Tag Archives: covid pandemic

Mar13

Guest Blog Post: “Tips to Encourage Children to Read” by Chris Lewis

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Tips to Encourage Children to Read

Guest Post by author, Chris Lewis

It is certainly handy when a book’s character or series matches the values you want to encourage. An association to a series could also support children in finding a common connection with other children.

We all learn in different ways. Sometimes you can learn at the same time you do something you enjoy. The following are a few tips to encourage children to read.

1. Look for relatable characters.

Connection with characters in a story may make it easier for children to learn from their experiences and perhaps appreciate a topic from a different view. Sometimes a situation can be better understood by a child when they see themselves represented in a group or activity.

2. Try something a little bit silly or unorthodox.

Animals are often used in picture books for their relatable factor. There are lots of examples in books where animals talk and live like humans. Sometimes, characters are a mix of both human and animal characteristics. Some stories have objects which are living, for example, a talking teapot. 

3. Think about the format. 

There are lots of book formats to choose from, but in summary, the choice is a physical version or an electronic copy. New books typically attract a new cost, but you can get access to free books from the library, or you can browse the Internet for a variety of free ones. 

Sometimes there are extra elements in an eBook compared to a print version. Animation is a good example. Traditional books take up more space than eBooks. Still, there is a print version preference because of the look and feel, and no batteries are required.

4. Support the reading journey.

A child could use the same book from early childhood to a point where they can potentially read it by themselves. The knowledge gained from familiarity can serve as a morale boost when children get to the stage they can read independently.

5. Find a book for the right development stage.

The need of every child differs in the course of their development. Whether a child will enjoy a book or find it boring depends on the length, grammar, and level of content the child is prepared for, emotionally.

About The Author

Chris Lewis is the author of the eBook picture book Jax and Sheba get Messy for ages three to five. A print version will be available to order on March 16th, 2021. For more information about their books, please visit his website here.

***Connect with this author, Chris Lewis, through the interview featured on this blog.

Link here to the interview with Chris Lewis.

Nov10

Interview with Judith A. Proffer

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Judith A. Proffer is the author of the children’s book, “We Stayed At Home”.

With all the new changes with COVID and distance learning, it’s hard for children to understand why the changes are happening and to safely follow all the new expected procedures. I’ve found a great book that revisits the story that happened to us all this spring, and why it’s so important to embrace the changes in our lives and stay safe for everyone.

Judith A. Proffer is the co-author of the book “We Stayed At Home”.  Written with co-author Tara Fass, a licensed marriage and family therapist, this book helps illustrate the ups and downs that children are experiencing with the virus, and how they can be supported with school, home life, and their general well being. I had a chance to talk to Judith about her reading memories as a child, favorite authors, inspirations and why she loves to write.


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

Judith A. Proffer: Visiting the library weekly with my mother and sisters, we each could select a handful of books. It was such a rich experience. And for me it was more than the content, it was also about illustration, the feel of the paper, the typography. The entire book appreciation experience. I may have even smelled a brand new book or two. I shall neither confirm nor deny that.


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

Judith A. Proffer: Asking me to name a favorite author is akin to asking me to consider my favorite song or book or dog. As a child I wasn’t a finicky reader, I enjoyed a swath of genres. I have a crush on storytellers and writers. As for how they may have influenced me. I learned early on that words don’t need to be particularly hefty or fancy to make an impact. They just need to be the right word in the right sentence to pack a powerful punch.


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

Judith A. Proffer: I love writing with my morning tea. I love writing in my rose garden at sunlight’s golden hour. And I even love those 2 a.m. moments of inspiration.


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

Judith A. Proffer: Travel, climate change, honoring the heroes among us.


5) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Judith A. Proffer: Writing is the purest expression of my truest self.

“When We Stayed Home” is a wonderfully, illustrated book that helps children cheer themselves on during these unusual times. It honors their role as “superheroes” by staying home and learning, but validating the necessity of the sacrifice of keeping distance, avoiding playgrounds, and limiting visits with family and friends. Co-authored with a family and marriage therapist, this book will help families navigate the bumps of the pandemic with a dash of hope and optimism.

For more information on Judith A. Proffer, please visit her website at: http://huquapress.com/.

Sep4

Day 5: Back to School Blog Tour 2020

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Welcome to the last day of the Back to School Blog Tour. I hope you have enjoyed all of our featured authors this week, and have added to your home or class online library. I’d like to wrap up this fabulous week by introducing you to my last featured author, Thomasina M. D’Arezzo. She is a published poet, and has written children’s books and women’s fiction.  She lives in New England citing autumn being one of her favorite seasons. She enjoys hiking, acting and listening to music when not involved in writing. She’s proud of her recent college graduate son.

Thomasina M. D’Arezzo is the children’s author of the mystery children’s book, “Marco The Mini Sleuth: Where did the Kitten Go?”

Her recent book, “Marco The Mini Sleuth: Where did the Kitten Go?” is a fun mystery adventure that any kid can get lost in. Great for writing assignments or studying the mystery genre, this book will introduce your child to her fantastic Marco The Mini Sleuth series. I had a chance to talk to Thomasina about her childhood reading interests, writing process, and what writing means to her.

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

Thomasina M. D’Arezzo: For Children’s books there are multiple that I like. I enjoy a lot of classic tales. I particularly enjoyed “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter and “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll.

2) Do you have a writing routine?

Thomasina M. D’Arezzo: When writing a novel I have a routine where I try to write 5000 words per day. When writing a children’s book, I will sit on the idea for a while in my head before I bring it all to life.

3) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Thomasina M. D’Arezzo: It’s a beautiful escape from reality! A world where you can create what you want!

“Marco The Mini Sleuth: Where did the Kitten Go?” is a great mystery for any child to get lost in. Marco’s cousins have recently lost their new kitten. Marco is on the case. By using his magical magnifying glass, he goes out looking for clues. They all work together to solve the mystery, but they get side tracked along the way. Will the clues lead them to the kitten in time?

“Marco The Mini Sleuth: Where did the Kitten Go?” is available at Amazon.com.

To close out this year’s blog tour, I’d like to announce two things.

  • It’s not too late to still enter the Back to School 2020 Blog Tour $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway. The giveaway will be open through the end of the week, and will close for entries on Sept. 7, 2020. The winner will be announced next week on the blog. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
  • New picture book release: I Don’t Want to Wear A Mask

I’ve been working feverishly on this project the last few months, and I’m happy to announce it’s release during this year’s Back to School Blog Tour. This picture book is a great way to help children validate their anxiety and concerns about the pandemic and how it is changing our lives.

A little about my new book:

Trying to teach your child about the importance of wearing a mask in school?

Albert is returning to school. But this year is different than all others before. He has to wear a mask. The COVID-19 Virus has spread around the world in the first pandemic in one hundred years. He has been studying at home, and has missed a lot of things. He misses his friends in preschool. He misses his teacher. He misses being outside and playing on the playground. But for his first day of Kindergarten, he has to wear a mask. Will talking with his mother about the reasons to wear masks help Albert understand how he can be a superhero?

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This picture book helps children understand the importance of wearing a mask in school. They can be a superhero just like Albert as they wear a mask like other adult heroes in grocery stores, post offices or libraries. Teach your little one the importance of mask wearing as they return to in-person school or prepare for online distance learning. Help children understand the new normal happening around them and why it is important. This book is recommended for ages 3 to 8. It’s available on Amazon.com as a print or ebook edition.

I want to thank all of the participating authors for sharing a little of themselves and their fabulous books. I look forward to this blog tour highlighting unique, Indie children’s authors at the beginning of each school year.

This year is so very different than many others, and I hope the book recommendations, interviews and my resources are supportive and helpful to parents and teachers during this school year of 2020 -2021.

***Please follow my blog to find out about wonderful, fabulous Indie children’s authors and their books all year long!

Until next year, remember to keep reading and writing,

-Mrs. Turner

Aug23

Interview with Adrianne Ashford

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Adrianne Ashford is one of the co-authors of the picture book, “Noni Bugs Returns to School”.

In anticipation of the Back to School Blog tour, I’m doing a series of pre-interviews and post-interviews to get everyone into the mood for this special time of year. This is an extra extraordinary time because of the challenges of COVID19 and distance learning. So, I’ve been looking all over for great read-alouds and literature to help with your home schooling, whether you’re a parent or teacher.

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Courtney Ashford is the other co-author of the book, “Noni Bugs Returns to School”.

Let me introduce you to my first find. It is co-written by Adrianne Ashford and Courtney Ashford. They are a mother and daughter writing team. With Adrianne’s school counseling experience and Courtney’s storytelling memories from her grandmother, they’ve combined their efforts to bring a fabulous new series of books. “Noni Bugs Returns to School” is their new book that addresses the fears of returning to school during the COVID19 pandemic. It’s a wonderful book to calm your little ones anxiety about this school year.

I had the chance to talk to Adrianne Ashford about her childhood reading memories, favorite authors and writing routines.

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

Adrianne Ashford: My favorite memory from reading as a child is my mother sitting on the edge of my bed and reading Little Women with me. l developed a love for the amazing, adventurous world that a book could take me to.

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

Adrianne Ashford: My favorite author was Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women. Her ability to describe characters and bring them to life, made me feel like I knew them and today that makes me want to do the same for my readers.

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

Adrianne Ashford: My writing routine includes writing down main ideas, conversations between characters, then drafting a storyline.
4) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Adrianne Ashford: I am looking forward to writing about topics that will help children identify their feelings and develop health coping skills. Topics like accepting diversity, coping with divorce, the feelings after the loss of a grandparent or someone they love, and moving to a new school. Anything that addresses real-life issues that I can present through a fun loving cat named Noni Bugs.

5) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Adrianne Ashford: Writing is the opportunity to help others and contribute to something bigger than myself.

childrens book return to school postcovid19 kids book cover“Noni Bugs Returns to School” is a picture book about facing the fear of COVID19 while returning to school. Noni Bugs has been doing her schoolwork at home over the last several months. Now, it’s time to return to in-person school, but she’s nervous. Everything is so different. But her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Cook, is there to help her and all the kids adjust to this new type of schooling. Help your little one adjust to the changes in their daily school routine with this comforting topical tale.

“Noni Bugs Returns to School” is available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

For more information about Adrianne Ashford and her books, please visit her website/author page at https://www.amazon.com/Adrianne-Ashford/e/B08F6TFVFW.

For more information about Courtney Ashford, please visit her author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Courtney-Ashford/e/B08F7MQ5F3.