One of my relatives graciously brought a bottle of "Morning Fog" Chardonnay over to a family dinner that I was hosting and I thought, what an unfortunate name for an alcoholic beverage. Who was the employee who came up with the name, Morning Fog? This got me thinking about names in general; names of products and names of characters in writing. Obviously, there are some classic names in literature that work perfectly, like Mr. Grumps, Lyle the Crocodile's cranky nemesis. But what about others? How much thought do you put into the names of the characters you create?
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Another Opportunity to Hone Your Writing
Don't like "workshops", but still need time to perfect your plot? The Highlights Foundation is offering an "unworkshop" where you can focus on your craft. The point of getting away to write, is to keep you focused on your writing, not the laundry, cooking, dishes, and chauffeuring that always creep into your writing time. However, when I look at the beautiful pictures of the atmosphere of this writing retreat, I wonder if anyone would focus on writing rather than walking through those beautiful woods.
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Friday, October 25, 2013
Retreat for Writers
The Highlights Foundation is offering this retreat for writers. If you have the time (and the funds), this sounds like a great opportunity to hone your craft.
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Body of Writing
Mimi Cross is a multi-talented mom, writer, musician and yoga instructor. This Friday, she is offering a workshop called, Body of Writing and there is still room to sign up!
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
7:30pm - 9:00pm,
Friday October 25th — Body of Writing Sampler. All levels. All
genres.
Monmouth Beach Yoga & Wellness,
36 Beach Road, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750
$15 per person, call to reserve your spot 732.263.1200
Body of Writing offers a combination
of inspirational writing exercises and simple yoga postures as well as
meditation and visualization techniques designed to help workshop participants
access the stories they carry, often unknowingly, in their bodies.
Calming
breathing techniques will allow participants to move deeper into the process of
unearthing their stories. The artistic aspect of each participant will be
challenged and nurtured, and everyone will leave Body of Writing feeling
stimulated and relaxed. Some individuals will depart with new goals for their
writing lives or the start of a new piece.
Body of Writing is both
energizing and soothing. No previous experience with yoga or writing is
necessary.
Body of Writing participants
will explore their writing and their bodies, and receive the benefits of
connecting the two.
Attendees of this special
evening sampler of Body
of Writing will begin to learn how to leave their inner critics at the
door and listen to their bodies instead!
Mimi
Cross holds an MA in music education from New York University and is an RYT
with over 200 hours of teacher training. Her song 2 Clay Feet was
featured on the Kripalu Yoga Center Seva CD, Svadharma. She is the
author of The Alligator Waiter, published by Abe's Peanut in 2012, and The
Crankamacallit, a children’s iPad app designed by Polymash and released on
iTunes in 2011. Her CDs can be found on iTunes.
What
you’ll need for the workshop: An 8 x 10 notebook of paper, and a pen or pencil.
Please wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. Questions? mimi@mimicrossmusic.com
Add an additional dimension to the traditional body, mind, & spirit practice of yoga: Story.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Encyclopedia Brown Turns 50!
The New York Public Library is hosting an Encyclopedia Brown Day. Even if you can't get to the historic Schwarzman Building to participate, you can enjoy re-reading these classics with a child you love.
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Monday, October 21, 2013
National Day on Writing
Today is the 5th annual National Day on Writing. How are you celebrating literacy today?
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Friday, October 18, 2013
Friday Film Clip - Stephen King
In keeping with the spirit of the Halloween season, here is a Friday Film Clip of Stephen King speaking about books, writing, and e-books.
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Halloween Reads
Trick or treat,
Smell my feet,
Give me something good to .....
read?
The New York Public Library has posted Halloween Reads IV: The Repass. Check out the librarians' suggestions for some haunting reads.
Happy reading,
Christine
Smell my feet,
Give me something good to .....
read?
The New York Public Library has posted Halloween Reads IV: The Repass. Check out the librarians' suggestions for some haunting reads.
Happy reading,
Christine
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Flipped School
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Walking Dead
For all of you who waited breathlessly for the return of The Walking Dead, here is a Rolling Stone interview with Robert Kirkman, writer of the graphic novels on which the show is based. Enjoy!
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Common Core Focus on the Text
The current issue of AFT's American Educator contains this interesting piece on close reads. While the author acknowledges the importance of prior knowledge in the comprehension of a text, he cautions teachers to be selective in their pre-reading practices. Additionally, he points out the inherent hazards of blindly following the Common Core push for asking text-dependent questions. Are the text-dependent questions that we are asking worthwhile? Are they promoting higher level thinking according to Bloom's Taxonomy? For that matter, are the texts themselves worthy of exploration in the classroom?
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Second-Sight Saturday: Halloween Treat
I first posted this last Halloween, but as my children and I decorate the house and plan our costumes, I thought this might be a timely treat:
October 31, 2012
Happy Halloween! Since we've all been tricked enough by Hurricane Sandy, here is a recipe for a yummy, but ghoulish treat that my friend, Tracey taught me. Enjoy!
Happy Halloween,
Christine
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
House of Hades
Aspiring writers, fans of Rick Riordan, or teachers dabbling in the 6th-grade Percy Jackson module may be interested in this Publishers Weekly article promoting the October 8th release of Riordan's newest book, House of Hades.
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Education Nation
Education Nation Week is going on now. Check out all the resources and events.
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Friday, October 4, 2013
Flipped Friday
Earlier in the week, I wrote about Connected Educator Month and mentioned flipping the classroom. For those with questions on what a flipped classroom looks like, here is an article introducing the concept. Try flipping your classroom if you believe in the theory behind it, or if you just want the opportunity to say, "My flipping classroom."
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Chappaqua Children's Book Festival & Shameless Self-Promotion
I was reading about the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival and read this reference to the Summer Reading Round-Up that I wrote for the July issue of Parenting magazine. Surreal!
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
100 Best Children's Books of the Past 100 Years
The New York Public Library released this list of the best 100 children's books of the past 100 years. Do you agree with their choices? For more information about how the list was compiled, or about any of NYPL's wonderful programs, click here.
by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz (1972)
by Sydney Taylor, illustrated by Helen John (1951)
by Peggy Parish, illustrated by Fritz Siebel (1963)
by Shaun Tan (2007)
by Jules Feiffer (1999)
by Kate DiCamillo (2000)
by Rachel Isadora (1979)
by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (2010)
by Louise Erdrich (1999)
by Lloyd Alexander (1964)
by Mary Norton, illustrated by Beth Krush and Joe Krush (1953)
by Lucía M. González, illustrated by Lulu Delacre (1994)
by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban (1964)
by Katherine Paterson (1977)
by Bill Martin, Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle (1967)
by Esphyr Slobodkina (1938)
by Dr. Seuss (1957)
by Laurie Halse Anderson (2008)
by Vera B. Williams (1982)
by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams (1952)
by Gary Soto, illustrated by Susan Guevara (1995)
by Bill Martin, Jr., and John Archambault; illustrated by Lois Ehlert (1989)
by Don Freeman (1976)
by H.A. Rey (1941)
by Ingri D’Aulaire and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire (1962)
by Mo Willems (2003)
by Pam Muñoz Ryan (2000)
by Donald Crews (1978)
by Arnold Lobel (1970)
by E.L. Konigsburg (1967)
by James Marshall (1972)
by Lois Lowry (1993)
by P.D. Eastman (1961)
by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1947)
by Allen Say (1993)
by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean (2008)
by Dr. Seuss (1960)
by Crockett Johnson (1955)
by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
by J.K. Rowling (1998)
by Gary Paulsen (1989)
by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)
by Louis Sachar (1998)
by Brian Selznick (2007)
by Simms Taback (1999)
by Chris Van Allsburg (1981)
by Yuyi Morales (2003)
by Kevin Henkes (1996)
by Jerry Pinkney (2009)
by C.S. Lewis (1950)
by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)
by Jacqueline Woodson (2003)
by Ed Young (1989)
by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)
by Robert McCloskey (1941)
by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake (1988)
by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (1994)
by Wanda Gág (1928)
by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall (1977)
by Richard and Florence Atwater; illustrated by Robert Lawson (1938)
by Robert C. O’Brien (1971)
by John Steptoe (1987)
by Ruth Stiles Gannett, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett (1948)
by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (2003)
by Ian Falconer (2000)
by Rita Williams-Garcia (2010)
by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (1985)
by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer (1961)
by Maurice Sendak (1962)
by Patricia Polacco (1994)
by Astrid Lindgren (1950)
by Beverly Cleary (1968)
by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan (2007)
by Mildred D. Taylor (1976)
by Paul O. Zelinsky (1986)
by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead (2010)
by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
by Grace Lin (2012)
by Ann Cameron, illustrated by Ann Strugnell (1981)
by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson (1936)
by Tomie dePaola (1975)
by Leo Lionni (1963)
by William Steig (1969)
by Judy Blume (1972)
by Julius Lester, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (1987)
by Faith Ringgold (1991)
by Molly Bang (1983)
by Tomie dePaola (1985)
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1989)
by David Wiesner (1991)
by Eric Carle (1969)
by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)
by Ellen Raskin (1978)
by Rebecca Stead (2009)
by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (2004)
by Maurice Sendak (1963)
by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (1975)
by A.A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard (1926)
by Madeleine L’Engle (1962)
Happy reading,
Christine
A
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz (1972)
All-of-a-Kind Family
by Sydney Taylor, illustrated by Helen John (1951)
Amelia Bedelia
by Peggy Parish, illustrated by Fritz Siebel (1963)
The Arrival
by Shaun Tan (2007)
B
Bark, George
by Jules Feiffer (1999)
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo (2000)
Ben’s Trumpet
by Rachel Isadora (1979)
Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (2010)
The Birchbark House
by Louise Erdrich (1999)
The Book of Three
by Lloyd Alexander (1964)
The Borrowers
by Mary Norton, illustrated by Beth Krush and Joe Krush (1953)
The Bossy Gallito/El Gallo De Bodas: A Traditional Cuban Folktale
by Lucía M. González, illustrated by Lulu Delacre (1994)
Bread and Jam for Frances
by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban (1964)
Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson (1977)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle (1967)
C
Caps for Sale
by Esphyr Slobodkina (1938)
The Cat in the Hat
by Dr. Seuss (1957)
Chains
by Laurie Halse Anderson (2008)
A Chair For My Mother
by Vera B. Williams (1982)
Charlotte’s Web
by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams (1952)
Chato’s Kitchen
by Gary Soto, illustrated by Susan Guevara (1995)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
by Bill Martin, Jr., and John Archambault; illustrated by Lois Ehlert (1989)
Corduroy
by Don Freeman (1976)
Curious George
by H.A. Rey (1941)
D
D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths
by Ingri D’Aulaire and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire (1962)
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by Mo Willems (2003)
E
Esperanza Rising
by Pam Muñoz Ryan (2000)
F
Freight Train
by Donald Crews (1978)
Frog and Toad Are Friends
by Arnold Lobel (1970)
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E.L. Konigsburg (1967)
G
George and Martha
by James Marshall (1972)
The Giver
by Lois Lowry (1993)
Go, Dog. Go!
by P.D. Eastman (1961)
Goodnight Moon
by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1947)
Grandfather’s Journey
by Allen Say (1993)
The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean (2008)
Green Eggs and Ham
by Dr. Seuss (1960)
H
Harold and the Purple Crayon
by Crockett Johnson (1955)
Harriet the Spy
by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
by J.K. Rowling (1998)
Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen (1989)
The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)
Holes
by Louis Sachar (1998)
I
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick (2007)
J
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
by Simms Taback (1999)
Jumanji
by Chris Van Allsburg (1981)
Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
by Yuyi Morales (2003)
L
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
by Kevin Henkes (1996)
The Lion and the Mouse
by Jerry Pinkney (2009)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis (1950)
The Little House
by Virginia Lee Burton (1942)
The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)
Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson (2003)
Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story From China
by Ed Young (1989)
M
Madeline
by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939)
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey (1941)
Matilda
by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake (1988)
Meet Danitra Brown
by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (1994)
Millions of Cats
by Wanda Gág (1928)
Miss Nelson is Missing!
by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall (1977)
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Richard and Florence Atwater; illustrated by Robert Lawson (1938)
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O’Brien (1971)
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
by John Steptoe (1987)
My Father’s Dragon
by Ruth Stiles Gannett, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett (1948)
My Name is Yoon
by Helen Recorvits, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (2003)
O
Olivia
by Ian Falconer (2000)
One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-Garcia (2010)
P
The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales
by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (1985)
The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer (1961)
Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters and a Prologue
by Maurice Sendak (1962)
Pink and Say
by Patricia Polacco (1994)
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren (1950)
R
Ramona the Pest
by Beverly Cleary (1968)
Rickshaw Girl
by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Jamie Hogan (2007)
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
by Mildred D. Taylor (1976)
Rumpelstiltskin
by Paul O. Zelinsky (1986)
S
A Sick Day for Amos MCGee
by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead (2010)
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats (1962)
Starry River of the Sky
by Grace Lin (2012)
The Stories Julian Tells
by Ann Cameron, illustrated by Ann Strugnell (1981)
The Story of Ferdinand
by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson (1936)
Strega Nona
by Tomie dePaola (1975)
Swimmy
by Leo Lionni (1963)
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
by William Steig (1969)
T
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
by Judy Blume (1972)
The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit
by Julius Lester, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney (1987)
Tar Beach
by Faith Ringgold (1991)
Ten, Nine, Eight
by Molly Bang (1983)
Tomie dePaola’s Mother Goose
by Tomie dePaola (1985)
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith (1989)
Tuesday
by David Wiesner (1991)
V
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle (1969)
W
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963
by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995)
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin (1978)
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead (2009)
Where Is the Green Sheep?
by Mem Fox, illustrated by Judy Horacek (2004)
Where the Wild Things Are
by Maurice Sendak (1963)
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears
by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (1975)
Winnie-the-Pooh
by A.A. Milne, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard (1926)
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L’Engle (1962)
Happy reading,
Christine
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Autumn and Authors
This weekend, visit the Bayard Cutting Arboretum for a fall festival and author event. Meet authors published in many genres, tour the lush landscape, and take in the architecture of the Gilded Age. Educator, Mickla Ring's mom, Ann Coltman, a published author will be there.
Happy reading,
Christine
Happy reading,
Christine
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