I added something to the menu. No, it isn’t a dinner menu, ha ha. It’s the menu of this website. It says, “Bonus Story.”
There you can sign up and have chapters of my new book emailed to you. These chapters are friendly for both middle grade and teens. The book features the dire wolf of my Red Riding Hood retelling. We see her start out as human, then get turned into a wolf and back to a human again.
Click on the link to join the fun!
I wrote another book review, just in time for Christmas. Are you looking for a book that reminds kids why we celebrate the holiday? And it’s not so that we can get a bunch of presents?
Here’s The Nativity by April Renner Curtsinger and illustrated by B. Teresa Campbell. It’s the Christmas story told by the family dog to the family cat. Quite unique, right?
At the bottom is the link to the review, posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. Enjoy!
Announcement!
You may have seen me share posts by fellow author and blogger CDPunt(igam). She just released a new book, fit for you parents out there.
Click on the link below to learn more, as well as see other titles by CDP. Congratulations, CDP!
May you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and think of all the things you’re thankful for. It can be friends, family, pets, the roof over your head, the fact that God gave you another day to experience Him, etc.
I came across this idea for a game you can play with your whole family during the festivities. It’s the Thanksgiving version of Pictionary, posted on Somewhat Simple’s website. For now, you can use slips of paper and a marker for the materials, but if you want to make this a Thanksgiving tradition, you can make a long-lasting set using a tin can and craft sticks.
Another anthology is here! This one is a collection of historical retellings of fairy tales. Featured authors are Anna Minor-Weeks, Abigail Kay, and Katherine H. Brown.
Here’s a partial blurb from Beyond the Bookery:
Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of heartwarming, thrilling, and romantic historical fairy tale retellings.
Cursed and Curiosity by Anna Minor-Weeks
Cat dreamt about adventure, mystery, love. But never believed it was meant for her.
Raised in her father’s bookstore, with her nose in a book, head in the clouds, and face behind a veil. Unfortunately, her father finds himself owing a great debt to Marquess Villeneuve. The mysterious marquess demands her father come to work off the debt at his–probably haunted–mansion.
However, Cat takes her father’s place.
Oh, The True by Abigail Kay
Goldie Lockes and the Three Barons by Katherine H. Brown
Pressured to find a husband, Marigold Lockes is inspired by The Parable of the Talents to search out a man who will value and grow her inventing skills rather than hide or overlook them.
If this book sounds like your jam, click on the link to buy:
That’s right. I wrote another book review, only this one is on a picture book retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. The book is written by Lari Don and illustrated by Célia Chauffrey.
Speaking of which, how is my Little Red Riding Hood retelling going? Still working on the first draft, and the ending is something I’m still puzzling over. I want the ending to be satisfactory on all levels, yet I have to cram the whole story in 25,000 words. Talk about a challenge.
Pray that I’ll have the wisdom to end the story well.
Without further ado, here’s the link to my book review, posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog:
Are you looking for books that are like Little House on the Prairie?
I learned of a historical fiction series by Kathy J. Perry: the Emeline series. They’re for tweens and teens, and they feature a teenager surviving the wilderness and an economic recession during the 1890s.
Want to get your feet wet before delving into these series? Sign up for Perry’s newsletter, and you’ll get the first ebook in the series for FREE. Click on the following link, and scroll to the bottom to find the sign-up form.
Perry has written books for younger kids too: the Bandana Acres series and the Oakwoods series. They all teach children virtues that’ll help them through life . . . and introduce them to special animal friends. Click on the links below to learn more.
You may have seen that I have fairy tales on my mind, so why not indulge a little further by reviewing a fairy tale-themed book? The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller is fit for kids grades fourth through seventh. It’s both an original story and a retelling of five fairy tales: Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Swan Lake, and Brother and Sister.
Lana and her mother visit a supermarket that seemed to come out of nowhere. She meets a strange little man who knows a thing or two about selling stuff, and she and her mother buy a book of fairy tales. Readers will revisit the timeless Sleeping Beauty tale, only this version has twists (e.g. Sleeping Beauty’s mother takes up swimming.).
Lana returns to the supermarket, and she meets the funny little man again. Only this time, he shoves her into a candy bucket, and she finds herself in the Sleeping Beauty story. When she enters another candy bucket, she returns to the fairy tale. Later, she convinces Harrison, her way-too-serious brother, to join her on her fairy tale adventure, and they help a prince find Sleeping Beauty. The prince wakes the princess with a kiss, but not on the lips, respecting that she might have boundaries. Instead, he kisses her hand like a gentleman.
What about the other fairy tales I mentioned earlier? How do they come into play? As Lana sleeps, she receives a vision about Sleeping Beauty being in danger again, and Harrison and Lana read in the book that the princess’ children are Hansel and Gretel. The fairy who had cursed Sleeping Beauty has taken Hansel and Gretel captive. When Lana and Harrison re-enter the world, they find that Sleeping Beauty has turned into a swan. When the two are held captive, Lana tells a story that’s similar to Brother and Sister. But you have to read the book to see it for yourself.
Harrison learns that it’s okay to have fun and not be serious all the time. However, the book doesn’t put down people who have a more serious nature. Because Harrison is studious, he’s a help when he and Lana face obstacles (e.g. He refers to his knowledge of oxbow lakes when they try to cross the river.).
There’s a few incidents of lying (in Chapters One and Four) that parents may need to be aware of. Otherwise, this is a fun story that allows a fresh look at classic tales. If you’re looking for an adventure, give The Day I Fell into a Fairy Tale a shot.
Hi, all.
Notice anything different? That’s right. I changed the look of my website banner.
Why the change? The original forest-y picture was an Unsplash photo (FYI: Unsplash is a site where they offer royalty-free photos for people to download and use for their newsletters and other marketing tools.). However, I felt like I needed a more distinctive look. So, with a little magic of Canva, I edited a different Unsplash photo (Thanks Rita Görtz for capturing the original photo and sharing it with us.). I added more purple tints to it, and I think it gives it a cool, mysterious feel.
I hope you enjoy it!
[The original Unsplash picture by Rita Görtz]
How’s my Little Red Riding Hood retelling going? It’s still in the works, and I’ve had some input from critique group partners along the way. But I will myself to get my story submitted in January.
In the meantime, let me share with you a couple of books my Beyond the Bookery teammates have written.
Do you love girl detectives? Then check out Emma Donovan’s book The Vanishing Body. It’s on pre-order now, but it will be available December 2.
Blurb from Amazon:
The village gossips have had plenty to share lately with the local prodigal son returning home to a less than welcome reception and his elder brother caught in the snares of a conniving stranger. That was before the body was discovered – and then vanished.
Nurse Elizabeth Carruthers never lacks curiosity about her patients, and this occasion is no exception. With her wits at the ready, she sets out to investigate the prime suspects: none other than the village’s leading family. But then, who else could it be? As she investigates, she is drawn ever deeper into scandal, intrigue, and murder, all in the best English tradition.
The more he investigates, the deeper he’s drawn into a web of illusions, secrets, and madness. If he can’t sort the truth from the lies soon, more than one life might be lost.
Do you have an obsession with chickens? Beyond the Bookery offers a poultry-themed fairy tale retelling. It’s The Chicken Pox: A Feathery Retelling of Hansel and Gretel by Jordan Elise Durbin.
Blurb from Amazon:
Once, chickens were monotone.
Then, came the pox.
A washed-up bar maid-hen, a twisted and wicked step-chicken, and a mischievous pair of chicks swirl through a medieval world of chickenry in this charming retelling of ‘Hansel and Gretel’. Blanche is a middle-aged tavern owner running out of hope that Prince Charming might walk through her door. When a wealthy guest is stricken with a mysterious illness, Blanche’s livelihood is destroyed. But she wasn’t hatched yesterday and seizes an opportunity for the domestic life she’s always dreamed of. Unfortunately, it comes with a pair of chicks that are far more demanding than Blanche had ever dreamed.
Henrietta and Grittel are determined to brighten Blanche’s dull world. But when they follow their step-chicken to a tasty cabin deep in the woods, the chicks discover secrets darker than any they could imagine.
Admirers of folk-lore, poultry, and fairy tales will adore this hilarious twist on the classic children’s story.
On that note, have fun reading!
Hi, friends.
You’ve probably gotten a clue that I love animals. Well, October is World Animal Month, as well as a plethora of other days dedicated to God’s creatures.
I wrote reviews for Story Warren on the three animal-themed books pictured here:
In the reviews, I take a look at the treatment of the animal characters and content that parents need to be aware of. I also note the voices Helen Moss and Anna Sewell used when recounting the stories of Balto, Togo, and Black Beauty. Moss and Sewell’s books are targeted for a middle grade audience, and Gayle C. Shirley’s book on famous Montana animals is for grades fifth through twelfth.
Thank you, Story Warren, for allowing me to partner with you in finding the right books for growing kids and teens.
Another anthology from Beyond the Bookery is here! This one is Of Beauty & Bravery, featuring authors Deigan Marie, Dawn E. Dagger, and S.M. Shigemitsu.
Click on the link below to learn more:
Here’s a fun and insightful blog post by A Dog Guide, and it’s all about the science of canines dreaming and sleeping.
Thanks for sharing, A Dog Guide.
To all you fairy tale lovers out there…
There’s another fairy tale anthology from Beyond the Bookery’s Fairy Tale Frenzy. It’s a collection of Beauty and the Beast retellings by Tabitha Bouldin, Megan Charlie, and Heather Flynn.
What’s the title? Evermore. Very appropriate, right?
Here are the blurbs from Amazon:
Falling for the Beast by Tabitha Bouldin
Belle never asked to inherit a curse that stripped her of magic. Mordred never expected to be cast from his realm, trapped in a body of gears and wood. Bound by fate and desperate bargains, the two must risk trust—and their hearts—to survive Castle Graymoore’s secrets. But when betrayal and sacrifice collide, will love be enough to shatter the curse before it consumes them both?
Dust Clothes and Dumbbells by Megan Charlie
Bernie has been a maid in a cursed household for nearly 20 years. If the Beast/prince can’t find love soon, everyone on the estate will die.
Nothing is working out as it should and Bernie’s growing feelings threaten to jeopardize everything. How can one maid save a cursed prince?
Beauty in the Shadows by Heather Flynn
A shepherd, who is more than he appears to be, is injured in an accident. In desperation he finds himself at the mysterious Langley Manor, a subject of many rumors in the village of Enulmoor. There he meets a woman who hides herself in shadows, loaded down with guilt of the past. Together they must take on the challenges that bring her face to face with her past, while he must face his destiny.
To order your own Kindle or paperback copy, here’s the link:
Have you heard? Two anthologies from Fairy Tale Frenzy have been released. They’re both collections of historical retellings of classic tales. Think The Ugly Duckling, Beauty and the Beast, The Snow Queen, Cinderella, and Snow White.
Below are the links to the books on Amazon. And they’ve added blurbs, too.
Hi, all.
I have another book review published on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. It’s on The Blue Bird of Happiness by S.M. Shigemitsu, a retelling of Maurice Maeterlinck’s play “The Blue Bird.” I share the differences and similarities between the play and Shigemitsu’s version.
Fun fact: Shigemitsu is part of the Fairy Tale Frenzy series, just as I am. Only she’s in a different book from me, i.e. Of Beauty and Bravery. It will be released September 23 for Kindle.
As you may know already, I’m writing a Little Red Riding Hood retelling that’s fit for middle grade and teens. It’s going to be featured in an anthology that’ll be published by Beyond the Bookery. In fact, the anthology is part of a series of anthologies called Fairy Tale Frenzy.
Speaking of Fairy Tale Frenzy, the first four anthologies will be published soon. Some are fantasy retellings, and others are historical retellings.
If you want to whet your appetite while waiting for my story, check out these books. Here’s the link if you want to preorder them.
Hi, everyone.
As I continue sharing with you my Red Riding Hood retelling, I’ll ask a question: What is the theme of my story? Or a theme, anyway?
Let me stall in answering by talking about a movie I’ve just seen.
I watched the movie version of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Shiloh. I’ve read the book, though I like the movie version better as it has a lot less language. Also, I think it better addresses the importance of keeping a promise and telling the truth. When Shiloh’s abusive owner, Judd, goes back on his word by not giving Marty the dog, Marty tells him, “Shouldn’t your word be enough?” That is huge. Talk about teaching an important lesson without being on-the-nose about it.
That’s what I strive for when writing my stories: illustrating a virtue without spelling it out. It’s something that readers appreciate, because instead of being preached at, they’re so immersed in the emotions of the story, they can’t help but think and ponder.
Kindness is a theme in Shiloh, and it’s one of the themes in my book, too. My main character, thirteen-year-old Nan, has compassion on an injured dire wolf, just like Marty cares for an injured Shiloh. She wants to be the wolf’s friend (even giving her the name Silvera). Yes, my wolf character is a girl, and Nan and the wolf develop a sisterly friendship.
My story is different from Marty and Shiloh’s, though. Even though the wolf is open to human contact, she can be aggressive when threatened, which can cause her to be more dangerous. However, Nan goes on a camping adventure with the wolf, and her kindness plays a key role in taming the beast.
I know, it sounds a little like Beauty and the Beast, but my story still has elements of Little Red Riding Hood (i.e. befriending a wolf, the dilemma of trusting a stranger, an older woman in a nightgown, a villain disguised as a grandmotherly figure).
Isn’t the above picture gorgeous? I found it on Pexels’ website of downloadable photos. This wolf’s eyes are closed, but if Silvera had her eyes open, they would be part purple and part blue. Why? You’d have to keep reading to find out. 🙂
Hi, friends.
Today, I edited two hours’ worth of my Little Red Riding Hood story, and I’m happy with my progress so far. I had editing “sprints,” where I edited for an ex-amount of minutes, took a break, and then edited again. In a way, it’s like a HIIT workout.
My plan is to write the best draft possible; then I’ll share this with others for input. I strive to write this story so that it’s for both middle grade and YA. In other words, I want to be low-key in violence, but I also want to address the teen’s inner desire to fit in. And romance? I’m keeping it at the level of the main character having a crush, which is something both middle-graders and teens can relate to.
In light of young adult stories, check out M Liz Boyle interviewing YA author Christina Shaw. Christina shares her past experience as a high school teacher, as well as what she thinks good, God-glorifying YA should look like. Thanks for sharing, M Liz.
Note: Christina has published the middle grade book she mentioned in the interview. It’s called Flibbertigibbet, and it’s Book One of Big Family Adventures.
Okay, everyone. It’s time to let you know how I’ve been progressing in my writing.
I pitched my Galdur Snow Dog book to a publisher, but sadly, my book and the publisher didn’t mash. So, I’ll keep my eyes open for another publishing opportunity.
In the meantime, something definite is happening. Another story? Yep, and it’s a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood!
I’m going to be featured in an anthology from Beyond the Bookery called Of Dangers and Dreams, and my novella-sized story will be friendly for teens and tweens. I think the following picture gives a cool ambience to my retelling, and I complement it with a list of things to expect. I’ll be adding more to the list as I edit and refine the story further.
The anthology will be released March 2026. Keep following this blog as I share updates on my progress as well as behind-the-scenes glimpses of my tale.
I know, summer isn’t over yet. But it’s good to be prepared, right?
One of the most vital things to learn in life is reading, and a big highlight of kindergarten is developing that skill.
Reading Head Start has tips on how to teach your kindergarteners how to read, and the following link is one of the articles they have.
Do you use other methods of teaching children to appreciate words and stories? Feel free to share in the comments. *smile*
Have you heard of Liu Bolin?
He’s a Chinese artist who’s the innovator behind a series of pictures where he’s the “hidden Mickey Mouse” in each one. He’s actually blended into the background, so you can see his shape only if you look closely. In a way, it’s like I Spy or Where’s Waldo?
Thank you, Rick Mallery, for sharing this on your blog. Now we all can have fun playing this picture game.
Okay, so the above Liu is easy to find, but the following link shows more challenging images.
Did you know there was a canine mascot at the Hoover Dam? It happened while the historic structure was being built.
I came across this story shared by fellow writer Jeff Maxim. The dog was a friendly companion to the construction crew at the dam. His life ended tragically, but he was loved by the construction crew so much, they took time to make a grave for him.
Thank you for sharing the story with us, Jeff.
What was your favorite picture book?
When I was little, I loved the book Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban. To this day, I have fond memories of my dad reading it to me. Another one I liked was In the Forest by Marie Hall Ets. See? Even as a little kid I loved adventures with animals.
The thing with picture books is that even if your children don’t know how to read yet, they can still appreciate the book by looking at the illustrations. I used to have the Big Golden Book version of Peter Pan, and I especially liked the pictures. As if that Disney movie hadn’t fed my obsession with Peter enough. 🙂
Author Lara Lee shares more titles that might add to your child’s TBR list. Or they might bring you memories of the stories you enjoyed. Take it away, Lara.
Hi, all.
Happy Independence Day to all you Americans! Just be sure to stay safe around fireworks.
If you also observe Christmas in July, I wrote a book review on an adorable holiday picture book. It’s posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, and if you love sled dogs, it’s the book for you.
And speaking of sled dogs, I’m still on the hunt for a publisher who would be interested in my “Galdur Snow Dog” book. It’s a middle grade fantasy about malamute-like dogs with magical traits, and they can talk to us humans. I’m actually going to pitch it to a publisher soon, so I’d appreciate your prayers that things will go according to God’s plan.
Hi, all you writers out there.
If you’ve been following my blog for a long time, you may remember me posting the benefits of creating a map of your fantasy land. Benefits include helping your reader visually picture your land, thus easing their comprehension as they read. If you haven’t read it, you can click on the following link, where I feature author Krystine Kercher’s map (pictured below).
Are you a sci-fi author? Author Joseph Ficor shows that you can create a map of your planet’s diversity of climates. It’s helpful for both you and your reader, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Check it out.
NOTE: I wrote this post on the day of Father’s Day, but I’ve been a bad girl and neglected to select the “Sticky” feature. So, this post wasn’t featured on the top of the blog. Aaarrrgh!
I greatly apologize for this, and to all you dads, I still remember you. The following activity from Clubhouse Magazine will still be fun for your family to do together.
Don’t worry. I did not forget about Father’s Day, and neither has Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Magazine. They have a puzzle activity that kids can do with you dads. It involves finding names of Bible dads in pictures like this (image from the activity’s web page):
Interesting, huh? Check it out!
Hi, all.
Does your teen prefer listening to stories over reading them? Or do they enjoy audio dramas?
Here’s the latest article/podcast episode by Lou Allen, aka Christian Faith and Fiction. Here she shares a few recommendations of Christian-friendly stories, including dramatized retellings of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
For those who still want physical books, she also mentions two:
A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter (a Regency-period fiction)
Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur (a Narnia-like fantasy)
I actually have my own copy of Arthur’s book (which I found at a library book sale of all places). I haven’t read it yet, but it sure looks intriguing.
Do you crave the excitement that comes from a search-and-rescue story? Is your teen or pre-teen looking for peer role models who would help them handle risky wilderness situations? Try M. Liz Boyle’s Off the Itinerary: The Search and Rescue Files.
The author herself shares more of her book in the following link. Thank you for sharing, M. Liz!
Do you want to tour Europe with characters you’ve read about and bonded with? Or maybe you’d like to meet new characters while you travel? Look no further than The Bobtails Go to France, a historical novel by Arthur Yeomans for fifth and sixth graders.
This is Book 3 of Bobtails Adventures, a series of novels about four orphaned siblings, nicknamed the Bobtails. Only by this book, they’re adopted by their aunt and her husband. I wrote reviews on the first two books for you to check out.
The Bobtails Go to France starts in August 1889 and ends in September 1889. Aunt Grace, or Mother, receives an inheritance that requires her to visit France to claim it. The family and their friend Geoffrey join her, and they take marvelous tours in New York, London, and France.
The book introduces us to two boys the Bobtails meet on their trip. The first one is Charles, a boy from an English upper-class family with a French-speaking nurse. He meets the Bobtails on an ocean liner and helps them with their French. Even though the Bobtails aren’t upper class, he’s happy to befriend them, and as the story progresses, he’s more used to being with people not of his class.
The second boy is Francois, an orphan who’s easy to sympathize with. He’s poor and starving, and the Bobtails hire him to be their guide in France. While he stays with the family, though, he fears they would make him leave. However, rather than be thrown into the streets, he finds a home in a way he doesn’t expect.
Geoffrey, the Bobtails’ friend, is made babysitter of little Ruth, which I think is sweet. It’s adorable when Ruth calls him “Pweachew’s Kid,” using his nickname in her toddler lisp. When she runs off in Paris, Geoffrey chases her, adding humor and intensity to the plot. Thankfully, he catches up. One of my favorite scenes is where he and Ruth have their portrait done by an artist, and I’m sure they further bond then.
It’s endearing that Bobtail Roger struggles with his French grammar yet does his best. Interestingly, even though English is the Bobtails’ primary language, French isn’t too foreign to them. They live in Vermont close to the Quebec border, so their English has a hint of a French accent. Also, they call their girl cousins “cousines,” which comes from the French.
Throughout Bobtails Adventures, characters ride on trains, and Yeomans continues the train motif while adding hotel rooms and an ocean liner. The world building is superb, and there are curved dinner plates on the liner. Those are meant to keep food from sliding off with the waves. Coca Cola makes an appearance as well, as it was invented in 1886. Yeomans takes liberty in bottling the drink, and bottled Coke wasn’t in circulation until after 1889, though I speculate somebody might have bottled it before that became a trend.
Experiencing the Bobtails’ journey will be perfect for anyone who wants a vacation, even in their imaginations. So, read The Bobtails Go to France in between your summer trips.
Hi, everyone.
Do you have a young person who’s a teen and into fantasy? OR is your young person a kid but wants to graduate into “older kid” books? Give The Tower of Geburah by John White a try. I reviewed it on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, and while it’s Book 3 of a series, it’s great as a standalone.
And it would pique the interest of fans of The Chronicles of Narnia.
If you’ve seen the movie The Secret of Roan Inish, you might know what selkies are. But in case you don’t, they’re fae who disguise themselves as seals, but when they crawl onto land, they shed their seal fur and walk the earth as humans.
Sarah Pennington wrote a Selkie retelling of the Little Mermaid called Song of the Selkies. I have a copy, and it’s sitting in my to-be-read pile. Have you read this book? Comment below and let me know what you think (Just don’t give me any spoilers. 🙂 ). If you haven’t read it yet, I would place it in the teen-read category, but adults can certainly pick this up, too.
Another selkie tale was written by Lara Lee. It’s a short story of a man telling a college student about his experience with a selkie wife. The seal-fae left him, but she didn’t forget him and surprised him with a gift. Here’s the story, fit for teens and adults with a bittersweet ending.
Happy Early Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.
Here’s something for you and your kids to do together: create your own jigsaw puzzle.
Don’t worry, the puzzle isn’t as complicated as the one in the above picture. Clubhouse Magazine offers the instructions on how to not only craft it but also make a game out of it.
Note: If you don’t have foam core at home, you can maybe use cardboard instead.
Ever struggled with following a recipe? I one time made a chicken stroganoff, and I mixed in uncooked noodles like the recipe called for. Though the noodles didn’t cook in an ex-amount of time, and I had to add more liquids (i.e. water and chicken broth) to soften them. The problem was that I poured in whole noodles instead of crushing them, as per the recipe. I guess to make it easier on myself, I’ll crush the noodles so that they absorb the liquids better and soften more easily.
Speaking of recipes, here’s another short story from CDPunt(igam)’s blog, and it has a shortbread cookie recipe. Yum!
Believe it or not, there are books about creativity for kindergarteners through second-graders. Here are readings by different You-Tubers on the following books.
Note: I’m not sponsored by any of the You-Tubers I share on my blog.
Regina’s Big Mistake by Marissa Moss
This one is especially good for aspiring artists, and it demonstrates working with your mistakes and how to get inspiration from others without plagiarizing.
Read by Story Time with Kim Hobson Richardson.
Aunt Isabel Tells a Good One by Kate Duke
This is a great book about what makes an engaging tale: excitement, conflict, unique heroes and villains, and even romance.
Read by Melissa Walker.
The Color Collector by Nicholas Solis and illustrated by Renia Metallinou
Here’s a story of how creativity can occur in any place and with any medium. It also takes recycling to a whole new level.
Read by The Bookworms.
Do you know of any books that show characters drawing, painting, storytelling, sculpting, etc.? Share in the comments below!
Resurrection Day is tomorrow, so today, I’m wishing you a blessed holiday. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Here’s a book based on a Pennsylvania Dutch legend about the Easter Robin. It’s written by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey, and read by Hip Hop Reading.
April 20 is Resurrection Day, also known as Easter. While bunnies, eggs, and candy are fun, may we never forget Jesus’ death and resurrection. He did it for us so that we can experience freedom from sin and friendship with Him.
Do you have gift bags sitting around? Here’s a neat craft that makes dioramas out of them. The following link is instructions from Clubhouse Magazine.
If you have Christmas bags, you can always snip Santa out. 🙂
And if you’re a fan of silly food, here are instructions on how to make eggs and bacon.
No, I don’t mean real eggs and bacon. They’re eggs and bacon made out of candy. That’s right, candy. This recipe is from Clubhouse Magazine, too.
Next week, I’ll post a You-tuber reading an Easter-themed picture book to continue the celebration. Stay tuned!
Imagine being in a world where you’re stepping on clouds and trees hang from the sky. In other words, the sky and the ground have switched places.
You’ll enter this world in Hannah Hattington Goes on an Adventure, written by Gracie York. I wrote a review on this chapter book for early middle grades, and it’s on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog.
Enjoy!
Hi, all.
Here is a treat for you: a read-along of “Captain Hook’s Shadow.” It’s read by Big-Mamas Storytime, a channel on YouTube that has a plethora of read-along videos.
[This is the cover of the ebook version found on Amazon.]
Peter Pan was my favorite Disney movie when I was little, back when we had VHS tapes instead of DVDs. It’s amazing that our old VHS copy hadn’t worn out after my watching it so much.
Without further ado, here’s Big Mama reading “Captain Hook’s Shadow” from Disney Scary Storybook Collection. Don’t worry, this story isn’t scary at all. Besides, you get to see little Michael be a hero, fighting the pirate’s shadow to protect his big sister.
Do you find it intriguing when animals teach us lessons? Especially lessons that allow us a deeper look into God’s heart?
Allen Brokken, author of The Towers of Light series, has written a picture book for young children, where the hero is a little kitten. I’m a dog person, but I do have a soft spot for cats. *smile*
Blurb:
When disaster strikes her family’s farm, Lauren must do a big job. But does she have the right help to finish the task? Meow Meow Milks the Cow is an allegory of perseverance through tough times, as God often uses the least of his creatures to accomplish big things. This whimsical tale is perfect for bedtime reading, and the fanciful pages will capture your child’s imagination so that they can read over and over.
-Towers of Light website
[Video is from the “Allen Brokken – Author” YouTube channel.]
Allen Brokken is looking for more people to fund this book and other goodies, including a Meow Meow plush toy.
If you want to support this project, learn more through this link.
Here’s a good haiku written by CDPunt(igam). It’s a poetic retelling of the last plague on the Egyptians who enslaved the Israelites.
The plague that meant death for the Egyptians’ firstborn sons.
This haiku also alludes to the fact that the deaths of the Egyptians’ sons happened eighty years after the Egyptians killed the Israelites’ sons. Thank goodness God preserved Moses from cruel murder and used him to save His chosen people.
What is the point of having dystopian novels? Can you even find a story like that with a Christian point-of-view?
Author Jeremiah Friedli thinks so, and he even has one for teens called CORE Deception, Book One of the CORE Series. Read M Liz Boyle’s interview and find out how Friedli’s spiritual journey through fear—even during 2020—influenced him in his creation.
BONUS for parents with younger children:
Even if you don’t have teens in your home, Friedli also shares insight on how to encourage your kids to be creative through play. AND how siblings can collaborate on their own fictional tale together.
Take it away, M Liz Boyle!
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “thick skin,” especially if you’re a writer and listen to advice on dealing with critiques on your stories. Mentors tell you, “Have a thick skin,” or in other words, “Don’t let what they say wreck your spirit.” At least, I think that’s what they mean.
But should we simply tell ourselves to buck up? Keep a stiff upper lip? Can I think of more mantras? Shouldn’t we acknowledge our hurt and bloodstained pages while we fight through them and scribble the words itching to come out?
Author Lara Lee gives a hilarious look into the trials and tribulations of the author life and how to live through them. Maybe you can relate to some of this. I know I have.
Have you found anything that might be a great read?
I have. It’s a middle grade series called “Road Trip Rescue” by Becca Wierwille. I haven’t read any of these books yet, but they’re filled with road trip adventures, the complications of friend and sibling relationships, and a canine friend.
Click on the following link to visit Wierwille’s website and learn more about her series.
Note: The Kickstarter campaign for Road Trip Redemption is over, but you might find a copy this spring.
Have teen girls?
Take a look at M Liz Boyle’s interview with YA author Melissa Knight. Knight writes teen romance as well as devotionals, so if that sounds like your jam, let M Liz Boyle take you away.
Here’s a poem written by CDPunt(igam) about an important Biblical figure. Think “Ten Commandments.”
Thanks for sharing, CDP.
Guess what? Another book review!
This time, it’s the picture book Tuesday by David Wiesner. This story will take you for a ride on a flying lily pad. Curious? You can click on the link below to Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, where I review the fantastical adventure experienced by…frogs?
The Last Stardog by E.K. Mosley is a brilliant book for children grades kindergarten to second grade. Prismatic illustrations fill the pages and immerse you in a world of multi-colored creatures, humanoid flowers, and even a dog from outer space.
Stardog is a sunshine-yellow dog who dwells on a planet covered with flowers. The planet is small for her size, much like how the asteroid is small for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince. Stardog is the only stardog around, born of five stars that grouped together. She dreams of dancing with other dogs like her, adorned with stars and flying through the sky. “There was music and laughter and a feeling of belonging,” in her dreams. This all reveals her longing and foreshadows what will happen in the book.
Suddenly, she falls and lands on Earth. As she roams the land, she sees amazing sights, quite unlike the Earth we call home. Mosley gives the planet whimsical touches, like land and sea dragons, a unicorn, a Pegasus, and even blue cats.
Stardog hopes to find another stardog, but this isn’t another Last Unicorn story. She soon learns that she can find loyal friends in a diversity of animals. On her journey, she rescues a luna moth and a crow, and they next meet a lute-playing, sailing frog and become his crew. I love the picture where Stardog and her new pals sail in a boat, followed by an ocean-colored sea dragon playing a tune on a shell horn. The animals then greet a purple-striped tiger, who is accepted by them despite his unusual fur tones.
They cross a dark tunnel, and the blackness overwhelms them, but Stardog fights it with her starlight. “For I shine brightest in the dark!” she says. I’d note that while it’s true that as Christians, we shine bright in an evil world, but our light is not of ourselves. Rather, it’s the Holy Spirit who fuels us with light.
The animals encounter a desert. However, because of Stardog’s feeling of belonging with her friends, stardust emanates from her and brings up flowers from the barren ground. Friendship can feel sunny, though this book doesn’t show what would happen if Stardog and her friends have a fight. It would be something for you and your child to speculate together.
This book is a great nighttime read, as shooting stars and star clusters deck the pages, and it reminds us to cherish the friendships we have. This may not be Mosley’s intention, but it makes me think how Christians, whose Lord is Jesus, can rejoice, mourn, and support each other, even though they’re different.
Hopefully Mosley will share with us more adventures of Stardog with Moth, Crow, Frog, and Tiger.
You might be in the market for more books. If that’s the case, Lou Allen of Christian Faith and Fiction has some ideas. I highly recommend reading The Wingfeather Saga, a middle-grade fantasy series by Andrew Peterson. They’re full of humor, adventure, and unique living beings like toothy cows. Yes, you read that right.
Every heard of a packzi?
Read this short story by CDPunt(igam) that features packzis, or pastries filled with jelly or cream. The story even includes a link that shares the history behind these desserts.
K.A. Ramstad 