It’s Time for Halloweensie and Picture Book Month!

Posted on October 26, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Knock, knock!

Who’s there?

Boo!

Boo, who?

Don’t cry! It’s time for Susanna Hill’s 5^th Annual Halloweensie Contest!

Courtesy Google Images

That’s right—the contest runs from today till Friday…so there is still plenty of time to participate. Here are some of the rules from Susanna’s post.

The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words costume, dark, and haunt. Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people. 🙂 (And yes, I know 100 words is short but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got over 130 fantastic entries last year so I know you can do it!) Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. haunt, haunts, haunted, darkness, darkening, costumed, whathaveyou 🙂 No illustration notes please!

For more details, please click here: http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2015/10/its-about-that-time.html

I love this contest—all of my previous entries have been rhyming, so I thought I would change it up a bit this year. I hope you enjoy my story. And when you finish reading it, please hop over to Susanna’s website where you will find many more Halloween tales.

Halloween Fever (99 words)

Philpot blew his nose. His eyes watered. His throat tickled. His skin flushed red with fever.

“Oh no!” he moaned. “Whoever heard of a red ghost?”

Never had Philpot missed going a-haunting on Halloween. Opening Wanda Witchner’s spell-book, he flipped to the ‘C’s’. Exploding CAKES. Flying CATS. Disappearing COLDS.

“Hocus Pocus Mucus Phlegm!”

Blink. No more watering.

Swallow. No more tickle.

Sniff. No more dripping snot. But his skin still glowed red.

“If magic won’t do the trick, I can use my imagination!”

And grabbing a white sheet as his costume, Philpot floated out into the dark night.

I hope you enjoy my little Halloween tale…for many more incredible stories, please visit Susanna’s Halloweensie Contest page: http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-5th-annual-halloweensie-writing.html

MORE GOOD STUFF – Please keep reading!

On Friday, I mentioned that November is a great month because of the PiBoIdMo Challenge. Well, there is another awesome picture book event coming up…Picture Book Month. Organized by author and literacy advocate Dianne de las Casas, this event is supported by everyone who loves picture books. Visit her website http://picturebookmonth.com every day during November and be prepared to be inspired and informed with posts by: Sudipta Bardan-Quallen, David Biedrzycki, Paulette Bogan, Mike Curato, Matthew Gollub, Julie Gribble, Julie Hedlund, Carter Highins, Molly Idle, Joe Kulka, Jennifer Gray Olson, Kathryn Otoshi, Anne Marie Pace, Rukhsana Khan, Robin Newman, Penny Parker Klostermann, Eric Litwin, Loren Long, Deb Lund, LeUyen Pham, Matt Phelan, Stephen Shaskan, Trisha Speed Shaskan, TJ Shay, Whitney Stewart, Holly Stone-Barker, Mo Willems, Natasha Wing, Matthew Winner, and Paula Yoo.

How lucky are we to have these incredible mentors sharing their love of picture books with us!

Thank you for stopping by. Your visit is much appreciated!

Perfect Picture Book Friday: The Retired Kid

Posted on October 2, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Are you ready for a brisk fall weekend?

That’s right…it’s FRIDAY!

And you know what that means—a Perfect Picture Book to review.

I mentioned last week that I’m writing a book about a boy who wants to play on his tablet more than anything else. He’s had enough of school, soccer, and all the other activities his mom wants him to do.

So when I found this awesome book, I knew it was another one I could use as a mentor text. And the funny thing is, even though I had never read it before, the activities the boy in this book wants to avoid, are pretty much the same ones as my main character. I guess that goes to show what many writing classes have taught me…there are only a couple of stories in the world. And my mission, should I choose to accept it (just saw Mission Impossible 4), is to put a unique spin or twist on it and tell it in my own voice.

THE RETIRED KID

Written and illustrated by Jon Agee Continue reading →

Perfect Picture Book Friday: Dot.

Posted on September 25, 2015 by viviankirkfield

Are you ready Perfect Picture Book Friday?

I am!

I found a book that our kids these days can definitely relate to. And since I’m writing a book about a boy who wants to play on his tablet more than anything else, I’m using it as a template text.

DOT.

Written by Randi Zuckerberg

Illustrated by Joe Berger

Publisher: Harper (2013)

Ages: 2-7

Themes: Life balance, electronics devices

Opening Lines:

“This is Dot. She knows a lot. She knows how to tap, to touch, to tweet, to tag.

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

Dot’s a spunky little girl well versed in electronic devices. Dot knows a lot. She knows how to tap . . . to swipe . . . to share . . . and she pays little attention to anything else, until one day Dot sets off on an interactive adventure with the world surrounding her. Dot’s tech-savvy expertise, mingled with her resourceful imagination, proves Dot really does know lots and lots.

Why I like this book:

Young kids will just about be able to read this by themselves.
Simple language combines with bold fun illustrations
Love the message of life balance – there is a place for electronic devices, but we mustn’t forget that kids need outdoor activities as well.

How a parent can use this book:

Wonderful read aloud
Great book to encourage listening and literacy skills
Encourage discussion about enjoying all types of activities

RELATED ACTIVITIES

LEAF COLLAGE

Getting kids outside is really important. They need the fresh air and the large muscle movement that is hard to allow in the house. While you are outside with them, why not go on a leaf hunt. There will soon be plenty of leaves to collect. See how many different types you can find.

You will need: Piece of construction paper or cardboard, glue stick, leaves.

Collect different size, shape and color leaves. (that’s a whole other lesson in categorizing)
Let your child arrange the leaves on the paper.
Glue each leaf in place.
Hang up in a place of honor.

Does your child have a bulletin board or place where he can display his creative work? Even a fridge will work…all you need are some magnets.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you all have a beautiful weekend.

If you are looking for more picture book reviews and activities, please stop by Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog: http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2015/09/perfect-picture-book-friday-how-sun-got.html