Take Root and Write--Great Review

Thanks so much to Meredith Curtis at her blog, TAKE ROOT AND WRITE, for the wonderful review of both HAMSTER HOLIDAYS: NOUN AND ADJECTIVE ADVENTURES and GIFTS FROM GOD. Read what Ms. Curtis thought of these books:

HAMSTER HOLIDAYS--With adorable illustrations by Kit Grady, this book is kid friendly....After the enchanting story is finished, there are 8 pages of noun and adjective activities and teaching helps! What a fun way to teach or reinforce grammar!

(Be sure to check out the new adorable HAMSTER HOLIDAYS book trailer by Kim McDougall.)

GIFTS FROM GOD--The photographs that fill each page are absolutely gorgeous. GIFTS FROM GOD by Cynthia Reeg is an inspiration book about God's goodness to us, His beloved children. Photographs are the work of Mary Sue Roberts and they are truly works of art...The first page of each pair of pages has a Scripture verse and the second page has personal exclamation of joyous praise! This book is so beautiful--I have read it through over and over, enjoying the beauty of the lovely pictures and meditating on the verses.

Wow! Thanks so much, Ms. Curtis. It is truly wonderful to know how much readers enjoy our books--which are a tightly-knit collaboration between these two great illustrators, Kit Grady & Mary Sue Roberts, and myself in conjunction with Lynda Burch, publisher at Guardian Angel Publishing.

What great books have you read lately?

Word Fun with Jessica

Today my friend Jessica visited. Jessica is in third grade and likes to read--especially Amelia Bedelia stories. I asked Jessica about what they were learning in school. She told me all about multiplication tables and word problems, which she greatly enjoys. Her teacher is "very creative" and Jessica likes that.

So Jessica and I got creative today as well. I saw in my book, WHAT EVERY THIRD GRADER NEEDS TO KNOW, that third graders learn about homophones, or sound alike words. Turns out, Amelia Bedelia stories usually feature some sound alike word mix-ups.

Jessica and I thought up a few homophones, found clip art pictures to match each one, then Jessica used each word in a sentence. You can see the first page of words we worked with in the photo.

Fun & simple. You bet--and a great learning opportunity for young readers.

Try some sound alike words with your children.

Are you smarter than a third grader?

How many homophones can you think of in a minute???

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FOR HAMSTERS

I had a great time at MAIN STREET BOOKS in St. Charles, Missouri today, signing copies of HAMSTER HOLIDAYS as well as DOGGIE DAY CAMP, KITTY KERPLUNKING (also from the Pet Grammar Parade series) and GIFTS FROM GOD as well.

It was a majorly rainy day here, but nothing stops serious book shoppers. We had a great turnout, and I want to thank store owner Vicki, as well as sales person Sue, for making me so welcome. Coming to Main Street Books is always a treat.

Here are photos with some fans and me. Plus, check out these awesome flowers, courtesy of Randy & Juanita Tatro. What a sweet treat when I walked in the door at Main Street Books! Thanks so much, you two. And thanks to everyone for stopping by--including my number one fan, my husband Rob.

What a grand way to celebrate the Labor Day holiday with HAMSTER HOLIDAYS. Here's hoping everyday is a holiday for you!