Showing posts with label Tomie de Paola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tomie de Paola. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

A Creative Life: Book Recommendations for Writers

by Suzy Leopold

When something makes you want to do something and when something gives you an idea about what to create, this is inspiration. Writers need inspiration. Clever ideas create sparks in a writer's mind along with feelings of emotion.

And this book does just that.

BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Riverhead Books
2016

The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller
BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING
BEYOND FEAR
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Many may recognize Elizabeth Gilbert as the author of EAT PRAY LOVE.

In BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR, Elizabeth Gilbert "digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective on creativity, offering potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration".

Inspiration is needed to be a writer. This book is inspiring.

Elizabeth Gilbert writes about the mysterious nature of inspiration. She offers attitudes, habits, and ideas for living a creative life. She encourages creatives to look within for the strange jewels.

The book is divided into six sections and includes:
Part I     Courage
Part II    Enchantment
Part III   Permission
Part IV  Persistence
Part V   Trust
Part VI  Divinity

Enjoy listening to the first chapter, Hidden Treasure pages 3-7 of Part I, Courage.

And if you want more, here's more to read as a pdf.

Discover what you were meant to do. Hope you feel curious, encouraged, and most of all inspired to live a creative life.

Writers will find inspiration in this book, too.

THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein

2016
W. W. Norton & Company
THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS
FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
by Cheryl B. Klein
Perhaps you recognize Cheryl B. Klein as the Editor Lee & Low Books.

"Insightful, enlightening, and practical, The Magic Words is a book that belongs on every writer's shelf. Loaded with concrete examples and specific strategies, it's likely to end up dog-eared and well worn--that favorite book on craft that writers revisit again and again with each new project."
Kate Messner, author

Do you note my many Post-its?

It's like a master class inside a book. It's like a handbook with useful tools for writing children's and YA fiction.

The author guides writers on a practical writing journey from writing principles, crafting a strong story, and publishing.

Take a few moments to check out her excellent web site, blog, and many resources. You'll note additional book titles Cheryl authored along with two picture books.

WINGS made its debut in March 2019 and is illustrated by Caldecott winner, Tomie de Paola. Read more about this book in a dual interview with Cheryl and Tomie. The book is written with one dozen rhyming words: wings, clings, flings, stings, wrings, dings, things, brings, springs, sings, rings, and zings.
WINGS
by Cheryl B. Klein
Illustrated by Tomie de Paola
In September 2019, look for THUNDER TRUCKS. Cheryl partnered up with Katy Beebe are the a dual author team of this book. The bright, bold illustrations are by Mike Boldt.
THUNDER TRUCKS
by Cheryl Klein & Katy Beebe
Illustrated by Mike Boldt
While we know creating a picture book is a team effort between author and illustrator, have you ever considered writing a book with a writerly friend? The idea is something to consider.

"If you have a writer friend whose strengths complement yours,
AND you can manage your respective writerly egos,
consider drafting a book together to use both of your types of genius."
~Cheryl Klein

The idea is something to consider. Just ask fellow GROGgers Christy Mihaly and Sue Heavenrich. Together they wrote and co-authored DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE: FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIAMTE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
by Christy Mihaly and
Sue Heavenrich
May these books inspire and encourage your writing journey.
Read, write, and create
Every day

###

From the desk of Sherri Jones Rivers:

Jillanne Hoffman
is the winner of:

NO BEARS ALLOWED 
By Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

From the desk of Kathy Halsey:

Whispering Pines' Writing Retreat
A Working Retreat
October 25-27, 2019

For more information click here and on the New England SCBWI site.

Monday, January 19, 2015

National Popcorn Day ~By Suzy Leopold

Happy Popcorn Day! What’s your favorite popcorn snack? Do you like Cracker Jack, Kettle Corn or fresh popcorn with melted butter and salt? There are so many flavors of popcorn to enjoy, it is hard to choose.
The
Popcorn
Book
By Tomie de Paola
 
In celebration of Popcorn Day, today’s featured book is The Popcorn Book, by the beloved Tomie de Paola. This book is just another reason why everyone loves Tomie, his stories and his illustrations!

Written with a blend of facts and fun, the story is narrated by brothers Tony and Tiny. Mom gives the boys permission to make some popcorn. Together the boys begin a delightful adventure as they learn about the history of popcorn, many facts and various ways to pop corn, followed by a blizzard of popcorn and two popcorn recipes. Tomie just knows how to write a book that is both entertaining and informative.

The Popcorn Book
Enjoy the You Tube of The Popcorn Book being narrated by Sangah and Sohee.


This picture book lends itself to dozens of lessons and activities for children
ages five and up. Here are half a dozen ideas to use in the classroom or for a 
fun activity at home.

        1. Write a haiku poem about popcorn.

        Kernels of corn. Pop!
        Popcorn is a tasty treat.
        May I have some more?
                         ~By Suzy

        2Estimate the amount of popcorn kernels in a clear container. Make it           more challenging, for older children, by displaying the popcorn in a bag.

        3. Find words that you know. See how many words can you make from the          title of the book, The Popcorn Book. Challenge kids to write as many words that
 they see and write during a set time.
         *cook
         *no
         *her

        4. Have fun outdoors with a relay race. Pairs of students stand facing each other about six feet away. Student A uses a plastic spoon to carry popcorn kernels to Student B. The popcorn kernels are passed on to Student B and now must return to the designated starting point without dropping a kernel.

5. Play a vocabulary enrichment match with important words to know:
    archeologist, discovered, explorers, kernels, legend, 
    method, moisture, popcorn, refrigerator, tablespoon 
Can you match these words
with their meaning?
6. Use the five senses to describe and write what the popcorn looks 
    like, smells like, tastes like, sounds like and feels like. Write about The Five Ws:

*Who? Who discovered popcorn?
*What? What's the best way to make popcorn?
*When? When do you enjoy eating popcorn?
*Where? Where should popcorn be stored?
*Why? Why does popcorn pop?

Consider making some popcorn with kids today. Since most kids are familiar    
with microwave popcorn only, take some time to introduce children to the old 
fashioned way of popping corn on the stove. Kids love the flavor of popcorn and
adults appreciate the nutritional value.

The story finishes with a feel good ending as Tony and Tiny, exclaim, “The best
thing about popcorn . . . Is eating it!
Such a sweet ending.
I don’t know about you, 
but I think it is time for a snack!
Do you want some?
Oops! I should have saved you some.
Additional Facts:

The Popcorn Board Industry Facts
The Popcorn Book
By Tomie de Paola
Age Range: 5 and up

Grade Level: Kindergarten and up

Lexile Measure 830L

* January 19th Popcorn Day
* October is Popcorn Month
*The corn belt states include the following Midwestern states: 
Illinois [state where I reside], Indiana, 
Iowa [Tina Cho's home state], Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Cornfields surround our neighborhood
in the summer.
Peek a Boo!
Can you find me in the cornfield?