Interactive Motions and Sounds BUTTERFLY KISSES-plus giveaway

On Sunday, I shared my personal story and the inspiration for BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Next, I shared the homemade book that I made for my granddaughter’s third birthday. This was the very first version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. I also shared a little bit about the path to publication and an update on my granddaughter. Yesterday, I read the published version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA.

Today’s video was recorded quite some time ago, but it is really good for teachers, parents, and others who plan to read BUTTERFY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA to younger children. The video demonstrates ways teachers, parents, and adults reading to children can help the kids remain engaged by interactive sounds and motions.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to win a copy of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Also, if you want a copy in time for a Grandparents’ Day gift, there is still time to buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository (with free shipping around the world) and more.

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Reading of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA–plus giveaway

On Sunday, I shared my personal story and the inspiration for BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Yesterday, I shared the homemade book that I made for my granddaughter’s third birthday. This was the very first version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. I also shared a little bit about the path to publication and an update on my granddaughter. 

In today’s video, I read the published version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. I hope you enjoy it. My next video will demonstrate ways teachers, parents, and adults reading to children can help the kids remain engaged by interactive sounds and motions. 

Don’t forget to leave a comment to win a copy of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Also, if you want a copy in time for a Grandparents’ Day gift, there is still time to buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository (with free shipping around the world) and more.

I offer some projects and activities for kids to do to feel close to their loved ones on one of my old websites here.

For teachers:

I’ve found when doing school visits around Grandparents’ Day that prior to reading the book, kids like to share about their grandparents. It’s a good way to bring understanding to the kids that some kids have the same situation as them and others have very different from their situation. Some kids have grandparents in other parts of the country, some have grandparents in other countries, some have parents somewhat nearby, some have grandparents just down the street or next door, some have grandparents who live with them, and some have grandparents who are in nursing homes, hospitals, or have died. To save time, you can have more of a survey type thing where kids raise their hands if the question you ask matches their situation with their grandparent.

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Homemade Original Version BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA–and more

Yesterday, I shared my personal story and the inspiration for BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Because I wrote that story a long time ago, I ended it with me imagining Jenni tucking Elle in and giving her a special butterfly kiss from Grandma and Grandpa. Today, Elle is way past the “tucking in” stage. She is now driving . . . sort of : – ) . She made varsity in tennis. She competes in Arabian horse shows. She recently started her first paying job. She has been invited to the National Honor Society. And so much more. And of course she towers over Grandma in height.

 

 

In today’s video, I read the original handmade book and talk a little bit about its path to publication as BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. In the video, I mention a blog post about what it took to become a publisher and start up Blue Whale Press. I’m so glad and proud that before I retired from publishing, Blue Whale Press was able to accomplish Steve’s goal of bringing many more books to market and hopefully help launch many authors’ and illustrators’ careers. To read the blog post about starting a publishing company click here.

Don’t forget to leave a comment to win a copy of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. Also, if you want a copy in time for a Grandparents’ Day gift, there is still time to buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Book Depository (with free shipping around the world) and more.

The next video will be a reading of the published version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA.

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The Story Behind BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA–plus giveaway

With Grandparents’ Day coming on September 12, I thought it’s time I share the story behind the book. Today, and in coming days, I will share many videos as listed below. Today’s video shares my inspiration for the book.

I also plan to give away a copy of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or any of the other four forthcoming posts about the book. The first video is at the end of this post. Enjoy!

UPCOMING VIDEOS

• I will share the original handmade book that I made as a gift to my granddaughter. This book was the very first version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. I also talk about what occurred between this version and the published version.
• I will share a reading of the published version of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA.
• I will share a video demonstrating how to hold younger children’s attention by having them interact with the story via sounds and motions.
• I will share a video talking about how this book can be used to help children who are separated by their loved ones for a variety of reasons.

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WEBINAR WINNERS, NEWS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Read to the end because I share what’s coming next from Kid-Lit Writing Wisdom.

We had so many comments and so much sharing on our posts about writing strong beginnings that I’ve decided to give away three complimentary viewings of the HOW TO WRITE POWERFUL FIRST PAGES LIKE A PRO webinar.

Description of Webinar: In this picture book writing webinar, Alayne uses six mentor texts that are written around a classic arc, and she walks you through all the tricks of the trade that each published picture book has to offer. She shows you how it is done, so you can strengthen your current stories and write powerful and engaging beginnings like a pro for your future stories.

And the lucky winners are . . . 

Claire A. B. Freeland

Donna Rossman

Charlotte Dixon

CONGRATULATIONS! I will be in touch with details soon.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!

AN OLD MAN AND HIS PENGUIN: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin had its first birthday on August 1. I can’t believe my baby is one already! The beautiful illustrations are by the very talented Milanka Reardon. I always like to point out how clever it is that on the cover she used João’s hat to make his shadow look like a penguin. It’s so sweet that in the shadow the honorary penguin is nose to nose with cute little Dindim. See white circled area below. Isn’t it adorable.

I love this true story!

See the book trailer below.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR KID-LIT WRITING WISDOM?

We are taking a little back-to-school break. But we will be back in late September-Early October with our tips for writing captivating middles. And then in late October-Early November, we will finish out the year with our tips on writing satisfying endings.

We will be back in 2022 with many more tips on writing kid lit as well as topics such as submitting, author platforms, and marketing.

In between, I will likely be sharing other interesting posts, too.

FOLLOW THE BLOG, SO YOU ARE NOTIFIED ABOUT EACH OF THE GREAT POSTS

How to follow blog. See screenshot below. The red arrow is pointing to the area to follow by email. All you have to do is enter your email and click on the “follow” button, and you will get notifications of all blog posts.

THERE’S STILL PLENTY OF TIME TO JOIN IN ON THE “SEASON OF KINDNESS” CONTEST. Look at all the great prizes!!!!

• A PICTURE BOOK CRITIQUE from Pippa Chorley–Fiction only, under 1,000 words
• A choice between a signed copy of THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS or AN OLD MAN AND HIS PENGUIN from Alayne Kay Christian
• Complimentary enrollment in PICTURE BOOK WRITING COURSE ART OF ARC from Alayne Kay Christian
• A SIGNED COPY OF THE QUEEN AND THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE from Nancy Churnin
• A choice between 30 MINUTE ZOOM CHAT or a signed copy of FROM HERE TO THERE from Vivian Kirkfield
• A choice between A ZOOM CALL WITH KIDS or a signed copy of either A FLOOD OF KINDNESS or DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS from Ellen Leventhal
• A signed copy of WALKOUT from Tina Shepardson
• A choice between a signed copy of SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH or A CLASS VISIT from Melissa Stoller. The class visit will be via Zoom. For teachers, it can be for your class. For parents, aunts, uncles, etc., it can be for your child’s class.

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HOLIDAY AND CHRISTMAS IN JULY CONTEST DEADLINE EXTENDED

Hooray for Holidays!!!! Hooray for Contests! Hooray for Family-Oriented Activities! Hooray for Kindness Projects ! And Hooray for PRIZES! Add them together and what do you have???? A SEASON OF KINDNESS (aka Christmas in July!)
There are so many different ways you and/or the kiddos can participate…you’ll definitely want to do more than one!

Last week, I started a holiday and Christmas in July contest, which offers seven ways to win and eight great prizes!!! After I posted the contest and spread the news, I realized I couldn’t have chosen a worse time. People are busy taking final vacations and getting ready to go back to school. Soon, people will be adjusting to going back to school. Plus, since we really want to give teachers and their students a chance to participate, I believe it is imperative to extend the deadline date.

I’ve decided to expand Holiday and Christmas in July into A SEASON OF KINDNESS AND FUN. The new deadline is October 1, 2021. 

Parents

Teachers

Kids

Aunts and Uncles

Church groups

I hope you will join in the fun!!!

A SEASON OF KINDNESS IS FOR EVERYONE

If you don’t celebrate Christmas, please don’t let that keep you or your children from stirring holiday spirit in July. As you read, replace the word “Christmas” (and anything associated with Christmas) with your most important or beloved holiday (and the things you associate with that holiday) and build the activities and photos around that. Just be creative and have fun.

We have seven different ways you can win the contest (You choose 1 activity from 7 options–of course, you are welcome to do as many activities as you want.) We have lots of fabulous prizes (or should I say gifts of kindness). Ellen Leventhal, Melissa Stoller, Nancy Churnin, Tina Shepardson, Pippa Chorley, Vivian Kirkfield and yours truly are offering chances to win signed books, Zoom calls, class visits, critiques, and even a picture book writing course! See the prize details and challenge guidelines here.

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