Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD

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There is something wonderful about the New Year. I see it as a time to look back on what I’ve done and it’s also an opportunity to make adjustments as I move forward. For the past few years, I’ve participated in Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas – a challenge to lift up all you have accomplished. Because the business of writing can be fraught with rejection and disappointment, it’s all the more important to spend time celebrating the positive. and the steps you’ve taken to follow your dream and make it a reality.

Today is Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas and the assignment is to list ALL of your successes for the year…big ones and little ones. I feel so blessed because in 2012, I made a conscious decision to follow my dream and now I am living it…and I’m thrilled to be taking this journey with all of you! Here are my twelve writing success for 2018: Continue reading →

I LOVE PICTURE BOOKS!

SO OF COURSE, I LOVE CELEBRATING NEW ONES!

CONGRATULATIONS

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR JEANETTE BRADLEY!

Written and illustrated by Jeanette Bradley

Published by Roaring Brook Press (January 2018)

Ages: 2-6

Themes: Parent/child relationship

Synopsis: From Amazon:

With a heartwarming story and tender illustrations, Jeanette Bradley’s debut picture book Love, Mama is perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and any day when a child needs a reminder of the strength of a mother’s love.

When Mama leaves her young penguin Kipling, he knows she’ll return home soon―yet he still can’t help but miss her. After all, Pillow Mama won’t read, Picture Mama won’t laugh, and Snow Mama is too cold to cuddle.

But then Kipling receives a special delivery from Mama, including a note that reads:

***My love for you stretches* across the wide ocean,
through day and night,
from earth to sky
*and back again.***

And Kipling knows that no matter where Mama is, he is loved. Soon, Mama comes home, and Kipling ends the day where he belongs―right in her arms.

Why I like this book:

Heartwarming text…sparse yet beautiful lyrical language
Super illustrations engage the reader from the first page turn to the last
I love books that give children confidence in the love of their parents…and the realization that even if parents leave (for a day of work or for the night when they go to sleep) they will be back!
The perfect book for Valentine’s Day and a new favorite of mine for bedtime storytime.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

TREASURE BOX

Jeanette was kind enough to share a super fun activity with us!

You can print out the template here:

What you need:

Small cardboard box

Paper for cutting out hearts (see templates)

Used postage stamps cut off envelopes

Glue stick

Stamps and stamp pad for “cancelling” the stamps

“Treasures” to put in the box, like rocks, feathers, pom poms, buttons, beads, or other found objects

Cut stamps off envelopes, or use Easter Seals:

Print out the heart template on pink paper, if you have it:

Cut out hearts:

Glue old postage stamps onto box using glue stick. Then “cancel” the stamps with whatever rubber stamps you have on hand

Write a love note to someone you love:

Fill your box with treasures, add your heart, and give it to someone special!

I hope all of you will join me in celebrating the debut picture book authors and illustrators of the wonderful stories that will be coming this year. I’ll be shining the spotlight on them for book birthdays and for Perfect Picture Book Fridays.

But as parents or teachers or just picture book lovers, do you ever wonder how you can help your favorite authors?

1. One of the best ways is to post a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and other book review sites.

2. Ask your local library to order the book…many libraries honor patron requests and some even have online request forms.

3. Buy a copy of the book.

4. And most importantly…TALK ABOUT THE BOOK…to friends, family, and anyone who will listen!

Please leave a comment below to be entered in a drawing for the copy of LOVE, MAMA that author/illustrator Jeanette is graciously giving away.

To learn more about Jeanette and her work and to download an educational guide for the book: http://www.jeanettebradley.com/

And just a few more important notes:

1. I’m participating in Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas...an inspiring challenge to help kick off your writing year by looking back on 2017 and looking ahead to what you hope to accomplish in 2018.

2. Tara Lazar’s StoryStorm started yesterday…and I’ll be joining in as a participant as well one of the guest bloggers…I’m up on January 25th…I hope you’ll register and stop by as many days as you can on Tara’s blog…there are prizes and inspiring posts. In fact, two of my book deals this year were PiBoIdMo/Storystorm ideas from years past and in my post, I’ll be talking about how to take an idea to a published book.

3. I just received the color layouts for Sweet Dreams, Sarah…although there are still some tweaks needed…I’ve got my eyes on the October 2018 launch date, but am open to the possibility the book might not pub until Jan/Feb 2019. In which case I might just have FOUR books launching in ONE year. I will definitely need your help!