Show Me How! — Positive Parental Participation at work

In June of this year,  Susanna Hill hosted a series of guest posts on her blog, all on the topic of self-publishing. I found the post by Vivian Kirkfield particularly interesting and edifying. Vivian has written and published a resource book for parents (and others) — Show Me How! — that, as the subtitle explains,…

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International Dot Day

Every year on September 15th-ish, there is a wonderful celebration of creativity known as International Dot Day, based on the equally wonderful picture book by Peter H. Reynolds, The Dot. This year, over 500,000 — yes, over HALF A MILLION — people, mainly children in classrooms, are participating in Dot Day. Some are Skyping with…

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DEBBIE OHI! Guest Post — It’s Worth the Wait

I am thrilled to be helping to promote friend and Canadian illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s first picture book on my blog. I hope you saw I’M BORED on my Perfect Picture Book Friday post last week. Today, Debbie has graciously agreed to do a guest post on my blog, and I am so grateful to…

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I’M BORED — Perfect Picture Book Friday returns!

Yes, indeed, PPBF is back! And I’m very excited today to be featuring a book that is so new it was only released THREE DAYS AGO! Not only that, but you can read an interview with the illustrator, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, on Joanna Marple’s blog, AND Debbie herself will be doing a guest post on…

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Encouraging the Artist Within

This post could be subtitled “A Cautionary Tale.” Last Monday, I blogged about the joy inherent in the artistic expression of children. I remember feeling that joy myself. I liked my art big and bold and life-size, if possible. Mum used to tell of going into the spare bedroom where she’d covered the bed with…

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