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.
Book Review — I Wonder Who Lives In That Tree
I Wonder Who Lives In That Tree, written by Scott Bryan and illustrated by Emma Bryan, has a beautiful flowing rhyme, and the watercolor illustrations capture the freshness of nature. The opening illustration shows a tree trunk with a gaping hole, and rustic leaves litter the hole, probably as bedding for a creature. This picture introduces young children to a mystery with “I wonder who lives in that tree.”
The black bear is loveable with its shiny brown eyes and soft body, and I find it humorous and adorable that the bee on its nose doesn’t frighten it. A cute baby rabbit stands to maybe reach a butterfly, and it’s clever that the woodpecker’s flaming red crest is called a “bright red hat.” Emma Bryan has animals do what they naturally do, like a raccoon eating berries and a bat hanging upside down. The book even shares something about minks I hadn’t considered before: they have webbed feet. Well, the Forest Preserve District of Will County says American Minks have partially webbed feet.
If your child loves animals and rhymes, this book will appeal to them, and the rhymes may help them read on their own. Read “I wonder who lives in that tree. Could it be a bear or a bumble…” You can say, “What rhymes with tree? Bumble…” Your child may respond with, “Bee.”
Spring, summer, and autumn are captured in one setting. Bright flowers and berries celebrate the warmer months, and crinkly orange and tan leaves reflect the autumn. The last illustration has the bear, raccoon, rabbits, and other creatures all cooped up in one hole. In reality, they would attack each other, but maybe the picture captures how animals got along in Eden. It shouldn’t surprise us that it’ll be that way again when Jesus returns and changes the earth.
Merry Christmas…With a Song
Merry Christmas to you all!
How about celebrating the day with a song recorded by Clamavi De Profundis? Here’s their version of “O Come Divine Messiah.” Let me tell you, it’s fantastic and festive.
A Christmas Detective Story by Elizabeth McD
How about a holiday detective story?
This one was written by Elizabeth McD, aka Creative Wending. It features Detective Coleman, who also starred in Elizabeth’s “When Angels Sing (another story I posted on this blog).”
Without further ado, here’s “The Newborn King,” a story fitting for teens and adults.
There’s Always Tomorrow
Hi, all.
Thought I’d give you an update on my stories. You’ve probably heard of my work-in-progress, The Galdur Snow Dog. If you haven’t, here’s the link to an old blog post that describes the book.
Anyway, I submitted my proposal for this book to another publisher, and I’ll see if they’ll give it a “yea” or a “nay.”
I’m also currently waiting to send a short story to a magazine when their submissions window opens. It’s a retelling of the Ugly Duckling, where the main character is an arctic fox raised by dogs. Then she realizes she’s a fox who creates blue light for the Northern Lights.
When you’re a writer, you have to be open to both acceptations and rejections from the publishing industry. If your writing gets accepted, it would be time to celebrate. *smile* If not, that doesn’t mean you can’t pick yourself up and submit it someplace else.
A fellow writer posted on social media “There’s Always Tomorrow” from the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She thought of it as her theme song, and I think it’s so perfect, I should share the song with you, too. If you’re a creator who has experienced rejection after rejection, I want to tell you to have faith that God has a plan for your art, even if it may not look exactly how you’ve planned.
Here’s to writing! Let’s keep charging forward.
Book Review – Rose Wolves by Natalie Warner
I wrote another book review! It’s perfect for kids who love wolves and want to read about somebody who thrives while living with a disability.
Click on the following link to Jennifer Hallmark’s blog, where you’ll see my review of Rose Wolves, a graphic novel for middle graders by Natalie Warner.
A Reading for Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
To celebrate, here’s Stories with Star reading I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie, written by Alison Jackson and illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner. It’s a retelling of “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” like no other.
Write Your Own Tale
Hi, friends.
This is a repost of one of my old blog posts. It’s where you can create your own fictitious work. In other words, you can create your own short story based on the picture prompts. Click on the link, read the guidelines, then hit reply to the post and write away.
A Rescue Story by CDPunt(igam)
Here’s a short story about a girl who was stranded in the water but was rescued. Will you cry out to Jesus this desperately? He’s the only one who can save you from your sin and guide you through the storms of life.
Thank you, CDPunt(igam), for writing and sharing this with us.
A Christmas-y Book Review (For November)
Hi, all.
I know, the Christmas season isn’t here yet. But let’s face it, you see Christmas stuff everywhere now, and I’ve been guilty of browsing holiday bath products.
Anyway, here’s my review of the book The Night Before Dog-mas, written by Claudine Gandolfi and illustrated by Karen Anagnost. It’s clever retelling of the classic Christmas poem that spreads awareness of shelter dogs.
K.A. Ramstad 