Red Ribbon Week Celebrated. R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y Character Trait of October

“Red Ribbon Week Celebrated.  R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y Character Trait of October” by Linda Martin Andersen                       

“A Writer’s Playground”

A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly   calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

Currently, I volunteer once a month for Story Time at Pilgrim’s Journey Home School Bookstore.  Check it out at www.thepilgrimsjourney.com.  My goal is to share stories that promote character traits following the same sequence as the Cumberland County Schools in Fayetteville, NC. 

This month, Story Time at Pilgrim’s Journey Home School Bookstore celebrated Red Ribbon Week and honored drug-free families and communities.  I chose to read The Red Ribbon—A Story of Hope by John Lasne and Brains on Fire.  Years ago, I obtained permission from the author to create an interactive book-based activity.  It is one of my favorite readings because the kids have so much fun moving about. You may purchase copies of the book at http://tinyurl.com/8t424rb (Barnes and Noble) and also at Amazon. 

October’s character trait is “Responsibility.”  According to the definition used by the Cumberland County Schools of NC, responsibility means “to be dependable and accountable for one’s actions.”  I’d love to hear actions you take that show you are dependable and accountable for your actions.  For example:  I clean my room every Saturday.  Please leave a comment below.  Thank you for joining us at “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend.

Coming in November:  Activities for Kids, visiting storytellers, authors, and a pilot.  Story Time will feature the character trait, Integrity.  Hope to see you then.

During November, I’ll be participating in Picture Book Idea Month.  (PiBoIdMo)

To learn more about this writing challenge, visit www.taralazar.com.

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen

Our Annual Hayride–A Fall Family Tradition

“A Writer’s Playground” promotes kid-friendly family fun.  Today, I’d like to share a story with you.  It’s the story of our annual hayride.

Six years ago or so, our son decided to take his family to a commercial hayride.  The outing didn’t go well due to faulty farm equipment.  Everyone left disappointed.  Our son left determined to find quality family-friendly fun.  Next, he approached us about having a hayride on the family “farm.”  Our son owns a tractor, which he inherited from his grandfather.  We have a trailer.  Our son and his wife have two young sons.  Toss in a little hay and poof–instant hayride.  That first year, our hayride was pretty much that simple.  We invited a few guests, set out some decorations (not scary) and a table with hot chocolate and snacks.  Thus, the tradition began.  The next year, more family members, co-workers, their children, and friends were invited.  Additional decorations were added.  Today, we’re up to 50-60 in attendance each year.

There’s no admission charge, although this year, my husband did try to collect hands.  Uugh! 

Admission–One Hand. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

Most everyone brings treats to share, not hands.  Many come decked out in Halloween costumes.  Everyone takes a hayride, or two, or more.  Some help drive the tractor, under expert supervision of course.  Youngsters play kickball, roll down the hill, or jump out at the trailer as it passes.  One year, there were horse rides.  This year, there was a trailer pulled by a four wheeler.  It’s a day everyone looks forward to. 

Little Scarecrow–Hayride. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

Spiders Join In. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

Hayride on the Go. Copyright 2012. Linda Andersen

What traditions does your family have that will always be special to you?  Please write a comment and let others hear your creative ideas.  You may persuade someone to try something  new and increase their family traditions.  Have fun making wonderful memories! 

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen

Interview with a Judge of Newbery and Caldecott Awards

“Interview with a Judge of Newbery and Caldecott Awards” by Linda Martin Andersen

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly   calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

Do you know anyone who has  judged a contest?  What type?  Beauty Contest, Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, or Woodman of America Speech Contest?  Others?

Have you ever read a children’s book with an embossed medal on its cover?  These medals distinguish Caldecott and Newbery winning books.  One medal is for the best story and one is for the best illustrations.  Do you know the difference?  Never fear, someone is here to help straighten out any confusion.

October 7-13 is Great Books Week.  To celebrate, “A Writer’s Playground” has invited Meg Smith to share about judging great books.

I am very pleased to know and introduce Meg Smith to you.  She is the manager for the Hope Mills Branch of the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center (right outside Fayetteville, North Carolina).  She is also …

*Drum roll*….a former judge of the Caldecott Award and has been selected as a judge of the Newbery Award for 2014.  Please give a big round of applause and repeat after me, “We love great books!  Welcome, Judge Smith.”

*Applause.*  “We love great books!  Welcome Judge Smith.

Meg Smith, manager for the Hope Mills Branch of the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center. Copyright 2012.

 1.  First–three questions in one:  Please begin by telling us what is the Caldecott Award?  What is the Newbery Award?  How can readers keep from confusing the two awards?

The Newbery and Caldecott Medals are two of the most prestigious children’s literature awards in the world.  The Caldecott Medal is given in our country to the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book for children published that year.  The Newbery Medal is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published that year.  The Newbery Medal is the oldest children’s book award in the world.  There are a lot of similarities in terms of how these awards are determined, but for the Newbery Award, we focus on the writing and for the Caldecott Award, we focus on the art.

2.  When you were a child, did you ever dream of judging great books?

I loved reading as a child and remember enjoying so many Newbery and Caldecott books.  When I decided to pursue a career as a children’s librarian, I learned so much more about children’s literature.  Though I dreamed of serving as a judge for the Newbery or Caldecott Awards, I never really thought it would be feasible in reality!  It is truly a dream come true for me to have served as a judge for the Caldecott Award.  I am thrilled to now serve on the Newbery Award Committee.

3.  I heard that you wanted to be a librarian when you grew up.  What did you think would be the best thing about the job?

I’ve always loved working with kids and wanted to share great books with them.  As a youth librarian, I thought promoting and discussing books with children would be the best thing about that job, and I was right!

4.  Now that you are the branch manager of a public library, what would you say is the best thing about the job?

I am the manager for the Hope Mills Branch of the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center.  I love working with this team of staff at my library.  It is so exciting to see how each library department works together to serve our customers.  My library branch serves a lot of children and families in this community, so I still feel that I am helping kids find the right books for them – it’s just in a different way.

5.  How were the 15 judges selected for the 2014 Newbery Award?

The chair of the committee is now appointed by the President of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC).  ALSC is a division of the American Library Association.  Eight of the members are elected.  The remaining six members are appointed by the ALSC President.  The chair and the elected members are announced at the same time in the spring.  The appointed members are announced that fall after the chair and elected members are announced.  I was asked if I would place my name on the ballot for the Newbery Committee in August 2011; ALSC members voted on the 16 candidates in the spring of 2012 and the candidates with the top 8 votes were elected.  My first committee meeting is in January 2013 and our banquet is June 2014. 

6.  Are school-aged children going to be included in the judging?  If so, how?

Though the Newbery Award is not given for popularity, it is so important to see how children respond to these selections.  When I was on the Caldecott Committee, I worked with area schools and shared possible contenders with different ages of students.  It was fascinating to see how children viewed these books, and I learned so much through this process!  I will also work with classes as we discuss books eligible for the Newbery Award.  Seeing how children understand these books heightens my own appreciation for these titles!  We may even have our own mock Newbery election and pick our own mock Newbery winner!

7.  How many books will you be reading and what genres?  When does the reading begin?

We are required to have evaluated anything eligible for the Newbery Medal.  Anything originally published in the United States by an American citizen or resident written for children from birth through age 14 is under consideration.  The 2014 Committee reads books published in 2013.  Any genre is considered, including reading nonfiction books and picture books.  We are looking at the whole spectrum!  Committee members read hundreds and hundreds of books and will read many of the selections several times before the final committee meetings.

8.  How long does it take to judge the Newbery Award?

The committee meets in January 2013 for our first meeting.  We meet again that summer.  Our deliberations will be held over several days in January 2014 and will conclude with our award announcement.  The Newbery Medalist will receive his or her Medal in the summer of 2014.

9.  Is it necessary for Newbery judges to travel?  If so, where will you travel and for how long?

Though we do communicate electronically, the committee discusses the books in person.  The Award is also given in person.  We meet based on the schedule of the American Library Association’s Mid-Winter and Annual conferences.  Meetings and events last over a period of several days.  I will travel four times for my Newbery Committee work (January 2013 – Seattle, Washington             June-July 2013 – Chicago, Illinois              January 2014 – Philadelphia June-July 2014 – Las Vegas.)

10. What does the Newbery Award winner receive?

The Award is presented at a formal banquet that summer at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference.  The Award also allows the author to have the freedom to try more creative projects in the future.  According to “Publisher’s Weekly,” “the Newbery and Caldecott awards are widely known for selling books, thousands, sometimes millions of them. And they may just be the most coveted book awards in publishing.”

11.  Are there runner-up awards?  Tell about them.

The committee can award a book or books as honor books if the committee decides to do so.  There are rules in the committee manual to detail how the committee must award the winner and any honor titles.

12.  Meg, you have judged a Caldecott Award and now a Newbery Award.  Would you like to do it again?

I would be thrilled to serve on the Caldecott Committee or Newbery Committee again if the opportunity was given to me!

13.  What other book awards, if any, would you like to be able to judge?

The Association for Library Service to Children gives out numerous book awards.   Information on the awards may be found at http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia.  It would be a wonderful experience to serve on any of these committees.  It would be such a thrill to serve again on the Newbery or Caldecott Committees!

14.  What compensation/pay does a judge receive?

To ensure the integrity of the awards, there is no pay given to committee members.  Though not a requirement, many publishers send their eligible titles to the committee members, and I will donate these hundreds and hundreds of books to our library system after I have completed my committee work!  My library system has been so supportive of my work on the Caldecott and Newbery Committees, and this is such a blessing to me.  It will be such an amazing experience to meet the Medalist during the banquet!

15.  What is the best thing about being a judge of great books?

It is a wonderful experience to serve on the committee to help select the winner and to impact children’s literature!

16.  How can children learn about the history of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards?

Children and their parents can learn more about the awards at http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal and http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.  Children can find a list of all the books that have won these awards on the ALSC website!

17.  Any other comments you’d like to share?

I would love to share more information on how to watch the press conference live when we get closer to the award announcements in January.  It is now possible to watch the press conference from your computer!  Thank you so much for this opportunity to talk about the Newbery Award!

Meg Smith, thank you so much for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Have fun reading all those great books and selecting the best of the best.  What an awesome job!

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen

Coming next:   Red Ribbon Week and Responsibility

Congratulations to Lisa Fowler, winner of Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt

“Congratulations to Lisa Fowler, winner of Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt” by Linda Martin Andersen

Congratulations to Lisa Fowler!  You are the winner of  the debut picture book Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt.  Donna will contact you for your postal address.   Thanks for visiting “A Writer’s Playground” and leaving a comment.  Come back soon and bring a friend. 

Thanks again, Donna, for the interview and for donating the copy of Being Frank.  It’s a great book.  A special thanks to all who visited “A Writer’s Playground” and left comments for this contest.  I appreciate you! 

Please come back tomorrow, Sunday Oct. 7, and meet Meg Smith, a Newbery Judge–one of 15 in the US.  Wow!

Meet Donna Earnhardt, a Debut Picture Book Author. Book Giveaway included.

“A Writer’s Playground”–A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

Today, we have a chance to meet someone who likes wordplay so much that she chose it as the title of her first published picture book–Being Frank.  The title is a play on words because the main character’s name is Frank and the book is about being frank with others.   

Being Frank means–being honest without worrying if someone’s feelings might be hurt, telling it like it is, being straightforward, outspoken, or blunt. 

 Donna Earnhardt, author of Being Frank  

http://www.flashlightpress.com/author_illustrator_Donna_Earnhardt.html

http://wordwranglernc.wordpress.com/

                                                                                                Illustrator of Being Frank:Andrea Castellani 

http://www.flashlightpress.com/author_illustrator_Andrea_Castellani.html

http://andreacastellani.blogspot.com/

Check out the illustrations. 

Flashlight Press, publishing company of Being Frank

 http://www.flashlightpress.com/Being_Frank.html.  View the inside of the book too.

 

  Available at Amazon.com.  See address below:

 http://tinyurl.com/c8kgp9n

Read all about it! Being Frank by Donna Earnhardt and illustrated by Andrea Castellani was released October 2012 by Flashlight Press.  Donna is one of my good writer friends.  I wanted you to meet her; so I invited her for a visit.

Please welcome Donna Earnhardt.

*Applause.*

1.  Being Frank, your debut picture book, is now published. I’m so excited for you.  How does it feel?  Do you keep pinching yourself to see if it’s real?

I am so excited I think I’ve left footprints on the ceiling. Unfortunately, my dust bunnies don’t clean up there, either.  

2.  “A Writer’s Playground” is a great place for readers to learn about careers.  Could you share with us about your decision to become a writer and the steps you took to reach your goal?

I have been writing since I was a little girl. It wasn’t until after my first child was born that I decided to start writing and submitting my work. I learned a lot in those first few years…especially what NOT to do! Joining other writing groups and learning about the business of writing helped tremendously, too.

3.  Donna, what inspired your book Being Frank?

A mix of things inspired me. As a parent, I want to speak the truth in love – and I want my children to do the same. But we don’t always do a great job of it! I wasn’t thinking specifically about that fact when the first line of the book came into my brain – and it didn’t really hit me that the book was about that until AFTER I’d written it. Also, my dad’s first name was Frank. So it’s a cool tribute to his memory!

4.  “A Writer’s Playground” encourages good character traits on and off the playground. Would you speak about what it means to be frank?  When could being frank cause problems?

Telling the truth is a good thing – always. But delivering the message in such a way that the hearer receives it in the way it is intended is the tricky part. If your best friend has grass in her hair and asks if she looks okay, you’ll want to tell her she has grass in her hair. But if she has on a shirt that she loves… but happens to be your least favorite color… you don’t need to point that out. If she asks, “How does this green shirt look on me?”, you need to listen to what she is really asking. She’s not asking if YOU like the color. She’s asking if you think she looks nice. You can think she looks nice without loving the color. Find the positive and go with it! If, however, she asks if you like the color, be truthful… but kind. You could answer, “You know that purple is my favorite color, but that green looks really nice on you.”

Again – it’s the truth. You just have to figure out how to share it without hurting others.

 5.  Donna, would Frank, your book’s main character, have any good character trait tips for readers? 

Hmmm… he would probably NOT be the best one to ask that question! But if you did ask him, he would probably tell you it’s best if you don’t tell your teacher she has bad breath. Nothing good can come from it. Just pop a mint in your mouth and then offer her one. If she asks why, respond, “I didn’t want to be rude and keep them all to myself.” You’ll be telling the truth and doing it in a nice way! 

6.  Donna, did you have a favorite playground as a child?  Do you recall learning any valuable lessons there?  What were they?

Oooh.. that’s a deep question! I played on the playground at Cordova Elementary School. But I mainly played with my sister, cousins and neighborhood friends in our backyards. I learned a lot in both places.

I think the biggest thing I learned is that you can’t force people to be your friends. And if you feel like you have to do that, then they are probably not the folks you need in your life.

7.  Could you share what you are writing at this time?

I just finished up a couple of new picture books and a new chapter book. The CB is set in the Outer Banks of NC. I hope to get out there one day! I am also working on a mystery (for adults) that I started over 10 years ago.

8.  Donna, is there anything else you’d like to tell the readers here?

Thanks to all who have read this interview, bought my book already or intend to!  This is a dream come true and I’m so very thankful for this whole experience. And thank you, Linda, for being such a great interviewer AND friend!

Let’s all thank Donna Earnhardt for visiting “A Writer’s Playground” today.  And now for a special GIVEAWAY announcement. 

Please leave a comment and your email address below to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of Being Frank.  The contest is open to anyone in the USA and ends at midnight EST on Friday, October 5, 2012.  The winner will be announced on Monday, October 8, 2012.

Don’t forget to shop for a copy of  Being Frank at the websites above or at a local store near you.

Thank you Donna Earnhardt for the interview and for making this giveaway possible.

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen

October 2012 Activities

“October 2012 Activities” by Linda Martin Andersen

“A Writer’s Playground”

A place to find wordplay, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

 

Think:  What does the word “October” bring to mind?

Halloween, hayrides, pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, Fall leaves, haunted houses, Fall Festivals, cool nights, bonfires, jackets, ghost stories, homecoming games, football, trick-or-treat, and costumes.

What else happens in October?  Choose one of the conversation starters below and leave a comment.

Special Days in October:

• National Custodial Workers Day:  2  Thank a custodian for his/her hard work.

• Balloons Around the World Day:  3 (First Wednesday) Buy a bag of balloons (notice the alliteration).  What color did you choose?  Research a country with this as the dominant color of their flag.  Learn 3 facts about this country.

• Blessing of the Animals Day (aka Blessing of the Pets Day, World Pet Day):  4  Does your church recognize this day?  Do you have a friend who attends a church that does?  Consider attending a service.

• Ten-Four Day:  4  When is “Ten-Four” spoken?  What does it mean?  What jobs might use this signal?  Use the term in conversation with someone today.

• National Diversity Day:  5 (First Friday) Brainstorm ways to celebrate this day.  Which way will you celebrate?  Ask a friend to join you.

• World Smile Day:  5 (First Friday) Create smile posters or leave a Post-It Note with a smile.  Take them everywhere you go today.  Don’t forget to smile.

• 

  Laura Reeves’ artwork used by permission. Copyright protected. To purchase see http://www.reevesartwork.com

  World Communication Day:  7 (First Sunday) Think of ways to start a conversation with someone who is not one of your best friends.  Communicate with that person today.

• You Matter to Me Day:  7  Tell someone special, “You matter to me.”  Tell them why.

• Native American Day:  8 (2nd Monday)  Research Native Americans.  Share facts you learned.

• National Face Your Fears Day:  9 (2nd Tuesday) Book characters often face fears.  Name one book character, his/her fear, and how it was overcome.  Would you recommend this book?

• Stop Bullying Day:  10  At lunch or on the playground, ask friends what they think helps stop bullying.  What action will you take next?

• Day of the Six Billion:  12 What does this mean?  Ask friends, teachers, parents, Google it, etc. until you learn the answer if you do not already know.  Why is it important?

• Universal Music Day:  13 (2nd Saturday)  Pick a musical instrument you don’t hear often.  Listen to instrumental music with this instrument.  What emotion do you feel as you listen? 

• Clergy Appreciation Day (or Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day):  14  Find a way to give thanks for your pastor, your church, and its ministry.

•  I Love Lucy Day:  15 Watch a rerun, read about Lucille Ball, share your memories of favorite shows.

• National Grouch Day:  15 Read a book with a grouchy character.  Sesame Street has one, so does The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Christopher Robin and the Hundred Acre Wood.  What are these characters names?  Name others. 

• Dictionary Day:  16  Name places where you can locate a dictionary.  Race a friend to find a word using different resources.

• Mulligan Day:  17  What is a mulligan?  What sport uses this term?  When would you like to have a mulligan and why?

• Reptile Awareness Day:  21  Check out a nonfiction book about reptiles.  Quiz your parents about different ones.

• United Nations Day:  24 What is the United Nations?  How is the day celebrated?  What other ways could it be recognized?

• Frankenstein Friday:  26  Who is Frankenstein?  How was he created?  Is he real or fiction?  If you were a scientist working on a cure for a disease, what would be your mission? Why?

• Make a Difference Day:  27 How can you make a difference today?  Do it.

• National Forgiveness Day:  27 (Last Saturday) What would our world be like if everyone forgave everybody?  Who will you forgive today?

• National Chocolates Day:  28 What’s your favorite kind of chocolate with ice cream?  Swirls in ice cream, chocolate chunks in ice cream, crunchy thin coat on a fudge bar, soft chocolate on an ice cream sandwich?  Something else?  Have you ever persuaded someone to try something new?  How did you convince them?

• National Knock-Knock Jokes Day:  31  Check out books from the library with knock-knock jokes.  Ask your friend(s) to check out copies too.  Take turns telling jokes.  Take a break and play outside and come back and ask more jokes.  Count the jokes as you go.  See how many you tell in a day.

Special Weeks in October:

• Universal Children’s Week: 1-7 How do you think this week should be celebrated?  Learn about children in other countries.  Many public libraries subscribe to databases about other cultures. 

• National Newspaper Week: 1-5 Visit the local library and look at the newspaper displays.  What are local titles?  What are national ones?  Spend time reading. 

• Spinning & Weaving Week:  1-7 Visit a museum with displays about spinning and weaving.  Attend a demonstration, if possible.

• World Space Week: 4-10 Consider visiting a planetarium, read nonfiction books about space travel, or read biographies about astronauts. 

• National Storytelling Weekend: 5-7 (1st Full Week) Do you know a storyteller?  If not, check out some library books and read folktales, fairy tales, fables, ghost stories,etc.

Linda M. Andersen copyright 2012

• Fire Prevention Week: 7-13 Review “stop, drop, and roll.”

• Great Books Week:  7-13 (1st Full Week) Have everyone in your family list one or two books they call great.  Check out the titles from the public library and takes turns reading a favorite section.  Visit here again on October 7 for a chance to meet a Newbery Award Judge. 

• National Metric Week:  7-13 (Week always has 10th in it)  Think metric.  Speak metric.  Measure metric.  GO metric!

• Kids’ Goal Setting Week: 8-12 What goals have you set for yourself?  What are you doing to achieve them?  Ask an adult to help you set goals and monitor your progress.

• World Rainforest Week:  12-18 Can you imagine spending time in the rainforest?  One of my friends did.  Check out Joy Acey’s blog posts with poems she wrote about her adventures.  See her photos below:  

•  http://poetryforkidsjoy.blogspot.com/search?q=rainforest

Macaw in Rainforest of Peru. Copyright 2012 Joy Acey

Monkeys in Rainforest of Peru. Copyright 2012 Joy Acey

 

 

• Teen Read Week:  14-20 Name your favorite authors for teens.  Read something by an author new to you.

• National Character Counts Week: 21-27 Name character traits.  Which are your strengths and which do you need to improve?  How? 

• National Chemistry Week: 21-27 Do you know someone who is taking chemistry?  Ask questions about the subject.

• Red Ribbon Week:  21-27 (Last Week)  Why is Red Ribbon Week celebrated?  How do you celebrate it

• National School Bus Safety Week:  22-26 (4th Week) How do you get to school?  Have you ever ridden a bus?  What rules do you think should be added to keep a bus ride safe?  Who can you discuss this with?

• Peace, Friendship and Good Will Week:  24-30 Name one way to improve each for the week.  Are you willing to continue doing what worked beyond a week?

• International Magic Week:  25-31 What is your favorite magic tricks?  Read and practice a magic trick.  Watch a magician’s act.

October is…

• Apple Month

• Bat Appreciation Month. What do you appreciate about bats?  Learn one more positive thing about them.

• Bullying Prevention Month  See October 10.  Think of other activities.

• Children’s Magazine Month. Read stories or articles from three magazines you don’t subscribe to.  Some magazines may be checked out from the public library.

• National Bake and Decorate Month Check for parent-child cooking programs.  Some craft stores may offer them.  Public libraries may also.

• National Book Month. Write a favorite author.  Buy a favorite author’s book.  Attend a favorite author’s book signing.  Consider doing these same things for a debut author such as the one spotlighted here this month:  Donna Earnhardt.

• National Crime Prevention Month.  Brainstorm terms about crime prevention.  Research careers in this field.

• National Dental Hygiene Month.  Do you need to replace your toothbrush?  Do you floss every day?

• National Go on a Field Trip Month. How many school field trips can you recall taking?  Where else would you like to go?

• National Stamp Collecting Month  Ask about this at your local post office?  Find out what stamps are popular now.

• Positive Attitude Month.  What could you do this entire month that demonstrates a positive attitude?  Would you be willing to try for two months?

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for October celebration information.  For more October observances check out:  http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html 

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters above and leave a comment.  Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

*Resources:  http//vertex42.com (calendar) and http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html(calendar observances)

Coming this week:  Debut Author, Donna

Earnhardt, and Signed Book Giveaway!

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen