Showing posts with label Children's Book Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children's Book Week. Show all posts

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Children's Book Week 2012: Thank You!


Thank you one and all for visiting me and my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing children's authors as we celebrated Children's Book Week, it's been a true pleasure connecting with you. The winners of the two prizes will be announced by the end of this week.

We are all avid bloggers and welcome your visit and comments anytime.


Mayra Calvani - www.mayrassecretbookcase.blogspot.com
The contest is is not over yet, you have until midnight tonight to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Children's Book Week 2012: Donna McDine Chats about The Reading Tub










The Children's Book Week 2012 celebration continues and I wanted to share with you a wonderful resource of children's books, The Reading Tub.

While searching the Internet for children's books and opportunities to connect with book reviewers and individuals/organizations on the front lines of children's literacy I discovered The Reading Tub. And what a find it is! A bit of what The Reading Tub has to offer...













Slogan:We Bring Reading Home for Families”

The Reading Tub is a volunteer-run non-profit for family reading and literacy. Here you'll discover great books to share and learn about ways to encourage your child's love of reading. The Reading Tub collects and distributes books to at-risk readers, whether it is a child with no books at home or a teacher building a classroom library for her struggling students. Donations fund this work, and 100% of the money we receive goes to providing literacy information and shipping books.



The Reading Tub offers:

Book Reviews

Author Showcase

Learning To Read Resources: literacy facts, reading activities, learning to read, when a child struggles to read, resources & articles, and Children’s Book Awards

Newsletter

Our Company: learn how The Reading Tub came to fruition, community projects, Board of Directors, partners, donors, accomplishments, etc.

Visit The Reading Tub today http://thereadingtub.com/index.php and be forewarned you will be spending countless hours getting to know authors and the resources The Reading Tub has to offer. 

I invite you to visit with my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing authors at their blogs during Children’s Book Week 2012 and beyond:
Don’t forget to enter our contest:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Monday, May 7, 2012

Children's Book Week 2012 Celebration Kicks Off Today



I'm delighted you have stopped by to help me and my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing authors to celebrate Children's Book Week. Today, I'd like to share with you interviews with myself and illustrator, K.C. Snider conducted by Homeschool Specialist, Amy O'Quinn:


Interview with Award-winning children's author Donna McDine: 


Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions,  Literary Classics Silver Award & Seal of Approval Recipient Picture Book Early Reader, Global eBook Awards Finalist Children’s Picture Book Fiction, and Preditors & Editors Readers Poll 2010 Top Ten Children’s Books ~ The Golden Pathway.

Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has three more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey, and A Sandy Grave. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids, Publicist for the Working Writer’s Club, and owner of Author PR Services from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI. Visit www.donnamcdine.com

How did you come up with the idea to write a book about a young boy who helps a slave escape?

I have always had a fascination for American History and living in the historical hamlet of Tappan, New York is a constant reminder of the rich history of our country. And when the opportunity arose at the end of the Institute of Children’s Literature Writing for Children and Teenagers course to create an outline for a book idea I naturally gravitated towards the Underground Railroad.

How much research was involved and how long did it take to write the book?

I initially visited my local library and researched both children’s and adult books on the Underground Railroad. The wealth of information was endless, but once I focused on the central character being the son of a slave owner the story flowed. From start to finish after research it took about a year to edit and fine tune the manuscript to feel confident enough to submit to the Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. After placing 12th in the Children’s/Young Adult category I then met Lynda Burch of Guardian Angel Publishing and submitted. After several more edits and expansion of the story, Ms. Burch offered me my first children’s book contract, adding about another two years to the process. It may seem like a long time, but it’s all worth it.

How did you become a children's author?

After working for Fortune 500 companies for many years I came across the Institute of Children’s Literature ad and I was immediately intrigued. I eagerly completed their aptitude test and mailed it off. After a month or so I received my acceptance into their “Writing to Children and Teenagers” course and haven’t looked back since. Even though I still hold a virtual assistant position to help pay the bills my true place is as a children’s author.

What advice do you have for young aspiring authors?

Just like taking up an instrument or sport - practice, practice and practice some more is essential in honing your writing skills. Participate in writer’s workshops in the genre you are interested in is a key component in developing your unique voice. Many times people think writing for children is a snap, when it is the complete opposite. Children are quite intuitive and know when you are preaching or speaking down to them.

Studying the market and what publishers want is imperative. If your goal is to write for children’s magazines, taking the time out to read back issues will provide you with insights on the direction of a particular magazine. For children’s book publishers, review their catalogues for what they are currently publishing. You may just find a niche that needs to be filled. And whether you are submitting to children’s magazines or children’s book publishers reading their submission guidelines is imperative. I cannot stress enough how important it is to follow the specific guidelines to the “letter.” Even if you go over the word count by a few words it can mean instant rejection.

Never be afraid to ask questions. We all have something to learn each and every day and you’ll be surprised how many people have the same question as you.

Happy writing to you all and let your voice soar.

Interview with illustrator, K.C. Snider: 

K.C. Snider, a prominent Oregon artist, has branched out into a variety of styles and subjects. Her collection of oil paintings, lithographs, and pencil drawings include the All-American Cowboy and Cowgirl and their historical lifestyles with magnificent wolves, buffalo herds, eagles and birds of prey along with horses and domestic animals. Her artwork has won numerous awards including the Snaffle Bit Award and the Pioneer Award.

Snider lives in the high desert with majestic views of the Cascade Mountains' snow capped peaks. K.C. also illustrates children's books: Alleycat; The Christmas Angel; Preston, the Not-So-Perfect Pig; One Family's Christmas; Cartwheel Annie; The Magic Violin; Does Heaven Get Mail?; Andy & The Albino Horse Series; Baby Jesus is Missing' Katydidn't; A Short Tale About a Long Tail; Monster Maddie; RV Mouse & Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind.

A three piece triptych from the second book in the Andy & the Albino Horse Series won 1st Place in The Western Art Roundup 2008 and another Andy story triptych won 2nd Place in The Western Art Roundup 2009.

How did you become artist/illustrator?

I attended commercial art school and graduated as a commercial artist in the late 1970’s.  I have been working for Guardian Angel Publishing for about 5 years, now.

What inspires you as an artist?

Everything around me!  Everything around us is art.

Tell us about your experience illustrating The Golden Pathway, and how closely did you work with Donna on the project?

I worked very closely with Donna in researching for historical accuracy.  A lot of email flew back and forth between us.

What advice do you have for young, aspiring illustrators?

Draw a lot and learn as many styles as you possibly can.  Success is in being versatile and being able to draw anything from realism to cartoon.


I invite you to visit with my fellow Guardian Angel Publishing authors at their blogs during Children’s Book Week 2012 and beyond:
Don't forget to enter our contest:


a Rafflecopter giveaway


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Children's Book Week: Celebrate with Guardian Angel Publishing Authors: May 7-13, 2012



Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!
Visit Guardian Angel Publishing authors via their blogs as they celebrate Children's Book Week. Each stop includes special topics of discussion: teaching writing and grammar using children’s books, road to publication, professional critiques, educator guides, Skype and in-person author visits, what’s selling in children’s non-fiction, writing narrative non-fiction, interviews, book reviews, individual book information, and so much more.
Enter at a chance to win two prizes:
·         One FREE Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Margot Finke
·         One FREE tote bag of children's books from the participating authors

Visit May 7-13, 2012 and automatically enter at a chance to win by commenting, GFC Follower, and/or become a Facebook Fan or Friend at each of the author blogs.
Guardian Angel Publishing Author Blogs:

About the authors:
Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her children’s picture books include Crash, The Magic Violin, Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster, Frederico, the Mouse Violinist, The Doll Violinist, The Water Cycle: Water Play Series Book I and the upcoming The Fox in the Night. She’s had over 300 reviews, articles, stories and interviews published online and in print. She’s represented by Mansion Street Literary Management.

Margo L. Dill is a freelance writer, editor, and teacher, living in St. Louis, Missouri. Her work has appeared in publications such as Grit, Pockets, Missouri Life, ByLine Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, True Love, On the Line, Fun for Kidz, and The News-Gazette. She is a columnist, instructor, and contributing editor for WOW! Women On Writing. She writes weekly book reviews for The News-Gazette (Champaign, IL). Her first book, Finding My Place, a middle-grade historical novel, will be published by White Mane Kids in 2012. She also has a picture book accepted by Guardian Angel Publishing and another by High Hill Press.

Margot Finke is an Aussie transplant who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. She has 11 books published so far. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between writing. Her husband is very supportive, though not interested in children's books . Their three children are now grown and doing very well. Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes! "

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, The Golden Pathway, an historical fiction story book about the Underground Railroad. Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Donna has three more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, Hockey Agony, Powder Monkey, and A Sandy Grave. She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids, Publicist for the Working Writer’s Club, and owner of Author PR Services.

Nancy Stewart is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children. Her newest book, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the biography of Katrina Simpkins with Winter, the dolphin. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a frequent speaker and presenter at writing conferences throughout the United States. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to writing for children.

Kai Strand writes fiction for children and young adults. Her debut title, The Weaver, was a finalist in the EPIC eBook Awards. Her upcoming titles, Save The Lemmings! and The Wishing Well, Another Weaver Tale, will be released in 2012. Links to current and upcoming short stories can be found on her website. You can find book related downloads and more information about Kai and her writing at www.kaistrand.com.

Nicole Weaver was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She came to the United States when she was ten years old. She is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish, and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish. Her second children’s trilingual book, My Sister is My Best Friend was published by Guardian Angel Publishing, November 2011. She is also the author of a children’s trilingual picture book, Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle. The story is about a Haitian girl who resides by the beach in Haiti.

We look forward to your visit. Thank you and good luck! 



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval Recipient and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Celebrate Children's Book Week and Visit with Exhilirating Children's Authors


In celebration of Children's Book Week - May 2-8, 2011 I am featuring several different children's authors through book reviews and interviews. To add to the enjoyment of getting to know your favorite children's author certain stops will feature a Book Giveaway Contest.

Monday, May 2nd - Interview - Cheryl Malandrinos author of Little Shepherd

Tuesday, May 3rd - Interview - Bill Kirk, multi-published author

Wednesday, May 4th - Interview - Dixie Phillips author of Stilts the Stork

Thursday, May 5th - Interview - Nancy Stewart author of One Pelican at a Time, A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill

Friday, May 6th - Book Review - One Pelican at a Time, A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill by Nancy Stewart

Saturday, May 7th - Book Review - Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind by Margot Finke

Sunday, May 8th - Book Review - Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines by Beverly Stowe McClure

Please be sure to leave your comments or questions for my guest authors.

Thank you for your time and interest.

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Award-winning Children's Author
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
http://guardianangelpublishing.com/pathway.htm

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Children's Books Examiner: Maybelle, Bunny of the North


Lori Calabrese, Children's Book Examiner for examiner.com (get inside).

Join Lori at http://www.examiner.com/x-7597-Childrens-Books-Examiner?cid=examiner-email as she celebrates Children's Book Week. Her intriguing insights and reviews will leave you inspired to find your next loved children's book.

Be sure to stop by and leave Lori a comment.

What way are you celebrating Children's Book Week?
I'm celebrating by first featuring Lori and then three NY Times Book Reviews.
The celebration will continue through the weekend and next week with my own book reviews of:
Please be sure to stop by each day!
Thanks!