The Diary of a Worm

Written by: Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by: Harry Bliss
Hardback: 32 pages
Published by: Joanna Cotler Books
An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Ages: 6 and older
ISBN 0-06-000150-X
Published: 2003

The theme of Diary of a Worm is set right away with the title and then each event is dated by month and number. This delightful humorous picture book by Doreen Cronin is about a loveable worm who finds out that there are some good things in life and not so good things.

His mom tells him there are three things he should always remember: 1. The earth gives us everything we need. 2. When we dig tunnels, we help take care of the earth. 3. Never bother Daddy when he’s eating the newspaper.

And there are three good things about being a worm. 1. I never have to go to the dentist. 2. I never get in trouble for tracking mud through the house. 3. I never have to take a bath.

The illustrations by Harry Bliss are really the highlight of this book and the cartoon images on the inside of the book cover are meant to look like family photos of the little worm. In addition the protagonist tries to teach his spider friend how to dig but the spider gets all his legs stuck in dirt and in turn the spider tries to teach the worm how to walk upside down, only to discover that worms cannot walk upside down. All ages can relate to the humor in this book.

Adults and children can share a fun read together. I observed my seven year old granddaughter as she read Diary of a Worm to me. She carefully studied the pictures on both pages before reading. Although the words were for her grade level, the pictures enhanced her confidence with her reading.

Write it down,

Carma

The World Between Cardboard Covers is a Whole New World

Our children become what they read. However, they are not reading as much as they should unless it is on line and at best they are just skimming words. Haven’t we all done that? Reading text is becoming old-fashioned because a world of instant gratification surrounds us with internet, television, video games, movies and should I say more?

Hope Clark of Funds for Writers sparked the subject of teaching children to love reading stories in her Newsletter FFW Small Markets. Hope says “Not only does reading create memories, but it exercises the mind. It empowers a child to write.”

As adults, we are negligent and a major part of the problem. When was the last time you read any of the books your child is reading or do you even know What your child is reading? Consider reading your child’s books and having discussions about the story. When children see how excited their parents become about reading they will want to imitate. When the adult loves the written word so will the child.

I am afraid that we (society) are creating a world where the only quality reading a young person prefers is Cliff Notes where the emphasis is on shortcuts and not the story. Create a love for the story and you will create a love for reading in children.

Michale Morpurgo of The Telegraph in the UK says “Our mindset has to change. We have to stop proclaiming reading as a ladder to academic success. Treated simply as an educational commodity, some kind of pill to be taken to aid intellectual development, it is all too often counter-productive and ultimately alienating.”

Click here to read the rest of the piece and find out which 100 books a child should read.

Write it down,

Carma

Writing Biographies for Children: Show Me the Money!

If you would like to learn how to generate more revenue by writing biographies for children, you need to join the Children's Writer's Coaching Club.

Biographies can be a strong revenue generator for children's authors. What are the secrets to breaking into the field? What are the rewards and the pitfalls? How are biographies different from other non-fiction writing?

You can join Lila Guzman, author of nine biographies for young readers, in a lively discussion of this specialized field if you join the CWCC today.

Points of Interest that will be discussed are:
1. Dead or Alive: special problems when picking a person to write about
2. Trusting your sources: Dealing with conflicting information/Doing research
3. Making it understandable to young readers
4. Word Count and the "Formula" for a children's biography:
a. 5 chapters
b. Timeline
c. Biography (for kids)
d. Words to Know
e. Pronunciation Guide (To Spanish Words)
5. Getting permission/pictures.
6. How to get a contract.

To receive an email invitation to this LIVE event - plus the link to a recording of the class on Friday - join the Children's Writers' Coaching Club today.

As a club member, this week you'll also receive a short writing lesson.You can also have one of your manuscript's professionally critiqued during our manuscript critique telesession Wednesday night.

You do not have to attend the critique session to have your manuscript critiqued. You'll receive the link to a recording of the session on Thursday.

I hope you'll join the club. It's the easiest and most enjoyable way I know of to take your children's writing career to the next level!

Write it down,
Carma

Dick and Jane Don't Cut it Anymore

If you are interested in writing and or illustrating children’s books, young adult books, fiction, or non-fiction, you will need to study various aspects of the industry before you try to find a publisher.

I ran across a great site for Children’s authors, published or not. America Writes 4 Kids. There are just loads of links for anyone looking for some good quality resources. The Children’s Book Council, Highlights Foundation and more. The recommended read for February is “Can You Keep a Secret” by P.J. Petersen. Click here to visit his web page and take a look at the books he has written. Titles like “The Sub” and “I Hate Weddings”

I also found some great do’s at America Writes 4Kids to help guide you on the way to success. I’m going to follow them myself.

DO:

1. Learn the market. Spend lots of time in your local bookstore and library, reading through current bestsellers.

2. Perfect your craft. Before worrying about seeing your name in print, really learn how to write. Take courses, read "how-to" books, join a writing group, and so on. Master dialogue, characterization and plot. Write for the sake of writing, and enjoy the journey -- you'll have plenty of time to chase a publishing contract later.

3. Focus your attention on "hot" areas in children's publishing. Publishers continue to look for multicultural stories, nonfiction for all ages, horror stories and easy readers.

4. Request publisher guidelines and catalogs before submitting your work to a publisher. Study these to make sure your work is what the publisher is currently seeking.

5. Learn to write a crisp, upbeat query letter that will grab the attention of a harried editor.

6. Be persistent. Success as a writer rarely comes easily or quickly. Don't get discouraged by rejection...just keep writing!

Another very important DO is to join the Children’s Writers Coaching Club where you can learn all of the above from inspiring professionals. Learn to create a part or full time writing career of your dreams. Click here.

Now that you know WHAT to do, here is what NOT to do.

DON'T

1. Assume today's kids' books are just like the ones you read as a child. Juvenile literature is more sophisticated, creative and far-ranging than ever before. Dick & Jane don't cut it anymore!

2. Get bogged down in clichés. Editors are sick of cute talking animals, "ugly duckling" stories about shy wallflowers who save the day, and moralistic tales that shout "it's OK to be different!" Strive for originality.

3. Treat kids like babies. Don't talk down to your readers. Use rich and interesting language that evokes strong visual images.

4. Preach. Your job as a writer is to entertain. If your story has a message, tell it through the plot and characters, not by a "moral" tacked on to the end.

Write it down,

Carma

Children's Writer's Coaching Club Releases February 2008 Weekly Teleclass Schedule

The Children's Writers' Coaching Club at the National Writing for Children Center has an exciting schedule of weekly teleclasses set for February. Just look at this lineup of topics:

Thursday, February 7, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. central time Author Lila Guzman will present a 55-minute teleclass about writing historical biographies for young readers

Wednesday, February 13, 2008, at 4:00 pacific time Author Margot Finke will present a 55-minute teleclass called Picture (Book) Perfect

Thursday, February 21, 2008, time TBA Author Simon Rose will present Part 1 of a 2 part teleclass about writing science fiction and fantasy for young readers

Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, Rita Milios will present a 55-minute teleclass called The Lucrative Educational Market: Where Do YOU fit In? (this is session 1 in the Writing for Children's Educational Markets Series)

Join the CWCC today and get ready for these informative, fun, LIVE teleclasses. As a club member you'll also receive the link to a recording of each session, so you can listen to it at your own convenience when you are unable to attend the live class.

As a coaching club member, you also receive short weekly writing lessons and assignments and weekly manuscript critique telesessions, where your manuscript is read by at least one (often more) published children's book author. All this for ONLY $27.00 per month. How could you go wrong?

Click Below to Join.



The Children's Writers
Coaching Club


Write it down,
Carma

Do You Write for Free or for Fun and Profit?

Who has not written for free, especially in the beginning of your career? My quandary is how long is beginning supposed to last?

Nonetheless, as I sat bemoaning the fact that I don’t have any “traditional publishing credits” and all I can do is write for free, Tiffany’s post, “The Controversial Writers Meme—at long last” at Rockstories popped up. Thank goodness I subscribe. I recommend you go over and check her out.

This is the headline that grabbed me.

Guidelines are critical; job requirements are not.

This is especially what I needed to hear today. In part, Tiffany wrote: As a writer, you're not selling your background or experience--you're selling your ability to write.

Where I come from, background and experience is all important (must be the civil servant in me) so that is why this post encouraged me. Go on over and read the rest of her post. I am taking this statement and posting it by my computer screen.

How does one write for Fun and Profit? It is easy for a new writer, like me or you, to become overwhelmed with all the tips and instructions that are out there because it is not easy to know which tip is reliable when you are new to this line of work.

I for one have jumped at too many “EBooks” on how to earn X amount of money by making purple widgets. It is painful at times to look at my PDF file in my computer to see all those un-read books taking up valuable bytes. Downloading Ebooks is akin to walking into a B & N where every new book on self improvement, writing or etc is begging me to take them home.

I know you all are book lovers like me so take this Ebook Writing for Fun and Profit by Brian Scott home with you and find out how it will help give your writing the confident jump it needs.

Write it down,

Carma

A Walk in the Rain with a Brain

Written by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D.
The age group is 4 – 8 years
Published by Harper Collins
Illustrated by Bill Mayer

Sadly, children do not receive enough encouragement to develop their own unique talents, skills and attitudes. Often some children get overlooked at school and at home if they don't measure up to the so called "norm". Dr. Hallowell’s book, A Walk in the Rain with a Brain reinforces the significant message that no brain is smarter than the other. The illustrations in the book are richly drawn in a cartoon manner that I think young children will be attracted too as well.

The story’s central character is a girl named Lucy who discovers a brain on the ground named Manfred (Fred for short) as she plays outside in the rain. Lucy asks Fred to make her smart. “Everyone’s smart,” Fred told her, “You just need to find out at what.”

As Lucy helps Fred to find his head, he tells her a story about how his other brain friends used to feel when they were told they weren’t smart, but you’ll have to read the story to find out what happened.

This imaginary tale is delightful and can be a helpful teaching guide for parents and teachers with its fact based discussion guide in the back of the book. Dr. Hallowell writes that with proper guidance every child can develop to the fullest of the talents that they are born with. Hallowell says “Not all kids know that brains run the show.”

Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. is a noted psychiatrist and an internationally acknowledged expert on ADD. Also Dr. Hallowell is director of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Concord Mass. The center is an outpatient treatment center service for children and adults with a wide range of emotional and learning problems.

Write it down,

Carma