Need to be motivated to read more during the summer, especially if you want your kids to expand their imagination, thinking, and curiosity about the world? How about taking on a summer reading challenge? Hey, even grown-ups can participate and explore their choice of books.
There’s probably a summer reading program at your local library, so check it out. If you need inspiration on what books to pick out, Lou Allen of Christian Faith and Fiction has a list of prompts where you can select beach-themed books. Keep reading.
If you’re a dad, grandpa, teacher, or mentor to someone who doesn’t have a father around, Happy Father’s Day!
Pick a tie, from me to you.
And if you don’t have a father present in your life, remember that if you have accepted Jesus as your forever friend, you have His Father as your Father.
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” – Romans 8:15, New International Version
Does your teen prefer mysteries and suspense over fantasy and historical fiction? Check out JPC Allen’s Rae Riley mystery series.
M Liz Boyle talked with Allen about her books, and from their conversation, you will discover how Allen researched for her stories and learned about the different jobs people have in the field of crime.
Imagine Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” set in a Tolkienite world. Here’s a video, created by these genius YouTubers called Clamavi De Profundis, that gives a peek at that. Enjoy!
My work-in-progress, The Galdur Snow Dog, is awaiting a publisher. I’m currently giving traditional publishing a shot, though I have self-publishing as a Plan B option in case a traditional publisher doesn’t come around.
If you’ve been following my blog, you may have heard that The Galdur Snow Dog is a middle grade novel about malamute-like dogs with amazing powers. They race across water, sneeze colors into snow, and smell of vanilla peppermint. Not to mention that some are colored blue-and-silver while others are red-and-glittery white.
Speaking of dogs with superpowers, how about puppies that grant wishes? The toys in this commercial are Wish Me Pets. How cute are these? I wish I were a kid and have one of these.
But back in my childhood during the ’90s, I did have a purple Secret Keepins Pup, a special canine with a treasure chest built in its tummy. Sounds weird, huh?
Did you have any toy dogs that would be perfect characters for fantasy and fairy tale stories? Comment below and tell me about it.
Hi, all. Get to meet a children’s and young adult author.
Here, M Liz Boyle interviews one on her blog. Wendelin Van Draanen, author of Flipped, The Running Dream, and the Sammy Keyes books, shares stories behind her books and offers thoughtful advice for aspiring authors. Without further ado, here’s M Liz’s and Wendelin’s conversation.
I have a new book review posted on Jennifer Hallmark’s blog. It’s on Margaret’s Unicorn, a picture book by Briony May Smith. Click on the button to have a peek at a story about a girl and her baby unicorn.
Here’s a list of books releasing in May, courtesy of Lou Allen of Christian Faith and Fiction. The books are for adults and high schoolers. Anything strike your fancy?
I’m still writing my book, The Galdur Snow Dog. For those of you who are just reading this blog, it’s a middle-grade book about a special breed of dog from the fictional island Galdur. They have magical traits, such as:
Sneezing colors into the snow
Running across water
Smelling like vanilla peppermint
Did I mention their fur has out-of-this-world colors? Some of the Snow Dogs are blue-and-silver while the others are red-and-white with gold glitters.
Every good story has a problem. In this case, a Snow Dog puppy named Joy and her siblings get kidnapped by humans and sold to a family. The family treats them well, though, and they become sled dogs. But the dogs come across more problems. They deal with a persnickety apothecary lady, a fae who seems to have stolen the human daughter’s heart, and a loss of something vital to them: jolenberries. They must get more berries, for without them, they will turn into leafless, spindly shrubs, and that is not a metaphor. Joy, as an adult, plays a key role in her pack’s rescue, which I won’t give away here. Ha ha.
Every protagonist has a weakness, right? Well, Joy is notorious for self-indulgence, including gorging on sweets. Even though I may be enabling her addiction, here are videos featuring dog-friendly desserts that she would approve! And since Snow Dogs are similar to huskies and malamutes, these videos feature these dogs.
Disclaimer: I’m not sponsored by any of these YouTubers. Also, feed your dog these goodies on special occasions rather than every day. 🙂
K.A. Ramstad 