I just read this blog post over at Vivian Kirkfield’s place. Click here.
Tara’s post is on April 7 (I’m a bit behind in my emails and blogs due to spring break). I loved reading about her writing story and new books. I may have slightly drooled a bit when reading her no-bake cookie recipe. I think we will be trying that soon!
Thanks to Vivian and Tara! Congratulations!
By Angie Quantrell
Refugees.
I realize this is a hot, politically heavy topic. But I want to skip the controversy and go straight to a response.
Humans. Babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults. Moms, dads, children, grandpas, grammas, aunts, uncles, friends. In other words, people.
An article I wrote about making space for relationships (with refugees and other community members) is in the March issue of Missions Mosaic. You can also read the article online here.
(Search for the article title, “Make It Personal: Build Relationships with Refugees.”)
I’ve been researching the refugee crisis for various writing contracts. And while I am in no way an expert, even I can see that refugees need our help. We can’t all travel to refugee camps and help on site. But we can keep our eyes open and alert to seeing refugees (internationals) in our communities.
What to do then? Gently, kindly extend a hand of friendship. No bulls in a China shop approach. But with a humble heart, coming from a sincere desire to help – reach out. Offer assistance. Open the door. Smile. Let your children play together. Help at the grocery store or post office. Take time to explain something confusing. At the least, make eye contact and say hello. Every little effort is worth the awkwardness and uncertainty we might experience. Think of it as making new friends. There. That helps, doesn’t it?
We can do it. I can do it. Join me?
Frankenbunny
Written by Jill Esbaum
Illustrated by Alice Brereton
(Sterling Children’s Books, 2017)
Sibling rivalry, picking on the youngest, evil plans, plans thwarted, scary premise – Jill Esbaum delivers them all in Frankenbunny. Wonderful characters, setting, and interactions. The illustrations perfectly add to and tell the story.
I won a copy of Frankenbunny from Jill Esbaum and Picture Book Builders. I couldn’t be more excited!
The power of suggestion. It really packs a punch, doesn’t it? When big brothers tell Spencer about Frankenbunny, he doesn’t believe them. At first. But after many conversations, Spencer becomes convinced that monsters are real.
Or are they?
You will have to read Frankenbunny to find out the truth of the matter.
KID KANDY
Make Your Own Frankenbunny
Supplies: paper scraps, scissors, glue sticks, markers, construction paper
1. On construction paper, draw the scariest Frankenbunny you can!
2. Add clothes, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, fingertips – everything – by cutting up paper scraps and gluing them on.
3. Finish up with markers.
Show off your Frankenbunny! I bet it scares everyone!
P.S. I’d love to see your Frankenbunny! Ask a parent to help you post a picture of your artwork in the comments. Wow! I can’t wait!
Three car seats. Three preschoolers. Three strong-minded individuals. Three precious grands. Three songs.
Over and over. In equal quantities, or else. Even the 1 year-old can tell when it’s time for HER song.
Auto repeat would make life much easier in the car as we commute to preschool, the store, the post office, the library. But no. The Nana Bus has only the old-fashioned CD player. One CD at a time.
Nana has become a master at switching.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, complete with unsynchronized clapping. (Pentatonix)
Bananaphone. With hand motions. (Raffi)
Baby Beluga, formerly known as Baby Beguda and Baby Deguba. (Raffi)
Switch on, clap on, sing on. Repeat.
Oh, I’ve had my share of embarrassing mistakes. Now if I only had the courage to remember them and transform them into stories…
Thanks, Doreen and Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Final Day: Doreen Cronin Makes Embarrassing Mistakes (and you can, too!)
Collecting those ideas is just like gathering eggs. You have to watch where you’re walking, keep your eyes peeled, and collect those golden orbs of inspiration and place them in a sturdy basket to incubate for hatching up a great story.
Thanks, Jane and Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 29: Jane Yolen Cultivates the Wild Idea
Way to prime the pump! Thanks, Stacy and Tara!
Ideas wait for no clock. It’s now or never, baby! Write down those great ideas, whenever they appear!
Thanks, Josh and Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 27: Josh Nash is Always on the Clock
I’d love to come home and find ideas on my deck, just waiting for me. But usually all I find are dead mouse parts and fluffs of bird feathers (no bird attached).
Thanks, Jeanette and Tara!
via STORYSTORM 2018 Day 26: Jeanette Bradley Invites You to Tea
GRANDMOTHER THORN
By Katey Howes
Art by Rebecca Hahn
(Ripple Grove Press, 2017)
Grandmother Thorn gives new meaning to the words OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). She maintains her gardens with an iron will, daring anything to be out of place, grow where it’s not supposed to, or become mussed by irresponsible footprints.
Only one friend, Ojiisan, the man with a dragging foot and droopy shoulder, was allowed to make tracks in her perfectly groomed gravel paths. For they were best friends and enjoyed hot tea, conversation, and tasty sweets.
All was well until one day Ojiisan tasted gorgeous red berries and urged the salesperson to take some to Grandmother Thorn (but DO NOT walk on the path).
As you can imagine, he did not listen and disaster befell the merchant, the garden, and the welfare of Grandmother Thorn.
Or did it?
This beautiful picture book shares the story of letting go and allowing some things to be. And not all weeds are what they appear.
I love this book, both for the story and the tapestry-like illustrations.
KID KANDY:
Berry Hunt
1. Read GRANDMOTHER THORN. Memorize all the details you can of the weed and its fruit.
2. Does anyone in your family go grocery shopping or visit a farmer’s market? It’s time to go with that person. Go shopping.
3. Search the produce section. Can you find the fruit found in GRANDMOTHER THORN? Maybe your adult shopper will buy some!
4. Perhaps you live in an area where this type of fruit grows. Look around your neighborhood and see if you find the vines. If you time it right, you might even be able to pick some of those tasty fruits!
Love, Laughter, and Life 