Stay Awhile.

The dragon wishes to speak to you a while if you are able to stay awhile.

Is there really a difference between a while and awhile?

Yes, there is, and writers often use the wrong one.

The word awhile is an adverb, which means it modifies a verb. The definition of awhile is “for a while” or “for a time”. It would be redundant to say, “The dragon wishes you to stay for awhile” ,which reads as, “The dragon wishes you to stay for for a time”.

The key to watch for is the word for. The dragon either wants you to stay for a while (a period of time) or he wants you to stay awhile (for a time).

While we’re on the topic of what the dragon wants, let’s talk about the word while itself. While can be a noun, conjunction, adverb, verb, or a preposition.

Noun

The dragon chatted for a while (a period of time) about how he hoped it was worth your while (trouble) to listen.

The dragon drew a map, talking the while (at the same time; meanwhile).

Conjunction

The dragon didn’t accomplish much while I was away (during the time that; at the same time as).

The dragon wants to play, while I want to study (whereas-indicating a contrast).

Adverb

The times while the dragon sleeps are the quietest times (during which).

Verb

The dragon can find all kinds of diversions to while away the day when he should be studying (pass time in a leisurely manner).

Preposition

The dragon will be grouchy while dinner time (until).

                                        ****************************************

                           

I hope this lesson was worth your while.

For more information on my dragon books for children, visit: http://www.dragonsbook.com 

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2013

Rrrrrrgggle. A Book Review.

 Rrrrrrgggle - Book 1 of The Wesley Series
Written by Monsier J and Mister F
Illustrations by Papaya

• BN ID: 2940149028566 eBook
• Ages 9 - 12
• Publisher: Monsieur J & Mister F
• Publication date: 11/7/2013

Synopsis: Wesley and his zombie family have moved to the quaint mountain town of Stuff Falls, where Wesley will be attending fifth grade at his very first all-human school.

   But getting along with humans ain't all it's cracked up to be, and Wesley finds his new life is chock full of odd characters, including Caesar, his new friend who shrinks every year; the what-a-freak twins, who think everyone who's not them is a freak (this goes doubly for zombies); and Drake, the genius school bully whose robot pigeon sits perched on his shoulder.

   Packed with laughs, beautiful illustrations, and numbskull humans who think zombies actually eat brains, Rrrrrrggggle! is the first book in the Wesley Series. So come join in on what zombie book critic Warez Myhedatt has called a... Well, we're not sure exactly what he said, but by the tone of his mumbles and grumbles, we're guessing he had a grand ol' time. 

About The Book: Wesley is going into fifth grade in a new "normal human" school (so his parents say). He is a zombie kid who is not quite as zombieish as his zombie parents, and he just wants to fit in. He learned human talk in his younger years, which should help with the fitting in part. (His mother still talks zombie and talks like this: "Ghrghrghdh!"  and "Fihikhjsdfjsd?". His father is learning human and talks like this: "Leaking cow bucket best pal." and "Night time bad with no cricket painting fence post.")

 On the first day of school, Wesley is late (he's not real good with first days). Some kids poke fun at him, due to his zombie state. Wesley takes this all in stride--after all, it's not his first day being a zombie.

Grams, the strange and secretive girl who always wears a white hoody, white snow pants, and has white hairs; and Ceasar,a half-zombie who shrinks with age, and has a wardrobe of costumes which he changes daily, become his friends.

Wesley also quickly makes an enemy: Drake, a very strange mad-scientist-bully kid with a pigeon sidekick.

 Wesley soon realizes that not everything is as normal at this school as he first thought. The zany adventures heat up when Wesley is forced into a type of duel, at the "pillars of doom", with Drake. Can Wesley, with the help of his friends, find a way to outwit the evil Drake and his weird sidekick pigeon?

What I Though: First off, after I finished laughing at this humorous story, I thought: I am now a zombie-book fan, which I wasn't yesterday. This is a wonderfully well written book with hilarious, oddball characters, sound plotting, vivid descriptive passages, wackier than wacky humor, and great illustrations.

 I knew this would be a well written book because one of the writers, which I have had the pleasure of working with, has an editing background--can't say how, where, or why I know this, as both the writer's identities seems to be somewhat secretive. The authors and illustrator have created an incredible fun story for middle grade kids. I definitely recommend this book. If you aren't a zombie fan, you will be. And be careful, you may laugh your head right off.

Fun Excerpt:

(Wesley's) Bad Gym Class Memories:

       1. Being de-pantsed (first grade)

       2. My head used as a ball (third grade)

       3. Pull-ups challenge (fourth grade)

       4. Picking teams (every single stinking grade ever)

#4 is happening right now, with a possible incoming of both #1 and #2.

       That’s because it’s Dodgeball Day.

P.S. To learn what "Rrrrrrggggle" means in zombie language, read the book.

Meet the Authors and Illustrator:


http://www.wesleythezombie.com/#!us/c1z6g

Book links and other info:

AmazonKindle:  http://
amzn.to/1e8oNbG 

Barnes & NobleNook:  http://
bit.ly/1bLa5oN 

Coming soon to iBookstore

Facebook: 
www.facebook.com/wesleythezombi

Website:www.wesleythezombie.com  (info, excerpt, zombie puzzles, map)

Twitter: @WesleyZombie

Sir Princess Petra's Talent. Book trailer.

Book two in The Pen Pieyu Adventure series, Sir Princess Petra's Talent:

                          

Book one in The Pen Pieyu Adventures series, Sir Princess Petra:

            http://youtu.be/8-PmNBJL67A


For more information on my dragon books for children, visit my website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

                         

Illustrations by Samantha Kickingbird

                               

                          

Award winning author Diane Mae Robinson has announced that she has contracted with Gotham Artists Agency of New York. Robinson is the author of 'Sir Princess Petra' and 'Sir Princess Petra's Talent'.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Award Winning Children's Book Author Diane Mae Robinson Announces New York Agency Contract

Robinson awards include the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artists Award for Children's Book Author and took 2nd Place in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards for 'Sir Princess Petra', the first book in the Pen Pieyu series

[October 30, 2013, St. Paul, Alberta, Canada] Award winning Canadian author Diane Robinson has announced that she has contracted with Gotham Artists Agency of New York.

“Signing with New York agent, James von Scholz at Gotham Artists Agency," Robinson stated, "is an incredible boost to my writing career. My agent will work with me to bring my characters to larger audiences through foreign rights, animation, and toy licensing. It’s very exciting.”

‘Sir Princess Petra’, the first in the series, features surprising plot twists and turns, brilliant flashes of humor, zany characters and is rooted in timeless values that shine through the charismatic main character. It is written in the tradition of C. S. Lewis and is reminiscent of ‘Shrek’. Reviewers have labeled the award winning book a ‘fantasy adventure that is sure to become a timeless classic.’

The second book, 'Sir Princess Petra's Talent' has already received a number of very favorable reviews. A recent review on Goodreads stated, 'This is a book that should be in lots of classrooms. I think it is a good book to help children understand that everything is not as it first seems.' Another reviewer stated, 'Cloaked in a fantasy work of knights, kings, and dragons that will engulf children into the story, the moral lessons imparted are refreshingly neither preachy nor boring. Petra’s breath of fresh air personality makes her an exceptional role model for children to admire and to imitate in the real situations of fear, new people, challenges, and goals in their own lives."

Ms. Robinson also recently announced that 'Sir Princess Petra' took an Honorable Mention award in the 2013 Readers' Favorite International Awards for Children Grade K - 3rd. This adds to the long list of awards for 'Sir Princess Petra'.  Robinson was honored with two major awards for the first work. She was awarded the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artists Award for Children’s Book Author and took 2nd place in the Purple Dragonfly Book awards for Children’s Chapter Book.

While dragon books are one of the most popular segments of fantasy fiction and children’s books in today's marketplace, in these fantasy fiction books, Robinson uses the dragon books concept as the background to teaching young people traditional values. Ms. Robinson's highly praised work demonstrates that dragon books can be something much more than dragon books.

Diane Mae Robinson is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at robinsond@mscnet.ca. More information, including reviews, information for teachers and librarians and a special children’s section is available at her website. Both books are currently available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
  
About Diane Mae Robinson:

Diane Mae Robinson has a journalism diploma from the Schools of Montreal, and an advanced diploma from the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut.  She is also an artist, writing tutor and teaches acrylic and watercolor art to children. She lives with her husband, Allen, in a small hilltop castle near St. Paul, Alberta.  They have four dogs and three horses, along with a forest inhabited by gnomes, fairies, a princess, and a dragon. This magical forest is where Diane creates her characters and gets the inspiration for her stories.

Contact:

Diane Mae Robinsonhttp://www.dragonsbook.comrobinsond@mcsnet.ca

- See more at: http://www.freepublicitygroup.com/release_diane_robinson_oct213.html#sthash.s4gSj0hh.dpuf