GAP FAMILY BLOG

Bella and Britt are worried about all the trash appearing on their beautiful beach. But what can they do? Britt is leaving on vacation, and Bella can’t solve the problem alone. Without adults to lend a hand, can they possibly save their beach?

"I think many kids and maybe some adults will be inspired by this book to help make their own worlds better."
--Janet Ann Collins, author of Signs of Trouble

"This book would make a nice addition to classrooms studying the environment and how to keep it clean."
--Shannon Hitchcock, author of The Ballard of Jessie Pearl

"I recommend reading Bella Saves the Beach with your kids or to your class."
--Margot Finke, author of Mama Grizzly Bear

"5/5 stars. Highly recommend this well written story with beautiful art by Samantha Bell."
--LadyD Books

"Bella’s story is a nice reminder of how to act outdoors. The environment being at the forefront of many people’s thoughts and actions, Bella Saves the Beach is a timely story."
 --Kid Lit Reviews

 "I will happily read this book to my son again and again. "
--The Picture Book Review




Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children: One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, (which won the Children’s Literary Classic Gold Award), Bella Saves the Beach (which won the Gold) and Mystery at Manatee Key. The authorized biography, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the story of Katrina Simpkins and Winter, the dolphin. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writer’s conferences throughout the United States. She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to children’s literature.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education. She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

Guardian Angel Publishing author, Nancy Stewart, is on a virtual book tour in April and May to promote the release of Bella Saves the Beach, the third book in her award-winning Bella and Britt series. You can have a chance to win a free softcover version of the book by visiting The Busy Mom's Daily at http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2013/04/book-spotlight-and-giveaway-bella-saves.html.

Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children: One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List), Sea Turtle Summer, (which won the Children’s Literary Classic Gold Award), Bella Saves the Beach (which won the Gold) and Mystery at Manatee Key. The authorized biography, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the story of Katrina Simpkins and Winter, the dolphin. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writer’s conferences throughout the United States. She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to children’s literature.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education. She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

Visit her online at www.nancystewartbooks.com and her blog at http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com

Giveaway ends at 12:00 AM EST on May 2, 2013. Good luck to all who enter!

NANCYSTEWARTBOOKS.COM
GUARDIAN ANGEL PUBLISHING 
AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

Nancy Stewart will be a presenter at the 45th annual Illinois Reading Council Conference, Springfield, Illinois on March 14, 2013. This year's conference, titled Literacy for Life, is the second largest of its kind in the US with an attendance of about 3600 teachers, librarians, publishers and authors. Her presentation titled, "The Magic of Using Chapter Book Series in Your Classroom," will be at 3 PM in the Hilton Hotel. The third book in the Bella and Britt series, Bella Saves the Beach (Guardian Angel Publishing,) will be available at that time.


Nancy is the bestselling and award winning author of the four Bella and Britt Series books for children. One Pelican at a Time (eighteen weeks on Amazon Bestselling List and winner of a Children’s Classics Silver Medal, 2012 Readers Favorite Five Star Award and was nominated for a Global eBook Award. Sea Turtle Summer, (which won a Children’s Literary Classics Gold Medal, 2012), Bella Saves the Beach and Mystery at Manatee Key. Her newest book, Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage, is the authorized biography of Katrina Simpkins. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. One Pelican at a Time and Nancy were featured in the PBS Tampa special, GulfWatch.

Nancy is a frequent speaker and presenter at writing conferences throughout the United States. She conducts workshops and seminars and speaks to school children on writing and helping save their planet. A blogger with a worldwide audience, she writes of all things pertaining to writing for children.

Nancy’s travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

She and her husband live in Tampa and St. Louis.

Thank you for stopping in to share Katrina and Winter:  Partners in Courage with us. Readers, be sure to click over the GAP’s web site with the link to Nancy’s book to read an excerpt! We are proud to add it to the ever-growing line of quality titles from Guardian Angel Publishing.

Margot Finke is an Aussie transplant who writes midgrade adventure fiction and rhyming picture books. For many years she has lived in Oregon with her husband and family. She has 11 books published so far. Gardening, travel, and reading fill in the cracks between writing. Her husband is very supportive, though not interested in children's books . Their three children are now grown and doing very well. Margot didn't begin serious writing until the day their youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, "I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes! "

Join GAP author Nancy Stewart as she tours the blogosphere from December 5th - 16th with Pump Up Your Book to promote her second Guardian Angel Publishing book, Sea Turtle Summer!

Bella and Britt think living by the beach is the coolest thing ever. When they discover a Loggerhead Sea Turtle laying her eggs in broad daylight, the girls go into action to help.

No one, though, seems to care about the nest. The beach is a busy place and is getting busier by the minute on such a beautiful summer day. What can they do? Who will help, and what do they learn about themselves?

As a bonus, Sea Turtle Summer contains kid appealing facts about sea turtles.




Monday, December 5th

Book reviewed at Kristi’s Book Nook

Tuesday, December 6th

Guest blogging at Hollywood Daze

Book trailer featured at If Books Could Talk

Wednesday, December 7th

Book reviewed at Loves 2 Read

Thursday, December 8th

Guest blogging at Café of Dreams

Friday, December 9th

Book reviewed at One Day at a Time

Interviewed at Coffee and a Keyboard

Monday, December 12th

Book reviewed at Taking Time for Mommy

Tuesday, December 13th

Book reviewed This Little Book of Mine

Wednesday, December 14th

Book reviewed at The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

Thursday, December 15th

Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books

Friday, December 16th

Book reviewed at Everyday is an Adventure

Book reviewed at Bassgiraffe’s Thoughts


After having been both an elementary school teacher, a university professor of education and a consultant for New Options, Inc. in New York City, Nancy Stewart writes children’s books full time. She, her husband and three sons, lived in London for eight years, where she was a consultant to several universities, including Cambridge.

Her travels take her extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. Nancy is US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

Nancy is the author of the Bella and Britt picture book series, One Pelican at a Time, Sea Turtle Summer, Bella Saves the Beach and Mystery at Manatee Key. All are published by Guardian Angel Publishing. Pelican was nominated for a Global eBook Award.

She was featured in the PBS Tampa (WEDU) series, Gulfwatch. It concerned the writing of One Pelican at a Time: A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill.

She and her family live in St. Louis and Tampa.

Nancy’s web and blog sites are:

http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/

http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com/

Bella and Britt love living by the beach. When they find oil washing to shore from a gulf spill, they want to help but are told there is nothing for kids to do. But when their old friend, the pelican, becomes covered with oil, they help save his life by their quick thinking and action.

Bestsellers rank of #36 today! It is also #96 on the Most Wished For in Children's Books list.





Eight-year old Melina wants to become a good violinist. When she loses confidence, her Rumanian teacher Andrea decides it’s time for a magic dose of self esteem. A mysterious old woman in rags gives Melina some curious advice; a violinist Russian hamster, who happens to live under the old woman's hat, offers her a virtuoso performance; a shooting star fills her with hope on Christmas Eve. Is Melina actually playing better, or has her violin become magic? Who is the old woman in the town square, and why does she wear the same emerald ring as her teacher Andrea?

This book is #62 on the Most Gifted in Children's Books list and #18 on the Most Wished For in Children's Books list.
 
For more information about these and other GAP titles please visit our website at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/!

GAP author Nancy Stewart is going on a virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book! to promote her debut release, One Pelican at a Time. This is the first U.S. children's book to tackle the issue of the 2010 Deepwater Gulf Oil Spill.

Bella and Britt love living by the beach. When they find oil washing to shore from a gulf spill, they want to help but are told there is nothing for kids to do. But when their old friend, the pelican, becomes covered with oil, they help save his life by their quick thinking and action.

Look for author interview, guest posts, book reviews, and chances to win a copy of this Amazon bestselling title. You can follow Nancy's virtual book tour by visiting her tour page for a complete schedule at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/01/19/one-pelican-at-a-time-virtual-book-tour-march-and-april-2011/

Current Guardian Angel Publishing bestsellers include:

Illustrated with Kim Chatel's stunning photography, this is more than a story. It is a journey with Reanie as she finds her voice and her artistic talent. The back of the book includes five non-fiction pages about photography: a glossary of terms, tips on taking better pictures and historical tidbits about photography.



Bella and Britt love living by the beach. When they find oil washing to shore from a gulf spill, they want to help but are told there is nothing for kids to do. But when their old friend, the pelican, becomes covered with oil, they help save his life by their quick thinking and action.

One Pelican at a Time by Nancy Stewart and illustrated by Samantha Bell is also #88 on Amazon's list of Most Wished for in Children's Books.








Eight-year old Melina wants to become a good violinist. When she loses confidence, her Rumanian teacher Andrea decides it’s time for a magic dose of self esteem. A mysterious old woman in rags gives Melina some curious advice; a violinist Russian hamster, who happens to live under the old woman's hat, offers her a virtuoso performance; a shooting star fills her with hope on Christmas Eve. Is Melina actually playing better, or has her violin become magic? Who is the old woman in the town square, and why does she wear the same emerald ring as her teacher Andrea?



The Magic Violin by Mayra Calvani and illustrated by K.C. Snider is also #19 on Amazon's list of  Most Wished for in Children's Books. It is also #67 on Amazon's Most Gifted in  Children's Books.

For more about these and other GAP books, please visit us online at www.guardianangelpublishing.com!

GAP author Nancy Stewart's One Pelican at a Time is currently listed as #6 in Amazon's Hot New Releases in Children's Books. It debuted as #2 less than a week ago.

One Pelican at a Time is the first US children's book to address the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of April 20, 2010.

Find out more about this great book at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/one-pelican.htm

Nancy Stewart, author of the newly released GAP title, One Pelican at a Time, will be showing a PowerPoint presentation at the Illinois Reading Council Conference in Springfield, Illinois on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

Literacy Through Green Colored Glasses-Picture Book Activities to Help Kids Save Their Planet includes activities for children that empower them to care for and nurture their planet and have fun at the same time!

You can find more information about Nancy, her book, and this presentation by visiting the author's website at http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/.

One Pelican at a Time is the first US children's book to address the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of April 20,2010. The book features Bella and Britt and their heroic efforts to save their friend, the old crooked beak pelican, whom they've known all their lives.

An author's page gives facts about the spill as well as some green tips on how to save energy and make us less dependent on fossil fuel. Britt and Bella lead us all by example.


After having been an elementary school teacher, a management consultant with New Options, Inc. in New York City and a university professor of education, Nancy Stewart now writes children’s books full time. She, her husband and three sons, lived in London for eight years, where she was a consultant to several universities, including Cambridge.

Nancy travels extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is the US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

Nancy is the author of One Pelican at a Time and two other Bella books: Bella Saves the Beach and Sea Turtle Summer, soon to be published by Guardian Angel Publishers. Nancy will be a presenter at the Illinois Reading Council Conference on March 17, 2011.

She and her family live in St. Louis and Clearwater Beach, Florida.


Nancy will be going on a virtual book tour in April and May 2011 to talk about One Pelican at a Time. Please visit http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2011/01/19/one-pelican-at-a-time-virtual-book-tour-march-and-april-2011/ for more information on her tour.

It was Christmas week, and we were in Switzerland. My family and I, along with good friends and a frozen turkey, traveled there for the holidays. We were living in London at the time, so we crossed the English Channel on a car ferry and were on our way to the Swiss countryside.

Our three sons were not so sure about the plan. “Were they getting as many gifts? What kind of Christmas dinner would we have? What about a tree?” I was having many of the same thoughts but kept them to myself.

As we drove higher into the mountains to reach the chalet lent by a friend, small delicate snowflakes danced around our two cars. Shadows deepened, and lights began to glow in houses nestled here and there in the valleys below us. Magical. A very good sign.

With darkness settling around the mountains, we arrived at our chalet. Maybe this adventure would be fine. These words became my mantra.

The next morning, we four parents and five sons explored the tiny village. And there, propped in front of a tiny store, was our Christmas tree! It was short, a little crooked, a bit spare of needles and one of the last ones left. It was beautiful to us.

The nine of us trudged along with our treasured tree and promptly set about decorating it. We popped popcorn and made white garlands with the help of needle and thread. We did the same with cranberries and wound scarlet sashes round the boughs. The boys found pine cones of different sizes and shapes in a sheltered stand of pines near our chalet. These they tucked between branches of our now festive offering to Christmas, and an aroma of pine drifted through the room. James, the youngest boy, fashioned a star out of paper and placed it on top of the tree.

That evening, Christmas Eve, the nine of us again walked to the village. Our feet made satisfying crunching sounds through the crusty snow. The village church was our destination. Candles shone in all the windows, casting shimmering shadows on the icy whiteness. It seemed the whole town had turned out for the midnight service. We were greeted with smiles and greetings of “Willkommen.” We were welcomed by everyone.

Christmas carols, all in German, but so familiar to us in every other way, filled the small church with happiness and joy. The pastor’s message, all in German, made us feel the meaning of Christmas, as if we understood every word.


Next morning, as the boys opened their allotted two gifts apiece, no one complained. Michele and I baked our now thawed turkey and completed all the usual trimmings, minus a pumpkin pie. No one complained. When it was time for all to help clean up from our meal, no one complained. Again, magical.

As I reflect on that Swiss Christmas of more than a decade ago, what made it so extraordinary? Was it Switzerland itself? Was it being with family and wonderful friends? Was it fulfilled expectations?

Yes, of course, it was all of that. And, yet, it was more. It was that intangible thing called hope. It was recognition that we are more than ourselves alone. It was the knowledge that we need one another and are here to help each other and to be selfless when called upon to be so. It was the magic of Christmas that just happened to be in a country called Switzerland.

After having been an elementary school teacher, a management consultant with New Options, Inc. in New York City and a university professor of education, Nancy Stewart now writes children’s books full time. She, her husband and three sons, lived in London for eight years, where she was a consultant to several universities, including Cambridge.

Nancy travels extensively throughout the world, most particularly Africa. She is the US chair of a charity in Lamu, Kenya, that places girls in intermediate schools to allow them to further their education.

Nancy is the author of One Pelican at a Time and two other Bella books: Bella Saves the Beach and Sea Turtle Summer, soon to be published by Guardian Angel Publishers. Nancy will be a presenter at the Illinois Reading Council Conference on March 17, 2011.

She and her family live in St. Louis and Clearwater Beach, Florida.

You can visit Nancy online at http://www.nancystewartbooks.com/.