Happy Holidays

 

I wanted to take this opportunity to say Happy Holidays. I will be taking this time to spend with my family as my chickadees are all home in the nest for the time being. 

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2023 bring you much happiness, good health and well-being. May the many blessings of the season be plentiful for you and yours.

 

"The writer builds, creates a world the reader doesn’t want to leave.

When that happens, it’s magic."—Stephen King

I saw this quote recently, and it really hit home, both as a writer and a reader. 

 

As an author, it is always my goal to create a story a reader wants to read over and over again. As a reader, I love to lose myself in the world a writer creates and have done so time and time again over the course of my life. 

If you are inclined, I would love to hear which books have engulfed you and made you hate to reach the end.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Wishing you all a very healthy and happy Thanksgiving holiday full of bountiful blessings. I am thankful for each and every one of you. Safe travels and enjoy your time spent with family and friends.

Children's Book Week Wrap Up

 

So, how did you book this week? 

Did you read picture books? Chapter books? YA?

Did you read "real" books or those on your kindle or nook? Listen to audio books?

Were you reading in bed? Lounging in the sunshine? Laying on the sofa? Swinging in a hammock?

I would love to hear what your Children's Book Week entailed as well as what and who your all time favorite books and/or authors might be.

Thank You, Veterans!

Today, November 11th, we honor and salute those who have served, and those who continue to serve, our great country. Thank you seems insufficient yet our gratitude and thanks is what we can, and should, offer those who have served and/or are currently serving in our United States military. Thank you! We are forever in your debt.

Bless Our Veterans Prayer
Mighty God, thank you that you can satisfy our every desire and need. Hear our prayer of thanks for our veterans who made great sacrifices on our behalf. We ask that you would bless them and meet all their needs. We pray you would give them peace when they suffer from past trauma. We acknowledge the debt of gratitude that we owe them for the freedom of our country. Lord, bless them and keep them, make your face shine upon them. Turn your face towards them and give them peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

 **Taken from ConnectUs

Children's Book Week

 

Today begins the second, of two, full weeks celebrating books for young people and the joy of reading. The first was in May. This week in November, running today through November 13th, is meant to focus specifically on engaging students at schools, libraries and after-school programs.

Children's Book Week was originally established in 1919 and is a celebration not only of books but of connection. How wonderful! Books and connection go hand in hand for me, and it is truly beautiful to see this happen in young people. Perhaps this is why I love writing for kids. Picture books are a magical work of art, and I plan to spend my Children's Book Week immersed in as many picture books as possible.

How about you? What do you like to read? Where and how do you most love to read? I will be back at the end of the week to check in. Until then, enjoy!

'Tis Almost the Shopping Season

Holiday shopping season is quickly approaching. If you are looking for new children's picture books, check out ALPHABET ZOO as well as all the other wonderful kid lit on the SCBWI Bookstop site. They make shopping easy!

Here is a link for my book, Bookstop: Alphabet Zoo. Have fun learning about the animals of Alphabet Zoo!

5 Star Review!!

I am so excited to share the newest, and 5 Star, review for ALPHABET ZOO! Thank you, Carmen Tenorio!

 

Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Alphabet Zoo by Karin Larson is a read-along alphabet concept book that uses the zoo to teach the alphabet to young readers. The author features a letter from A to Z along with an animal name that begins with it, together with details of a special trait or characteristic associated with the animal. Mostly written in harmonious rhyme, the book uses large fonts and shows the alphabet letters in bold uppercase, with the rest of the following words in lowercase. The book also features fun, cartoon-like, and colorful illustrations by C.E. Dale to complement the text. There is an animal trivia section at the end where questions are posed and answers are provided with fascinating facts to further broaden the reader's understanding of animals.

Alphabet Zoo is a great book, especially for beginning readers who continually need practice and reinforcement to memorize and read the alphabet. Karin Larson uses amusing and descriptive rhymes and informative sentences that characterize and differentiate one animal from another. There are usually only around two lines of words per page, which makes the material easy to read and not overwhelming. The simple yet colorful illustrations by C.E. Dale will not only appeal to this reading age group but serve as creative and memorable picture clues. The additional trivia is educational and delightful as it reveals more information about the various animals. It's a resource for learning as much as entertaining, with animated language and eye-catching drawings that will make shared or solo reading time enjoyable for kids. 

 

A Day in the Life of a Writer

 

To write or not to write? To edit or not to edit? To blog or not to blog? To read or not to read? To promote or not to promote? And, above all, how to balance the degree of each and the time dedicated to any one thing in any given day?

This writing life is full of these choices in a never-ending cycle, tipping the balance of time one way or another at various points.

I don't know about you, but I tend to struggle with how to best prioritize my time in order to accomplish as much as possible on any given day, particularly when days and writing times are limited for a variety of reasons, work and life related. Sometimes I do the easier things first to check more items off my to-do list more quickly. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed and push papers around my desk and never really accomplish much of anything at all.

It seems, ultimately, the most important thing to do is to write. None of the rest really matters without something to edit, blog about, submit and/or promote. The stories drive it all, so, why then, do I seem to leave that till the end of my TTD list and then run out of time? Sometimes inspiration strikes, and I do nothing but sit and write. Other times, I spin my wheels thinking and thinking and never get anywhere. Reading a picture book I love or scrolling Instagram for inspiration can help, but time is often of the essence which can further serve to shut one's brain down ASAP.

Such is a day in the life of a writer, I guess. I'd love to hear your order for tackling your day or how you deal with being as functional as possible in the time you have. If you are open to leaving a comment, please do.

The Germination of an Idea

Starts. It seems this is the name of the game these days. I come up with an idea I feel has merit. Start the manuscript, sprinkle in a few other ideas, see which way it may go, and then let the dust collect on it. I've started so many stories over the last few months, but only one has come to fruition as a complete PB. I am quite excited about this story and have high hopes, but I am stuck trying to figure out how to be better at developing the seed of my other ideas into a complete story.

September brings a new month, a new start, and I am re-energized to be productive and develop the fresh ideas as they come. An upcoming SCBWI conference should help fuel the fire as well.

I would love to hear your strategies for productivity and what helps you see an idea through to completion should you be inclined to share.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend and happy writing!

Newest Book Review of ALPHABET ZOO

I am excited to share another lovely book review of ALPHABET ZOO. Thank you, Ann Marshall, for taking the time to read and review my book. Read Ann's review below:

"Alphabet Zoo is a delightful book, full of clever rhymes and colorful, adorable illustrations. Besides being such an entertaining read, it’s also a wonderful teaching tool—not just for helping children learn the alphabet, but also for gaining fascinating animal facts (e.g., Did you know ostriches can’t fly…and that the jaguar is the world’s 3^rd largest cat?!). Congrats to author, Karin Larson, and illustrator, C.E. Dale, for creating this fun-filled journey through the alphabet that kids will love!"

 

Here is one of the adorable illustrations by C.E. Dale to which Ann was referring.

 

 You can find more on my website as well as purchase information.

New Book Review

I am delighted to share the first review of my newest picture book, ALPHABET ZOO, by award-winning children's book author, Donna McDine. Donna's review reads...

Alphabet Zoo is beautifully illustrated by C.E. Dale. Children’s author, Karin Larson takes the reader and their young muses on a whimsical tale through the alphabet, from A to Z. The habitat of each animal is captured perfectly through the written word and illustrations. The “what comes next question” will continually be had before turning each page and the discovery of what animal that correlates to each letter of the alphabet is fun for all ages. Alphabet Zoo is a true delight and inspires thought provoking imagination. Bravo!

Thank you, Donna. Much appreciated! 

For more information, visit my website at www.karinlarson.com.

Explore Alphabet Zoo

 

It has arrived! Hard and soft cover copies now available from me as well as from 4RV Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. If you purchase from me personally, I can sign and send or deliver to you.

I hope you have fun learning about the animals of Alphabet Zoo!

Coming Soon...

 

Animals from Alphabet Zoo...coming soon to a bookshelf near you!

Remember and Celebrate Independence Day

 Happy 4th of July!

As you celebrate today with picnics and fireworks, friends and family, remember those who have fought, and those who continue to fight, for our independence, today and always.

Be safe. God Bless America!

Coming Soon...

 

The time has FINALLY come! ALPHABET ZOO is coming to life. Thank you to 4RV Publishing and Vivian Zabel for believing my story worthy of publication and to C.E. Dale for so beautifully bringing my words to life. My author copies have been ordered and will arrive soon for any who would like to purchase directly from me and/or have a signed copy. In the meantime, it is also available on the 4RV Publishing website, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

4RV Publishing, Barnes & Noble, Amazon

ABSURD WORDS

 

I purchased this book recently and just finished it this morning. I LOVE IT! Way to go, Tara Lazar! 

It is such a fun way to build vocabulary and language growth. While technically written for kids, I enjoyed it immensely and think any adult would as well. Some of the words are familiar, but many are unfamiliar and so fun to say, learn how to pronounce and how to use. 

I encourage you all to check it out and become an aficionado of the scintillating language within so others are flabbergasted by your confabulation at your next soiree or shindig.

Happy reading!

Memorial Day Blessings

On this day, we honor and remember those brave souls who fought and died for our freedoms in this great country. Now, more than ever, we must come together and be better. A better country, a better people, a better land. Do not let the deaths of all those heroes be for naught. 

Thank you to all who have, and continue to, serve. May God bless you and yours.

Always remember, never forget!

Birding Fun

 

Well, this is completely unrelated to writing (with the exception of a niggling PB idea based upon my recent activities), but I have been bird watching as of late. I went so far as to buy a couple bird guides at Barnes & Noble yesterday to aid my attempt at determining which bird I was observing yesterday in my yard. As I watched the little baby birds and their mama, a new idea started dawning on me and is working its way up through the periphery of my brain.

It got me thinking about bird books and what may already exist. I am about to head out on vacation with my family but will be hitting the library upon my return to research (so, I guess this does then have to do with writing!). 

In the meantime, I would love to hear any recommendations and/or your favorite PBs about birds, if any.

Thank in advance!

Happy Earth Day

 

As we mark the 52nd year celebrating Earth Day, resolve to do your part in preventing harm to our planet, wildlife and humans. Pick up trash, reduce waste, recycle and reuse. We all need to be better about doing so each and every day, but, today, do so and make the commitment to be better going forward. I will do the same!

Happy Easter

 

Wishing you all a blessed Easter! May your celebrations and gatherings be happy and safe.

God Bless you and yours.

Mission Complete

 

March was a busy month full of amazing daily posts and so many mentor text suggestions. Thank you to Rate Your Story and all of the wonderful authors who provided daily inspiration and knowledge to aid all children's authors in their writing journeys. I learned so much and will continue to do so as I read through my list of all the mentor texts. 

I highly encourage you to check it out and take the pledge yourself in March 2023. 

Learn more at https://www.rateyourstory.org/

World Book Day

Today is another day to celebrate reading. What a great week! World Book Day was created on April 23, 1995, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 

World Book Day is an event celebrated annually in the UK and Ireland on the first Thursday in March. Every child is given tokens or a voucher to be spent on books. How awesome! This is a terrific way to incite excitement and interest in books and reading for children. Oh, the fun it would be to peruse a bunch of books and decide which to take home.

For us here in America, there are oodles and oodles of wonderful books from which to choose. I encourage you to go peruse many of them on the 4RV Publishing website at https://www.4rvpublishing.com/ (you will notice one of mine there as well!) and support small publishers and the great books offered. 

Happy reading!

National Read Across America Day

A day to celebrate reading. What more could we want?

This day, National Read Across America Day, is celebrated every year on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. While I will read at least one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books today, I will also be celebrating by reading my own books, BEDTIME KISSES and LITTLE BUG, to a very special group of young kids at John Paul II Elementary, the school in which I serve as Speech/Language Pathologist and the school all of my own kids attended from preschool through 6th grade.

What a privilege! Thank you to Mrs. Morgan for inviting me to visit. I can think of no better way to celebrate the joy of reading than by sharing my own books with children. I love to engage with kids and share my love of reading and books. I strongly believe it is imperative to encourage kids to read and foster a love of books, especially in the face of the technologically driven world in which we live today. It is so important for kids to learn that books are exciting and fun. The stories contained within the pages can transport us to completely different worlds and places as well as allow us to meet new characters and have new life experiences. In addition, reading is relaxing and helps us learn about many things. For, in the words of a very wise Dr. Seuss,

"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

So, today, as Read Across America Day kicks off the National Reading Month of March, pick up your favorite picture book, novel, biography, etc., and lose yourself in the pages of a great story. And, please, help me spread the word to all those young minds eager to learn and explore. Reading is the very best way to do so!

Be a Wordsmith

 

Some very dear friends gave me this sign as a gift this past Christmas. I thought many of you would enjoy it and relate. Truer words have never been written, for an author anyway. 

The idea that the act of writing is to "share part of your soul with the world" really resonated with me. This is, ultimately, what we all try to do as writers. This is the heart of any story. Our hearts speaking to our readers' hearts and inciting some type of response. But, it is so scary! There is so much emotion wrapped up in this thought. Fear of the unknown. Fear of not being good enough. Fear a reader may hate what you write and say so publicly.  Writing is scary. Or, rather, putting yourself "out there" as a published author is scary. But I liked what this sign said about comparing yourself only to the writer you were yesterday. Be you, whomever that may be. I am working hard on this and seem to be in a bit of a dry spell, but I will press on. Butt in chair as, "first drafts don't have to be perfect, they just have to be written."

I would love to hear what drives your need to write and how you conquer the scary moments and create magic with your words.

Mission Complete

 

30 ideas in 30 days...check! Thank you, Tara Lazar, for the month of inspiration and growth. I am looking forward to exploring my ideas and seeing where they lead.

Storm of Ideas

Ideas, ideas, everywhere. Find them here, find them there.

As I am doing the Storystorm challenge this month and striving to come up with 30 ideas in 31 days, I've been thinking a lot about ideas and trying to notice everything around me regardless of where I am and what I am doing. I realized today that this is no different than usual. I am just being far better at writing down my ideas before they escape me than I am in other times of the year. I find myself making notes in my phone or asking someone to text me a thought if I don't have a way to write it down or make a note in my phone. It seems to be working thus far.

I've proven to myself time and time again, regardless of what I think at that given moment, I am incapable of remembering the idea later regardless of how good I think it is. Ideas are but a flitting thought in and out for me most times. I usually do think I will remember the idea or the spin I think would be fun to explore but rarely do if not noted. Therefore, I am going to make a concerted effort to continue to make physical notes of any ideas that pop up throughout the year, not just in January, regardless of when and where they hit. 

I don't know about you, but it does seem, more often than not, the times the best ideas hit are those with the least chance of having a pen or phone to jot them down...in the shower, while driving, etc. I end up talking to myself, repeating over and over whatever thought popped into my head, until such time as I can write it down. Guessing there are many that notice and giggle at me talking to myself, but such is life.

How about you? Where do you find your best ideas? Don't forget to notice everything and everyone around you. One never knows what will pop into the mind when allowed.

Happy idea generating and writing to you!