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Teachers mention they like to read my stories from Tales of Adventure & Discovery (an anthology for children) to their students. It's gratifying to know teachers and their students find the stories enjoyable, entertaining, and educational. A coloring book, with illustrations and excerpts from the anthology was a logical next step for me.
The first story in the book, Sarah Jane's Daring Deed, has been very popular with youngsters when I read them stories and teach writing workshops. I often use it as a springboard for their own writing. Because this story set in pioneer days, I often tie the story in with history they may be learning at school. I'm currently in the process of developing a picture book version of this story.
One teacher purchased my book when I taught a writing workshop for educators. Other teachers in her school wanted to know where she had obtained it. So the school ordered a dozen books for the teachers to use.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Selecting Picture Books for Children
“Mary, the children like illustrations that look like something they could draw. Adults select books with lovely art,” a children’s librarian mentioned when she looked at the illustrations in my anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery. I’d apologized because they were so simplistic.
Later, a first grade teacher said much the same thing when she saw my illustrations. She explained that her students gravitated to the books in the classroom or library with the simple black and white or cartoon drawings.
“You really mean this?” I asked. Then I explained about the librarian and her discovery about youngsters and book art.
I notice, too, that my grandson, now 11 years old, generally has selected books with cartoon type characters or those drawn with simple lines. He doesn’t attempt to draw pictures to accompany the stories, but these seem to capture his attention and imagination.
A friend said she realized, with her seven children, that at the younger years, up until about 8 years old, they liked to watch movies with animated characters and lost interest in the ones with real actors. Once they were older, they watched both equally.
It would be interesting to hear what you’ve noticed with the youngsters in your life…whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, friend, or bookstore owner.
Later, a first grade teacher said much the same thing when she saw my illustrations. She explained that her students gravitated to the books in the classroom or library with the simple black and white or cartoon drawings.
“You really mean this?” I asked. Then I explained about the librarian and her discovery about youngsters and book art.
I notice, too, that my grandson, now 11 years old, generally has selected books with cartoon type characters or those drawn with simple lines. He doesn’t attempt to draw pictures to accompany the stories, but these seem to capture his attention and imagination.
A friend said she realized, with her seven children, that at the younger years, up until about 8 years old, they liked to watch movies with animated characters and lost interest in the ones with real actors. Once they were older, they watched both equally.
It would be interesting to hear what you’ve noticed with the youngsters in your life…whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, friend, or bookstore owner.
Mary Emma Allen Introduction
Who am I to write a blog on books for tots through teens? Why would I want to do this?
Reading children’s books and writing stories for young people have interested me since childhood. I still have a story I wrote when I was 11 years old and another from an 8th grade English assignment. (I won’t mention how many years ago this occurred, except to say I now have a teenaged granddaughter who enjoys reading and writing, too.)
I’ve had stories published in more than 200 children’s magazines and anthologies, including Tales of Adventure & Discovery. (This latter contains only my stories.) I also illustrated this book and a coloring book that accompanies it. The picture book, Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed, is under production. This story is one youngsters particularly like when I give presentations in schools and libraries.
Children’s Literature was my favorite class at SUNY, New Paltz, NY (USA), where I received my teaching degree. When I showed the instructor some of the children’s stories, she encouraged me to continue with my writing. So my interest in reading and writing children’s stories continued. Currently, in addition to writing for children and adults and conducting workshops, I do substitute teaching in grades K-12. So I'm involved with readers of all ages.
I live in a multi-generational home in New Hampshire, with husband, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and assorted pets. I also come from a family of readers and writers, since my grandfather was a published writer and my mom and grandmother kept journals. My daughter and granddaughter also has had some of their writing published.
Reading children’s books and writing stories for young people have interested me since childhood. I still have a story I wrote when I was 11 years old and another from an 8th grade English assignment. (I won’t mention how many years ago this occurred, except to say I now have a teenaged granddaughter who enjoys reading and writing, too.)
I’ve had stories published in more than 200 children’s magazines and anthologies, including Tales of Adventure & Discovery. (This latter contains only my stories.) I also illustrated this book and a coloring book that accompanies it. The picture book, Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed, is under production. This story is one youngsters particularly like when I give presentations in schools and libraries.
Children’s Literature was my favorite class at SUNY, New Paltz, NY (USA), where I received my teaching degree. When I showed the instructor some of the children’s stories, she encouraged me to continue with my writing. So my interest in reading and writing children’s stories continued. Currently, in addition to writing for children and adults and conducting workshops, I do substitute teaching in grades K-12. So I'm involved with readers of all ages.
I live in a multi-generational home in New Hampshire, with husband, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and assorted pets. I also come from a family of readers and writers, since my grandfather was a published writer and my mom and grandmother kept journals. My daughter and granddaughter also has had some of their writing published.
Why "Book Bag" Blog?
When I was attending school (I won't say how many years ago!), we carried our books and homework to and from school in "book bags." Today they've been replaced by backpacks, roller bags and computer bags. Ours had a handle or occasionally an over the shoulder strap.
A new book bag and pencil case might be among the back-to-school items Mother bought us when school started. We carried home whatever books we were reading and those for homework, along with notebooks and pencils in our book bags. (The new pencil box stayed at school in our desk.)
So.....when I think about reading and books, my memories often go back to those book bags we used during my school days.
What better name for my blog than "book bag," when I want to share information about reading and writing for tots through teens and the adults in their lives?
A new book bag and pencil case might be among the back-to-school items Mother bought us when school started. We carried home whatever books we were reading and those for homework, along with notebooks and pencils in our book bags. (The new pencil box stayed at school in our desk.)
So.....when I think about reading and books, my memories often go back to those book bags we used during my school days.
What better name for my blog than "book bag," when I want to share information about reading and writing for tots through teens and the adults in their lives?
Welcome to Book Bag Blog
Welcome to my blog about books for young people. I'm looking forward to providing you with insight into children’s books for pre-schoolers through teens.
In addition to being an avid reader, I writes stories for children. I've been published in the United States and Australia. I also teach writing workshops for youngsters and adults.
Through this blog, I plan to give you insights into the world of reading and writing for younger readers. I'll also interview authors who write for these age groups and host blog tours.
Don't hesitate to let me know what you'd like to hear about and let me know the books you and your children enjoy reading.
In addition to being an avid reader, I writes stories for children. I've been published in the United States and Australia. I also teach writing workshops for youngsters and adults.
Through this blog, I plan to give you insights into the world of reading and writing for younger readers. I'll also interview authors who write for these age groups and host blog tours.
Don't hesitate to let me know what you'd like to hear about and let me know the books you and your children enjoy reading.
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