tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53317526661971968762024-02-18T23:01:45.748-08:00Cordelia Dinsmore - WriterCordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-64144034489698598162015-02-13T09:17:00.001-08:002015-02-13T09:17:48.932-08:00ARE YOU A DREAMER?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you dare to dream? I’m not talking about aspirations or
life goals. I’m referring to dreaming. As in your subconscious coming to the forefront.
Usually in bed. At night. While you’re asleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a propensity for dreaming a lot, and vividly.
Occasionally the dreams come in the form of nightmares. Sometimes they are
recurring, or at least it seems that way to me. Perhaps that is a trick of my
mind, telling me I’ve had the dream before when in reality something in the
dream itself tells me that it’s that way. Does that make sense? I remember I
used to dream of choking on bubble gum. I know I’ve had that dream more than a
dozen times, and even the smell of bubble gum makes me want to choke. But maybe
my mind is playing tricks on me and I’ve only had the dream one time. I
don’t know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This last week, for whatever reason, my dreams have been
plentiful and crazy. I don’t know of anything different going on in my life,
and I haven’t been eating spicy or exotic foods, but every morning I wake up
and think, good grief! What brought that on?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Often I don’t recall many details of my dreams. Sometimes I
simply wake up with a feeling of sadness or my heart is extra light, and I’m
aware that I had a dream, but when I try to recall it, the details or too vague
to pin down. Occasionally I will wake myself up laughing or with an urgent need
to relieve my bladder (I’m grateful for those particular dreams because they
serve as a wake-up call that saves me a lot of embarrassment!) At other times,
the dreams are frightening and I don’t even want to go back to sleep. I’ve even
had the experience of knowing in my dream that something really bad is about to
happen, and I have tried yelling in the hopes of waking up my husband, whom I
know in my dream state is sleeping beside me, even though in the dream itself I’m
not even in my house. It’s quite a strange sensation, and one that many people
may not be able to understand because they don’t even realize they dream at
all. My husband is that type.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night my dream was particularly weird. So weird, in
fact, that I thought it might be therapeutic to write it down and share it, in
the hopes that someone with much more insight than I might be able to dissect it
and come up with a plausible explanation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In this dream, a FedEx truck drove up my driveway – which was
about a quarter mile long and was lined with junk cars. If you know me, then you’ll know that’s a
sure sign of a nightmare on the way. I hate junk cars!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But it didn’t work out that way. The FedEx
driver jumped from the truck with a big smile on her face and said, “I have
your inheritance here for you! Aren’t you a lucky duck?” Then she handed me a Wal-Mart
bag that was filled with an assortment of mismatched flatware and a can of
spray paint. I didn’t notice what color the paint was, but I do recall being
quite disappointed with the flatware. But the driver had more for me. She threw
the big door at the back of the truck open – it was one of those doors that
slide up with a lot of clattering. Then she pulled a slab of meat out of the
truck, and it looked about the size of a yearling cow. But she tossed it onto
the hood of one of the junk cars, and I could see right away that it was not a
cow. She smiled at me as she swiped her hands across the back of her pants,
even though the meat was in a vacuum-sealed bag, and said, “Now what do you
think of that?” As I was still holding the bag containing the silverware and
the spray paint, I didn’t know what to think. Should I have a picnic or start a
craft project?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I was upset about the meat. I said to the driver, “This
isn’t beef, is it?” Like I was accusing her of something. We argued for awhile,
and I don’t remember most of the conversation, but I knew after a few minutes
that the bag contained woodchuck. A lot of woodchuck that appeared to have been mechanically separated and squished together in a big, cowish shape. I don’t know why that made me mad, but a
minute later some woman I knew in my dream but have no recollection of, slapped
me on the back and said, “Oh, good! Now we have enough food to feed the nursing
home residents.” I don’t know who that was good for, but I can’t imagine it was
good for the residents. Yuck!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn’t worry about it for long, though, because I
suddenly remembered I was in a race. I called my dog and told her to “come on!”
and we took off running down the road. When I got to the corner, I stopped to
clean the toilet, just as I knew I should, and one of the ladies from church
was there making a pie for the graduation ceremony. The pie was green, and I
told her it looked really delicious. She only smiled and kept slapping on
whipped cream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I continued on the race, but I suddenly noticed that my
purse was really heavy and it was slowing me down. Instead of just chucking the
purse, I stopped and opened it. Inside I found that the candy corn I had put in
there had sprouted and I was actually carrying a dozen huge ears of corn with
me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">That was the end, thankfully. It wasn’t a bad dream, per se,
but it’s probably the strangest one I’ve had in awhile. Maybe the strange part
about it is the fact that I still remember that much of it so vividly. Usually
dreams are fleeting things, but not this one. And although as a writer I know
we are advised against using the dream trick in our novels, I can’t help but
wonder if there isn’t a story, or at least a picture book, hidden in this soup
of freakishness. So far I haven’t been able to come up with anything usable,
but I thought that by writing it down I can at least come back to it if
something strikes a chord. Who knows? It might contain the seeds for the next
best seller. In the meantime,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-17999784113743369392014-11-17T06:18:00.000-08:002014-11-17T06:18:55.256-08:00MAGIC DELIVERY IS DELIGHTFUL!<span style="font-size: large;">Lately I've been a little disappointed in the new book selections I've brought home from the library. It's not often I leave a book unfinished, but, sadly, it's happened twice in the last few weeks. I don't know if it's simply been my mood, or the writing, or something else, but the books just didn't hold my interest.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That was not the case, however, with <i>Magic Delivery </i>by Clete Barrett Smith. This book is a jewel, and I can highly recommend it to anyone of any age who loves to laugh and go on an adventure that is pretty much unique.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The cover art caught my attention right away. The colors swirling across the front makes me think of candy for some reason. Perhaps cotton candy, or Jolly Ranchers. Sounds weird, I know, but that's how it affected me. But then I noticed the bear squashed into the driver's seat of the big truck, headed down the middle of the highway toward two kids on bicycles, and my interest was definitely piqued.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a tale with a premise I've yet to come across, although in some ways it reminded me a little bit of <i>The Mask. </i>But just a smidgen. It's much more involved and creative than that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two best friends, both from the poor side of town, and both with definite issues, are nearly killed when a large truck comes barreling out of nowhere straight into the boys' path as they ride their bikes home from school. An accident is avoided when the truck goes over the edge of a cliff and falls to the forest below, but the boys feel obligated to check on the driver to see if he's okay. Even though the driver did look suspiciously like a huge grizzly bear.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not going to tell you what they find when they arrive at the scene of the accident. It's just so much fun that you need to read it for yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This book made me laugh - alot. It also made me cringe because it isn't all fun and games. There are bullies involved, and class clashes, and underhanded dealings, and resentments, and danger. It's quite a roller-coaster ride emotionally, but it's all done in a style that is lighthearted and that makes perfect sense and makes it all believable. Even though the preposterousness of the situation is totally unbelievable. I'm not sure if preposterousness is even a word, but it fits in this situation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can highly recommend this book to MG readers who love a rousing adventure and who like to root for the underdog. It is a clean read, but there is some crude humor involved from time to time. If you read, or have read, this one, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-11611362399982943942014-11-10T05:42:00.000-08:002014-11-10T05:42:52.439-08:00EXCITING ANNIVERSARY CONTEST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37O5K4Aq00ZmgypoWI3xZZh4MFKmhPkJNZxiXPZYfwsLqI6aDrG-EwqjHJJA28-bPSNZlSSxbZjvhLgHrtq4wz_W7QZkZvRDNF31da7H_dBUPEh2XFwi4G8gOvqrqzNl9GldyMGoyHjuw/s1600/banner+for+contest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37O5K4Aq00ZmgypoWI3xZZh4MFKmhPkJNZxiXPZYfwsLqI6aDrG-EwqjHJJA28-bPSNZlSSxbZjvhLgHrtq4wz_W7QZkZvRDNF31da7H_dBUPEh2XFwi4G8gOvqrqzNl9GldyMGoyHjuw/s1600/banner+for+contest.jpg" height="256" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Attention teachers, librarians, tweens, and parents of tweens! </b>Announcing
a contest just for you... The Emblazon authors are giving away a brand new
touch screen Kindle loaded with over 50 of their books. That’s a $300 value and
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Rafflecopter contest runs <b>November 3 through November 17</b> and is open to
anyone who loves tween literature. <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f37555f71/">a Rafflecopter
giveaway</a> <b>Note:</b> Signing up for the catalog is required for entry.
Current subscribers are also eligible for entry<span style="color: #333333;">. Winners
must reside in the United States or Canada. </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 18.0pt;">List of Stops on the Blog Tour:</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">November
3<sup>rd</sup>:</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thiskidreviewsbooks.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">This Kid Reviews Books</span></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://christinamercer.com/">Christina
Mercer, Author Blog</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.drobertpease.com/">D.
Robert Pease, Author Blog</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.alicross.com/">Ali
Cross, Story Ninja</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">November
5<sup>th</sup>:</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/jaclynweist.blogspot.com">Jaclyn Weist, Author
Blog</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">November
10<sup>th</sup>:</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.michelleisenhoff.com/">Bookworm Blather</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/">Min Reads and Reviews</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sharonledwith.blogspot.com/">Sharon Ledwith: I came. I saw. I
wrote.</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">November
11<sup>th</sup>:</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/novelmage.com">The Novel Mage</a><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">November
12<sup>th</sup>:</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rkgtheauthor.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">R.K.
Grow The Author</span></a></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrate-with-emblazoners.html"><span style="font-size: large;">My
Keys On: Writing, Illustrating, and More</span></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">November
15<sup>th</sup>:</span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/">Monique's Musings</a><span style="color: #333333;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can help even more by sharing this post with
your friends and family. If you know teachers or librarians let them know about
how awesome the Emblazoners are by sharing the link to their website: </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://emblazoners.com/">http://emblazoners.com/</a></span></span><br />
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-71664126285626569102014-11-03T11:27:00.001-08:002014-11-03T11:27:43.741-08:00IT'S NANOWRIMO TIME!!<span style="font-size: large;">November has finally arrived. That means it's NANOWRIMO.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are not a writer, or possibly even if you are a writer, you may not be familiar with this silly little acronym. It stands for National Novel Writing Month. And though the acronym is little, NANO is anything but. It's HUGE! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have attempted NANO twice now, and failed miserably both times. The idea is to write an entire novel during the month of November. Approximately 50,000 words is probably the average. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">That's a lot of writing for some. Others have no problem with it at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During the process of writing the novel, participants will encourage you to avoid all urges to edit. That is partly why I always fail. I just cannot leave things alone. I'm constantly going back and changing things, or waking up in the night and thinking, "Oh, wait, that won't work. I'll have to redo that part in the morning." The editing eats up all my time and thirty days go by quickly when one is trying to make a deadline like NANO. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I'm not going to even bother this year. I have a project that I'm quite pleased with spending my time on, even though the going is slower than molasses on a cold morning. I'm researching for a historical middle grade novel. It, too, may be my undoing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Research isn't bad, per se. But this project is really big, and I'm still trying to narrow it down to just a few people I want to center on. It's confounding to find so much conflicting information once I begin researching each individual. Dates don't always match. Sites that should have burial information list no such person. And my eyes are nearly bleeding from trying to decipher old letters that have been uploaded to internet sites. Don't get me wrong. I so appreciate the efforts others have made to afford me this information. I just wish it was easier to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As I said, though, I'm enjoying the work. And I'm finally learning a bit more about American History - which has always been a difficult concept for me. But I'm ready to begin the actual writing of the project, and I know I'm not ready yet. That's why I didn't even bother to sign up for NANOWRIMO. I am hoping this turns into a positive project and I may not even be finished with the research by the end of this month. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, and to fill in when my eyes can no longer stare at a monitor, I picked up a few promising titles at the library this morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I really AM writing every day, but I don't consider notes to be quite the same thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-76456519298824299392014-10-13T07:57:00.001-07:002014-10-13T07:57:36.918-07:00The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel<span style="font-size: large;">I have the habit of choosing books based on the title and the cover. I rarely take the time to read the back cover or inside flap blurb. One reason is because I'm usually in a hurry when I stop at the library, and another reason is because I think it's interesting to be surprised by what's inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The</i> <i>Boundless </i>was certainly a surprise of the most pleasant kind. The cover does reveal a number of interesting bits. It depicts a train traveling through a snowy darkness, with a full moon shining in the distance. What's interesting about the train is the mammoth size of it. The cars are double-decker, and the engine has three levels to it. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a train quite that large. Additionally, the silhouettes of two figures are leaping across the tops of these double-decker train cars. Those details give me a clue that something interesting is happening here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next we have the addition of a key. Keys are always fun. They indicate numerous possibilities. Perhaps there is a treasure hidden away. Or a secret car or compartment somewhere on the train. And I've read enough to know that sometimes whatever is secreted away behind that key is not the surprise we are expecting. Or, it could be a different type of key. After all, the figures jumping the car roofs are a boy and a girl. The key may signify something about their relationship. Keys are fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But, when you look closely at the cover, there's something else to grab your attention. Scattered throughout this dark, snowy landscape surrounding the train are eyes. Hmmm. There's no way to tell if these are friendly eyes are those of potential enemies. The combination of all these details was enough to convince me I wanted to read this book. When I began reading and discovered the main character's name was Will Everett - the same as one of my favorite uncles - I knew I had to find out what happened to that young boy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't put it down. Even with all those clues right before my eyes, I was still unprepared for what I found inside this remarkable tale. A combination of adventure, murder mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, and steampunk. The action is non-stop, whether the main character is running for his life from the bad guys or the Sasquatch. And then there's the little matter of exactly WHO are the bad guys.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The tale is admittedly far-fetched, from the colossal size of the train, to the equally colossal characters. It was tempting to find myself scoffing. But the author bestows such lifelike traits into the characters that I found myself loving them and hating them so well that they became real to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The story involves a train's maiden voyage across Canada, carrying the remains of the man who made it all possible, along with a carload of treasure that instigates the train robbery and most of the adventure. Young Will becomes embroiled in the theft plot, and is determined to warn his father of the danger. Unfortunately, he's at one end of the train, and his father is miles away in the locomotive. Will faces many dangers, adventures, and conflicting emotions as he makes his way to his father.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One aspect of the book that I really enjoyed was the inclusion of Mr. Dorian, the owner of the circus that is traveling with the train and is heavily embroiled in the plot. I love the fact that the author uses that particular name. Have you ever read The Picture of Dorian Gray?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I liked this one, and highly recommend it for those who love never-ending tension. And I'm very pleased that the author managed to keep the reading clean throughout. There are some close calls as far as language goes, but he doesn't succumb to the growing popularity of vulgarity. Thank you for that, Mr. Oppel!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span>Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-90664015646902896162014-10-01T06:20:00.001-07:002014-10-01T06:20:29.835-07:00GUEST POST: BURN BABY BURN BABY<span style="font-size: large;">Curiosity Quills is excited to reveal the cover for contemporary, young-adult<strong><em> Burn Baby Burn Baby</em>, by Kevin Craig</strong>, which is due for release<strong> December 11, 2014. </strong>The cover was designed by CQ managing partner <a href="https://curiosityquills.com/team/">Eugene Teplitsky</a>.
<strong> <a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Burn-Baby-Burn-1000.jpg"><img alt="Burn Baby Burn 1000" class="wp-image-30721 alignleft" height="400" src="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Burn-Baby-Burn-1000.jpg" width="264" /></a>About Burn Baby Burn Baby:</strong>
Seventeen-year-old Francis Fripp’s confidence is practically non-existent since his abusive father drenched him in accelerant and threw a match at him eight years ago. Now badly scarred, Francis relies on his best friend Trig to protect him from the constant bullying doled out at the hands of his nemesis, Brandon Hayley—the unrelenting boy who gave him the dreaded nickname of Burn Baby.
The new girl at school, Rachel Higgins, is the first to see past Francis’s pariah-inducing scars. If Brandon’s bullying doesn’t destroy him, Francis might experience life as a normal teenager for the first time in his life. He just has to avoid Brandon and convince himself he’s worthy of Rachel’s attentions. Sounds easy enough, but Francis himself has a hard time seeing past his scars. And Brandon is getting violently frustrated, as his attempts to bully Francis are constantly thwarted. Francis is in turmoil as he simultaneously rushes toward his first kiss and a possible violent end.
Add <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23208375-burn-baby-burn-baby">Burn Baby Burn Baby</a> to your Goodreads 'to-be-read' list.
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<strong><a href="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/KC2.jpg"><img alt="Kevin Craig - Author pic" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-21251 alignleft" height="200" src="https://curiosityquills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/KC2-200x200.jpg" width="200" /></a>About The Author:</strong>
Kevin Craig is the author of three previous novels; Summer on Fire, Sebastian’s Poet, and The Reasons. He is a 4-time winner of the Muskoka Novel Marathon’s Best Novel Award. Kevin is also a playwright and has had eight 10-minute plays produced. His poetry, short stories, memoir and articles have been published internationally. Kevin was a founding member of the Ontario Writers’ Conference and a long-time member of the Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR). He is represented by literary agent Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group.
<strong>Find Kevin Craig Online</strong>:
<a href="http://kevintcraig.wordpress.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/KT-Craig-Author-Playwright/325130504188846?ref_type=bookmark">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/KevinTCraig">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/785432.Kevin_Craig">Goodreads</a></span>
Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-49373476195259949812014-09-29T06:53:00.002-07:002014-09-29T06:53:44.933-07:00One Came Home by Amy Timberlake<span style="font-size: large;">I really enjoyed this book. Not because it was a Newbery Honor Book. Not because it was a historical fiction and I LOVE historical fiction. Not because it was a great mystery. I enjoyed it because Georgie Burkhardt is one of those characters who, although young, and a female in a time when females weren't fully appreciated for their amazing contributions to society, does not allow anyone to tell her what she cannot do.</span><br />
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That sentence probably has some major technical problems, but it is what it is.</span><br />
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Georgie's story takes place in 1871, in and around the town of Placid, Wisconsin. The first paragraph of her tale blows me away - we writers are told to grab the reader from the get-go, and Ms. Timberlake manages to do it with gusto. She talks about her sister's first funeral, and tells us she knows it won't be her last. How can you resist something like that?</span><br />
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This gutsy young girl takes off on an adventure to discover what actually happened that has resulted in this catastrophe. Imagine watching your parents go through the grief and anguish of attempting to verify that a badly mistreated body (or parts thereof) is that of their missing daughter, while knowing in your heart that it canNOT be the sister you know and love. Unimaginable!</span><br />
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It's a good thing Georgie is such a crack shot with that rifle of hers, because she's going to need her skills as she turns detective and sets off in search of the truth. Of course, it turns out to be a good thing when that questionable character, Billy McCabe, decides he'll just have to go with her - with the excuse that he's only loaning Georgie his mule, and has to make sure she takes good care of him.</span><br />
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I love the voice of this girl, and her grit, and her refusal to be molded into anything other than the incredible person she is. The setting is interesting and all of the historical facts regarding the now extinct passenger pigeons were woven into the story with great skill. </span><br />
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A great read and suitable for all ages.</span><br />
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HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-50962512287868553512014-09-22T05:24:00.001-07:002014-09-22T05:24:29.781-07:00Ava and Pip by Carol Weston<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ava and Pip </i>by Carol Weston is a delightful journey into the private life of young Ava. This one is geared toward the younger end of MG, and the voice is exceptional in portraying just that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ava is the younger sister, but she often feels invisible. With an extremely shy older sister, and word-nerdy parents who seem too preoccupied for her, Ava often feels overlooked. She has trouble expressing her feelings with her family, so she turns to her diary to voice her complaints and work through her emotions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, she's had a problem finishing the diaries. This year, though, she is determined to stick with the plan and complete at least one entire diary in her life. Her dad has given her a special pen that she plans to use for this endeavor - until she ends up losing it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But Ava is pulled out of her own difficulties when two unrelated events come together - a new girl at school, and a writing contest. When the new girl is mean to Ava's sister, Ava gets even with her entry to the contest. Of course, her plan backfires and turns into bigger headaches than not being noticed. Now Ava's suddenly on everyone's radar, and not in a particularly good way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was a fun read in several ways. The story line was appropriate and handled realistically for the age range, and I felt a definite bond with Ava and empathy for her situation. And Ms. Weston introduces loads of fun and interesting word facts and games that will be a valuable addition to every reader's repertoire. I loved all the palindromes! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Definitely worth checking out for your 8-12 age range.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span>Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-19790210787003792112014-09-15T07:05:00.001-07:002014-09-15T07:05:55.637-07:00What the Moon Said by Gayle Rosengren<span style="font-size: large;">For a debut novel, <i>What the Moon Said </i>hit all the right buttons for me. I imagine part of the perfection I found in it lies in the background of Mrs. Rosengren. She has an impressive background in writing and library work. Remember the advice of so many authors? Read, read, read! I was left with the impression that this author has done her homework in that area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What the Moon Said </i>takes place during the depression years of the 1930s. A small family of city dwellers move to the country when the father loses his job. Young (almost 10) Esther isn't pleased to leave behind her best friend and her comfortable way of life, but it helps tremendously when she discovers the farm her parents purchased comes complete with an assortment of animals, including a dog - something she has always longed for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Esther's ethnic background is German and Russian. Her Russian mother loves all her children, but Esther can't help but feel that she doesn't quite measure up to the rest of the tribe. She wonders if her mother's strong superstitious nature enables her to detect what Esther perceives as her own shortcomings. Those thoughts might never have entered her mind if she could remember even once when her mother had enfolded her in her arms in a warm hug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed traveling back to a time that was certainly simpler, but also much tougher, than anything I've experienced in my own life. The characters are well-developed and realistic in their thoughts and actions. The contrast between their lives in Chicago and rural Wisconsin was fun and informative. Even though the main character is not quite ten, and the writing level is easy enough for that age, I would recommend it for those at least that age, or possibly a bit more mature reader.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-50502392380008284442014-09-02T06:36:00.000-07:002014-09-02T06:36:51.890-07:00Paula Danziger's Amber Brown<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I've read much in the way of early chapter books. I seem to always come home from the library with bags full of picture books, and a few middle grade novels tucked under my arm. But I admit that I've been neglecting the reading level that falls between these popular ages, so I've been trying to make up for that lacking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until a few weeks ago, I'd not read any of the Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger. Let me say, they are delightful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've only read a couple so far, but Amber Brown is around third or fourth grade and faces the same problems many kids that age will face - along with divorced parents that she is drastically hoping will get back together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Told in first person out-spoken viewpoint, Amber Brown is a pleasure to follow along, both in the classroom and on trips to foreign countries. I really like Ms. Danziger's skill as a storyteller for this age group. She did an outstanding job, in my humble opinion, and I highly recommend her books for your young readers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-81275371909833797832014-08-04T07:55:00.000-07:002014-08-04T07:56:31.470-07:00SUMMER READING <span style="font-size: large;">My granddaughter and I have been quite busy this summer, with swimming lessons, baseball games, visits to the park to play and seek out four-leaf clovers, and, of course, the summer reading program at the library.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm proud and pleased to say that we have shared well over fifty picture books together since the end of the school year. She's going to be a well-read young lady for her venture into kindergarten in the fall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To date, I don't think we've found a single book in the lot that we didn't enjoy. Some were hilarious to the point I had to stop reading so she could get her giggle box under control. Others were thought provoking and needed some additional explanations from the wise old Grammy. But she has never tired of them, and just today we picked out another huge bag full of promising titles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two of the books that I especially liked were <i>There's a Dragon in My Sleeping Bag, </i>by James Howe, and <i>The Old Tree, </i>by Ruth Brown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Old Tree </i>tells the story of just that. An old tree is the home of a variety of creatures, and one day they notice a mysterious X marking one side of the tree's huge trunk. As the creatures search for answers concerning the X, they squabble and carry on as usual, as many neighbors do, but then they all work together to save their home, in a most unexpected way. My granddaughter's favorite aspect of the book is the huge fold-out tree at the end. She loved searching through the roots and branches for all the different woodland animals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a Dragon in My Sleeping Bag </i>is a fun story of two brothers and a situation that arises from their vivid imaginations. I love the way the boys solved their own problem and mended their relationship. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are many, many more great books out there, but these were two of our favorites. So far!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-73134216076430139722014-07-14T14:21:00.000-07:002014-07-14T14:21:12.962-07:00JACKPOT - A Swindle Mystery<span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to admit right at the beginning that I didn't think I was going to like this book. I picked it up at the library for my son, who loves Gordon Korman and was excited when he saw it on the kitchen table. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But, I've been reading at an accelerated rate lately, and found myself with no appealing options late one evening. I always read after everyone's gone to bed, and often read an entire MG novel in one night. It seems to have become a habit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, while waiting for my Nook to recharge, I picked this one up and figured it would put me to sleep, at the least.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll admit that it was a slow start for me. The book starts out with a dream sequence, which I've been told repeatedly is not a good way to start a novel. My first thought was, 'oh, no, this isn't good.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But it was. And it got better. And by the time I got to the final chapters, I was exhausted. Not from staying up to finish the entire book, but because of the increasing action! There was no way I could put the book down without finishing it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The story is about a group of school kids who find themselves in a frantic search for a winning Mega-Millions lottery ticket that has gone unclaimed for almost a year. The time is quickly approaching when the ticket will become worthless, and they devise a plan to find the winning ticket holder so the money can be claimed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before their adventure is fully developed, however, the town bully steps in and decides he should find and claim the ticket as his own. After all, he's always wanted loads of money, and in his eyes he deserves it more than anyone else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then there's the new kid. Once he's added to the mix, things begin to get hairy. And, speaking of hairy, there's also an assortment of pets that get involved in the plot and add a lovely twist that makes this wacky adventure even more fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the voice of this, and the humor that resonates with kids this age. The descriptions of the minor characters through the eyes of the kids is hilarious and more than likely exactly how they would actually see the adults in their world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Highly recommend for both boys and girls looking for a fun read, with a touch of seriousness in dealing with bullies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-44269188829825471752014-07-08T14:11:00.000-07:002014-07-08T14:11:49.381-07:00ZANE AND THE HURRICANE<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Zane and the Hurricane, A Story of Katrina, </i>by Rodman Philbrick, was quite an adventure. Very well written and quite enlightening, in my humble opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a story of a young boy named Zane, whose father was killed in a tragic accident before Zane was born. Zane's mother has searched for years for any relatives from her husband's side of the family, but she had sketchy details to begin with, and they weren't all accurate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now she has found Zane's great-grandmother, who lives in New Orleans. She packs Zane up and sends him off for an exciting summer adventure to meet this new-found relative and to possibly learn a bit more about his father's side of the family. Zane's wonder dog, Bandit, naturally comes along for the ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And it's a wild ride, for sure. Zane and his great-grandmother, Miss Trissy, are still in the stages of getting to know one another when disaster strikes in the form of Hurricane Katrina. As they're packing up their meager belongings in preparation for evacuation, Miss Trissy shares stories with Zane of past hurricanes. Stories that later help save his life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, if the evacuation went smoothly, the story would have been very short. I will warn that this book is a bit graphic in some of its details, but it's well worth the read. There's no sugar coating in this tale of disaster, and friendship, and the true meaning of family. I recommend this for the upper middle grade readers who can handle some fairly serious subject matter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-43981510531807447802014-06-23T06:15:00.001-07:002014-07-08T14:11:34.995-07:00AUNT MARIA by Diana Wynne Jones<span style="font-size: large;">While I don't consider myself an 'official' reviewer, I do enjoy sharing my limited opinions regarding the books I read. A lot of them are MG, but I occasionally run across a picture book or YA novel that stands out, so I include them when the mood hits me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a recent trip to the library, I picked up Diana Wynne Jones' <i>The Pinhoe Egg</i>. It's a substantial tome and a twisting tale that made my head spin, but once I straightened out the considerable cast of characters, I found it quite enjoyable. She's a clear-headed writer who manages to keep everyone in line and on their best behavior, and that appeals to me since I know how difficult a task that is to pull off. And in all fairness, this book might not have been such an effort on my part if I had read any of the earlier volumes of the series first. But they were not available at my local library, so I took what I could get.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the writing impressed me so much that I wanted to see what else she had to offer. I went back to town and requested the first book in the series and am waiting for it to arrive. In the meantime, I managed to pick up <i>Aunt Maria</i> on my way out, and I'm so glad I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Aunt Maria</i> - that's pronounced with a long I, like in the song, <i>They Call The Wind Maria.</i> What a gruesome and intriguing plot Ms. Jones has created in this much quicker read. It was a bit reminiscent of <i>The Stepford Wives </i>in some ways, but on a younger level. From the very first paragraph, the writing is extremely clever, and I instantly fell in love with Mig and her brother, Chris. And, unlike some stories, we know immediately that Aunt Maria is very, very bad. We also know, sadly, that the kids are going to make some huge, costly mistakes in their dealings with this tyrant and her cloister of old biddies who hide behind facades of sweet helplessness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will warn that there are a couple of instances of profanity thrown into the mix, but aside from that I can recommend it as an entertaining read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-59969014520344055092014-06-02T07:42:00.001-07:002014-06-02T07:42:12.816-07:00A VERY FUN READ FOR MIDDLE GRADE<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat,</i> by Lynne Jonell, is a very fun read.</span><br />
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I've never had a dislike for the talking animal thing, so it didn't bother me in the least that Emmy could understand Rat after he bit her the first time. It seemed completely natural, especially since all of the rodents involved in the dastardly plot were endowed with special abilities.</span><br />
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I'm not one of those reviewers who relate the story line of the books I read, and I'm not going to change my tactics at this time. I will say that when I read the title, I thought the Rat shrank. I was wrong. He shrinks whomever he bites, but it's a bit more complicated than that.</span><br />
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This is a creative and fun tale, with a clever twist to the absentee parent situation. Although it is refreshing that Ms. Jonell managed to allow one set of parents to be involved and concerned about their missing son. It isn't too often that the kids can go off on an amazing adventure without offing the parental units in some way, so I enjoyed that she left a few of them intact and worrying.</span><br />
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I also loved the personalities of the rodent population. They were actually more fun than the humans, although Emmy and Joe are portrayed as entirely believable preteens. She's invisible and he's a jock. Of course they're going to end up together in some manner.</span><br />
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I really love the characters in this book, from the incredibly evil Miss Barmy - Emmy's nanny - to the absolutely adorable Endear Mouse, each has such a unique personality that every one of them should be considered a star. And although Rat has some traits that are slightly less than stellar, I couldn't resist falling in love with him when he sang The Star Spangled Banner. What a hoot!</span><br />
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My favorite aspect of this tale is the humor. At times it is sweet, and at other times it is so gross that it nearly made me gag. And it all worked together so well that I think this book would appeal equally to boys and girls. </span><br />
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This is one that I will remember for a long time, and I hope there are more of the same caliber in the future, for I really, really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend for any middle grade reader.</span><br />
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HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-47111761298948390852014-05-26T09:10:00.000-07:002014-05-26T09:10:12.092-07:00THOUGHTS ON MEMORIAL DAY<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="font-size: large;">TAPS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Day
is done, gone the sun<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>From
the lakes, from the hills, from the sky<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>All
is well, safely rest<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>God
is nigh.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fading
light dims the sight<br />
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright<br />
From afar, drawing near<br />
Falls the night.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thanks
and praise for our days<br />
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky<br />
As we go, this we know<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>God is nigh.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lyrics written by Horace Lorenzo Trim<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Taps</i> is also dubbed, Butterfield’s Lullaby. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525; line-height: 115%;">The tune is a
variation of an earlier bugle call known as the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Scott Tattoo and</span> was arranged
in its present form by the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Union
Army Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield, an American Civil War general
and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Medal of Honor recipient.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Butterfield commanded
the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division in the</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #252525;"> </span>V Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to Wikipedia, Captain John C. Tidball, West Point
Class of 1848, started the custom of playing taps at military funerals. A
corporal of Tidball’s Battery A, 2nd Artillery, died, and Tidball wished to
bury him with full military honors. At the time, the custom was to fire three shots
over the grave, but because of the situation, that wasn’t prudent. So Tidball
decided to sound taps in lieu of the customary salute. Shortly after that, it
became a military custom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taps
always brings a tear to my eye. It’s a mournful tune, while simultaneously
soothing in an eerie way. We don’t often hear the lyrics, and I feel that’s a
shame, because they are beautiful in their simplicity. I believe the song was
originally intended as a signal for lights out on military posts. When we were
first stationed in Colorado, we temporarily lived on the Army base, and I
looked forward to hearing those mournful notes every evening. It served to
remind me that others always had my back; others who would give their life to
protect me and mine. That was the first thing I missed when we moved off base.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
hope each of you have someone to remember on this day. Someone who was willing
to protect and defend you, and give his/her life for you, if duty required that
sacrifice. So that you can go to bed at night and know that ‘all is well’ and
enable you to ‘safely rest.’ And to remind you, always, that God is nigh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY
MEMORIAL DAY!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia
Dinsmore<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-45368407166506835412014-05-08T15:45:00.001-07:002014-05-08T15:49:48.975-07:00BONE BY BONE BY BONE <span style="font-size: large;">Recently I read Bone by Bone by Bone, by Tony Johnston. This is shelved with the middle grade books in my local library, but I believe some parents are probably not going to want their younger kids to read it. I may be among that group, although I'm still trying to sort through all the emotions the book touched off in me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The setting for the story is a small town in Tennessee during the early 1950s. This was a time and place for a lot of racial clashes between black and white. The main character is a young white boy from a very prominent family. He is befriended by a black boy, and part of the story is a portrayal of the strong feelings the boys develop for each other. Overshadowing this beautiful story of love is a much darker tale of the hatred and fear that enveloped so many lives during that time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I fell in love with David and Malcolm, the two young characters. One moment my heart was breaking at the hopelessness of their relationship, and the next moment I was shaking my head and chuckling at the antics they were getting into. The author's voice has such strength and depth of feeling, and her use of language is absolutely spot on. I especially love the tone and expressions she uses at particular times, such as when Malcolm tells Hell (the meanest rooster that ever lived) that he's going to eat him "squawk an' all." My family came from Tennessee, and this is the type of expression I grew up on, so I instantly felt a kinship with Ms. Johnston from the very first page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This story, however, is made up more of instances of hatred than it is of love. It is brutally honest with no holds barred. I admire the author for her ability to pull this off without producing a quagmire of misery and hopelessness. She does come close to doing just that, and except for the strength of the youngest players, that very thing would have happened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the very subject matter is enough to make me squeamish about recommending it for middle graders. The language is raw, with no apologies made for it, but I realize it couldn't be more honest. That, too, is another reason for my concerns to recommend it to children. I don't believe the bad language was used in a gratuitous manner; I think it was more of an effort to portray things as they were. I can appreciate that and know the book is more honest because of it, but it still made me cringe from time to time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll leave it up to you to decide for yourself. I rated the book highly because of the skill of the writing and the way I connected with the author's voice. I am not in any way recommending that any of my young readers put it on their TBR list. In fact, if you are tempted, I hope you will clear it with your parents first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-22844270811011141772014-05-01T16:08:00.003-07:002014-05-01T19:53:45.250-07:00SKULLHAVEN - AN INTERVIEW<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I’m excited to have a special guest on my
little blog. Her name is Lilly White, and she is the main character in Cornell
DeVille’s newest MG novel, <i>Skullhaven. </i>Lilly’s
schedule has been quite busy lately, so I’m delighted she has finally found some
free time to talk with us today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hi, Lilly! How are you? Could you please tell my
readers a little bit about your interesting life?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Well, I don't know if my life is
that interesting or not. I live at the Sacred Heart Orphanage with Sister
Rosemary and Sister Carmen. I spend a lot of time reading but that's mostly in
the winter because in the spring and the summer and the fall, I have to help
Sister Carmen in the garden. We have flowers and vegetables growing out there.
We sell some of the vegetables to the people who drive by the Orphanage. And we
take some of the flowers over to the Skullhaven Cemetery and put them on the
graves sometimes. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love fresh vegetables! Perhaps I
can come by someday soon and pick up a few. Fresh salsa is so good this time of
year. And I think it’s lovely that you decorate the graves. It shows that you
are a caring person. But back to you, Lilly. You’ve certainly had a bit of an
unusual upbringing so far, being raised in an orphanage. Tell us, is it
frightening to be living in such close proximity to a cemetery?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>It was kind of scary
when I first found out there was a cemetery right across the highway from the
orphanage. And it really bothers me on stormy nights with all the thunder and
everything. And, don't think I'm weird or anything, but I have seen some ghosts
over there. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ghosts? Seriously? Could you tell us
about them? Were they hideous, or did they just sort of float around and moan?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">No, they weren't hideous at all. Well, except
for that big hole in Rico's forehead. That was kind of scary when I saw it the
first time, but aside from that, they looked pretty normal. Except they were
kind of filmy. I mean, you could sort of see through them. And they didn't moan
or anything like that. Actually they weren't nearly as scary as some of the real
people I've met lately.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You must be a very
brave girl, Lilly, to hang out with a bunch of ghosts – especially ones with
holes in their foreheads. But enough of the ghost talk or I’ll have nightmares
tonight. Could you tell us a little bit about that gorgeous necklace you’re
wearing? Is it a family heirloom?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>It's called an ankh. Sister
Carmen gave it to me. It's not an heirloom, but it is very old. Father Vargas's
journal said that it came from ancient Egypt and it was made for Queen
Nefertiti. It's actually enchanted, you know.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enchanted? How
interesting. Can you tell us more about it, or would you rather we read your
story for all the details?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Well, I probably
shouldn't tell you ALL the details, because you really need to read the book to
understand it. I think we should just say that it's enchanted. If you read the
book, you'll understand what I mean.</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Lilly. I
intend to do just that. In fact, I hope everyone here will take the time to
read it soon. I just found out that the ebook version is being offered FREE on
Amazon for the next two days. That’s May 2<sup>nd</sup> and May 3<sup>rd</sup>,
for those interested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have enjoyed our
visit today, Lilly, and I wish you the best in life. Please give my regards to
your guardians, also. Sister Carmen and Sister Rosemary are doing a wonderful
job raising you. You are a charming young lady and a true reflection of their
devotion.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Thanks so much for having me, and for the nice things you said about the Sisters. They are kind of special to me.</i></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><i>Here is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skullhaven-Cornell-DeVille-ebook/dp/B00JFJPAYS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398982937&sr=8-1&keywords=skullhaven">LINK</a> for readers wanting a free copy of Skullhaven.</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">And here is a blurb to help you decide!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lost Spirits are
haunting Skullhaven. And Lilly can see them!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">Skullhaven
Cemetery is across the highway from Sacred Heart Orphanage, where Lilly has
lived for the past seven years since her mother mysteriously disappeared. Lost
spirits haunt Skullhaven, and when Lilly starts seeing them, she realizes that
the gold cross she wears is enchanted. Danger lurks just around the corner when
a </span>ruthless Egyptian antiquities dealer recognizes Lilly’s cross as the
priceless Golden Ankh of Queen Nefertiti, and he decides he must have it for
his collection. After kidnapping Lilly and giving her his ultimatum—either part
with the Golden Ankh or spend eternity in Skullhaven Cemetery—Lilly must summon
her inner strength. If she gives up the ankh, the lost spirits of Skullhaven
will never find their way home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A great choice for any age! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Written with the upper middle-grade
reader in mind, </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Skullhaven</i><span style="font-size: large;"> is a fun
adventure with a hint of history, a bit of mystery, and a lot of complexity
that will keep readers of all ages turning the pages and wondering—what’s going
to happen next! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And, in the event you'd like to learn a little more about the author, here is some basic information for your enjoyment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cornell DeVille considers himself an <i>Imagination Director. </i>A member of the Baby Boomer generation, DeVille was influenced by the state-of-the-art technology of the fifties -- television -- and the great storytellers of the day, including Hollywood icons like Walt Disney, Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling. Rather than spending his summer days outside playing baseball, DeVille preferred the world he could find within the covers of a good book. At an early age, he fell in love with the works of Jules Verne, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, and H. G. Wells.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Those nostalgic memories remained with him throughout the years and continue to influence his writing today. A lover of adventure, mystery, and fantasy, DeVille’s writing leads readers on a journey that allows them to escape the real world and venture into a special realm where anything can happen. His current adventures include Lost in the Bayou, The Golden Disk, Star Wishes, The Treasure of Morro Bay, Scary Night Music, and Skullhaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">DeVille grew up in the Kansas City area, where he lives today with his wife Rosie, their bichon-poodle, Hannah, and a Himalayan Persian cat named Billy. You can find him on Twitter at cornelldeville1, and on Facebook as Author Cornell DeVille.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That's all I have for today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Cordelia Din</span><span style="text-align: justify;">smore</span></span></div>
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-87103323218732712462014-03-31T17:31:00.000-07:002014-03-31T17:33:12.623-07:00THE STONE OF VALHALLA BLOG TOUR<span style="font-size: large;">Today I am proud to announce that I am hosting writer/illustrator Mikey Brooks on one stop of his blog tour. His newest Middle Grade novel just released yesterday, and he has a little bit to say about it and what inspires him as an artist.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Also, if you wish, there is an opportunity at the bottom of this post to enter a <span style="color: red;">Rafflecopter giveaway</span>. So enjoy! And I'll be back in a few days with some more thoughts on Middle Grade books.</span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to <i>The
Stone of Valhalla</i> Blog Tour!</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A middle-grade fantasy-adventure by Mikey Brooks.</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Don’t
forget to check out the </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">GIVEAWAY</span><span style="color: red;"> at the bottom of this post</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">for a
chance to </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">WIN a $25 Amazon
Gift card </span><span style="color: red;">and other great prizes!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Art in Writing</span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Guest Post by: Mikey Brooks</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am a writer but I am
also an illustrator. A lot of times I am asked if I use my illustrating to help
me in my writing. I reply: “Of Course!” A lot of thought goes into a painting.
Of course you have your main character there but you also have other things.
The background can tell a lot about what is going on. It can also help move the
story. In fact, when I hit a wall, or what some authors call “writer’s block” I
step away from the computer and I pull out the sketch pad. I am a very visual
person and have to see the scene visually before I can write it. Drawing helps
me do that. I don’t spend too much time on it. Mostly the characters look like
something a child drew. I focus mostly on the background. I need to know what
is happening. I tried this once when I had a character in a room. I didn’t know
where else to go with the scene. So I started drawing the back ground. I drew a
stone wall with some dark shadows here and there. Then I drew a window.
Suddenly I had a shadow in the window. “Who is outside the window?” I asked
myself. Soon the writer’s block was gone and I was onto finishing the scene. So
yes, drawing can help move writing along.</span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another way I
incorporate my art into my stories is I draw out some of the scenes. For my
newest book, <i>The Stone of Valhalla</i>, I
</span>actually drew chapter pictures. I did this about 13 years ago when I first
finished the story. Since then it has been majorly rewritten and the pictures
don’t really fit the descriptions of the characters anymore, but they helped me
when I first constructed this story. I was able to see into this other world as
my main character, Aaron saw it. Art carries with it a small sense of emotion.
I took that emotion I felt from the art and tried to convey it into words. Art
can be a powerful tool when constructing a story.</span><br />
<br /><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal;">I am thrilled to announce the release of my newest
middle-grade fantasy-adventure: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Stone
of Valhalla</i>. I hope you love Aaron as much as I do. Yes, he has a lot to
learn in the beginning but the excitement comes as we see him grow throughout
his journey. </span></h2>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Synopsis:</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aaron was chosen to save their world, but it might come at the cost of
losing his own.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Breaking
into an old lady’s basement was supposed to reward 13-year-old Aaron with new
friends. Instead he finds an enchanted amulet that transports him to another
world—one at war with magic. Before he knows it, he is accused of witchcraft
and invited to a bonfire—where he’s the main attraction. If that’s not bad
enough, a goblin army shows up and toasts the town...literally. The good news:
Aaron escapes being charbroiled. The bad news: the goblins are after him. They
want his amulet and will stop at nothing to get it. Battling to find his way
home, Aaron teams up with a not-so-magical-wizard and learns it’s his fate to
destroy the amulet and save this new world. But is he willing to sacrifice his
own?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Check out what these talented authors
are saying about it:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Stone of Valhalla</i> is one of those
books that only comes along once in a great while. Brooks doesn't just create a
world, he puts you inside of it, allowing you to experience the wonder in a way
that only he can. His characters are likable and fun. His twists leave you
asking ‘Why?’ Treat yourself to an exciting adventure through a beautiful new
land. Make new friends and be a part of the magic. This is a book that you will
not be able to put down!” </span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">—J.R. Simmons,
author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ragesong: Awakening</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Stone of Valhalla</i> drew me in from the get-go. Aaron’s journey is
reminiscent of Dorothy’s trek in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Wizard of Oz</i>. Magic, sword fights, danger, and more danger, sprinkled with
humor and unexpected twists. This is one of the ‘best’ fantasy adventures I’ve
ever experienced!” </span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">—BBH
McChiller, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Monster Moon
Series</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Stone of Valhalla</i> is a riveting mystery
revealing true friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. Brooks engages the curiosity
of middle graders and older sleuths alike, until the very end. Fantastic!”</span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;">—L.R.W. Lee,
author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Andy Smithson series</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">Where to Find <i>The Stone of Valhalla</i>:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYSyNPYESpGLpJsZzaeRoEsaZN5_CORVcewqPasdqbVlcFQfXgkDPYfuGY6VEH5nFlxNVmAm8MiFc5qHbL7T2yFMVwuzDkpKeah06_A8mJfjSq0wVyHyHZ9NZGjXy5lSh89aAx3dxhG8/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYSyNPYESpGLpJsZzaeRoEsaZN5_CORVcewqPasdqbVlcFQfXgkDPYfuGY6VEH5nFlxNVmAm8MiFc5qHbL7T2yFMVwuzDkpKeah06_A8mJfjSq0wVyHyHZ9NZGjXy5lSh89aAx3dxhG8/s1600/Cover.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exclusive price</i> for the eBook
release is just <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">$2.99! </b>(List Price: $4.99)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And only <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">$9.99 for the paperback!</b> (List Price: $12.99)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On April 12<sup>th</sup>
2014 the price will return to the List Price</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Stone-Valhalla-Mikey-Brooks-ebook/dp/B00J42QMSE"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kindle</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> | </span></b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Stone-Valhalla-Mikey-Brooks/dp/1939993288"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Paperback</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Another special offer:</b></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_EdNqD0uXfn0YVwoBfqid7iYRrQueALU9Glhp-TZsFV5QkHvWEYoK8b5eWTz6BzcfygLbeeIF-GYIui8qAerR98rMg0NTwCjqWOxIowXRtJ3vhCzybNj4jGI_sWtHZvI_KKsHMNtCF8/s1600/Dream+Keepr+Promo+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_EdNqD0uXfn0YVwoBfqid7iYRrQueALU9Glhp-TZsFV5QkHvWEYoK8b5eWTz6BzcfygLbeeIF-GYIui8qAerR98rMg0NTwCjqWOxIowXRtJ3vhCzybNj4jGI_sWtHZvI_KKsHMNtCF8/s1600/Dream+Keepr+Promo+banner.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">During <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Stone of Valhalla</i>
Blog Tour</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mikey’s other great middle-grade eBooks will also be set to the low
price of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">just $0.99!</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dream Keeper</i>:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-Keeper-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CPE0PT0"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kindle</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> | </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dream-keeper-mikey-brooks/1115262781?ean=2940016761121"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nook</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> | </span></b><a href="http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Dream-Keeper/book-HNZTMBHSwEmQvFtnDTAvbQ/page1.html?s=PgMlaS-n_kWtXFq9rPCQMg&r=2"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kobo</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Dreamstone</span></i></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">:</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreamstone-Dream-Keeper-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00GP33YZO" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kindle</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> | </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dreamstone-mikey-brooks/1117435078" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nook</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> | </span></b><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-dreamstone" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kobo</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #365f91;">You’re Invited to PARTY!!</span></b></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUz-ZgZbxKCSPu9dkdnuc7N_g3s3e42Xf4ufTkirT6pvIAByQebETdnvuPN_ZH6WeHRc7KZEzyq1DaTz4CNwccu8I-hRK_w9o-iyXUfVx-1jEnjhZT_Ey1EvI3r7XFP_t708bRDErVjB8/s1600/Onlione+Party+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUz-ZgZbxKCSPu9dkdnuc7N_g3s3e42Xf4ufTkirT6pvIAByQebETdnvuPN_ZH6WeHRc7KZEzyq1DaTz4CNwccu8I-hRK_w9o-iyXUfVx-1jEnjhZT_Ey1EvI3r7XFP_t708bRDErVjB8/s1600/Onlione+Party+Banner.jpg" height="160" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The
online launch party will take place on Thursday, April 10<sup>th</sup> at 4pm
(MST). The party will run for 2 hours and you’re invited to drop by anytime.
The longer you stay the more chances you have of winning prizes! We have a slew
of eBooks to give away, as well as a Stone of Valhalla necklace AND a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">$25 Amazon gift card!</b> It is hosted by
LovingtheBookLaunchParty on Facebook. Just follow this link to join the event: <a href="http://goo.gl/Q2Fd3r">http://goo.gl/Q2Fd3r</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #365f91;">What’s that? Another Party!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpHPekCtPNnQdHgeW43WtMvmyj8FEGruJZ2I7BQIIJajS9kunkKTB_9ajf326h-AlnYhvJ9bfLiAqJAHC8sOHLV_PuNKELbcbEdBXE_VRtpFunn1YeF_-X4JyPp6Sv8XXutOQaYeXCsI/s1600/Launch+Party+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpHPekCtPNnQdHgeW43WtMvmyj8FEGruJZ2I7BQIIJajS9kunkKTB_9ajf326h-AlnYhvJ9bfLiAqJAHC8sOHLV_PuNKELbcbEdBXE_VRtpFunn1YeF_-X4JyPp6Sv8XXutOQaYeXCsI/s1600/Launch+Party+banner.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That’s
right! If you’re local to Utah you don’t want to miss this kickin’ party. We
are having a launch party to celebrate the release of this awesome new book. Of
course there will be plenty of giveaways there too, but what’s even better are
the guest authors! Just check out these fabulous names: J. Scott Savage, Chad
Morris, Lisa Mangum, Jenni James, Ali Cross, and many more. The Launch Party
is: Friday, April 11<sup>th</sup> from 6-9pm at the Viridian Center in West
Jordan, Utah. Follow this link for a map: <a href="http://goo.gl/dqVc0u">http://goo.gl/dqVc0u</a>
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">About Mikey Brooks:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4EuFJFLBRiinJYSGZ8yU2I3ubAaWitmAeYlA_EGJPd5ik4sSQyrVmWYFmbUoL3tOgub5STdQdt1cPhy5AuJpLPo8gRufgpCutJv_Ulr0YCGXRQRmAPaXxTQB2PXQ6Ouyx_lRVXj8hkc/s1600/Mikey+Pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4EuFJFLBRiinJYSGZ8yU2I3ubAaWitmAeYlA_EGJPd5ik4sSQyrVmWYFmbUoL3tOgub5STdQdt1cPhy5AuJpLPo8gRufgpCutJv_Ulr0YCGXRQRmAPaXxTQB2PXQ6Ouyx_lRVXj8hkc/s1600/Mikey+Pic+1.jpg" height="200" width="139" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mikey
is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing
the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown
up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ABC-Adventures-Creatures-Mikey-Brooks-ebook/dp/B00AU7ZVOI"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures</i></a>
and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beans-Dragons-Mikey-Brooks-ebook/dp/B00AUMKJGI"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bean’s Dragons</i></a> as well as the
middle-grade fantasy-adventure series <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-Keeper-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CPE0PT0"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dream Keeper Chronicles</i></a>. His art
can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to
daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the
imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah
State University and works full-time as a freelance illustrator, cover designer,
and author. As a member of the <a href="http://emblazoners.com/">Emblazoners</a>,
he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of
children’. He is also one of the hosts of the <a href="http://www.foreverwriters.com/category/podcast/">Authors’ Think Tank
Podcast</a>. You can find more about him and his books at: <a href="http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/">http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/</a>.
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0;">The Giveaways!</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk28O9aZkTrUVjUul0pIA3DTvShRt25LxS8iQFO202gwr1uQrS1lRz1GB-MlMbeceA8e8uYXQbrfiHNImCl1g1Yc6DM7jlWVW57Lea5pXjhrrwBEo8H5fMBhIW5-7IVvxh7af8KTkwp4/s1600/giveaways.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk28O9aZkTrUVjUul0pIA3DTvShRt25LxS8iQFO202gwr1uQrS1lRz1GB-MlMbeceA8e8uYXQbrfiHNImCl1g1Yc6DM7jlWVW57Lea5pXjhrrwBEo8H5fMBhIW5-7IVvxh7af8KTkwp4/s1600/giveaways.jpg" height="128" width="400" /> </a></div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21172e3/" id="rc-21172e3" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">a Rafflecopter giveaway</span></a>
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-22551000483482532402014-03-25T15:27:00.001-07:002014-03-25T15:27:23.493-07:00ENDURING PICTURE BOOKS<span style="font-size: large;">I read to each of my children when they were young, and still read to my youngest, who is now a teenager. My kids developed a love for reading, and my house is overflowing with all the books we purchased that they couldn't bear to part with. At times I threaten to clear out a few, but my threats are met with such vehement opposition that I always give in and make way for more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now I read to my granddaughter. She loves books featuring princesses and fairies, but she lets me slip in a few of my favorites in between all that sweetness. Lately we've been on an alphabet book kick, partly to help her learn them, and partly because I've always been partial to them. So many talented writers and illustrators make for endless possibilities with those 26 letters. One of my favorites is <i>A Was Once An Apple Pie </i>by Edward Lear. I owned a copy of that book as a child, purchased for a nickle at a junk store. Unfortunately, I often read outdoors and would sometimes get distracted and leave my books in the yard. It rains a lot in the Midwest during the summer months. Alas.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Last night, however, I didn't want to read about princesses, or fairies, or alphabet creatures. So I went upstairs to peruse one of our many bookcases, and I found something I thought my little one might enjoy. It was my son's ABSOLUTELY MOST FAVORITE BOOK IN THE WORLD when he was her age. I'm referring to Mercer Mayer's <i>Critters of the Night,</i> <i>Midnight Snack. </i>It's written by Erica Farber and J. R. Sansevere, and is one of the Step into Reading series.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Midnight Snack </i>is a rhyming picture book - no wonder I love it - and tells the story of how Groad feeds all of his friends their favorite snacks during the dark hours. The pages are filled with the unforgettable, wonderful illustrations of Mercer Mayer. Frightening monsters and stray eyeballs fill the pages, and there is just as much story revealed in the pictures as there is in the actual wording. My granddaughter loved it and asked for it again as soon as I had finished the last page. I love when that happens.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So if you're looking for something fun, and apparently not too frightening, to read to your little ones at bedtime, this is one I would suggest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-24861760832681631682014-01-28T11:23:00.001-08:002014-01-28T11:24:34.999-08:00SNOW DOUGHNUTS<span style="font-size: large;">This morning the local news team mentioned something I had never heard of before. Snow Doughnuts. Check out the link: <a href="http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/01/27/snow-winds-combine-for-rare-occurrence-of-wind-snowballs/">snow doughnuts</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What an interesting phenomenon! I checked out a few different links on the subject, and some of the pictures showed that the snow sometimes rolls across a field and forms a long tube-shaped roll. I've never seen one of these other than in photos, but the Kansas wind and empty wheat fields would probably make this possible. In fact, I first thought I was seeing photos of large round hay bales simply covered in snow.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While these delightful surprises are a treat to find in nature, we need to avoid them in our writing. In much the same way the wind can pick up something as insubstantial as snow and roll it into a large cylinder, a tiny spark of an idea can work its way into our plot and send it off into unintended directions, wreaking havoc with our original plan. That's why solid plot outlines and character arcs are so important when creating a novel. Ideas need to be centered and grounded; otherwise, strange winds can come along and blow them into surprising results that may turn our hard work into something insubstantial. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I read the articles about the snow doughnuts, I thought the formation of the hole in the middle of these rolls to be quite interesting. The middle is made up of the first snow to be picked up as it begins rolling. It isn't as packed down as the surrounding layers, so as the ball of snow rolls and picks up speed, this inner layer is easily shed. This, too, can happen in our writing. If we don't ensure that our original plan for our story is fully formed and firmly in place, we can end up with huge plot holes that develop along the way. We have to keep that initial idea firmly centered so that our story is well-rounded and complete.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not suggesting that we can't develop new twists and turns as we proceed, but if we haven't carefully planned out the logical path for our story to follow by starting out with a carefully thought out plan, some strange wind may come along and carry it off much like this snowball effect.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope the analogies I've made here make sense. I struggle in my own writing with outlining and then sticking to it. Hopefully these ideas will help me, and possibly others, to improve on future projects. That's my plan, at least.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lately I've had time for quite a bit of reading, so I'll soon be back to share some thoughts on a few of my latest MG acquisitions. Until then,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-59377986753226578072013-12-13T05:04:00.000-08:002013-12-13T05:08:29.706-08:00SPECIAL GUEST MIKEY BROOKS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Welcome to the Official Blog Tour of:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE DREAMSTONE,</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Book Two in The Dream Keeper Chronicles</span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A thrilling fantasy-adventure series for middle-grade readers!</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">_______________________________________________________________ </span></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Don't forget to check out the GIVEAWAY</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>at the bottom of this page for a chance</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">to win one of over 30 prizes!</span></span> </span></span> </span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">_______________________________________________________________</span></span></b> </span></b></div>
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</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> is always associated with Fear.
Whether it’s the fear of superstition or a masked man hiding in the closet,
fear is real. It can thrill, excite, even cripple. Many will go to extremes to
push the fear factor within themselves—to feel fear. Spooky movies, haunted
houses, a scary book—anything that sends a quick shiver up the spine is always
fun for me. Is it any wonder I wrote a book about nightmares?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lot of readers ask me how I came up with some of the scary
dreamlings in my books. I answer them honestly: those were the nightmares of my
childhood. From the rubber chicken wielding psychotic clown to the creature
made up completely of spiders—I dreamed about those things as a kid. Even to
this day, clowns still give me the heebie-jeebies. It wasn’t easy facing some
of those nightmares again, but one of the themes in <i>The Dream Keeper Chronicles</i> is that kids need to face their fears
to overcome them. I learned as I faced the nightmares of my childhood I was able
to confront them. And with the help of Parker, Kaelyn, and Gladamyr, I was able
to defeat them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In book one, <i>The Dream
Keeper</i>, Parker and Kaelyn have to face numerous nightmares and overcome
their fear of them. In book two, <i>The
Dreamstone</i>, it is Gladamyr’s turn to face what he fears most—himself. Gladamyr
is a reformed nightmare, when he was bad, he was the worst. After an encounter
with a dream catcher leaves Gladamyr powerless, the only thing that will return
his shape-shifting gift is to become a nightmare again. It was intense writing
this because it is one thing to face your outward fears like clowns and
spiders, it’s another to face the inner demons. I think those are the hardest
things to overcome. Overall I want to teach kids that it’s okay to be afraid.
You cannot be brave if you don’t recognize that what you’re up against is
scary. I want them to recognize the fear and overcome it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am excited to announce the release of book two in my
middle-grade fantasy-adventure series, THE DREAM STONE. It is an action-packed
adventure with a toe in both the real world and the fantastic. So go check it
out…what are you afraid of?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>
</b><b></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">_______________________________________________________________</span></span></b></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DREAMS: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="uficommentbody">Dorothy called it Oz, </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="uficommentbody">Alice called it Wonderland, </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="uficommentbody">but Nightmares call it HOME.</span> </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Parker’s mom is dreamnapped by the wicked Mab, it is up to him and Kaelyn to
save her. When they return to Dreams, they discover Mab isn’t their only
problem. Gladamyr has lost his powers and the only way to get them back is to
become what he fears the most—a nightmare.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">SYNOPSIS:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5XGX4Ia-9NqYnPKd-6hd4l0U1sdOkKKGEYMeTLDPBmunLvjq3f8rwmDLl0upg0Ytz5yLoKo0-K16DQXBJQ-TxisG4dYxj5kOHx2DcWj5BhYGTRUxiBoXjbPss0NdNjjpi-XvLpVMHyk/s1600/Dreamstone+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5XGX4Ia-9NqYnPKd-6hd4l0U1sdOkKKGEYMeTLDPBmunLvjq3f8rwmDLl0upg0Ytz5yLoKo0-K16DQXBJQ-TxisG4dYxj5kOHx2DcWj5BhYGTRUxiBoXjbPss0NdNjjpi-XvLpVMHyk/s320/Dreamstone+Cover.jpg" width="192" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Book 1, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dream Keeper</i>, Parker and Kaelyn discovered that Dreams was a real
place that everyone visits while they sleep. An evil nightmare named Fyren took
control of the gateway to that world. Parker and Kaelyn teamed up with
Gladamyr, the only dream keeper to escape capture by Fyren, and together they save
Dreams from Fyren’s rule. After the defeat of Fyren the children return to
Awake to find Mab, Fyren’s next in command, has dreamnapped Parker’s mom. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
story continues in Book 2, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dreamstone</i>,
as the children return to Dreams to save Parker’s mom. Finding her, however, is
not their only problem. Mab has waged a war on the Crossing and has sent an army
of dragons to bring it down, nightmares have been released from prison, and
Gladamyr has lost his powers to shape-shift. Parker, Kaelyn, and Gladamyr must
once again defy all odds to set things right and save Parker’s mom before it’s
too late. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
Praise of THE DREAMSTONE:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The Dreamstone</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, by Mikey Brooks, is a wild stallion
of a story: fast, thrilling, and unpredictable. I was hooked in chapter one. If
he can snare the attention of an old reader like me, he’ll have kids sneaking
this one into class underneath their text books…If this one isn’t a
kid-pleaser, I don’t know what is.” –Michelle Isenhoff, author of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Divided Decade Trilogy</i> and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taylor Davis Series</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“This really is a cracking novel.
Action-packed and spellbinding!”—Cas Peace, author of The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Artisans of Albia series.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"If you like the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Percy Jackson</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fablehaven</i>, or the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Harry Potter series</i>, you'll love this!" –An Amazon Reviewer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">AUTHOR BIO:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmi8XybdwwJgS5IVfeKRoVrUD0UwiXf8SEJ8eWpAp8TjXcDbPs9eT8oLNNYO1Ak_4N7vmxpZ1w3SNHyvgb6OTRBbFLhe-Sope2lu9sP3hRHfLw8ZjkzPhz3GLWIin11KVVjzfg02qBU0g/s1600/Mikey+Pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmi8XybdwwJgS5IVfeKRoVrUD0UwiXf8SEJ8eWpAp8TjXcDbPs9eT8oLNNYO1Ak_4N7vmxpZ1w3SNHyvgb6OTRBbFLhe-Sope2lu9sP3hRHfLw8ZjkzPhz3GLWIin11KVVjzfg02qBU0g/s200/Mikey+Pic+1.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mikey Brooks is a small child
masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky
chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is
the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ABC-Adventures-Creatures-Mikey-Brooks-ebook/dp/B00AU7ZVOI">ABC
ADVENTURES: MAGICAL CREATURES</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beans-Dragons-Mikey-Brooks-ebook/dp/B00AUMKJGI">BEAN’S
DRAGONS</a> as well as the middle-grade fantasy-adventure series <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-Keeper-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CPE0PT0">THE
DREAM KEEPER CHRONICLES</a>. His art can be seen in many forms from picture
books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and
explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has
a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works full-time as a
freelance illustrator and cover designer. As a member of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://emblazoners.com/">Emblazoners</a></i>,
he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of
children’. He is also one of the hosts of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.foreverwriters.com/category/podcast/">Authors’
Think Tank Podcast</a></i>. You can find more about him and his books at: <a href="http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/">www.insidemikeysworld.com</a></span> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6OtzgoloIfxz3DKRPvJdM-cV_f0G8vZqoTipjcjzsfu1JLAbVfSCsGDTMMxgMRVH7_BLeMjlFOMkxQSz7qq1kB3a6kk2_TmKjjeVp1WrcjE1EzLC_edcujk58yRkOBJ62aw64jIodTs/s1600/Audiobook+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6OtzgoloIfxz3DKRPvJdM-cV_f0G8vZqoTipjcjzsfu1JLAbVfSCsGDTMMxgMRVH7_BLeMjlFOMkxQSz7qq1kB3a6kk2_TmKjjeVp1WrcjE1EzLC_edcujk58yRkOBJ62aw64jIodTs/s200/Audiobook+Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now Available in Audiobook!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK
LINKS:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Paperback: </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amzn.com/dp/1939993237"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939993237</span></a></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hardback: </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amzn.com/dp/1939993229"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">http://www.amazon.com/dp/1939993229</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">eBook: </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP33YZO">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GP33YZO</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ISBN: </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hardback:
978-1-939993-22-9, Paperback: 978-1-939993-23-6, eBook: 978-1-939993-24-3</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">PRICE:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Hardback: $19.95, Paperback: $12.99,
EBook: $2.99.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">______________________________</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">_________________________________</span></b></span></div>
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<![endif]--></span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10 winners will receive
a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">gift bag</b> with numerous signed
books marks, </b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">collector cards, wrists bands, and a handmade <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">dream key necklace</b>.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></b><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><b>Paperback Books:</b></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can You
Survive? Treasure Island, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Childrens-book-author-Blake-Hoena/178901759154">Blake
Hoena</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="null">The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer, by </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.c.orchard">Lisa Cole Orchard</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Color of Freedom, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/michelle.isenhoff">Michelle Athearn Isenhoff</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Explorer X-Alpha, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorlmpreston">Lm
Preston</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gangsterland, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ansha.kotyk">Ansha
Kotyk</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cycles, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lois.d.brown">Lois Brown</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LndaLee?fref=ts">L.R.W Lee</a></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
</b>
</span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Princess Kandake, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.jefferson.35">Stephanie Jefferson</a></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></b>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Weight of the Crown, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.jefferson.35">Stephanie Jefferson</a></span></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrow of the Mist, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christina.mercer.16">Christina Mercer</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cassidy Jones, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EliseStokesAuthor">Elise
Stokes</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Seventh Attendant, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EliseStokesAuthor">Elise Stokes</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Curse at Zala Manor, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lynn.kelley.39">BBH</a><span class="MsoHyperlink">
McChiller</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Curse of the Double Digits, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lynn.kelley.39">Lynn Kelley</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Into the Forest and Down the Tower, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnTBugg">by Ann T. Bugg</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Off to Camp and Discovering Art, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnTBugg">Ann T. Bugg</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Agency, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shantal.sessions?fref=ts">Shantal
Hiatt</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Psyched, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/julipalooza"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Juli Caldwell</span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ragesong, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1096827496"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">J.R. Simmons</span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>EBooks:</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Secret Sisters
Club, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/monique.bucheger?fref=ts">Monique
Bucheger</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Trouble Blows
West, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/monique.bucheger?fref=ts">Monique
Bucheger</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Alien Mind, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaLoriJennings?fref=ts">Virginia Jennings</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Last Time Keepers, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/seledwith">Sharon
Ledwith</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Frogs & Toads, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StacyLynnCarroll">Stacy Lynn Carroll</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nexus Point, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jaleta">Jaleta Clegg</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Warrior Beautiful, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wendy.knight.1238?fref=ts">Wendy Knight</a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Shahira and the Flying Elfs, by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnaDelC?fref=ts">Anna del C Dye</a> (PDF)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/21172e2/" id="rc-21172e2" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size: large;">a Rafflecopter giveaway</span></a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
</div>
Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-44573664411005621102013-11-26T19:38:00.000-08:002013-11-26T19:38:46.414-08:00THANKSGIVING WISHES<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and I'm busy, busy, busy getting ready to feed a small crowd. It's something I love to do - cooking for others and watching them enjoy the meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here in America, this is a day we set aside to remember all the blessings in our lives. For the life of me, I can't figure out why we set aside only one day a year for this, when so many of us are blessed so richly. To be honest, it would take me the entire day and more to list all of the things for which I am thankful.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I know the Pilgrims get credit for the actual holiday we celebrate tomorrow, but the idea of thanksgiving has been around for thousands of years. As a Christian, I often go back to David when looking for someone who epitomizes the heart filled with thanksgiving. His psalms are beautiful, which might be surprising when one considers many of them were written when he was such a young man.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">David had much to be thankful for. Some of his actions might come across as being a bit on the reckless side. Taking on a giant with only a sling and a few stones sounds crazy to me, but he did it, and came out the victor. He found himself on the bad side of a powerful king, and survived numerous attempts to end his life. He also had a weakness for the ladies, which led to major problems. But God favored David, and saw him through the hard times and the mistakes he made. David was a shrewd and discerning man, and I believe there is ample evidence of his thankfulness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My husband is certainly no David, but for many years now he has been my greatest blessing. I am so very thankful for him, his strengths and even his weaknesses. He has an ordered mind, which is such a blessing to me because I'm a scatterbrain. Perhaps it was the many years he spent in the military, but even though his garage looks like a disaster to me, he has an uncanny ability to find whatever he or I am looking for when he needs to extricate an item from the mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">He also has a weakness for the ladies, but, fortunately for me, I'm the one he has loved for the last 45 years. His heart also belongs to his two daughters and his granddaughter, but I'm so thankful that I'm the one who is growing old with him. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was a bit of an unusual post for me, but my mood is reflective as I prepare a small feast for family and friends I'm very thankful for. I'm thankful that I have this privilege and that they trust me to do a good job of it. I hope on this one day, especially, you all find more blessings than you can count.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-14990538032696127142013-11-19T08:27:00.001-08:002013-11-19T08:27:21.737-08:00AUTISM AND OVERNIGHTS<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The holidays are fast approaching and I'm already busier than I like. Since I'm throwing a small Thanksgiving party, I've been shopping and planning menu ideas. I've also spent what seems like hours and hours in the toy aisles getting suggestions for Christmas gift ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Several fun get-togethers are coming up soon, which will involve more shopping for gifts, and cookie baking, which are activities I actually enjoy quite a bit. But they wear me out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This weekend, however, I'm participating in an exciting outing that is probably going to be my undoing. Survival is questionable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Our church youth group is attending a fall festival that is loads of fun. I've attended in the past as a sponsor for the girls, and had such an enjoyable time. Little sleep, but lots of bonding and laughing and sharing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This year, however, is going to be a whole different ball game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My son is protesting that he doesn't want to attend. I can understand this, because social situations are quite difficult for him, at least when they center around kids. He is much more in his element when surrounded by adults. His autism and anxiety disorder interfere with his ability to let down his guards and enjoy himself, and one situation that is most difficult for him is being away from one of us for an overnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We discussed the idea of my husband going in my place, but then he would be in the same cabin as our son, and we thought it would be good for him to stay with people he knows and can trust, but still make it a growing experience - at least, that's our hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So I will be there, but I'll be staying with the girls. He can do this, I know, but I'm not expecting it to all be smooth sailing. He'll be highly stressed, but hopefully he'll be reassured enough by my presence to avoid a full out meltdown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm happy to have the opportunity to attend. I love to see him overcome obstacles and learn that he can be successful. He's a neat kid, and of course I love him with my entire being, but it's still hard to see him struggle so much with social situations that should be all joy and uplifting. The fact that I can trust my husband to keep the other kids safe and take care of the chores here at home is priceless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, the weather is not going to cooperate in helping make this a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The high 60's and low 70's that we've been blessed with this week are moving out tomorrow, and the weekend is predicted to bring snow and freezing temperatures. And wind, of course. What would Kansas be without the wind?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I just hope there is room in the van for my arctic sleeping bag, and extra blankets, and thermal socks, and wool longjohns. No chance of packing just a small bag with a toothbrush, pillow, and book. Surely I can find a place to stash my Nook!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">HAPPY READING!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span><br />
<br />Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5331752666197196876.post-50299790031989295072013-10-31T06:18:00.002-07:002013-10-31T06:18:19.978-07:00DAY 13 OF 13 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">13 FUN HALLOWEEN PICTURE BOOKS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Since I've been working on some picture book manuscripts lately, I thought it might be fun to share some fun reads for the youngest audience members. These are all guaranteed to please and are not too frightening. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Big Pumpkin – Erica Silverman, S. D. Schindler –
All witch wants is a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But her pumpkin is too big for
her to move. Her friends all volunteer to help, but none of them can budge the
heavy pumpkin. Then the solution to the problem arrives in an unlikely hero.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Bone Soup – Cambria Evans – a retelling of Stone
Soup with grizzly ingredients. When the hungry skeleton comes into town, he’s
hoping for a feast, but no one wants to share their food with the greedy
goblin. So he uses trickery and persuasion to use the town folk to help him
concoct a savory meal for all of them to share.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat – Doreen
Cronin & Betsy Lewin – Click,Clack,
Moo with a Halloween theme. The animals are out at the barn, ready for some
Halloween fun, but Farmer Brown wants to curl up in his footie jammies and call
it a night. Guess who wins the battle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. Five Little Pumpkins – illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
– This song is a favorite with all the preschoolers and kindergartners, and the
fun illustrations make it even more enjoyable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. Goodnight Goon – A Petrifying Parody – illustrated
by Michael Rex - A little werewolf can’t go to sleep so he tells everyone and
everything goodnight. Then a mischievous goon wreaks havoc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. In the Haunted House – Eve Bunting, Susan
Meddaugh – Rhyming text and a fun story of what it’s like to walk through a
haunted house. The identity of the two moving through the house isn’t revealed
until the very last page.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. Room on the Broom – Julia Donaldson, Axel
Scheffler – Another fun rhyming tale that centers around a witch and her
adventures on her broom. A great opportunity to teach the rewards of sharing
and helping others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">8. Scary, Scary Halloween – Eve Bunting, Jan Brett –
Someone – or something – is watching a parade of frightening creatures pass by.
Soon more eyes begin observing this scary scene. A cute tale with a possibly
surprising twist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">9. Ten Timid Ghosts – Jennifer O’Connell – When a
witch moves into the ghosts’ house, she doesn’t want to share, so she frightens
them off one by one by disguising as different scary monsters. But the last
ghost isn’t quite so timid, and when he discovers the truth, he tells his
friends, who are now angry ghosts. Do they get their house back? You’ll have to
read it to see<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">10. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat –
Lucille Colandro, Jared Lee – Another parody that is loads of fun during this
haunting season. And the fact that she doesn’t die should make it easier to
swallow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">11. Where’s My Mummy – Caroline Crimi, John Manders –
In an effort to delay bedtime, Baby Mummy asks for another game of hide and shriek.
He comes across all kinds of scary creatures, but it’s an unlikely fright that
has mommy mummy running to his rescue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">12. Who’s There, Little Hoo? – Brenda Ponnay – The young
owl is experiencing his first Halloween, and not sure he’s brave enough. But
every time there’s a knock on the door, he discovers one of his friends dressed
in a costume. Cute for the youngest audiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">13. Who’s There on Halloween? – Susan Hagen Nipp,
Pamela Conn Beall, Charles Reasoner – Each page has clues as to which Halloween
creature is on the following page.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Cordelia Dinsmore</span></span></div>
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Cordelia Dinsmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10704456269484202163noreply@blogger.com2