Monday Writing Magic: What Makes a Great Picture Book Story?

Posted on July 8, 2013 by viviankirkfield

What good luck! I’m continuing my new blog schedule with a Monday post about writing. Susanna Leonard Hill graciously picked today to reveal the 8 finalists in the 4^th of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest. Thanks, Susanna…perfect timing!

What bad luck! It will be very difficult to decide who should be the winner…each story is fantastic! You can help….go and read the entries…and VOTE!

What good luck! I just heard an acceptance speech for the Hornbook Award by Extra Yarn author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klaussen. You can read it here and here or listen to it here. They said that a great picture book must: Continue reading →

Show-Me-How Story-time with Miss Vivian Travels to New Hampshire

Posted on October 8, 2011 by viviankirkfield

What an awesome time to be traveling to New England.

I’ll be flying to New Hampshire tomorrow and I can’t wait to gaze out the window of the plane, down at the magnificient fall folliage…scarlets, magentas, golds…the tree-tops will look like a bejewled crown of a Russian tsarina.

My grandson will be celebrating his third birthday and I am looking forward to taking long walks with him down to the pond where we love to select the perfect pebbles and toss them in. Of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to use the Show-Me-How program…I know Jeremy will be thrilled to read lots of picture books, do simple craft projects and work together in the kitchen, preparing easy healthful recipes.

I’m also excited about this trip because I will be bringing the Show-Me-How Story-time with Miss Vivian program to the Tollhouse Preschool in Merrimack, NH. I’ll be reading Yes We Can by Sam McBratney to the three year old preschool group and doing a leaf tracing craft project with them. I’m coming prepared with a bag full of leaves…but I’m sure there will be plenty available on the school grounds.

Why is it so important to read to young children? Reading to young children:

Builds self-esteem
Develops pre-literacy skills
Stengthens the parent-child connection
Allows them to relate their experiences to those in the story
Provides wonderful opportunities for parent-child discussions

The craft and cooking activities included in my book help extend this learning experience. What a wonderful gift to give any parent or teacher of young children! Please visit my website for online specials.

“Looking for a book that creates childhood magic? This is it!

– Wendy Young, LMSW, BCD: Clinical Director and Family Therapist

“This is a timely and timeless book that every parent and teacher will love. It encourages children in an engaging, creative and fun format.”

Sheila Glazov: Author of What Color is Your Brain? and Princess Shayna’s Invisible Visible Gift

What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesday: I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE YOU

Posted on March 30, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

WOW! I just got back from visiting with my daughter and her family in New Hampshire.

As I boarded the plane in Boston, I was missing them already!

While there, I was able to read and craft and cook with my 2½ year-old grandson, Jeremy. Oh yes, and hug and kiss him a lot.

Young children need to hear how much they are loved and valued…on a daily basis. As parents, we sometimes get overwhelmed with our tasks and chores. It warms my heart to observe how loving and nurturing my daughter is…even though she is always busy…she never forgets to let her child know how special he is!

While on the east coast, we visited with my niece and her children and my daughter grabbed some time to read to her son, Jeremy (on the right) and her cousin’s little boy, Jake. No matter what stories you read to your children, what counts is the joyful and positive time you spend with them that counts. Today’s story suggestion let’s your children know that you will love them…no matter what!

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE YOU

Written by Lisa Baker

Illustrated by David McPhail

Mother Fox tells her son that she loves him when he is happy as well as when he is angry. She also loves him when he is sick in bed as well as when he is running around. She lets him know that she loves him when he is shouting as well as when he is quiet. Little Fox, of course, is very comforted by the fact that his mother loves him just as he is.

Young children need to know that we will love them no matter what. This level of unconditional love and acceptance will encourage them to come to us with their problems and concerns. It will also enable them to show love to others and develop healthy relationships with others, now and throughout their lives.

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of books available at libraries and bookstores? Check out my website where you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRFTING AND COOKING at 50% off the cover price. This is a great resource for busy parents…it pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear and provides a story summary, gentle parenting tip, easy craft project and simple healthful cooking activity for each recommended title. Just stop by and enter to win the Crafty Easter Basket filled with craft supplies for your preschoolers…no purchase necessary…just fill in the contact form. You can even leave me a comment here on why you would like to win the craft supplies.

One more piece of information I’d like to share…a fellow author is having a book blog tour…these are great books for children and Positive Parental Participation will be the host on April 12. There is an ongoing contest to win prizes…you just have to check out each stop on the 30+ day tour…here is the link for more information: http://readwithmax.com/blogbooktour.html