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

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!

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

Author Responds "What have you done lately to improve your writing?"

Hi Lily,

I am half way through the book “Word Painting” by Rebecca McClanahan and it has been a wonderful teaching tool. I have been focusing on the small things around me to improve my story telling technique. It’s a great read! Thanks for asking.

Andi Houdek

Children’s Picture Books

Mice in My Tummy 2006

J.P.‘s Halloween Parade Coming out soon.

My Dream of Becoming a Children's Writer

I have a dream, everyone has a dream of some kind, my dream is becoming a prolific children's writer. What's your dream? What's your American or Canadian dream? If it's becoming a children's writer, then we have something in common.
Ask yourself these questions: What can I do to further myself in this chosen profession? What can I do to make myself more knowledgeable? Can I take children's writing courses? Should I read up on how to write for children at the library?
What have you done lately to improve your writing? Write to me and I will post your answers.
Here is my e-mail: lily.erlic@shaw.ca

All the best,
Lily
p.s. keep living the dream!

Best Websites and Books

Here are some best websites:
I took a look at www.justonemorebook.com and listened to the podcast. Kathy Lowinger speaks about the book industry. An informative podcast for everyone interested in children's books. But there's much much more on this site. Check it out.
Margriet Ruurs' website is one of my ultimate favorites: http://www.margrietruurs.com
Her books are outstanding!
Someone wrote in saying they enjoy websites from these authors: "Linda Granfield (author), Martha Newbigging (illustrator), Werner Zimmerman (illustrator and author) and Loris Lesynski (illustrator and author)". Also of interest is a publishing house website called www.tundrabooks.com
A best book called Writer's Market - Where and How to Sell What You Write is available at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.
Another best book is found at http://www.acornpresscanada.com/bubbaex.html
called Bubba Begonia, You'll Be Sorry!
Check it out!

Thanks to all that wrote in, keep it coming!

All the best,
Lily Erlic
Children's Author

Best Publishing House Websites

Every once in a while I will be featuring best websites. Here are a few today.

Here is my list for best publishing house websites.
http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/TeachingActivitiesPage.htm
This website has

a free 20-80 page "Teaching Activities" online supplement for each book that includes:

• Questions for before and after reading the book
• Language Arts
• Science
• Math
• Research and Geography
• Character Related (where applicable)
• Bingo and other fun games or coloring pages

Here's another one.
http://www.teachinglearning.com
Included in their website are

• Teacher Resources
• Social Studies
• Math
  
• Science
• Language Arts
• Four Square Writing
• Responsibility Ed.
• Arts and Crafts
• Poster Papers
• Karen's Kids Clip Art
  

Please write to me if you have a website for me to view. I will check it out and see if it will make my Best list for children's books. My e-mail is lily.erlic@shaw.ca