Tag Archives: Back to School

Sep3

Day 4: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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Welcome to Day 4 of the Back to School Blog Tour. I’ve got an inspirational author that is also a teacher and principal. He is going through all the educational changes with parents, students and teachers. Craig Hazen was born and raised in Canada, but has made his home in Australia. He’s an experienced Primary School Principal with a Master’s Degree in Education. He loves to write books that help grow confidence and inspire children with a humorous flair.  

“My Dad is Braver Than Your Dad” is his latest book just released on Sept. 1, 2020. This book tells the story of show and tell in the classroom leading to the bravest dad of all? Can you guess who it might be? Also coming up, Craig’s second novel, Anzac Brothers, will be released by Austin Macauley Publishing later this year. He is excited to share his narrative about resilience and bravery.

I got the chance to talk to Craig about his childhood reading memories, what he does as his writing routine, and what writing means to him.

  1. What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?
Craig Hazen is the author of the children’s book, “My Dad is Braver Than Your Dad”.

Craig Hazen:  As a child I loved reading Canadian author Robert Munsch books because of his insane imagination and how well he developed his characters. The Paper Bag Princess and Mortimer Be Quiet are still two of my favourites to this day.

  •  Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Craig Hazen: I am normally inspired to write about things that are personal to me or happening in my life. My Dad is Braver than Your Dad was inspired by my job as a school principal and my incredibly strong mother. I am also currently working on My Radioactive Brother which is about dealing with cancer which has sadly impacted by family.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Craig Hazen: Writing is my third space and allows me to reconnect with friends and family.


“My Dad is Braver Than Your Dad” is available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Connect with the author by following his Facebook Page.

For today’s supportive materials, I’d like to offer the link to my list of posts and activities that are supportive for parents during these crazy times. From activities to some keeping-sane advice, look over the different posts that other parents/teachers/guardians have found helpful on my blog over the last few months.

Helpful Suggestions for Readings and Activities for Parents

Plus, there are just a few more days to enter the Back to School 2020 Blog Tour Giveaway. Enter by doing simple activities such as tweeting about this blog tour, commenting on how you are enjoying it, and signing up to follow my Facebook page.

ENTER $25 Amazon Gift Card GIVEAWAY HERE!

Tomorrow will be the last day of the blog tour. Please, stop by for the last fabulous children’s author interview, and a very special announcement.

Until then, stay safe and keep reading and writing,

-Mrs. Turner

Sep2

Day 3: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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back2schoolbanner2020Welcome to day three of the Back to School Blog Tour. Today, I’d like to introduce you to the featured author for today, Devin Martin. During the day he’s his school community’s “Mr. Lunch Lady”. At night, he writes up a storm of stories to emphasize empathy, understanding, self-awareness, and reassure the next generation. In his book, “Mama Nuni”, he’s brought to life a fantastic character in Mama. Mama Nuni’s ranch is her version of heaven where she teaches her students lessons of life. When she hires a clumsy ranch hand, he becomes the catalyst for teaching kindness and empathy. This book is a teaching treat for many instructors and parents.

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Devin Martin is the author of the children’s book, “Mama Nuni”.

I had the chance to talk to Devin about his childhood reading memories, writing process, and what he has in store for us with future projects.

1) What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Devin Martin: My favorite memory from reading as a child, would have to be my 3rd grade teacher reading Witches to the class. She would get all animated and creep through the rows of desks, and use crazy witch voices. She was awesome! She would make us read a paragraph, so I would try to jump ahead and memorize my paragraph so I didn’t mess up when it was my turn. Never worked. HAHA!

 2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Devin Martin: My favorite author growing up those early years would have to be Joanna Cole. “The Magic School Bus” was my go-to-the-T.V. show. Matched up with the books, I just retained so much information. After that, I really didn’t start reading for fun again until late in high school. I got into autobiographies of people and athletes I was interested in.


3) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Devin Martin: All of my stories start as a poem. I like to think, they are better described as allegories. I use thesauruses often, to help with imagery in the words. Sometimes it takes me 5 minutes. Sometimes it takes me a week to write one story.


4) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Devin Martin: All of my books will be related to reasoning with the human condition. We, as parents, often have a hard time reasoning with our kids (for obvious reasons ;-), let alone trying to educate them on what it means to be reasonable and self-aware, especially in those elementary age years. So in the future, you will see more content related to attitude and effort, understanding, empathy, personal accountability, etc.


5) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Devin Martin: For me writing is what binds emotions and logic.

MamaNuniCover-DevinMartin“Mama Nuni” has a big heart, and loves teaching valuable lessons on her ranch. It’s her heaven on Earth. When she hires a clumsy ranch hand, she discovers that her students are teasing him. Seizing the opportunity to instill a lesson of tolerance, kindness and empathy, she works towards showing her students the importance of standing up for others. This heartwarming story shows the power of showing kindness to others and the ability to use the power of love.

“Mama Nuni” is available at: Amazon.com.

For more information on Devin Martin, please visit his Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/jrshoocreativeinc.

Don’t forget, there is still time to enter the Back to School Blog Tour Giveaway. You can enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card hosted by Rafflecopter.com.

LINK TO WIN YOUR $25 BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING SPREE!

Plus, each day I’m including links to help parents and teachers with distance learning. Back when everyone went into the pandemic lockdown during the spring, I wrote up a complete on-line novel to go along with my first book, The Lost Secret of Fairies. 

Here is the link for the full FREE online novel study. Download all the helpful graphic organizers for journal entries, character traits essay responses, theme & message exercises, and an essay short answer test at the end of the study. I developed it over the last couple of years I taught in the classroom, and offer it for free to go along with my book. Hopefully, it will be helpful in your distance learning planning.

ONLINE NOVEL STUDY LINK!

Tomorrow, another children’s author interview and more links to help support distance learning during these crazy, pandemic times. Until then, keep reading and writing!

-Mrs. Turner

 

 

 

 

Sep1

Day 2: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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back2schoolbanner2020Welcome to the second day of the Back to School Blog Tour 2020. This is such an unusual year. So, I’m gathering fantastic authors to help support children and parents during this crazy, pandemic. I’m sure between supervising instruction at home and helping your child, you’d love to hear about how to support their mental wellness. Maybe even your child misses their extra curricular activities such as sports, classes or even music. Supporting children with problems that may still occur is a great way to continue their emotional development, especially if it can be through literature.

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Karen Goeller is the author of the children’s book, “Missy’s Voice”.

Karen Goeller has an athletic background to bring to her authorship. She has taught gymnastics training and coached several State Champions. She has also appeared in many TV shows such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gotham, Law & Order and other commercial appearances. Her love for writing arose when she had an accident in 2000, and found writing to be a therapy while she was bed-ridden. From her struggles growing up, she has written many gymnastic-themed books to help children through their growing pains. Her book, Missy’s Voice, tells the story of a young singer dealing with bullying at school.

I had a chance to talk to Karen about her childhood reading memories, her writing process, and what writing means to her.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Karen Goeller: I did not like reading as a child, but I enjoy writing and have over twenty published books.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Karen Goeller: I do not have a writing routine. I write when I have the creative bug or when I feel I have something to say. Once I start a project I push through, almost non-stop until finished. 

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Karen Goeller: Writing is expressing thoughts and sharing with the world.

KarenGoeller-missys-voice-coverMissy’s Voice is a story that tells about a young girl that loves to sing. She became popular from the local school talent show, and some of the other girls start to bully her. Will she be able to show them that she is unique? Will jealousy lose to positive kindness as Missy faces her tormentors?

“Missy’s Voice” is available at Amazon.com, and BarnesandNoble.com, and at the author’s website, www.MissysVoice.com.

For more information about about the author, please visit her website at:

www.KarenGoeller.com.

Remember, you have all week to enter the blog tour giveaway for the $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Here’s the link to enter:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/20834f9e21/

Plus, to support parents, I wrote a blog post a few months ago to help you set up a structure for your little ones to do distance learning at home.

Here is the link to the blog article:

Tips for Parents During the Long Distance Learning During Corona Virus

  • Has downloadable home study rules.
  • Tips to help create structure for learning at home.

More still to come. Check back daily and follow the blog!

Until tomorrow,

-Tiffany Turner

Head writer/Editor

Indie Children’s Authors Connection Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug31

Day 1: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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back2schoolbanner2020Welcome to the first day of the Back to School Blog Tour for 2020. In these unusual times, I wanted to keep to my traditional events and create a fabulous blog tour to support all the teachers and students learning virtually this school year. All the interviews and books mentioned this week would make create read-alouds, novel studies, and independent reading for students as support for these unusual times.

Before I get into my fabulous first author’s interview, I wanted to give you the link to the Blog Tour Giveaway. All week, it will be open to take entries to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Come back each day to enter again. The winner will be announced next week.

Back to School 2020 Blog Tour Giveaway Link Here! (Run through Rafflecopter.com).

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Casey Gale is the author of the children’s book, “Always Together.”

With that introduction, I’d like you to meet my first author. Casey Gale spends a lot of her time helping others to find cost effective housing in her community. She works towards dedicating her time to fight hunger and to assist non-profit organizations to educate families and youth. She’s taken her experiences as well as being a single mom and parent, to create her first children’s book, “Always Together.” This book helps to bridge a relationship between mother and daughter through love.

I had a chance to talk to Casey Gale about her memories of reading as a child, her favorite authors, and what she has in store for future projects.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Casey Gale: I loved going to the bookstore with my grandma and then coming home retreating to my room or the tree house cuddled with pillows and a blanket. I would be taken away on an adventure for hours. Often times I couldn’t bring my current read to school as I would be distracted. J

Now my bag always has a book in it.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Casey Gale: The Nancy Drew series is what really sparked my love of reading.

  • What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Casey Gale: Don’t hesitate, it’s your story, go for it! Whether you pursue a publishing house or self publish, it’s your vision…there are many options for you to achieve your goal of being a published author. Sometimes the fear won’t go away so you’ll have to do it afraid!

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Casey Gale: I have two other books The Adventures of Midnight and Midnight In Maui with the publisher. Midnight is my black cat. I’m also working on a novel that is based on true events.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Casey Gale: Experiencing a vacation, creative and real life, and expressing real life vulnerabilities.

AlwaysTogether-Cvr“Always Together” is a loving letter to all daughters from their mothers. Told with rhyming lines, this story helps convey the inner thoughts of a mother to her daughter as she grows up. It’s an ode told by a mother to help all daughters understand their mother’s love and actions to bring them closer together. In times such as these, stressing love and relationships is something that all mother’s want to reaffirm. Bring comfort and connection with your little one as a read aloud or for the start of the school year.

“Always Together” is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

For more information or to connect with the author, visit her Amazon Author page or at her social media:

Instagram: @caseygaleus
Facebook: @caseygaleofficial

Thanks for stopping by today. Look forward daily posts all week with more featured books, author interviews and links to helpful, supportive blog posts during these crazy, pandemic times. Until tomorrow, keep reading!

-Tiffany Turner

Head writer/Editor

Indie Children’s Authors Connection Blog

 

Aug28

Coming Soon: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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BacktoSchoolBlogTour2020It’s almost here. The 8th Annual Back to School Blog Tour is ready to launch on Monday, Aug. 31. This year, there will be a line-up of authors and featured books to help support kids, parents and teachers during this challenging year. With changes in routine to going to school masked or online, kids and parents are facing different challenges than ever before. I’ve lined up a variety of authors and their books to help support creative learning, children’s literature and distance learning.

back2schoolbanner2020Here is the line-up of authors for this year:

  1. Casey Gale
  2. Karen Goeller
  3. Devin Martin
  4. Craig R. Hazen
  5. Thomasina M. D’Arezzo

Each author will be featured each day of the blog tour. Feel free to visit information about their blogs/websites and about their featured book. As an added treat, I will be giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card through a Rafflecopter giveaway. Just visit the link to win all week, and the winner will be announced after the blog tour is over.

Come join all the fun and get to know some new, fabulous children’s authors!

The Back to School Blog Tour will be Monday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 4. Hosted here by the Indie Children’s Authors Connection.

***Follow my blog to get all of the posts emailed to you.

See you next Monday!

-Tiffany Turner

Jul19

Interview with K.A. Ashton

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K.A. Ashton and her daughter are co-authors of the book, “Smiling Back at You”.

With school opening around the corner, it will be back to schoolbooks, virtual learning and/or some in class interaction. The life lessons will still need to be taught, and I’ve found a great book to help kids deal with believing in yourself and stand up to bullying.

Meet K.A. Ashton. She and her daughter co-authored the book, “Smiling Back at You”. I had a chance to talk with K.A. Ashton about her childhood reading memories, favorite authors, and subjects she’d like to explore as an author. 

1) What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

K.A. Ashton: My Favorite Memory reading as a child was reading mystery books and getting lost in the story!

2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

K.A. Ashton: My favorite author was Carolyn Keene who authored the Nancy Drew Series.

3) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

K.A. Ashton: I would love to write about balancing personal development working through Corporate America.

smilingbackyouCVRpromo“Smiling Back at You” is a book where children can learn to believe in themselves and stand up to bullies. Sugar is learning to deal with the tough things, including bullying. Join her in discovering what it means to enjoy being yourself and find the strength to stand up for whom you are.

“Smiling Back at You” is available at http://publishingadvantagegroup.com/smilingbackatyou/.

 

 

Sep11

Day 3 of the 2019 Back to School Blog Tour

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Lisa Parkes is the author of the children’s book Stuck Between Two Worlds.

Welcome to third day of the Back to School Blog Tour for 2019. I’d like to introduce you to our featured author for the blog tour today. Lisa Parkes is an extraordinary author. She is an author and life coach that helps children deal with their trauma. With many years of training, she has helping children through PTSD, anxiety and depression. With many challenges as a child, Lisa Parkes has used her experience and training to create a story that will help and inspire children going through a similar crisis. Her book, Stuck Between Two Worlds, explores the ways to help heal from childhood trauma while incorporating the love of fantasy and magic, and escaping into another world. I had the chance to talk to Lisa about her childhood memories of reading, growing up, advice for aspiring writers, and what she has in store for us with future projects.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Lisa Parkes: I remember relaxing rainy days where we couldn’t go outside. I would sit in my playroom or lie on my bed and read. I could literally dive into a book and lose myself for the whole day. It was my idea of heaven and even now – all these years later- I love a rainy Sunday.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Lisa Parkes: I loved Enid Blyton. In her book, The Enchanted Wood, she created other worlds to explore at the top of the Magic Faraway Tree. She helped me see that my imagination was limitless and gave me some respite from a noisy world. I realized I could go anywhere in my mind and nobody could find me there. It was my most private place and I was happy there.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Lisa Parkes: I love to write to music. Music is energizing and uplifting. I’m better writing early in the day. When I wake up my brain is full of ideas. I’m inspired by my work and by things I observe in daily life. I usually make notes in my phone if something happens or I see something that moves me or teaches me something. I like to write in a journal most days by hand. But when I’m writing a book or a podcast episode, I just sit down at my laptop and let my fingers do the talking. I write unedited and from my heart. I think about what I want to say, not what other people will want to hear. Then go back after a cup of tea and tweak it.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Lisa Parkes: I would like to write more about how we treat children and what they need to grow up feeling happy and healthy. I would also like to write more for the child who feels like they don’t belong or who feels alone or different.

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  • What is your favorite memory growing up? 

Lisa Parkes: Going on holiday – stepping out of the daily routine and visiting somewhere new. I love the sea, ice cream, swimming and reading in the shady spots. I was lucky as a kid, in that I went to Disney a few times and I fell in love with the magic of the place. I can remember having my picture taken with the Minnie and Mickey. The highlight was watching the electrical light parade on Main Street and telling my Mum that I wanted to be a Disney dancer. That or a dolphin trainer. I loved swimming and dancing. I still do!

6) What inspired you to become a life coach and then children coach? 

Lisa Parkes: It wasn’t a path I chose – it chose me! In my personal life I had a lot of therapy to heal from childhood trauma which manifested as PTSD, anxiety and depression. As a life long learner and avid reader, I then began to study everything I could get my hands on. It was a long and painful process and lonely at times. I wanted to make a future contribution to break the cycle and for there to be less hurt children in the world.

  • What gave you the idea to write “Stuck Between Two Worlds”? 

Lisa Parkes: I didn’t know how, but I had the idea to write a book that would incorporate my childhood and my work with children in a way that could be understood on different levels. I think I have done that with the magic and the wonder of The Wilderness – a free place for children to follow their hearts, and Nettie the fairy mentor who is playing the role of the ‘good enough’ parent. Luckily for me, once I started to write it all fell out on the page easily.

  •  What would be some advice you could give to aspiring younger authors? 

Lisa Parkes: To write as often as you are able to. Find ways to make writing part of your daily routine – journaling is good for that. Don’t edit yourself. Write what is in your heart, not what you think people want to hear. Don’t be afraid to speak your truth and what is right for you. It’s your story, your words and it is unique to you. Write from your own real life experiences and the places you go to in your imagination. 

  • What is it you love the best about being a children’s author?

Lisa Parkes: This is my first book and I find it hard to wrap my head around that word! I’m excited that I can reach more people with my work and do it in a way that is enjoyable. Learning about ourselves and the world we live in should be fun. I like to think that my book would keep the reader company during those times when they felt lonely or disappointed by life.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Lisa Parkes: Writing gives me the freedom to express my inner world, and share that with other like-minded souls.

B2W Final Front CoverStuck Between Two Worlds is a fantasy children’s book that helps many school-aged children learn to deal with those negative and scary feelings like low self-esteem and anxiety. Firecracker Ruby was in trouble again. Crying in her room seemed to be the only way she could express herself until she had a fairy friend visit her. Nettie takes Ruby to the world of the Wilderness where she learns that she is a “wildheart”, a strong-willed child with a sensitive soul. Ruby learns how to use her wildheart powers for good, to shrink her worries and master her fears while dealing with life’s lessons. This story will touch any child that needs inspiration to be themselves and inspire self confidence. This heart-warming story will bring them into a world where they learn they may be a wildheart too.

Stuck Between Two Worlds is available as a Kindle or paperback edition at Amazon.com.

For more information on Lisa Parkes, please visit her website at: http://www.smileyforlife.com/book.

To enter the Back to School Blog Tour Giveaway, please link to the Rafflecopter Giveaway HERE! Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card to add to your Back to School Library at home or in the classroom.

remember-9-11I’d like to close today’s entry with a moment of remembrance for all those lost 18 years ago today on Sept. 11, 2001. Never forgotten!

 

 

Sep10

Day 2 of the 2019 Back to School Blog Tour

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Vijaya Bodach is author of the novel, Bound.

Welcome back to DAY TWO of the Seventh Annual Back to School Blog Tour. I’d like to introduce you to today’s featured author: Vijaya Bodach. She is a scientist as well as a children’s writer that has recently started publishing her own books as Bodach Books. She has written over 60 children’s books, including Ten Easter Eggs, along with magazine articles, stories and poems. Bound is her first novel. I had the chance to ask Vijaya about her childhood reading memories, what inspires her, and what future projects she has planned.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Vijaya Bodach: I remember learning to read on my own at the age of six and how it opened the world for me. I no longer had to ask anybody to read me a story. I loved the freedom it gave me to read as many books as I could on our regular trips to the library and then picking out four books of my own to bring home for a month.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Vijaya Bodach: My favorite author was Enid Blyton when I was young. She wrote imaginative tales of animals—I loved how Brer Rabbit always outsmarted the other bigger animals. She also wrote realistic boarding school and adventure stories. It was pure entertainment always filled with interesting tidbits of information. It reminds me always that what matters most is a good story.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Vijaya Bodach: I began writing when I became a mother so I was a night-time writer for a few years until the children started school. I’d steal a few minutes at the kitchen counter during the day to jot down thoughts and ideas and those 10-20 min added up. Once I got the children off to school, I’d get to my writing after doing morning chores. I got a couple of good 90-min blocks to write most days. I’d write a bit after supper and on the weekends if I had deadlines to meet. My husband was very supportive by taking care of the children. My kids are grown and away at college now, but I suspect I’ll stick to the school routine.

One thing I did from the beginning was to reserve one day per week for the business aspects—querying, submitting, researching magazines and book publishers. I need to start doing this again. It’s so easy to get lost in your own world and neglect the business aspects in writing.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Vijaya Bodach: I have several picture book biographies I want to write but my characters from BOUND are again talking in my head. So, I need to pay attention to them first. Their lives have been percolating for over a year.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Vijaya Bodach: Writing allows me to think more deeply about the questions that haunt me.

vidjaya cover bookSeventeen-year-old Rebecca Joshi, an adopted girl from India, burn survivor, and primary caretaker of her intellectually disabled sister, Joy, has the one dream to be a physician. Her traditional Indian father relies upon Rebecca to care for Joy while he buries himself in work to drown his grief over his wife’s death. Leaving home is the only way Rebecca can envision reaching her goal.

She helps Joy develop greater independence, and is devastated when Joy becomes pregnant. Rebecca tussles–with her father and with herself–over who is responsible for Joy and her baby. When Rebecca discovers the truth of what happened the day she was burned, she struggles to hold onto her dream while wrestling with questions of life, love, and responsibility.

This will make a great YA book for any high school classroom. Great gift for the beginning of school.

Bound is available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

For more information on the author, Vijaya Bodach, please visit her website/blog at:

https://vijayabodach.blogspot.com

back2schoolbanner2019Plus, for a chance to enter and win a $25 Amazon Gift Card for visiting during the Back to School Blog Tour, please visit the Rafflecopter giveaway link below. Winner will be announced Monday, Sept. 16, 2019.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/20834f9e19/

**Come back tomorrow for another featured Indie Children’s Author!

 

 

 

 

 

Sep9

Day 1 of the 7th Annual Back to School Blog Tour

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back2schoolbanner2019Welcome to the first day of the 7th Annual Back to School Blog Tour. We have a fabulous first author featured today, Terry Gunn. But first, I wanted to put up the Blog Tour giveaway. If you’re a student or teacher, here’s a great way to supply yourself with books for the school year by winning a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

Follow the link below to enter:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/20834f9e19/

Note: Giveaway begins midnight EDT.

And now without further adieu:

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Terry Gunn is the author of the picture book, The Adventures of Klaus, the Happy Schnauzer.

I’d like to introduce you to the first featured author for the 7th Annual Back to School Blog Tour. Terry E. Gunn lives in HTB California with her family and newest fur baby, Rocket Riley. She has written a fabulous picture book about the adventures of her beloved schnauzer going through a typical dog day. It’s a playful story that can be a wonderful repeating read-aloud to help children fall asleep each night. I had a chance to ask her questions about her writing routine, childhood reading memories and favorite authors growing up.

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Terry Gunn: My favorite memory as a child and still today is memorizing books, reading them aloud, conducting plays or singing songs from the sound of music to my young cousins.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Terry Gunn: Favorite author is Judy Schachner, she writes about her kitty and I love the stories. My first book is about my beloved Klaus Von Dog.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Terry Gunn: My writing time is early morning when the house is quiet and my imagination is not interrupted, but my job interrupts story creating and stories are a way to bring joy into children’s heart and allow Klaus to live in the hearts of children.

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  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Terry Gunn: The subjects I write about are dogs and their adventures. I use to memorize the different dogs and collected dog statues during my visit to Catalina Avalon. But I have two stories in the works about hats and pennies.

  •  What is writing to you in one sentence?

Terry Gunn: The story begins in the heart, continues with a pen and ends with a smile. Happy reading.

KlauscvrThe Adventures of Klaus, the Happy Schnauzer is a wonderful picture book that goes through the typical day of a beloved dog. From the challenge of trying to catch the neighborhood squirrel to doing tricks for a treat, children are taken through his dog-oriented day. His owner helps you grab his leash and go with him to explore the neighborhood.

Out on their walks, the two set off to the park for a game of catch, play with other dog friends, and then for a game of hide and seek. At the end of a busy day, Klaus is ready for sleep. Like most dogs, he falls fast asleep to do it all again the next day. His activities parallel a similar day for a preschooler with waking up, eating breakfast, playing, meeting friends and going to sleep. This would make a great read-aloud to settle down any youngster before bed.

The Adventures of Klaus, the Happy Schnauzer is available at Amazon.com as a paperback or ebook edition.

Link here for the book trailer on YouTube!

***Come back each day this week for a new featured author interview and a chance to win the $25 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.