Happy viewing!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like us!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoLdb...
Happy viewing!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like us!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
July 11, 2014
Read Aloud and More
Read aloud and more, what can this mean? Like sponges, those little minds soak everything up! They take in everything we say and do; learning, growing. Even something as simple as “Grass is green, sky is blue, clouds are white, and puppies too!” will make an impact on their sweet minds.
A child whose day includes listening to rhythmic sounds and lively stories is more likely to grow up loving books. And a child who loves books will want to learn to read them. To finish reading this blog please visit http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Wishing you an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like us!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
A child whose day includes listening to rhythmic sounds and lively stories is more likely to grow up loving books. And a child who loves books will want to learn to read them. To finish reading this blog please visit http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Wishing you an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like us!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
July 10, 2014
New Blog Site
Hello everyone!
I wanted to tell everyone that I officially have my own blog page! Yay exciting!
I will still continue to post blogs on goodreads as well, but I invite everyone to check out my new page http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Happy Blogging!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
I wanted to tell everyone that I officially have my own blog page! Yay exciting!
I will still continue to post blogs on goodreads as well, but I invite everyone to check out my new page http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Happy Blogging!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
A new home for old books
Have you recently gone to a chain bookstore, found a book you were interested in, and then saw the price? Don’t get me wrong I LOVE the smell and feel of a new book. There is something about being the first person to crack the spine and thumb through it, it’s an exciting feeling. Yet, as much as I love new books and trolling a new bookstore with a cup of Joe in my hand, it can never compare to the feeling of a used book store.
When I go to my favorite used book stores, it’s as if in some way I feel as though I’ve stepped back in time...
To finish reading this blog please visit http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Have an adventurous day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
When I go to my favorite used book stores, it’s as if in some way I feel as though I’ve stepped back in time...
To finish reading this blog please visit http://ablogforyourthoughts.com/
Have an adventurous day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
July 2, 2014
Likes on Facebook
Hello everyone!
I want to thank all you for your support! A big thanks to all of you who have "liked" my Facebook page, hugely appreciate it!
I have almost reached 100 likes! I only need 3 more "likes" to make 100! My goal is to reach 100 by the end of the day. If you or anyone can help me out that would so awesome! facebook.com/lorenzothebear
Thanks again!
Wishing you an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
I want to thank all you for your support! A big thanks to all of you who have "liked" my Facebook page, hugely appreciate it!
I have almost reached 100 likes! I only need 3 more "likes" to make 100! My goal is to reach 100 by the end of the day. If you or anyone can help me out that would so awesome! facebook.com/lorenzothebear
Thanks again!
Wishing you an Adventurous Day!
Carmela Dutra
Author of the Adventures of Lorenzo the Bear series
www.lorenzothebear.com
http://www.facebook.com/lorenzothebear (like me!)
http://www.twitter.com/lorenzothebear
