Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Year of the Beagle

My niece and nephew have declared this the "Year of the Beagle" and their tails have not stopped wagging since the judge, J. Donald Jones, pointed to the beagle Uno as the winner of Best in Show at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club event. Uno is the first beagle ever to win the Westminster show. The judge commented that Uno does cuteness well...something our family has known for years.

BEAGLE BAYS ALL AROUND FOR THE
WESTMINSTER BEST BEAGLE IN SHOW UNO!!!


Macie and Abby

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Willow May Book Review by SFC

Willow May Goes to the Midnight CarnivalI wanted to share the awesome book review for Willow May Goes to the Midnight Carnival by Stories for Children Magazine Editor VS Grenier. The Stories for Children Magazine is a fantastic site for to find great children's stories and a writer's inspirational treasure trove. Their free monthly Ezine in the is full of imaginative and fun stories for children ages 3 to 12 years old. You will also find articles, puzzles, games, children's book reviews (Willow May will be in the March edition), crafts and poems. Not only can adults submit stories for the SFC Magazine but they also publish stories written and illustrated by children and teens. For you writers out there, you can also sign up for the free SFC Newsletter for Writers that has a wealth of information, resources and tips on writing. If you want to read imaginative stories, meet and learn more about an author, check out book reviews, or pick up great writing tips, visit the Stories for Children Magazine site.

Here is the review:

Willow May Goes to the Midnight Carnival
By: Icats Nitram
Illustrated by: Pamela McCarville
Published by: All Us All the Time Publishing, 2008
ISBN: 9780979728501
Ages: 4 to 8
Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

What child doesn't like going to the carnival? But what about a Midnight Carnival? And what would be at a Midnight Carnival anyway, if you could stay up late?

Willow May does get to go to a Midnight Carnival and it's nothing like the carnivals you might see during the day.

The Midnight Carnival stirs your imagination with colorful illustrations depicting a colorful Mardi Gras wonder of events. Willow May and her dolly Jane enter into a world of wonder as they stumble across some of the performers at this Midnight Carnival. She sees clowns with one eye juggling black rats, a raven as ringmaster, blindfolded swordsmen, and a vampire who walks the tightrope. But the excitement doesn't stop there. Soon skeletons take the stage performing magic tricks and dancing, until one loses his footing and falls. Only to be swept away in a basket.

The fun and thrill of the Midnight Carnival leaves children and adults waiting for the night in this unexpectedly delightful picture book with a surprise twist at the end.