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