A Penny for Your Thoughts

If you have read an enjoyable or interesting Usborne or Kane Miller chapter book, I’d love to hear about it! What were your favorite parts or scenes? Who were your favorite characters and who were the ones you loved to hate?

Please contact me at UsborneByApril@yahoo.com. I will not post your comments without permission. If you give me the OK to post or share your thoughts, I may use them on my blog or pass them along to others within Usborne.

Have you read an Usborne or Kane Miller book and disliked it? Please feel free to share that as well. I would love to hear how you think it could have been better!

As always, feel free to let me know any ways I can serve you better. I look forward to hearing from you!

Dare to Dream … Change the World, Writing Contest for children in grades 3-8

Dare to Dream Writing Contest

This writing contest is based on a recently published book, Dare to Dream … Change the World. In this book thirty of our nation’s most prestigious poets focus their creative vision on people who not only changed their own lives, but the lives of people all over the world.

Dare to Dream … Change the World

Jr High Book Fair

This week I am at a local jr high school putting on a book fair. Several kids didn’t have money to buy books, but greatly enjoyed looking through our selection. I have a period off at the moment. I am hoping that the book fair will sell enough for the librarian will be able to get all the books she wants and take the extra in cash. It’s so awesome to see these students excited about the books. After all, people who enjoy reading are usually more successful in life.

Fall in love with your favorite book again to stem off the winter blues.

Taken from "Gifted Homeschoolers Forum" on Facebook

Traditions

I loved this week’s Literacy Tip to much I just have to write a post about it!

Literacy Tip

Create a new Holiday Reading Tradition for your family. Listen to audio books while traveling by car, wrapping presents, or making cookies.

With a 5 1/2 hour drive to Jason’s grandparents for Christmas, we always listen to audio books on the drive. One we listen to from time to time is by one of my favorite authors, Cornelia Funke. She is actually the one who reads this delightful book about Christmas. We borrowed it from the library several years ago after I saw she wrote Inkheart (I haven’t had a chance to read the series yet, but I loved the creativity of the story when I saw the movie). I just learned this Christmas story (When Santa Fell to Earth) has been made into a movie in the UK I believe. We are also huge fans of Igraine the Brave on Audo. Yesterday we started listening to Dragon Rider. I hope we like it as much as her other works!

We also find listening to audio books or dramas together is a great bonding experience.

What are your family’s favorite audio books?

Usborne Necklace

Here is a picture of the necklace Nicole is giving everyone under her who sells $1,000 in the first 12 weeks of running the Usborne Books & More Business! As you can see, these are made in the USA. The couple live in IL a short drive from me. For more information on Jazzy Pop Can Jewelry see the Pop Can website or the Facebook page.

Book Fair!

I’m having a book fair this week! It’s so exciting! I made this flyer for it.

I am immensely enjoying working with 5 Star Learning Ranch this week. The place is truly amazing. The rooms’ set up is amazing!

I love how the rooms are set up with a quiet loft area for reading and so many adorable high quality child size tables, chairs, bathrooms, and other fun kid sized amenities. I love how there is cowboy and cowgirl wall decor everywhere, but it is subtle enough that one doesn’t notice until he/she really looks.

The teachers are exceedingly sweet and compassionate. If we were in need of a daycare or looking for a preschool, 5 Star would be at the top of the list.

For more information about book fairs, click here. For more information about fundraising, a reading incentive program or a grant programs from Usborne Books & More, click here.

Changing the Teacher Gift Idea

I ran out of the flowers I had for the School and Library Catalog Gift. So I tried these instead.

Do you like the flowers I used in September (below) or November (above) better?

Facebook Page!

I set up a Facebook page in mid-September, but it just occurred to me that I should make sure everyone knows! I post reading tips, sales, and things I’m doing with Usborne.

I’d love to see you there too! Thank you for visiting Usborne By April today!
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