On Friday, the Greater San Diego Reading Association (www.gsdra.org) had their annual Recognition Dinner. GSDRA honors teachers and literacy leaders from throughout San Diego City and County at the event. I was honored to present four of the Celebrate Literacy Awards.
The Celebrate Literacy Award recognizes organizations, institutions, and individuals making significant literacy contributions at the local or state level.
I met the Bookman!
Irwin Herman retired in 1988, but he found a new vision and gave us “The Bookman,” a wordwide charitable organization based in San Diego. It started one day when Irwin went with a friend who does outreach visits in local jails. He learned the inmates needed books. He gave some books and noticed how grateful they were.
An idea sprouted. Now Bookman organization provides books for free to anyone who asks. Can you imagine having such a vision? The bookman warehouse contains over 50,000 books with a daily turnover of 2000-3000 books. He enlists the help of Lenny the Elf (aka Leonard Pearlman) and other faithful elves including Tony Ross, a retired publishing executive, and Don Schultz, a retired bookstore owner.
The bookman’s motto is ”Providing books to anyone who wants to read and learn.” Please visit their website at www.thebookman.org to learn more about this fabulous project.
The bookman has given away an estimated 8 million free books to people in San Diego, every state, and seventy countries.
International Reading Association
I was at the International Reading Association conference in Phoenix in February, and I just received this photo from Michael Shoulders of the Sleeping Bear Press dinner with authors and illustrator. From left to right: Michael Shoulders, Eve Bunting, Barbara Gowan, Rick Anderson, Helen Foster James, and Tony Johnston. What a fun event.
Four Kids in 5B and 1 Crazy Year
I participated in San Pasqual School’s Teachers As Readers (TAR) group on Thursday. We read FOUR KIDS IN 5B & 1 CRAZY YEAR by Virginia Frances Schwartz. It's about students and their writing quest. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“I wish I could sit in my own grandmother's kitchen like the author Cynthia Rylant. No wonder these authors can write. Their grandmothers’ stories fill them up like fresh baked bread.”
“I love how you tell your story You use specific words that make pictures in a reader's head. you write what you know That’s what all good writers do.”
“September is a fresh start. You are like poems still unwritten.”
“I wonder again—how did those words come to me? Will they come again another time?”
“She worked in a hurry as if her pencil was leaking memories about to evaporate.”
“Writing makes you drift and dream and say things you don’t even plan on.”
“I just have to show up with my pencil.”
“Ms hill says writers write about what’s in front of them.”
Book Info:
Holiday House Publisher Hardcover 0-8234-1946-3
Scholastic Canada Ltd. (available only in Canada) -
Paperback 0-439-93568-5
Also available Scholastic Book Clubs US
“I wish I could sit in my own grandmother's kitchen like the author Cynthia Rylant. No wonder these authors can write. Their grandmothers’ stories fill them up like fresh baked bread.”
“I love how you tell your story You use specific words that make pictures in a reader's head. you write what you know That’s what all good writers do.”
“September is a fresh start. You are like poems still unwritten.”
“I wonder again—how did those words come to me? Will they come again another time?”
“She worked in a hurry as if her pencil was leaking memories about to evaporate.”
“Writing makes you drift and dream and say things you don’t even plan on.”
“I just have to show up with my pencil.”
“Ms hill says writers write about what’s in front of them.”
Book Info:
Holiday House Publisher Hardcover 0-8234-1946-3
Scholastic Canada Ltd. (available only in Canada) -
Paperback 0-439-93568-5
Also available Scholastic Book Clubs US
Temecula Public Library
I had a great time Wednesday evening at Temecula Public Library's "S is for S'mores: Indoor Author Camp-Out." Miss Ginger coordinated a lovely event complete with tent, lantern, bear, and, of course, some yummy s'mores. What a fun time. Ginger organized the event to celebrate Children's Book Week. It was my first visit to this library and it's an amazing beauty of a library with fabulous resources.
Temecula Public Library
30600 Pauba Rd.
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 693-8900
Thank you Ginger!
Temecula Public Library
30600 Pauba Rd.
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 693-8900
Thank you Ginger!
Lilac Time
Time in the mountains is always time well spent. Here is a photo of lilacs outside our cabin.
Temecula Visits
I'll be visiting Temecula Public Library tomorrow and the visit reminded me of visiting Pauba Valley Elementary in Temecula earlier this year. I thought you'd enjoy this adorable photo. The Library Queen set up a lovely camping environment for my visit and the kids thought it would be great fun if this camping bear read my book.
www.childrenandnature.org
A big Thank You! to Toni Klym McLellan for mentioning S IS FOR S'MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET in the article "Parents Magazine Offers Ideas for Outdoor Time" at www.childrenandnature.org. The article has a wealth of information about getting kids to explore the great outdoors. You can read the entire article at:
http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/parents_magazine_offers_ideas_for_outdoor_time/
Thanks Toni!
New Hampshire School Visits
I'll be visiting New Hampshire during late September and early October. If you are interested in me visiting your school, library, Girl Scout troup, etc., please email me at hfjames@san.rr.com. I'd love to hear from you. And, be sure to visit my website at www.helenfosterjames.com to learn more about me and my books.
Yosemite Visit
On Saturday I had the pleasure of signing my book, S IS FOR S'MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET, at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park. What a treasure! I met lots of fun people. A big thank you to the Gallery for providing me with the opportunity.
Yosemite's waterfalls were wild with water and the dogwood was in bloom. Yosemite is one of my very favorite places.
Author Visits
I found a treasure of a blog about children's book authors who visit schools at http://authorbystate.blogspot.com. It's children's book author Kim Norman's blog. The authors are listed by state with a link to their website. How helpful is that! I appreciate her listing me. There's a long, long list of Californians, but I'm happy to be among them.
Thanks Kim! Here's Kim's website:
http://www.kimnormanbooks.com/
And, be sure to visit her blog at:
http://authorbystate.blogspot.com
Thanks Kim! Here's Kim's website:
http://www.kimnormanbooks.com/
And, be sure to visit her blog at:
http://authorbystate.blogspot.com
School Visits
I was just thinking that I haven’t given a big shout out on my blog for “School Visits!” And, yes . . . I love to visit schools and talk with students about writing.
I’ve been been a teacher, media specialist, and a coordinator of library media services. I have a doctorate from Northern Arizona University. Now I am a writer and traveler. I’d love to visit your school or library. E-mail me at hfjames@san.rr.com and let’s talk.
My nonfiction books are bi-level with four line rhymes for younger students and expository text that explores the concept for older students. This format makes my books accessible and interesting to a wide range of readers and they spark creativity in students to explore their own writing using the ABC format.
Alphabet books provide students with a model for writing their own books individually or as a class. The format can be adapted for every grade level or subject area. A first grade class visited me recently at the San Diego County Office of Education/Greater San Diego Reading Association’s Authors’ Fair. They wrote “G is for Games: A Playful Alphabet” featuring all the ways they enjoy playing. It was adorable and the students loved the topic and were thrilled with their final writing project. Other popular topics include writing an ABC book of their classroom, school, or town.
Teacher Activity Guides for each of my books are available for a free download at www.sleepingbearpress.com. (I didn’t create the activity guides, but there are some fine activities.)
So, if you are thinking about a children’s book author visiting your school this year or for the 2009-2010 school year, think of me. I’d love to participate.
Book Signing at Grand Canyon
Thanks to the wonderful Grand Canyon Association, I was able to participate in a book signing of S IS FOR S'MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET at the Yavapai Observation Station. I signed a book for three-month-old Sabrina. Her mother and grandmother confirmed that it was her first autographed book. How cool is that? I also met a teacher who bought S'MORES and happily announced "Instant Lesson!" I met lots of great people including three families from San Diego. Can you say "Small World?"
I had a lovely time visiting the Grand Canyon, signing my books, and I had a super visit with first graders at the Grand Canyon Community Library. Thanks Mindy!
I'm already planning next year's visit!
S'more Reviews
S IS FOR S'MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET is part of a series with Sleeping Bear Press. Here are some reviews I wanted to share with you.
“Working her way through the alphabet, James uses each letter to highlight a different aspect of the camping experience, including animal tracks, fire safety, navigation and snow shelters. The enthusiastic approach and diverse information will excite children about camping and help them feel comfortable whether they find themselves sleeping in the backyard or the backcountry.”
—Blake Anderson, ALASKA AIRLINES in-flight magazine
Wilderness Camping from A to Z
“Did you know that the first female park rangers were hired in 1918, and were called “Rangerettes”? Or that a camping shelter built of snow is called a “quinzhee”?
You can find these fun facts and other camping trivia in the new book S IS FOR S’MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET by Helen Foster James, illustrated by Lita Judge (Sleeping Bear Press, 2007; $17.95). James, an avid camper, WILLA Literary Award Finalist, and National Parenting Publications Awards judge, weaves a tapestry of camping fun that will get kids excited about hitting the trails.
Emphasizing respect for the environment and the beauty of nature, S IS FOR S’MORES breaks down camping topics alphabetically and accompanies each topic with an explanation or instructions—for example, a short essay on national parks or a list of essential camping gear. There are even a couple of essential recipes for s’mores and trail mix included at the end of the book. While this is an alphabet book, the language and facts will engage children as old as 10.”
—Dana Morgenstein, BAY AREA PARENT
“For some people, nothing says summer like a camping trip. This nicely illustrated book covers everything about camping, from A is for adventure, to Z is for zipper—as in the zipper on a tent or sleeping bag. In between is a wealth of information—snippets about the attractions at various national parks and recreational areas, a discussion about the different gear needed for camping and what to carry in case of emergency, food that’s fun to cook and eat outdoors, and of course, a reminder on how to prepare that quintessential camp food, s’mores. The oil paintings, mostly of children enjoying the outdoors, might even inspire you to break out the old backpack and stir up some trail mix.”
—ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
“Working her way through the alphabet, James uses each letter to highlight a different aspect of the camping experience, including animal tracks, fire safety, navigation and snow shelters. The enthusiastic approach and diverse information will excite children about camping and help them feel comfortable whether they find themselves sleeping in the backyard or the backcountry.”
—Blake Anderson, ALASKA AIRLINES in-flight magazine
Wilderness Camping from A to Z
“Did you know that the first female park rangers were hired in 1918, and were called “Rangerettes”? Or that a camping shelter built of snow is called a “quinzhee”?
You can find these fun facts and other camping trivia in the new book S IS FOR S’MORES: A CAMPING ALPHABET by Helen Foster James, illustrated by Lita Judge (Sleeping Bear Press, 2007; $17.95). James, an avid camper, WILLA Literary Award Finalist, and National Parenting Publications Awards judge, weaves a tapestry of camping fun that will get kids excited about hitting the trails.
Emphasizing respect for the environment and the beauty of nature, S IS FOR S’MORES breaks down camping topics alphabetically and accompanies each topic with an explanation or instructions—for example, a short essay on national parks or a list of essential camping gear. There are even a couple of essential recipes for s’mores and trail mix included at the end of the book. While this is an alphabet book, the language and facts will engage children as old as 10.”
—Dana Morgenstein, BAY AREA PARENT
“For some people, nothing says summer like a camping trip. This nicely illustrated book covers everything about camping, from A is for adventure, to Z is for zipper—as in the zipper on a tent or sleeping bag. In between is a wealth of information—snippets about the attractions at various national parks and recreational areas, a discussion about the different gear needed for camping and what to carry in case of emergency, food that’s fun to cook and eat outdoors, and of course, a reminder on how to prepare that quintessential camp food, s’mores. The oil paintings, mostly of children enjoying the outdoors, might even inspire you to break out the old backpack and stir up some trail mix.”
—ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Winter Wish
Whoa! Where did the last two months go?
The winter issue of "The California Reader" has arrived and it's beautiful. It features a glorious poem by Joan Bransfield Graham, "Wish for Peace." It's from the book AMERICA AT WAR with poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Lee just received the NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award.
Best wishes to you.
The winter issue of "The California Reader" has arrived and it's beautiful. It features a glorious poem by Joan Bransfield Graham, "Wish for Peace." It's from the book AMERICA AT WAR with poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Lee just received the NCTE Excellence in Poetry Award.
Best wishes to you.
National Parenting Publications Awards
Each year I’m a judge for the National Parenting Publications Award. I’m a judge for the book category, but you’ll find award-winning DVDs, parenting resources, storytelling, toys, and more listed on their website: www.parenthood.com/nappa.
SAY DADDY! by Michael Shoulders (www.michaelshoulders.com) was one of my favorites this year. It's the perfect baby shower gift. It was published by Sleeping Bear Press (www.sleepingbearpress.com).
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