National Library Week

This week, we celebrate National Library Week. Thank you to all the amazing libraries and librarians out there. You are so very appreciated!

National Read a Book Day

 

Book lovers unite! Today is National Read a Book Day. Grab your favorite book and snuggle up. 

Books can transport us in time and place as well as provide comfort while pulling on the heart strings. Lose yourselves in the pages of a book and see where the story takes you. I plan to do the same!

If you are so inclined, please share your favorite books, either for yourself or your kids. I always love to add to my to-read pile.

World Read Aloud Day

 

Today is World Read Aloud Day. A day in which we celebrate literacy and the power of reading aloud. Think back to the favorite books you read your child/children when young, or those read to you when young. Do you get a warm, fuzzy feeling? I do! As a children's book author, I am surrounded by picture books and read oodles of them, but the ones I often read my kids when they were young will always have special meaning and a true sense of heart.

Sharing stories and reading aloud builds literacy skills, celebrates the parent-child/caregiver-child relationship, and improves imagination letting readers and listeners get lost in new worlds and places to explore. What a wonderful thing!

To whom and where can you read aloud to someone today?

National Authors Day

 

Today marks a relatively unknown day of recognition for authors. It is National Authors Day today. What a concept...celebrating authors and the art of writing!

I read this day was originally established in 1928 as a way to recognize and celebrate American authors and their literary works. 

I hope this day becomes better known as a means to foster a love of reading and writing in everyone but especially in children as too many today get caught up in technology and don't simply cuddle up and enjoy the worlds within the pages of all the amazing books that exist. I could do so day in and day out!

Who are your favorite authors and/or fav books? 

Calling All Book Lovers

 

Today, August 9th, is National Book Lovers Day. Put down your phones, laptops, ipads, or any other technological device and pick up a book. You don't have to tell me twice!

Hit your favorite book store or local library and enjoy some time just simply reading. Whether a novel, an autobiography, a chapter book or a picture book, find something to read and lose yourself in the story for a little while. What a terrific way, and day, to celebrate the written word!

Should you be so inclined, I would love to hear what you are reading.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today, March 2, kicks off Read Across America week (along with National Reading Month throughout the month of March), beginning on the birthday of Dr. Seuss.

During this week, let us focus on encouraging and promoting the benefits and importance of reading, especially for our children who have at their disposal these days so much technology that, at times, negatively impacts reading a good ol' fashion book.

Today, and throughout the week, I commit to spending time reading. Will you?

What are your favorite go-to books, Dr. Seuss or otherwise? I'd love to hear and compare the favorites amongst all of us.

World Read Aloud Day

 

Today, February 1st, is World Read Aloud Day. What a wonderful day to celebrate reading!

This day is dedicated to reading aloud which helps foster the tradition of reading as well as promote literacy which is so very important. 

There are many places online to join the fun and hear stories read aloud; however, you can also cozy up at home and enjoy reading books of your choice. I will definitely be doing so!

What books will you pick to read today? I would love to hear how you are spending your World Read Aloud Day.

 

"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.

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!

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!

National Book Lovers Day

 Whether your book of choice looks more like this...

Or more like this...

Put down your phone and computer, grab your favorite book(s) and beverage and settle in to enjoy National Book Lovers Day today for whatever period of time you're able.

What a treat to celebrate the love of books!

Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss

Happy birthday to you, Dr. Seuss! Thank you for giving generations over time such fun reads. 

Today is National Read Across America Day. Whether it is Dr. Seuss or something else, grab a book and spend some time reading and exploring the new worlds books offer. 

I love the idea of celebrating a day of reading as I would love to spend most days doing nothing but reading and writing books. In an effort to salute Dr. Seuss and his birthday, what are the favs from your childhood or from those read to your children more recently?  I'm not sure I can pick my favorite "older" Seuss book though THE CAT IN THE HAT, GREEN EGGS AND HAM and HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! are definitely up there. OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! is one of my all time favorites though.

How about you? And who can forget all the great advice Seuss provided? 

This is one of my most favorite pieces of advice ever and quite profound on many levels. Tomorrow is never promised. Cherish today and live life to the fullest. It is so worth it.

But, besides Dr. Seuss, what are your other favorite reads to curl up with today?

Generating Book Sales

I've been thinking lately about how to re-energize book sales of Bedtime Kisses as sales seem to be in a bit of a slump lately.  Granted, it has been a crazy summer as of late and I haven't been very good at promotion; however, I've been mulling ways to creatively generate new book sales.

Today, I was perusing a new book, The Book: The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children 2015 (www.scbwi.org), and found a chapter entitled, "Keeping Your Book Alive."  That is just what I have been trying to figure out how to do.

This chapter discusses considerations pre-acceptance (hard and softcover, publishers, contract negotiations, etc.), post-acceptance/pre-publication (checking for accuracy, cover copy, inclusion in catalogs, etc.), marketing (reviews and awards) and book life post-publication (availability, rights, print life, etc.). 

There were certainly many great ideas, and I will be following through with those I have not already; however, it really made me start to wonder what all of you find most effective in re-kindling the sales fire when it subsides a bit.

If you are willing to share your ideas and tips for generating sales, I would love to hear them as I am sure would many others.  Perhaps we can all learn new techniques and ideas from each other.

If you are interested in this book, you can find more information at www.scbwi.org.  I haven't had it long and have only browsed through a few chapters thus far, but it seems well worth the investment.

Addicted to Books

I'm curious...how many of you out there have piles of books around your house?

I've decided I have a hearty addiction to buying books...oodles of books! I love hard cover and bought only that for years. I've lightened up a bit and purchased some soft cover as well given the expense involved in hard cover--though I still prefer to read hard cover.

I was doing some rearranging this past weekend and realized how very many books (in stacks, shelves and baskets) I have that remain unread. I still have high hopes of SOMEDAY reading them all though can't seem to cure my habit of adding to my collection when I'm wandering through book stores.

How about you? Do you have stacks of books yet unread as well?