Book Reviews and Thin Skin Don't Mix

 Raychelle Muhammad, Smart Girls Like You, 2012

One of the most difficult experiences that creative people face is feedback about their work. I know first hand what it is like to have someone break the news to me that they don't like my writing or illustrations (or both). There have been some well-meaning individuals who offered constructive critiques that helped me improve and polish my skills. But, I have also encountered people who were downright nasty because of some other agenda. It is both uncomfortable and personal, but having your work reviewed is a necessary evil that can lead to growth and improvement-- if you handle it properly.

Here are my top 5 tips for making the review process more productive and less painful:

1)  Outside of a critique/writing group, show no one your work until you have a polished, finished product. Have your manuscript edited for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes to ensure a good first impression. These errors distract the reader from your story. It's like selling a house: declutter it and give it a good cleaning before you show it to anyone. You want the reader's attention focused on the positives. Don't give them anything to complain about.

2)  Seek feedback from respected sources. If you want honest feedback, use experienced book reviewers, people who represent your intended audience, people you don't know personally, and writers who are at the level to which you aspire. Avoid paid reviewers, "yes" people, and "no" people. Don't request a review if you don't really want to hear what the reviewer has to say. You're wasting their time and yours.

3)  Be not discouraged. Accept from this moment forward that some people are not going to be fans. They may not like your writing style, the pace of your story, your voice, your preferred genre, etc. and that's O.K. Their opinions about what you believe to be the next big thing are just that--opinions. However, there is something to be learned from even the worst of reviews. Try to re-read your story and see it through the reviewer's eyes. Remember, their perception is their reality, but always stay true to yourself.


4)  Commit to getting better. If you decide to make your book the best that it can possibly be, then embrace the review process. Those of us who want to be great at anything will humble ourselves and become students of our respective crafts. Really think about the comments and suggestions you receive and turn them into something constructive. When we submit to the process of growth, we become less likely to let our egos get in the way.


5)  Don't ever give up. Ever. Hindsight is 20/20. Maybe your book does fall flat at the end. Maybe you haven't fully developed your plot. Your book could also just be "out of season" and maybe the world just isn't ready for the greatness that is you. Keep writing. Keep finding ways to improve. Should anybody tell you to stop writing/creating, know for certain that they have given you a piece of advice that you should not take.

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

Raychelle Reviews: I Love You Better than Chocolate Chip Cookies by Donalisa Helsley

I Love You Better than Chocolate Chip Cookies is the second release from children's author (and Writer's Block alum) Donalisa Helsley. The story explores what love is by comparing it to a variety of desirable foods, everyday activities, and special occasions. For this review, I read the print component only.

Donalisa uses examples of things that children really enjoy (roller coasters, ice cream, pizza, etc.) to convey that  loving one another is more important than loving material items and fun experiences. I Love You Better than Chocolate Chip Cookies paints a picture of what unconditional love looks like. It is unwavering support, care, and concern whether or not one is perfect 100% of the time.

The illustrations are lively, bright, and colorful. The artist does a wonderful job of bringing life to Donalisa's words.

I Love You Better than Chocolate Chip Cookies is a really good story and teaching tool for parents to share with their children.

About the Author

Donalisa is an award winning children's author. Donalisa lives in Oklahoma with her husband, David, her daughters, Jadyn and Genesis. She is Wild About Reading. Donalisa has written many stories since she was a child. She is a social worker and has worked with children for over 12 years. Donalisa has recently completed her Masters in Social Work in an effort to become a licensed therapist for children and adolescents.

Read Donalisa's interview on The Writer's Block.

Publishing Is Tough, but Are You Going to Quit NOW?

No matter how difficult your circumstances become, life goes on.  The fact that the housing market has reached all-time lows doesn't mean that people no longer need a place to live. And while it is getting more difficult to find jobs and earn a living, we all still have to find ways to meet our basic needs. And for those of us who seek to reach some level of success in the publishing industry, it is too easy to focus on all of the current challenges. People do still read, (believe it or not) and they are looking for new voices, great stories, and helpful information. The world still needs writers. In order to meet the needs of the readers, we must find ways to adapt--that is what the most successful people do.

Realtors, brokers, and home builders all agree that it is tougher to sell homes due to the economy, unemployment rates, and the subsequent flood of lower-priced inventory available. One thing they know is that when everything is all said and done, people still need a roof over their heads. So to survive, they adapt. They find new ways to market properties and make them stand out from the rest (polish your manuscript). They become more knowledgeable about financing to help qualify their clients (study the industry and step up your game). They use modern technology and social networking (build your platform). Many cater to a niche market (identify and connect with potential readers). They are creative, aggressive, innovative, and they stay in the game (emulate all of these things). Success in publishing is no different.

I believe that now is an exciting time to be a writer. There are so many avenues to publish your work from blogging, to freelance writing, to self-publishing, and, of course, traditional publishing. Writers can have the best of both worlds. Rejected manuscripts no longer have to sit in a desk drawer or be archived on a computer hard drive. Writers can generate interest in their work, publish it, and promote it with the possibility of still landing that elusive book deal. If you have a great product, a vision for it, a clear plan, and you are willing to roll up your sleeves, it is possible to be successful in the face of adversity. But, you have to believe it and you have to keep your shoulder to the plow.

Check out literary agent Rachelle Gardner's post, "Is the Sky Falling?", where she advises us all to "pull on our grown-up pants and deal with it". There will always be challenges. Life is full of them. 
Are you going to quit now?

Mellanie Crouell Interviews Author Cooper McKenzie for The Writer's Block

Mellanie: Please answer the question: Who is Cooper McKenzie?

Cooper: Since, I don't like to talk about myself, I'll share my biography which has the highlights: Cooper McKenzie always thought she had been born a hundred years too late, but appreciates air conditioning, computers and other conveniences of modern day living. She enjoys the slower pace of New Bern, North Carolina, as well as the history and small town community found there. In addition to dreaming up her next story, Cooper enjoys reading everything except scary books, singing in her church choir and needle-weaving.


Mellanie: How did you discover your talent of writing?

Cooper: I learned to read in kindergarten, fell in love with Dr. Seuss shortly thereafter and by age 6 knew I wanted to write and change people’s lives when I grew up. It took a lot of years and working at it even though everyone around me kept telling me I could not do it, but I proved them all wrong.


Mellanie: Who is your favorite author?

Cooper: I have several to include Tymber Dalton, Janet Evanovich, Sarah Addison Allen, Lynn Hagen, Stormy Glenn and Leah Brooke.


Mellanie: What obstacles did you face pursuing this dream? How did you conquer them?

Cooper: I think the biggest obstacle was allowing other people to influence my beliefs for so many years. I knew I was born to write fiction, but so many people around me were against me even trying. And I let their negativity affect how zealously I pursued my dream.


Mellanie: How many books have you published? How many years have you been in this business?

Cooper: I’ve been daydreaming since I was born; writing since I could hold a pencil and my first e-book was published in 2010. Before than I had several young adult and children’s books published in paper under another name. Since then, I’ve published…uh…um…To be truthful I’ve lost count, but I do know it is over 50…so far.


Mellanie: What have you enjoyed most about working your publishers?

Cooper: They allow me the freedom to take my stories off in some very strange directions and they don’t fence me into writing in one genre or another. They are all very nurturing people who are quite wonderful to work with.


Mellanie: You have a new novel releasing June 12th, what is the name of this novel?

Cooper: Cougar Wants, which is the first of my Cougarlicious series, actually released a week early on June 5th.


Mellanie: How did this novel come about?

Cooper: I wanted to do a series about women who decide to become cougars…you know, those women who date much younger men. Kimber is based on a Facebook friend who has become very dear to me. She even helped with ideas for the book (it was her idea to have the hero be the pizza delivery man).


Mellanie: What do you love about the character in this novel?

Cooper: I love everything about Kimber. She’s strong and independent, but also vulnerable and in needed of a man to lean on. In his own way, Tate is the same way. They make a perfect pair.


Mellanie: What else can we expect from Cooper McKenzie in 2012 and 2013?

Cooper: I expect I will be home writing and trying to build both the perfect hero, but also the perfect romance. For books I have four more in the Pyrate's Treasure Series and two more in the Cougarlicious series to finish. I'm also working on a young adult advice book under the name Susan Walker which is called Chick Sense: 101 Secrets to Real Life They Don't Teach in School.



*Mellanie Crouell is a poet and author. To learn more about her, visit www.mellaniecrouell.com.

*Learn more about Cooper McKenzie at  http://www.freewebs.com/coopermckenzie.

Guest Post: "The Making of Nimpentoad: A Father's Journey with His Sons" by Henry L. Herz

When my sons were five and seven years old, and I wanted to share my love of fantasy with them. They were too young for watching most of the fantasy and sci-fi movie classics, and there are only so many good fantasy books available for that age range. Struck by inspiration one day, I came up with a way to share the joy of entering the magical realms of fantasy. I would write a fantasy book for them.


What I did not anticipate was that my boys would give me feedback on the story. They devised some of the character (“Nimpentoad”) and creature (“Neebel”) names, and made plot line suggestions. And who better to help make the story appealing to kids than other kids? So, my goal of interesting my sons in fantasy transformed into also encouraging them to write. Very cool.

I decided that we would self-publish Nimpentoad, so the next step was to find an artist who had the skill and style suitable for our book. This turned out to be the most time-consuming part of our journey. Nimpentoad‘s artwork is (I think you’ll agree) eye-catching, with incredible detail. The kind of detail that makes the reader want to climb into the picture and go exploring.

Once again, my sons were involved, this time helping with art direction. We would describe what each illustration should contain. Collaborating remotely via email and DropBox, our artist would give us a rough sketch, and we would provide feedback on details and color palette. Nimpentoad came to life, while my boys added another dimension to their experience.

Eventually, we had a good book, but we lacked readers. So, we then embarked upon the most arduous part of our journey – promoting Nimpentoad. Luckily, my boys (dare I say it) are charismatic and precocious, and are comfortable conducting public readings and doing book signings.

At the risk of infringing on child labor laws, I booked my sons as much as their school schedules would allow. We’ve done readings and signings at San Diego libraries, elementary schools, farmer's markets, book fairs, the La Jolla YMCA, the New Children’s Museum, Mysterious Galaxy Books, Readers Books, Warwick’s Books, and Barnes & Noble.

At the San Diego Public Library 46th Annual Local Author’s Exhibit, my sons asked for autographs from Chris Ryall (head of IDW Publishing) and famed graphic novelist Eric Shanower. Both of these gentlemen then graciously asked for my boys’ autographs. First class!

At the La Mesa Centennial Readers & Writers Festival, we shared a booth with Ron Noble, animator of Rugrats, Rocket Power, and Wild Thornberry’s. He was very kind, and my boys left that day with personalized Wild Thornberry sketches. First class!

All these experiences have further enriched the journey for my sons. They understand some of the aspects of running a business and publishing. They are now comfortable meeting new people, doing public speaking, and rubbing elbows with famous authors. It has been a great ride.


RELATED LINKS

Website: www.nimpentoad.com

Amazon Customer Ratings: www.amazon.com/Nimpentoad-Henry-Herz/dp/0615602746/ref=tmm_pap_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330224117&sr=8-1

Facebook: www.facebook.com/nimpentoad

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nimpentoad

Interview with Fictional Frontiers: youtu.be/Yw-y6Mi8crw

Book Trailer: youtu.be/dMXeScXrh2g

Review by The One Ring.Net: www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/02/04/53138-i-have-a-nibling-infestation/#more-53138

Raychelle Reviews: Fail Up ~ 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure by Tavis Smiley

Fail Up really drives the message home that failure is one of the most important parts of the journey to success. Being persistent, learning from your mistakes, being reflective, and staying true to yourself at any costs are all critical to making progress. Tavis shares poignant and honest anecdotes about his life that we can all relate to. There were times as I read this book that I cringed at some of his "teachable moments". But, I learned how valuable those moments can be if you work to redeem yourself. My elementary school principal told me that life is 10% of what you make it and 90% of how you take it. That quote taught me that perception and attitude map out every man's journey. And this quote is teaching me to never ever give up:

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." ~Samuel Beckett

Well done.

Raychelle Reviews: Off the Couch! by Adriana Cerrotti

Adriana Cerrotti's Off the Couch! is a story that encourages children to make healthy food choices, turn off the television, and become more physically active. As a wellness and fitness professional, I applaud Adriana for using her platform as an illustrator-turned-author to stress the importance of healthy living.

Adriana is a very talented cartoon animator as evidenced by the vibrant and humorous illustrations she created for her story. She does a good job of depicting the unlikely friendship between her main characters (a cat and a mouse) and their quest for fitness by eating better and skateboarding. Growing up, I remember how much fun I had riding skateboards with my brothers and sisters.This added a bit of nostalgia for me.

Some of the word choices may present challenges to younger readers, but the overall message is a positive one: stay away from junk food, find a physical activity that you like, and get Off the Couch!

Off the Couch! is available as an ebook at Barnes and Noble.

The Writer's Block Interviews: Adriana Cerrotti

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I am a children’s book author, and former traditional cartoon animator. Animation brought me out of my original country, Argentina. I worked as a senior character animator in a few countries around the world, before I arrived in the USA. I had the privilege of working for renowned companies and animating Disney star characters such as Little Mermaid, King Triton, Timon and Pumba and others. I also worked for Hanna Barbera, and had the pleasure to give life to popular characters such as Scooby Doo, The Snorts, and many others.

Currently, I live in Atlanta, GA, with my husband and two lovely dogs. From the quiet and beautiful environment of Duluth, I work on my children’s books. I enjoy my work very much. I am building a nice collection of books for children, which I develop completely from the beginning to end.

The first book I published was Never Give Up, which had been having a good reception on Barnes & Nobles. It reached a satisfying sales rank in a few months. Recently, I published 4 books more, being Ady’s Alphabet the last one from this list. Most of my books are for children 2 to 6 years old.


2) Which came first: writing or illustrating? Why do both?

Illustrating came far before than writing. I’ve been drawing since I was a girl. And entered the animation business when I was a teenager. I also painted, studied photography, ceramics, design, etc. I very rarely did any work in my life that was not related to some form of art. Later in my life, I had the need to write. So, I started my studies at the academic level.

3) Tell us about your children’s books.

My children’s books are for small children. They are made with the intention of helping children to increase their ability to identify component sounds within the words. This is why, Never Give Up and Beautiful!!! Inside and Out have both been written in rhymes. Also, it is my hope that children will motivate themselves to read more and better by engaging with the books’ fun and colorful images. In addition to that, it is my goal to attract parents and adults because it is essential that they participate in their children’s intellectual development. It is important that they read with them and be physically present and part of the process. Lastly, I intend my books to promote positive thinking and an optimistic outlook.

4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

Publishing today gives us, creative people, a lot of freedom. My path to publication was fluid and easy. I publish all my books on Amazon (Paperback and Kindle) and on Barnes & Noble. My husband, a computer man, helps me with the process. So far, my experience on Barnes & Noble exceeded my expectations. However, I should mention that I am a very fast and hard worker. I could accomplish a lot in short segments of time. It is also important that I am my own critic and supervisor. And this makes my work more enjoyable.

5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I do not do any paid promotion. I could not do anything that would approximate to the massive amount of promotion the companies such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble do. My books’ prices are very low (except for the paperback version). So, making any promotion would imply having to do a massive campaign. In other words, it would mean investing huge amounts of money. And I am not ready to do that at this time. So, I take what I can from monsters such as Barnes & Noble, which seem to be doing quite well selling children’s books. And hopefully Kindle will expand its children’s market too with the new incorporation of color.


6) Describe a typical day in your life.

I wake up early, feed my dogs and have breakfast. I have a big backyard, so I let my dogs run free for a bit. Then we all move to my studio where I divide my time between studying and working. I am a Penn State student. I stop at lunch, for us to eat again and have a break. And then, I work until 4 pm. Around that time, I am ready to exercise, which I do daily. Then, if I have some time in between, I do some reading until it comes the time to make dinner. By then, my husband is already at home, so we make some time to talk about his day and the country’s news. After dinner, I do my 20 minutes of daily meditation. And after that, if I have the time, I do some more reading or computer work until I go to bed. This is pretty much my daily schedule from Monday to Friday.

7) What projects do you have in the works?

At this moment I am working on two books simultaneously. One of them is about a bird and the process of growing up. The other - which I am currently illustrating -is about two creative and distinct cats. They will be also for 3 to 6 year old children.


8) What would you like to accomplish as a writer?

I would like to keep enjoying what I do. I believe this is by itself a privilege and the path to success. However, I am also getting trained, so I expect my writing skills to evolve. Plus, learning is a big part of that bigger joy. Both, my husband and I do university study. Studying as an adult is a very interesting and fulfilling experience. Especially when, like in my case, it is in a second language.

9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Go for it! This is the right time. You are the one that sets the limits.


About the Author

Adriana Cerrotti is an artist with multiple skills. She worked as a traditional animator for many years and was sponsored to work as a senior cartoon character animator for several projects, in a few countries throughout the world. She worked for Walt Disney and Hanna-Barbera, among other renowned companies, and animated the main characters of the very first Walt Disney Academy Award Nominee for Best Short Animated Film: Redux Riding Hood. Adriana also gave life to characters such as Melody (Little Mermaid II), Timon and Pumba (Walt Disney Series) and an innumerable variety of Hanna Barbera characters. Cerrotti is also a character designer, illustrator and children's book author. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and pets.

Contact Adriana

Website: http://www.adrianacerrotti.com/Site_2/Welcome.html

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACerrotti

The Writer's Block Interviews: Ryan Afromsky

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I grew up in both New York and Los Angeles and attended college at the University of Miami. I started a grilled cheese restaurant at 26 and then proceeded to write a children's book about it. Currently, I own a sustainable commercial carpet cleaning business.....random, I know.


2) Describe your journey to becoming an author.

I was reading a few books to my nephew and thought some of the books he liked were terrible. That same night I couldn't sleep and thought if these people can write children's books then I can, too. So I did. The idea of writing about a restaurant seemed natural since I was in the business. I never had dreams of becoming an author because I don't consider myself a good writer, but strange things happen sometimes. It says "author" on my business cards and one of my friends makes fun of me because we both know I'm really not.


3) Do you gravitate toward any particular genre in writing?

This is my first and only book so far. I wrote about the restaurant because that's what I know. I've been trying to figure out what else I know really well but I find I don't know that much!


4) Tell us about your recent release, I Have a Restaurant. What inspired you to collaborate on it?

I had this idea for a children's book and I wrote it all down in one night. I'm a terrible artist so I drew these stick figures with the writing underneath. I asked a few people if they knew an illustrator and a friend of mine pointed to me to Ron. When I met him I kept telling him to be brutally honest with my book idea and was very embarrassed by my crude drawings. I should have told him a 5 year old drew it. Regardless, Ron took on the project and kids really like the book. I constantly get emails from parents saying its their children's favorite book. The illustrations really make it what it is.


5) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

Getting published is not an easy road. Unless you are famous or know somebody, getting published is very frustrating. I sent out all these copies of my book to agents and never heard back from anyone. A friend of a friend knew a literary agent so he took on my book but I got rejected by all the major publishing houses so we agreed to part ways. A different friend of a friend (it sounds like I have millions of friends but I don't) put me in touch with a small publisher in San Diego and she agreed to take on my book. It's a lot of work and a lot of rejection but it's nice to know someone believes in me.


6) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

The best way to promote my book is by networking. I meet a lot of people and often set up events through people I meet. If I were a celebrity then it wouldn't be a problem,but I'm not. I'm trying to get a food/restaurant celebrity to promote my book but that doesn't happen so easily. I have a crush on Giada DeLaurentiss from The Food Network and want her to do something with my book but she's not so quick to get back to me.


7) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your  reading list right now?

I don't really read children's books anymore but I do read a lot. I like fiction and biographies. I've read all of the Grisham's books and right now I'm reading Baldacci's latest book. One of my favorite biographies is Richard Branson's Losing Your Virginity. I like the way he does business.


8) Describe a typical day in your respective lives.

Sleep, eat, work, eat, pretend to work, eat, watch one of my New York sports teams, eat again. I work a lot and carpet cleaning is not that interesting so I won't bore you with the details.


9) What projects do you have in the works?

Ron and I have talked about doing a book together but that might not happen for a while. Ron is very busy working and promoting his own book so our joint book is not a high priority. As for me, I would like to turn my book into a series. In the first book I introduced everyone to myself and my restaurant and now I would like to have stories about things that happen in and around "Ryan's Place".


10) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors/illustrators who plan to collaborate on a book?

It's good to have a partner. That applies for books and any kind of venture you do in life. It's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of and motivate you when you just don't feel like working. Also, with first time authors like myself, someone like Ron is invaluable. He knows a lot more about how children think and react than me so someone's knowledge of the industry is crucial. It's also fun to work with someone else. It's not work all the time and I don't take myself very seriously so Ron and I have had fun. We actually became friends from working together so that's just an added benefit. Ron has an Emmy award and I like telling people my book is illustrated by an Emmy Award winner. My best piece of advice, find an Emmy Award winner to work on your book.

About the Author

At the ripe old age of 26, author Ryan Afromsky started a grilled cheese concept restaurant in Culver City, CA called meltDOWN etc. Always the entrepreneur, Ryan used his experience at meltDOWN etc as inspiration for his first book I Have A Restaurant. He loves to travel and eat (really loves to eat), but most importantly Ryan loves to dream up new ideas and just have fun. Ryan currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and has no desire to be an actor.


About Ron Noble, the Illustrator

Originally from Rockville, MD, Ron Noble started drawing cartoons shortly after birth and never stopped. Besides being an illustrator, Ron also won an Emmy Award for directing Rugrats in 2003. He’s a filmmaker, songwriter, surfer and snowboarder. Ron is happiest when he makes people laugh and loves sharing his work with the world. Ron also currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, and he secretly hopes he might be immortal…so far so good.

Contact Ryan 

Website: www.ihavearestaurant.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsworldguide

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ihaverestaurant

****************************************
Raychelle Reviews

Today's review is a great little story called I Have A Restaurant by Ryan Afromsky. The story takes the reader on a guided tour through the daily operations of owning and operating a restaurant called "Ryan's Place". It is personable, informative, and insightful.

Readers will learn some valuable traits about being an entrepreneur: 1) Be the first to arrive and the last to leave; 2) provide great service; 3) keep your storefront and support areas clean, neat, and stocked; 4) take care of your staff and they will take care of you! Ryan makes his book a great teaching tool by including some critical thinking questions and a maze (a little art mixed with a little problem-solving).

Emmy-winner Ron Noble does a great job at illustrating the story. The book is visually appealing, animated, and colorful.

It is never to early to educate young people on the inner workings of being a business owner, and Ryan does a great job of covering all of the bases. Reading I Have A Restaurant made me feel like both an intern and a welcomed guest. If Ryan writes a sequel, I'll be back.

The Writer's Block Interviews: Cynthia Chin-Lee

1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I write multicultural children's picture books and I live in northern California, Palo Alto, to be exact which is about 45 minutes south of San Francisco.


2) How did you become an author?

I've always been a "writer." My first book was for adults and called It's Who You Know. Then I became a parent to two children and after reading thousands of children's books (or was it a few books hundreds of times?), I became a fan of children's literature. I love the collaboration of words and images and I wanted to see more multicultural books.


3) Why write for children? Who is your ideal reader?

Children are our hope and our future so it's very important work. I've faced racism and prejudice and wanted to introduce young people to different races and cultures through my work. My ideal reader is between 5 to 11, curious and open-minded.

4) Please describe your body of work. What do you want your legacy as an author to be?

I have four non-fiction picture books (all alphabet books) and two fiction picture books. All of them are multicultural. A Is for Asia and A Is for the Americas (co-authored with Terri de la Pena) are a fun romp through Asia and North, Central,and South America. The other two alphabet books are short biographies about men and women who have changed the world. They have met big challenges and overcome them.

Both the fiction picture books, Almond Cookies and Dragon Well Tea, and Operation Marriage are based on true stories, but liberally fictionalized.

I hope that my legacy will include opening hearts and minds to new cultures.


5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I don't have much time for promotion sadly as I have a full-time job and a full-time family! I love doing school visits and talking to kids. I'm willing to Skype with classes but so far no one has taken me up on the offer.


6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

Some of my favorite authors and illustrators are Antoine St. Exupery, Christy Hale, Peggy Rathmann, Nancy Farmer, Patricia MacLachlan. I just finished reading Holes. I also read tons of non-fiction.

7) How did you get started as a public speaker? What is your advice for others who desire to do the same?

Toastmasters! I've been a Toastmaster for many years and it's been a wonderful learning experience. I've started one Toastmasters club myself.


8) When you are not writing, how do you spend your time? Describe a typical day in your life.

I love to swim and walk and hit the gym. I like reading, playing with my son and my cats. I spend way too much time on the computer.


9) What projects do you have in the works?

I'm working on a multicultural religion manuscript right now...

10) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Read tons of books and try to write in your journal daily. Join Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org) and if you write for children, join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (www.scbwi.org).

About the Author

Cynthia Chin-Lee and her four older siblings were born and raised in Washington, D.C. by a medical-doctor father and a homemaker/artist mother. Cynthia began writing for fun when she was in the sixth grade. "I liked writing poetry and scribbling in my journal because I found it comforting and therapeutic. I still write for that reason and because I like playing with words."

Cynthia attended Harvard University, where she studied East Asian Languages. She spent her junior year abroad at the Mandarin Training Center of National Taiwan Normal University. After graduating from Harvard magna cum laude, Cynthia accepted a graduate fellowship at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and studied at the University of Hawaii.

She began a technical writing career by writing for banks and high-tech companies. She has also written freelance articles for magazines and newspapers, as well as taught writing classes at community colleges and universities. She currently works as a publications manager at Oracle.

Cynthia's first book, Almond Cookies & Dragon Well Tea (Polychrome Publishing 1993) is an autobiographical tale of friendship. She is also the author of A Is For Asia (Orchard Books 1997), which Ruminator Review called one of the "Best 100 American Children's Books of the Century," and A is For the Americas (Orchard Book, 1999), which earned an award from the National Council for Social Studies and Children's Book as a Notable Children's Book in Social Studies in 2000 and earned recognition as an Americas Award Commended Book. Amelia to Zora: Twenty-six Women Who Changed the World, and Akira to Zoltan: Twenty-six Men Who Changed the World, both illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy, are alphabet books that describe men and women who have made a considerable impact on the world. Her most recent book is called Operation Marriage (Reach and Teach, PM Press). Based on a true story, the book looks at what it takes for two children to convince their mothers to get married before California's Prop 8 passes and bans gay marriage.

Cynthia is an active member in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), which can be found on the web at http://www.scbwi.org. The San Francisco Bay Area local chapter's web location is http://www.scbwisf.org.

She lives in Palo Alto, California with her husband and two children.

Contact Cynthia

Website:  http://www.cynthiachinlee.com

Blog: http://www.cynthiachinlee.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cynthiachinlee

The Writer's Block Interviews: Halima Sahar Muhammad

I am admittedly biased about today's featured author on The Writer's Block! She is none other than 12 year-old author Halima Sahar Muhammad, my daughter. After successfully completing 2 NaNoWriMo challenges (2010 & 2011), she decided to publish Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe. Today is the official release date! 

Please watch her video, book trailer, read her interview, visit her website, read an excerpt from her blog, and visit her Facebook fan page. It would be a wonderful thing if you bought the book! All of the links are listed below. Leave a comment for Halima. She has been a disciplined and determined young lady throughout the process. She is living proof that if you put in the work, results will come. 

(I love you , Halima! You did it!)

Riley Interviews Halima Sahar Muhammad on The Writer's Block!

Book Trailer for Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe

READ AN EXCERPT! http://halimasworld.blogspot.com/p/read-excerpt-of-riley-and-kitchen.html

Halima's Official Website: http://www.wix.com/chellemgt/Halimas-World

Halima's World Blog: http://www.halimasworld.blogspot.com

Riley Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RileyAndTheKitchenKatastrophe

12 year-old author Halima Sahar Muhammad interviewed on Lakefront Muse blog! http://www.lakefrontmuse.blogspot.com/2012/06/riley-real-girl-with-real-attitude.html

Buy your copy of Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe:

My Website (Get an autographed copy!)

CreateSpace

Amazon.com

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble NOOK

Thank you for your support! It means everything! 

The Writer's Block Interviews: Sheri Fink

(Sheri Fink's second children's book, The Little Gnome, is now available on for purchase on the Kindle market! This adorable book explores the concept of change in a way that both parents and children can appreciate! Get your copy today for the special price of $4.95! http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Gnome-ebook/dp/B0085YDP3M/   Read my review of The Little Gnome.)
 
1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

I grew up in a small town in Virginia and moved to the west coast after grad school. I had a successful career in online marketing before deciding to make a change in my life. Despite the outward signs of success, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was meant to do something more. With a lot of courage and the support of my amazing husband, I left the corporate world in 2010 and starting writing and publishing children's books. Although some folks thought I was crazy two years ago when I started off down this path, I'm so grateful that I did it. I'm living my dream and it feels incredible!
 

2) How did you start writing for children?

I wrote The Little Rose when I was going through a difficult situation. I didn't even let my husband read it at first. I put it in a desk drawer and left it there until fall of 2010 when I attended a transformational conference. I met a woman there who encouraged me to share my story and insisted that her grandchildren needed its message. When I got home from the conference, I shared the story with 20 people that I respected and trusted. Eighteen of them told me they got goosebumps when they read my writing. At that point, I started considering publishing my first children's book.

After seeing my first book in print, I was hooked. Ideas flow to me and have to write them. It's fun to make stuff up and write it down for a living. I began writing The Little Gnome a month after The Little Rose debuted. Now that I've experienced the joy of sharing my stories with kids, I want to create more goodness in the world for them. I want them to believe in themselves and lead happy, successful lives. I find children to be very charming and I love it when they say that I make a positive difference to them.


3) Tell us about The Little Gnome. What inspired you to write it?

The Little Gnome is a charming story about a garden gnome experiencing the wonder of the four seasons for the first time. At first he doesn't understand and resists the changes in his environment. That just makes him grumpy. Once he begins to understand the seasons, he finds something good in every change. The book helps kids ages 5-10 learn to embrace change. Published in March 2012, The Little Gnome debuted at #1 on the Amazon best-seller list.

I'm inspired by my experiences and how I feel about them. I love taking something that feels like a negative and helping kids discover a way to see it in a different light, one that can be truly positive and beneficial.

The idea for The Little Gnome came about when I was thinking about moving from Virginia to California. My husband and I moved to Southern California 9 years ago and the seasons are much milder here. I was wondering what it would be like for a kid who's only known SoCal to live in Virginia and what that first year might be like. And, there are things that I miss about each season. Those are the things that are highlighted in the story.


4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

When I was considering publishing my first book, I talked with lots of authors. After learning about the traditional publishing industry and the independent publishing possibilities, I chose to self-publish. I'm an entrepreneur at heart and I believed in my book enough to invest and bring it to market much quicker than would have been possible going the traditional route. There are advantages and disadvantages to both paths, but independent publishing was the right one for me at the time.

I'm very happy that I chose to independently publish my books. I hold the rights and get to make the decisions about my books and my brand. I learn new things every day and enjoy the journey.


5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I find that a lot of people hear about my books through word-of-mouth. People who read The Little Rose and The Little Gnome tend to tell their friends and it just takes off from there. A lot of sharing takes place on Facebook and Twitter. I'm very accessible and I think people really like that. I also find in-person author events to be very rewarding. It's a lot of fun for me and it helps spread the beautiful messages of my books to lots of children who need them. I feel so fortunate for all of my fans who have made this a wonderful journey for me!

6) Please catch us up on what you have been up to since you released The Little Rose.

Published in March 2011, The Little Rose has been a #1 best-seller on Amazon for over 45 weeks. The Kindle edition is also a best-seller and became the #1 top-rated children’s eBook on Amazon. Having the courage to write and publish my first book has completely changed my life.

Since that time, I've launched a children's brand, "The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink," with the mission to create books, toys, merchandise, and life experiences that inspire and delight children while planting seeds of self-esteem. I've been working with a playwright and we've co-written a stage adaptation of The Little Rose that will debut later this year. I also wrote and published the second book in "The Little Series," The Little Gnome, and have plans for 8 more books in the next 5 years.

In 2011, I was selected as one of the top “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.” I was featured in several inspirational non-fiction books, including two international best-sellers, Self-Esteem Doesn’t Come in a Bottle by Kelly Falardeau, and Dare to Dream: This Life Counts by Debbi Dachinger. This month, I'm delighted to be featured the cover of Conversations Magazine, in an issue that's focused on books for the young and the young at heart.

Earlier this month I completed my first book tour. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. I've also had the privilege to travel and speak with thousands of kids and share my stories with them. In the past six months, I've spoken for the Girl Scouts, UCLA, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reading is Fundamental, schools, libraries, and writing conferences. I really enjoy it!


7) Describe a typical day in your life.
A typical day for me includes breakfast with my husband, working out at home, meditation, media/PR (interviews, writing press releases, etc.), spending some time connecting with fans on Facebook and email, updating my websites, business calls, planning upcoming author events and book launches, writing thank you cards, dinner with my husband, cuddling with my two kitties, reading, and writing in my journal.

I set aside time on two days a week to focus on writing. I’m not always writing my children’s books during that time. Sometimes I’m writing an article for a magazine, blog, etc. I try not to be too hard on myself if I don’t stick rigidly to the schedule. Once an idea has come to me, it’s only a matter of time before I can no longer resist writing it. Lately I've been very focused on my upcoming books and have been writing 1-2 drafts a week. I have a lot of travel coming up this summer and want to have the books already in motion when I leave.


8) What projects do you have in the works?

My next book, Exploring the Garden with The Little Rose, debuts in October 2012 and takes 2-5 year-olds on an educational adventure learning the alphabet and identifying the plants and animals of the garden while exploring our natural world alongside The Little Rose.

I'm also writing the next book in "The Little Series," The Little Firefly, about a late-blooming firefly who learns about friendship and acceptance. The Little Firefly will be published in March 2013. I'm very excited about both books!




9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

My advice is to continue writing and keep dreaming. There are so many opportunities now for writers to get their work out into the world. I’m living proof that independent authors can be successful and make a positive difference for their readers. It’s a great time to be a writer!

Author Bio

Sheri Fink is a #1 best-selling children’s author, the creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” children’s brand, and an international speaker. She writes books that inspire and delight children while planting the seeds of self-esteem that can have lifelong benefit.

In 2011, Sheri was selected as one of the top “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.” She is featured in several inspirational non-fiction books, including two international best-sellers, Self-Esteem Doesn’t Come in a Bottle by Kelly Falardeau, and Dare to Dream: This Life Counts by Debbi Dachinger.

Sheri is a founding member of the Evolutionary Business Council, an international, invitation-only council of speakers and influencers dedicated to teaching the principles of success in order to make the world a better place, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Sheri is a proud supporter of organizations that make a difference in the lives of children, especially Reading Is Fundamental and the Girl Scouts of America.

In her free time, Sheri enjoys adventure traveling, writing and reading, scrapbooking, and spending time with family and friends. She spent her childhood in Culpeper, Virginia and now resides in beautiful Southern California with her husband, Ryan Fink, and their two kitties.


Contact Sheri

Websites:

http://www.SheriFink.com,
http://www.TheLittleRoseBook.com,
http://www.TheLittleGnome.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Sheri_Fink

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SheriFinkFan

The Writer's Block Interviews: Laurie Cameron and Laura Meagher

1) Tell us a bit about yourselves and where you live and work.

I was born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and still live there today with my husband, Joe, and three beautiful children. With my bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master of arts in teaching, I taught for eleven years before taking a break to stay at home with my children. But it was a luxury that we just couldn’t afford and I returned to teaching two years ago.

Laurie Cameron was born in Montana and moved to the Washington, D.C. area after finishing college. There she met her husband and took up the nomadic life in the U.S. Foreign Service. For more than twenty years, she has lived and traveled throughout many parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Laurie is currently residing in Honduras, but is packing out to move the States as we write this.

I am Laurie’s husband’s sister’s daughter (phew!). In other words, I am Laurie’s niece. We began writing together in 2007.

2) How did you become writers?

I caught the writing bug early -- in about the 4th grade. I got serious about wanting to publish a great mystery for kids in about 2004. Then Laurie came along in 2007, looked at my most recent manuscript, and proposed that we team up. Our first book, The Ghost at Old Oak Way, caught the attention of a publisher in 2008 and was published in 2009. We continued to collaborate and are now launching our second book, The Ghost at Judy Creek Station. Our third book will be launched soon.

3) Please share the background and dynamic of your writing team. How do you make this work? Have you/will you consider independent writing projects?

First, it's important to mention that, throughout the course of our writing, we have never lived in the same country! All of our collaborating was done via email. Sometimes, I would write a chapter and send it to Laurie, who would edit it and add the next chapter. At times, we would outline the storyline and decide who was interested in writing what. Then, we'd piece it all together and edit, edit, edit until we had a great manuscript.

It helps that our interests and personalities are very different. Laurie travels and lives throughout the world; I live a block away from the house where I grew up. Laurie grew up with three brothers and has two grown sons; I grew up with a sister and had two daughters before our son was born six years later. Laurie is a computer wonk; and I, well, I know where the keyboard is!

But the most important thing is that we keep each other going. Writing can be a lonely experience where self-doubt is one’s greatest enemy. Rejection letters from publishers and agents are difficult to receive. When one of us falters, the other takes up the charge.

Although we have plans to work together on future projects, independent projects are not out of the question. In fact, we would likely be of great help to one another!

4) Tell us about your recent release, The Ghost at Judy Creek Station.

We are really excited about this book! It takes place in the hometown of my grandparents, which is where my mother and Laurie’s husband grew up. We heard stories of a haunted house and couldn’t resist. Our hero Simon, a computer nerd with a bright red afro, was a support character in our first book. Mixing old with new, it has a ghost and a cyber-spy, a long ago crime, and some very current Chicago thugs.

5) Why write mysteries for young people? Will you collaborate in a different genre?

We love mysteries. As kids, we used to devour Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. We decided on middle grade because there is just something about that age, when kids are fully engaged, thinking little beings, but haven’t yet begun to acquire that edge that comes with the teen years. The plot of the middle grade novel can be just as complex as adult novels without the angst of the young adult novel.

After three middle grade mysteries, we are toying with the idea of writing a young adult novel. We have been tossing around an idea for a plot.

6) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

The trouble with middle grade is finding ways to reach our audience. How much do kids at this age use the internet and can we reach them there? We have a website, www.AcornMysteries.com, and a Facebook page www.facebook.com/AcornMysteries. Laurie does a lot of social networking to reach parents on Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads. In the past, we have used the tried and true methods of school and library visits. You can reach a lot of kids in one school visit! But now that I am back to teaching, I can’t do school visits. We are exploring the possibility of doing virtual classroom visits. Meanwhile, we have launched a major campaign in the region where the book takes place, with press releases, author visits at public libraries with summer reading programs, marketing our book through local bookstores, etc. We hear that there is a lot of buzz out there about our book.

7) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your respective reading lists right now?

Great question! I don’t have any one particular author that I'd consider my favorite, though when I read a great book, I try to read anything else that that author has written! On my summer reading list is a mystery, a love story, and a nonfiction book about the ocean. Laurie devours books. She reads both kids’ and adult books. Although she would love to read only mysteries, for kids, this is not possible because there aren’t a lot of new books in this genre out there. She posts reviews of good kids’ ebooks on our blog, www.kidsebookfinder.com.

8) When you are not writing, how do you spend your time? Describe a typical day in your life.

I am a full-time working mother of three children. Need I say more? Now that summer break has arrived, I am looking forward to playing with my kids, taking a walk, and drinking a mocha. Oh yes, and reading... I relish a bit of time to curl up with a great book! But Laurie has other ideas for me, like starting our next novel.

Laurie really has no idea how she will be spending her time. She is moving to Arizona for a year while her husband undertakes a year of duty in South Sudan. She has joined a hiking group and a gardening club there by way of Meet Up. She will no doubt join the very sizable quilting guild. A job? Maybe…

9) What projects do you have in the works?

We are currently polishing up our third book, The Ghost at Cavern Lake Hollow, and preparing for its release. After that, well, as I said, we've got a few ideas up our sleeves!

10) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Don't give up! Write because you love to write, and explore all possibilities. The industry is ever changing, and it's important to think outside the box!

Authors' Bios

Laura Meagher was born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois, and continues to reside in that same Chicago suburb today with her husband, Joe, and three beautiful children. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master of arts in teaching. Laura has just wound up her thirteenth year of teaching in the public school system.

 
Laurie Cameron was born in Montana and moved to the Washington, D.C. area after completing her advance degree in Economics. There she met her husband and took up the nomadic life in the U.S. Foreign Service. For more than twenty years, she has lived and traveled throughout many parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. She has two sons who are both in the Peace Corps.She currently lives in Sedona, Arizona.

Laurie and Laura co-authored The Ghost at Old Oak Way, published by Untapped Talent, Inc in 2009 and are now launching their second book, The Ghost at Judy Creek Station.


Contact the Authors

Website: www.AcornMysteries.com

Blog: www.kidsebookfinder.com.

Twitter: @laucam57

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AcornMysteries

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/laucam57/

 

Guest Post: The Best Book Clubs Out There by Tyler Jones

When most people read a good book, they want to be able to share it with others. Furthermore, people generally like suggestions about what to read. So, what’s the perfect solution for both of these issues? Join a book club! Here are the best options out there.

Amazon

Amazon has an online book club that is free to join. Each month, a different book is selected. The book description is given as well as customer reviews. At the end of the month, people can post their own review, comment on others’ reviews and communicate freely. This can be a great way to learn perspectives from all over the world!

Book Movements

Book Movements is another online book club. A person must register with the site, but it is free of charge. Each month, a new book is picked. Members can blog about the book and also share a review of it. This book club has special events too, such as live chat sessions with authors. There are also reviews on over thirty two thousand different books, so the suggestions are very copious.

Bookworms

The Bookworms book club is great for people who LOVE to read. The topics of these books are mainly light-hearted, but enjoyable. One great feature is that Bookworms provides chat rooms to discuss with others, so it feels like you’re in a real life book club, even if you don’t have the time for that.

Hmmmm

For those that want to meet in person, Books That Make You Go Hmm is a great place to find some unique writings. This book club is based out of New York, but is expanding throughout the country. This club chooses books from various authors that can be considered eclectic. Some people go there for deep literary conversations, others to simply socialize. If there’s not one in your area, you can always start your own chapter. The biggest complaints people have about book clubs is that people can’t commit and/or they can’t decide on a book, but if you’re part of a national club, you’ll have the book chosen for you and you’ll know exactly what the terms of commitment are up front.

The Tattered Club

The Tattered Book Club meets the first Monday of the month to talk about different books that have not hit main stream crowds yet. These books are by mostly independent authors writing about various subject matters. This club has locations throughout the country at many different locations, but you’re more likely to find chapters in urban areas.

1001 Meetup

“1001 Books and Movie Meetup” reviews many different types of books, art work, and movies that they believe everyone should see or read at some point in their lives. Each meeting, a new book is discussed, from classic literature to modern writings. If you consider yourself artistic, cerebral or aesthetic, you’ll likely enjoy this club.

Book clubs not only offer insight about many different types of books, but a chance to socialize as well. If none of these strike your fancy, remember that libraries and book stores often have meetings to discuss a book of the month. If you love to read but have never tried out a club, I would highly recommend it. You’ll gain a whole new perspective on your favorite titles!

Tyler Jones writes about literature, finance & saving money at www.dentalinsurance.net.

Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe Will Be Released Thursday, June 7, 2012!

Greetings, All!

My 12 year-old homeschooled daughter, Halima, has just wrapped another school year and will be entering the 9th grade this fall. For her third consecutive year, she was a Texas State Finalist in the Letters About Literature Writing Contest. One of her most exciting accomplishments is that Halima participated in National Novel Writers Month 2011 (NaNoWriMo) and will be publishing her middle-grade novel, Riley and the Kitchen Katastrophe, on June 7th, 2012! She is doing a few interviews, putting together a book trailer, doing cooking videos, and planning a small release party. She has worked really hard and I am so proud of her!

I am asking you to support and encourage Halima in any, or all, of the following ways:

1)  Visit/follow her blog and leave a comment at http://www.halimasworld.blogspot.com

2)  Read an excerpt from Riley and leave some feedback: http://www.halimasworld.blogspot.com/p/read-excerpt-of-riley-and-kitchen.html

3)  Visit, "like", and leave a comment on her Facebook fan page at
https://www.facebook/RileyAndTheKitchenKatastrophe

4)  Buy the book, read it, and then review the book on Amazon.com, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, etc.

5)  Visit her author website at http://www.wix.com/chellemgt/Halimas-World

6)  Share this news with your friends and recommend the book!

Thank you for all of your support!

Available on CreateSpace, Amazon.com, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes and Noble NOOK!

Guest Post: How to Keep Your Child Learning This Summer by Blaine Milleford

Keeping your child learning during the summer can be a lot of fun. There are lots of things to do, starting with swimming lessons, visiting your local library, nature hikes, planting a garden and visiting local museums or zoos!

Swimming Lessons

Starting your day with swimming lessons is a great way to get out of the house and get your child exercise. Swim instructors teach everything from the basic stroke to advanced strokes, passing the local swim test to advancing to a swim team. Swim teams are a great way for teaching kids camaraderie, competitiveness, skill building and having fun.

The Library
 
The local library is a great place to go in the summer. Most public libraries have summer reading programs that track your child's reading progress, then at the end of summer, they give a prize or have a party for the kids that participated in the program. Many public libraries have special guests that do things for children like teach about animals, or do crafts in the library. Parents can sign kids up for trips or special events in their community.

Hikes

Going on a nature hike is a great way to spend the day with your kids. Check your local map for hiking trails near your home. Many public parks offer nature hikes where the park ranger will describe the types of plants and animals in your community. Being outside and seeing the birds and trees on your local trail can great for your kids.

Gardens

Starting a garden in your yard can be a fun thing to do. You can plant it in your yard with your kids or if you have a small space in the city plant some plants in containers in your house or deck. Tomatoes are a great vegetable to start out with and strawberries are a great fruit to plant. Taking your child to a U-pick farm can be a great way to spend the afternoon. It all depends on the place you live on the type of farms you can go to. Picking berries and vegetables is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your children and connect with the earth.

Museums

Visiting your local museums is a great way to spend the day. Most big cities have children's museum. Children's museums can be a lot of fun they usually have great "stations" that teach your child information while playing. Some children's museums have musical instrument areas, art areas and pretend play areas like working at a super market. Some museums have a dinosaur area where you can dig for bones or read up on your favorite dinosaur. Train building areas are popular in children's museums and so are space themed areas. Check local listings to find out what is going on at your local children's museum.
Going to your local zoo can be fun for your kids. On a sunny day you can't beat a day at the zoo. Zoos are usually over a large area and are a great way to get exercise. Walking between animal exhibits and reading about what country the animals came from can be fun for kids without even realizing it. Many zoos have special displays going on during summer vacation. There are also special themed summer nights at many zoos around the country.

Aquariums

Visiting your local aquarium is a great learning experience about the ocean. Many aquariums have special learning programs for kids during the day. Children especially enjoy touching sea life in tide pools.


Keeping your child learning during the summer can be lots of fun. These ideas will keep things interesting during summer vacation, so look into them ASAP!



Blaine Milleford writes about education, finance & saving money at www.homeinsurance.org.