Showing posts with label Parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parents. Show all posts

Monday, July 9, 2012


The First Americans

 Would you use a buffalo bladder as a canteen or wear a coat made out of seal skin? Native Americans cleverly used everything in their environment in order to survive. They created games, recipes, tools, and homes based on their surroundings. A word search review game is included.
                                                                                                                    










 The First Americans, written by Kelly Bakshi, is the story    of how early Native Americans crossed the Bering Strait from  Asia to Alaska by foot when it was frozen solid,  thousands of   years ago.  This creative non-fiction book will draw the interest  of children, as they will be able to identify with the children of  different regions so long ago.  They’ll find themselves walking  into the far north where they will meet Ahna from the Inuit  Tribe. They’ll find out about her igloo, how it was built, and how  Ahna lives and survives the elements. 

 Traveling on to the North West coast of the United States  further south, children will meet Malid of the Kwakuitl Tribe.   He will tell them how he honors the Earth, finds his food, and  what creative things his tribe does with the trees.

As their trip continues to the Southwest where it is a warm dry climate they will say hello to Catori of the Hopi Tribe.  Catori’s people live in a very unusual building made of clay with no doors.  Children will delight in the way one must enter their home.

Further East, Hinto of the Dakota Tribe will peak their interest when he explains how his life revolves around, where the buffalo roam.  Hinto lives in a portable house made of many animal skins.

The famous Hiawatha from the Iroquois Tribe in the Eastern Woodlands will tell children of her many accomplishments.  Hiawatha’s people live in large strange looking houses, and the tribes of her people give much power to woman.

Moving on to the Southwest they meet Quigaltanqui of the Natchez Tribe.  This child of early times lives in a warm mild climate.  Children will learn how this tribe’s class of people is ever changing.

These Native Americans worked hard, and they played hard.  This book lends education to games they played, and what they did to survive and eat well.  The First Americans book explains about storytelling, crafts, activities of these early Native Americans, as well as much detail to their traditions, and survival.

The time line for when the first Americans crossed the Bering Strait is of great controversy among those who study the subject, but no matter what the time span; whether it be 30,000 or 15,000 years ago, I think this would be a book valued by any parent, teacher, librarian, and certainly I feel this is a book children will not only enjoy, but also, remember and value.  

The pictures in The First Americans book for children are brilliant, expressive, and quite informative.  I enjoyed this book, and give it five stars ***** for educational content, drawings, and photos.

This review was written by Susan Hornbach, author of children’s literature.
  
THE FIRST AMERICANS by Kelly Bakshi
 If you would like to purchase this book, click the link below:
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/first-americans.htm       Look for it in the Academic Wings section

 About the author:
Kelly Bakshi is a Social Studies teacher and a
writer. She is also the author of Myth-Busting
Columbus. She holds a BA in Political Science
and History from Rutgers and a MS in Secondary
Education from Mercy College. Kelly loves living
in New York City with her husband and son.
Visit with her at www.kellybakshi.com

Saturday, July 7, 2012


Cody Knows

Welcome Karen Sue, Linda, and Candace


Cody Knows, written by Karen Sue Wiesner, with Linda Derkez, is an intricate detailed picture book with few words that depict the life of a small toddler boy named Cody. The book is displayed for very young children, and takes a child through a day of waking, bathing, eating, romping, exploring, visiting, playing, and pretty much getting into everything this rambunctious happy toddler can dig his little curious self into.

 His Mom is on the go from morning till night doing her best to keep up with her baby. Cody likes books, his dad, his Grandma, yummy food, and finds comfort at the end of the day in his Mom’s lap.

 I think this book will hold the attention of small children ages 2 to 4 years of age, and would be a great book for 5 year olds to read along with a parent.  I recommend Cody Knows for anyone looking for a book to cuddle up with at the end of the day, or any time when you and your little bombardier need a break!  I give it ***** for an all around story and art experience for little tikes.

Illustrations of Cody knows:  Candace J. Hardy 


This book was reviewed by Susan Hornbach, author of children’s literature.

If you would like to purchase this book, click the link below:

Cody Knows follows the imagination and adventures of a single day in the life of an Indiana Jones-wanna-be toddler.
..........................................................................................................................................

“This story follows one day in the life of little Cody. It begins at daybreak and ends
at bedtime. Most any child will be able to relate with the story of Cody—a wonderful
picture book for preschoolers. Simple words to follow and short sentences per
page so your child can read along with you. The illustrations are bright and
colorful...”~Huntress Reviews
Suggested age range for readers: Toddler - 5
............................................................................................................................................
Karen Sue Wiesner is the children’s book pen name of Karen Wiesner. When asked why this award-winning, multi genre author ventured into children’s books, Karen says, “For the reason I think most authors write children’s stories: My son Cody is an avid lover of books, like his parents. I wrote this book for him when he was just a baby, wanting to share what a unique, special child he is. Cody looks at the world in an unusual way that I hope will captivate others as much as it has my husband and I. Candy’s illustrations really bring out the single day of adventure we go through living with our son.” Karen is an accomplished author with 90 books published in the past 14 years, which have been nominated for and/or won 123 awards, and has 16 more titles under contract.
http://www.karenwiesner.com http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/childrensbooks.html
http://www.angelfire.com/stars4/kswiesner/childrensreviews.htm

Candace J. Hardy lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband, three children, a Dalmatian, two rabbits, and a pigeon (with whom she shares her studio). Although she has studied oil and pastels privately, she currently renders digitally and in colored pencil. She taught elementary education, hearing impaired children, and later home-schooled her own children, leaving writing and illustrating to be kept “on a back burner”.
Littlest

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Muse On Line Conference


Muse on Line Conference Register Now. Make Lea happy, and register early. It’s the best conference anywhere, in my opinion.

You're able to go in and out of classrooms with ease. You never have to leave the comfort of your home, office, or computer domain, wherever that may be. This writing conference offers a treasure-trove of information for writers. No other conference anywhere, will allow you the convenience of taking a multitude of classes in such a short period of time.

No traveling time. No dashing from one class to another. You won’t be worn out from running to catch the next lecture or assignment. No, here you will be able to come in and out of the classrooms 24 hours a day. Read at your leisure, write and do your assignments at your convenience, speak to others, converse with presenters, make lots of new friends, and learn much more than you would if you signed up for numerous conferences at brick and mortar type buildings.

Also, live chats for those who wish to attend. Publishers are on hand and will accept a pitch for your latest book if you qualify. What more could anyone ask for? Not only is this a writer’s delight in a wealth of information, but it’s all free! That’s right It’s Free.

So come on, sign up! You won’t be sorry. Also you will be connected with the Muse on Line Writer’s Group throughout the year, where writers connect, and share their knowledge with each other.

When You see what's being offered at this conference, believe me, you will think it is Christmas morning, and Santa brought you the sleigh load. Don’t wait, get excited! Sign up early.