Make a Paper Plate Spider: Gracie and Josh Review

Posted on July 5, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Today is Friday – I have another children’s book to review to add to the Perfect Picture Book resource list that author Susanna Leonard Hill is building on her blog. If you go to Susanna’s blog today, you will not find a picture book review because there is a 4^th of July Holiday Mystery Writing Contest going on. There are two dozen fabulous stories linked up there…I hope you will visit and read them and return to vote for your favorite!

My picture book pick today is another treasure (just shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award) by gifted author and anti-bullying advocate Susanne Gervay. I met her in Singapore at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content. When she heard I had not gotten a copy yet, she graciously and generously sent me one…with the adorable little Gracie doll…all the way from Australia!

Gracie and Josh Continue reading →

#2013AFCC – A Picture Book is Worth a Thousand Words

Posted on June 6, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Today I’d like to share the presentation I did for the Parents Forum at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore last week.

My goal was to give parents an overview of how picture books can be used as tools to

build self-esteem
develop literacy skills
strengthen the parent-child connection

With summer right around the corner, children will be looking for things to do. If you have preschoolers, kindergarteners or kids in the first or second grade, picture books can be a life-saver.

I mentioned that parents make a big investment in their children:

FOOD
SHELTER
LOVE
EDUCATION

Did you know that Money Magazine did a study in 2011 that showed it costs over Continue reading →

Can’t Sleep Without Sheep Contest and Sleep Tips for Parents

Posted on May 6, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Do you have trouble sleeping? Some might advise counting sheep. Or, you could read Susanna Leonard Hill’s wonderful picture book, Can’t Sleep Without Sheep. Or, on May 7th, you could purchase an ebook copy of Can’t Sleep Without Sheep. Or, you could grab some paper and sharpen your pencil and write a jingle.

YES! It’s contest time over at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. To celebrate the release of the ebook edition (come back on May 7th for the link to purchase) of Can’t Sleep Without Sheep, Susanna is holding a contest. Hurry over to her blog to read the rules and join the fun and have a chance to win a fabulous prize!

Here’s my jingle – to be read as an upbeat chant: Continue reading →