Gadabout Media » Books

Blogging All-in-One for Dummies by Susan Gunelius – an Aide in Your Travel Blogging

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:50:10 +0000

Whether you do travel blogging for pure fun or for profit, too, you’ll benefit from Blogging All-In-One for Dummies, by Susan Gunelius, I’ve discovered.

Blogging All-in-One for Dummies by Susan Gunelius

Even though I’ve been blogging for quite some time, first just to try it out with a personal blog, and then to promote my books and workshops, as well as writing for paying gigs, I’ve still much to learn about this activity.

Susan’s book, actually 8 Books in 1, gives you so much information whether you’re beginning or consider yourself a professional, whether you simply want to write about your life, your travels and activities or want to earn an income.

As blogging grows more and more popular, whether for business, keeping connected with friends and family, or simply for fun, it’s a good idea to keep up with what’s current in the blogging world. Also, if you’re just beginning, it’s helpful to have some guidelines, such as Susan gives.

Brenda Novak & White Heat

Michelle Hamor — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:48:00 +0000

Brenda Novak fans, listen up!

Novak’s newest novel, White Heat, will be out on the 27th of July. In honor of the book launch, Brenda is throwing an online cyber book party Wednesday, August 4th, 8-10pm Eastern time on Twitter. If you don’t already have a Twitter account, head over there now to sign up. Then, click here to register for the party on Brenda’s website.

Also in conjunction with the book launch, Three Custom Color is offering a White Heat Lip Gloss. The gloss is a sheer pink, gives a nice sheen, shiny, not sticky. I’m wearing it right now. It comes in a little plastic pot with attached lid – perfect for taking on the go. The first 50 people who purchase the gloss from Three Custom Color.com will get a free autographed copy of Novak’s White Heat novel. This is a great offer for Brenda Novak fans and collectors.

I was lucky enough to receive both the gloss and a pre-launch copy of the book from Brenda Novak’s people. I won’t spoil any of the story, but I will say this the characters are strong, the story is suspenseful, and the romance is steamy – the perfect combination for a hot Summer read.

Image credit: Michelle Smith

Horrid Henry Strikes Again

Marcie Pickelsimer — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:35:42 +0000

My son’s favorite joke right now is about underwear. You know the one about looking under there and wearing underwear? He thinks it is absolutely hilarious and tries to tell me the same joke just about every day.

Well, Horrid Henry has collected his favorite new jokes in an all new joke book. Henry is organized too…he has actually organized them into sections covering his favorite subjects: Auntie jokes, screamers, and jokes not for moms.

My oldest loved reading them with me and trying to figure them out (he does have a difficult time with jokes). In fact, he loved them so much that I sent the book into his classroom teacher. She loved it too and she shared it with the entire class.

Francesca Simon is one of the world’s best-loved children’s authors and the only American to have ever won the Galaxy Book Award. The Horrid Henry series has sold nearly 14 million copies in 27 languages to date. Simon was born in the United States and attended both Yale and Oxford universities. For ten years she worked as a freelance journalist and now writes full-time. Simon lives in London with her husband and son.

To purchase your own copy: Horrid Henry’s Joke Book

Create a Home Libary Part III

Marcie Pickelsimer — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:38:32 +0000

In our home we have a special place for books. Do you?

We have several book shelves and baskets throughout the house so that AJ and Gus and pick up a book whenever they want to. And they do. They love it. We have one large bookshelf in the family room, an even bigger one in their toy room, and a basket in their bedroom for nighttime books.
Books are not arranged in any order but we do pull out holiday books at particular times of the year and put others away.
Next to each book “station” we have a place to sit and read. In the toy room we have a cubby with a bean bag. In the Family Room, the couch, and in their bedroom, the rocking chair. Having a comfy place to sit is essential.
We don’t have book stickers because we have WAY too many books. However, I do suggest this if you have just enough. You can order book stickers through Current Labels (where I got mine when I was teaching) or you can make your own, or even have them write their own names.
Essential lighting? In our play cubby we have pop-em lights on the ceiling because the cubby is under the stairs (yes, they are trolls), and the other rooms have regular lights.

Chime in…what areas do you have?

Best Bunny Books

Marcie Pickelsimer — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:29:17 +0000

Ah, Easter. Another religious holiday with a character who brings gifts to children. Wouldn’t it just be nice to celebrate the meaning of the day without fuzzy creatures?

Historically, the Easter Bunny seems to be German, as its origins have been traced to the Upper Rhineland and Alsace, both in the Holy Roman Empire. The first recorded Easter Bunny was recorded in Southwestern Germany in the early 1600’s and the first edible Bunny was made in Germany in the 1800’s.

According to tradition, children would build brightly colored nests for the bunny to leave colored eggs and the tradition spread to become the modern day Easter Basket.

Today, children try to find brightly colored Easter eggs filled with candy and expect the bunny to bring them presents. However, you can forgo the candy and give books and outdoor activity toys instead. Here are some of my favorite books for little ones.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter

Bunny Cakes (Max and Ruby)

Pat the Bunny (Touch and Feel Book)

Guess How Much I Love You

My Friend Rabbit

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery

Not a Box

Creat a Home Library Part II

Marcie Pickelsimer — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:09:39 +0000

Part Two of the home library is actually building the library. The easiest way to do this is to purchase a bookshelf but if you don’t want to buy anything consider making use with things that you have. Books don’t have to be scattered around your entire house or thrown on the floor like they sometimes are at my house.

A cardboard box painted or decorated with stickers can really make do in a crunch.
Use plastic milk crates or old wooden crates.
Baskets work great as well if you don’t have many books.
Set up books on the floor with book ends.
Use a few bricks with some extra wood planks (my father used to do this)
Use a media cabinet under the television to store kids books like we do in the family room (instead of storing DVD’s or VCR tapes).
Stack books aesthetically in a corner or on end tables.

How do you create your library?

Create a Home Library

Marcie Pickelsimer — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:44:30 +0000

When you have little ones at home good books are very important (and essential) to early reading. They help boost print recognition, familiarity, and love for reading. In this three part series you will learn how to find good books, build the library, and create a great space for your kids.

Finding Great Books:

Become a hunter, a treasure hunter! Hit the book store sales, garage sales, library books sales, Craigslist, Freecycle, and Ebay! I have thousands of children’s books (really, I do) and I have never paid full price or any of them. Quarter books are the best!
When you are bargain shopping, don’t forget those great nonfiction books about ships, Barbie, and Dinosaurs. Your kids will love the pictures and in 5 years they make great research resources.
Request that family and friends purchase books for birthdays and holidays. Even a stocking stuffer is great, right?

Twilight a Good Lesson for Teen Girls

Marcie Pickelsimer — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:41:32 +0000

I have read all four Twilight books because, well, I was hooked just like everyone else.

I have to say that it was a well written YA book but I had to struggle through it, as I am not too fond of vampires and to be honest, it just didn’t have enough substance for me (but I think I have been out of the YA genre for a while).

On a more emotional level I think the reason I did not like the book that much is because I didn’t like the love story. Oh, I know that everyone has been gushing over this particular love story, comparing it to a modern Romeo and Juliet but I didn’t think it sent young girls a good message, despite the fact that they remained chaste.

What kind of 17-year-old boy protects his “love” so much that he won’t kiss her, touch her, or even sit near her but will hunt down a vampire and travel across the country to save her life? I found him to be overprotective, overbearing, and even controlling; telling her when and how to do things, not allowing her to drive or even travel to a nearby city with her girlfriends because he thinks she needs someone to protect her.

Says “stalker” to me.

These character traits are obviously part of his nature and help to develop the story line but it’s not the message we want sending to teenage girls. Girls need to be independent from their boyfriends and equal in the relationship and I really wish that Bella had been a stronger heroine.

Ten Great Dog Books

Marcie Pickelsimer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:23:44 +0000

If you are a fan of Marley like I am (we have our own precious lab) then you know why the Marley books are loved in our house. There are many others that you can get for your kids to read that are just as great. This lists ranges from early elementary to late Middle School.

A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin

Told in the first person, a stray dog narrates the story from birth to death.

Amazing Gracie: by Dan Dye (Author), Mark Beckloff (Author):

Gracie was a deaf and partially blind albino Great Dane with a delicate constitution and a penchant for small miracles. Dan is the man-sad over the loss of his last dog and trapped in a dead-end job-who adopted her. Gracie saves Dan more than he saves her.

The Digging-Est Dog- by Al Perkins (Author), Eric Gurney (Illustrator):

after digging the entire town, the dog has to clean it up.

No More Dead Dogs- Gordon Korman:

Tired of reading books wherein every dog dies, Wallace Wallace rebels.

Because of Winn Dixie- Kate DiCamillo:

Newbery Award winning author, DiCamillo writes of Winne Dixie, a big, ugly, happy dog who accompanies Opal on a self acceptance journey.

Shiloh- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor:

One of the best dog books for elementary readers, Naylor creates the timely tale of an abused dog and his savior.

You’re a Good Dog, Carl- Alexandra Day

Mother knows she can trust Carl, a large and lovable Rottweiler, to watch over baby Madeleine. What she doesn’t know is that the minute she’s gone, Carl and the baby gallop off on adventures.

Dog Heaven- Cynthia Rylant:

Beautiful images of where dogs will go when they pass.

Snow Dog- Jim Kjelgaard:

The adventures of a dog born in the wilderness and then captured by the same trapper his mother deserted.

The Incredible Journey- Sheila Burnford

Three dogs return home.

Reading Activities: Now I Know My ABC’s

Marcie Pickelsimer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:21:28 +0000

I have a special needs son and teaching him his numbers, colors, and the ABC’s are difficult. What I have done to teach him his ABC’s is make is a little more interactive for him. He loves touching things, movin’ and groovin’ and he loves to sing. He is now learning how to read so it looks like these things have worked!

So, I have tried to incorporate all of those things into his acquisition of learning the ABC’s.

1. Purchase a lot of sand paper and cut out the ABC’s. Yes, this can be time consuming but do this while you are watching television or while your child is taking a bath. The purpose of the tactile sand paper is for your child not only to see the letters but also to feel the letters with his hands.

2. After he has begun to recognize the letters go on a scavenger hunt throughout the neighborhood in search of letters. I remember my mother doing this with me in the car. Search street signs, houses, mailboxes, newspapers, etc. for letters and see how many he can recognize).

3. Play online games like this one that help your child to recognize the sounds the letters make.