He's A Little Black Rain Cloud...of Course!

Check out this little guy. What is he? Well he's a little black rain cloud, of course. Actually, he's a little pencil-top puppet that one of my creative colleagues dreamed up. Isn't he cute?

Not only is he cute, kiddos and parents alike have fallen in love with him; and he's very easy to make. See the directions below:

Step 1: Cut a pipe cleaner in half.
Step 2: At one end of the pipe cleaner, make a small loop.
Step 3: On the looped end, place a drop of glue (hot glue works best, but
use with caution).
Step 4: Glue a medium black pom-pom to the pipe cleaner loop.
Step 5: Put a dollop of glue on the pom-pom at each side of the pipe
cleaner.
Step 6: Glue a medium blan pom-pom to each side of the pipe cleaner. (He should start to
resemble a cloud.)
Step 7: Glue on two little google eyes.
Step 8: Out of felt, cut out a little lightening bolt mouth and glue it to the pom-pom cloud.
Step 9: Coil the pipe cleaner around the eraser end of a pencil.

Voila! A very simple and inexpensive project to work on with the kiddos that allows them to "touch" the story and engage with the main character. Have a reader's theater where the parent / teacher reads the narrative and kiddos read the storm's voice using their puppet.

We are always looking for neat ideas to share with the kids at our book signings and read alouds. If you have any ideas, we would love to hear from you.

Recovering...

There are different meanings for this one word. You can recover something that you have lost...like a bracelet or an old friendship. You can re-cover an old chair...something I have thought about frequently as I sit practicing another meaning of the word - recuperate.



Last week, I had surgery on my throat. Nothing major. A scar that will fade soon (I hope) and test results that were positive and promising. According to my doctor, my job now is to stay still, comfortable and quiet. Obviously, Dr. Austin has never been to my house.



The first few days were fine. I slept most of the time. Thanks to some great pain medication, I didn't much care about anything other than sleeping. Since my mother was there to help me out with things around the house, that is pretty much all I did. Thanks, Mom! I really appreciate it!



Having just released The Angry Thunderstorm in April, I completely understood the importance of staying quiet and letting things heal so that my voice would come back strong. I am sure the "quiet" was welcomed for my husband and my children. No discussion of bills or to-do lists. No yelling at the kids to clean their rooms. I think the hardest part about being quiet was not being able to root for the Texas Longhorn Baseball team as they played LSU in the College World Series - especially in a nail-biter like last night's Game One. I would have loved to have given the umpire at home plate some sound advice on calling. Instead, I sat on the couch agonizing quietly. We'll get them tonight. Hook 'Em Horns!



This morning, I resumed my perch on the couch; and instead of being restful, I am restless. I have spent almost a week perched here recovering and today, I honestly feel that my house would be better served with a recovery. I look around and everywhere I look, there is something that I could be doing. The floors need to be mopped. The laundry is piling up. The dust is settling on the furniture. And I am going crazy. Sorry Doc! Today, I might have to break the silence.

Interview with Rachel Henson, Illustrator

http://www.childrensbooksforstorytime.com/

Now That Was One MAD Storm...

There is a saying in Texas, "If you don't like the weather, just stick around a few minutes and it'll change." A hearty amen to that!

In fact, here in Austin, I have witnessed the most polarized weather scenarios - one inch of snow on the ground at eight o'clock a.m. only to be sixty degrees at noon - on Valentines Day. I have watched northern fronts become stationary raining buckets until cars could be seen floating down Sixth Street in front of my office. I have stepped outside in the summer to have my breath taken away by the brutal combination of heat and humidity. Perhaps that is what led my husband's grandmother to once proclaim, "Honey, never marry a Texas weatherman because they just can't help but lie."

Now, before I go rankoring all of the weather forecasters, let me say that my hat's off to you. Our forecasters do a really good job with all of their tools these days staying ahead of threatening weather and keeping people alerted. Here recently, the storms have been a little more than angry. They've been downright MAD. A good example is last Thursday.

It was beautiful and sunny all day - and lest I forget - it was hot! Skies were blue with very few clouds. If you would have told me at four o'clock that a few hours later, my children and I would be camped in an interior closet with funnel clouds swirling overhead, I would have probably called you a liar. Yet that is exactly where we found ourselves.

We had gone to dinner and saw that there were severe storms in the hill country. Usually these storms fall apart once they make it over the rolling hills. But this particular storm is what they call a super cell. We could see out of the window and it seemed that it had become a little cloudy. and we could hear thunder rolling in the distance.

When we left the restaurant, I turned to look back over my shoulder only to see the most menacing clouds I have ever seen. We raced home and turned to the local weather channel only to hear the terms "hook echo" and "rotation." First came the hail - and lots of it. Then, the winds went from very still to very high. Immediately, we grabbed the dogs and instructed the kids to get to the closet. We were sitting there quietly, listening to the wind and hail - my son's eyes were as big as saucers. It was at that time that my husband said, "Maybe you can write a story about a tantrum-throwing tornado." I threw a shoe at him.

A Touching Letter From My Niece To Her Sister...

Natural-born writers. Is there such a thing? Read this letter that my niece Bailey wrote to her sister, Shelbi, upon graduation. You tell me...

Dear Shelbi,As your little and only sister, I felt the need to tell you how much I love you and how proud of you I am. We have never had the best relationship, but you're still my hero. I still remember when we were little and you would wake me up in the middle of the night begging me to stop kicking you.

As we've grown, I've seen how great and strong of a person you have become. That is why I wanted to let you know you are my inspiration in life. You make me want to live life each day with no regrets, even when time get bad.

As I saw you walking across that stage today to get that diploma, my mind started to wander. I thought as I continue to grow, I want to bejust like her. She is loved by so many people and there is no one that doesn't like her (unless they are just jealous).

I saw you looking like Barney [Elgin High School's colors are purple and white] but still as gorgeous as ever. As you walked up to see the family, tears started forming in my eyes and I realized that our days in the house are numbered. Being able to see each others faces every day.I now regret every time I was ever mad at you and refused to speak to you. At that time, I didn't realize how short our time was together and how much I will miss you.

Shelbi, you have no idea how you make me feel inside. You make me feel safe knowing that I will always have someone there for when I need them an when I don't. I know that if I'm ever in trouble, you will be there for me. You have had the greatest impact on my life and had a huge part in making me the person I am and the person I hope to be. Every day, for thirteen years, you have taught me a useful lesson.

I will miss the days of dancing with you in your room like mad women to Whitney Houston. Playing dress up and putting panties on our head. Dancing in the driveway with the sprinkler; and comparing the size of our butts and our feet. But I also look forward to the days ahead when time and maturity will help us to become the greatest of sisters; when we will refuse to compare the size of our butts in comparison to the size of our hearts.

Have an awesome experience at Blinn. I'm proud of you!

Love,

Little Sissy

http://www.typeamom.net/children-and-fear.html#josc3071

Using Children's Literature to Teach Preschoolers

Children's literature provides an excellent tool for teaching preschoolers. Do not be afraid of picking a book with challenging words to read with your preschooler. Good vocabulary begins at an early age. Vibrant and dramatic imagery help build a strong understanding of words and their meanings. Pictures help a child learn to decipher circumstance and emotions. Use of rhythm and rhyme make for a fun read.

My Little Faith...

I received this email from a friend today and I just had to share it. But first, you have to know a little bit about Faith.

Faith got her name because she was a blessing to her parents. One of the prettiest little girls I have ever seen, she has big blues eyes that would melt butter. She is not only adored by her parents, she receives a lot of love and attention from her older sister, Tiffany...as well as Tiffany's countless friends. This beautiful 4-year-old girl takes all that love in, then she spreads it around. And when she accepts you into her heart, you become "hers." I am honored to be "my Miss Carol" to Faith; and, I can honestly say that "my Faith" has given this author a lifted spirit and a heartwarming smile.

Carol,

Thank you so much for the autographed books for Faith and Tiffany. I read The Angry Thunderstorm to Faith on Thursday for the first time. We had to read it twice before bedtime. Not only did she enjoy the story, she had to take the book to bed and sleep with it.

Friday is storybook day at her daycare. Faith insisted on taking The Angry Thunderstorm to school with her; and she made sure the whole class knew that "her Miss Carol" had signed her book. The teacher said the whole class of about twelve students (ages 3-4) sat and listened intently to the whole story. They all loved it! That alone says a lot about the wonderful story you have written and how the illustrations bring the characters to life. Twelve (3-4 year olds) sitting still for a whole book...now that's amazing!

I can't wait to read...woops! I mean Faith can't wait (LOL) for your next book. This is truly a wonderful story that I would recommend to anyone with children.

Faith's preschool would like for you to visit for an author day. Be expecting a call from them. Let me know when you set the date. I would love to take tiem from work the day of your reading.