GAP FAMILY BLOG

We're happy to announce our new blog. You can now find our new blog online at http://guardianangelchildrensbooks.com/

Hope you'll also check out our newly redesigned website at http://guardianangelpublishing.com/

Crockett Johnson	Harold and the Purple Crayon
Don Freeman	Corduroy
Dr. Seuss	Green Eggs and Ham
Eric Carle	The Very Hungry Caterpiller
Esphyr Slobodkina	Caps for Sale
Jane Yolen	Owl Moon
Jon Scieszka	The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
Laura Numeroff	If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Margaret Rey	Curious George
Margaret Wise Brown	Goodnight Moon
Marucs Pfister	The Rainbow Fish
Maurice Sendak	Where the Wild Things Are
Munro Leaf	The Story of Ferdinand
P.D. Eastman	Go, Dog. Go!
Shel Silverstein	The Giving Tree

Can you match these famous children's authors to their books? Answers on Friday.

1. Crockett Johnson  ___
2. Don Freeman  ___
3. Dr. Seuss  ___
4. Eric Carle  ___
5. Esphyr Slobodkina  ___
6. Jane Yolen  ___
7. Jon Scieszka  ___
8. Laura Numeroff  ___
9. Margaret Rey  ___
10. Margaret Wise Brown  ___
11. Marucs Pfister  ___
12. Maurice Sendak  ___
13. Munro Leaf  ___
14. P.D. Eastman  ___
15. Shel Silverstein  ___

A.  Corduroy
B.  Curious George
C.  The Giving Tree
D.  Goodnight Moon
E.  Go, Dog. Go!
F.  Caps for Sale
G.  Harold and the Purple Crayon
H.  The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
I.  The Story of Ferdinand
J.  Where the Wild Things Are
K. Owl Moon
L.  The Very Hungry Caterpiller
M.  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
N.  The Rainbow Fish
O.  Green Eggs and Ham

Let's go to the circus! Book features include Cartwheel Annie by Marilee Crow and illustrated by K.C. Snider, and The Clown Around Kids written and illustrated by Kathleen Bullock.

Poetry comes to you from Donna DeForbes and Donna Shepherd, while short stories from Trisha Faye and Joyce Wold are featured. Articles for kids are "Jumbo the Elephant" by Shari L. Klase and "Moving A Circus" by Carol J. Douglas.

We also have "English Language Learners" by Dorit Sasson as this month's Parent/Teacher Article.

Visit us online at www.guardian-angel-kids.com

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.

Artist Samantha Flynn - a ten year old student!

Print ISBN: 9781616333768; 1616333766

eBook ISBN: 9781616333775; 1616333774

We congratulate all our Angels on their placement in the 2012 Preditors and Editors Reader's Poll Children's Book category:


1. Angel Donor by Jennifer Gladen
5. Angels Do That by Tracey M. Cox
9. The Wishing Well, Another Weaver Tale by Kai Strand
17. Ava's Secret Tea Party by Donna J. Shepherd

You will find these and other GAP titles at http://guardianangelpublishing.com/

Merry Christmas from everyone at Guardian Angel Publishing. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year.

My husband is from a large family (seventeen kids is large, right?). Each year it is tradition for someone to host a summer gathering and for someone else to host a Christmas gathering. Usually you call dibs for the next year’s gathering while attending one – which is what I did in 1996. “We’ll host all of you in December of 1997!” I eagerly agreed.

And then was blessed to learn that we were expecting our third child, New Years 1998.

To make matters worse, I had some very specific ideas of what my party would be like. There would be turkey, honey baked ham and roast. Scratch mashed potatoes, no bulk buy dinner rolls for my guests. And plenty of seating.

Realizing I would be cleaning and decorating and preparing for overnight guests, cooking and serving and cleaning some more, all less than a month from my due date gave me pause. Could I really pull it off?

It was my oldest sister who made the statement, “Do you think all of your sisters-in-law would let you do all the work when you are that pregnant?” I realized she was right. This would probably be the easiest party I’d ever thrown.

Mid-December rolled around and we hosted 58 people for a ‘sit down’ dinner, though obviously not everyone sat at a table. The meal went off without a hitch and like my sister said, my sisters-in-law were champions in the “You just sit and take it easy - we got this” department. Twenty-two guests spent the night in our house. It was truly a lovely time. My son was born late – January 8th – so in the end there was never really much for me to worry about.

Christmas is all about family to me and that Christmas party was the pinnacle of family togetherness.


Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was a finalist in the 2012 EPIC eBook Awards. She is a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four amazing kids. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, "Do your dishes!" She and her family hike, geocache, and canoe in beautiful Central Oregon, where they call home.

To find out more about Kai’s books, download companion documents, find links to her published short stories and discover all the places to find Kai both virtually and in person, visit her website: www.kaistrand.com. She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to send her an email or visit her facebook page, Kai Strand, Author.

The Christmas of 1982 stands out in my mind. It was the worst kind of year I can imagine for a child. My mother had battled cancer for two years, but her battle was nearly over. A hospital bed had been set up in my old bedroom downstairs. She planned to die at home. But that wasn't to be. On Thanksgiving morning, Mom was rushed to the hospital in extreme pain. She would never come home again.

By the time mid-December rolled around, I swore we were cursed. A friend's fiance was killed in a car accident on the 3rd. My aunt, my mother's older sister, died unexpectedly of a stroke on December 12th. Mom was getting worse and had slipped into a coma. The rest of us played a dreadful waiting game. My dad working and spending all his down time at the hospital. Me and my middle sister trying to concentrate on school. My oldest sister, who was married by this time, trying to cope with being pregnant with her second child and taking care of her younger siblings. As you can imagine, there wasn't a lot of Christmas spirit.

Mom died on December 18th and we buried her just four days before Christmas. I don't think anyone expected presents that year. I doubted Dad had even had time to shop with all that was going on. Imagine my surprise when there were a few gifts under the tree. And included in one of each of our gifts was a note from Dad. I don't know what my sisters' notes said, but mine told me that the reason he bought me that particular gift was because it was the one thing Mom had told him to be sure to buy. She said I would need it, because I was growing up.

My father has never been a man of many words. Since my mother was home full-time until I was 10, he worked a lot of hours to make ends meet. When Mom died, I felt I was left to live with a stranger. But that Christmas morning, when I opened a gift he made sure to buy just for me, including the only note he has written to me in 44 years, I felt we could make it through the pain and the suffering, and that maybe, one day, the sun would shine again.

Thanks Dad!




Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer, children’s author and editor. Her first children’s book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is a member of the SCBWI, a book reviewer and blogger. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She also has a son who is married. Visit her online at http://ccmalandrinos.com

Introducing Gatsby, the art gallery cat, who loves exploring famous paintings at night. When he forgets to jump out before dawn, strange things happen to Winslow Homer's, 'Snap the Whip'. Children who enjoy animals and art will learn about an artist's work through the adventures of a mischievous cat.



Three-year-old Abbi is introduced to an interesting event right outside her living room window. Birds are nesting in the hanging flower basket. Abbi’s mother struggles to keep her flowering plant alive while birds raise their family in it. This gives Abbi a valuable lesson on how birds create a nest and raise their young. It is a learning experience from identifying the birds through watching the young hatchlings grow and take wing. Educational pages, too.







Michael likes to pretend. A tiny elf he finds in his parent’s garden asks him to pretend to fly him home. But a witch might stop Michael from pretending, and he must believe in himself.



A fun ridiculous adventure explores outer space, swims deep under the sea, bravely flies through a windy storm. Then find yourself in a tree or imagine yourself far, far away in this wonderful ridiculous adventurous book.


Peter and Jen devise a plan to capture a fat bullfrog. Humor, bullfrog facts and the thrill of adventure are laced together to create a book reluctant readers and boys will enjoy.


Un pequeño burro se presenta en la casa de un niño y se convierte en un valioso miembro de la familia. El día que desaparece, nunca esperan volver a verlo hasta que aparece una noche oscura y temerosa. (A tiny burro shows up at a little boy’s house and becomes a real asset to the family. The day he disappears, they never expect to see him again until he prances in one dark spooky night.)

Look for these are other fun titles at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

The year I turned 10 it snowed on Christmas Eve… a lot. Richmond Virginia is one of those places that rarely has a white Christmas, so when it does, things generally come to a screeching halt. On this night in l966, my mother happily wrapped gifts secure in the knowledge that all was ready for Santa’s visit. My father put last minute touches on the tree and my brother and I were tucked away in bed dreaming of sugar plums…or in my case, a Kissy Doll.

Kissy was the dream doll that year. Dressed in a red gingham dress, she stood quite tall, arms outstretched ready to “kiss” anyone who squeezed her arms together. Why I wanted this doll I don’t remember, but I do remember it was all I asked for, so when my mother took Kissy from her box for a test kiss, she remembers all but breaking down in tears when Kissy would not oblige. By now it was 9 PM and snow was flying, already several inches deep. These were the days before local shopping centers and Kissy had been purchased at Miller & Rhodes, a downtown store 15 miles from our home.

Ever the optimist, Mama made a call to the downtown store hoping someone would answer the switchboard and offer a suggestion. The gentleman who did was obviously enjoying a last minute office party, the jovial spirit sounding in his voice.

“Mrs. Patterson,” he said, “I give you my solemn promise that your little girl will wake up with a Kissy doll under her tree tomorrow morning.”

Mama hung up after giving him our address more hopeful than certain that this would be the case. She assumed by the time he came down off the table and removed the lampshade from his head, he would not remember it was even Christmas let alone locate a Kissy doll in the six story department store and deliver it to her in a raging snowstorm.

The snow continued to fall hard and fast. A bit after 11 PM, a yellow cab rounded the corner of our street and slid to a stop barely missing the ditch. A well dressed gentleman knocked on the door, red-faced from the cold wind, the office celebration or both. When he handed her the Kissy doll, bowed deeply and wished her all the joy of the season, Mama did not see a tipsy executive, she saw the real Santa Claus. Needless to say, we shopped at Miller & Rhodes until they closed their doors many years later, and although this is not MY Christmas memory per se, it’s one of my favorites just the same.

Although Sharon Stanley has been writing for years, it was only after her youngest graduated high school that she got serious about it. She picked up her pencil and paper, joined the SCBWI and got busy. She has two picture books under contract and looks forward to seeing them published. Sharon lives with her husband, two grown boys, three dogs, three cats and lots and lots of cows on a working farm in Virginia. She enjoys all sorts of artistic and creative endeavors and blogs about her publishing journey and farm life at www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com. Her life is a crop circle of craziness that affords her a never-ending supply of subject matter for all the stories she writes.

CONTACT: Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine

Email: submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com

Website: http://guardian-angel-kids.com

For Immediate Release

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Courage – December 2012 Issue

Courage instilled in children from the onset will develop over time to monumental positive actions. Starting with the simplest act of having the courage to ask questions in an effort to learn, especially when you think no one else could possibly have the same question. To always telling the truth even though disciplinary actions may be the result or standing up to the school bully when everyone else is afraid to. Courage comes from one’s positive surroundings and the support from our loved ones to live our lives in a positive manner.

Come explore the world of Guardian Angel Kids through the thought provoking short stories and articles of what it means to be courageous and how being so can be rewarding in immeasurable ways. Digging deep down to right a wrong in The Secret and Beyond the Evergreen are examples of truthfulness, discovering the admiration of sisterhood in Its Life, encouraging our children to reach their full potential in Courage-Reach for the Stars, and how teaching children to write their own stories provides them with an outlet to let their voice soar in Writing with Kids.

Surf on over to Guardian Angel Kids today www.guardian-angel-kids.com, enjoy a child safe ad free Ezine and visit the writers and illustrators in the Guardian Angel Kids December 2012 issue and enjoy the inspiring poetry, stories, articles and activities.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at  submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

Guardian Angel Publishing is pleased to announce that My Sister is My Best Friend by Nicole Weaver and illustrated by Clara Batton Smith has been awarded the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

Sisters are very special: Meet two sisters that do everything together. This delightful story transcends all cultural barriers. It will warm the heart of little girls from all over the world.

Las hermanas son muy especiales: Conozca a dos hermanas que hacen todo juntas. Esta bella historia trasciende todas las barreras culturales. Tocará el corazón de todas las niñas del mundo.

Les sœurs sont très spéciales : Rencontrez deux sœurs qui font tout ensemble. Cette jolie histoire transcende toutes les barrières culturelles. L’histoire va réchauffer le cœur des petites filles dans le monde entier.

This tri-lingual book is also the winner of the 2012 Preferred Choice Award in the Kids Picture Storybook category through the 2012 Creative Child Awards Program.

Print ISBN: 9781616332099; 1616332093
eBook ISBN: 9781616332105; 1616332107 


You can purchase this and other GAP books at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com

 

Guardian Angel Publishing is pleased to announce that Fantastic Flight by Barbara Bockman and illustrated by Jack Foster has been awarded the Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

After one night at her grandparents’ beach house, Jessica is ready to go home to Mommy and Daddy. Grandma suggests a fantastic outing with Grandpa that sounds like fun. The balloon Grandpa buys for Jessica takes them on a fantastic flight where they meet some unusual characters.

Suggested ages for readers: 4-7

PRINT ISBN:9781616332044; 1616332042
eBook ISBN: 9781616332051 1616332050

You can purchase this and other GAP books at http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/

Congratulations on the release of The Wishing Well. Please tell us more about it.

 














 

 

I AM ME by Jennifer B Leese, art by C Iannaccone-Littlest Angels Nica Jolee has her daddy’s freckles and her mommy’s button nose. This heartwarming children's picture book teaches your child that even though they may look or act like members of their family; they are still themselves ... special and unique, and there is no one else in the whole wide world just like them.



LILLY LOLLER'S ALWAYS LATE by Janean Nusz, art by Melina Benini- Chapbooks for Tweens An alliterative story- Poor Lilly, she's always late! Late, late, late! Find out what life is like for Lilly as she lolls, lags, and lingers. Discover how you can be less like Lilly and laugh a little, too, with this tongue twisting story.

 

ANGEL DONOR by Jennifer Gladen art by Samantha Bell- Health & Hygiene Olivia never asked to have a disease like Biliary Atresia. It made her liver sick and only a transplant will make her better. After waiting several months and close to losing hope, she gets the call she's been waiting for. The journey of her life is about to begin.



ABC's of Health & SAFETY Melissa Abramovitz, art by Alex Morris -Health & Hygiene From active aerobics to heart-healthy habits to zoo zone zeal, this delightfully rhyming ABC book introduces kids to health and safety basics in a fun way. They'll learn about everything from keeping the grubbies away to kitchen safety to the importance of a healthy weight through familiar (and some new!) alphabet-linked words.


WHISTLING DIXIE Dixie Phillips, art by Laureen Caponigro -Littlest Angels Dixie lacks confidence, but she steals the show when her grandmother comes to her rescue and helps her discover a creative way to tackle stage fright. Dixie's example provides the stepping-stones timid children need to gain self-confidence and is sure to help little ones overcome foolish fears.



THE PLUMBER AND THE WISHING WELL hardcover and softcover Author Liam Maher, artist Gin May- Chapbooks for Tweens The plumber has lost his job and worries he won't be able to buy gifts for his children. Find humour and magic mixed in with surprises. The illustrations by Gin May are magnificent and gives one a sense of Christmas warmth and cheer.


THE FIRST AMERICANS by Kelly Bakshi -Academic Wings Would you use a buffalo bladder as a canteen or wear a coat made out of seal skin? Native Americans cleverly used everything in their environment in order to survive. They created games, recipes, tools, and homes based on their surroundings. A word search review game is included.



ONE LARGE PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH TO GO by Linda Derkez, art by David Fielding- Littlest Angels Scotty is in the habit of walking around with his food, leaving crumbs all over, rather than sitting at the table to eat. Mom is in the habit of letting him. One day Mom decides to use her imagination to fix this growing problem.

Find these books and more at the Guardian Angel Publishing website.

Growing Up Dreams by Susan Berger and illustrated by Samantha Bell

The Odd Chick by Mary Esparza-Vela and illustrated by Kevin Collier



Children’S poetry, ACTIVITIES, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:



“I’m Growing Up,” poetry by Guy Belleranti – how quickly the time passes by.



“Is It Friday Yet?” poetry by Alicia Z. Klepeis – The excitement of the approaching end of the week.



“Activities to Make Reading Fun,” by Kathy Stemke – having fun with language is the key to unlocking the world of reading to your child.



“Too Much Trouble,” by Juliana M. Jones and illustrated by Nancy Miller – the growing responsibility of getting older.



“Maid for Make Believe,” by Caroline Yu and illustrated by Clara Batton Smith – the magic of pretend brings to friends closer together.



“Read Aloud Tips for Preschoolers: Put Some Pizzazz in Reading Aloud,” by Dorit Sasson – how to connect to the story by acting it out.



“Encouraging Your Reader,” by Vanessa Fortenberry – tips on how to encourage and instill the love of reading.





We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine

Email:  submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com

Website: http://guardian-angel-kids.com

For Immediate Release

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Proud to be American – May 2012 Issue

Do you recall a time when someone said they were proud of you? How did it make you feel? Did you stand a wee bit taller? I know for myself the memory of my parents stating they were proud of me made me want to do better each day. Have you ever taken it one step further and thought what it means to be a proud American? As American citizens we live in a democracy where we have freedom of speech and religion, the right to our own opinion, freedom to choose where we want to live and work, and the opportunity for an education. These freedoms do not just come along without sacrifice. The United States military continually serves and protects the American citizens from communist and terrorist beliefs allowing us to live the American dream of freedom for all.

We invite you to visit and explore the Guardian Angel Kids www.guardian-angel-kids.com May 2012 issue of "Proud to be American " through rich history poetry, the sacrifices of military families, embracing American freedom, the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Tuskegee Airmen, and activities to get you moving and grooving.

Letter from the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:  Donna M. McDine 

Featured Book:

Ebenezer’s Cousin by Kristen K. Zajac and illustrated by Jennifer Houdeshell



SPECIAL VIDEO PRESENTATION:



Alvin and the Chipmunks sing Proud to be an American



Children’S poetry, ACTIVITIES, SHORT STORIES, and articleS:



“History Class” poetry by Margaret Fieland – the rich history of our nation.



“Activities that Celebrate America in Song,” by Kathy Stemke – the use of songs with accompanying movements helps develop gross motor movements and rhythm in our children.



“A Sergeant for Sophie,” by Catherine May Webb and illustrated by Katherine Bullock – the waves of emotions military deployment brings to young children.



“My Country,” by Sue Bangert-Wood and illustrated by Jack Foster – embracing the freedom of America.



“Proud to Say the Pledge,” by Shari L. Klase – when we say the Pledge, we are making a promise to do something.



“History Can Teach Valuable Lessons for Today: The Tuskegee Airmen Story,” by Kristen Zajac – the first African American pilots during World II and their special place in military and social history.

Visit Guardian Angel Kid today and www.guardian-angel-kids.com and enjoy a child safe and ad free Ezine.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at  submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.

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Just think of everything the brain and nervous system do for us. This book will help you learn about the different parts of the brain and some of the nerves that control the various body functions while you are awake or asleep. Glossary, Activity pages, too.
A BRAINY REFRAIN


Whether playing soccer or star gazing, these cuddly koalas love to do everything together. Come along on an adventure from the bottom of the ocean all the way to outer space with these two best friends.

ELLIOT & ANASTACIA


A boy and his war veteran uncle share a frank discussion about God and his uncle’s paralysis. The boy learns that Uncle B is unable to do many things, but having a good time isn’t one of them.


BUSTER BEAR & UNCLE B


Follow the water droplets in their journey from the clouds to the earth and back to the clouds again. Written in a lyrical style, the book takes a new angle on the water cycle by showing the feelings it evokes in people.

THE WATER CYCLE: WATER PLAY SERIES bk 1


A comical tale about a hungry badger and a protective mother pig who will stop at nothing to protect her piglets. The story reflects the challenges of farm life and the authentic behaviors of both animals. You will even find out why badgers eat grubs today!

BUFFALOED BADGER hardcover and softcover