It Will be Okay, “A Fearful Fox & A Snug Seed, A Rare Friendship Indeed!”

Posted on January 27, 2015 by hendersonintraining

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This week’s Kidsbook Friends theme is “Feelings”. As a mom of three kids, I’m learning the power of stories to help kids discover their emotions and the power of a loving adult to help them understand and channel their feelings positively. I echo Lysa TerKeurst’s introductory words, “As their mom, I feel what they feel. I hurt when they hurt. I worry about their worries! . . . I needed a story to illustrate how we can trust God in the midst of fear and understand He is still good even when life doesn’t feel good.” Check out what Lisa created:

Introducing Our Featured Friend: It Will be Okay
By Lysa TerKeurst, Illustrated by Natalia Moore

Little Seed was happily snug in his seed packet in the Farmer’s dusty shed. When a fearful fox came bolting into the shed to seek shelter from a storm, he bumped Little Seed right onto the floor. After the initial upset, the two became the closest of friends.

When the good, kind Farmer came to get Little Seed for planting, he did not want to go! But, as the Farmer “pushed Little Seed under the ground, into the dirt, and down to a deep, dark messy place”, he talked with him gently:

“Now Little Seed, this is going to be different and it might seem scary,
but it will be okay. You can trust Me.”

Little Fox stayed right by Little Seed’s spot and as the Farmer took care of them, they began “to believe that the Farmer was good, and the Farmer was kind . . . Even in dark, messy places”.

Soon, Little Seed became a green sprout and grew into a strong tree! Both Little Fox and Little Seed grew into what they were meant to be . . . together.

” . . . just as they learned to trust the Farmer, we can learn to trust God.”

 Inviting You to Become FRIENDS with Little Fox & Little Seed:
 Feel, Relate, Imagine, Explore, Navigate, Develop, Share

Select a few activities from the kid-friendly book guide while reading this story:

F- What new places or experiences make you feel afraid at first?

R- Can you relate to Little Seed when he didn’t want to leave his snug place to go try  something new? Describe one new thing that you’ve done that was hard at first.

I- Imagine you could have any friend or family member with you when you are afraid at any time. Who would you want with you and why?

E- Explore the “10 Scriptures to Memorize with Your Kids” page in the front of this book and pick one to memorize this week. The next time you are afraid, remember God is good, He is kind, and He is always watching over YOU.

N- Navigate the process  from seed to tree by watching this cool Time Lapse Animation:

D- Develop your own little garden plant in a container or in ground to see your seed grow into a plant first hand and develop patience while waiting and watching.

S- Share what you love about one of your friends . . . “Little Seed told silly stories, and Little Fox made funny faces.” Then share a creative, yummy treat to make this book even more memorable: Plant a seed (mini sweetart) in the ground (ding dong) with a worm (gummy worm) on top!

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Integrating Great Songs with Similar Themes:

  • “It’s Going To Be Alright” by Sara Groves
  • “Thrive” by Casting Crowns
  • “Trust and Obey” for Kids

Illustrations:

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“Little Seed liked living inside the cozy packet on the rickety shelf in the Farmer’s dusty shed. He did not want to go.”

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“I want to trust, even when I can’t see. But how in the world is this good for me?”

 

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“Together they made it through the dark and scary time . . .”

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“Little Seed was never supposed to be just a seed in a seed packet. . . Little Seed grew into a big, strong tree.”

 

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Write this down!

Related Post:
Mortimer’s First Garden by Karma Wilson: https://kidsbookfriends.com/2014/03/31/waiting-for-a-miracle/

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Kidsbook Friends Author Interview: Rebecca Wilson Macsovits

Posted on January 22, 2015 by hendersonintraining

 

8849 copy

Rebecca Wilson Macsovits. Author of Guion the Lion, A Colorful World

Connecting with authors is one of my favorite parts of writing a children’s book blog. I especially enjoyed featuring Rebecca and her book, Guion the Lion,  A Colorful World because of the positive messages of diversity, kindness, and helpfulness she embeds throughout her story (http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-zI).
Find out more about the inspiration for her story by reading her interview:

Influences:

What experiences, people, and/or books were influential in your life, leading you to write your own children’s books?

My mom published her first book, Songs of Nature Meditations in Psalms, in 2001. Seeing how much she enjoyed the process and the reward she felt from writing initially got me interested.  In 2006, my first child was born with Down syndrome and with his birth came many concerns and worries for the future. One of my biggest concerns was about how people would treat him.  The book Guion the Lion was born from there.

Beginnings:

When did you begin writing children’s book manuscripts?

Guion the Lion is my first book and has been a labor of love from the moment I started.

What was the first book you got published and with which publishing agency?

I self-published Guion the Lion but I did work with Inspire on Purpose a self-publishing platform to help me along the way.

How many books have you written that are published?

I have published one book so far but I have several in some form – a concept that is simple chicken scratch on a piece of paper to a draft of a full manuscript that is awaiting some additional TLC.

Inspiration:

What was the inspiration for your main character of your favorite book?

My oldest son is most certainly my inspiration for Guion the Lion – it’s even named after him.  My hope is that children will read the book and take away that everyone with whom they come into contact has something valuable to add to this world.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

I generate most of my ideas when I’m around my children – then I have to take a break from the ideas to bring them to life.

Process:

How long did it take you to write, edit, and publish your first book?

Seven years. I was on maternity leave with my second son when my creative juices started flowing. I woke up in the middle of the night and had the idea for this book but I really wasn’t sure what needed to be done next. I attended several writing conferences where I began to learn about writing for children and I joined a critique group with other writers. The process was extremely enlightening and it was helpful to hear other people’s perspective on the story so I could refine and tighten up the story.

Advice:

What advice can you share with children reading your books?

It is our responsibility as members of God’s great Earth to make it colorful – helping and accepting help from others is one of the ways to make it so.

What advice can you give to those of us who are working to write and publish children’s books?

Share it with others and listen to their comments. Be open to suggestions. I know I struggled throughout the process to let go of some of the storyline that I felt were important at the time but looking back I’m glad I listened.

Interests:

What are three hobbies/interests you have besides writing?

I’m a big fan of trying to keep balance in my life between family and work. I started boxing (just for exercise so no sparring) and it has been amazing. I also love to travel and have been fortunate to explore some pretty amazing places with Tanzania topping my list – it’s how I even know what a Pangolin is.

Quote:

Please leave us with a quote from one of your books!

Guion beamed. “Spectacular! You found the switch!”

“We all did!” cheered the animals.

Author Contact:
Visit Rebecca at http://www.macsovits.wordpress.com and http://www.guionthelion.com

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Guion the Lion, A Colorful World, “Rubbing Off On Others Remarkably Well”

Posted on January 20, 2015 by hendersonintraining

The determined lion set out to brighten this gray place.

As the new year begins, we set goals and have a strategy to reach them. Sometimes unexpected circumstances and “unusual” people come into lives that surprisingly help us… and sometimes they even give us a new and better perspective! Such is the case in this book, Guion the Lion.

Introducing Our Featured Friend: Guion the Lion, A Colorful World
Written by Rebecca Wilson Macsovits, Illustrated by Joseba Morales

When Guion (rhymes with Lion), a colorful Lion, jumps into the terrain of the Savannah, he discovers something odd: color is missing! He tries to fix the bleak terrain by first painting a rock, but he cannot get the color to stick.

Maybe the color got turned off, like a light switch. I just need to flip it back on.
But where could it be?
The determined lion set out to brighten this gray place.

On his search for the color switch, he meets Ostrich whose head is stuck in the ground, literally. Guion is the only one who stops to help her and subtly  some of his color rubs off on to her.

Next he meets Pangolin who is in a rush to go to the river. Hesitant at first to accept Guion’s help, Pangolin looks at the lion’s kind eyes, and then jumps onto his colorful back. Again, Guion’s color begins to overflow onto this creature too.

Lastly, he encounters a frenzied monkey whose hunger outweighs his reserve to accept Guion’s help to get across the river to the fruit tree. Still on the search for the color switch, Guion the Lion doesn’t even notice that Monkey also took on some color.

Discouraged, Guion lies down under the night sky, determined to continue his search in the morning.

Dawn brings much joy as the animals’ laughter wakes Guion to the beautiful sight of the COLORFUL animals racing towards him. One by one, starting with Monkey, the animals explain to Guion what happened:

“Elephant couldn’t reach the fruit, so I handed him one.
Suddenly, green spilled over his trunk and danced up my arm!”

Story after story shows Guion that they DID find “the color switch” and turned it on . . .one kind act at a time.

 Inviting You to Become FRIENDS with Guion the Lion:
 Feel, Relate, Imagine, Explore, Navigate, Develop, Share

Select a few activities from the kid-friendly book guide while reading this fun story:

F- Do you ever feel hesitant to offer or accept help from someone who’s quite different than yourself- like the animals initially felt when accepting Guion’s help?

R- Can you relate to Ostrich, Pangolin, and Monkey when they were glad that they received help from Guion the Lion even though he was so different then they were?

I- Imagine that you could be any animal in the Savannah and any color. What would you pick? How could you help another animal friend? Draw and color your choice.

E- Explore a group of people that are different than you. Research their customs, clothing, and culture. Make a compare/contrast chart listing your findings.

N- Navigate your way through the story by designing a map of Guion’s search for “the color switch”. Include the characters he encountered, places he went, and outcome of the story.

D- Develop an “acts of kindness” list of ways to help others while: playing at recess, learning in the classroom, eating in the lunchroom, riding the bus, shopping at stores, etc. Make your world more colorful by being  YOU  and reaching out to others!

S- Share your favorite part of the story with the class.

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www.guionthelion.com

Blog: Subscribe to http://www.kidsbookfriends.com for free, kid-friendly book guides including correlating questions, crafts, and activities to great kids’ books.
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The Story of Snow, “Let Science & Art Give Your Snow Day a Fun Start”

Posted on January 15, 2015 by hendersonintraining

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In Dallas, Texas, we do not get to enjoy much snow, but after living in other colder states like Virginia, New York and Ohio, I still love snow and so do our kids (except for our youngest because he’s never seen it!). After reading the science and art behind each  snowflake, a winter WONDERland is definitely a fitting name for a snowfall.

Introducing Our Featured Friend: The Story of Snow
by Mark Cassino with Jon Nelson, Ph.D.

If I could recommend one non-fiction picture book to science and art teachers to use for the snow portion of their weather unit, The Story of Snow is it. With 14 large, bold sentences, a kindergarten child can learn some of the basics:

Snow begins with a speck.
The speck becomes the center of a snow crystal.
A snow crystal forms as it falls . . .

Students in more advanced grades can understand the more detailed facts described under each sentence. For instance, here’s a  microscopic view of the journey from a spec to a snow crystal:

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Ending with the most popular snow-question, “Are no two snow crystals alike?” and a fun activity, “How to Catch Your Own Snow Crystals”, this story’s combo of science and art will get a snow day off to a great start!

 Inviting You to Become FRIENDS with Snow:
 Feel, Relate, Imagine, Explore, Navigate, Develop, Share

Select a few activities from the kid-friendly book guide while using this science story:

F- How do you feel when you hear the forecast calling for snow?

R- Did your know that you have something in common with a snowflake? Look at page 30 to see how YOU relate to a snow crystal!

I- Imagine that you are one of the kids on page 33 out in the snow catching snow crystals. Which  one of “snow-catching tips” would be most helpful to you?

E- Explore different ways to design paper snow crystals and enjoy the ART of a snowflake: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-6-Pointed-Paper-Snowflakes/

N- Navigate your way from spec to snowflake by designing your own chart or graph and enjoy the SCIENCE of a snow.

D- Develop your own snow man or have your own winter war on: http://www.agame.com/games/snow-games  . . . Check out my snowman on the shore below!

S- Share a fun fact with a friend that you learned from this story during your next snow day!

Blog: Subscribe to http://www.kidsbookfriends.com for free, kid-friendly book guides including correlating questions, crafts, and activities to great kids’ books.
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Wonderful Winter Book for Each Grade Level (K-5)

Posted on January 13, 2015 by hendersonintraining
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Have a “Hot-Cocoa-Class-Day” and Huddle Up for a Wonderful Winter Book!

Each book featured per grade level is appropriate for independent reading and selected based on standard reading skills. Very fun to read together as a class too, especially with cups of hot cocoa!

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Kindergarten:
Pip and Posy The Snowy Day by Axel Scheffler

Two friends set off to enjoy their snow day until they can’t agree on what head to give their snowman: mouse or rabbit ears?! Conflict, resolution modeled in simple language.
(You may recognize the author’s name as he illustrated The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child)

 

 

2015-01-09 14.40.33First Grade:
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth

One by one, forest animals show up on the door steps of Percy, the park keeper. After letting each one inside to warm up, his little hut gets quite full. During  a scare from a mole entering through his floorboards, each animal finds a hiding spot and stays there nice and cozy for the night.

 

 

2015-01-09 14.41.22Second Grade:
Winter Friends by Mary Quattlebaum

Wonderful introduction to poetry as each page contains delightful poems of winter fun from icicles to sledding.

 

 

 

 

2015-01-09 14.39.40Third Grade:
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

When a huge blizzard comes to the City of Geoppolis, Katy, the crawler tractor, has a chance to prove her strength by getting the town roads cleared to help many people do their jobs.

 

 

 

2015-01-09 18.16.06Fourth Grade:
Polar Bears Past Bedtime by Mary Pope Osborne
Magic Tree House #12

Twelve chapters with Jack and Annie in the frozen Arctic, unfold their dangerous story of meeting a friendly seal hunter and then a giant polar bear that may or may not be friendly!

 

 

2015-01-09 14.38.49Fifth Grade:
The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson

This seven chapter book is packed with strong themes, rich dialogue and a noble adventure and has inspired works such as Disney’s Frozen and C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

 

 

 

Related Posts:

One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth
Part I: http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-1d
Part II: http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-1F
Part III: http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-1M

The Hat by Jan Brett: http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-yp
The Mitten by Jan Brett: http://wp.me/p4m4Tu-y2

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Posted in Nick Butterworth, Uncategorized, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment