Writing Prompts from Photos

Check out Mary Emma's Writing Tips at One Book Two Book for suggestions on developing writing prompts from photos. One photo can yield ideas for many types of writing. In this post, I've used a photo from my childhood of Nubble Lighthouse, Cape Neddick, Maine.

I'm also incorporating this idea into a workshop I'm teaching this week for a group of homeschoolers.

(If you'd like to learn more about my workshops for young writers, e-mail me at me.allen@juno.com .)

A Valentine's Journey Writing Prompt

Check out the writing prompt, A Valentine's Journey, at my b5 media blog, One Book Two Book.

This is a fun activity youngsters...and adults...may enjoy. I know a variation of it was fun for students I worked with the other day.

The Rainbow Fish - Is It Controversial?

Periodically, comments crop up on posts concerning the picture book, The Rainbow Fish over at my One Book Two Book blog. Some readers seem to feel it's a controversial one and spouts socialist propaganda. Other readers see it as a lovely story with a light moral and unique, colorful illustrations.

Perhaps you'd like to check out these posts and let me know what you think.

Interpreting an Author's Meaning - Particularly in The Rainbow Fish

What Does The Rainbow Fish Mean? Is There An Underlying Meaning?

Rainbow Fish Makes a Comeback at Our House


(The Rainbow Fish available at Amazon - link above)

Writing Tips About Obama's Inauguration

Mary Emma's Writing Tip of the Week

Each Sunday, I try to post a writing tip at my One Book Two Book blog. This week, since we've just experienced the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, I gave suggestions for writing about this occasion.

Even though these ideas were directed toward young writers, you still may find something to jumpstart your writing. If you have young writers in your life, teach school or home school, you may find them useful in that area.

Check out Mary Emma's Writing Tip - What Did You Think of the Inauguration?

References to Lincoln During Obama's Inauguration

With so many references to Abraham Lincoln, during Barack Obama's Inauguration festivities, it might be helpful to have some resources so youngsters can learn more about our 16th President. He was criticized during his term in office and was blamed for mistakes in the Civil War fought at that time.

Yet he was important to the black people because he issued the Emancipation Proclamation giving the slaves their freedom. Also, his leadership ensured that our country stayed together.

Abraham Lincoln for Kids: His Life & Times with 21 Activities (For Kids series) by Janis Herbert
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln (Picture Book Biography) by David A. Adler
A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden
Abraham Lincoln and His Family Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney
You Are There: Abraham Lincoln's Greatest Moments: The Emancipation Proclamation/The Gettysburg Address (DVD) starring Walte Cronkite and Paul Birch
Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America by Allen C. Guelzo
Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America by Garry Wills
Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln (The Story of the Gettysburg Address) by Jean Fritz
Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips (One of my favorite books about Lincoln)Emancipation Proclamation Silk Necktie (produced for the NY Historical Society from Lincoln's handwritten original)

My Fav b5 Blog Posts of the Week

Favorite Posts

Periodically b5 bloggers post their favorite posts of the week. I write three blogs at b5media, Alzheimer's Notes, Quilting and Patchwork, and One Book Two Book. (The latter I co-blog with Marcie Pickelsimer.)

Sometimes it's difficult to choose your very favorite for the week. However, here are the three for this week:

http://www.quiltingandpatchwork.com/...ilt-mysteries/ http://www.onebooktwobook.com/mary-e...storm-of-2008/http://www.alzheimersnotes.com/not-h...-nursing-home/

Tea for 200 (not two..or you..or me) with JK Rowling

Tea Party

To celebrate the release of her latest book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, famed author JK Rowling invited approximately 200 school children to enjoy tea with her. What an exciting experience!

Read more about this at my One Book Two Book blog. This book is a spin-off of sorts from the latest Harry Potter book, Deathly Hallows.

I wonder what they had for tea and refreshments. Possibly something with a Scottish influence since this was to take place in Edinburgh.

Giveaways? Here Are Some With Gifts for Youngsters

One Book Two Book Giveaways

If you're a fan of giveaways, you'll find a series of them at a blog I co-author, One Book Two Book, running from Dec. 2-7.

Check out the rules and leave comments at the following links. You can enter any or all of the giveaways. These will make great Christmas gifts for youngsters, too. Enjoy!

Book Swim Giveaway
Readeez DVD Giveaway
Baby Can Read Giveaway
Wii Pop Star Guitar Giveaway
Fly Me To The Moon Giveaway
Giveaway - Celebrity Arthur Book from Speakaboos
Giveaway - Countdown to Bedtime Soundbooks
Giiveaway - ECO Baby Organic Playdough
Baby Potential Teacher Onesie Giveaway
Natural Pod Giveaway
RideMakerz Giveaway
Happy Green Bee Giveaway
Mead Writing Fundamentals Giveaway

Controversial Books...Is The Rainbow Fish One of These?

The Rainbow Fish

I've often wondered where readers, teachers, reviewers and literary "experts" find the hidden meanings in books, unless the author has made a statement to this effect. Of course, if you know the author's beliefs and lifestyle, some may show through in their books. But how can we be sure all the interpretations aren't simply someone's opinion or speculation?

Whenever we've written about The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister at One Book Two Book, we've received a number of comments, some of them mentioning what a controversial book this colorful picture book is. Apparently to many people, it has underlying social and socialistic meanings. Some agree and others are vividly opposed.

You may want to check out:

What Does The Rainbow Fish Mean? Is There an Underlying Meaning?
Rainbow Fish Makes a Comeback at Our House

All this makes me wonder if anyone reads hidden meanings into my books and stories. It might be interesting to find out!

Thanksgiving Books for Fun and Facts

Thanksgiving Books

If you're looking for Thanksgiving and harvest book ideas for your youngsters and yourself, check out my list and post at One Book Two Book.

Fun & Fact Books for Thanksgiving & Harvest Season

Favorite Thanksgiving Books

Do you have any to suggest?

October - A Time for Spider Month, Books & Activities

October seems to be "Spider Month," when people are searching the Internet for information about spiders. Perhaps it has to do with Halloween.

Marcie Pickelsimer, my co-blogger at One Book Two Book, has done a great deal of research on this topic as it applies to children's books and activities. You might enjoy visiting our blog, especially the following posts:

October is Spider Month
Spider Activities for Kids: Young & Old
Spiders!
10 Best Spider Books
Spiders, Spiders Everywhere

Enjoy! Then you might want to leave Marcie a message telling her how much you appreciate all the research she has done on this topic and the books and spider activities she's found.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Discover Weekly Writing Tips at One Book Two Book

If you or your family entertain thoughts of writing...for pure fun, to write stories for school lessons, or to record your thoughts in journals, you might enjoy the series I've begun at One Book Two Book, Mary Emma's Writing Tips. Although the weekly tips, prompts and activities are slated for young writers, they will work for anyone.

These will appear at One Book Two Book each Sunday. I also will suggest books and web sites where you can find help and inspiration, too.

One of my joys is sharing my writing with others and encouraging them in theirs, whether they're children or adults.

Related Posts:
Mary Emma's Writing Tips for Young Writers
Mary Emma's Writing Activities for Young Writers
Mary Emma's Weekly Writing Tips -Scary Stories

(c)Mary Emma Allen

Daily Giveaways at One Book Two Book beginning August 24

Giveaways at OneBookTwoBook.com

You’ll find them daily for several days (August 24 - Sept. 6) for the Back-to-School Blast. Some days there even two drawings!

Among the prizes are many items to get the youngsters ready for school from snacks, lunch boxes/kits, back packs, books, and other supplies.

Stay tuned and have a blast! Visit One Book Two Book often.

Get One Book, Two Book’s Feed!

One Book Two Book - Book Blog for Kids of All Ages

I'm having great fun co-blogging with Marcie Pickelsimer at the b5media blog, One Book Two Book which features books and information for kids of all ages. You might want to check it out. Even become a regular reader!

We feature: reviews, interviews, giveaways, theme weeks, book news, word of the week, book quotes, reading related activities, and much, much more.

Come join us!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen