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Socially Responsible And Compelling
Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times takes classic nursery rhymes and adapts them to modern themes, teaching children about social and emotional intelligence in an age-appropriate manner. What was the inspiration for your book?
As a preschool music teacher for the last 20 years, I was surprised by the fact that students were increasingly unfamiliar with many nursery rhymes/songs. After all, nursery rhymes have always played such a whimsical role in supporting language development and musicality, not to mention stimulating imagination and fun. Well, it didn’t take long to realize that millennial parents, teachers, and caregivers were avoiding those stories because so many of them are “dark” and outdated:
Three Blind Mice get their tails cut off by a carving knife! Ouch!
Humpty Dumpty falls off the wall and can’t be put back together again. Bummer!
“Ring Around the Rosie” is about the circular red rash that developed on bodies infected with the plague. The posies were the flowers carried in pockets to mask the smell of the dead bodies and ashes that “all fell down.” Yikes!
I realized that as a genre with potentially broad appeal, nursery rhymes could be modified to have positive messaging and a strong impact. I decided to leverage the inherent appeal of traditional rhymes in a way that would be more socially responsible and compelling to everyone and created Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
There is a wealth of compelling research on the importance of social and emotional intelligence. That research indicates that social and emotional learning (SEL) is critical for high-quality early childhood education and foundational to improved academic, behavioral, and lifetime outcomes. I really wanted to create fun, memorable, easy-to-access SEL content for preschoolers and the adults who love them. Updating nursery rhymes to be more relevant, putting beloved and whimsical familiar characters in situations that would model and convey messages of kindness, empathy, and gratitude, and pairing the rhymes with tools for SEL (an emoji chart and guiding questions) were important ways for me to retain the educational, memorable qualities of traditional rhymes for a new generation of young readers. Making sure the rhyming and musicality of these new rhymes were on point was also an important goal so that the rhymes would support the language development that young children’s brains are hard-wired for when it comes to hearing rhyming words and processing rhythm and music.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book, and for the series?
I really wanted to strike the right balance between a fun book to read and a book that stimulated young children and their grown-ups to engage in conversations about situational and emotional awareness as well as about compassion and caring. I wanted the situations and characters to model what children can aspire to, not lecture about what not to do. And, I wanted to make it easy for parents, teachers, and caregivers to build strong, positive relationships that are so critical to their children’s growth and development by having rhymes they could read together, talk about, and recall when the children found themselves in similar situations to the characters.
When will volume two be available? Can you give us an idea of what favorite nursery rhymes you will be adapting?
Volume one includes eight of the fifteen rhymes that were recorded on the Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times album by Raffi and Lindsay Munroe (www.forkindertimes.com/album.) If volume one does well, I would hope to have volume two available in late 2024. It would likely include some or all of the 7 remaining rhymes from the album including, “Rock-a-Bye Baby,” “Sing a Song of Six Cents,” and “Old Mother Hubbard.” But there are also lots more rhymes that I’ve adapted, so we’ll see how things play out for volume two and beyond.
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Volume 1 of this endearing collection includes updated versions of eight traditional rhymes with beloved characters in new situations and stories that nurture empathy, kindness, and gratitude. Coupled with discussion questions and emojis to promote the social and emotional intelligence of preschoolers, each rhyme will delight and educate a new generation of children.
Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times®Helping to Raise Kind Kids, One Rhyme at a Time!
No Time for Halloween: The Frankenstein-Dracula Defense
The Cozy Chess Club just loves Halloween! Meeting together to have fun at their school club, Jasmine, Dondre, Abbie, and Zack each wear fabulous costumes in honor of the spooky festival day. Halloween gets even better when the Chess Club learns that a Grandmaster, one of the best chess players in the world, is coming to their school! But when a precious item goes missing, it’s up to the four kids to solve the mystery before their beloved teacher’s heart is broken forever. And this Halloween, the Cozy Chess Club finds that they are swiftly running out of time.
No time for Halloween: The Frankenstein-Dracula Defense by Victoria Winifred is an intriguing installment in the Cozy Chess Club Mysteries series. This is my first experience with the series, and I had very little trouble keeping the characters straight after the first few pages. I love Dondre’s flair, Jasmine’s intelligence, Abbie’s can-do attitude, and Zack’s shy heroism. Each page of this highly engaging story is simply full of life. Every character and situation is described so well that it’s almost like watching a movie. I also loved that I got to learn something new, as the author takes the time to put chess moves based on real-life chess scenarios into the book without a shred of boredom, and I like that there is so much about life that can be learned from this classic game. I highly recommend this charming story for its exceptional descriptions, engaging storytelling, and valuable educational elements.
No Time for Halloween: the Frankenstein-Dracula Defense is short and sweet, perfect for ages seven and up and all who love classic children’s detective stories. A delightful tale that artfully weaves chess strategy into an amazing mystery, this book is a wonderful choice for reading on a rainy summer afternoon.
Pages: 90 | ASIN: B0CFX9QVD8
Project First Flight: Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures-Book 3
Putney Hicks, an enterprising and tech-savvy seventh grader, is at the heart of an enthralling tale that combines determination, creativity, and youthful ambition. Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures 3: Project First Flight by Marsha Tufft thrusts our protagonist into a complex world where her swimming prowess is not up to the mark, and the approaching competition looms large in her thoughts.
The narrative artfully centers on Putney’s evolving concern over her swimming abilities. Her journey through the often turbulent waters of practice sessions provides an emotionally rich subplot that ripples through the story, heightening the stakes of the impending competition. Compounding these challenges is the added dimension of Putney’s family relocating to a new home, weaving an intricate pattern of conflicts and resolutions.
Assisting Putney in her multifaceted endeavors are her dependable AI assistant, Sam, and her devoted canine companion, Henry. By means of her innovative magic eyePad, Putney converses with Sam’s hologram, receiving both guidance and encouragement. Moreover, Putney’s brilliance shines through her creation of a life-like hummingbird droid, a testament to her imagination and technological savvy.
The plot thickens and takes an unforeseen twist when Putney discovers that her previous best friend has become her principal rival in the pool, now living next door. This development sets the stage for a deeper exploration of focus, rivalry, and the challenges of adolescence.
While the book takes readers on a fantastic adventure brimming with technological wonders, friendships, and school-life dilemmas, it does have minor drawbacks. Some may find the pace occasionally slow and the suspense not fully fleshed out. I think certain dialogues between characters might appear somewhat stilted. Nevertheless, these are but small blemishes on an otherwise vivid canvas, and the inclusion of thematic elements such as butterflies—directly inspired by Putney’s fascination with them—add an enlightening and charming touch that will captivate readers.
Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures 3: Project First Flight is well-suited for young adults and teenagers with a penchant for thrilling escapades and a zeal for gadgets and technology. Through a blend of engaging storytelling and educational insights, Marsha Tufft has crafted a novel that resonates with the curious minds of today’s youth.
Pages: 28 | ISBN : 0692156135
Home and Belonging
Finding Andy’s Home follows the adventurous journey of a curious tortoise and his clever cat friend as they traverse Germany, unraveling secrets and learning about themselves in a quest to discover Andy’s origins. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Unlike Andy, the tortoise, I am an immigrant who knows where I come from. The subject of home and belonging wherever one finds themselves is universal. Nostalgia and lack of belonging are triggers for any immigrant. I wanted to write a book that, if anyone read it, they would find comfort in knowing that an unlikely friendship can make one feel at home even when away from home.
You chose to set the story in Germany and include aspects of immigration and travel. What led you to incorporate these themes, and what do you hope young readers take away from them?
On 29 April 2015, a story was published in The Local (a German online magazine) titled “Munich Police Save Giant Tortoise From Train Tracks.” I recall thinking about where that tortoise was heading to. Was it lost or wanted to escape? And where was home? Meanwhile, this newsworthy story happened in the background of events that shook the global community: 2015 saw the largest exodus of people fleeing the Syrian Civil War and the Germanwings plane crash. These two events fixated the subjects of immigration, home, and travel into my mind.
I hope this story will teach young readers to be open-minded about making friends outside their comfort circle. I, too, have to remind myself that home can be the friends I make.
How did you and illustrator, Silja Schüler, collaborate to ensure that the illustrations beautifully emphasized the storyline? Can you share any insights into the creative process behind the visual aspects of the book?
This book was my second collaboration with Silja. I prefer to give an illustrator the freedom to visualize the story first without me meddling with initial instructions. After seeing the sketches, we discuss changes and improvements before painting.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a few ongoing projects but have committed this year to poetry. The next book will be available hopefully before the end of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Können eine Schildkröte und eine Katze trotz ihrer Unterschiede Freunde sein? Andy ist eine afrikanische Riesenschildkröte, die als Haustier nach Deutschland kommt. Dort trifft er die Hauskatze Audi. Trotz ihrer Unterschiede werden sie enge Freunde. Gemeinsam machen sie sich auf den Weg, mehr über Andys Herkunft zu erfahren. Begleiten Sie die beiden Freunde bei ihren Abenteuern. Zeigen Sie Ihren Kindern, wie wichtig es ist, dem Anderen offen und freundlich zu begegnen und ermutigen Sie sie, Fragen zu stellen.
Little Bird
Step into the enchanting world of Little Bird, where bravery and curiosity collide in a heartwarming tale. Embarking on an adventure that begins with a triumphant break from his shell on a Monday, Little Bird explores the vast wonders of his surroundings. From the delectable dance of worms to the symphony of fellow birdsong, each discovery fuels his aspiration to take flight. Overcoming trepidation, he musters the courage to attempt the impossible, and lo and behold, the once-fledgling Little Bird soars through the skies!
Prepare to be entranced by the pages of Little Bird, a truly captivating children’s book that weaves inspiration into every word. Splashed with vibrant illustrations that paint a kaleidoscope of colors, this literary gem boasts sentences perfectly poised for budding young readers. The rhythmic cadence of rhyming words, paired with the charming delineation of days of the week, makes this more than just a story—it’s an engaging educational escapade.
I found myself captivated by the ingenious fusion of art and prose, fostering an immersive experience that lingers. Beyond the surface, this endearing narrative imparts a valuable lesson—ushering its audience to embrace the unknown with open arms. In a world teeming with unfamiliarity, Little Bird’s journey becomes a metaphor, kindling a sense of courage that resonates with youngsters and adults alike.
CJ Silvers and the Long Ride
CJ Silvers has a big day ahead of her–she is going to learn to wakeboard! Her day begins like any other, with one exception. She is very nervous. Learning something new that could be dangerous is a big deal for a little girl. With her parents supporting her, CJ starts her lesson with many reservations and doubts about her ability to learn this new skill so quickly. CJ’s parents are with her from the beginning of the lesson to the end, and that makes all the difference for a young girl like CJ.
CJ Silvers and the Long Ride, written by William Gray and illustrated by Rebecca Gray, traces the events in CJ Silvers’s incredibly exciting day as she attends her first wakeboarding lesson. This author/illustrator team has crafted a unique book both in writing style and illustrations. Written in verse and more the length of a short chapter book, Gray’s book is a treasure in more ways than one.
CJ’s story is a gift to both young readers and parents alike. CJ is understandably anxious about her new experience and tries several times to quit. Her parents, determined to help her understand the importance of persevering and solving her own problems, encourage her throughout the entire lesson. The author communicates an incredibly valuable lesson to readers via CJ and her reservations.
Gray’s illustrations are exceptional. Each one reveals an aspect of CJ’s day, and readers can see her hesitation, nervousness, and especially her elation when she discovers how wonderful she feels after powering through the day’s challenges. The rollercoaster of emotions is delivered through vibrant pictures with beautifully textured details.
CJ’s story is a wonderful way to teach children that working through their problems on their own is more than worth the frustration and fear. CJ Silvers and the Long Ride is an excellent book for counselors, parents, and teachers alike.
Pages: 81 | ASIN : B0C9B9W8XX
LITERARY TITAN 