HOOK KIDS on READING: Taconi and Claude

Showing posts with label Taconi and Claude. Show all posts

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Introducing VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS - Skyping to promote READING

Coming soon . . .

from
Margot Finke

At my writing desk, holding "Taconi and Claude,"
my latest mid-grade adventure or boys - and tomboys!

VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISITS –
Skype Makes it Happen!

This is for the teachers - or those who know teachers:

I am looking for teachers, or schools, that would like a
VIRTUAL VISIT
from a children's author who loves to get
RELUCTANT READERS READING.

With the economy in the dumps, and many schools feeling a definite pinch, Skype and a Webcam make sense. And I promise your class AFFORDABLE and INFORMATIVE fun.

I am also more than happy to plan my presentation
so that it fits the needs of YOUR class's curriculum.

Let’s negotiate a
VIRTUAL SCHOOL VISIT

http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

Go here for ALL the details

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

Margot’s Magic Carpet
11x Books With a WOW Factor
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com

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

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

** Margot’s Magic Carpet

Books With a WOW Factor

** Manuscript Critiques

Personal Guidance a Specialty!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

3 Book - WORLD of INK - TOUR

WORLD of INK

Author/Book Tour

Please scroll down for my Book Tour schedule.

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

BOOKS to WIN
Interviews and Reviews
+
My SPECIAL BONUS e-BOOK
FREE
to all who leave a comment + e-mail
( see below for details )

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

I am touring with my 3 latest books
from . . .

Margot's Magic Carpet

* Taconi and Claude - Double Trouble -
mid-grade adventure for boys and tomboys.

*Horatio Humble Beats the Big " D" -
rhyming PB that helps dyslexic kids and parents.

* Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind -
rhyming PB about BIG change in a kid' life.

Publisher - Guardian Angel

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

STOP PRESS!

Write a comment on any participating blog during my
June Book Tour, and win a FREE COPY of
my NEW kid's time-travel adventure.

NOTE
One copy per person. Please leave your e-mail.
(Safe sample: mfinke( @ )frontier.com)

I wrote this special story as a FREE BONUS BOOK
to give away during my book tour.

Characters from all 3 of my latest books are featured.

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

Below is the schedule for my
World of Ink Tour:

Please drop in on some of the wonderful BLOGS
that will be hosting me each day.

Just leave a comment and you will receive
my specially written FREE Bonus Book for kids.

June 1st

The Brand Buzz Network – Author Spotlight

http://brandbuzznetwork.com/

June 2^nd

Mymcbooks Blog – Book Review and Giveaway of Taconi and Claude http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com

June 3^rd

Families Matter Blog - Interview

http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com

June 6^th

The Maggie Project – Guest Post: The back story of Taconi and Claude www.themaggieproject.blogspot.com

Roth’s Inspiring Books & Products - Interview http://rothsinspiringbooksandproducts.wordpress.com

June 7^th

One Zillion Books – Book Review of Ruthie and the Hippo

http://www.onezillionbooks.com

June 8^th

Stories for Children Magazine FG Interview

http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/pastfeaturedguests.aspx

June 9^th

Home School Blogger-Book Review of Taconi and Claude
http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolbookreview/

June 10^th

Families Matter Blog - Book Spotlight

http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com

June 12^th

Utah Children's Writer Blog – Guest Post: Tips on Writing for Children http://utahchildrenswriters.blogspot.com/

June 13^th

World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children with hosts: VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Christopherson and Irene Roth.

Live Radio Interview at 11am MST (10am PST, Noon Central and 1pm EST)

at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork

or call in to listen or ask questions (714) 242-5259.

You can also listen on demand after the show airs!

BiblioReads.com – Book Review and Giveaway of Horatio Humble http://BiblioReads.blogspot.com

June 14^th

Writing to the Hearts of Children- Interview and Book Spotlight

http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com

June 15^th

The Crypto-Capers Review – Book Review of Ruthie and the Hippo http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com

June 16^th

Home School Blogger-Book Review of Horatio Humble http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolbookreview/

June 17^th

Children’s and Teen Book Connection – Interview http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/

June 20^th

The Writing Mama – Interview

http://thewritingmama.blogspot.com

Wee Share Blog – Book Review and Giveaway of Taconi and Claude

http://www.weeshare.net/

June 21^st

Rambling of a Coffee Addicted Writer – Book Review and Giveaway of Ruthie and the Hippo http://ramblingsofacoffeeaddictedwrter.blogspot.com/

June 22^nd

Roth’s Inspiring Books & Products – Book Review of Horatio Humble http://rothsinspiringbooksandproducts.wordpress.com

June 23^rd

Book Marketing Network – Guest Post: Tips for Online Marketing

http://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/profiles/blog/list?user=VSGrenier&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_url

June 24^th
VBT-Writers On The Move – Guest Post: Finding a Publisher

http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com/

June 27^th

Coloring Outside the Lines – Book Review of Taconi and Claude

http://eliles-coloringoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/

Putting Words Down on Paper – Book Spotlight

http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com/

June 28^th

Bless Their Hearts Mom – Book Review of Taconi and Claude http://blesstheirheartsmom.blogspot.com

Coloring Outside the Lines – Author Spotlight

http://eliles-coloringoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/

June 30^th

Putting Words Down on Paper - Interview

http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com/

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Website

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

FREE Child's Short Story w/- EVERY BOOK Purchased.

BUY ANY

of these
AUTOGRAPHED hard copy BOOKS
from my WEBSITE . . .

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

Taconi and Claude-Double Trouble - Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind

Rattlesnake Jam - Horatio Humble Beats the BIG D (dyslexia)

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

and receive my
Specially Written
short story:

"Taconi and Claude's
21st Century Adventure"

absoluteluy
FREE

( a PDF download)

Magical Boab Tree

THE PLOT

Because of a magical Boab Tree, Taconi and Claude find themselves marooned in the 21st Century. Ruthie and Horatio (2 characters from my other books) join forces to help Taconi and his cockatoo find their way back home where they belong - the Aussie outback of the 1950's.

This fun short adventure

is only offered to those who
BUY
a book from my website.

Margot’s Magic Carpet
Kids Books With a WOW Factor!
http://perfectmagiccarpet.blogspot.com/

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!

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

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.

***********

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