Radio Interview/Book Review by Renee Hand

Re-post from The Crypto-Capers Series Blog Spot, Renee Hand.  

http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.ca/2014/03/interview-with-diane-robinson-for-pen.html

Interview with Diane Robinson for The Pen Pieyu Adventures 

Come and join me as I talk with author Diane Mae Robinson about her picture/chapter book Sir Princess Petra's Talent on Stories From Unknown Authors 
Radio interview here: https://player.cinchcast.com/?show_id=6061273&platformId=1&assetType=single

Book Summary:

Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen--they want her to behave like a princess and forget this silly knight nonsense of hers!

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Tate Publishing (September 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1625106823
• ISBN-13: 978-1625106827

Renee's Review:

Sir Princess Petra's Talent is a wonderfully inspiring story of acceptance and friendship. Children of all ages are going to love the author's humor as she shows how Petra's determination, acceptance of others, and kindness change a kingdom and break the rules of the closed mind thinkers. Petra as a knight is a unique and lively character that will assuredly capture the hearts of many.

Dragon books for children 

http://www.dragonsbook.com

Book Review: Elven Jewel

Elven Jewel by Kasper Beaumont
book 1

Cover paintings by Scott Patterson and Mae Mai Bidlake

• Series: Hunters of Reloria
  
• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 24, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 978-1491294376

Book synopsis:  This fantasy adventure begins when the magical continent of Reloria is threatened by cruel, scaly invaders called Vergai from the wastelands of Vergash. These invaders are barbaric and are intent on destroying the protective elven forcefield and conquering peaceful Reloria. The Vergais’ plan is to steal the Elven Jewel which is the key to the Relorian defence system. Halfling friends Randir and Fendi and their bond-fairies are the first to discover the invaders and they embark on a quest to save the Elven Jewel. They leave their peaceful farm village with their fairies and race against time to stop the invaders. They join forces with dwarves, elves, men and a mysterious dragon, and call themselves the Hunters of Reloria. The quest is perilous, with numerous encounters with the ruthless Vergai, who are determined to fulfill their mission. The Elven Jewel is stolen and the quest becomes a race to the portal to retrieve the jewel before it can be taken to Vergash. A battle for Reloria ensues where the consequences for the Relorians is death, unless Vergai are stopped.

About the story: The story is a fantasy adventure about good versus evil. Four halflings, along with their bond fairies, set out to save their land, Reloria, from the evil Vergais (large, scaly creatures). There are also dwarfs, elves, knights and a dragon that team up with the halflings on their adventures to return the stolen Elven Jewel and, in turn, save their homeland.

What I thought: The story started out slow for me, but as I read more into the adventure and got closer to the characters, I couldn't help but become drawn into this fantasy world. This world is in some ways familiar to the reader, yet has its own uniqueness in the diverse, entertaining characters and plot to make it an original fantasy tale.

The characters are original, well-rounded, and believable. The reader comes away from the story with the sense that not all beings are evil, that their is hope for the future, that friendship is worth fighting for, that sometimes good can come out of adversity, and not to give up on what is important.

I always enjoy a good quest with mythical creatures, magic, elves, dwarfs, knights, a dragon, high action and dangerous adventures, and characters that run me through a gamut of emotions. This book has all of that and more. 

Biography

Kasper J. Beaumont was born and raised in Australia and lives a quiet life with the family in a seaside town. Kasper has combined a love of fantasy and a penchant for travel in the Hunters of Reloria trilogy. Kasper started to write on the urging of friends and family and enjoys watching readers become immersed in the magical world of Reloria. 

website: www.huntersofreloria.weebly.com

Categories Of Children Books

There are several different types of children book categories and sub-categories. The writing style and word count is different in each type of category. The following list is a general guideline of the categories, and these guidelines may vary by publisher.

Board books/ Toy books:  Ages newborn to 3 years. These books are for the youngest of listeners and are meant to engage their minds in learning with textures, pop ups, flaps, noise makers, and lively illustrations. The words in these books are more about the sound they make when spoken by the reader. These books can have one word or just a few words per page.

Toddler books/ Concept books: Ages 3 - 5 years. Introducing basic learning through shapes, colors, alphabets, animals, and people, these books have a stronger emphasis on the words than the previous category.  The images and interaction of the book are still the main focus for the child. These books average 200 - 300 words and are often in the form of the board book format.

Early picture books:  Ages 4 - 6 years. Often referred to as picture story books, these are books written to be read to preschool and kindergarten children. The words are still simple but more intriguing with their sounds.  The word count is between 200 - 1000 words with just a few lines per page and a simple plot. The color illustrations on every page are still the main focus for telling of the story. Pages vary as per content--usually less than 32 pages.

Picture books/Easy readers:  Ages 5 -7 years.  Early picture book are books written for children just starting to read on their own. These books have between 500- 1500 simple words (1000 words being the average) and have a stronger focus on an entertaining story through the story's action and dialogue. Color illustrations are still on every page or every other page. These books are usually 32 pages.

Early chapter books:  Age 6 - 9 or 7 - 10 years. The story is divided into chapter of 2 - 3 pages per chapter.  The plotting and characters become more complex than a picture book, but not too much that the child loses interest.  Theme and style of writing grab the child's attention. Most chapter books for this age group still include some illustrations, usually black and white, but not on every page. The word count can be up to 10,000 words and up to 65 pages.

Middle grade chapter books: Written for children 8 - 12 years of age, the characters and plotting of the story becomes more complex as the topics have a wider range and the writer has more leeway to include some narration and descriptive setting, introduce more characters, and add dramatic effects to the theme and style of writing.  Chapters are 3 -4 pages each with few illustrations or no illustrations. Kid get hooked on character at this stage of reading. Word count can be up to 20,000 words within 65 - 200 pages.

Young adult books: Often referred to as YA books or  juvenille novels, are written for readers 12 and up, 14 and up, and 17 - 18 years.Topics and language vary greatly. Most YA books have an adolescent protagonist where the focus is on plotting, character and setting, while theme and style often take second place. Plotting can have subplots with several major characters, although, one character should still emerge as the focus of the story. Harry Potter books are consider YA novels.

Whatever age group your intended audience, the main character of your story should be a little older than the intended audience.


Visit my author's website to learn more about my dragon books for children:
http://www.dragonsbook.com

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2014

Free Teacher's Lesson Plan, Grade 4, L.A.

Award winning author, Diane Mae Robinson, has announced that a teacher's   lesson plan (elementary language arts) is now availalble for 'Sir Princess Petra'.  The lesson plan is available at no charge as a download from her website. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Teachers Lesson Plan (Elementary Language Arts)    Now Available From Award Winning Children's Book Author Diane Mae Robinson Robinson's multi-award winning work, 'Sir Princess Petra', teaches children valuable life lessons  through engaging fiction.  A no-cost teacher's lesson plan, developed by an elementary school teacher, about the book is now available. The general outcome of the lesson plan: students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences. Full News Release here: http://ow.ly/sSeQO Contact: Diane Mae Robinson http://www.dragonsbook.com robinsond@mcsnet.ca Teachers/Librarians page link:  http://www.dragonsbook.com/teachers-librarians.html Lesson plan link: http://www.dragonsbook.com/Sir_Princess_Petra's_Lesson_Plan.pdf-

Lay vs. Lie

To lay or lie--most often a meddlesome question.

One of the most confusing verbs in the English language. If you look up "lay/lie" on the internet, you can find pages of discussions on the topic. 

What's with this three-letter word that has so many people scratching their heads? I think there are two reasons:                                                                                                                                      

          1. The word lay has two completely different meanings.         
                                   
          2. We use these verbs incorrectly in speech.

To get these verbs to work properly, there are only six words you need to remember, and if you remember them in order it will all be much clearer.

         - Lie, lay, lain                                                                                 

        - Lay, laid, laid

When you are not sure of when to use lie, think of your bed. Lie is something you do to yourself (well unless you are not telling the truth to someone else, but in this case we're talking about the verb lie as in reclining). I lie down, beside the dragon, today. I lay down, beside the dragon, yesterday. I had lain down, beside the dragon, every day this month.

Lay is something someone does to something else (this verb takes a direct object. Lie never does). Think of lay and think of a place.  The dragon lay the book on the bookshelf. The witch laid the book on the book shelf yesterday.  The magician had laid the book on the bookshelf every day this month.

Easy right? Just remember: "Lie, lay, lain." "Lay, laid, laid."

Illustrations by Samantha Kickingbird

Visit my author's website to learn more about my dragon books for children: http://www..dragonsbook.com

copyright, Diane Mae Robinson, 2014

Not Either--Neither Nor.

In the English language, either and neither can become confusing in their meanings. Sometimes, a writer can use either one and other times the writer will have to choose between the two words to make the writing clear.

Some rules on either:

Either or is used to give choice between two possibilities:

Either the dragon or the magician will attend the party.

One of them will bring either cupcakes or pumpkin pie.

Either can be followed by (one of) and then the group of two:

Either the dragon or the magician could be in charge of the baking.

Either one of them could be in charge of the baking.

Not either, denies both possibilities:

The king does not think either the dragon or the magician will show up.

The dragon does not speak well without either blowing out fire or smoke.

Not either, is used after a negative statement:

The king does not like to be blasted by the dragon.

I don’t either.

Neither nor, is the equivalent to not either or.

Neither the dragon nor the magician are likely to attend the party.

The dragons speaks neither English nor Elven.

Neither can also be followed by (one of) and then the group of two:

Neither of them will be attending.

Neither one of them will be attending.

Neither is used like not either.

The dragons does not speak Elven.

Neither do I.

I do not either.

(informal): Me neither.

In summary:

Either means one, neither means none, and not either equals neither. Or goes with either and nor goes with neither.

To learn more about my dragon books for children, visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Reviews on my adventure kids books:
http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewIndex.html                                                               
Fantasy Kids Books page: http://www.dragonsbook.com/for-kids.html

copyright Diane Mae Robinson, 2014

Easy grammar lessons for kids and dragons

The Last Kansas Exit--Book Review

I don't usually review adult books, but I am making an exception to my own rule because this is a great collection of short stories that deserves attention.

The Last Kansas Exit,
by Troy Boucher

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (January 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413709265
• ISBN-13: 978-1413709261

Back cover: The Last Kansas Exit is about life in the heart of the country, where the weather is as unpredictable and changing as the people. These stories reflect much the same Kansas that John Stewart Curry saw and reproduced in his artwork. If there is an adhesive that holds them together it is the setting and the people who have been shaped by a strong sense of place and who become stronger because of where they are. These stories are about the people who, regardless of their age or circumstances, are doing their best to understand love, friendship, and the world they live in.

About the book: This short story collection contains ten short stories. The first three stories are a trilogy: Deep Water, Wildwood Flower, Semper Fi. The trilogy, as well as three other stories in this collection (Scrapbook, Pocket Money, Light Harvest) have been published in literary journals prior to their publication in this collection. Pocket Money won 1st place in the Bob Gross Fiction Contest sponsored by Woodley Press. The four other short stories in the collection are entitled: Jumping, Forth of July, Eli's Coming, and Father's Day. The diversity of the story topics vary widely: vampires, boxing, prejudice, and dementia in the epistolary form of Scrapbook, to name a few

 What I thought: First of all, I am a fan of well written short stories. Secondly, I am a fan of unique, creative stories.This collection is all that and more. Each story evoked different emotions from me as each story has it's own tone and style. I was immediately drawn in by the excellent writing, vivid characters, and the original story line of each story. The author does a great job with creating metaphors that linger in the mind of the reader--I love great metaphors. The humor intertwined within the stories is exceptionally well done; bringing home the point that even in some of the more serious issues of life, there is humor to be found. Writing well paced humor is not an easy feat, and I commend the author for doing this with precision. I Highly recommend this book.

                                      

 About the author: Troy Boucher grew up in a small western Oklahoma town on what was once a large Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation. As a child he spent time watching western movies on Saturday afternoons, reading, and listening to the stories of his grandfather and other in the community. Most of his adult life has been spent teaching writing and American literature in a small private college in Kansas. The author has also published a well received novel entitled, Prince of the Plains.                                                                                                                                                                                

 The Last Kansas Exit available:  

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dlHr25

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1dlIIGg

B & N: http://bit.ly/1dlJiUH  


            

                                                                                                      

Prince of the Plains available:         

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ewxU75

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1dlIIGg

B & N: http://bit.ly/1afYzQR

Of all the men who rode with Billy the Kid, one of the least well-know is Henry Newton Brown. Brown broke with Billy the Kid and for a time served as an assistant marshal of Tascaso, Texas. Restless and looking for a better life, Brown ended up in Caldwell, Kansas in where he became an assistant marshal and eventually, after Bat Carr was fired, he became the marshal, of the cowtown known as the Border Queen. Sure that his past had been safely left in New Mexico, he began to settle-in as a respected citizen of Caldwell. He was honored with the gift of an engraved Winchester as a token of the town?

Note: This is a book of fiction based on the life of Henry Newton Brown.

                                                                                                        

                                                                   

Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Maui On My Mind.

Some pictures from my trip  to Maui, Dec., 2013. Hope it warms you up a bit.

The view from my balcony in West Maui

Flowers blooming everywhere

Up Country Maui

The view of Lanai from West Maui

Rode a horse in Up Country Maui

Magic tree in the jungle

Playing with a frog

Think warm thought, spring is around the next five corners.

Omzak The Space Cat Warrior--A Book Review.

• Omzak The Space Cat Warrior
• by Jaylen Grace
• Ilustrations by Almuth Scheller
• Publisher: Book Guild Publishing, Nov. 2013
• First Published in Great Britain, 2012, 
• The Book Guild Limited
• Print Length: 122 pages
• ISBN: 978-1-84624-796-5

About the book:  Fast-paced, intergalactic animal adventure 

Join Captain Omzak on this intergalactic adventure, in which he meets a little girl called Jodie and becomes Earth’s first feline martial arts coach. The race is on for Captain Omzak and his new found Earth cat friends to solve a catnapping mystery and defeat a sinister enemy lurking in the woods! 

              About the author: Jaylen Grace is a freelancd  writer, author and international Life  Coach. She particularly enjoys coaching children. Whilst living in Athens, Jaylen opened the first ‘Life  Coach Centre’ of its kind. For the past eight years Jaylen has been based in London. She still teaches but devotes most of her time to writing. 

From the jacket flap: Hello. The name's Omzak, Captain Omzak. There are two things you should know about me:

                            1. I'm THE best warrior on Planet Catopia and in the 

                                whole universe.

    

                            2. I hate germs.

A while back I broke a peace treaty by getting in to a fight with a stinking, scumbag ape-like Varian who had dared to set foot in our territory. Now, I'm being punished. They're sending me to England, Planet Earth. My mission? To blend in with those backward Earth cats, find myself a human so I can be their pet, and learn to be humble. And I just bet it's going to be filthy down there.
Eew!

                                              

What I thought: This is a very well written  book with a unique story line about a warrior cat who is sent to  Earth (as a punishment) to live as a regular cat. Omzak is a brilliantly created character, and the supporting characters are fun.  The important moral values of the story encompass: love, friendship, not judging other, courage, and the importance of believing in oneself. Omzak made me laugh as he got himself in and out of situations, some involving too many germs (his phobia). The author is an International Life  Coach, who particularly enjoys working  with children. This book reflects her passion for coaching  and guiding children through life. Omzak is a definite must read for children  and adults alike. It's a great  adventure  book.

There are several incredible black & white illustrations, and some black & white with color illustrations that really enhance the reading experience.

Visit the author's website where you can join the Warrior Club. find a 'Boogie Cat' music download, and more fun things: www.omzak.co

Facebook: www.facebook.com/omzaks

Amazon: http://amzn.to/19tvEeR

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1af9fPB

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/oLuu8VAZTgI


Visit my author's website at: http://www.dragonsbook.com

•                                                                                    

The Mysteries of The Ocean.

While many of you have been fighting sleet, wind, snow, and ice, I was away in Maui  having a spiritual journey that is so rejuvenating and necessary for my soul. Listening to the wisdom of the ocean's universal language is something I need to do as often as time allows, to clear my head and get back on track in my spiritual and creative world.
                                                   

 The ocean speaks to those who listen and will guide them to where they need to be in life.

This was my eighth trip to Maui. This place has a way of grounding me and bringing me back to who and what I really am.

Being a creature of nature, I enjoyed being outside all of the time (something very hard to do in Canada in the winter). I do my best creative writing while being outside, preferably when it's warm. The beautiful diversity of Maui is very inspiring.

Now that I'm back in the Winter Wonderland and have rid myself of my writer's block, I will be working on finishing book three in my adventure/fantasy series of Sir Princess Petra.

For more information on my dragon books for children, visit my author's website at: www.dragonsbook.com

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