Writing Ideas from Photos

Check out Mary Emma's Writing Tips at One Book Two Book for suggestions on developing writing prompts from photos. One photo can yield ideas for many types of writing. In this post, I've used a photo from my childhood of Nubble Lighthouse, Cape Neddick, Maine.

I'm also incorporating this idea into a workshop I'm teaching this week for a group of homeschoolers.

(If you'd like to learn more about my workshops for young writers, e-mail me at me.allen@juno.com .)

Gardening Books & Resources for Families

When I wrote the post at my blog, One Book Two Book, Thoughts of Gardening for Young and Older, I planned a companion one with information about books on gardening that might appeal to families. There are some books and gardening resources that may be of interest:

Gardening with Kids by Catherine Woran and Martyn Cox
Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy
Gardening with Children (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)
In the Garden with Van Gogh by Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober
Seedfolks, a novel about planting and gardening and neighbors together by Paul Fleischmangh

ToySmith Garden Tote with Tools
The Rumford Gardener Watering Can with 3 Tools
Children's Folding Gardening Seat with Tool Storage

A Valentine's Journey Writing Prompt

Check out the writing prompt for youngsters, A Valentine's Journey, at my b5 media blog, One Book Two Book.

This is a fun activity youngsters...and adults...may enjoy. I know a variation of it was fun for students I worked with the other day.

Rainbow Fish - Is It Controversial?

Periodically, comments crop up on posts concerning the picture book, The Rainbow Fish over at my One Book Two Book blog. Some readers seem to feel it's a controversial one and spouts socialist propaganda. Other readers see it as a lovely story with a light moral and unique, colorful illustrations.

Perhaps you'd like to check out these posts and let me know what you think.

Interpreting an Author's Meaning - Particularly in The Rainbow Fish

What Does The Rainbow Fish Mean? Is There An Underlying Meaning?

Rainbow Fish Makes a Comeback at Our House


(The Rainbow Fish available at Amazon - link above)

Check Out This Week's Obama Writing Tip at One Book Two Book

Mary Emma's Writing Tip of the Week

Each Sunday, I try to post a writing tip at my One Book Two Book blog. This week, since we've just experienced the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, I gave some suggestions for writing about this occasion.

For some ideas, check out Mary Emma's Writing Tip - What Did You Think of the Inauguration?

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?

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/

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

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

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.

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!

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