It’s Show and Tell Friday

  “It’s Show and Tell Friday” by Linda Martin Andersen

Yesterday, my husband and I conducted free family tours across the back of our yard, which borders a creek. Can you tell who’s been to visit?

Copyright 2015 Linda Martin Andersen

I teased our grandsons and niece that they could share this sighting for Show and Tell.  Actually, they’re a little old for this, but I did suggest they could raise their hands and volunteer the information.  Probably not the best idea on the first week of the school year in upper grades.

As I writer, I often hear write what you know.  Well this is something I know.  I’ve decided I should do just that.  Including this in a published picture book would be my preference, but for now, here’s my Show and Tell blog post.  😉

What exciting nature sighting can you share?  Let’s make this our own Show and Tell Friday.

Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Please remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. Thank you! 

 

 

Back to School and What?

“Back to School and What?” by Linda Martin Andersen

While reading the newspaper, I couldn’t help but notice all the Back to School ads.  Then as I brushed the ads to the side, I noticed an article about the Halloween store soon to reopen.  What? I had never thought of a connection between back to school and Halloween before.

Combining things that aren’t usually associated together can create an interesting story.  Tara Lazar’s recent blog post speaks of this tactic:  http://taralazar.com/2015/07/23/two-winners-plus-a-hot-video/

I Thought This Was a Bear Book by Tara Lazar  is a result of connecting things not usually associated together.  The story is about an alien who falls into the wrong book, a book about The Three Bears and Goldilocks.  Learn more at this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdviyeWbzWI

For more about Tara’s books check here:  http://taralazar.com/taras-books/

Back to the Halloween reference–I saw a post of creative door decorations on Facebook that reminded someone of Tara Lazar’s book Monstore.  I thought I’d include it here as well.    http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/galleries/35015/monster-doors

I hope you’ll be on the lookout for things that don’t normally go together that can be joined in a fun way.  I have a couple of Back to School and Halloween connections brewing.  Hopefully, one day they’ll be published books and I can say, “Tara Lazar inspired me.”  I certainly hope so.

I’d like to give a shout out for Tara Lazar and all she shares with writers.  Thank you very much, Tara!

I look forward to hearing about fun combinations you have formed in writing stories or other comments you’d like to share.  Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Please remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. Thank you! 

Dog Days of Summer Have Ended or So They Say

  “Dog Days of Summer Have Ended or So They Say” by Linda Martin Andersen

The Dog Days of summer have ended.  My thoughts on Dog Days: 

They are great days for reading about dogs and staying cool.  I did some of that.  Even though Dog Days have passed, plenty of summer reading time remains.  So why not read about dogs now?

Recently, I found great blog posts about dogs.  You might enjoy them too.  To celebrate  the debut of Maria Gianferrari’s book series, Penny &  Jelly–The School Show,

EMU members told of their favorite literary dog character here:

https://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/2015/07/08/emus-love-dogs-especially-literary-ones/

Looking for a writing prompt?

Write about an experience with a dog or other pet.  For ideas, check the ones shared by EMUs celebrating the debut of  My Dog is the Best by Laurie Thompson.  EMUs shared “what they think is the best in their lives.”

https://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/lauries-book-is-the-best/

Looking for book signing tips?

EMU blogger,  Maria Gianferrari, passed along book signing tips for Penny & Jelly–The School Show.  If you’re a writer or illustrator, I recommend reading this post:

https://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/2015/07/20/top-10-book-launch-dos-a-few-donts-the-power-of-roberta/

Looking for a fun picture book about a dog? Check out this one:

I’m My Own Dog by David Ezra Stein.  A picture book told from a dog’s point of view.  Fun!

What dog books would you recommend?

Share your thoughts here.  Thanks for visiting.  Come again soon and bring a friend.  Please remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them. Thank you!