It’s the beginning of a special weekend. Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday (although Susanna Hill is taking a summer hiatus, you can still access her incredible Perfect Picture Book resource list here.Tomorrow is Will Write for Cookies with my very special guest, author Suzanne Williams. And Sunday is Father’s Day AND the first day of summer. Woo-hoo!

Today is also the first day of Kristen Fulton’s NonFicPic Week…a challenge to get all you nonfiction picture book writers…writing! Can you do seven rough drafts in seven days? http://www.kristenfulton.org/nonficpic.html

I just mentioned that tomorrow’s WWFC’s guest is Suzanne Williams. She’s the author of over sixty books for kids. And today’s review (even though it is not a picture book) is of her latest book in the GODDESS GIRLS series.

MEDUSA THE RICH

Written by Suzanne Williams and Joan Holub

Publisher: Aladdin (2015)

Ages: 8-12

Themes: Getting along with others, friendship

 

Opening Lines:

”SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! THE SNAKES on top of twelve-year-old Medusa’s head gobbled down the handful of dried peas she tossed up to them as she sat cross-legged on the floor of her dorm room at Mount Olympus Academy one Friday afternoon. Though her snakes had been the result of an accident with Snakeypoo, a botched invention of the brainy goddessgirl Athena’s—it had turned out to be a happy accident. Medusa adored the dozen snakes that had replaced her hair. She’d even given them all names: Viper, Flicka, Pretzel, Snapper, Twister, Slinky, Lasso, Slither, Scaly, Emerald, Sweetpea, and Wiggle! They were her pets now, and she couldn’t imagine life without them.”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“Medusa discovers that having the golden “King Midas” touch has its ups and downs.

When Medusa suddenly becomes able to turn objects into gold just by touching them, she is thrilled. Gold, gold, everywhere! But it’s not just objects that become golden—it’s also food, and, even people! Her new ability turns out to be more dangerous than delightful, but can she do anything to reverse it?”

 

Why I like this book:

• Great message for kids woven into a fun take-off on an old beloved classic
• Full of girl-power and fun language

 

RELATED ACTIVITY

Make a bookmark

This is a great activity for kids of any age, but especially when they get into chapter books (my grandson is six and he is totally into the Magic Tree House series with Jack and Annie)…it also makes a wonderful gift (THINK FATHER’S DAY!).

Photo courtesy: http://www.cbc.ca

Find detailed instructions at: http://www.cbc.ca/parents/play/view/homemade-bookmarks-easy-gifts-kids-can-make

You will need: Narrow rectangle of cardboard or cardstock…you can even cut out the narrow side of a cereal box (great recycling), scissors, duct tape (they come in amazing patterns), hole puncher, string, beads (optional).

1. Cut the cardboard into the desired size (use a bookmark you already have as a template).
2. Unroll a strip of duct tape and lay the cardboard on top and cut to size. Smooth out.
3. Unroll another strip and turn the cardboard over and do the same for the other size.
4. Trim any overlap.
5. Punch a hole in the top.
6. Thread some beads (optional) on the string or yarn and push through the hole and secure with a knot.

Oh my goodness…bookmarks galore at this wonderful website: http://www.freekidscrafts.com/school-days/bookmarks/

Hope you all have fun with this activity! Please come back tomorrow to meet the author who wrote today’s book:

SUZANNE WILLIAMS

WILL WRITE FOR COOKIES

She’s got some great insights for writers…as well as a very yummy recipe to share!