Help a Writer Out

Award winning author and teacher Shannon Anderson shares “Help A Writer Out” with Diane Davies on 2nd Tuesday with Kiddie Lit Market. Shannon’s presentation is a treasure trove of ideas for writing and getting published. Numerous resources are shared including what volunteering has done for Shannon, how to sharpen your website, school visits for children’s authors and much more. Creativity abounds in Shannon’s presentation through her message and her shared screen. Don’t miss a minute of Shannon’s outstanding contribution to writers everywhere. This quote from Maya Angelou, “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”, is Shannon’s mission in her life and in this presentation.

0:00 Introduction
1:05 Help a writer out
1:24 Bravery and vulnerability
2:02 Writers support each other
2:41 You can have everything
3:12 Helping others helps
6:34 Helping out a professor
7:08 Applying for grants
7:51 Learning about writing
8:37 Deed Diary
10:52 Volunteering
12:30 Coasting Casey
12:50 Growth Mindset
13:30 Indiana State Literacy Board
15:20 Social and emotional resources
16:02 Teaching kids about writing
17:02 Going viral
17:33 Helping writers
18:11 Picture Book Boot Camp for adults
20:05 What do you want…how do you get there?
20:38 Proven resources
21:34 More resources
22:14 More resources
22:52 More resources
22:35 More resources
25:26 Help other authors
28:12 Ask for help
29:41 Quote for success
30:22 Connect with Shannon
31:59 Thank you Shannon and wrap up

Visit Shannon, https://www.shannonisteaching.com

Meet Nancy and Gordon Fredrickson

Farm poets and American farm heritage authors Gordon and Nancy Fredrickson of Lonsdale, Minnesota join Kiddie Lit Market’s Diane Davies for this interview. To tell stories that preserve, promote and encourage agricultural literacy is the Fredrickson’s mission. Their stories for children are about farm kids told by farm kids. These same stories for adults are a nostalgic trip into yesterday. Listen and learn as Gordon recounts with us his life, his love and his and Nancy’s many books.

“A story not told is lost forever.”

— Gordon W. Fredrickson

0:00 Introduction
1:56 Who are Nancy and Gordon
3:16 Lunch is served
3:46 Where was your farm?
4:08 No vacations
4:24 Children and chores
5:10 Be kind
5:28 Country school
7:19 Time off
7:40 Read to your dog and kitty
7:55 When did you start writing?
9:05 The small farmer
9:49 Gordon’s first book
10:40 Holiday books
10:50 School program
11:15 Nancy co-writer and photographer
11:50 A Farm Country Haying
12:21 Why write
12:35 A tribute to Gordon’s parents
13:28 Where do people buy your books
14:48 School visits
15:51 I feel rich
16:13 Getting recognized in public
17:11 What advice might you give inspiring authors?
18:09 Interesting quote
18:48 Novels, poetry, and Nancy’s memoir
19:35 Poetry for farmers

Learn more about Nancy and Gordon: https://www.gordonfredrickson.com.
Learn about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.kiddielitmarket.com.

Meet Lisa Gammon Olson

Meet Lisa Gammon Olson in her Kiddie Lit Market interview with Diane Davies. Lisa makes her home in Wisconsin with her husband Bruce. They have three adult sons. She is the secretary at the Coon Valley Elementary School—a job she adores! At a young age, Lisa tells us that “Dick and Jane” helped to launch her writing career. Her children’s books are a little look into history adding faces and personalities to each historic event making them more memorable and interesting. Preserving our planet and populating it with human beings who are Respectful, Responsible and Kind is Lisa’s mission in her life, her work and in her books.

0:00 Introduction
1:00 Lisa is from Wisconsin
2:10 When did you begin your writing career?
2:19 Dick & Jane
3:29 The Hobbit
5:39 School masks
6:33 Tell us about your books
6:40 Dust Flowers
7:29 Working with family
8:45 Sewing The Magic In
10:08 The Cheese Song
11:25 Remembering Green
12:58 And the Trees Began to Move
13:34 Fig Newton Summer
16:35 Author Visits
17:23 Advice for a new author
18:29 Beverly Cleary
19:16 Knowing the ending
19:35 POV
20:23 Nora and Molly

Buy Lisa's books, https://LisaGammonOlson.com
Learn more about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.KiddieLitMarket.com

Meet Mary Bleckwehl

Mary Bleckwehl’s website opens with this statement: “Inspiring children one word at a time.” She talks about how her teaching and writing SPARKS creativity in her students of all ages. You will witness this spark in Mary’s interview with Kiddie Lit Market’s Diane Davies. She talks about growing up on a large Iowa farm with her large family – each with their own chores to keep the farm running. Mary describes her writing career, her children’s books, and her advice on becoming an author. She published her first book in 2011 and as they say, “the rest is history!” As a writer and educator, Mary’s love of life and her career are infectious, fun and inspiring!

0:00 Intro
1:23 Can you tell us about Mary
3:14 Journalism
4:35 Teaching
5:28 Birth of a writing career
7:00 Motivation
8:41 Kid’s books
9:24 Picture books are for all ages
10:27 Tell us about your books
10:29 Henry! You’re Late AGAIN!
11:56 Henry! You’re Hungry AGAIN!
13:08 Claire’s Hair
13:58 The Birthday Cookbook
14:39 Debut Middle Grade Novel
15:35 Where can we buy your books?
16:18 The education market
17:15 How can I be an author?
17:52 Reading to write
18:30 Journal
19:22 Welcome feedback
21:23 Be kind

Buy Mary's books, https://MaryBleckwehl.com
Learn more about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.KiddieLitMarket.com

Meet Shannon Anderson

Diane Davies of Kiddie Lit Market interviews children’s author Shannon Anderson ShannonIsTeaching.com. Shannon is an awarding-winning teacher and author with over a dozen books published. She is a highly sought keynote speaker, teaching coach and a mentor for getting books published. Shannon’s enthusiasm for living, writing and sharing clearly spill over into this amazing interview. Indiana is home for Shannon and her husband and two daughters.

0:00 Introductions
1:04 Who is Shannon Anderson
2:55 Focus on Growth Mindset
3:18 When did your writing career begin?
4:46 Career goals
7:22 Good deed a day
8:22 My first book
9:42 Why do you write
10:53 Read aloud time
11:36 Tell us about your children’s books
11:57 Y is for Yet
12:23 Mindset Power
13:20 Work for hire
13:40 The Story of Benjamin Franklin
14:43 Penelope Perfect
14:48 Coasting Casey
15:20 Monster & Dragon Write Poems
16:20 A Deed a Day
16:40 Too Shy to Say Hi
16:52 Kids and anxiety
17:45 Inspiring Story
19:20 How can I be an author
22:43 Where to buy Shannon’s books
23:22 Response to pandemic
23:32 ShannonIsTeaching.com
24:26 Help a writer out
25:20 The Kiddie Lit Community

Learn more about Shannon: ShannonIsTeaching.com

Introducing 2nd Tuesday

Diane interviews authors, illustrators, and publishers in the children’s book industry. Diane also talks about Kiddie Lit Market and upcoming events.

0:00 Introduction to Kiddie Lit Market
0:26 Who, what, why of Kiddie Lit Market
0:44 What is 2nd Tuesday?
1:23 Kevin Lovegreen and self-publishing
1:45 Reading is Fundamental
1:59 Dr. Artika R. Tyner
2:15 The Upcoming section
3:28 What is Kiddie Lit Market
5:33 Access to hashtag
6:04 Get lost in KiddieLitMarket.com

Learn about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.kiddielitmarket.com.

Meet Margarita Sikorskaia

Diane visits Margarita at her home in Minneapolis. They talk about her journey from Saint Petersburg, Russia to Minnesota as a 22 year old with $300 and a suitcase.

Meet Diane Davies

Children’s author, Diane Davies, takes us on a journey into her “neck of the woods” where she not only acquaints us with the neck, but also explains how she got started writing and why she continues. As a part of the tour, we hear about all 5 of her books (2 adult’s and 3 children’s) and get a sneak peek at questions her young audience members ask and how she answers them. Davies gives us an honest, thought provoking glance at being a children’s author.

0:00 Intro
1:16 How I got started in writing
2:31 From There to Here (book)
3:14 Breast Cancer Saved My Life (book)
4:10 Life in the Neck New Friends (book)
4:43 Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer (book)
5:17 Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble (book)
5:58 Why do you write?
8:34 Is this your favorite job?
9:57 Writing and the pandemic
10:38 Life in the Neck Christmas
11:49 Where do you buy my books?
14:18 Did Cancer hurt?
15:03 Are you rich from selling books?
15:42 How did you learn to write books?
16:53 Where do you get your ideas?
17:43 Do you draw the pictures?
18:15 How long does it take to write books?
20:50 How does a book get made?
24:16 When will you broadcast live again?
25:36 Contact information

Grandma Diane’s Story Time

By Diane Davies

 Qovid-19 Quarantine is beginning to feel like the new normal – I guess.  It seems funny still not to just jump in my car and head off here and there to do my little errands.  I think twice about running off to the grocery store and/or the drug store.  I need a haircut so bad that I’m about ready to take a scissors after it myself!  Perhaps it is NOT the new normal just yet.

 On March 23, 2020, my grandkids and I started Grandma Diane’s Story Time.  Facebook LIVE presented the easiest way to video and share.  So every weekday since, finds the three of us or sometimes just two, at 11:00 a.m. central time ready to video the story for the day.  Our intent was to provide good children’s literature to the new distance learning endeavor and at the same time provide a bit of a break for the parents. 

 In the past five weeks, we’ve read, recorded and archived on www.dianedavies.com, over twenty stories three of which were my children’s books.  We are beginning to average between 50 to 75 views a day on facebook alone.  Let me share with you a few of the wonderful responses that are coming in:

Such a lovely story.  -CS

            Super idea to see the book as you read.  -VA

            I love your idea.  -PM

            Thank you Diane.  -KM

            I’m ready to be read to.  -KZ

            Love the books you choose.  Many of my favorites.  -NT

            Love it when Diane reads.  -KN

            Lilly can’t wait for tomorrow.  -KL

            You have a great new hobby.  -LF

Diane, even as an adult there is something soothing and fun having

you read a book! - KH

Keep up the great work! Jake loves getting to see the "behind the scene" work that goes into a production. It has inspired him to make videos, and learn patience in the process. 😁 💕 -DT

 And from some of the authors:

 I’m delighted that you read my book as part of your story time!  I remember Hastings well…it’s where I got the idea for my book, VOTE! .  Eileen Christelow

 It's a great thing you are doing and please tell your young readers "Hello" from me.

All the best, Janet Stevens

Please tell all your listeners to stay safe!  Happy reading!    Jean Reagan 

This is such a great idea! Your web site is wonderful and that must be your adorable grandson in the cowboy hat!  I would love for you to read my book! It would be an honor!  Stay safe and healthy!Sincerely,  Laura Numeroff

What good work you are doing!  And thank you for thinking of Rattletrap Car.  Wishing you all the best.  I will check out your website. Stay safe and healthy, Phyllis Root

Nineteen COVID-19 Lessons

Nineteen COVID-19 Lessons

By Diane Davies

1. How quickly a country can shut down.

2. Fear certainly is a great motivator.

3. How fast the art of cooking is remembered/learned.

4. Parents having quality time to spend with their children.

5. Children having quality time to spend with their parents.

6. Husbands and wives becoming reacquainted.

7. Remembering how to communicate face to face.

8. Parents understanding more about how learning works.

9. Parents understanding more about how teachers work.

10. New and creative ways of using technology to stay in touch with relatives and friends.

11. How to sew a face mask to protect yourself and others.

12. Children using their imagination to play new games they created on their own.

13. Remembering how to reach out to others in love and friendship and doing it.

14. Learning about what lonely feels like.

15. Finally, some family time to eat meals together.

16. Remembering/Learning how to pray.

17. Learning how to do distance learning, worship, prayer, friendship.

18. New and resourceful ways of using our brains to be innovative, productive, inventive, and artistic.

19. Remembering how to “Be Still and Know That I Am God!” Psalm 46:10

Sent in by viewers:

Learning a new hobby you’ve wanted to try, but no time. Like knitting, crochet, rock painting, gardening, photography etc. . . -MY

Picking up and actually reading that book you bought for “someday I’ll read this when I have time.” -MY

Wife and husband working together in the kitchen and trying new items to cook. -BF

Playing cards with my family in TN via online. It’s become a family time and thing for us to do together even when we are so far apart. -JB

Dropping a handwritten note in the mail, the old-fashioned way. Pausing to appreciate so many things we took for granted just a few weeks ago. -LV

Remembering how to deep clean a house and then having time to do it. -KJ

Teaching kids how to dust and vacuum. -KJ

The MVPs of this world are not the sports heros and movie stars bu the family, friends, and caregivers that put their lives at risk for us. -DD

It’s okay to crack a beer at 9 a.m. -MK

How to blow ring bubbles in the pool. -NP

Thanks to my readers for these additions! You are the best!

No App to Replace Your Lap

A Beautiful Gathering Space

I have had the pleasure of visiting a number of elementary schools throughout the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin as a Student Teacher Liaison between the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and the placement schools for their student’s student teaching experience and most recently as a visiting author sharing my new Life in the Neck books. Salem Hills Elementary School in Inver Grove Heights has the most amazing gathering space for student presentations and programs that I have ever seen. At one point in time the space was an outside courtyard/garden which I heard was beautiful. My understanding is that the classrooms made a square around the courtyard. As space was needed, the courtyard became enclosed and is now part of the media center complex. The room is bright and airy with the windows in place that now overlook the hallways. The technology is available within the space to show presentations on a large screen smart TV. It all worked perfectly for my recent Author Visit to this outstanding school. All of the grade levels were able to attend one of my six presentations there over the two days of my visit. I always include a Q & A at the end of my program. The students at Salem Hills came up with some really great questions: When did you start writing? How do I become an author like you? Where do you get your ideas for the stories you write? Are you famous? Do you make a lot of money? Are your stories real?

Happy Reading!

No App to Replace Your Lap

My New Buddy Willie

Meet Willie my new rescue puppy from Rough Start Rescue in Princeton, Minnesota. Twelve puppies, including Willie, arrived at a Houston Rescue in a wheelbarrow hoping for a new life in a new home. Leaving Houston, Texas on February 28 and arriving in Minnesota twenty-six hours later on February 29, 2020 was one bus with thirty-six puppies, two drivers and one vet tech. “With puppies on board,” explained one driver, “we only stop for fuel and human potty breaks. We change the pads in the dog kennels, give the pups some food and water and get back on the highway.”

I arrived at Rough Start shortly after the bus. I had an eleven o’clock appointment to pick up Willie but started out a bit early unsure of what traffic would be like on a Saturday morning. As I was ahead of schedule, I got to witness a well organized unloading of the bus and it’s precious cargo. A small army of volunteers dressed in blue Rough Start t-shirts knew the plan. Each puppy was carried to the door of bus where his/her name was announced. A volunteer stepped forward to a chorus of oohs and ahhhs as the little guy was handed down into waiting arms that provided a tender hug and kiss welcome., The next step was a vetting to insure that a heathy pup was being delivered. And finally a meeting with the arrivals new foster family. That was me for little Willie. HIs name was actually Daniel and he traveled with Connor and Sean his actual litter mates. And oh my were they “ripe”!

When you are handed a little three pound bundle of fur looking at you with big dark eyes and shivering as if his life depends on it, how can you not take him in your arms, no matter the smell, an hold him close and whisper sweet nothings in his too big for his head ears! It was love at first sight for me. I was also handed a large grocery bag with Daniels name on it filled with dog food, treats, toys, a collar, coupons, his microchip tag and a folder of instructions. He had had a flea and tick treatment as part of his vetting so therefore no bath for forty-eight hours. Oh my! And so it begins . . .

Willie makes a trip to Princeton this Friday for his neutering surgery. They will be amazed at how much he has grown in a week and how much better he smells! Progress is being made on the house training - I’m not sure who is becoming trained however - Willie or me!

For more information on Rough Start Rescue see: https://www.ruffstartrescue.org/

No App to Replace Your Lap

An Author Visit Outstanding Review

It was such a pleasure to have Diane Davies visit Salem Hills Elementary School.  She presented for each of our grade levels, kindergarten through 5th grade.  Students were captivated by her story-telling skills and anxiously anticipated what would happen next in the story.  Diane did a wonderful job showing the connection of characters and progression of the “Life in the Neck” stories.  The children were also drawn in while learning the process of making a book.  Diane fielded many questions from students and answered with humor and a great understanding of student development.  Her message to students to persevere and keep reading to become even better writers was inspirational.  Diane was a delight to work with and students and staff both enjoyed our time with her.  I highly recommend having Diane Davies visit your school!

Jean Herbst, Reading Interventionist, Salem Hills Elementary, Inver Grove Heights, MN

Thanks Jean. I enjoyed my two days with your kids at Salem Hills Elementary School!

Happy Reading!

N0 App For Your Lap

One of my favorite activities is making school visits! I love reading to all of those eager faces making known my characters to them.

Hastings, Minnesota award winning children’s author, Diane Davies, is available to make elementary classroom visits.  As a retired 1st grade teacher, Diane is able to custom fit her presentation to your curriculum needs if desired.

For more information regarding Diane Davies see: www.dianedavies.com

 For Author Visit pricing and booking information contact Diane Davies at:

Dianedavies48@yahoo.com or call Diane at 651-436-7234

No App to Replace Your Lap

Leap Year Fun Reads

MOMMY, WHERE'S MY BIRTHDAY?
Lakisha Cornell

How do you tell a child born on Feb. 29 that his birthday is only on the calendar once every four years?  Amazon.com

Leap's Day is a story about the calendar, friendship and the things that make us special. Join Leap as he sets out to find a special day - a "birthday" - for each one of his friends, only to discover that he must first create a calendar. Leap works with his dad to unravel the mystery of years, months, days and dates - and of course that pesky little day that comes along just once every four years. Amazon.com

Happy Reading

No App to Replace Your Lap

A tough concept to explain - Leap Day/Leap Year!

Leopold keeps waiting for his birthday but it never seems to come! This picture book is a fun journey to figure out why exactly February 29 takes so long to come around. Available on Amazon.

Explains units of time measurement, including a year, a decade, and a fortnight. Amazon.com

Happy Reading

No App to Replace Your Lap

Crazy talk. Or, is it? Smart Phones, Cigarettes, and Our Children

by Denise D’Angelo Roland

February 12, 2020

Despite what my children may believe, I am not old.  At 38, I can recall with ease back to the days when smoking cigarettes was allowed in restaurants. In fact, I remember that as a teenage waitress, my assigned area was almost notoriously the “smoking section” of the restaurant, because some of the senior waitresses couldn’t stand the smell. I did as I was told, never thinking anything of it. Parents smoked in their cars with their children. No big deal. Not that long ago, the thought of asking someone to put their cigarette out or to refrain from smoking in the presence of their children was still considered taboo, if not rude. Fast forward to 2020, and now it is commonplace for restaurants and public establishments to be smoke-free. Light a cigarette in front of a child and prepare to be confronted about it. Under the clean indoor air laws, smoking is now prohibited within school buildings and on school grounds in most states. We know the harmful effects. Heck, we knew it back in the 50’s, but we needed to listen to, process the information, campaign and move…together. And, you know what? We did it for them, for ourselves and for our future generations. As with every new era, comes new challenges and needs for evolution and change. Here we are in 2020, and the issue is no longer smoking. Cue: Screens. Specifically, smart phones.

There’s no denying the evidence suggesting that our smart phones are causing negative health effects. We even have a medical diagnosis for smart phone addiction (it’s Nomophobia, by the way). Look for yourself-you don’t have to dig very deep to find it. We have developed difficulties with sleeping, anxiety, compulsive web surfing, loneliness, depression, even vision and balance disturbances. In some cases, relationships are on the fringe, compulsive use of these devices are interfering with one’s ability to be productive at work and, possibly worst of all, one’s ability to safely drive a vehicle.  The issue has become so massive and widely recognized, that it is almost too overwhelming to broach. Until it affects our children. Reminiscent of the aforementioned smoking issue, the rumblings have started.

Now, let me first say, I come in peace. My weapons are down and my position is non-judgemental. In fact, I’m just as phone obsessed as the average, exhausted mother sitting next to me. I do not have any fancy letters or achievements attached to the end of my name. I’m simply a mother, teacher, and imperfect human learning as I move in a forward direction at the best pace I can. With that said, parenting and teaching are, without question, two of the most challenging jobs on the planet. When it comes to the best interest of our children, we are the rhetorical “boots on the ground.” In my 15+ years as a public school teacher and 6+ years as a parent, here’s what I’ve learned: they’re watching us. Groundbreaking, I know.

Seriously though, think of it like this—have you ever tried to convince a child that they should be putting “greens” on their plate when they’ve been watching you eat a lone slice of pizza for dinner, for years? It’s not convincing. Despite how fundamental it sounds, our smart phone issue is the same. Perhaps, though, it is more detrimental and pressing, as our habits could essentially be telling our babies about their worth. Does that sound crazy? It isn’t.

In one 2018 study by Psychology Today, a parallel is drawn between the “Still Face Paradigm” developed by Ed Tronick, and the “Still Face with Device.” If you don’t know about it, it is worth checking out. Essentially, the study documents how interaction, facial expression and mutual responsiveness between a parent and child evokes positive feelings and emotions for both caregivers and children. On the contrary, a caregiver who presents what we refer to as a “still face”—unresponsive and still, evokes distress, despondency or anxiety in the babies. When the experimental task was tested using a smart phone device, the findings remained the same. Devastatingly, some reports point out that this widespread epidemic of device distracted parenting has lead to children believing that we love our phones more than we love them. Can we even blame them for thinking that?

Well, we know that children are not born with an understanding of what a smart phone is. Instead, they are born knowing our voices. They are born with an innate desire and need for human connection, bonding, nurturing and love. What we need to remember as caregivers, is that babies today do not know a world without smart phones the way they we did. What happens when they arrive on this planet to meet us, to bond with us, to interact with us, and we are distracted? What are we teaching them? What are they learning about relationships? Further, what will their future friendships, dating relationships, marriages, etc. be like, if we allow for their foundation of human connection to continue to crumble? As noted in ABC New’s 2019 Screen Time and Kids: New Findings Parents Need to Know, young children require face-to-face interaction. Without it, they will struggle to reach developmental milestones, learn empathy, understand emotion, and build language and social skills.

Visit a local playground and you will see plenty of parents alongside of their children. For those of us that remember our Child Development classes, are we engaging in parallel or associative play? Are we present and engaged in what our children are doing? Watch a family movie in the average American living room and you will see adults looking at their phones while the children absorb the tale on their own. Dine out at a family restaurant and you can easily find a smart phone resting on a tabletop—perhaps positioned between spouses or parent and child. Again, I’m guilty of it all, too. But what are we replacing? What are these addictive little devices doing to the way that our children feel about themselves, their bond with us, their value? Our actions speak louder than anything, and over time, it snowballs. It is no wonder why we are inundated with reports of children feeling unimportant and having to compete with smart phones for parents’ attention, as well as sadness and anger. These concerns related to smart phone use don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what we already have documented. But, guess what? The digital era is certainly not going away—in fact, we know that it will only expand further and become more of a complex issue than it already is. Smart phones serve a purpose for all of us, but like anything else—too much of anything is problematic. We need a movement.

Where do we go from here? We start setting boundaries. Did you know that Bill Gates didn’t let his children get a cell phone until they turned 14? Steve Jobs raised his children tech-free and prohibited them from using an iPad (Business Insider, 2010). While it would be unrealistic to expect that any of us can remove smart devices from our lives, perhaps we should limit our children’s exposure to us using them. Many of us have heard of the “Wait Until 8th” pledge that is aimed at rallying together in an effort to delay a child’s smart phone use until 8th grade. Similar to that movement, I suggest we make every reasonable effort to keep our distracting devices hidden from our babies. They’ve come here to meet us, to love us, to bond with us—and heaven knows that caring for a child is exhausting and difficult. But, it’s the most beautiful and rewarding privilege in the world. Our children deserve our attention and they deserve to know that they are abso-freakin-lutely worth it.

How can we start? As with any other campaign, we start moving forward. Together. Slowly. It may be difficult at first. In fact, it may even result in anger, irritability, or anxiety. Keep going. Set ground rules for yourself and for your home. Maybe this effort means that there are no smart phones at the dinner table or making eye contact at school pick up time. If you already do those things—Bravo! Raise the bar higher. No smart phones in the family room or in the bedroom (your relationship with your partner matters, too!). Play board games and put puzzles together. Take a walk outside together. Talk about goals, dreams, aspirations and make believe. Have a dance party. Visit a park or library. Read books. “Please, Look up at Me” is a children’s book that can act as a timely and relevant conversation starter on this topic of smart phones vs. human connection. Read it together, discuss it. Ask questions. The children will tell us exactly what they need. It is our job to listen, process, campaign and move….together. And you know what? We will do it for them, for ourselves, and for our future generations. 

-Denise  D’Angelo Roland

Author, “Please, Look up at Me”

About the Author:

 Denise D’Angelo Roland lives on Long Island, NY with her husband, 3 children and Labradoodle puppy. She is an experienced educator with a Master’s Degree in both Health Education and School Counseling. Aside from remaining dedicated to her family and career interests, Denise has recently become interested in educating families through children’s books. Her latest book, “Please, Look up at Me” has been praised for its timely and much needed message about how important it is that humans remain connected as possible in this modern digital era.

No App to Replace Your Lap

Please, Look up at Me

Please, Look up at Me written by Denise D’Angelo Roland and Illustrated by Andrea Shine found me a few weeks ago after the author visited my website and discovered that we share many of the same philosophies in life. “Kate, the story’s main character, loves to look at her tablet. Mama feels concerned. Children today seem to prefer looking at screens more than enjoying the outdoors and free play with one another. At first Kate feels that Mama is overreacting. But after some personal reflection and deeper thinking, Kate connects the dots and finds understanding in Mama’s plea.” (book jacket flap)

I have a normal twelve year old granddaughter who loves her iPad. She also loves soccer and cross country. Hard to use the iPad when she’s involved in either of these activities. However, it does get used a lot - on her one hour bus ride to and from school - when she stays with Grandma after school until her parents get home - and most of the time when riding in the car. Her parents have set some pretty stringent rules regarding other times of the day and iPad usage. I read Roland’s book to both my daughter and granddaughter. A lively discussion followed with both agreeing that the story has an important message to share.

Kate tells the story in her voice in an easy flowing rhyming verse. She explains that Mama is not happy with her need to have her face glued to the screen, sitting alone staring down and shying away from contact with people. During a shopping outing she ignored a friend from school as she was too intent on her screen. Mama aptly labels that rude! Mama’s questions go ignored at home;

“You just keep staring down, while I’m here talking to you, a good listener does so with both eyes, it’s more respectful, too.”

Kate is a wise young lady and becomes upset when her Dad ignores her attempt to show him her school art while he is distracted by an incoming text. She experiences the ache of not being paid attention to. Understanding begins to dawn as she recalls other “rude” behaviors she’s been a part of lately and what perhaps she’s missing out on being glued to her screen.

Roland’s story is simple and sweet and yet warns all of us of the dangers of too much screen time for anyone in our continuously changing culture. She clues us in gently that even adults are guilty of the too much screen time conundrum.

Denise D”Angelo Roland will share a guest blog on No App to Replace Your Lap here tomorrow. Stop in to hear more from this author.

No App to Replace Your Lap

Community Reads Day at Friendly Hills Middle School in Mendota Heights

Eli, one of the stars in Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble, helps his Grandma Diane Davies read the story to students in Mrs. Wahlburg’s 5th Grade Classroom.

What is a Community Reads Day? Kristine Jacobs, Instructional Literacy Coach, at Friendly Hills Middle School started the program at her school three years ago. Jacobs invites community leaders and community friends to come to their school on a Friday morning in February to start the day for students by reading them a story and sharing their love of reading. Police officers, school board members, business owners, Peter Olson-Skog, Superintendent of Schools, lunch room ladies, shop keepers - all came with books in hand and read to the students. A good time was had by readers and listeners alike.

Author Diane Davies shares her Life in the Neck Squirrel Trouble with the students,

No App To Replace Your Lap

Talk About a Dream Come to True!

Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, February 2020

Back in 2018 when I published my first children’s book, Life in the Neck New Friends, I was invited to make an author appearance for Karen Rabe Schmidt’s home buyers at Tinucci’s in Newport as Christmas gift for her clients and their families. We all had a riotous time listening to my story, participating in a game and playing with the puppets from the story - Delaney, Rocket, and Cardinal Red. Each child “won” a puppet before they left for home. As the families left the restaurant, I heard happy voices talking about MY characters in MY story. As a first grade teacher in Hastings, MN for many years, I read thousands of books to thousands of children. This night my dream came true as I read MY story about MY characters to about twenty happy and interested children.

This winter we traveled to Orlando, Florida where we visited Universal Studios. How excited Dr. Seuss (deceased) must have been when Seuss Landing was created honoring the author and his many wonderful children’s books. We were immersed in Dr. Seuss mania including Sneetches, the Lorax, Yertle the Turtle, One Fish Two Fish, and of course the Grinch along with many more memorable characters from the pen of Dr. Seuss. What a dream come true for the extraordinary mind of Dr. Seuss.

Then it was on to Diagon Alley and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter created by the imagination of JK Rowlings! On top of the Gringott’s Bank, the dragon breathes out his fire while inside the goblins take you on a hair raising ride ten miles below the surface to the Gringott’s Vaults while being chased by dementors, snakes and giant spiders. A stop at Olivanders for a wand is of course a must before you leave the alley by riding the Hogwart’s Express from King’s Cross to the Hogmeade Station with a few surprises on the way. The Hogwarts Castle is a must see for all where you meet Harry Potter and his friends and follow them on a wild broomstick ride right through the middle of a Quidditch game. I can only imagine how thrilled Rowlings must be to see her stories come to life not only in her books, on the big screen and in Universal Studios. Talk about a dream come true.

Gringott’s Dragon

Happy Reading - Happy Dreaming