Susan Stevens Crummel Author Visit

Posted on March 23, 2007 by moonbridgebooks

The elementary school my youngest daughter goes to had one of their annual author visits, sponsored by the PTO. Susan Stevens Crummel, who along with her sister produced books such as Jackalope and The Great Fuzz Frenzy, gave presentations by grade level to the kids. Watching her was a treat as she was an expert storyteller, explaining how she and her sister came by the ideas for their stories and bringing props of stuffed toys and funny hats and pulling children out of the audience to help act out those stories. I loved how she described working with her editor, “The Little Red Pen woman.” While the kids had a lot of fun with Susan Crummel they were also learning about the whole writing process. Ms. Crummel even brought along a big printout of one of her books as it came from the printing press – all the pages on one huge sheet which can then be folded up just right so that all the pages are in order, ready for machines to bind them and glue the covers on. Learning how a “real author” imagines and creates has been very inspiring to the kids as well as the teachers, I think. Of course, my own daughter thought the most amazing thing about the whole visit was learning that Ms. Crummel knew Kelly Clarkson!

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Developing Self Esteem

Posted on March 16, 2007 by moonbridgebooks

This is a subject dear to the hearts of educators and child-care workers. Yes, sometimes they go overboard, but all of us need to learn that we are worthwhile human beings, and outside of what some other people think or say about us. Each of us has certain talents and strong points that make us special in some way. Each of us deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

We have a duty to help our children learn self-respect and self-worth. The world is full of people who would take advantage of others if allowed… and yes, we ALLOW them to do it by giving in to their demands, doing all the work because they won’t help, putting up with their mistreatment of us, and otherwise refusing to stand up for ourselves. This can get very dangerous when you consider what happens to women (and sometimes men) who are in abusive relationships.

We owe it to our youngsters to tell them they are loved no matter what, in spite of temper tantrums or messy rooms. My child recently asked me if I would still love her if she accidentally burned the house down! Teens especially need to know they are loved and appreciated, in spite of being REALLY difficult. That is an age where a LOT of love and understanding mixed with firmness and advice is needed to help get past the trials of life. Praise your children when they do well at something, tell them their good points and acknowledge their talents. Don’t be fooled – even talented or popular or straight-A kids can feel inferior. Grow your children independent and strong and, above all, teach them that they are worthy of being loved and treated well.

Recommended books: Momma Do You Love Me?, Girls on Track: A Parent’s Guide, Dads and Daughters (for raising teen girls)

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Family Vacation in Paradise

Posted on March 12, 2007 by moonbridgebooks

Our family recently returned from a trip to the Bahamas, compliments of the Dad’s business trip. The rest of us just couldn’t help but follow him to Paradise Island. While I won’t say it was relaxing for me as I followed my youngest daughter around the water park every day at the resort or accompanied my teenager on shopping excursions, it was wonderful to spend a lot of time with the girls. I had been very busy before we left and my little girl was feeling neglected so she really enjoyed my nearly undivided attention for the week. It was great to spend time with my usually on-the-go teenager, too (she even got me to go down a couple big water slides with her). While my husband was either working or golfing, us girls had a lot of fun together. We came home tan and tired!

Vacations can actually be a lot of extra work for mothers who in general not only have to prepare job, house and pets for leaving, pack for most of the family, still take care of the kids and, once home again, wash piles of laundry. But, the time spent away from everyday chores allows us to focus almost solely on our family members and get to really know them again as we play together, laugh together, talk together, and perhaps see and learn new things together. What a great escape that enables us to share feelings and experiences, making memories all together.

PS: No, we did not go to Anna Nicole’s funeral even though it was nearby and a certain teenager was not happy about missing it.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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