Did You Know?

Suzanne Collins, best known for the Hunger Games series, wrote for Nickleodeon back in 1991 before she ever got into writing books for kids.  She is also the author of the Underland Chronicles which is an amazing series that I couldn't stop reading until I finished all 5 books.  The series is loosely based off of the story of Alice in Wonderland as well.  Other notable works for Suzanne Collins are Generation O for the WB Kids network, and Clifford's Puppy Days for Scholastic.  Seems as though she is quite on a roll!  I haven't read the Hunger Games series yet, but I plan to.  I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!  To keep tabs on Suzanne Collins, follow her by clicking the link below.

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Happy Birthday!

Leo Lionni was not only a children's author who wrote over 40 children's books starting at the age of 50, but he was also a creative art director who worked for several advertising agencies and then later for Fortune magazine. His books are best known for their amazing use of illustrative color which accompany great stories. Leo died October 11th, 1999 at the age of 89. Read more about Leo Lionni on his website below.


About Leo Lionni | 100 Years of Leo Lionni

Kooky Poem of the Week!

The Bubblegum Dilemma

By: J.S. Martinez

My throat is full of bubblegum,
          I couldn’t snag it with my thumb.

I don’t really know now what to do;
          I think my face is turning blue.

I tried to speak out through the muck;
          It seemed the gum was just too stuck.

Drinking water helped me none;
          I fear the pain has just begun.

I pulled a snake out of my coat;
          I felt the gum slip down my throat.

To save my life, I could not wait
          so down my throat I stuck the snake.

It wiggled down and as it poked,
          I felt it oozing as I choked.

It snapped right on the big fat chew,
          that’s all it took to make me spew.

The gum slimed out all on my face,
          along with other toxic waste.

From this day on and ever more,
          I won’t chew gum while on the floor.

Author Spotlight

I was thinking of an awesome book that I read last year entitled the Beginning, Muddle, and End, by an author named Avi and let me tell you, its been very difficult to get this story out of my head.  That usually happens when you read stories dealing with detailed striking relationships between two pals.  Avi was born Edward Irving Wortis Dec. 23, 1937 in New York City and has a twin sister named Emily.  He has penned over 70 books for adults and children and is a winner of both the Newbery Honor and Newbery Award.  If you haven't read his books, they are a must!!  Ask your kids about Avi because I'm sure they've read his work.  In the mean time, check out some covers below and a link that will tell you more about this great children's book author.

http://www.avi-writer.com/

The Dr. is IN

This is a classic reason why, even though it feels like Dr. Seuss has been living for a billion years, he is still an A-list children's author and always will be.  Dr. Seuss lived to be 87 and died in 1991, but his continued efforts to help better the literacy of our children will continue to live on.  Don't believe me?  Well just read this article then.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/294094

 

A Twister of a Story

Here is a story about an author who just pinned a children's book on the Twister Disaster in Gainesville, 1936. It sounds like a great educational story based on such a devastating disaster. I'm looking forward to reading it myself! Here's an article that talks about the author and the book. Enjoy!

Writer uses adventure approach to balance heavy subject matter :: The Republic

                                          Author: Judy Wilson Goddard

Did You Know?

Here are some interesting facts about author R.L. Stine.  Did you know that the only green thing R.L. Stine eats is Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream?  That's pretty amazing because mint chocolate chip ice cream is MY favorite as well!  R.L. Stine published his first book entitled Blind Date in 1986 and he says that growing up he originally wanted to be a cartoonist, but at the age of 9, he knew that writing was his true passion.  R.L. Stine is best known for his Goosebumps book series which have sold over 220 million copies world wide.  That's a Guinness Book World Record!

Here is an awesome video of the author being interviewed about his career!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyXSymEQ-_s

Eric Carle: The Man behind the Genius

When I was a kid, I use to go to the library a lot with my brothers and my mom. I remember seeing these books in the children's section by an author named Eric Carle.  Now being around 7 years old, I could care less about who made the book.  I was far more fascinated with the amazing pictures I was looking at inside the book.  When I began writing children's stories and poems some years back, I always kept in the back of my head what type of illustrations I would want for myself.  With that said, Eric Carle's illustrative style was one that continued to reoccur (only I'd like to twist it up a bit and make it a little dark if you know where I'm coming from.)  It is now the process that I'm interested in.  After watching this video, I can't help but appreciate his way of not only storytelling, but story showing as well.  If I ever had an illustrator that was half as creative as Carle working on my stories, I'd be in heaven.

Check out this video on Eric Carle showing how he illustrated The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvRcCKP5v6Q

Froggy Fun and the Story that Surrounds it

Check out this amazing article I was reading today.  I don't even want to give it away here in my post so I'll just paste the link below.  It just goes to show how life can be the biggest inspiration for writing a book, and the GOOD that can come of it.

Click on the link to check out the article:

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/apr/28/Author-channel-grief-over-sons-death-into-book/

Kooky POEM of the Week!

Jack “Danny” Hammer
By:  J.S. Martinez

Close all the windows and lock the school door;
A new kid is coming who surely means war.

He’s tougher than nails and belongs in the slammer;
Everyone knows him as Jack “Danny” Hammer.

He steals all your money, your snacks, and your lunch,
and loves knocking kids out with one single punch.

He walks down the hallway while cracking his knuckles;
Smirking and grinning through dark squeaky chuckles.

After smashing the lockers down all of the halls;
The bathroom was trashed as he battered the stalls.

Jack “Danny” Hammer fell under his power;
He’s gone from our school lasting only an hour.

Socking the teacher was all that it took;
The judge had finally thrown him the book.

Author Spotlight

This post is intended for teenagers and adults to read.
Although I am not a parent myself, I felt obligated to honor DAVE PELZER as my first author spotlight.  Why you may ask?  It's simple.  His autobiography about growing up with an abusive mother is perhaps the most detailed and saddening story I have EVER read.  I've met many people who ask me if I have read his books and I say "of course."  If you have the stomach for it, give it a try.  You won't believe some of his stories actually happened to him, but they did and that is what gives me the great pleasure of honoring Mr. Pelzer for his bravery and courage and letting us in on his life.

Click on the link below to read more about Dave Pelzer!

http://www.davepelzer.com/

Happy Birthday! Alvin Schwartz

To the author who brought us the beloved Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark series, we salute you on this day of your birth.  Born in Brooklyn N.Y. on April 25th, 1927-died March 14th, 1992 before I had the chance to thank you for haunting mine and many, many others dreams for years to come.  You've only inspired me to do the same.

Read more about Alvin Schwartz on Wikipedia by clicking the link below

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Schwartz_%28children%27s_author%29

This Could be a Nightmare!

I came across an interesting article today. It's about a DA who wrote a children's book on the safety of using the internet. The age it's intended for is what shocks me the most. Click on the link below and read the article. Let me know what you think!

Montgomery County D.A. writes children's book on Internet safety

Censorship?

I have been reading many articles lately due to my curiosity towards banned or challenged books and it's no surprise that almost every book I read growing up, and still read today for that matter, are or have been considered to be banned.  It amazes me that some of the most creative and imaginative stories ever written would ever be on this list, but they are.  Some have been on the list for many, many years.  Here are a few of my all time favorites that helped to shape my style and love for reading.  I'm curious. What are your thoughts on banned books?

Did you know!?

Mysterious children's book author Lemony Snicket's real name is Daniel Handler.  He is most known for writing the Series of Unfortunate Events books which were later made into a movie starring Jim Carrey. He has a kid and a wife and is best known for having a twisted sense of humor.  Sounds like Mr. Handler and I have a lot in common!

Writing a Journey

Tomorrow, I venture back to Tucson, Arizona where I will spend the next 2 months with my little brother who has been battling cancer.  What does this have to do with writing you ask?  Simple.  I plan to start the process of writing a new novel based on the journey my little brother went through that ultimately led him to being diagnosed with cancer.  This book will be intended for young teenage adults and is meant to help educate our young on the consequences of our actions.  It will be an intense writing process and the end result will be SHOCKING guaranteed.  Stay tuned Kooky readers!

Every Thing On It

As kids, we all remember him for his works such as Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Giving Tree, and A Light in the Attic.  Now get ready for Everything On It by Shel Silverstein.  The book will consist of over 120 new original poems with drawings by Silverstein as well.  The book is set to drop into bookstores this September so reserve your copy early!

Kooky POEM of the Week!

The Secret SOUP
By:  J.S. Martinez

“This is how you make the SOUP!

                                                   “The SOUP!”

                                                                  “The SOUP!!”
   
                                 “The Secret SOUP!!!”

“A recipe that can’t be beat,
                if lots people want to eat;
So gather into one big group,
                for what we call the greatest soup.”

“You start with flavored chicken juice,
                then add some eyeballs from a moose.
Don’t forget the fire ants;
                Drop them in with ivy plants.

Clip the toe nails from your feet,
                their crunchy texture can’t be beat.
Stir it in a metal pot,
                and wait until it gets real hot.

The soup is finished and complete,
                when it turns purple from the heat.”
“Kids will love its zesty smell,
                 and fall under its tasty spell;

Now serve it to them in a cup,
    and watch them as they drink it up.”

Let READING Rise!

This Blog is designed for children of all ages, and adults too, who love to read new stories, poetry, or just want to know what's good coming out in the children's book market.  Many of the works that are posted for your enjoyment were written by myself.  Much of it has been in development for many years now.  Lets spread the Joy of reading once again and kick technology to the curb!

Best,

J.S. Martinez