Book Signing a Success!

I wanted to share my pictures with you! The book event was such a success, I'm really overwhelmed. I love talking with children! There's nothing like a wide eyed surprise or a bubble of laughter to melt my heart. I can't wait to do another one!


Starting my talk

In this picture, I'm telling them how I started as an author. I'm about to do the science experiment that blows a balloon out of "my" head with a story. Tee hee!


Trying to amaze with my balloon story idea! 


A little one has a question! (in red!) 


reading! 


The big kids are getting into it... 


Nice bulletin board. :-) 


Zap! You have SIX noses!!! 


signing...whew! 

Tee hee! It looks like no one is at the signing, but there were many children and we sold a lot of books! One thing I want to share is that you are under TREMENDOUS stress when you see a long line of people waiting on you to sign. In the middle of the signing, I realized I wasn't speaking to any of the children. I'd just sign and sign and sign. I wondered if they thought I was a stoney faced author who didn't love them! So, I decided to make an effort to look each one in the eye and say something to them before I signed. That made a huge difference. They beamed when I did this. Too bad I didn't realize it in the beginning. Sigh...

I made "Menace Mix"--a trail mix that was inhaled right down to the last peanut. I also served "Palace Punch". They loved it. I know you can't tell from the pictures, but I had a red elf hat with a yellow feather, much like Rumpelstiltskin's in the book. At the end of the reading, I had two children act out Rumpelstiltskin zapping a child's nose. He would say, "Nose times six!" and I popped a picture of the king's noses on the child. It was a hoot! Too bad it didn't come out very well in the picture.

You know, events such as these make me feel so blessed to even have the chance at becoming an author. It's a perk that I never dreamed about when I started this venture. What an amazing day! I praise you, Lord!

Eek!

Tomorrow is my very FIRST book signing and I've been fidgeting all day. I've got a new novel idea, and I started the character charts yesterday, but can't do anything today. Ugh! I'll post pics of the event tomorrow. Now if only I'd stop dreaming that I've lost all my pens or my hands have fallen off...

Cool blog...

I love librarians and here's one who'd like to be snarky. Tee hee! She makes me laugh!

Fuse Number 8

Thanks goes to Linda Zinnen for sharing this on the blue board!

Weirdo alert! Tagged!

Tagged by jengt!

Ground Rules: The first player of this "game" starts with the topic "5 weird habits of yours" and people who get tagged need to write a LJ entry about their 5 quirky habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next 5 people to be tagged and list their names.

5 Weird Habits...

1. I HAVE to gulp down Rockstar Energy drink every day. Doesn't matter the time. AND people make fun of me for doing this, so I hide it in a nondescript cup. Urgh!

2. I check for gray hairs every single day and pick out a few that are getting out of control. This is a majorly DUMB habit because it just encourages more to sprout. URGH!

3. I have to run or bike almost every day, even when my foot is begging me to stop. DOUBLE URGH!

4. I have to play THE SIMS 2 on PS2. Can't help it. Love to escape and it helps me play with my teen girls.

5. I can't wait to check the mailbox. I'm in LOVE with it. And I get disappointed if I don't see any envelopes from a publisher or agent. I receive satisfaction even when it's a rejection. I have NO idea why. But the satisfaction doesn't last long because the disappointment from the rejection will set in about 15 minutes afterwards.

Okay, I tag...um... cynthialord , beachalatte , cammykitty, melissa-writing , laurabowers

Have fun!

The Best Reading Partner! :-)

Reading to my sweetie!

This is the promo photo for the paper. My daughter, Courtney, did great! In order to make her smile, I had to turn to the page of the king with 6 noses.

Interview for Multiplying Menace

Here is the interview with the AF paper. I thought the reporter asked some great questions, so I put them here:

How did the idea come to you to create this type of book for children?

Actually, I love writing about science within a fictional plot. I noticed that Charlesbridge wanted this type of book, so I started submitting to them. They liked my writing style and asked me to try writing math adventures. I got lucky because they liked the first one I submitted to them! The idea came from one of my writing friends, Katherine Rollins. She told me that I should use a spin off of a fairytale, so I thought of the idea to use magic and multiply things. I knew this would create funny scenarios within a fairytale kingdom setting. Rumpelstiltskin was a perfect enemy-he had all the qualities I was looking for and all the magical capabilities. Once I decided on the fairytale, it practically wrote itself!

What's the biggest benefit children gain from having this type of book to learn from?

As much as I hate to say this, most children think that math is boring or difficult. But what's so wonderful about a book like this is that it shows that math is actually fun and exciting! It also uses mathematical thinking as opposed to just memorizing a bunch of math facts. Once a child understands how multiplication works, they can more readily use it. For example, my then-eleven year old daughter was having trouble with percentages. I forced her to read one of Charlesbridge's math adventures (she thought she was too old for picture books). After she'd read it, she understood them and could go back and complete her math page with ease. I hope that my book will help children see the concept of multiplication without actually knowing that they are learning! Parents and teachers can also use some of the situations as math problems. Children will have fun figuring out what multiplication magic Rumpelstiltskin used to create the numbers of pests or decrease the amount of animals.

I understand that you are also the author of "The Mat Maker." Is that a similar learning book for children like "Multiplying Menace?"

It is historical fiction-it is set on the island of Guam in the 1600's. It is an emergent reader-for children who have just learned to read and need practice. So it is similar in the fact that it is a tool used for learning. I love writing about things that will help children's literacy and enhance their knowledge of the world. That's why I became a children's author. I praise God for allowing me to achieve my dreams!

What is your background with learning and children? Are you an educator or are your books a natural creation that makes leaning fun for children?

I am a science teacher by trade and education. I taught high school Chemistry and Physics. Initially, I wanted to write fictional science books, but because we've traveled the world, I also wanted to show some of the unique cultures out there through my writing. I have a passion for children. I hope that comes through in my writing.

You are donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of your book to the base library for the purchase of children's books. What is the importance of that for the children who will benefit?

I want to encourage families while I'm here. Giving children the love of reading is a key to all learning. I'd like to see the Book Mark buy more award winning novels and picture books. There's nothing better than seeing a child squeal with delight when they read a funny picture book or anticipate an exciting journey. What more could I give?

:-)

Multiplying Menace is here!

I know everyone is tired of hearing about this, but heck! I'm excited!
Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin is now available! I noticed on amazon that there was only 1 hardcopy left in stock and they could ship it the next day, so...I guess the pub date was moved up. That's fine with me!

Here's a link to it on amazon:

Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin

And don't forget, all you parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles--this is a great book to introduce multiplication for kids 5 and up. There's simple concepts plus advance multiplication with fractions. And, if I do say so myself, it's FUN to read. Tee hee! So, let all your teacher and homeschooling friends know about it, too.

Mwah to everyone!!!!

Fun stuff!

Multiplying Menace is a week away from being released. Here's a fun activity guide for any of you writing teachers out there. (Um...I'm going to have to use this in my own classes!)

My first signing is in three weeks. I'm so happy to have this to give out. It's amazing how awesome and excited everyone is about its release. I am humbled every moment!

http://www.charlesbridge.com/msp/files/id/17100