Picture Books About Creativity

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!

Video of The Legend of the Easter Robin

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.

Resurrection Day Is Coming!

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. 🙂

Clubhouse Magazine Easter Story Bags

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.

Clubhouse Magazine Eggs-tra Fun Surprise

Next week, I’ll post a You-tuber reading an Easter-themed picture book to continue the celebration. Stay tuned!

Book Review—Hannah Hattington Goes on an Adventure

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!

Hannah Hattington Book Review

A Peter Pan Book – Captain Hook’s Shadow

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.

Meow Meow Milks the Cow — Help Fund the Book

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.

Help Meow Meow Find His Voice

Need A Haiku? Here You Go.

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.

Plagues

Dystopia? From a Christian Perspective?

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!

Author Interview with Jeremiah Friedli (and Happy Release Day!)

Develop a Thick Skin? Maybe? Maybe Not?

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.

Embracing Criticism: A Writer’s Guide

Road Trip Rescue Series

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.

Road Trip Rescue

Note: The Kickstarter campaign for Road Trip Redemption is over, but you might find a copy this spring.