Class Two at the Zoo by Julia Jarman, illustrated by Lynne Chapman is a fun and comical picture book. "One by one, the students and even teacher are gobbled up by the sneaky snake." Most children ages 5-8 would know that one can not really be swallowed by a snake so it's not a big worry. "They saw hippos hopping in the dirt. They saw monkeys eating chocolate dessert. But they didn't see the anaconda ponder...then slide from the water and start to wander...
I enjoyed reading the story to myself and to my nephew. I think it deserves 3 out of 5 books.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
More Book Reviews
CAVES by Sally M. Walker, part of the Early Bird Earth Science Series,consists of five chapters. What is a Cave?, Kinds of Caves, Stone Icicles, Animal Life and Exploring a Cave. Near the end of the book, there is an excellent "A Note to Adults" section where the importance of sharing a book with a child is emphasized. My favorite section of the book is Animal Life where fascinating animals are brought to light. Amazing animals who are found in caves like foxes, cave spiders, cave shrimp, snails and glowworms to name a few. "Some cave fish don't even have eyes."-published by Lerner Publications Company.
Friday, November 2, 2007
More Book Reviews
ROAR! by Margaret Mayo, illustrated by Alex Ayliffe is another book from my mail that I enjoyed. It begins, "Bold lions love roar, roar, roaring,
while cubs play--racing, chasing,
scrambling over lionesses and --oops!--tumbling.
So roar, bold lions, roar!"
The book goes on to describe other animals like elephants, zebras, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, hippos, leopards, pandas, kangaroos and grizzly bears. "Bouncy kangaroos love jump, jump, jumping..." There are mostly four lines per page and colorful cartoon like illustrations so that a young child would be captivated enough to hold their attention by this book. Score: Three books out five books.
while cubs play--racing, chasing,
scrambling over lionesses and --oops!--tumbling.
So roar, bold lions, roar!"
The book goes on to describe other animals like elephants, zebras, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, hippos, leopards, pandas, kangaroos and grizzly bears. "Bouncy kangaroos love jump, jump, jumping..." There are mostly four lines per page and colorful cartoon like illustrations so that a young child would be captivated enough to hold their attention by this book. Score: Three books out five books.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Book Reviews
In my mail, I received books to review. Here are some of those books.
A picture book called DINO-HOCKEY by Lisa Wheeler and Illustrated by Barry Gott, is a funny and entertaining. It is published by Carolrhoda Books, Inc. Written in rhyming couplets, the book would appeal to Dinosaur and hockey fans.It begins, "The game begins at half past six, when dinos grab their hockey sticks. They plan to win on icy floors--MEAT-EATERS vs. VEGGIESAURS!" The illustrations are clear and well defined. I think this picture book deserves 3 books out of 5 book rating. (Which means its a good read)
Christmas Is Coming is another picture book by Anne Bowen and illustrated by Tomek Bogacki that I found entertaining especially with Christmas coming soon. A little bit on the wordy side but the meaning is all there. Anna, a young girl, tells her new brother about the signs of Christmas approaching. I liked this page: "You know Christmas is coming
when you see lights
like ribbons of stars shining in the dark--
glittering,
shimmering..."
Anna discovers that the best present of all is...well you'll have to check out the book to find that out.
I'll be back with more reviews next time.
A picture book called DINO-HOCKEY by Lisa Wheeler and Illustrated by Barry Gott, is a funny and entertaining. It is published by Carolrhoda Books, Inc. Written in rhyming couplets, the book would appeal to Dinosaur and hockey fans.It begins, "The game begins at half past six, when dinos grab their hockey sticks. They plan to win on icy floors--MEAT-EATERS vs. VEGGIESAURS!" The illustrations are clear and well defined. I think this picture book deserves 3 books out of 5 book rating. (Which means its a good read)
Christmas Is Coming is another picture book by Anne Bowen and illustrated by Tomek Bogacki that I found entertaining especially with Christmas coming soon. A little bit on the wordy side but the meaning is all there. Anna, a young girl, tells her new brother about the signs of Christmas approaching. I liked this page: "You know Christmas is coming
when you see lights
like ribbons of stars shining in the dark--
glittering,
shimmering..."
Anna discovers that the best present of all is...well you'll have to check out the book to find that out.
I'll be back with more reviews next time.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Rainforest Week
I come across many books along my travels. Since it is rainforest week, Oct. 14th to the 20th, a book that caught my attention is called THE RAINFOREST GREW ALL AROUND. "Recipe from the “For Creative Minds” section of The Rainforest Grew All Around, an award-winning picture book from Sylvan Dell Publishing, an educational children’s book publisher. More activities are available for free at www.SylvanDellPublishing.com."
The recipe is at this website for the rainforest cookies: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/RainforestCookiesRecipe.htm
I love recipes too (I am a professional recipe writer) so I am going to print the recipe here as well.
RAINFOREST COOKIE
These cookies have several ingredients that come from the rainforest. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2 to 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick butter (1/2 cup),softened
1 medium ripe banana
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes
4 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips
1 cup chopped cashews
Combine 2 cups flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and set aside.
Combine butter, banana and sugars until creamy.
Beat in eggs and then add the coconut flakes.
Gradually add flour mixture, add extra flour if needed.
Stir in chocolate chips and cashews.
Drop by rounded tablespoon on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
I'm going to make these cookies as soon as I can.
All the best,
Lily Erlic
Children's Author, CANSCAIP member
www.pmdi.com/LilyErlic
MY BLOG: http://childrensauthorbook.blogspot.com/
Preschool Basics-Activities for Building Core Knowledge
By Mary Tucker, Kim Rankin, Karen Scanlon and Lily Erlic
http://www.teachinglearning.com/showanything.php?this_page=TLC10527
Math and the Beanstalk-Addition and Subtraction Board Game Grades 1-3
ISBN: 1-931474-78-8 http://www.eaieducation.com/520281.html
http://www.schoodoodle.com/home/sch/page_1853_792/math_and_the_beanstalk.html
Glaciers: Landscape Carvers 978 1 86970 381 3
http://www.hi.com.au/bookstore/bmoredetail.asp?idVal=1667/4892/30966
The recipe is at this website for the rainforest cookies: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/RainforestCookiesRecipe.htm
I love recipes too (I am a professional recipe writer) so I am going to print the recipe here as well.
RAINFOREST COOKIE
These cookies have several ingredients that come from the rainforest. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2 to 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick butter (1/2 cup),softened
1 medium ripe banana
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes
4 cups (12 oz) chocolate chips
1 cup chopped cashews
Combine 2 cups flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and set aside.
Combine butter, banana and sugars until creamy.
Beat in eggs and then add the coconut flakes.
Gradually add flour mixture, add extra flour if needed.
Stir in chocolate chips and cashews.
Drop by rounded tablespoon on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
I'm going to make these cookies as soon as I can.
All the best,
Lily Erlic
Children's Author, CANSCAIP member
www.pmdi.com/LilyErlic
MY BLOG: http://childrensauthorbook.blogspot.com/
Preschool Basics-Activities for Building Core Knowledge
By Mary Tucker, Kim Rankin, Karen Scanlon and Lily Erlic
http://www.teachinglearning.com/showanything.php?this_page=TLC10527
Math and the Beanstalk-Addition and Subtraction Board Game Grades 1-3
ISBN: 1-931474-78-8 http://www.eaieducation.com/520281.html
http://www.schoodoodle.com/home/sch/page_1853_792/math_and_the_beanstalk.html
Glaciers: Landscape Carvers 978 1 86970 381 3
http://www.hi.com.au/bookstore/bmoredetail.asp?idVal=1667/4892/30966
Monday, October 1, 2007
Making the Best of Rejection
I have decided to present a post about rejection letters which I had written earlier for those of you new to the blog. All the best, Lily
How many rejections have you received lately? I have received many but don't let that get you down. Read your rejection carefully. A rejection can sometimes be a disguise, the editors sometimes give you hints or suggestions if they like the work because they want you to resubmit. Some editors do this initially to 'feel you out' so to speak. They want to know they are receiving work from a hard working author that is willing to commit to a job. Editors need dedication from an author to get the work done. That's why many of them stick to authors they have known for years and ones they trust.
If an editor writes a personal note, that means they are encouraging you to improve on the manuscript. Editors are busy and usually do not write personal notes but if they see something that they think has potential, they will scribble something on the letter. Even though they have rejected your work, they are telling you that you have something here and don't give up until you have polished your work completely.
A form letter, though, is a rejection that is to the point, meaning that they do not want the work at all. In the form letter, if they do mention 'we wish you best of luck elsewhere'. I think they do mean this part. Try another publisher!
How many rejections have you received lately? I have received many but don't let that get you down. Read your rejection carefully. A rejection can sometimes be a disguise, the editors sometimes give you hints or suggestions if they like the work because they want you to resubmit. Some editors do this initially to 'feel you out' so to speak. They want to know they are receiving work from a hard working author that is willing to commit to a job. Editors need dedication from an author to get the work done. That's why many of them stick to authors they have known for years and ones they trust.
If an editor writes a personal note, that means they are encouraging you to improve on the manuscript. Editors are busy and usually do not write personal notes but if they see something that they think has potential, they will scribble something on the letter. Even though they have rejected your work, they are telling you that you have something here and don't give up until you have polished your work completely.
A form letter, though, is a rejection that is to the point, meaning that they do not want the work at all. In the form letter, if they do mention 'we wish you best of luck elsewhere'. I think they do mean this part. Try another publisher!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Author Responds
Hi Lily
I attended a writing workshop at Port Joli NS led by Peter Carver and Kathy Stinson with five others. Beautiful setting, great company and excellent critiquing. What's not to like, being in an old farmhouse on the South Shore near the sea with fine weather and bears!
I am not sure how much improvement I've achieved. I'd have to ask the others involved afer I have reworked my pieces.
Barbara Wood
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