"App" world for kids....

Just want to share some great kid apps for you this morning that are inspiring, educational and fun.  

This app makes bedtime fun for your child.  Join Caillou and Rosie as they play mini games to complete their bedtime routine.  Help Caillou brush his teeth, catch shooting stars, count sheep, and lots more.  There are 20 different activities to help kids get read for bed.  These activities are educational and kid-friendly - perfect for ages 2-5. Narrated by Caillou, with fun sounds and animations.

Kiko's Thinking Time trains memory, attention and key cognitive skills through adaptive games.  Designed with Harvard and UC Berkeley neuroscientists, with support from the US Department of Education, it was created with one goal in mind - to help children succeed.   Featured by Apple.  Winner of 2014 SBIR Award for the US Department of Education.  Best of 2014 Preschool Toolbox - Teachers with Apps, 2014 Finalist for the Verizon's Powerful Answers Award.  Ages 4+, 5 and under.

Rated by the App Store to be Best of 2014.  You can use this app to write, direct, and star in your own TV show with Telestory.  It's from the creators of Toontastic.  The app takes you behind the scenes to create and broadcast your own TV show!  Record a music video, teleport to an alien planet, film a high-speed-chase, or perform on a reality TV show.  Ages 6-8.

Creating a TV show is as easy as...

1. Pick a theme, then mix and match over 30 animated scenes to film your story.

2. Craft a script using the playful TV tropes (or write your own).

3. Dress up in 50 different digital costumes with face tracking.

4. Perform and record your own show with animated settings and special effects.

5. Broadcast by exporting to the camera roll and then sharing your creation with family and friends around the world.

This is a social app for families, children and groups.  You can connect safely and create a shared space for your events and hobbies, or include your family and friends privately in your updates.  It is now easy and safe for your whole family - adults and young children - to participate in your social activities.

You can include only the people you want in your activities and updates.  You can control what you and your children share, as well as who you hear from.

Easy to archive and revisit pictures, files and conversations anytime, anywhere.  Saving your family's memories is an automatic part of your experience.  Rated 4+.

 A place for the busy parents to discover the good educational applications for kids, and to explore ways to stay engaged with kids in the new game world.

Why shall I visit iGameMom?

Are you having a hard time to find a good app for your child on the App Store?  Do your kids like to play games?  Do you like the idea of learning while playing?  Do you wish you can interact with kids more even when they are playing games?  Do you want to learn some easy tips to better utilize your mobile devices?

If you answer YES to any of the questions, iGameMom is for you.  iGameMom’s goal is simple: help parents find new ways to better kids learning experience. Highly recommended by Storywraps.

Go to: http:// www.igamemom.com

Hope you found today helpful.  Kids love technology and there are many amazing, inspirational and educational apps available to make  your child's learning experience interactive and exciting.  

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me: storywrapsblog.gmail.com

Luna's Red Hat - a bookwrap

Unwrapping...

Authored and illustrated by Emmi Smid

Great for ages 6+

Unwrapping the illustrations for you...

"It was the beginning of spring.  Luna was in the park and she was wearing her mum's red summer hat.  It was a gorgeous day."

Thus begins the tale of a heartbroken little girl who is hurting, confused and angry because one year ago today her mom left her, her dad, and her little brother, forever.  She tries to come to terms with her loss admist a black cloud that still hangs over her emotions and her heart, causing her much pain, anxiety and fear. 

 Her beloved dad tries to comfort and encourage her while she asks him all the hard questions she has been trying to unsuccessfully process.  She wants to know why her mum left her?  Did she, Luna, do something wrong to make her go away?  Will her dad leave her and her brother too?  She pours out her concerns and tattered emotions to a very loving dad who fills in all those gaps so she can heal and become his Luna once again.  United as a strong family unit, the characters work through a family member's permanent departure and try to put the pieces of their lives back together so they all can all move forward with their lives once again.  

The illustrations are lovely and there resides an overall gentleness in the tale.  This book is for kids 6+ who have experienced a loss of a loved one through suicide.  Suicide assaults senses and emotions and it is especially hard for children to deal with those feelings of a sudden loss.  This book includes a very helpful guide for parents and professionals by bereavement expert Dr. Riet Fiddelaers-Jaspers.  

Although this is a very difficult and heart-wrenching subject to deal with, suicide does happen and this book will help to soothe and bind up the deep wounds of family members and anyone else touched by that deceased person.  I highly recommend this book.

With a background in Fine Art and recently graduated from the MA Sequential Design/Illustration in Brighton, Emmi spends most her days drawing, painting, writing and reading picture books.

Emmi strongly believes that picture books are the perfect vehicle to introduce young children to difficult, profound topics, without feeling like they are being lectured to. Therefore, Emmi focuses on designing picture books that tackle social taboos and highlight current global topics. 

Her debut picture book, Luna's Red Hat, deals with the stigma of suicide. It will be on the shelves in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia in April 2015. 

Emmi is currently writing and illustrating a picture book about bees, called Bessi's Bees [working title]. This book makes children aware of the importance of bumble bees, honey bees and solitary bees, and encourages them to plant bee-friendly flowers. 

Emmi is part of the Fabula Collective, a group of international artists who explore the art and design of storytelling through media such as illustration, graphic design, textile design, film, 3D and so on. Fabula Collective organises exhibitions, workshops and storytelling-time at venues, galleries, schools, libraries and bookshops. For more information, visit:  www.fabulacollective.blogspot.co.uk

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me:  storywrapsblog@gmail.com

Legs - a bookwrap

1. Meerkat

   Animal
2. The meerkat or suricate is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family. It is the only member of the genus Suricata. Wikipedia
4. Scientific name: Suricata suricatta
5. Lifespan: 12 – 14 y (In captivity)
6. Gestation period: 77 
7. Rank: Species
8. Tail length: 17 – 25 cm (Adult)   Higher classification: Suricata
9. Mass: 0.72 kg on average (Adult, Female), 0.73 kg on average (Adult, Male)
   
   
   
   

   Unwrapping...
   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   

   Authored by Sarah J. Dodd and illustrated by Giusi Capizzi.  Ages 2-6.

   
   

   
   

   Unwrapping the fabulous illustrations...
   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

   Legs

   The tale of a very small meerkat

   
   

   Miki and Mama live

   Under the ground,

   Under the zoo is 

   Where they are found.

   
   

   One bright sunny day

   Miki can't find his mama,

   She coaxes him out

   But he doesn't wanna.

   
   

   Once out in the world

   Excitement and fright

   Descend on poor Miki

   He doesn't feel right.  

   
   

   But mama and keeper

   So gently take care

   To keep Miki safe

   Not to go anywhere.

   
   

   Then Miki decides 

   To wander away

   All by himself ....

   He starts out to stray.

   
   

   But all he could see

   Were legs, legs and more...

   Then he spotted a pair

   That he'd seen once before.

   
   

   The kind, old zookeeper

   To those legs belonged,

   He scooped Miki up

   And took him along.

   
   

   The ocean of legs

   Turned into strange faces,

   Miki squealed with delight

   Saw his mom's and embraced it!

   
   

   This wonderful, heartwarming book is sure to pull at your heartstrings.  The illustrations are magnificent and the expressions tell the story all on their own.  Young and old alike will enjoy the story and identify with little Miki as he experiences the ultimate in nurturing and care....his very own mother's unconditional love.  
   
   
   
   

   

   DUBRAVKA KOLANOVIC, born 10.9.73, lives and works in Croatia. She studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design USA and went on to graduate from the Academy of Visual Arts in Zagreb in 1998. She has illustrated over 30 children’s books, cartoon books and school textbooks as well as UNICEF’s Christmas card. Her first picture picture book ‘A Special Day ‘ won the Landmark Editions (USA) Golden Award. The agent tells us that Dubravka has also illustrated some cards which have been sold to Paper Rose. She says this is sold through Smiths and John Lewis.

   
   

   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   Giusy Capizzi uses bold designs and playful images to engage and entertain the youngest readers.  While she began as a painter, Guisy is now a highly skilled digital artist who draws on her fine arts education in Italy to create irresistible illustrations.  When she is not drawing, Giusy loves to cook.

   
   

   
   

   Read on and read always!

   
   

   It's a wrap.

   
   

   Contact me at:  storywrapsblog@gmail.com

   
   

Zoo Animals : About Zoologists

Zoology for Kids - a bookwrap

Unwrapping....Zoology

Zoology is the scientific study of the characteristics and classification of animals. It is one of the branches of biology, and therefore it is also referred to as animal biology. There are several sub-branches within this field, including ethology, zoography, and anthrozoology. Additionally, zoologists often specialize in the study of specific types of animals. For instance, an ornithologist studies birds, while a mammologist studies mammals. As zoology is a very interdisciplinary subject, there are a number of related fields, including taxonomy, paleontology, and evolutionary biology. 

Sub-Branches

Common sub-branches of zoology include zoography, ethology, paleozoology, and anthrozoology. Zoography is the description of animals and the environments in which they live. These descriptions are often extremely detailed, and may also include information about the animal's behavior or eating habits. A related subfield is ethology, which is the study of animal behavior. Ethologists tend to focus more on behavior characteristics rather than specific types of animals, and may study many different species. Common behaviors studied include imprinting, aggression, emotion, and communication.

Now that's a mouthful.  Let's break it down so that a child can understand the true meaning of the word.

Unwrapping todays non-fiction book suitable for ages 11-15. 

Zoology For Kids: Understanding and Working with Animals 

by Josh Hestermann and Bethanie Hestermann

Introduction by... The Kratt brothers

The Kratt brothers are creators and hosts of Kratts' Creatures and Zoboomafoo. They've been creature adventuring ever since they were as big as a wombat, first in their backyard and now all over the world. The brothers started making wildlife films while in college when they went on camping trips around the world and filmed wildlife. They edited the films in their basement and brought them into schools to show kids. Now, they've made 50 episodes of Kratts' Creatures in Africa, Central America, Australia and all around the world.

About the book...

This amazing books is divided into two parts.  The first introduces you to some of the basics of zoology: exploring what animals are, their behaviour and their habitats.  You learn how they interact with each other and about their environment.  Part two brings it all together.  You see real life zoologist in action and their association with animals.  You explore zookeepers, aquarists, veterinarians, wildlife researchers, and conservationists.  

Each chapters includes hands-on activities, facts, beautiful photos and scientific vocabulary.  The writing is geared to middle grade readers and includes additional resources and a bibliography to help kids explore their interests further.  This book will peek the curiosity of those wanting to learn more about science, and especially the care and well-being of animals.   It is available in both paper and ebook editions.  Both homes and classrooms will find this an outstanding edition to their non-fiction book collection.  I highly recommend it.

Unwrapping the authors...

Josh and Bethanie Hestermann are co-authors of Zoology for Kids, a science and activity book for kids ages 9 and up. Josh is a marine-mammal keeper and trainer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. He has worked as a marine-mammal keeper and trainer at Brookfield Zoo and as a presenter, keeper, and educator at Phoenix Zoo. He has led research trips to study wild California Sea Lions in Mexico and participated in the Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Bethanie is a freelance writer who is passionate about wildlife and the natural world. She volunteers at the Aquarium of the Pacific where she helps educate guests about marine life and ocean conservation. She also writes for Pacific Currents, the aquarium's member magazine. They live in Southern California.

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me : storywrapsblog@gmail.com

Naomi Rosenblatt

How Do You Do Music Series - a bookwrap

Quotes about music:

"Where words leave off, music begins."  - Heinrich Heine

"Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't."  - Johnny Depp

"Music is the universal language of mankind."  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"

"Music can change the world because it can change people." - Bono






Unwrapping the first two books in, "How Do You Do Music Series."



Unwrapping Book # 1 - "A Song for the Birds"

This charming book is a delightful way to introduce reading music to young children.  Sisters Leah Wells and Naomi Rosenblatt team up to write, illustrate  and publish unique music story books for early readers.  The books are designed to introduce pre-schoolers and beginning readers to music through stories and pictures.  In "A Song for the Birds," notes on the treble clef bring individual birds who sing their own notes (C for canary, D for duck etc.), and then under the direction of the Birdwatcher, the whimsical little flock compose a melody, using all their notes together to make a song.  The illustrations orchestrate the power and magic of music for the reader to behold.

Unwrapping Book # 2:  "The Rainbow Remembers the Music"

Unwrapping some illustrations for you...

Guess what?  "You can actually see songs from the birds on the rainbow," Grandpa tells his grandchildren, Doug and Daisy.  The rain has finally stopped and they don their rain gear to go out fishing together.  The sun peeks through creating a beautiful rainbow whose appearance prompts Grandpa to impart the information that you can actually see the bird songs on the rainbow.  How ever could that be?  And why asks Doug?  Grandpa explains now they all can sing the melody together as the rainbow is a gift from the birds, and they tell what notes to sing.  

But what happens when the rainbow disappears?  How do you keep that beautiful music?  The kids do indeed find an ingenious way to keep the music alive and they share it with all young music lovers everywhere.  

This fun, inspirational and educational book acquaints the readers with elements of music.  A wonderful addition includes 22 pages of enlarged staff paper to use.  What a brilliant idea!  This book has been nominated for a 2015 Family Choice Award and rightly so. These great books provide an engaging tool for parents, caregivers, and teachers to connect music, words, and pictures for their beginning and pre-readers - and are believed to be the first to include musical notation as elements of the story.  Future titles are scheduled to be released every 2-4 months and will focus on a variety of musical concepts, including kinds of notes, key signatures, accidentals and scale building.  

Unwrapping the bio of the two talented sisters...

They live in New York City.  Leah Wells, plays stringed instruments - the guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle - and teaches music.  She is developing the "How Do You Do Music" series to help children read and enjoy music.  Her first book,"Games that Sing,"  was published in 2011 by Heritage Music Press.  Leah is married with two sons.

Naomi Rosenblatt, is a painter, illustrator, designer, and the founder of Heliotrope Books.  Together with her sister she is starting the HelioTot imprint for children.  

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.

Contact me at: storywrapsblog@gmail.com

Stinky Blinky - a bookwrap

Unwrapping...

This book is authored by Troy Kent and illustrated by Amanda Erb.

Unwrapping the illustrations for you...

His face says it all.  Blinky is experiencing the consequences of eating beans and most of us know what that means.  Yep, a rumble, a rip and a reason to blush.  This witty, humorous book will have you giggling as you turn each page.  Poor Blinky tries his best to keep it under control but gasp!!....the gas does not obey.  Mortified, he  hurriedly darts from his classroom and races to the little boy's room where he parks himself. Yes....mmmmm....ahhhhh!  He believes that this too shall pass....and it does.

When he arrives home his mom lovingly prepares him an after school snack.  She suggests leftover meat, a sandwich with cheese whiz, and then remembers there is a tasty can of beans that he might like.  Do you think Blinky will have another go with the legumes or pass? I think he's "bean" there done that don't you?  

This book is delightful, especially the illustrations. It is written in rhyme and kids (especially boy kids) will laugh and want to share it with others and read it themselves again and again.  I highly recommend this book.  It's a gas!  

For author Troy Guindon, getting emotional reactions is so much better than rejections.

Guindon, a long-time teacher in the Upper Canada District School Board, has had his share of rejections from publishers - every would-be writer gets them - but his children's book "The Reading Promise" is drawing some rave early reviews.

"It's exciting as a writer to evoke some sort of emotion - and surprising for me, (because) I can't get over the response it's getting," said Guindon, who is having two kids' books published by Mascot Books in Herndon, Va.

"The Reading Promise" is the story of a young mother whose promise to read to her newborn becomes her legacy. In the book's dedication, Guindon writes, "To my wife Robyn, who not only encouraged me to publish this story, but was also the inspiration behind it."

He took a year off from coaching a high school football team to spend time with the book project and it's not Guindon's first one.

"I've always been dabbling in (writing) stuff," Guindon said. "This particular one (The Reading Promise), my wife encouraged me to see if somebody would publish it."

Mascot did, but the book did get some rejections, including, Guindon noted, from several publishers in Canada.

It was a year ago in May when Mascot representatives called Guindon to tell him they were very interested in his manuscript and he was asked if he has anything else.

"That made me feel really good," he said

So Guindon sent them "Stinky Blinky," which Mascot said was "Troy-tastic." While it pushes the boundaries of a children's book, it'll also be published by the company.

"Stinky Blinky" was released to Amazon, Barnes & Noble et al on June 3, with "The Reading Promise" hitting stores July 1.

"In Stinky Blinky," the only thing better than laughing gas is laughing at gas. Young readers are invited to join Blinky as he dodges a real-life problem that's quite a hoot - or toot.

Guindon dedicated the book to his sons Kent, Andrew and Alex, "who encouraged me to publish this book, despite the fact that my wife and daughters didn't want me to. They think the subject matter stinks!"

Advance copies of the books are available at Kid's Korner (Cornwall), R&L's Book Nook (Alexandria) and Your Friendly Neighbourhood General Store (Long Sault).

Both are currently being reviewed by Scholastic, a world-wide publisher and distributor of children's books and success in that realm would take Guindon's hobby to a whole new level.

He has more kid's books on the way, with a third manuscript soon to be green-lighted by Mascot.

His pen name is Troy Kent, a semi-pseudonym as those are Guindon's first two names and "The Reading Promise" is illustrated by Elisa Moriconi, an Italian artist.

How many copies will his books sell? That's hard to say, of course.

"(Mascot has) no idea, (but) they have a lot of confidence in them," he said.

Guindon, a graduate of Acadia University in New Brunswick, has been a high school English teacher for over 20 years, most of his career at Tagwi Secondary School near Avonmore. 

Hello! my name is Amanda Erb and I am Boston, MA, USA-based Illustrator with a love for children's book illustration, animation and anything cute. I enjoy playing soccer and am hopelessly addicted to dark chocolate.

I graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design in May 2013 with a BFA with Honors in Illustration and have been drawing since the age of three. Some of my earliest memories are of drawing characters on printer paper. Throughout my public school education no handout or homework assignment left unscathed from my doodles.

Clients Include:
- Highlights For Children
- Kids VT
- Mascot Books
- MeeGenius  
- Charles Products Incorporated

Published Works:
- The Naughty Pancake by Katherine Rawson, MeeGenius
- Do Not Go to Work, Dad by Candido Perez, MeeGenius
- The Popcorn Predicament by Danielle Boccio, MeeGenius
- Annie's Crayon Story by Sheri Dillard, MeeGenius
- A Whirlybird Ride by Teresa Zabierowski, Mascot Books
- Stinky Blinky by Troy Kent, Mascot Books

If you would like to contact me with any questions, project ideas, or opportunities for work 
I can be reached at my email:
amanda (at) amandaerb (dot) com 

Read on and read always!

It's a wrap.