Censorship of Books and Internet - Is This the Solution?

Do you express concern when someone tries to tell you what books you and your children can and can't read? Are you concerned about what's out there on the Internet that your children might discover. So should the Internet have more government control?

Books and Internet provide information for children and adults. Should the government control what we read and see? Or is that the responsibility of the parents?

Aaron Brazell provided an interesting post at Technosailor, UK Plans to Keep Kids Safe on the Web, Ignores History, about this topic, sparked by a proposal by the British Cultural Secretary. The Secretary has more control of the Internet in mind and expresses the desire that the US, when Barack Obama becomes President, will join him.

At Technosailor, you'll find some "food for thought," so that you don't accept this idea blindly.
I've also posted at One Book Two Book, Government Control of Books and Internet - Do You Agree? and at Obama Alert, More Control of Our Children and Our Lives?

What do you think?

Check Out the Giveaway at Quilting and Patchwork

Giveaway

If you're a quilter or simply like giveaways, why not stop over at Quilting and Patchwork and participate in the Giveaway of a Mini Quilt Book. It's in progress over there.

Perhaps you're not a quilter yourself, but know of someone who would enjoy this book by Patricia Mainardi. Do you have children who like to quilt with you or read/listen to stories about quilts and quilting. There are a number of children's picture books that depict quilting topics.

Also my, Magic of Patchwork, details the story of youngsters in quilting and provides projects for beginners.

My Fav b5 Posts of the Week

Favorite Posts

Periodically b5 bloggers post their favorite posts of the week. I write three blogs at b5media, Alzheimer's Notes, Quilting and Patchwork, and One Book Two Book. (The latter I co-blog with Marcie Pickelsimer.)

Sometimes it's difficult to choose your very favorite for the week. However, here are the three for this week:

http://www.quiltingandpatchwork.com/...ilt-mysteries/ http://www.onebooktwobook.com/mary-e...storm-of-2008/http://www.alzheimersnotes.com/not-h...-nursing-home/

Children's Books About World War II

Yesterday, Dec. 7, was Pearl Harbor Day, the anniversary of the attack that caused the United States to enter World War II. I was a child at that time and remember the scary time it was, even though there was no fighting in our country. I often write down my memories for my daughter and grand children and share them with others, too.

I also have found some children's books about young people's experiences and adventures during those times. Here are some children's books about World War II that I've enjoyed and have in my collection:

Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle
The Night Flyers by Elizabeth McDavid Jones (An American Girl History Mystery)
Shadows on the Sea by Joan Hiatt Harlow
A Boy at War by Harry Mazer (A novel of Pearl Harbor)
The Spy Who Came in from the Sea by Peggy Nolan

A Cup of Tea with JK Rowling!

Tea Party

To celebrate the release of her latest book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, famed author JK Rowling invited approximately 200 school children to enjoy tea with her. What an exciting experience!

Read more about this at my One Book Two Book blog. This book is a spin-off of sorts from the latest Harry Potter book, Deathly Hallows.

I wonder what they had for tea and refreshments. Possibly something with a Scottish influence since this was to take place in Edinburgh.

Giveaways With Gifts for Youngsters

One Book Two Book Giveaways

You'll find a series of giveaways at a blog I co-author with Marcie Pickelsimer, One Book Two Book, running from Dec. 2-7.

Check out the rules and leave comments at the following links. You can enter any or all of the giveaways. These items will make great Christmas gifts for youngsters, too. Enjoy!

Book Swim Giveaway
Readeez DVD Giveaway
Baby Can Read Giveaway
Wii Pop Star Guitar Giveaway
Fly Me To The Moon Giveaway
Giveaway - Celebrity Arthur Book from Speakaboos
Giveaway - Countdown to Bedtime Soundbooks
Giiveaway - ECO Baby Organic Playdough
Baby Potential Teacher Onesie Giveaway
Natural Pod Giveaway
RideMakerz Giveaway
Happy Green Bee Giveaway
Mead Writing Fundamentals Giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving from Book Bag Blog

Happy Thanksgiving

We've been busy this morning getting the turkey ready. Yes, we're having the traditional turkey. My hubby selected it so has been monitoring the preparations. After I made the stuffing ("like Mother used to make!"), I left the rest to him. The engineer in him cooks to precision.

My daughter has been preparing her special recipes to add to our menu. She made her daughter's request of "glop" for breakfast...a combination of bread cubes, eggs, sausage, cheese, and milk. Some of us like that, while others have something else. (We live in a multi-generational home with six family members, a dog, guinea pig, and rabbit.)

Perhaps you'd like to see my Thankful Poem, a project on my Quilting and Patchwork blog.

How about writing your own Thankful Poem this weekend? Or any time of year?

The Rainbow Fish Story...Is It Controversial?

The Rainbow Fish

Whenever we've written about The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister at One Book Two Book, we've received a number of comments, some of them mentioning what a controversial book this colorful picture book is. Apparently to many people, it has underlying social and socialistic meanings. Some agree and others are vividly opposed.

You may want to check out:

What Does The Rainbow Fish Mean? Is There an Underlying Meaning?
Rainbow Fish Makes a Comeback at Our House

I also often wonder how readers, reviewers, so-called experts can determine whether the author has an underlying meaning...unless the writer has mentioned this.

Makes me wonder if anyone reads hidden meanings into my books and stories. It might be interesting to find out!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Children's Books for Thanksgiving Fun and Facts

Thanksgiving Books

If you're looking for Thanksgiving and harvest book ideas for your youngsters and yourself, check out my list and post at One Book Two Book.

Fun & Fact Books for Thanksgiving & Harvest Season

Favorite Thanksgiving Books

Do you have any to suggest?

Learn About Reading to the Womb

Reading to young children has proven to be a plus, a way to encourage them to read and enjoy listening to stories. We also learn that reading to babies in the womb may help them recognize the mother's voice. Will this also stimulate a love of reading.

Check out my post, Reading Aloud to Children Before and After Birth at One Book Two Book. You'll enjoy learning about one mother's experience.

Do you have an experience you'd like to share with us?

October - Is this Spider Month?

October seems to be "Spider Month," when people are searching the Internet for information about spiders. Perhaps it has to do with Halloween.

Marcie Pickelsimer, my co-blogger at One Book Two Book, has done a great deal of research on this topic as it applies to children's books and activities. You might enjoy visiting our blog, especially the following posts:

October is Spider Month
Spider Activities for Kids: Young & Old
Spiders!
10 Best Spider Books
Spiders, Spiders Everywhere

Enjoy! Then you might want to leave Marcie a message telling her how much you appreciate all the research she has done on this topic and the books and spider activities she's found.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Mary Emma's Writing Workshops for Tots through Teens

I love encouraging young and beginning writers. So I'm often invited to schools and libraries to present writing workshops in various types of this art form....fiction, non-fiction, poetry. Since I've also illustrated some of my books, I'll include art in these presentations, too.

For more information about my writing workshops, check them out at my Children's Author Tales blog. (Contact information is there, too.)

More Writing Tips for Tots & Teens, Moms & Teachers

Here's another writing tip at One Book Two Book.....Ideas from a Pumpkin.

You will find it interesting to check out for children and adults.

Discover the Weekly Writing Tips at One Book Two Book

If you or your children entertain thoughts of writing, either for pure fun, to write stories for school lessons, or to record your thoughts in journals, you might enjoy the series I've begun at One Book Two Book, Mary Emma's Writing Tips. Although the weekly tips, prompts and activities are slated for young writers, they will work for anyone.

These will appear at One Book Two Book each Sunday. I also will suggest books and web sites where you can find help and inspiration, too.

In addition to writing, I enjoy teaching writing to youngsters and adults, encouraging them with their dreams. Thus I began this writing series at One Book Two Book.

Related Posts:
Mary Emma's Writing Tips for Young Writers
Mary Emma's Writing Activities for Young Writers
Mary Emma's Weekly Writing Tips -Scary Stories

(c)Mary Emma Allen

Follow the Happenings at One Book Two Book

Have you been following the happenings at One Book Two Book? Marcie and I also have all sorts of things going on for tots through teens:

• Book reviews
• Giveaways
• Product reviews
• Discussions
• Writing activities
• Special events
• Celebrations
• Gossip girls
• Controversial books & shows
• Books made into movies

Just to name a few.

Come visit us!

Check Out the Daily Giveaways at One Book Two Book

Giveaways at OneBookTwoBook.com

You’ll find them daily for several days (August 24 - Sept. 6) for the Back-to-School Blast. Some days there even two drawings!

Among the prizes are many items to get the youngsters ready for school from snacks, lunch boxes/kits, back packs, books, and other supplies.

Stay tuned and have a blast! Visit One Book Two Book often.

Get One Book, Two Book’s Feed!

Giveaway for Harry Potter Phenomenon Book

At my Home Biz Notes blog, I'm offering a random drawing giveaway of Susan Gunelius's new book:

"To celebrate the U.S. release of Harry Potter, The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon by Susan Gunelius, we’re conducting a random drawing giveaway of a copy of the book. (See my interview of Susan at Home Biz Notes for more information about the book and why Susan wrote it.)"

Check out the giveaway, especially if you're a Harry Potter fan or are interested in phenomenal marketing strategies.

One Book Two Book - A Book Blog for Kids of All Ages

I'm having great fun co-blogging with Marcie Pickelsimer at the b5media blog, One Book Two Book which features books and information for kids of all ages. You might want to check it out. Even become a regular reader!

We feature: reviews, interviews, giveaways, theme weeks, book news, word of the week, book quotes, reading related activities, and much, much more.

Come join us!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen