National Young Readers Week

National Young Readers Week is November 7 - 11

Kids LOVE nonfiction Books!
(photo - my own, all rights resered)

QUESTION:  When is the best time to read to a child, or to give a child a book? 

ANSWER:  On any day ending in "y," that's when.  Starting on the day they are born.  (Really!)

Seriously - as far as I'm concerned, any excuse will do when it comes to a reason to give books to children, and to read to  or with them.  But two great ones are coming up - National Young Readers Week, and the Holiday Season.  (There were ALWAYS books under the tree for Christmas at our house.)

Need an idea for some books the kids will love?  These articles will give you a start with some great suggestions:

Bring a Book Baby Shower

Nonfiction books for Ages 4 to 8

Nonfiction books for Ages 9 to 12

Mary Russel Books for Young Readers

Best Kids Book about the Way Things Work

Little Things Again: Pinback Buttons

More Little Things! This time, it's all kinds of pinback buttons. No matter what kind of a button you want, chances are yyou can find it on Zazzle. The artists there seem to have every angle covered. Some of them, like the Black and White Palm Tree Yin Yang by LoraSeverson, manage to say something without a single word. Others celebrate a specail moment or accomplishment, like the one MaryRussell made showing the cover of her newly published book, Flickertail and Paint, Barnyard Sleuths.

Some have pretty posies on them,

and some are pretty political.

The lovely Lilacs at left are on a button called Old Fashioned Lilacs, from Organic Gifts by Diana. The Silent Majority - Silent No More button is by WePeople.

Special events, days, or times are commemorated by still other buttons from the artists of Zazzle.

Having a party for someone's birthday? How about some personalized Name Pin Button Birthday Party favor with the honoree's name printed on them, and a space to write on the guest's name with a sharpie? You can get those - as well as the ones for kids with the age featured - at KJsInvitations.

Going on a Cruise? Make getting aquainted with your shipmates just a little easier by wearing a personalized Cruise name pin from CruiseReady on Zazzle. There, you'll find numerous designs to choose from, including the AHOY Personalized Name Badge shown at right, that comes in both round and square shapes.

And, if you can't find something that is just right for what you may have in mind, iust remember, that at Zazzle, you always have the option to MAKE YOUR OWN.

Mary Russel Scores a Hit

We've been following the saga of Mary Russel, and her book-in-the-making for a while now, and are exxited to report that she has hit the big time! YES, our friend Mary is now a published author!

KUDOS to you, Mary.

Getting something published is a daunting task, and takes lots of time, effort, and patience- to say nothing of talent and ability, but mary has perservered, and made it.

Got kids? Then get this book!

Available here in softcover, Flickertail and Paint, Barnyard Sleuths is a collection of "heartwarming and sometimes funny" stories starring Flickertail the Llama, and Piant the Horse, who help their barnyard friends solve mysteries and find solutions to problems through teamwork, friendship, and love. It may be written for kids, but it's one of those books that adults will appreciate, too!