Tag Archives: home learning

Oct4

Interview with Catherine Anderson-Barnes

Posted on by
Standard

For those teachers and home school parents looking for a wonderful way to tie several subjects together into a thematic teaching unit for your young students or child, here is a unique alphabet book for you. “Moving Through the Alphabet an Animal’s Way” combines fun facts for each letter, coordinated animal exercises and care of the body for a healthy inclusion in the curriculum. Best of all, it has beautiful and engaging illustrations.

I was honored to talk to the author of the book, Catherine Anderson-Barnes. A former educator, Mrs. Anderson-Barnes created a fantastic new perspective for learning the alphabet that is engaging and crosses several curriculum subjects. I got the chance to talk with her about her inspiration and several important aspects of her book.

1) From where did you get the ideas/inspiration for your books?

Catherine Anderson-Barnes: I have taught nutrition and health education for over 25 years, specializing in educating young children. Although I cherished being an educator, I found it important to resign my position to care for my late husband who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. During this time I remained passionate about working with children and was inspired to write a series of children’s books that would focus on health and wellness and incorporate the A, B, C’s. I took many of the learning experiences that had worked so well for me in the classroom, over those many years, and successfully transferred the lessons to paper.  

2) How can parents and teachers best use these books?

Catherine Anderson-Barnes: The books are filled with a great variety of learning opportunities: Learning colors, letters (upper and lower case), parts of our body, how foods play a role in our overall health, the importance of being physically active, fruit and vegetable recognition, animal recognition, and how animals are similar and different from us.

3) What do you think kids will like most about your books?

Catherine Anderson-Barnes: Children are sure to enjoy the vibrant colors, the whimsical fruit, vegetable and animal characters, be amazed by how fruits and vegetables assist different parts of our bodies, and act out each animal’s unique characteristics.

“Moving Through the Alphabet an Animal’s Way A to Z” is a picture book designed to focus on the role physical activity plays in our body’s health. Children are introduced to the ABC’s by animals from around the world. Each letter has a set of fun facts and physical activity associated with that animal’s movement. Role-play for physical activity while learning your ABC’s in an inspirational environment in this unique ABC book.

Buy @ Amazon

“Moving Through the Alphabet an Animal’s Way A to Z” is available on Amazon in hardcover and paperback editions. It is available as a Kindle Unlimited digital title.

Sep1

Day 5 of the 2023 Back to School Blog Tour: Recap of the Week/Resources

Posted on by
Standard

On the final day of the blog tour this year, I’d like to thank all of the participating authors for taking the time to submit their books and/or participate in the interviews. These authors take the time to write incredible books and then allow me to bring them to you. So, a big thank you to all of them.

And I’d also like to thank all of my readers that follow this blog. Over the years, I’ve tried to provide resources to help in the classroom and support parents at home in educating and helping their child to appreciate new voices in literature. So, thank you for returning again and again to see what new books and authors I have found for you.

Meanwhile, let’s recap the authors that have been participating this week.

If you missed any of the posts, these are short cuts to get you connected with each author and book that has been featured. Plus, there are a lot of different resources for the classroom and for home schooling on my blog. I’ve listed some of the free lesson plans and units you can find on my blog below.

Free Online Novel Study for my book, “The Lost Secret of Fairies”.

Parent Support for Homeschool: Free Ebook & Online Novel Study

Free Spooky Story Online Activity: Write Your Own Spooky Story

Write Your Own Spooky Story For Halloween

Link to Online Writing & Reading Lesson Plans

(With Selected Free Lesson Plans)

TPT Making Writing Fun Store

Thank you for a fantastic Back to School week of ideas, books, authors and organizational fun. I do hope that I’ve helped you plan more towards your 2023 curriculum, and that you have a fabulous start to your school year.

Until next time, keep safe and keep writing,

-Tiffany Turner

Retired Elementary Teacher

Head writer/editor for the Indie Children’s Authors Connection Blog

Mar24

Interview with Ronald J. Fontenot

Posted on by
Standard

Spring is almost here, and this is a great time to be inspiring your young ones and/or students into exploring their world and nature. I think I’ve found a fabulous book that can do both.

Meet Ronald J. Fontenot. He’s an artist/writer that enjoys creating beautiful and humorous children’s books. He’s written and illustrated “Sometimes the Beach”, a wonderful book that helps a child explore their feelings and connections with nature. He’s also written books under the name of Scott C. Johnson. I had a chance to talk with Ron about his favorite memories of reading as a child, future projects and what writing means to him.

  • What is your favorite reading memory as a child?

Ronald J. Fontenot: My favorite memory from reading as a child was both looking at the colorful pictures and learning a fun story. As an artist, I have always been very visual, and that remains true today. So, books with fun illustrations have always had a special place in my heart.

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

Ronald J. Fontenot: For future projects, I have a book in mind titled “A Dog for Douglas”. It is about a boy named Douglas getting his first puppy and how it changes his world.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Ronald J. Fontenot: Writing is sharing, in my opinion.

Book Blurb:

Sometimes the Beach is a three board book set centered around a boy and his experiences at the beach. There is Morning Beach, Sunny Beach, Cloudy Beach, Stormy Beach, Sunset Beach and Moonlit Beach. Each beach book provides its own feelings, activities, environment, and emotions as seen through the eyes of a young boy.

To the child, the beach provides unique experiences that captivate his emotions and give him a deep love for the beach. It is as if he is visiting a friend. This book is a great way to help a child relate with their emotions and connect with their environment. This set of board books is recommended for children 1 to 5 years old.

“Sometimes the Beach” is available at sometimesthebeach.com.

For more information on Ronald J. Fontenot, please visit his website/author page here.

Link to Read-Aloud of “Sometimes the Beach” by Ronald J. Fontenot on YOUTUBE.

Mar19

Interview with Steph Alexis

Posted on by
Standard

Father _ Son

Steph Alexis is the author of the book “The Burping Pumpkin” pictured here with his son.

In response to the corona virus lockdowns going on throughout the U.S. and the world, I’m continuing to feature author interviews and their books as a support for parents homeschooling during this crisis. I’ve found a great book that should bring a little humor and cheer into your lives at this time. The Burping Pumpkin is a humorous picture book written by Steph Alexis.

Mr. Alexis grew up in Grenada, and found himself making up stories to pass the time with the other village children. He used this skill to create fantasies with a touch of laughter; just the perfect thing to read to your children during these unnerving times. I had the chance to talk to Mr. Alexis about his childhood memories, what advice he has about writing, and what future projects he has in store for us.

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

Steph Alexis: My favorite memory from reading as a child was when my parents took me to the public library in the town and the excitement of seeing so many books. I wanted to take them all home! Reading was my most exciting class at school. We went outdoors and read under the shade of a huge Tamarind tree.
2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Steph Alexis: My favorite author was C. S. Lewis. His fantasy classic “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was a very fascinating and intriguing adventure, which ignited my love for reading. This book and the others in process all have that element of intrigue and adventure.
3) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Steph Alexis: I enjoy writing early in the mornings, that is when my creative juices are most abundant. I also make allowances for writing down and fresh ideas that pop into my head throughout the day. I have made a commitment to write for at least 30 minutes every day.

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

Steph Alexis: I have two books in the works, “The Magic Basketball” and “The Adventures of Zachery the Zebra”, which I plan to publish later this year. Both books will have embedded themes on, leadership, teamwork, and honesty with some adventure.

5) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Steph Alexis: Writing is the ability to express all of one’s imaginative and creative juices in a coherent manner for the benefit of others.

6) What was the inspiration to write this story?

Steph Alexis: I have always been interested in becoming a writer but never took the time to fully explore the possibility. When my son was in 6th grade, I gave him some assistance in writing a fictional story for his homework assignment. This exercise re-ignited my interest and I made a commitment to start writing. Of course, the story of the burping pumpkin was the first that popped into my head. This is my first publication.


7) How do you think humor enriches literature for children?

Steph Alexis: Humor is a very important ingredient in the social development of children. For children, as well as adults, humor is the best stress reliever. In today’s environment children are under greater amount of stress from the information overload that exists, as well as a push from adults for them to develop and learn at a faster pace. For this reason, humor is even more important to assist their young minds in maintaining some balance.
8) Why a “burping pumpkin”? Where did this idea come from?

Steph Alexis: The idea for this book came from an old folk tale that we recited as children on nights when there was a full moon. I started telling my son this story at bedtime and it became a nightly ritual. He would laugh hysterically and ask me to repeat the story, sometimes six times in one night! With all the what, how, why, and when questions I got from him every night, the story evolved to become “The Burping Pumpkin”.

9) What messages to you like to put into your stories?

Steph Alexis: I like to embed subtle themes and life lessons in my stories, such as obedience, teamwork, honesty and leadership. I strongly believe that these themes should be introduced to children at an early age when they are most impressionable.
10) Are you planning to write about growing up in the Grenada?

Steph Alexis: Yes! I plan to write a book called “The adventures of the Island Boy”. I have quite a bit of fascinating stories to tell about my boyhood days growing up on a tiny island in the Caribbean Sea.

The Burping PumpkinThe Burping Pumpkin is a witty and hilarious story that will have your children laughing as you read aloud. Zach and Zoe live in a tiny village. The mountains that surround their home are filled with giants. On an errand to pick berries, they venture further than they should and encounter a mountain giant. Who comes to the rescue? A Burping Pumpkin! This book is a great way to bring humor and literature into your child’s life. It’s great for elementary children as a reading activity during this corona virus lockdown or for traditional homeschooling.

The Burping Pumpkin is available at these Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

For more information on Steph Alexis, please visit his website at: https://outskirtspress.com/theburpingpumpkin.