The Last Cherry Blossom–Coming Very Soon!

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart
“The Last Cherry Blossom–Coming Very Soon!” by Linda Martin Andersen

NO, there’s no real danger to cherry trees that provide us so much beauty.  No threat to them in that way.

So what is this post about?  A new book called THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw.

                   

Photos used with permission.

THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM is a book you don’t want to miss.  What have you heard about it?  If you don’t know about this debut book due to launch on August 2, read more here.

Earlier posts I hope you’ll choose to visit/revisit include…

• One of my earlier posts:

https://lindamartinandersen.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/the-cherry-blossoms-in-washington-d-c-remind-me-of/

Two posts to follow by Carol Baldwin:

1. “Carol Baldwin’s blog:  Meet Kathleen Burkinshaw–Debut Middle Grade Author” posted at

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/kathleen-burkinshaw-debut-middle-grade.html

2.  Carol Baldwin also posted a review of THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM.  See here:

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-last-cherry-blossom-review-and-arc.html

• Here’s a Kirkus review too:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kathleen-burkinshaw/the-last-cherry-blossom/

If you want to order a copy of this book before August 2, here’s one place to do so: 

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Cherry-Blossom-Kathleen-Burkinshaw/dp/1634506936/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469710602&sr=8-1&keywords=Kathleen+Burkinshaw

I’m so happy for my writer friend and her writing journey!  What a great gift to readers everywhere.

Readers, I hope you’ll try some writing of your own..

Writing Prompts:

1. Tell about a time your life changed for the better.
2. Tell about a time your life changed for the worse.
3. What helps you to handle things when life turns worse?
4. How do you like to celebrate when life changes for the better?
5. Who helps you through life events when you face changes?

I hope you’ll look for and read THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM by Kathleen Burkinshaw.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

The Last Cherry Blossom–Carol Baldwin Interviews the Author

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “Carol Baldwin’s blog:  Meet Kathleen Burkinshaw–Debut Middle Grade Author” posted at

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/kathleen-burkinshaw-debut-middle-grade.html

Posted by Linda Martin Andersen

 

Have you ever been so excited for someone that you couldn’t stop thinking about it?  Have you ever known something was special before others declared it so?  If this isn’t making sense, I hope it soon will.

Please take time to read Carol Baldwin’s interview with a special debut author, Kathleen Burkinshaw.  Enjoy!

https://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2016/07/kathleen-burkinshaw-debut-middle-grade.html

More posts to follow about Kathleen Burkinshaw and her debut book, THE LAST CHERRY BLOSSOM.

Writing Prompts:

1. Tell about meeting an author or illustrator for children’s books.
2. Write a letter to a favorite author or illustrator.
3. Interview someone who is special to you.  Share your interview with others.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

May 2012 Activities

“May 2012 Activities” by Linda Martin Andersen

  “A Writer’s Playground”

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

“April showers bring May flowers.”

 

 

May Activities

“April showers bring May flowers.”
Think:  What else do April showers bring?  April showers bring May fever.  April showers bring May pollen.  April showers bring May trips to the garden center for ________________,    _______________, and  _______________.  What other thoughts come to mind about May?

Special Days in May:

• Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13)
• Memorial Day (Monday, May 28)

Special Weeks in May:

• Be Kind to Animals Week (5-12)
• Children’s Book Week (7-13)
• Teacher Appreciation Week (7-11)
• Reading is Fun Week (13-19)
• Universal Family Week (12-19)
• Emergency Medical Support (EMS) Week (15-2l)

May is…

• Get Caught Reading Month
• National Military Appreciation Month

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for May celebration information.  For more May observances check out:  http://www.brownielocks.com/may.html.  Then try these:

• Name an observance that made you chuckle. 
• Name one that is new to you.
• What is an observance you would propose be added?  Why?

Brainstorm about May:
Think: May and keywords for the month–quotes, May flowers, books with “May” in the title.

Think: May observances and related words such as Mother’s Day, Mother, May I? (game).

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters below and leave a comment…

1. When you think of May, what quotes come to mind?  Example:  “Bloom where you’re planted.”  What does that mean?  Who do you know who blooms where he/she is planted?  Tell why.

2. What flowers bloom in May in your area?  What about other areas?  What is blooming now in Spain, Japan, London?  Choose another location if you’d like.  Find these places on a globe or atlas.

3. Do you have a favorite flower?  What is it?  Do you have a special memory that comes to mind when you see, smell, or think of this flower?

4. Search for books with “May” in the title.  What titles did you found?  Select one from the library.  Do you know how to do a book search from the library’s online listing?  Tell about any “May” books you’ve read.  For example:  I recently read May B. by Caroline Starr Rose.  It is written in verse, a type of poetry.  Have you ever read a book in verse?  May B  is a historical novel about a girl abandoned on the Kansas prairie.

5. Create a special Mother’s Day card (Grandmother/Aunt/Foster Mom).  Write a message about a special Mother’s Day memory or thank your mother for something she has done for you.

6. Did you know that there is a flower that is called a “May Pop?”  What do you imagine it looks like?  How do you think it got its name?  Search and see if you are correct.

7. What is a May Pole Dance?  Find pictures, watch a video, or try the dance with others.

8. When is “May Day” used as a distress call?  Can you name a movie that used this call?

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

*Resources:  htttp.//www.vertex42.com (calendar)

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen