HOOK KIDS on READING: Parents

Showing posts with label Parents. Show all posts

Saturday, August 20, 2011

10 BOOKS YOU SHOULD READ TO YOUR CHILDREN

Special Report:
Top 10 Classic Books Parents
Should Read to Their Kids

The question was asked on Linkedin's Children'sBooks

by Brian Presley

Director of Sales & Marketing at
What To Do With The Kids!

Many members sent in their 10 best choices. Linkedin is a worldwide resource site that offers a great place to network in your field of expertise: job search, ask questions, have discussions, or find others willing to mentor you or offer advice.

I am listing a sampling of the choices sent in to Linkedin's Childreb's Books. For full details and the complete lists, click on Linkedin's Children's Books link above.

Remembering Crystal by Sebastian Loth;
The Chicken Thief by Beatrice Rodriguez;
The Fox and the Hen by Eric Battut;
The Little Red Hen by Byron Barton;
Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley

Anything by Roald Dahl
Willy the Wimp - Anthony Browne
Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carrol
Beatrix Potter collection

Jungle Book, Ruyard Kipling. If old enough.
The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaimen. If old enough.

Frog and Toad
But Not The Hippopotamus
Where the Sidewalk Ends
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
Winnie the Pooh

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell and Helen Oxenbury
The Blunder of the Rogues by Tim Egan
Benny's Had Enough by Barbro Lindgren & Olof Landstrom
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Moo Baa La La La (board book) by Sandra Boynton
The Happy Hocky Family by Lane Smith
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen - for older kids

Goodnight, Moon - Margaret Wise Brown
Guess How Much I Love You - Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram
The Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
The Little Mouse,

Where The Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss
The Runaway Bunny - Margaret Wise Brown

NOTE: the original request was for Classic Children's Books. However, if you have favorites that are not old enough to be classics add them to the COMMENTS section. OR - if you disagree with any of the choices tell me about it as well.

I will send a copy of my FREE Time-travel adventure to all who leave a comment, or the title of one or more of their favorite children's book - classic or not.

SAFE sample e-mail: mfinke at frontier dot com

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** Margot’s Magic Carpet

Books With a WOW Factor

** Manuscript Critiques

Personal Guidance a Specialty!

Monday, March 28, 2011

READ Taconi and Claude - for a Classroom Project That's FUN!

Fun Classroom Activities Using
"Taconi and Claude"

The story of Taconi and Claude offers a class trip
to the Australian outback of the early 1950s.

The rich and fascinating flora and fauna of this area of Australia rises off the pages. Kids will smell the gum trees, feel the scorching heat, and wonder at the termite mounds. A fear of wild dingoes might steal over them at any moment.

..

Pictures of unique Aussie animals -

click a picture for extra information:
http://australian-animals.net/aussie-pics.htm

Aussie flora - pictures and information:

http://www.anbg.gov.au/emblems/
http://anpsa.org.au/sgap1a.html

Urulu - The heart of Dreamtime Land

Witchety Grubs - YUM!

Sacred Boab Tree

A class reading of my "Down-under Fun" page, on critters unique to Down-under, offers fun facts + links to other resources. Supervised Googling of the various animals will show more detailed information + pictures. The wattle tree is the Australian national tree, and is mentioned in Taconi and Claude. The sweet smelling clusters of yellow flowers are a national symbol.

Taconi and Claude offers a chance for children to look at another culture and see how it compares with their own. It will help children learn to be tolerant of the customs and beliefs of others. Doing this will hopefully make the world into a more peaceful and happy place.

Website.

Read a sample chapter.

See a Trailer.

Teacher's Guide.

Margot's Magic Carpet

All my books on one page

=========================

Book Bites for Kids
CLICK To

Hear me CHAT About

"Taconi and Claude - Double Trouble"
+ HOOKING reluctant readers with a WOW factor

========================

CLICK HERE
to order Taconi and Claude!

=======================

Promote YOUR Book

with the

National Writing for Children Center

I DO!

======================

Friday, March 25, 2011

CALLING Librarians, Teachers and Those Who Want to HOOK KIDS on READING

This week I am on a Virtual Book Tour
hosted by the
National Writing For Children Center

to promote

"Taconi and Claude - Double Trouble"

my new mid-grade adventure for boys - and tomboys too!

Writing the story of "Taconi and Claude" was a labor of love.

Though I now live in the US, I spent the first half of my life in Australia. The Outback, and the Dreamtime Land in this book, was only a kookaburra flight across the mountains from where I grew up. It is an ancient land, and its aboriginal people are one of a kind. And the far outback tribes enjoy a fascinating way of life

This is my BOOK TOUR schedule:

* Monday, March 21 - “Meet the Author”
Host: Irene Roth –
* Tuesday, March 22 - “The Writer’sLife”
Host: Donna McDine –
* Wednesday, March 23 - “Tradebook Tips for Teachers”
Host: Nicole Weaver –
* Thursday, March 24 - “Writing Tips
Host: Mayra Calvani -
* Friday, March 25 - “On the Go”
Host: Nancy I. Sanders –
* Saturday, March 26 - “Become a Facebook Fan”
Host: Terri Forehand –

By all means go back and check out this week's earlier
Tour Sites - just scroll down a little to see my name.

Listen to me on Book Bites for Kids
Interviewed by Suzanne Lieurance about Taconi and Claude
and writing WOW FACTORS for boys - and tomboys.

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NOTE
to
Librarians, Teachers, and Home Schooling Parents:

I would love to introduce my educational and kid friendly
books into your classrooms.

Margot's Magic Carpet
contains all 11 of my books.

Do please check out my Teacher's Guide. The KWL Learning Guide is included, and could easily be applied to enrich children's knowledge and perceptions of Australia: historically, culturally, and also the rich heritage of Down-under's unique flora, fauna and geography. I am happy to answer any e-MAIL questions.

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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques

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Thursday, July 29, 2010

FREE GIFT when you BUY "Ruthie" from MY WEBSITE

My picture book,
"Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind,"

is all about
BIG CHANGES.

G.A.P. Publisher

With delightful illustrations by K.C. Snider, and told in rhymes that are kid friendly, Ruthie is a fun read that will make kids giggle. Yet the topic of BIG CHANGE allows children who are experiencing change in their lives to identify with Ruthie and root for her.

Change can make children angry, confused and sad.

Today,
Many children's lives are full of BIG changes
they find hard to deal with.

Perhaps
A move to another place, parents getting a divorce,
or the death of a much loved grandparent. . .

My picture book,

"Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind,"
includes a parent-teacher guide that addresses
how a BIG CHANGE can really affect your child.

The Q & A included, encourages children to think
about CHANGE, and put themselves in
Ruthe's place + links to more
professional advice.

* Did they think Ruthie acted badly?

* Would their parents put up with bratty
behavior from them?

* Would Ruthie have felt less angry
if they had all talked about the
move before it took place?

BUY
"Ruthie" FROM MY WEBSITE

and you get a
coloring sheet, a bookmark, and my personally
autographed book plate inside the front cover.

Direct access to PayPal -- Just add your own sign-in & password
+ my e-mail for payment.

*********************

Reviewed
by
Jill Osborne
(Licenced Child Therapist)
on her

Writing and Play Therapy Page

*********************

And it
PAYS TO COMMENT

because
2x lucky comments will be chosen to receive

FREE COPIES
of
"Ruthie"

*********************

Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques

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Saturday, September 26, 2009

These Parents HOOKED their KIDS on READING - EARLY!

My daughter Laura, and her husband Dave,
are terrific parents.

And my two wonderful grand-daughters are
much loved and cherished.

Laura with Karly & Reagan

Karly - 8 months

Reagan 2 1/2

Karly & Reagan
They are the delight of my life.

But what has all this to do with HOOKING kids on reading?

Read on. . .

These two great parents began reading to their girls from the moment they were born. Their house has so many children's books, it is beginning to resemble a library. They sit on the couch, flow onto the floor, tumble off tables, and crowd the girl's bedrooms.

In my daughter's home, reading to their girls is only a whisker less important than food, love, and nap time. HINT: Mom needs the nap breaks, even if the girls are still rarin' to go!!

Here are some of their favorite titles.
Read them to the small ones
in your life!

The Bunny Book - by Patsy Scarry
Max Counts His Chickens - by Rosemary Wells
(Reagan loves anything Max and Ruby related)
My "A" Book - by Jane Belk Moncure
Bramble Bear - I Wish I Was... - by Geoffrey Alan/Lynny Gibba
The Big Red Bus - by Judy Hindley
The Tale of Peter Rabbit - by Beatrix Potter

The bond, closeness, and fun of reading picture books to a child, in time can develop in them a genuine love of books, plus reading for the sheer pleasure of it.

Books can take your children where you can't afford to take them, give them insights they will treasure, and offer a window into the lives of a host of wonderful characters. Books can be fun, educational, or mind bogglingly intriguing.

My daughter and her husband have the right idea -
HOOK 'EM EARLY!

Make sure the kids in your life discover the
hidden treasure found ONLY in books!

My Website - Manuscript Critiques
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BUY any Autographed Book from my website, and
receive a FREE LINK to me READING that story!

SKYPING AROUND the WORLD

Today SKYPE flew my “Magic Carpet” back to a class on the east coast. I listened to all the wonderfully innovative stories these kids wrote after my first visit with them. They really remembered to use powerful words and add lots of action – FANTASTIC! They illustrated their books, and every child wrote a cute Bio to go with their story. They were so proud of their accomplishments, and I was busting my buttons too. Such a thrill to be a part of turning a class on to the joys of reading and writing. YAHOO! I also read them “Never Say BOO to a Frilly,” as a treat for all their hard work. And their teacher, Geralyn Downey, went all out to encourage each child, and make them feel proud of their writing. Great teachers like Geralyn are real treasures.

I made a Skype Author Visit to a classroom in Auckland, New Zealand. They were so enthusiastic and smart. They even made a Video about my visit. I was thrilled and humbled. Read about it HERE

I also Skyped with high school teens in New Delhi, India. They asked so many questions. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic kids interested in reading and writing.

NOTE The only limit to an author visit to schools anywhere in the world are the Time Zones. They must work with where YOU live, as well as where the schools are situated.

SKYPE THANK YOU NOTES from TEACHERS

Thank you so much for this Margot. I am looking forward to skyping with you at 11. Just to let you know- the students took great pride in their stories. Although they are somewhat silly, and some maybe not too logical, the goal was for them to write and feel pride in publishing and sharing their stories. In that, they have all been successful. So, I hope that you will be able to sit back and let US take you YOU on a Magic Carpet Ride today! Talk to you soon! Geri

I did. . . and it was AWESOME!!

From a happy New Jersey teacher:

***********

"Thank you so much for our class skype today! The children learned so much, and cannot stop talking about it! They took your suggestions for writing to heart and are excited to begin writing their own stories tomorrow! LOVED this experience! Thank you!"
**********
SKYPE Inspires a Class:

Hi Margot,

I just wanted to let you know that my students have been working hard on writing their own stories since skyping with you. They were wondering if you might have time to Skype with us again to listen to their stories.

One little boy in particular has been so enthusiastic about this that he has been asking to work on his "book" every day since skyping with you. It is a very short story, but he could NOT be any prouder! You have really made an impression on him, as well as the other students! Thank you for this!

If you ever have time to skype with us again, they would LOVE to share their stories with you!

AND I AM GOING BACK TO HEAR THEIR STORIES AS SOON AS WE SETTLE ON A DATE.

*****************

Geralyn Downey shared your link: "To my teacher friends. Our class skyped with Margot Finke, children's author, and we LOVED it. Please watch this, and consider having her visit your class via skype. Believe me, you will love it! She was fantastic!"

***********

Thank you for the Skype! My class loved your storytelling!

From Mrs. Hime's Third Grade Class

***********

I just wanted to thank you for visiting our class! I know my students were so excited to engage with you and found your artifacts so interesting! My students struggle every day to battle obstacles that I would wish for no child, yet they do it fearlessly. With half of my students living below the poverty line, many of them will never see the world, nor the next parish. But I do believe that experiences like the one you gave them is invaluable in their realization that there is so much more out there! Thank you again for taking the time to talk to and read to my students!

Shane Silpe - 3rd Grade Teacher

***********

Thanks a ton for the Skype session with us. My students and I were absolutely thrilled to have you in our classroom. They wouldn't stop talking about you today. They shared their amazing experience with everyone at school and in their community as well. Today they wrote some poems for you. My students want to send you thank you emails and their poems. Do you mind if I let them email you on this id?

Once again thank you very much Margot. We thoroughly enjoyed your session, wish we could have listened you read the other story you showed us.

Regards, Harini - 4^th grade teacher in New Zealand.

***********

Thank you for spending your time with us. The children are still very excited about skype and sometimes have trouble sitting still! When the session was over, we discussed what they learned and they had a ton to say. We are also going to write a narrative using an Australian animal. It will take us a couple of weeks but I cannot wait to see what they produce. It was a great way to kick off our narrative writing unit. I think the children would love a copy of your book. Will you sign it for us? I know as they are writing their stories, yours would be a wonderful model for them.

Sincerely, Jennifer - 5th Grade Teacher

***********

Hi Margot,

Thank you so much for your email and especially for the wonderful Skype visit!! It was so much fun and so informative!! It was a huge hit and everyone raved about you!! :-) Regarding the books, I think it would be fine to send them to my school as there are lots of deliveries during the summer. I would love to do this again next year (preferably mid-year) with our new first grade classes!! Thank you so much for all of your time and enthusiasm!! I hope you have a wonderful summer!

Nancy – first grade teacher.

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GREAT BOOKS for RELUCTANT READERS and BOYS!

ASSORTED:
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Hatcher by Gary Paulson
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

PICTURE BOOKS by Margot Finke
Rattlesnake Jam
Mama Grizzly Bear
Kangaroo Clues
Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind
Horatio Humble Beats the Big D
Don't Eat Platypus Stew
Prairie Dog's Play Day
Never say BOO to a Frilly
Squirrels Can't Help Being Nuts

YOUNG BOYS:
Cars That Go and Things That Go by Richard Scarry
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

MID GRADE BOYS:
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Baseball Card Adventure Series by Dan Gutman
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh
Taconi and Claude by Margot Finke

Jeff Kinney's WIMPY KID Series:
http://www.wimpykid.com/
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The do it Yourself Book
Rick Riordan's books

Rick Riordan's Books:
The Titan's Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Sea of Monsters
The Lightening Thief.

Mystery of the Copper Turtle Doris Holik Kelly
The Revenge of Thelma Hill by Margot Finke

See how most of these authors are MEN.
Come on ladies, anything they can do . . .

WRITING CENTER

The transition from high school to college can be a challenging one, especially when it comes to writing academic papers and other written assignments. New college students will find that they are expected to write more, and that their work must meet higher standards, set by instructors who expect students to show up with the written communication skills necessary to succeed in class. Regardless of the type of writing you are asked to do, proper grammar and punctuation is expected. Use our quick-reference guide to avoid some of the most common mistakes student writers make. Grammar – Punctuation – Other Common Issues – Different Writing Styles – Citation Guide