Children's Books, and Other Cool Stuff

Author Spotlight " Emmy Laybourne-   is a novelist and recovering character actress. She appeared in the movies Superstar and The In-Laws, the NBC series DAG and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, among other. Emmy lives in upstate New York with her husband, their two children, and a feisty, slightly judgmental, bearded dragon named Goldie.  Monument 14  is her fiction debut." Copyrighted by Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillian New York 2012.   Monument 14- Written by Emmy Laybourne, published by Square Fish an imprint of Macmillan New York 2012. I had the honor of interviewing Emma for my blog Children Books and other cool stuff. You will find the questions and answers below. Thank You Emma for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my six questions.   I'm so delighted to be here on Children Books and Other Cool Stuff! Thank you David, for having me on your blog! 1) What kind of children books, did you read as a child? Which ones influence

What makes you think about when you hear the word Reference Books. A dusty pile of books that are never used standing on a library shelf? The books that are used often but cannot be taken out. Actually there is much more to them than that. I used to work in several libraries and worked closely with this collection. From cataloging them to placing them on the library shelves. Reference book play an important role in any library. In this update I decided to dedicate a post to Reference Books.   Reference Books   "Scholastic Children's Dictionary- This book was put together by  many people. Scholastic Books Inc. Published USA 2013. This Dictionary is a wonderful tool for both children and adults. It is full of wonderful illustrations and detailed word meanings. It is divided into many sections and covers everything from Thesaurus to different facts. It is very easy to follow and is a wonderful reference tool not only for students, but teachers. This Dictionary is actuall

Middle Grade   Goosebumps Most Wanted Book 5 Dr. Maniac Will See You know- Written by R.L Stine Goosebumps book series created by Parachute Press Inc. Published by Scholastic Inc. New York 2013. What is a boy to do when a tunnel between different worlds is open bringing with it adventure and danger that can change earth forever. In this gross and funny story, it is up to the three children to save the planet from comic book villains who want to take over. Richard Dreezer, his younger brother Ernie, and the most popular girl, Bree Birnbaum need to join forces to accomplish this monumental task. This book is written in Richard's voice and has the same charm as other "Goosebumps" books. Your middle grader will most likely finish it in one sitting.    E very Soul a Star- Written by Wendy Mass and published by Little, Brown and company, Hachette Book Group, New York 2008. "One extraordinary event a rare solar eclipse brings together three unlikely friends:  Ally,

Picture Books                   The Green Bath-   Written by Margaret Mahy, Illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Published by Arthur A. Levine Books. An imprint of Scholastic Inc. Printed  in Malaysia 2013. When Sammy's father brings home a green bath tub Sammy plunges into an adventure he has been waiting for. The book full of amazing illustrations helps nurture a child's imagination. After you read this book to your little one, bath time will never be the same.               The Dream Keeper-   Written and illustrated by Robert Ingpen. Published by Penguin Young Readers Group. New York 2006. The book is written in the form of a personnel letter of a grandfather to his grandchild, where he describes a Dream Keeper and his world. This magical creature catches our dreams and keeps them safe. The painting like illustrations make this book hard to put down. This fantastic tale unlocks a new world to children and takes them on a visual journey to" A wo

      That Time I Joined the Circus- Written by JJ Howard, published by Scholastic Inc. New York 2013. It is a well told life story of a 17 year old girl.  After her father's untimely death and a misunderstanding with her two best friends, she is forced to run away south and join a traveling circus that her mother was a part of once. This journey enriches her with a new outlook on life, and helps her discover her passion for the arts and acting. From a circus clean up crew to a fortune teller with her own act, Lexi's character develops over the course of the book, and discovers her true passion. I highly recommend this book for the dreamers living inside everyone.     Ship Breakers- Written by Paolo Bacigalupi, published by Little Brown and Company, New York 2010. Winner of Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. National Book Award Finalist. The action is set in a futuristic world where a teen named Nailer is a part of a teenage clan tha

Welcome all to my first Author Spotlight feature where you will get a chance to meet a well known author and learn about the writing process.   Interview     1) What were your favorite children books, when you were growing up?   I read practically every Nancy Drew there was, plus Harriet the Spy, The Little White Horse, and I gobbled up all of Phyllis Whitney’s mysteries , A Wrinkle in Time, etc . I could go on, but I won’t. Basically, I read a book a day all during elementary school.Maybe that’s why I love writing for the middle-grade audience.   2) What was the inspiration behind writing your book?   Several things! The magical, mysterious world of butterflies . . . spooky Louisiana swamps, old plantation houses, islands in the South Pacific . . . and a girl who is connected to all those things through her Grammy Claire. I love mysteries; too, as you can tell from my childhood favorite books, and I wanted to try my hand at writing an actual mystery t

 Middle Grade Books 1) “Children of the Lamp (The Akhanaten Adventure) - by P.B Kerr, published by “Orchard books, and imprint of scholastic Inc.   New York 2004.   What if you find out that you are descendants from a long line of Dijon, human-like  beings created from fire.   They are able to grant wishes, and take on different animal forms.   This is exactly what happens to two twelve-year-old twins, John and Phillippa, after they get their wisdom teeth pulled.   The children are sent to London to their Uncle Nimrod's home where their amazing adventure begins. This venture takes the reader on a magic carpet ride through a fantasy Middle Eastern World.   This journey teaches the twins that granting wishes is not only dangerous for themselves, but for people who desire wishes as well. 2) “Peter and Star Catchers”- Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, illustrated by Greg Call.   Published by Disney Hyperion paperbacks for children New York 2004.   How was nev

It has been a cold and snowy winter so far. I really hope that you take the time to purchase these picture books and share them with your young children by your fireplace. Please have fun and enjoy that special moment with them. Picture Books "I Want my Hat Back"-  Written and Illustrated by Jon Klassen published by Candlewick  press 2011 Somerville, MA and a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book. A Bear's hat is stolen, but who has done it? He searches everywhere by talking to several of his animal friends. Have any of them seen it? This sounds like a simple concept for a story, but it is much more then that. What makes the book unique are the words and Illustrations.  The hat is hidden in the story and your child has to find it. They have to look carefully. It can be used as a game for them, and this makes the book fun. Get a copy today.  "The Very Beary Tooth Fairy"- Written   by Arthur A. Levine and Illustrated