Summer Has Begun!

Emily finished school and summer has officially begun for the Stewart family. This past week, we celebrated the beginning of our summer break by taking our annual family vacation. And I think there is a rule somewhere that says if you drive through Utica, Ohio, you have to stop at Ye Old Mill and get some Velvet Ice-cream. If not, there should be!

 

This particular trip was the first time in ten years that my mother wasn't part of the group, but as I sat by the fire admiring the view of the lake, I knew she would have loved the place I chose. Maybe she  even looked down upon us smiling at the grand kids.

 

Seeing as this was our first stay at the Lakehouse nestled on the edge of Burr Oak Lake, we weren't sure what to expect, but the scenery was outstanding, the wildlife abundant, the house extremely well maintained, well stocked, and it had more then adequate seating everywhere imaginable.

 

But the fun didn't stop there because on our way home we stopped at the Hocking Hills Flea Market where Emily sat in a big chair, where we bought the most delicious kettle corn, and where we found some bargains on mini antique bottles.

And despite all this busyness, I still managed to read a fun picture book called Duck on a Bike which is the tale of how Duck inspired all the farm animals to go for a ride with none of the humans any the wiser. Definitely a book worth looking for. There is even a version with an audio cd available.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.

Looking for Moose

I know we are only in the beginning of October, but I am already super excited and preparing for Emily's and my trip to the Central Massachusetts Children's Book Festival in Gardner Massachusetts November 12th. Last year we took this trip, and we decided this year it would once again be a girls only trip. This time, however, we are taking a few extra days to stop at Hershey Pennsylvania. We are going to stay at the Hershey Lodge which has an indoor water park. We are going to visit Hershey World and learn about chocolate. And if we have time, we might even visit Zoo America. This is the perfect stop since we just studied about the history of chocolate and the history of Milton Hershey.

 

Last year when we made this trip we saw numerous moose crossing signs and although we kept a sharp eye out for moose, we didn't see any. So when I was at the library picking out books last week and I saw a book titled The Invisible Moose, I thought about our upcoming trip and hoped that maybe this year we will see a moose in person. I also thought about my friend Lisa who has two great children's books featuring moose. You see where I'm going with this don't you? And of course you are correct. this weeks reviews are all books featuring moose.

The first book I read and mentioned above, The Invisible Moose, was surprisingly sweet. It was the story of a shy moose trying to gain enough courage to speak to a lovely girl moose. Unfortunately by the time he  gathered that courage and started a conversation a very bad trapper captured her and carted her off to New York City. With the help of a wise owl, Moose traveled to the city and rescued his new love. I don't want to give too  much away so I won't say more, but I am sure kids will love this interesting story.

The second book I read, Moose On The Loose, reminded me of a song by Ozmotli that has the same name. The book was a very silly rhyming story of a missing moose. Every page added another person to help in the search and another rhyming animal they had seen in addition to the moose. Besides a moose on the loose, there was also a chartreuse caboose involved. This book is quite old but definitely worth seeing if your library has a copy; unfortunately I couldn't find a cover photo.

And finally, this post brings me back to the moose books I mentioned by my friend Lisa. I first met Lisa in 2011 at the Sandstone Book Expo where we were signing copies of our books. Her book at the time was a fabulous memoir called My Hero, My Ding about the special relationship between her and her grandfather. Lisa turned out to be a funny, warm, and witty person and I feel blessed to have made her acquaintance. Since that day, I have learned many things about Lisa. She is a teacher from Chicago, she is a talented writer, and she has a penchant for collecting moose. Did I say a penchant? Perhaps obsession is more like it. What ever you call it, that collection is what inspired her to write The Moose at the Manger. So if you like to Christmas shop a little early, I would recommend you check this book. Then you too, can share Muse the Moose's journey as he looses his family, worships at the manger, and finds his family once again. Even if you don't have children who might enjoy this book, snatch up one or two copies for all the moose lovers you know.

Her other moose book, Mark the Missing Moose, was born out of a family friend's tragedy, a suicide to be exact. Both the mother of the deceased and Lisa recognized the need to let children know that they can and should talk about anything bothering them no matter how painful or difficult. Lisa gently and beautifully tells the story of a young boy who recognizes that opening up and letting others in really helps.

 
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musing Monday Link Up where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days. 

Cats, Cats, Cats

I can't believe October is already here and Christmas is just around the corner. And while I have loved managing the Farmers' Market here in my home town, I am ready to take a break. Our last market was loads of fun and my Avon vendor led children in a dance party while our local dj spun us some great tunes!

But, now that market is over I can focus on traveling to book festivals, participating in local craft fairs with my story sister and fellow author, Deborah Boerema, and getting ready for the coming holidays.
 

And speaking of market being over, that also leaves me more time to read books. So this week, in honor of my three crazy cats, I read three cat books. The first book was titled, Holly, and is illustrated and written by Ruth Brown. It is the story of a stray kitten adopted near Christmas time.  and while it is several years old and not readily available online, it is definitely worth seeing if your library has a copy. I liked this book because it reminded me of our first cat Max who was also a stray dumped in our neighborhood.
 

 
The next book I read was Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli, and author I have read before. It is the story of another stray cat, a momma with kittens. One day while she is out getting something to eat, a fire breaks out endangering her five kittens. Despite the spoke and heat, she manages to rescue them all much to the amazement of one of the firefighters who takes them all to a rescue center. Like the first story, this one is also based on a real cat.

And last, but not least, I read Calico's Curious Kittens which follows the adventures of some curious and sometimes naughty kittens who gallivant  until nap-time. As they explore their world, they make a large new friend along the way and have a few mishaps until momma cat shows up to take them home.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musing Monday Link Up where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days. 

Salt Art Project and A Great Book!

Wow. This past week got away from me, and before I knew it, Monday morning arrived and I realized I had forgotten to write my blog post. So here I sit scrambling to get it done before Emily wakes up and we have to start our home school lessons.

As many of you know we home school through a private school's Independent Studies Program, so Emily attends choir practice twice a week and has all day Friday classes twice a month. On Thursday our home aide came to visit and on Friday it happened to be my day for lunch and recess duty. I think the schedule irregularities threw me off just a bit.

Speaking of homeschooling, this year I decided it would be fun for Emily and I to do art together. So whatever art project I have her accomplish, I try my hand at it as well. This week we made salt art pictures which are simple but pretty. All you  need is some black construction paper, some glue, some salt, and some water color paints. The idea is to draw your picture with glue, sprinkle it with salt, and when it is dry, paint the salt. This would be a great project for children both young and old.

Emily's Salt Art

My Salt Art

 This week also found me reading and reviewing books by some fellow authors that I know online, and little did I know how utterly I would fall in love with The Adventures of Geraldine Woolkins by Karin Kaufman. I loved the characters. I cherished the descriptions Miss Kaufman used to describe places and things. Words that, although not what humans would say, left you knowing exactly what the animals were referring to. But most of all, I love how Miss Kaufman delicately and effortlessly wove the message of faith into each chapter. Her description of God as Very Very Big Hands is a beautiful image and one I will think of often. Since my review copy was an e-version, I without a doubt had to purchase a hard copy to hold in my hands and read over and over. It is my sincerest wish that further adventures will be forthcoming in the near future. Rock on Miss Kaufman; you have been blessed with an extraordinary writing talent!

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musing Monday Link Up where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days. 

Smokey The Fireman

This week's blog will be short and sweet since I am in the middle of my family's annual camping trip and I don't want to miss any of the fun. You know the kind I mean, sitting around the campfire, blowing bubbles, cooking out.

 

Since our KOA is only about fifteen minutes away from home, each morning I run home to feed and water the cats and scoop the litter boxes. Glamorous I know, but a mom/authors work is never done. This does afford me the opportunity to quickly read and review, however, and since last night when we sat around the fire we heard the sound of the visiting firetrucks giving kids rides around the campground, I thought it would be appropriate to share Smokey The Fireman by Richard Scarry.
 

I remember reading Richard Scarry when I was a wee thing and the illustrations would keep me intrigued for hours. We had this really big book of bedtime stories by Richard which meant many nights of entertainment. Smokey The Fireman is a short, step into reading book, but still fun none the less. It is about Smokey and his adventures as he rescues Miss Kitty and puts out a house fire. It is about picnicking with Miss Kitty and ending up putting out a  nearby barn fire. And it is about eating lots and lots of pie. And let me tell you, you just can't go wrong with pie be it in a book or the real thing!

And if you happen to like the fire truck theme, here are two more great firetruck books.

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days. 

SOKYBF 2016

Sorry this post is a little later then normal, but we didn't get home from Kentucky until late. Kentucky, our home away from home. The place where I attend the Southern Kentucky Book Festival while my family visits relatives and rides horses.

 

And if you've never been to a book festival or fair, I recommend them heartily. I recommend them because they are an extraordinary place to find great books by authors and illustrators you know and love as well as authors and illustrators you don't yet know but might come to love. It's a place to make great new friends and visit long time friends. It's a place of wonder and a place I love to be a part of!

Debbie Dadey, Ginny Smith, and Me

This year I reunited with some of my besties like Lori Moore, Debbie Dadey, and Mark Wayne Adams, Emily's favorite illustrator.

Me, George, and Lori Moore

Debbie Dadey and Me

Mark Wayne Adams and Emily

I once again had the privilege of sitting next to Gail Nall, and enjoyed catching up with Jessica E. Young, Alison Lyne, Susan Eaddy, Matt Payne, Bruce Kessler, Kristin Tubb, and Mike Norris.

Gail Nall, Debbie Dadey, and Me

Me and Kristin Tubb

Jessica E. Young and New Friend Kay Whitehouse

In addition, I met some fabulous new friends like Gary Cieradkowski, Amanda Driscol, Kay Whitehouse, Margo Smith, Sara Celi, and I finally got to meet FB friend Julie Danielson. Despite reveling in children's books, I also have friends in other genres, friends like Ginny Smith, Carey Corp, Lori Langdon, and new friend Ray Peden, whom I was equally excited to see.

Susan Eaddy, Linda Hawkins, Julie Danielson, and Gary Cieradkowski

Margo Smith

So if you weren't as blessed as I was and weren't able to attend the Southern Kentucky Book Festival, be sure to check out these great books online at Barnes and Noble or Amazon!

 

Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.