Thought for the Day:
“I don’t believe in playing down to children, either in life or in motion pictures. I didn’t treat my own youngsters like fragile flowers, and I think no parent should. Children are people, and they should have to reach to learn about things, to understand things, just as adults have to reach if they want to grow in mental stature. Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows. Most things are good, and they are the strongest things; but there are evil things too, and you are not doing a child a favor by trying to shield him from reality.”
~ Walt Disney ~
Gifts for My Writer Friends:
Shakespeare famously said, “The apparel doth oft proclaim the man.” When we are building our characters, we can tell a lot about them by how we dress them. HERE David Corbett has a good post called Can Clothes Make the Character? on Writer Unboxed.
As writers, we know we need to tap into the senses to make our characters complete. HERE Janice Hardy at Fiction University has a great post with a Description Tip: Make “Sense” of Your Characters.
We all have a lot on our minds around the holidays, so it’s easy to get hit with some writer’s block. HERE E. M. Sherwood Foster has a good post on A Writer’s Path with 3 Tips for Writing When Overcome by Writer’s Block.
I guess I had a senior moment last week when I was writing my blog post. I totally forgot that I was supposed to give away a copy of THE SECRET LIBRARY by Kekla Magoon. Maybe subconsciously I didn’t want to give it away. Actually, I think there is some of that. It’s such a good book. Anyway, I apologize for that. It was kind of y’all to not call me out on it. Aaaaand our belated lucky winner is Faith E. Hough! Congratulations, Faith! If you don’t know her, Faith is a children’s author who blogs and reviews books HERE. Take a look. I’ll get the book out to you right away, Faith. Thanks for your patience, everyone.
A lot of people are going to have kids around a lot more than usual over the coming weeks. Schools will be closed for two or three weeks, and while some of the time will be filled with holiday activities and family time, there will still be a lot of, “But there’s nothing to doooooo!” I should have reviewed this book a long time ago, but it slipped down my list. Now seems a good time for it. WHAT CAN I DO?: INSPIRING ACTIVITIES FOR CREATIVE KIDS by Mary Richards might just save the day. Here is the review I wrote for the Seattle Book Review.
Everyone learned during the pandemic that kids with time on their hands can be a handful, but if there are good activities for them, life is so much easier. This little book is just what the doctor ordered for those times when kids need to fill their time with something new. This book has thirty fun activities to keep youngsters (ages five to twelve) not only busy and entertained but (shhhh) learning some new skills. Some are quiet activities kids can do alone such as drawing a self-portrait or writing a letter. Some of the activities will keep a small group of kids busy and happy such as making a museum or playing town and country. And there are activities that will help dissipate pent-up energy such as staging a sports contest or putting on a show. Each activity has a two-page spread with a list of needed materials and how to do the activity with written instructions and pictures where needed as well as some interesting information about the activity. All of this is done in muted colors and impressive graphics to maintain interest. The writing is lively and conversational. Kids will love this.
Please don’t forget to check for other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
Rosi Hollinbeck 
I was actually thinking about picking up a copy of this book as a Christmas gift this year, so I’m really glad to read your review. It sounds like a very cool resource. Thanks for sharing!
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It’s a great resource. I think you’ll be glad to have it. Thanks for the comment.
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This book sounds like a perfect choice for young readers, Rosi—I feel like over breaks especially, kids are always in need of some fun things to do!
Also, I love the meme this week—I’ve been stuck in a kind of blogging rut during the two months I haven’t posted, so it definitely struck a chord. And I feel like you are so incredibly organized for giving away so many books that missing one giveaway is mostly just proof that you’re human! Thanks so much for the thoughtful post, as always!
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Kids today don’t seem know how to fill their time. This is a helpful book. Blogging can become a chore sometimes. I’m surprised you manage as much as you do with grad school and all. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I will also have frequent young visitors spending time in my home with their family in the coming weeks. This title will be a great resource to have available. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Great set of links with the description you provided. I only had time to glance at them but will give each my full attention after this busy week is over.
Thanks for your post and HAPPY MMGM!
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Glad you found the links to your liking. I hope you have wonderful visits with your friends and family. Thanks for the comment.
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This sounds like a book my nephew might like. I already got him his Christmas present but will keep it in mind for his birthday. Thanks!
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God for you for getting your shopping done early! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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I love that Walt Disney quote. I think it’s so important to write the hard things that children may or may not encounter. They must know that they can deal with hard things.
I always find it funny when people diss on Disney’s Pollyanna when Pollyanna has to deal with some very hard things but chooses to look on the bright side and be thankful, in spite of the hard things!
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I was quite taken with that quote. Disney knew what he was talking about. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Thanks for the recommendation, Rosi – my nieces and nephews are either a bit too young (under 3!) or too old (16!!) but this is exactly the book I would love to get for them in a few years time. I think I will enjoy doing the activities with them! Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
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I hope you can find it over there when the time comes. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Sounds like a book that will help lots of families over the holidays and other breaks when the kids are home. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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This one could be a big help during those breaks. Thanks for the comment.
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Always good to hear about creative activity books for kids. I hope some teachers and parents find this one!
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Thanks for the comment, Carol.
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Thanks, Rosi! I’m going to get this one for my niece, who is three, as a ‘book to grow into.’ Currently, she loves playing ‘monster’ with me, but the day will come when she will grow out of this and into other wonderful things.
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It’s good to think ahead. Those little ones grow so fast. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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