Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by The Booknosher.

My selection is Math Fables written by Greg Tang and illustrated by Heather Cahoon. A series of rhyming stories are used to introduce students to number grouping for K-3. Not only are the stories fun and visually interesting, the language will add some new words to the reader's vocabulary.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First:"Muchachos and muchachas, boys and girls, do you know what happened to the fearless little girl who lives in the pink stucco house behind the plaza?" is from The Dream Stealer, written by Sid Fleischman and illustrated by Peter Sis.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Book Aunt.

Today's selection is - The fastest game on two feet: and other poems about how sports began -- written by Alice Low and illustrated by John O'Brien. In addition to the often humorous verse, Low includes facts and a timeline about the origin of the sports that range from gymnastics to golf, basketball to bowling. O'Brien's lively ink and watercolor illustrations are a happy addition to the text.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Muchachos and muchachas, boys and girls, do you know what happened to the fearless little girl who lives in the pink stucco house behind the plaza?"

It's Writers Wednesday and I'm sharing this worthwhile post:

Writer's In Residence has an interview with Cheryl Malandrinos from Pump Up Your Book. Cheryl discusses Blog Tours and shares some valuable information about online book promotion.

And don't miss Tales from the Rushmore Kid: Writing Tip of the Day from Ann Whitford Paul and Alexis O'Neill.

Nonfiction Monday Roundup is hosted today at Playing by the Book.

I selected Graphing Habitats, written by Sarah Medina. The book is part of the Real World Data series of nineteen titles designed to explain, explore and illustrate how a variety of graphs can be utilized to organize information about subjects ranging from habitats to sports. Written at a sixth-grade level, this would be an excellent crossover book for mathematics and science. The book includes a bibliography, glossary and websites.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Grandpa was a song and dance man who once danced on the vaudeville stage." is from the Caldecott Award Winning Book Song and Dance Man, written by Karen Ackerman and illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by Teach Poetry K-12.

Today's selection is Messing Around On The Monkey Bars: and other school poems for two voices, written by Betsy Franco and illustrated by Jessie Hartland. This is a collection of 19 school-related poems most of which are written as a conversation between two speakers. This would be a fun resource for readers theater or to use as an introduction to reading aloud. Students will related to the light-hearted themes that are mirrored in the whimsical illustrations.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Grandpa was a song and dance man who once danced on the vaudeville stage."

It's Writers Wednesday and I'm writing on a deadline...doing a final polish (I hope) now at chapter 18 of 22.

In the meantime follow this interesting and informative discussion on the Pros and Cons of Traditional publishing vs Self-publishing at Editorial Ass.

Regardless of how you are published, ultimately the goal is to sell books and here is a current article from the LA Times on promoting an author's brand whether it is the books or related products and services. The article discusses Open Sky a new online site designed to allow published authors and others to sell to the public. I haven't checked it out yet and this isn't an endorsement, but it might be worth a look. I'd love to hear from anyone who has done business on the site. What did you think?

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today by Apples With Many Seeds.

My selection is the Robert F. Sibert honor book, The Brooklyn Bridge, written and illustrated by Lynn Curlee. This beautifully illustrated book details the construction of what was once the tallest structure in North America. The text weaves together the engineering feat with the lives of John, Washington and Emily Roebling who brought this historic project to completion.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Now don't y'all go touchin' nothin'," Stacey warned as we stepped onto the porch of the Wallace store. is from the Coretta Scott King author award winning book, The Friendship written by Mildred D. Taylor with illustrations by Max Ginsburg.

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by The Stenhouse Blog.

I'm continuing my "Back-to-School" theme with Hamsters, Shells and Spelling bees: school poems, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins with illustrations by Sachiko Yoshikawa. This book is part of the I Can Read series for K-3. Hopkins has collected twenty poems by well-know poets such as Jane Yolen, Alice Schertle, and J. Patrick Lewis in easily accessible language for young readers. Poems are a variety of styles and range in subject from multiplying hamsters to backpacks, measles to show and tell, art class to the school bus driver. Bright, light-hearted illustrations are delicious.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "Now don't y'all go touchin' nothin'," Stacey warned as we stepped onto the porch of the Wallace store.

The Manuscript's Done...Now What?

It's Writer's Wednesday and I'm sharing some posts that deal with post-writing questions.

At Kidlit.com: "Should you send a Slew?" a post on queries and submitting your best work.

At Adventures in Children's Publishing: "Thank you Rejection" by Terry Lynn Johnson, a post about finding an agent.

At Writer's in Residence: an interview with writer Darrell James discusses what an author can do to prepare for the release of a book and maximize the potential for success.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonfiction Monday is hosted today at Moms Inspire Learning.

The traditional apple season - September to November - falls at the beginning of the school year and it's no surprise that teachers make the most of that fact by incorporating apples into classroom lessons.

One Red Apple, written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by Karla Gudeon follows the life cycle of an apple from farm to table to new trees growing from the seeds scattered by birds to begin the process anew. The book is beautifully written and employs a young girl to trace the apple's cycle. The illustrations are in a richly colored folk-art style that is perfectly suited to the text. This book would fit very well into lessons on apples, life cycles, seasons, change and the interconnections of living things in nature.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not mean to lay a curse on me," is from the Newbery Honor book Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by Author Amok.

School is fast approaching and I'll be back in my school library within the week. Consequently, my selection is a book of school related poetry titled" First Food Fight This Fall: and other school poetry written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. This collection of poems, written in student voices and employing a variety of forms, covers the school year and explores a wide range of activities, classes and experiences. The bright illustrations are equally varied and capture the mood of each poem.

Friday's Famous First: Can you identify the title and author of this first line? "That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not mean to lay a curse on me."

Marketing Your Book

It's Writer's Wednesday and here are a couple of perspectives on Marketing your Book that I'd like to share.

Wow Wednesday at Adventures in Children's Publishing offers a tip from middle-grade author Anita Laydon Miller on making your book more marketable.

And from Through the Tollbooth, a thought provoking post titled "The Times They are a Changing," contrasting the market for self-published vs. traditionally published books. The post incorporates comments and statistics from Stephen Roxburgh's keynote speech at Chautauqua on the future of publishing.

Nonfiction Monday

Nonficton Monday is hosted today by Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian.

Teaching math is challenging, so I'm always on the lookout for books that can bring some fun to a lesson or help answer the question, "Why do I need to know this?" How Baseball Managers Use Math by John C. Bertoletti and Rhea A. Stewart is one of a series of books that delve into how various occupations: race car driving, deep sea diving, etc. utilize mathematics in their professions. This title looks at statistics and how they relate to the game. Bertoletti and Stewart have also authored How Fashion Designers Use Math.

Here is the answer to Friday's Famous First: "Long ago the Lord of the Sun sent the spark of life to earth," is from the Caldecott Medal Winner, Arrow to the Sun: a Pueblo Indian Tale, by Gerald McDermott