Bonnyville Library Reading of Bug Crazy!

I had so much fun at the Bonnyville Municipal Library today!  What a cute set up.  I also appreciate the work that Ina Smith and Kim Deschaine put into spreading the news of my reading weeks prior.  It definately got the news out there. Oh, and speaking of the news...the Bonnyville Nouvelle came in to interview me and take some pictures for the paper.  It was such a pleasant surprise and I look forward to taking a look at the section they put in for me.  If I can, I will scan it and post it on my website and blog. 
This job truly means the world to me.  I get to spend time being silly with kids and making them laugh! What more can I want?  What a dream come true.

Ever wonder how stuff works?

How Stuff Works (www.howstuffworks.com)
This award-winning site clearly and concisely tells kids (and adults!) how different things work — from the everyday (how automobile engines run) to the unusual (how Jell-O sets).

Ah, ye ol' knock knock jokes!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Abbott!
Abbott who?
Abbott time you answered the door!
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Ada!
Ada who?
Ada burger for lunch!
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Acid!
Acid who?
Acid down and be quiet!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Agatha!
Agatha who?
Agatha headache. Do you have an aspirin?

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Alaska!
Alaska who?
Alaska my friend the question then!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Alba!
Alba!
Alba in the kitchen if you need me!

Frosty-A Classic

FROSTY THE SNOW MAN
Frosty the Snowman
Was a jolly, happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal

Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairy tale they say
He was made of snow, but the children know
How he came to life one day

There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around!

O Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said "Let's run and we'll have some fun now
Before I melt away."

Down to the village
With a broomstick in his hand
Running here and there all around the square
Saying "Catch me if you can!"

He led them down the streets of town
Right to the traffic cop
And he only paused a moment when
He heard him holler "Stop!"

For Frosty the Snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye saying "Don't you cry,
I'll be back again some day."

Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Look at Frosty go
Thumpetty thump thump
Thumpety thump thump
Over the hills of snow

Your Children's Art

Once a month I would like to display children's art on my website.  Please email me your children's artistic pictures and there will be a vote.  The first three pictures may be posted.  One of course being 1st prize, then the 2nd, and 3rd. 

Start emailing today! bugcrazy@authormandyhunter.com

Thank you!

All My Great Excuses

All My Great Excuses
	by Kenn Nesbitt

I started on my homework, but my pen ran out of ink… My hamster ate my homework… My computer’s on the blink… I tripped and dropped my homework in the soup my mom was cooking… My brother flushed it down the toilet when I wasn’t looking… My mother ran my homework through the washer and the dryer… An airplane crashed into our house… My homework caught on fire… Tornadoes blew my notes away… Volcanoes rocked our town… My books were taken hostage by an evil killer clown… Some aliens abducted me… I had a shark attack… A pirate swiped my homework and refused to give it back… I worked on these excuses so darned long my teacher said, “I think you’ll find it’s easier to do the work instead.” Text © Kenn Nesbitt, reprinted from Revenge of the Lunch Ladies, published by Meadowbrook Press. Illustration © Mike & Carl Gordon. Any copying or use of this poem or illustration without consent is unlawful.

Mundane Mondays

Hello all!  Thanks for stopping in at my blog page today!  Well, it is the dreaded Monday today, so I thought that it would be a cool idea to list a bunch of silly and fun things a person could do when they are bored.  Here is goes:

1) Cut out photos and paste them on Popsicle sticks and have a puppet show.

2) Laugh out loud.

3) Learn how to fake an accent. (g'day mate!)
4) Spin until you are dizzy
5) Learn to peel a banana with your feet
6) Run around your house as fast as you can and, count how many times you can go without getting tired.
7) Snap your fingers as if suddenly you have a bright idea and see if you get any.
8) Turn on the T.V., put it on mute and make up dialogue.
9) Walk around a public park, every so often pretend to trip on a 'invisible' wire.
10) Make up a language and stop someone to ask for directions.
11) Dress in something silly and laugh at yourself.

I hope you giggled at some of these ideas (teehee). I know I did.  If nothing else, I do know that I made you smile even a tiny bit. 

Mundane Monday go away!
Don't come back another day!
Stay home and keep your boredom to yourself!
Read all the books upon your shelf!
Keep yourself busy until your time is done.
And leave the rest of the week for all of us to have some fun!
Written by Mandy Hunter

Silent Night- The start to opening up the Christmas Spirit!

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

Dawn Stewart's Picture Book Tips

http://dlstewart.com/picbooktips.htm

If you ever wanted to have some tips on how to write for children, I really feel that Dawn has captured that in some nice short paragraphs.  Writing for children is not always the easiest thing to do.  You have to think like children sometimes.  What interests kids, what types of things do they like, what illustrations will draw them in, etc.  There is not 1 major rule for writing children's books.  One thing that I will leave you with though, is to read as many children's books as you possibly can.  By doing this, you will gain some insight and ideas on how to write and what makes a good picture book. 
As a new author and illustrator, I definitely need growth.  I am constantly sketching/drawing and writing.  Even if I am not fond of some of my drawings, I continue sketching and practicing.  I like to see where I need improvement by looking back at my older sketches. It also shows me where I have grown.  I truly enjoy what I do!  Thank you all again, for the time you take to look at my blogs, my website, and my books! 

Danidraws.com

http://danidraws.com/

I am really becoming a fan of Dani's illustrations.  They are fun, colorful, and overall very professional.  You could only expect that from someone with a BFA.  I do wish to one day get a degree in art.  A person can only get better with challenges and drawing/writing everyday!  I encourage any of you with a passion for drawing, to try and set some time aside everyday to practice. Like they say, Practice makes perfect!  I am disciplining myself to do the same.  It can get tough with my daughter needing my attention and care quite a bit, but I do have her nap times and bedtimes to work at it. 

Melt In Your Mouth Pumpkin Bread

Melt In Your Mouth Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant coconut cream pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 5 eggs
• 2 cups canned pumpkin puree

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir in the oil, eggs and pumpkin until just blended.. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and let stand 15 minutes, then remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

 

www.allrecipes.ca

One of my Fave illustrators!

Tony DiTerlizzi

It would be a dream come true if I could ever get Tony DiTerlizzi to illustrate one of my stories.  He is a favorite of mine!  Here are some of his amazing projects:



Coldlake Library Reading

I had such a great time with the little ones yesterday at the Coldlake Public Library!  They do a story time for ages under 5 years old every Wednesday at 10:30am.  I felt privileged to come and join in on the fun.  I read my book to the children and they were so excited to see a butterfly author!



Kids Mini Pizza Recipe

Prep time: about 15 minutes
Ingredients:

• 1 standard-sized bagel, cut in half
• tomato sauce
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• toppings like diced green pepper, chopped onion, or chopped tomato (whatever you like)
• seasonings like oregano, basil, and pepper

Utensils:

• oven (you'll need help from your adult assistant)
• knife (you'll need help from your adult assistant)
• baking sheet

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F.
2. Spread tomato sauce on each bagel half.
3. Sprinkle the shredded cheese all over the tomato sauce on each half.
4. Add your favorite toppings.
5. Put a light sprinkling of seasonings on each half.
6. Put your bagel halves on the baking sheet.
7. Bake in the oven on low heat for about 5 to 8 minutes. You'll know they're done when the cheese is bubbly.
8. Let cool for a minute, then enjoy your tiny pizzas!

Serves: 1
Serving size: 2 tiny pizzas
Nutritional analysis (per serving):
210 calories
9 g protein
4 g fat
34 g carbohydrate
2 g fiber
11 mg cholesterol
633 mg sodium
144 mg calcium
1.9 mg iron
Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Remembrance Day Video

A tribute to the men and women who fought and continue to fight for our freedom and deserve the honour of being remembered.  Thank you! Please watch and stand proud! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBgpAj9cYTQ

Remember

Remembrance Day

We wear a poppy
On Remembrance Day,
And at eleven
We stand and pray.
Wreaths are put
Upon a grave.
As we remember
Our soldiers brave.