Guest Author on It Happened in Chicago blog

I'm so excited, my very first blog interview!  Check it out at It Happened in Chicago 

Five-year-old girl's 911 Call - listen

I LOVE this girl!  Listen to the story about her 911 call that saved her father's life!

Two Book Releases by Two Friends

Two of my friends - one from grad school and the other from SCBWI - have had books released in the last month.

Amber Buetel's book, SPELLING WORD PRACTICE by Enasco is geared toward children in grades 1-3.  It features spelling activities that can be used in spelling centers,  weekly spelling packets,  at home.  The book is divided into four categories: word shape, word characteristics, word practice, and word use and includes activities for individuals, partners or groups.

I ordered the book online and it came in a couple of days.  I'm giving it to my son, Sean, who is student teaching first grade right now, but it has some really great activities that I'm going to use with my students before I hand it over to him.  I'll probably order another copy to keep for myself.  I think this would be an excellent gift for a beginning teacher!  Congratulations Amber!!

The other book, WRITING AND PUBLISHING: THE ULTIMATE TEEN GUIDE by Scarecrow Press, was written by Tina Schwartz.
In her book,  Tina offers tips on writing fiction and nonfiction, as well as poetry and songwriting.  She also provides information on the importance of critique groups (I'll attest to that), and attending classes and workshops.  She even explores various writing carreers and the basics of publishing and marketing.  What a great resource for young writers.  Congratulations Tina!!
            
So if you're looking for fun and motivating ways to get your children or students to practice their spelling or if you know a teen who wants to break into the publishing field, these are the books for you!

2010 Caldecott & Newbery Winners Announced

CALDECOTT WINNERS ANNOUNCED TODAY!

The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

The 2010 Caldecott Medal winner is: 

THE LION AND MOUSE, illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney (Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers).

The 2010 Honor Books are: 

ALL THE WORLD, illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon, published by Beach Lane Books.

RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman, published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

NEWBERY WINNERS ANNOUNCED TODAY!

The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The 2010 Medal Winner is: 

WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead, published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children's Books.

The 2010 Honor Books are: 

CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE by Phillip Hoose, published by Melanie Kroupa Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly, published by Henry Holt and Company.

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin, published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers.

THE MOSTLY TRUE ADVENTURES OF HOMER P. FIGG by Rodman Philbrick, published by The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!!

A Comedy of Errors #1

I entitled this post, A Comedy of Errors #1, because I know from experience, there will be more to follow. So, what's my latest comedy of errors? Here it is...

I've been trying to grow out my nails and have been using a cuticle softener as part of my regimen. The other night, I went to sleep way later than I should have - as usual. I was so proud of myself for remembering to apply the cuticle softener before I went to bed - even though I was sooo tired. I quickly slathered it on my nails and finger tips and went to bed.

In the morning, I noticed my fingers looked odd. Then I checked the bottle on the bathroom counter - it was clear nail polish, not cuticle softener. I decided to take it off before showering so I didn't smell like nail polish remover all day. So, I grabbed the remover from under the sink and scrubbed off the polish.

After my shower, I realized that the polish was still on my fingers. How could that be? I looked at the bottle I had used and saw that it was rubbing alcohol, not nail polish remover. So, I put on my reading glasses, found the correct bottle and proceeded to take off the nail polish. Success - naked nails!!

Ah, but here's the rub, my hands smelled like nail polish remover all day!