1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Well, actually it was a surprise for me the day I started noticing that I was writing a book. I used to meditate and be connected with our higher source GOD; one day, after I finished my meditation routine I felt the necessity to start writing like I was being guided in my meditation… Then after I read what I wrote I was surprised, I couldn’t imagine how I wrote those words; ”It was not me”, I thought. I think I was connected and guided to do that. As today I have many writings ready to be edited and published.

All of this works couldn’t be done if not being supported by my husband and partner in this job, John Hale. He is the one in charge of editing, publishing and all the graphic design of my books.

2. How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends on the book, for example this one I recently published took me just one afternoon; it’s a short, simple and magical story that was inspired by my kids one day when we were in the pool.  Books for adults take a longer time; for example, I started to write the first one some years ago and it doesn’t have a final yet, so each book is different.

3. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Mostly I am inspired by Angels and God when I am in a meditative level. It’s amazing how I get all the information and how I am guided to start writing. I think the world is changing and too much new information needs to be shared with people in order to have a better planet, full of peace and light. That’s why I decided to start with a book for kids; they are our future and we need to start nurturing them with all the information they need to become more peaceful and enlightened adults later.

4. When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I started writing right after my first baby was born, 6 years ago. I was 31 years old.

5. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I definitely love to do two different activities:  the first and most important is being with my family. I am a mom of three little Angels and my husband is the most wonderful and supporting man for me. Also, my second passion is fashion jewelry and I like to spend some time creating new designs using meaningful symbols that I’m planning to launch later.

6. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have three books ready to be published and some others that I need to finish. I personally love “Magic is Everywhere!” because is the first one of a complete series for kids that will help them to learn in an easy way how to stay in their power and to live in the light of God. Also another book that is magical for me is called “Meditations from Heaven” which is almost done and will be ready to be published soon.

7. What is your perspective on the present and the future of publishing industry from the view of a published author?

Right now most books are being published in digital format. Anyway, printed books will continue for more years to come since there are many people that still enjoy having them physically and storing them in their personal bookshelves.

My books are not going to be the exception, so they’re going to be published in both digital and printed formats. My readers will be able to download the digital version of “Magic is Everywhere!” in approximately two weeks, available for iPad, Nook, and Kindle tablets. The printed version is ready to be ordered in two versions (English and Spanish) in Amazon.com or our own blog (www.journeyangels.blogspot.com)

8. What advice do you have for aspiring children’s book authors?

Right now our world is changing and a new awakening is starting; I think authors need to focus their attention on teaching kids about positivism and how to stay in their own power; this is a legacy we need to give to the new generations.

I received the three titles in the Rachel and Sammy series from it’s author; Jannifer Powelson and was delighted to just pounce in to see what it was about. The titles in the series are; Rachel and Sammy Visit the Prairie; Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest; Rachel and Sammy Learn About Trees.

The main characters in the series, as the name suggest are Rachel; a raccoon and Sammy a skunk .The 3 book series is focused on Rachel and Sammy’s interactions with their habitat in the forest; the plants, the trees and the flowers.

Jannifer is a biology major and conservationist who wrote her master’s thesis on raccoons and boy did it show! The books were a refresher course in biology for me. Her books cleaned out all the cobwebs in my brain where I had stored the photosynthesis and nature studies memory.

My five year old was captivated by the books even as I struggled to explain to him what the scientific terms meant. These are not books you breeze by in a sitting so we read several pages each night and till we got through all three books.

I found the pictures of the plants and flowers absolutely gorgeous. The pictures were so vivid that I could almost say that I could smell the scent of the flowers. Those still images were that real!

The Rachel and Sammy series are probably best suited for a middle school aged kid as the material discussed are way too advanced for the early elementary grade. I was constantly being quizzed on what the words meant and so could only get through a few pages each time when reading aloud to my five year old.

More information about the Rachel and Sammy series can be found here.

You can order any of the Rachel and Sammy titles on Amazon or Barnes and Nobles for your budding biologist.

It was at Flinders University that Mem began her illustrious writing career, albeit rather slowly. Mem began her first draft of Possum Magic. This book would go on to be her most popular work in her career, but at this time was nothing but a sore subject. Rejected 9 times over the course of a five year period Possum Magic  did not seem to have the magic touch right off the bat, but after many drafts It was finally accepted and published to the joy of Mem and her family. It was even dedicated to her daughter. Possum Magic has since become a believed classic in Australia where it remains to this day the best selling children’s book, and in 2004 on it’s 21st anniversary of publication it was celebrated across the country in schools and bookstores. As an anniversary treat it was even republished with redesigned and remastered illustrations.

Since the publication of Possum Magic Mem Fox has published over 33 different children’s books. Including Time For Bed, Ten Little Fingers, and Ten Little Toes, and Where is the Green Sheep?

Mem Fox is also well known for her work in Literacy. For over 30 years she has worked tirelessly to battle illiteracy and she has created a set of bestselling books for ages 0-7 entitled Reading Magic: How Your Child Can Learn To Read Before School and Other Read Aloud Miracles. While writing is her passion she also has a great passion for teaching and has worked as an Associate Professor at Flinders University in Australia for many, many years. She believes that reading and writing are the most important thing a child can learn and she has continued to work hard to help reach children all over the world and help them to learn the great joy of reading. Mem continues to write and has had numerous new publications and many more ideas that will hopefully see the inside of a bookstore very soon.

As a bookseller and lover of literature, I cannot help but notice when a title flies off the shelf here at Slimy Bookworm. Tons of parents buying “Alfie the Apostrophe” cannot all be wrong.  I had to connect with the author, Moira Donohue.

Keep back and enjoy Slimy Bookworm’s conversation with this author.  

Moira Donohue started writing when she was a kid living in Bayside, Queens, NY. She stopped writing for fun when she was in college. She went to law school, became a lawyer and wrote only things like memoranda and legislation. But she missed writing stories, so she started writing again as an adult.

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

After high school, I went to college and law school.I wrote a lot as a lawyer, particularly because I wrote legislation, and I enjoyed that aspect of my job.But I didn’t write fiction, even though I read a lot of it.Then, in my early forties,as I was reading to, and with, my children, I fell in love with children’s literature and decided to try writing.

2. How long does it take you to write a book?

I can write a picture book in a week or two.But that’s just the first draft.It takes a couple of months of revising and sharing with trusted writer colleagues before it’s ready to submit.A mid-grade novel takes me around a year to write.

3. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I usually get my inspiration in the shower, which used to be problem because I would forget some of my ideas before I got out.Now, however, I have a waterproof pad I keep handy.I often get ideas from books I am reading.I thought of the story for ALFIE when I was reading an adult book about punctuation and started to wonder about what talents punctuation marks would have if they were, well, you know,alive.

4. When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I really liked writing when I was a kid.I remember writing poetry in 4^th grade.And in 6^th grade, I wrote an entire novel about a ballerina and sent it to Scholastic.They rejected it, but very nicely.

5. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Now that my children are in college and beyond, I have time to read more, to attend Broadway musicals and opera, to play with my own dog and every dog I meet, and to tap dance!

6. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I get this question a lot when I visit schools.And I always explain that there’s a difference between how many books I’ve written (about 25) and how many I’ve published (2, plus some poems, plays and short stories).At the moment, my favorite is a mid-grade novel I just recently finished because it was inspired by my daughter, who is a percussionist.Keep your fingers crossed that it will be published one day!

7. What is your perspective on the present and the future of publishing industry from the view of a published author?

I think that digital publishing and e-books will open a new way to enjoy books, particularly for children because of the interactive approach that can be added.My only concern is that the ease of digital publishing may encourage writers to by-pass the editing process.Professional editors are invaluable–they identify the flaws in your manuscript that you are too close to see.And they call you on things that are not real or fully developed.Editors are necessary to make quality literature.

8. What advice do you have for aspiring children’s book authors?

Read, read, read.I’ve taken a number of writing classes and attended workshops–those are very helpful.But I think that seeing how another writer builds tension and develops character is the best way to learn to do it yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to converse with us.

www.moirarosedonohue.net

http://punctuationplayground.blogspot.com

We have all been through it.  You arrive early for your appointment with the doctor and an hour has passed with you still in the waiting room. If the visit is for you, it might not be as bad but when the visit is for your child, it becomes cumbersome. There are a few things more trying than a sick cranky kid. I let out a few of my own frustrations with a sick child in When Your Child is ill.

I have been at both sides of the waiting game. Waited up to an hour a few times to see my son’s pediatrician and I have probably kept a few patients waiting.  I would like to say that I am one of the punctual ones.

So what is your doctor really doing when you and your kid(s) are waiting to been? The answers may surprise you.

1. The patient ahead of you needed a lot more time than allotted on the schedule

2. Your slot was double booked meaning your time slot is shared with another patient.

3. Your doctor might not even be in the building! Caught up in traffic or just being tardy.

4. The doctor is slow or thorough depending on how you see it.

5. The doctor needed to answer a phone call. She might have gotten a call from her school to come pick up her sick child. Been there done that.

6. Your doctor might not even know you are waiting. The clinic staff might have failed to communicate your arrival.

7. He or she could be surfing the internet or chatting on face book. Yikes!

I love the digestive system. Really do. It works so hard for us by transforming the foods we eat into nutrients that fuel our bodies to function, hopefully optimally, every day. Every time I give a health talk, the digestive system is where I begin. If foods are not digesting well then how can one function well?

And most importantly, kids love learning about this system. They love the medical terms ( peristalsis and bolus), the trivia and just the whole idea of how food breaks down starting in the mouth and well … getting pooped out. I very much believe the more they understand how their digestive system works, the more they understand the importance of fueling it with healthy foods, the healthier they will be now and in the life.

Here we go…a brief journey through the digestive system:

1. It all begins in the nose with the smell of foods. Delicious scents initiate an alert to the digestive system that food maybe on its way.  Once food enters the mouth, chewing creates saliva – the first step in the breakdown of food – and helps further break down food into smaller mushier pieces (bolus) to make for easier swallowing.  Chewing is important!
2. Saliva and chewing signals the stomach to release hydrochloric acid (HCL) and gastric juices.
3. Once the bolus arrives in the stomach, the gastric juices and HCL will break down food further. The HCL will help out the immune system by  killing any foreign bugs so they will not enter the body.
4. Next the bolus journeys into the  small intestine.  Here, with the help of the pancreatic enzymes, the bolus breaks down into nutrients.
5. The small intestinal walls have tiny holes in them that will allow for the absorption of the nutrients. However, stress, antibiotic use and poor eating habits can lead to these holes becoming larger thus allowing much bigger particles ( that were meant to be “pooped” out) to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This is referred to as leaky gut and may create numerous problems in the body – like food allergies and sensitivities.
6. The leftover bolus or waste that the body does not want will travel to the large intestine where excess water will be reabsorbed into the body, leaving a more solid waste that can be “pooped” out.

That’s a very quick tutorial!Next post will be about food allergies and sensitivities and ways to improve overall digestive health.

Be well,

drheather

Dr. Heather Manley, who in 2001 received her medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, is a practicing physician whose primary interest is preventative healthcare for families. She is the author of Human Body Detectives, her educational series of story-telling audiobooks and accompanying activity workbooks. She also promotes wellness and naturopathic healthcare on her website drheathernd.com. She lives on the Big Island of Hawaii with her husband and two daughters, and is currently at work on the next Human Body Detectives adventure.

twitter @drheathernd ~ Become a fan of HBD on facebook!

Karma was an only child raised by a single-mother in Northern Idaho. Karma grew up in a world that was much more “wild” than most children in today’s world are used to. A world without computers, and a television with only 3 channels. Therefore Karma turned to other venues for entertainment like reading and the great outdoors.

It is no wonder that many of her favorite books and stories of the time took place in far off wild places. Her favorite genres included fantasy and historical fiction where stories took place in worlds of wonder and heroes were divine creatures or men and women that changed a world or nation.

Her books became the most important part of her life, they empowered her, enlightened her, and entertained her. They were with her throughout her daily activities. Her best friends were C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, and L.M Montgomery.

Karma would never have imagine herself a writer. Growing up reading great writers like Lewis and Montgomery she could not conceive of joining their ranks. Her mother was also a writer, and having a mother as a writer simply takes away the joy and excitement of a supposedly exciting job when you see your own mother do it night after night.

However, she found herself constantly thinking back to her love of books with each passing year. By the age of 27 she realized that her love of picture books, children’s books, and young adult novels had still not wavered. Despite the fact that she was now a mother and wife she still found time to read and love great books.

Her children had also been bitten by the book worm and family trips to the library were a joyful and exciting time. But Karma began to recognize that while her children were reading and enjoying books, there seemed to be some themes not yet written that would enthrall her children and many other children much more easily. Soon she would make the move that would change her future, and the future of children’s book lovers everywhere.

Karma purchased her first computer, and her intention was to make this great investment pay for itself. So beginning bright and early she began writing her own children’s stories. She wrote endlessly completing magnificent works that she presented to countless book publishers, only to have them rejected time and time again.

It seemed that her work was just not good enough to be published. With hope and courage she continued to submit her stories, and soon she received her first acceptance. Her story Bear Snores On was accepted by book agent Steven Malk, one of her previous submissions had also been rejected by Malk. But Karma did not give up, she tried again and again and finally she and a gem, and in 2002, Bear Snores On hit bookshelves.

Since 2002 Karma has published more than 30 books including Bear Wants More, Bear Feels Scared, and Where is Home, Little Pip. She has won several awards and her works have been translated into dozens of languages across the world. She has even been on the New York Times Bestsellers list multiple times.

Now her books are read all over the world and children are discovering a love of literature just like the little girl in Northern Idaho did so many years ago. And all because one woman named Karma never gave up.

Here are the books I reviewed:

Gimme Jimmy

Is the story of a little entitle kid who is used to getting his way. Anyone remember the bully in the school yard? That could very well by Jimmy. He developed a nasty disorder that could only be resolved by being nice.

Peter the Whimpers-Whineys

Is the story of Peter the whiner. He complained about everything; his sister’s food portions were larger than his for instance.  If you have more than one child, you are bound to run into bickering kids for sure. Peter was sent to his room a la Max in Where the Wild Things Are. Peter had a dream and came out of it a changed kid.

Magic Word

An easy to read book about the graces; please and thank you. We parents have the responsibility of drumming these lessons in early and often so it becomes second nature for our kids. Magic Word helps reinforce those lessons.

Santa’s Birthday Gift

Weaves the story of Christmas; the birth of Jesus with the story of Santa. A delightful read for the holiday season.

Sherrill’s books are high on teaching good behavior and the stories are told in a way little kids can relate to.

All the titles are available for purchase on Amazon.com

My kid is on the smaller side so you can guess who gets picked on or shoved around by bigger kids. This happened just the other day on the bouncer at a birthday party.

Your first inclination as a parent is to jump in, protect and advocate for your child, call out the bully and save the day. Please don’t; at least don’t make a habit of doing that all the time.

We have all been horrified with the cases of parents-gone-wild, who in moments of passion get into fist fights with other parents on the sidelines as their kids watched. There have been cases of parents who threw a few punches the bully’s way in defense of their kids. Don’t get me wrong, the bully had it coming for them but what example are we setting for our kids?

Our kids count on us to have their back but I would stick out my neck and say that most times they are better off fighting their own battles. Sure you can step in if the situation warrants it.

Bullies don’t do well when their prey stand up to them and are ready to return the punch.  Right now I tell my child to report the bully to the teacher. We have a difference of opinion with this approach in my household though. Teaching a child assertiveness will definitely go a long way, I plan on enrolling my son in a martial arts program to complement my assertiveness training.

Lucy and the Bully and Hooway for Wodney Wat are two solid picture books dealing with the subject of bullying. Both are available on SlimyBookworm.com

I would love to have you share your thoughts on how to handle bullying.

Two sick, irritable and clingy kids in each arm does not make for a fun way to spend your day. Thankfully, they are well now but it got me thinking, I had not gotten around to having a “disaster plan” in terms of how to handle the inevitable occurrences of kids falling ill. Murphy’s Law is a constant: Things will go wrong at the worst possible time.

So here are a few things I would be putting in place to make sure life flows better the next time the thermometer dials up to 103.

1. Change My Mindset

Mind over matter for sure. I have decided not to see their sniffles and illnesses that kids invariably have particularly during the allergy season as my failure. I will simply roll up my sleeves and go with the flow.

2. Plan Ahead

The procrastinator in me waits till the very last-minute to get some things done. That has to change. Who knows what tomorrow brings? So things like pre-planning a week’s worth of dinner menu, scheduling bill payments online and even scheduling blog posts ahead are a few things I will be doing.

3. Back-ups and Networks

Just like you should back up any data storing device, you should have your back up person or your back up plan for emergency child care. I will be exploring my network of mom friends who might be willing to trade child care on a short notice as need arises.

4. Seek Medical Care Early

An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.

Most childhood illnesses are caused by viruses. For these, you just give some TLC(Tender Loving Care) and wait it out. Illnesses like ear infections or strep throat usually require treatment with antibiotics which started early makes for a speedy recovery. Did I mention that I will be having the doctor’s office phone number on speed dial?

I am eager to hear how folks handle the disruption that comes with a child taking ill.