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.
To all the moms, grandmas, aunts, teachers, and other mother figures out there, Happy Mother’s Day! Here’s a bouquet of flowers from me to you.
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.
Looking for new books?
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?
Disclaimer: I haven’t read any of these myself.
Hi, everyone.
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. 🙂
Hi, all.
Do you want a poem that honors April with all its freshness and beautiful flowers? Here’s one called “Light and Wind” by Ellen Grace Olinger. It’s low-key and pretty, complete with a lovely clip art picture of a hyacinth.
It’s April, you all, and I’ve been having spring weather, complete with rain. Oh April showers, bring May…okay, I’ll stop.
But summer will be here before you know it, and why not prepare for it with an ice cream recipe? Or, you can make a new recipe now while it’s spring. Here’s one for a caramel butter pecan ice cream, originally posted by Elizabeth McD on her blog “Creative Wending.” Take it away, Elizabeth!
Hello, you all. This day may be known as Easter, but most importantly, it’s a day to sing, reflect, and have joy in what Jesus did on this special day. His death and resurrection are His precious gifts to unworthy sinners like you and me, and He promises new life with Him, here on earth and in heaven, to those who have faith in Him.
Here’s Storytime Anytime reading The Quiet Crazy Easter Day, written by Jill Roman Lord and illustrated by Kelly Breemer. Young children will witness animals celebrating Christ’s resurrection in their own unique way, including ladybugs flying loop-de-doos and groundhogs hopping. The animals’ joy will be contagious, and readers will see how kids can rejoice with as much happiness.
“No, we can’t swoop big loop-de-doos or soar like eagles soar. But we can sing and shout ‘Hurray,’ and we can do much more!”
Happy Resurrection Day!
Getting ready for Easter? Or to be truer to why Christians celebrate, Resurrection Day? If you’re still looking for things to do that day, Clubhouse Magazine has recipe and craft ideas for you to check out. Here are a few examples:
Aren’t these sock bunnies cute?
This recipe for Easter Crown Bread is an Eastern European tradition. If your child doesn’t like raisins, you can leave the raisins out.
This keychain craft is great for older kids and teens.
To see more Clubhouse Magazine activities for the holiday, click on the button below.
Do you want to observe and learn about wildlife in a safe way? Grumpy the Gator, written by Melissa Henderson and illustrated by Mark Brayer, shows us how. I wrote a review on this picture book, and it’s posted on Story Warren’s site. Click on the link below to read more.
K.A. Ramstad 