The 4th of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest

Posted on July 1, 2013 by viviankirkfield

There’s been lots of traveling in the last few months…new grand-baby…Singapore…family visits.

I’ve missed my regular blogging and social media connections – but I’ve had so much fun!

To get back on track, I’m going to try a new blog schedule:

Monday will be geared towards picture book writing – sharing helpful articles and links for other writers as well as contests, submissions and highlights from my works in progress.

To kick this off, I’m thrilled to post my entry to children’s author Susanna Leonard Hill’s 4^th of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest. Contests are a great way to exercise your writing craft and connect with other writers…and Susanna’s contests are super cool. Please click on the link to get the details and find out what GREAT prizes she is offering. There is still time to enter!!!!

The Fourth Of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest!

We were asked to write a children’s story with any July 4^th setting, 400 words or less, in which there is a mystery is solved or a secret is revealed. Here is my 199-word story…I hope you like it!

THE MONSTER FAIR or Why Christmas Is Celebrated in July on Gollywhomper Square 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 →

A Picture for Harold’s Room…Shoebox Crafts for Kids

Posted on March 22, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Do you read with your child every day? It’s fun and builds vocabulary!

Would you like a great list of books to choose from? Head over to Perfect Picture Book Friday with Susanna Leonard Hill and friends.

My Perfect Picture Book recommendation for today is an old classic from master storyteller and illustrator, Crockett Johnson.

A Picture for Harold’s Room

Written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson

Publisher: Scholastic Book Services (Harper Row) (1960)

Ages: 3 and up

Themes:

Imagination, creative expression, adventure, there’s no place like home, art, problem solving

Opening Lines:

“I want a picture to put on my wall” He drew a house with his purple crayon.

Synopsis:

Little Harold thinks the wall in his bedroom looks too bare. He takes his purple crayon and begins to draw. Thus starts an adventure for the little boy who gets into and out of trouble as he draws a new world for himself.

Why I like this book:

This is another classic picture book from author/illustrator Crockett Johnson of Harold and the Purple Crayon and The Carrot Seed fame. I love the simplistic pictures and text…all about problem solving and conflict resolution. Very young children will enjoy the pictures and story…older ones will appreciate the page turning tension and suspense…will Harold ever get back to his room?

How a parent can use this book:

As a lovely read-aloud
To show children that each of us is the ‘master of our fate’
As an introduction to creative art expression
To help kids realize that every problem has a solution

Related Activities:

THE AMAZING SHOEBOX

Spring is here! Why not help your child put together several art supplies in a little box to keep on hand for outings. Bring it to the park, keep one in the car, take it along for doctor’s appointments. What should you put in it? Small pad of paper and a box of crayons are the basics…but you can add a glue stick, a pair of blunt safety scissors and a sheet of stickers…hours of fun and very little expense.

You can also use shoeboxes (THEY ARE FREE…most shoe stores or department stores will give you as many as you want) to make dioramas, doll houses, buses and other vehicles…here’s an awesome link for many step-by-step instructions:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6733140_shoebox-crafts-kids.html

The voting is still going on over at Susanna’s In Just Spring Contest…if you haven’t already voted, hop on over…the seven stories that made it to the finals are AWESOME! http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-in-just-spring-contest-finalists.html

Do you want to encourage your child’s creativity? Show Me How gives you 100 picture book suggestions and a simple arts and crafts activity for each one! The book makes spending time with kids fun AND easy!

You can click this link to purchase a copy