Long Ago and Far Away

 Long ago and far away

Was a baby born in a special way.

The Son of Mary, so meek and mild,

Was also God’s holy, beloved child.

This humble birth in a cattle stall

Was a gift of love for one and all.

Not just for the rich, not only for some,

But for the whole world did this baby come.

God’s love like a bright and shining star

Is for everyone, whoever you are.

Jesus was born so this love we could see,

The greatest gift for you and for me. 

© Connie Arnold

Magical Matthew

Children are fascinated by things that seem magical, and Matthew certainly fits into this category in this delightful book by Penelope Anne Cole. Matthew has a special talent that many people would love to have. When something is broken, he just thinks about it being fixed and it is.

But although Matthew has the magical power to fix objects, he discovers he can't fix everything. His young friend Lily is in a wheelchair and can't walk. He wants very much to make that happen, but he can't. He soon learns a valuable lesson about what can be accomplished without resorting to magic and in spite of handicaps as friends work together for a common goal of helping others and making things better.

The bold and colorful illustrations by Kevin Collier add to the attraction of the story for children, who will likely be asking for this book over and over, enjoying Matthew's gift, thoughtfulness and the surprise at the end.

Be Thankful for Your Senses

Shout for joy, sing and rejoice,

be thankful for the gift of a voice.

Open your eyes, appreciate the light,

be thankful for the gift of sight.

Listen to others, lend them an ear,

be thankful for the gift to hear.

Give praise that you can feel so much,

be thankful for the gift of touch.

Smell the aroma of a rose,

be thankful for the gift of a nose.

Enjoy the blessings that come from above,

be thankful for the gift of God’s love.

© Connie Arnold, 2012

Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving, and don't forget to be thankful for the good things in life, including your senses!

A Raccoon in a Rocket and Birthday Wishes

 This poem was written in honor of my blogging friend Lenny's birthday on October 20. Happy birthday, Lenny! Of course, I began it with a raccoon. Hope you enjoy the poem and have a terrific birthday!

Hope all who can will take a moment to pop by Lenny's World to wish Lenny a happy birthday and enjoy his great blog. Some things I like about Lenny and his blog are the sunshine he shares, enjoyable, fun posts, his knowledge about writing, his enthusiasm and willingness to share, and his sense of humor.

A raccoon and a mouse went for a ride

  with an alligator by their side.

They flew in a rocket to outer space,

and each of them had a grin on his face.

They watched the earth far below,

higher and higher they seemed to go.

They rocketed upward, mile after mile,

and each of them continued to smile.

The raccoon was obviously in command,

and only he knew what was planned.

Mouse and alligator waited to see,

and the whole adventure filled them with glee.

If you happen to see that rocket go by

with the raccoon flying way up high, 

you can be sure their adventure's not done.

Alligator and mouse are still having fun! 

Hope you are having fun too, Lenny! Blessings to you always!

Kindness, Love and Encouragment

Do you realize how important it is to provide inspiration and positive messages for children? During their formative young years, they absorb such a vast amount of information. It makes such a difference in the characters they develop, their personalities and self confidence if they receive encouragement and are taught to respect and be kind to others.

"Today is a gift, that's why we call it the present." We each could learn to do a better job of making the most of each day in a positive way, spending time with loved ones and showing our love and appreciation for them in our lives.
 

Anything we do

Or whatever we may say

May touch others too

And affect them in some way.

When we are feeling sad

And our words are rather cross,

They may make someone mad

And leave them at a loss.

To bring some peace of mind

And show how much you care,

Add a little sunshine

That you each can share.

With a kind and gentle word

And with love and joy to give,

You can help to make this world

A better place in which to live.

© Connie Arnold

Fantastic Flight

What's a grandparent to do when watching a child who is homesick and missing her parents? Read Barbara Bockman's book, Fantastic Flight, for an imaginative idea!

Jessica has no clue about the adventures awaiting her when she visits her grandparents at their beach house and is tearfully missing her Mommy and Daddy. Grandpa knows just how to entertain his granddaughter on a fantastic outing. Taking a balloon ride provides an exciting visit to the clouds and some interesting creatures along the way. But oh, no! An unfriendly bird pops their balloon, but what could have been a catastrophe leads to more fun. Children's imaginations can soar along with Grandpa and Jessica as they enjoy the unique and expressive illustrations by Jack Foster along the way.

Fantastic Flight is available from Guardian Angel Publishing and Amazon. Visit Barbara at her blog, Stories a la Mode, and enjoy more of Jack Foster's fun art at Jacktoon's.

My Tooth is Loose

 

 Can you remember when you were little and had a loose tooth, just waiting for it to come out? If, like me, you can't remember that long ago (although I'm sure it's not so long for you!), perhaps you can think about your children's experiences.

Bill Kirk's new book, My Tooth is Loose, follows a young boy with a loose tooth as each member of his family tries something to get his tooth to come out. I love books that rhyme, and Bill does rhyming very well! Kids will surely relate to the antics and suggestions for getting the tooth out and enjoy the beautiful illustrations by Eugene Ruble while anticipating the outcome.

Also included are fun activities and facts about teeth at the end of the book. This is the newest book of Bill's "The Sum of Our Parts" series. You can find it at Guardian Angel Publishing or Amazon.

Learn more about Bill Kirk and his writing at his website, Bill Kirk Writes

Cody Knows and Chip's Sharing Day

Guardian Angel Publishing continues to release an abundance of new quality books for children, and below are my reviews for two recent releases. So many delightful, fun, educational books to choose from in such a variety of subjects, for all ages, by talented authors and artists! Please be sure to visit and check out the many wonderful books.

Cody Knows is one of many books by award-winning, multi-genre author, Karen Wiesner. She is joined by Linda Derkez in writing this story about a little boy named Cody and the things he knows. They are the types of things that small children learn as they grow, through what they are taught and their experiences. There are basic things like "blocks are for building" and "books are for reading." My favorites are "Daddies are for piggyback rides" and "Mamas are for hugging." The illustrations by Candace Hardy are filled with colorful details that will give a child plenty to look at while listening to the story. The short sentences and simple text make it good for helping youngsters  learn to read.

 

 Linda Derkez is also the author of Chip's Sharing Day, a delightful book about a mischievous young bear named Chip whose cousin comes to visit. His mother tells him to play nicely with her and share his toys. Her name is Dorcas, but Chip seems to want to call her "Dorkie" and is gently corrected each time he does so. As they go off to play, every time Dorcus picks up one of his toys, Chip takes it back while Dorcus agreeably moves on to the next one. After this happens several times, Dorcus decides to share something with Chip, and he is in for a big surprise! See what happens to make a change in how Chip views and treats his cousin. Phoebe Doehring provides the expressive illustrations that help bring the story alive.

Cody Knows and Chip's Sharing Day can be purchased from Guardian Angel Publishing or Amazon.

Disability, Klutziness and Sleepiness - Oh My!

Author J. Aday Kennedy has two recently released children's books from Guardian Angel Publishing that are delightful to read and provide valuable lessons as well.

Buster Bear and Uncle B is about a boy named Ham with a special fondness for his Uncle Brian and the toy bear his uncle gave him. Uncle B is coming for a visit, which fills Ham with excitement. His mother reminds Ham that his uncle was getting out of the hospital because he had been hurt while serving in Iraq. Upon the arrival of Uncle B, Ham is suddenly subdued when seeing his beloved uncle in a wheelchair. It takes a while for Ham to understand that Uncle B is still the same person he always was even though he is now paralyzed. Uncle B has learned new ways to have fun, and they have a great time playing together and sharing their love. This sweet story provides a great lesson for children about understanding and accepting people with disabilities.

J. Aday has a special insight into Uncle B's life since she is paralyzed herself. Like the character in her story, she overcomes her difficulties with grace, humor and faith. This is a wonderful story for children to enjoy and learn about handicaps and treating all people with respect.

Marina Movshina's illustrations very expressively help to convey the emotions and activities throughout the story. There is also a teacher's guide for Buster Bear and Uncle B with information about Jessica Aday, activities and tips for better understanding of disabilities, questions and games.

 

J. Aday's newest book is Cobbledom's Curse, a cute story about a flying horse, an elf and a leprechaun. Kantor Pegasus, a character from J. Aday's book, Klutzy Kantor, is once again struck with a klutziness curse by Cobbledom Leprechaun. In the midst of a klutzy frolic through the woods, he runs into a sleepy little elf, who is unable to sleep due to the same leprechaun's evil deed. Children will giggle over their adventures and find that what may save these two is cooperation and putting the other one's needs above their own. It provides a fun lesson for children about helping each other and not being selfish.

The bright, colorful illustrations by Jack Foster are adorable and are sure to capture a child's eye and imagination. You can enjoy more of Jack's art on his blog, Jacktoons.

Hope you have enjoyed the reviews of these two very different books that do have something in common - a good lesson for children and that they are written by the same versatile and talented artist, J. Aday Kennedy. Click on her name to visit Aday's website. These books and others are available from Guardian Angel Publishing and Amazon.

Children Enjoying Summer

Although it's not summer yet, it will be here before long. Do you like summer? I do, except when it gets extremely hot! I think most children really enjoy summer, with their break from school and time to have fun and play. My grandchildren will be out of school for summer vacation in just a few weeks, so I thought I'd post this poem about children enjoying summer. Can you picture children doing this?

Children in the summer
Love to laugh and play,
Making the most
Of each bright summer day,
Enjoying the bliss
Of a warm day in June,
Happily playing
And singing a tune,
Laughing with abandon
In the freedom of July,
With red, rosy cheeks
And a sparkle in the eye,
Whirling and twirling
In a flash of legs and arms,
Singing and dancing,
Displaying all their charms,
Sailing through summer,
Faces happy and bright,
Expressing their enjoyment
With squeals of delight.

 © Connie Arnold 

excerpt from A Symphony of Seasons 

This is an excerpt from my newly released poetry book, A Symphony of Seasons, my second book published by RPJ and Company. I'm also pleased to announce that, in addition to my Animal Sound Mix-up, Guardian Angel Publishing has accepted two more children's books for future publication! I love writing for and about children, whether through my poetry books or picture books!
 

This post is part of a Book Launch Blog Tour for A Symphony of Seasons May 1 - 12, and the schedule for it is on my Inspirational Poetry of Joy and Peace blog. Hope you will visit some of the stops, and be sure to leave a comment to be entered into prize drawings for a Vivaldi Four Seasons CD and a hummingbird suncatcher wind chime.

A Symphony of Seasons may be purchased directly from my website to receive a signed copy, or from RPJ and Company, Amazon, or eBook from Smashwords - enter code QX77N for 1/2 price offer through May 31.

Summer will be here soon. Are you ready to have some fun? 

Celebrate Earth Day With Pictures Part II

Welcome to award winning author Kathy Stemke’s book tour for

TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY!

Her charming picture book, which doubles as an activity book, teaches kids how to rethink, reuse and recycle our Earth’s precious resources.

Kathy’s book is available at a discounted price on her blog educationtipster: http://educationtipster.blogspot.com/ or on Amazon, B & N, and many other online book sites.

   

With Earth Day approaching on April 22^nd let’s celebrate our beautiful Earth by meditating on its majestic splendor. Take a look at the following five photos and let us know your favorite by commenting below.

1.    2.     3. 

4.       5.

Kathy Stemke has published over one hundred articles in directories, magazines and on websites. She is a reviewer for Sylvan Dell Publishing and a former editor for The National Writing for Children Center. As a retired teacher, Kathy has several activities published with Gryphon House Publishing. Stemke is also part of the team at DKV Writing 4 U, a writing services company that includes ghostwriting, copywriting, editing, proofreading, critiquing, and resumes. http://www.dkvwriting4u.com

Award winning author, Kathy Stemke’s first children’s picture book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was published on Lulu. Her next two picture books, Sh, Sh, Sh Let the Baby Sleep, and Trouble on Earth Day were released in 2011. Both of these books have been awarded the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

 

Visit her book blog at http://shshshletthebabysleep.blogspot.com Kathy has several WIP: two picture books and a Young Adult Historical Novel.
Mrs.Stemke offers great teaching tips and children’s book reviews as well as a monthly newsletter titled, MOVEMENT AND RHYTHM, on her blog. http://educationtipster.blogspot.com
 

Easter Fun

Easter Fun

Easter is a time for fun,

for thanking God for His dear Son,

and happiness for what He gives

because we know that Jesus lives.

We are sad that Jesus died

and that He was crucified,

but He rose to life, it's true,

forever loving me and you.

We don't ever need to fear

knowing Jesus remains near,

loving us each passing day,

and always hearing when we pray.

Connie Arnold, 2012

Read more poems on my website

Fun Animal Videos

Would you like to enjoy a little animal fun with me today? I'd like to share a couple of videos with you. One of them, for my Animal Sound Mix-up, has 866 views on YouTube, and I'd appreciate your help as I'm trying to get to 1,000 views! Please click on the link to join in the fun as lions say "meow" and donkeys say "bow-wow" accompanied by lively, fun music. And please share the link with others if you enjoy the video!
Animal Sound Mix-up video

After you watch the mixed-up sounds, be sure to watch the video below so you can be sure you know the right sounds animals make from "THE AGGROLITES - Animal Sounds - YO GABBA GABBA"

 Hope you enjoyed the videos! Do you know of any other cute videos about animal sounds?

(If you're interested in a copy of Animal Sound Mix-up for your child, grandchild or another child, it can be purchased from Amazon, Guardian Angel Publishing (print, eBook or CD) or signed copy from my webiste.)

More Animal Fun

As you probably can tell from my own Animal Sound Mix-up, I love children's books about animals! I'm happy to share with you about an enjoyable animal book by Janet Halfmann.

Fur and Feathers is a picture book filled with fun, imagination and educational opportunities. A little girl named Sophia is counting animals to help her fall asleep. When she does, she dreams about a gusty wind that blows the fur and feathers off the animals. She pulls out her clothes to put on them, but they don't work very well and the animals are not happy with them. She very creatively makes new ones perfect for each creature by finding out the kind of covering each needs for the way it lives. The end of the book contains information about different classifications of animals. The charming illustrations are by Laurie Allen Klein. Click on cover above to see Fur and Feathers on Amazon, also available from Sylvan Dell Publishing.

Winter Months



Near the end of December winter begins –

Brr!  It is getting quite cold.

The temperature drops (as leaves already have),

And the year is growing quite old.

Through January winter continues –

Brrr!  It is really cold now.

There sometimes is snow, maybe sleet and ice;

We go as the weather will allow.

Winter remains through February –

Brrr!  Days are of the coldest sort.

We seldom will want to be outside,

But at least this month is short.

In March the end of winter arrives –

Ahh!  Now that’s not so bad.

Life is returning to growing things;

The flowers and warmth make me glad!

© Connie Arnold

Winter is good for snowmen, but not for me. I'm always ready for spring and warmer weather to arrive. Do you like winter?