The Adventures of Tempest & Serena: A Chapter Book Home Run!

Posted on August 24, 2012 by viviankirkfield

As a child, I loved books in all shapes and sizes.

I remember the summer between third and fourth grade, I would go to the library and take out piles of books…and sit reading in the back yard…all day long! Black Beauty, Little Women, Nancy Drew…as soon as I turned the last page, I would start another book.

About two years ago, there was a controversy about “chapter” books…are they replacing picture books for young children and when should parents encourage their kids to read them. I have to admit that I wasn’t quite sure what they were talking about…were “chapter” books some new electronic age phenomenon?

Luckily, I met children’s author Marty Mokler Banks at a local SCBWI meeting last weekend.

And now I know all about chapter books because she wrote one.

And it was just published.

And she graciously gave me a copy so that I could review it.

And I LOVED it.

And I remembered those wonderful classic stories I had read years ago…the forerunners of today’s “chapter” books.

And here’s something awesome for all of you…other than my wonderful review, that is.

The author is offering a FREE DOWNLOAD of The Adventures of Tempest & Serena for the entire weekend (Friday, August 24 to Sunday, August 26). Just click on the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Tempest-Serena-ebook/dp/B008SV7UZG/ref=la_B004OB10M8_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1345468668&sr=1-1

I know you won’t want to miss reading it…and then you can click over to where the paperback copy is for sale on Amazon…believe me, this book is a GREAT gift for any young boy or girl…the holidays are coming sooner than you think and it’s all about encouraging children to READ!

And after you read this review, I know you will want to pick up several for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or any kid age 7 and up.

The Adventures of Tempest & Serena

Written by Marty Mokler Banks (she also did the inside illustrations!)

Themes:

Sisters, courage, valuing one’s own strengths and qualities, friendship, bullying/teasing, magic, adventure, travel.

Synopsis:

From the Amazon site: “Wild, brave Tempest wants summer to last forever. Her calm, timid sister, Serena, can’t wait for the start of the new school year. On the first day, Tempest decides to skip fourth grade, seek adventure by using magic to sprout wings, and fly away to exotic places. As she waves good-bye, Serena promises to save her sister’s seat on the bus. Will Tempest make it home? Can Serena keep her promise? As each sister battles bullies, disasters, and loneliness, they discover they’re more alike than they know.”

Why do I like this book:

I don’t only like this book…I love this book! It kept me turning the pages and wanting to find out what would happen next…I couldn’t put it down once I started it.

A number of timely topics such as girl empowerment and bullying and teasing are addressed. In addition, the story takes us to distant lands and enables the reader to see how the various characters face their fears and conquer them. Children need great roles models and they will find them in Tempest and Serena and some of their friends.

Author Banks has certainly stepped up to the plate with her debut chapter book…with The Adventures of Tempest & Serena, she has hit a homerun, right out of the park and into the hearts of her readers!

The Adventures of Tempest & Serena is available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Tempest-Serena-ebook/dp/B008SV7UZG/ref=la_B004OB10M8_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1345468668&sr=1-1.

If you’d like to know more about children’s author, Marty Mokler Banks, you can visit her website at http://martymoklerbanks.com/index.html.

And if I may impose on your patience another minute, I need to mention three quick items of importance:

1. Please don’t forget we are accepting nominations for your favorite school or classroom to win a copy of Show Me How! All you have to do is leave a comment on one of my posts…telling which school should get a copy. At the end of September, we will select a dozen winners using Random.org.

2. On Wednesday, I watched the LIVE Google+ broadcast of The Happy Mommy Handbook with Susan Case and Katie Norris. It was lots of fun…and I joined the after-hangout chat when the program was over. I don’t know if any of you have done Google+ Hangouts…it was kind of like Skype…real-time face-to-face interaction. All three of us agreed that we’d like to do a program together…perhaps addressing the subject of bullying. I’ll let everyone know when that will happen.

3. Regarding bullying…I will be interviewed on the 9News morning show on Monday, August 27^th at 8:20am (Mountain Time). If you click on their link, I think it will be able to see it…unless, of course, you are in Denver and get that channel and can watch on your TV. We will be talking about the Subtle Signs of Bullying and what steps parents can take. This is an important topic, especially with school just starting. Let’s stop bullying in its tracks! I’ll be doing an article about it next week.

The Happy Mommy Handbook…Real Help for Real Moms (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
Books vs. Bullies (skyblush.wordpress.com)
School must enforce a “No-Bullying” policy (tina7serrano.wordpress.com)
Best Beginning Chapter Books for 2nd and 3rd Grade (pragmaticmom.com)

The Happy Mommy Handbook…Real Help for Real Moms

Posted on August 22, 2012 by viviankirkfield

I’m so very excited today! Do you know why?

It’s because I’m reviewing a fantastic book that will help EVERY parent of toddlers and preschoolers: The Happy Mommy Handbook by Katie Norris (a real mom with two small children) and Susan Case (a retired kindergarten, Special Education and early childhood teacher).

And, if you click on this link, you’ll be able to take part in an amazing LIVE Google+ broadcast…there will even be a chance to interact with the authors when the short presentation is over. It starts on Wednesday, August 22 at 11am CDT (Texas time). Susan and Katie will be uploading the broadcast to YouTube, so if you miss it, you will be able to see it at a later time.

The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn

Written by Katie Norris and Susan Case

Themes:

Toddler & Preschooler Activities, Real Help for Real Moms, Nuturing Yourself So You Can Nuture Your Children, Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten, Helping Your Child Learn to Read and more.

Synopsis:

Real moms have real problems as they parent their children. The Happy Mommy Handbook begins each section with Mommy’s Dilemma…a common scenario any parent might experience. In Chapter One, a mom is overwhelmed with all that she has to do…ready to turn on the television AGAIN to keep her toddler busy while she starts dinner. Instead, she opts to set her child up with a bunch of cups and a bowl of sand at the kitchen table. After sitting with her child for a few minutes, showing her how to fill the cups and transfer the sand from one to another, the mom was able to leave the child, happily “playing” while she went to make dinner…and she even had time to sit down at the table and pay the bills. In each chapter, Mommy’s Dilemma is followed by Teacher’s Advice,…a simple explanation of the theory behind the activity and why a child needs to have time doing that particular activity. The book is filled with dozens of simple fun-filled activities, suggestions for books that build self-esteem, recipes for staples like clay and lists of materials to have on hand that will encourage your child to grow in learning and confidence. The authors also address topics such as fine and large motor skills and the importance of play, both indoors and outside.

Why do I like this book:

I love this book because it gives quick and easy solutions to problems that parents face every day. The explanations will help a parent understand the importance of each activity. The book encourages moms to keep it simple and positive…which makes for a happier home for everyone. I even love the size of the book…small enough to slip into a handbag…but chockfull of everything a parent needs to know about keeping young children happy and busy. This is a book I wish I’d had when my kids were little! I’m so thrilled that it is available now…what a great gift for any busy mom or grandmom…and a wonderful resource for babysitters, daycare providers and nursery and preschool teachers!

The Happy Mommy Handbook is available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. If you’d like to know more about Susan Case, you can check out her blog, Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers. If you want to meet Katie Norris, visit her blog, Mommy With Selective Memory.

Please don’t forget we are accepting nominations for your favorite school or classroom to win a copy of Show Me How! All you have to do is leave a comment on one of my posts…telling which school should get a copy. At the end of September, we will select a dozen winners using Random.org.

And remember to tune in Wednesday, July 22 at 11am CDT to the LIVE Google+ broadcast of The Happy Mommy Handbook with Susan Case and Katie Norris.

If you come by my blog on Friday, there will be another treat in store for you. Do you want a hint? Another book review…this time it’s a brand-new chapter book for kids ages 7+ by a fellow SCBWI member, Marty Banks…and there will be a code available for a FREE download of the ebook ALL WEEKEND! Don’t miss it!

The Truth about How Little Kids Learn Best {via Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers} (momto2poshlildivas.com)
Smiling Like Sunshine with Questions Parents Ask about Reading (teacherlingo.com)
Is Your Child Ready for School? (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
Taking Time to Play-Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers. (jdaniel4smom.com)
Talking Death, and Promises, With a Preschooler (parenting.blogs.nytimes.com)

Sunday Post: Black & White…or Do We Parent in Shades of Gray?

Posted on August 20, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is BLACK AND WHITE

I always love to connect the Sunday Post theme to an aspect of parenting.

As parents, we have many choices to make.

Should we be strict or lenient?

Do we move to the city or the suburbs.

Will our children go to public or private schools…or should we homeschool?

But there are some things about parenting that are BLACK AND WHITE:

Parenting requires organizational skills…kids need routines.

Parenting requires communication skills….kids need you to listen to them.

Parenting requires compassion…kids need your love.

Parenting requires consistency…kids need rules that are enforced.

But setting rules does not means that everything is black and white.

Is stealing wrong? What if your children were starving?

Is killing wrong? What if someone is trying to kill you or your child?

Perhaps parenting is a journey in “Shades of Gray”.

Parenting requires participation…kids need your time.

Practice Positive Parental Participation and your child will have a head-start to a happy and successful life.

Spending quality time with your young children now will have a positive impact on their school performance. It also helps them build stronger relationships later in life.

To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you need to be in their lives today. Show Me How is the book that makes it easy and fun!

Giving back is important to me. Part of the proceeds of each copy sold is donated to several children’s organizations.

Schools are opening all over the country and we’d like to give a free copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking to your favorite school or classroom. Nominate your child’s school or other childcare facility in the Show Me How School Initiative by leaving a comment and telling us why you’d like them to have this book. If you don’t have young children, but know people who do, please tell them about the free book their child’s school can receive! At the end of September, we will be awarding a dozen books to the winning schools.

Last, but certainly not least, I just came back from a local SCBWI meeting…one of the members, children’s author Marty Banks, has a new book out on the market. The Adventures of Tempest & Serena is a wonderful chapter book for readers ages 7 and up. I’ll be reviewing the book here in a couple of days, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up about the free download that is coming up next weekend. I’ll post the correct URL when I do the review. I think this is a book parents and grandparents will want to buy for holiday gifting!