The Curious Mind of Dani Doo

Children’s books are not always about the words and the morals. Sometimes children’s books are about the illustration.

Contrary to popular belief, most children’s book illustrators are actually hired by the publishing company rather than the author of the book. Sometimes this can be upsetting for prospective children’s book writers that really wanted to illustrate their book according to their own visions.

Sadly, most publishers have artists they already like to use. So if you are a children’s book writer that badly wants to illustrate their own book, you are left with only a few options:

Option 1 – Self publish

It’s an incredibly difficult process, but self publishing may be one of the only ways to publish your children’s book with your own illustrations. Selling them can be an arduous task, though the internet does provide a way for you to try to sell your story.

Companies that allow you to self publish are available almost anywhere, though they often charge hefty fees in order to allow you to print your work. Often times this method is best when you have a lot of time to dedicate to marketing the book and money to dedicate to its printing. Still, this may be the best option for those that simply don’t want to find another provider.

Option 2 – Show the publisher that you are an artist

It may be difficult to self-publish, but it is even more difficult to convince a publishing house that you are both a writer and an artist – especially when they don’t know you. When you first send a manuscript, these companies do not want to receive manuscript after manuscript filled with unprofessional illustrations clogging up their mailbox and wasting paper.

But that does not mean it is impossible. If you perfect your images to show these publishers that you truly are the artist meant to take the lead on the work, you can get your work published together. If it is your first time publishing, however, be sure and expect a few extra rejections than you would normally get. The busiest publishers will not even look at a manuscript if it appears that a lot of superfluous paperwork has arrived with it.

Option 3 – Design the templates for the art, but allow the publisher to find the illustrator themselves

Before you assume you are the best person to illustrate the work, consider for a moment: Are you really the best artist for the work? Or do you simply have a vision you want to portray? If it is the former, consider options 1 or 2, but if, like most people, it is the latter – consider drawing out rough sketches of your visions but allowing the publisher to do what they do best. These sketches should be professional, as always, but at least you are not imposing something on the publishing company that they may not be happy with.

Option 4 – Illustrate?

For some people, publishing a children’s book is a goal not because of the story, but because of the illustration. In these cases, why not consider sending in samples to publishing companies and becoming just an illustrator instead? If you prefer to paint or draw and children’s book storylines are less important, becoming an illustrator is always an option. And, once your foot is in the door, you can always come out with a children’s book of your own someday.

These days, “Children’s books” have become synonymous with “colorful illustration.” Because of this, many people want to publish a children’s book with their own illustrations. If this is the case for you, consider one of these three options. You may not get exactly what you want, but you can still be a children’s book creator regardless.

New Author/ New Illustrator – Excellent, exciting and educational childrens book with bright colorful illustrations – http://www.MilkyMayMooberry.com Get a FREE art print. Have an idea for a book, or a manuscript you would like to see published email me at [http://www.AWhitingOriginal.com] on the contacts page. Check out artwork at [http://www.AWhitingOriginal.com]

Author: Dwayne Whiting
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Children’s books are not always about the words and the morals. Sometimes children’s books are about the illustration.

Contrary to popular belief, most children’s book illustrators are actually hired by the publishing company rather than the author of the book. Sometimes this can be upsetting for prospective children’s book writers that really wanted to illustrate their book according to their own visions.

Sadly, most publishers have artists they already like to use. So if you are a children’s book writer that badly wants to illustrate their own book, you are left with only a few options:

Option 1 – Self publish

It’s an incredibly difficult process, but self publishing may be one of the only ways to publish your children’s book with your own illustrations. Selling them can be an arduous task, though the internet does provide a way for you to try to sell your story.

Companies that allow you to self publish are available almost anywhere, though they often charge hefty fees in order to allow you to print your work. Often times this method is best when you have a lot of time to dedicate to marketing the book and money to dedicate to its printing. Still, this may be the best option for those that simply don’t want to find another provider.

Option 2 – Show the publisher that you are an artist

It may be difficult to self-publish, but it is even more difficult to convince a publishing house that you are both a writer and an artist – especially when they don’t know you. When you first send a manuscript, these companies do not want to receive manuscript after manuscript filled with unprofessional illustrations clogging up their mailbox and wasting paper.

But that does not mean it is impossible. If you perfect your images to show these publishers that you truly are the artist meant to take the lead on the work, you can get your work published together. If it is your first time publishing, however, be sure and expect a few extra rejections than you would normally get. The busiest publishers will not even look at a manuscript if it appears that a lot of superfluous paperwork has arrived with it.

Option 3 – Design the templates for the art, but allow the publisher to find the illustrator themselves

Before you assume you are the best person to illustrate the work, consider for a moment: Are you really the best artist for the work? Or do you simply have a vision you want to portray? If it is the former, consider options 1 or 2, but if, like most people, it is the latter – consider drawing out rough sketches of your visions but allowing the publisher to do what they do best. These sketches should be professional, as always, but at least you are not imposing something on the publishing company that they may not be happy with.

Option 4 – Illustrate?

For some people, publishing a children’s book is a goal not because of the story, but because of the illustration. In these cases, why not consider sending in samples to publishing companies and becoming just an illustrator instead? If you prefer to paint or draw and children’s book storylines are less important, becoming an illustrator is always an option. And, once your foot is in the door, you can always come out with a children’s book of your own someday.

These days, “Children’s books” have become synonymous with “colorful illustration.” Because of this, many people want to publish a children’s book with their own illustrations. If this is the case for you, consider one of these three options. You may not get exactly what you want, but you can still be a children’s book creator regardless.

New Author/ New Illustrator – Excellent, exciting and educational childrens book with bright colorful illustrations – http://www.MilkyMayMooberry.com Get a FREE art print. Have an idea for a book, or a manuscript you would like to see published email me at [http://www.AWhitingOriginal.com] on the contacts page. Check out artwork at [http://www.AWhitingOriginal.com]

Author: Dwayne Whiting
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

As a parent who had a childhood filled with dozens of beautiful picture books and as one who has sought out dozens more herself or her toddlers, and the way this beautiful part of childhood is falling by the wayside in the modern age is heartbreaking. At all kinds of major children’s book stores around the country, when people come in with their children, picture books seem to be last on their list. The books arrived at bookstores, gather dust and then several months later, with no one to buy them, are returned to their publishers to be destroyed never to have been thumbed through and laughed over by a child.

To children, picture books with their extravagantly made drawings are like comfort foods. Their happy and glossy colors and much-beloved characters like Ladybug Girl and authors like Kevin Henkes are such a reminder of how perfect the world can be; a lesson that “perfect as a picture book ” can be an expression used by them when they grow up. And everyone will understand.

Certainly, authors like Dr.Seuss still sell well; but the success of a star is not how you judge the health of an industry. The success of newcomers is what you use; and by that test, children picture books seem to be on their way out. Why would this be? One important reason is that parents want results from their children more quickly today than ever before. Parents want their children to skip the beautiful escape that books provide, to quickly to corral them to chapter books – books with lots of text and a few pictures. It’s all about reading skills and doing well “in today’s competitive world”for them. The standardized testing done in schools these days isn’t helping with their anxiety either.

Picture books though, are not for slow kids, as these incredibly misinformed parents seem to believe. And doing well in life has more going for it than learning to read more quickly. Success has to do with developing the skills to process what is read. And thinking and processing are something that books help a child along with, helping her dwell on a couple of words at a time, and the pictures associated with them. Parents also need to notice that the picture books that seem to get little respect these days are filled with beautiful and complex words that are well illustrated enough that they can turn into concepts in a child’s mind. They can introduce a child to turns of phrase and literary styles, such as the sarcasm seen in Monsters Eat Whiny Children.

Bookstores and publishers are trying to win back children; picture books that can cost $20 a title are being lowered in price. At children’s book clubs, picture books are all but absent today. Instead, with children’s reading websites devoted to pushing more complex titles, they are regularly going for 100-page chapter books instead.

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Author: Eli Rutledge
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

As a parent who had a childhood filled with dozens of beautiful picture books and as one who has sought out dozens more herself or her toddlers, and the way this beautiful part of childhood is falling by the wayside in the modern age is heartbreaking. At all kinds of major children’s book stores around the country, when people come in with their children, picture books seem to be last on their list. The books arrived at bookstores, gather dust and then several months later, with no one to buy them, are returned to their publishers to be destroyed never to have been thumbed through and laughed over by a child.

To children, picture books with their extravagantly made drawings are like comfort foods. Their happy and glossy colors and much-beloved characters like Ladybug Girl and authors like Kevin Henkes are such a reminder of how perfect the world can be; a lesson that “perfect as a picture book ” can be an expression used by them when they grow up. And everyone will understand.

Certainly, authors like Dr.Seuss still sell well; but the success of a star is not how you judge the health of an industry. The success of newcomers is what you use; and by that test, children picture books seem to be on their way out. Why would this be? One important reason is that parents want results from their children more quickly today than ever before. Parents want their children to skip the beautiful escape that books provide, to quickly to corral them to chapter books – books with lots of text and a few pictures. It’s all about reading skills and doing well “in today’s competitive world”for them. The standardized testing done in schools these days isn’t helping with their anxiety either.

Picture books though, are not for slow kids, as these incredibly misinformed parents seem to believe. And doing well in life has more going for it than learning to read more quickly. Success has to do with developing the skills to process what is read. And thinking and processing are something that books help a child along with, helping her dwell on a couple of words at a time, and the pictures associated with them. Parents also need to notice that the picture books that seem to get little respect these days are filled with beautiful and complex words that are well illustrated enough that they can turn into concepts in a child’s mind. They can introduce a child to turns of phrase and literary styles, such as the sarcasm seen in Monsters Eat Whiny Children.

Bookstores and publishers are trying to win back children; picture books that can cost $20 a title are being lowered in price. At children’s book clubs, picture books are all but absent today. Instead, with children’s reading websites devoted to pushing more complex titles, they are regularly going for 100-page chapter books instead.

Read more about author in:

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Author: Eli Rutledge
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Do you have a funny bone? does it crave to be tickled every now and again? Can you find enough ways to feed the urge? For most people they will either take refuge in front of the television with remote control in hand and switch over to a comedy show or sitcom. Well there is an alternative, you could instead find all of the fun that your funny bones are craving for right on your PC or laptop. You see there are hundreds of funny games available from a variety of places and best of all they are absolutely free. You could be saving on your cable bill and relieve a little stress too in the process.

As a Stress Reliever

When you play these games it does help players to unwind and de-stress after a hard day’s work. Everyone has stress within their jobs and let’s be honest we all need to maintain a level of seriousness whilst your at your job. So when you finally get to wear your silly hat, usually in the comfort of your own home its great to let free your mind and allow yourself the time to relax. Playing games online can be a really healthy recreational activity because it releases your stress and tension. Often when you buy a new laptop or personal computer, you will find that the manufacturer has pre-installed some games on them already. You might have already had a play on these maybe even getting a taste for them. But then what? where do you get more? well in a world like so many things these days the internet. The internet is awash with free to play games that are funny and entertaining. So many websites these days have free games ready for you to play.

What Else Can These Games Offer?

But these games are not just used as great stress relievers. No you can also benefit from relaxing that inner-child exposing yourself to challenging worlds and platforms too. Playing can create a sense of competition and challenge for children too as these games are designed to entertain all ages. This can provide a good learning experience for your children helping them to understand competition and the rewards it brings. Games that require a child to think creatively and critically are shown to improve learning function. In fact many schools engage their children in play-based learning for this very reason. As fun learning can often mean better quality learning.

You can find a great many funny games to play absolutely free at Revolt Games.

Author: Antonio Verferino
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Funniest Halloween party games – Do you think its a little early to be making plans for Halloween night? If so think again if you plan on throwing a Halloween party for children. No matter what the occasion is you are about to celebrate, and especially if it includes kids then it is never too early. Making preparations well in advance is the best policy if your party is to be a success. You can bet a bottom dollar that even the best planned out Halloween party can experience some last minute hiccup. Getting things in order for your kiddies Halloween party sooner than later will lessen the list of upsets that could rise than that of the list if you had not planned early.

The vast majority of parties that turn out to be a flop are usually the result of bad management. When organizing a social event there are more things to consider than just supplying food and music. They say its easy to amuse children, I do not doubt this for a minute, however my penny worth says, as long as you amuse them with what they want to be amused over then yes its easy. When you have a gathering of kids its imperative the Halloween party games will suit all age groups so no one misses out on the fun. Although the games are important, so is the food you serve up. Some kids might have special needs and have to follow a special diet. Speak to all parents beforehand about things their children might not like, or not allowed to eat, or allergic to like (nuts etc.) We will look at the yummies you can lay on as spread after we have sorted out your Halloween entertainment.

Funniest Halloween party games need to be just that “funny” if the kids are to enjoy themselves. How do you know what games to play that will excite the kids? That is the problem, there is no real way of knowing The solution is to have various games to choose from and find out this way. It beats holding your breath and keeping your fingers crossed that the 1 game you had in store for them will go down well. With choice then you will surely please.

Remember, a bored child can run a mock and cause serious chaos…and depending on the child it is damage you could be looking to prevent a mischievous imp from causing. If you play some of the funniest Halloween party games it will distract them from any intended destruction.

All the games you have planned for the party will have a winner, and what to winners get, yes they get a prize. If you are counting the pennies after splashing out on other party items for your Halloween night celebrations then buy, or better still make a large slab of treacle or cinder toffee and break into pieces which you need to bag and award to the winners. Or you could make toffee apples to present to those who triumph…

Some funniest Halloween party games that the kids will love.

Halloween party game 1

Halloween Who Am I?

When each kid arrives at the party, stick a name tag on their back with the name of something related to Halloween night written on it like (witch cats pumpkin etc.) Each child must guess what it says. This is done by asking other guests ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions about what the paper says. If a correct answer is given, they win a prize.

Halloween party game 2

Pumpkin Bowling Ghosts

Items needed: 3 small pumpkins, 30 empty 2 liter clear plastic pop bottles, 1 tin white spray paint, permanent black marker and a bag of gravel or pebbles.

Spray paint the pop bottles white. Allow the paint to dry and draw a ghost face on each bottle and add some sand or pebbles to weight each bottle down. Separate the kids into teams… line them up and let them take turns at bowling over the Ghosts! The small pumpkins are the bowling balls.

Halloween party game 3

Spooky Walk Items needed: Cut out pictures, craft supplies, music

The spooky walk is similar to musical chairs but not as aggressive (pushing and shoving) Cut out pumpkins, witches, ghosts, broomsticks, scarecrows, cauldrons and ghouls, and other Halloween features and symbols you can think of.. You will need 1 item per child participating. Place the cut outs in a circle on the floor. You will need some haunting spooky music to play. Have your children walk around in a circle stepping or standing beside or on the picture cut outs while the spooky music is playing, and then at random intervals stop the music and everyone freezes by the item next to them. Then from a hat pick out the name of one of the cut outs that match those on the floor. On every round a picture is removed and the child with no spooky picture to stand by when the music stops will have to sit out the rest of the game. Carry on with until there is only one child left who will be the winner.

Halloween party game 4

Candy Corn Catch

Items needed: Candy corn, plastic pumpkins and string.

Divide the children into groups of 3 teams, 3-4 per team depending on how many kids are at the party. The Candy Corn Catch game will have the players toss candy corns from about 7 to 10 feet away into a pumpkin that will be tied around a team members waist. Each player will have the same amount of candy corn. The child wearing the pumpkin can move around to try to catch the candy corn as it is thrown. Once everyone has thrown the candy corn, take the pumpkin and count how many went in so a winner can be picked. This is determined on how many candy corns are in the pumpkin. Pick up any corn that missed the target from the floor to avoid accidents.

When playing games safety is major concern. Some kids are prone to accidents so have a first aid kit close to hand to fix up scrapes and grazes (plasters, bandages, and antiseptic cream.) Have an emergency contact number you can call in case something more serious happens.

Halloween party game 5

The Tragic Witch, Halloween Story Game

Items needed: cooked spaghetti or cooked cauliflower, peeled tomato, peeled grapes, popcorn kernels, baby carrots, spam, pen and paper, bags or basins

To play the game you need to be in a darkened room (not pitch black.)Dim the lights or use candles, think about safety when using candles. Before telling the story about the Tragic Witch who apparently died in an accident…explain to the kids they are to be the investigators. The children will have to identify the remains found at the scene of the accident. In a bag you will have the items mentioned above. The bag will be passed around and the kids without them peeking inside where they will be asked to guess the parts of the witches body inside the bag, and write them down.

Witches brain (cooked spaghetti or cooked cauliflower)

Heart (peeled tomato)

Eyes (peeled grapes)

Teeth (un-popped popcorn)

Fingers (baby carrots)

Liver (slice Spam in eerie shapes) the child with the most correct answers wins. You can make the story as gross as you like, however be careful not to scare the kids.

Ghoul Food Recipes

Eyeball Eggs

Ingredients:

Hard boiled eggs

Cream cheese

Stuffed olives

Tomato sauce

Remove yolks from halved eggs and mash with cream cheese. Refill the white gap with the mashed mixture and add an olive (eye ball). Dip a cocktail stick in the tomato ketchup and draw squiggly lines on the whites to make them look blood shot.

Witchy Ice Cream

Ingredients:

Mint ice cream (green)

Ice cream cones

Smarties

Strawberry laces.

Scoop a ball of ice cream onto a plate and put strawberry laces on top for hair, use the wafer cone for a hat, and the smarties for eyes & nose and a lace string for the mouth.

Witches Hats

Ingredients:

375g unsweetened cooking chocolate

1 handful marshmallows

15g butter

450g rice crispies

Melt 25g of the chocolate in a basin over a pot of hot water. Add marshmallows and stir until melted then add butter. Add rice crispies to the chocolate and marshmallows and stir to coat evenly. Allow to cool and shape into eight cones shapes. Flatten the large end to make a wide brim. Allow to cool and stiffen. Melt the rest of the chocolate. Dip the cones into the chocolate. Place on tinfoil to cool and harden.

Goodie bags should contain better goodies like a mini toothbrush and tube of tooth paste to clean their teeth after their slap up meal of devilish yummies.

Best all time Halloween ideas for kiddies

Author: Kacy Carr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Preschool learning games can be made out of every day activities. Changing boring tasks into fun games, keeps your Childs concentration and imagination going strong, just look at Mary Poppins.

This time in your Childs life is a big stepping-stone, they are like little scientist looking, watching and discovering the wonders of the world around them.

Their curiosity in everything is wonderful to see, nurture this and your child will grow into a beautiful swan (not literally, but I hope you get what I mean).

It is a misconception that we inherit our levels of ability, for instance if your family is great at sport, but not academics, a lot of people would say ‘Well its in the genes’, (genetically passed down through generations) this is rubbish, genetics has nothing to do with it, it is the environment in which we learn and grow!

If as a child you developed in a sporting environment, you would make your own preschool learning games out of toys for physical development and your parents would start praising and encouraging you.

What do you think would happen?

That child will then start thinking this is good, if I do this my parents will he happy which makes me happy too.

Environment is Everything.

Get a Variety of Preschool Learning Games For Your Child

Education isn’t just about learning maths, reading and writing, although your child will have to meet the “required” or “desired” language and literacy skills.
Let your child have a wide experience with preschool learning games from subjects like music, art, language, exercise and dance, even down to small things such as stories of different cultures, different clothing and food to help personal and social development This is the best time to start them on the right path in life!

Using play and a variety of preschool learning games, learning becomes fun, enjoyable, fascinating, and easy!!

Yes I did say easy. If you show them the right way now then, they will think of learning as brain food, they wont be able to live with out it.

Tony Buzan books will open your mind, to a different way of learning.

If you start this learning process early, your child will use their curiosity, creativity, sensuality, rhythm and fascination to take in information, and have the ability to recall it at any time.

They will use their memory in such a way, that it may seem as if they have an encyclopaedia in their head, but they have better than that, they have the most powerful instrument of all, their brain.

I just want to give you an example of Tony Buzans learning methods, so that you can see for yourself how easy it is to learn.

Do you remember when you were in school, and you where asked by the teacher to learn the planets of the solar system, their size and the order they are from the sun.

If you didn’t do this you can have a go now.

1. Mercury (small) 2. Venus (small) 3. Earth (small) 4. Mars (small) 5. Jupiter (big) 6. Saturn (big) 7. Uranus (big) 8. Neptune (big) 9. Pluto (small)

Give yourself ten minutes then have a go of writing them down in the correct order and sizes.

Give yourself one mark for each planet correctly placed. If you have the correct planet but in the wrong place, or the wrong size, you score 0.

How did you do?

The average score around the world on this test is between one and two, so don’t worry if yours is a low score.

In order to memorise the planets for life you are going to use a Link System, in conjunction with your imagination, to create a linked and fantastic story.

If you follow it carefully and completely, it will be harder for you to forget than to remember!

Imagine that in front of you, where you are currently reading, is a glorious SUN. See it clearly, feel its heat, and admire its orange/red glow. Imagine, next to the Sun, a little (it’s a little Planet) thermometer, filled with that liquid metal that measures temperature: MERCURY.
Imagine that the Sun heats up, and eventually becomes so hot that it bursts the thermometer. You see all over the desk or floor, in front of you, tiny balls of that liquid metal Mercury.

Next you imagine that, rushing in to see what happened, and standing by your side, comes the most beautiful little goddess. Colour her, clothe her, perfume her, design her as you will. What shall we call our little goddess? Yes, VENUS! You focus so intently on Venus with all your senses, that she becomes almost a living physical reality in front of you.

You see Venus play like a child with scattered mercury, and finally manage to pick up one if the mercury globules. She is so delighted that she throws it in a giant arc way up in the sky (which you see, as light glistens off it throughout its journey), until it hurtles down from on high and lands in your garden with a gigantic ‘thump’!, which you both hear and feel as a body vibration.

And on what planet is you garden? EARTH.

Because of the power of her throw, and the height of the arc, when the globule lands, it creates a small crater which sprays earth (EARTH) into your neighbour’s garden.

In this fantasy you imagine that your neighbour is a little (it’s a little planet) , red-faced (it’s a red Planet), angry and war-like character carrying a chocolate bar in his leading hand! And who is this God of war? MARS.

Mars is furious that the earth has gone into his garden, and is just about to attack you when, striding on the scene, comes a giant so large and powerful that he shakes the very foundations (and you must feel them) of where you are.

See him standing a hundred feet tall, and make him as real as you made Venus. He tells Mars to calm down, which Mars immediately does, for this giant, with a giant cow-lick ‘J’ on his forehead, is your best friend as well as being the king of the gods, the fifth Planet: JUPITER.

As you look up to the hundred-foot-high Jupiter, you see the word ‘SUN’ emblazoned in flashing gold letters across the giant T-shirt on his enormous chest.

Each of these gigantic letters stands for the first letter of each of the next three big Planets of the Solar System: SATURN, URANUS, NEPTUNE.

Sitting on Jupiter’s head, barking his little heart out with humour because he thinks the episode has been so hilarious, is a little (little because the Planet is so small) Walt Disney dog by the name of PLUTO.

Re-run this fantasy in your mind, and see how difficult it is to forget!

Isn’t it brilliant!

You can make preschool learning games out of everything!

But it’s a shame that we didn’t get taught this skill when we where young. Its so easy when teaching and learning is Fun and buy using preschool learning games, songs and stories learning is enjoyable to do.

Using all your senses and imagination to create a fantasy story that your brain will love and instantly want to play, over and over again and there it is stuck, forever in your memory bank.

This little system and others that Tony Buzan teaches you in his books, can help your child find maths as enjoyable as doing a craft activity such as painting, because its fun! All Preschool Learning Games should be Fun.

Make Life fun and the world is a happier place!

Victoria Welch has spent many years working with children, she has a wealth of experience with early years and baby childcare and with preschoolers and children just starting school during her time working with children; one strong pattern began to emerge. Children who had experienced structured play with their parents and guardians seemed to have a strong bond, felt loved and appreciated.

Victoria’s website Educational-Games-For-Kids.com was set up to drive this message home and help parents choose the right educational games and toys for their little ones

Author: Victoria Welch
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

A cruise can be a wonderful experience for any family that wants to travel outside of the country. Parents can show their children new parts of the world that they have never seen before. There are many different deals currently being offered by travel companies that give great discounts on international cruises. However, passports for children are now required for all kids traveling overseas. If your children do not have a passport you can go online and hire a passport company that will guarantee you get them before your travel date.

Passport Requirements

Passports are now required for anyone who is planning on traveling internationally. If you are going to try and go into a foreign country you must present a valid United States passport in order to be granted access. Also, if you do not have a valid passport you will be denied reentry into the country. Luckily, nowadays passports are not difficult to obtain if you properly fill out all of the necessary paperwork. If you are interested in taking your family on an overseas vacation make sure you take the time beforehand to get all your passport issues settled.

Why Kids Need Passports

Due to the growing number of child abductions taking place around the globe children are now required to have valid United States passports for all international travel. Before this, children were permitted to travel under the umbrella of their parent’s passports. If you need to obtain a new passport for your child you can go online and search for one of the many passport service companies. These companies can make sure you get all your passport needs meet before you leave to go overseas.

International Travel

Maybe one of the best ways to travel international with young children is by taking a cruise. Many cruise lines offer fantastic amenities for families that are bringing children. Parents can enjoy adult activities while children are off enjoying other things that the cruise has to offer. This is a great type of vacation because everyone gets to do something that interests them. Also, you can be certain that cruise travel is a very safe and secure way to travel internationally.

How Much It Costs

Normally, people think that cruises are far too expensive for their family’s budget. However, the reality of the situation is that many travel websites offer incredibly low priced tickets for family cruises. Usually, these packages include all food and entertainment as well. When you factor in these things, you quickly begin to realize that taking your family on an international cruise may be one of the best ways methods for getting them to see the world. You should make certain, however, that you try to book your vacation during one of the months that is not a peak season for travel. Otherwise, it could end up being very expensive.

Specialized Cruises

When you go online to do research for your vacation you will immediately notice how many different cruise lines there are to choose from. There are many that cater specifically to families such as Disney and Nickelodeon. These cruises offer activities for both children and their parents making it a great option for families looking for a trip that includes everyone. By taking such a cruise you will guarantee that everyone in your family has an incredible experience that they will not soon forget.

If you are going to go outside of the country for a vacation with your family you must remember that everyone will need a valid United States passport. Passports for children, unlike years past, are now required for international travel. If you need to get your children passports before you leave make sure to leave yourself enough time to do so. You can go online and find a quality passport company that offers expedited services. This will guarantee that you get all of your passport needs met before you and your family leaves on any international vacations.

Author: Ben Pate
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

L.W. Lewis was born in 1942. He has a BS Degree in Zoology from the University of Miami (1964) and an MBA from Oklahoma City University (1978). He is a retired Air Force officer. As a navigator he flew B-52′s in Viet Nam. As a fighter pilot he flew A-7′s with the Flying Tigers. He was also an instructor pilot for the US Air Force. He served as an advisor to the US Army in Alaska from 1982-1986. During this tour of duty he became a Master Parachutist with 269 parachute jumps.

Lewis now writes children’s poetry. Along with performing poetry at many schools, Mr. Lewis has performed at several comedy clubs including the Blue Katz Club in Knoxville, TN and the Comedy Zone in Jacksonville, FL. His material is essentially the same for adults and children. His work is written “through a child’s eyes” and celebrates the innocence and imperfection of children everywhere. He is a single parent who raised three daughters.

Tyler: Welcome, Leonard. I’m glad you could join me today. To begin, will you tell us a little bit about your new children’s book “Poodles, Tigers, Monsters, and You” and why you believe it will appeal to children?

Leonard: “Poodles, Tigers, Monsters & You” is humorous poetry. Although it is marketed to children, the mix is about 50/50 with adults buying the book for themselves. Its appeal is the rhyme, humor, and brevity of each poem. I get letters from people with ADD and ADHD readers who love the book. I’ve also received several letters from people with autistic children who love the book. In the case of autistic children, it is the illustrations that are the attraction.

Tyler: Leonard, why are you interested in creating rhymes for children. What benefit do you think reading rhymes have for children?

Leonard: Rhymes help children read. If they like the poem they will remember it quickly. This allows them to read aloud to others and builds confidence in reading skills.

Tyler: Would you compare your writing to other popular children’s writers of poetry such as Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein?

Leonard: Many people have told me that I remind them of Dr. Seuss. I don’t see the similarity myself. Most reviews compare my work to that of Shel Silverstein. Although my style is somewhat different, I do see the similarity.

Tyler: Did you have any influences from other children’s writers, and what were your favorite books as a child?

Leonard: I did not read much as a child. I had a sixth grade teacher who sparked an interest in poetry. From that time on I became a reader. In junior high I read mostly Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. G. Wells.

Tyler: What sets your book apart from other children’s books that are poetic?

Leonard: The humor does not condescend to children. I write on an adult level.

Tyler: Why did you decide to write children’s poems? It seems like an odd choice considering your military background?

Leonard: Just because one is in the military does not mean they don’t have a sense of humor. I have always liked poetry and would write funny poems to my children when I was away.

Tyler: What first got you started writing poetry?

Leonard: Shel Silverstein did. I was reading “A Light in the Attic” to my children. My sense of humor is a little like his so I started writing to my children. Some of the poems made it to school and children ate them up. This inspired me to keep writing.

Tyler: What do your children think about you being a poet? I assume they are adults now, but that some of your published poems are ones you originally wrote for them?

Leonard: I don’t think they consider me a poet. I was a military officer for most of their lives. I think they consider me a retired officer who writes poetry. They are my harshest critics.

Tyler: Will you share with us one of your favorite poems from the book and tell us why it is your favorite?

DOG FOOD

I fed my brother dog food

My mother is really mad.

I think it’s the best dog food

That he has ever had.

She screamed and called the doctor

Her eyes are filled with tears.

So I don’t think I’ll tell her,

He’s been eating it for years.

I like the poem because it’s a true story. My cousin and I would bring dog food on our camping trips. We did this until my aunt found out.

Tyler: Where do you come up with the ideas for your poems? Do they often have some basis in real life as with “Dog Food”?

Leonard: Many of them do. Much of my poetry is about everyday tasks and relationships. I’m often told by readers that a certain poem must have been written about a special person in their family.

Tyler: You previously published another children’s book, “The Tickle Tree,” which is also poetry. Do you see any major difference between the two books?

Leonard: I’ve actually published three books, the third being “Why Do Flies Eat Doggy Poop?” All three books are essentially humorous poetry.

Tyler: Our reviewer for “The Tickle Tree,” nine year old, Eric Zeda, said, “I didn’t know I liked poetry, and that poems could be funny, until I read this book.” Why do you choose to write poems that are funny?

Leonard: Starting children with funny poems gets them interested in poetry. We all like to read humor.

Tyler: Leonard, do you have plans for more books? If so, will you continue to write poetry and children’s books, or do you have an ideas of launching into different fields as well?

Leonard: I have a fourth children’s poetry book about half finished. I am also working on a book of “Kids Poems for Adults.” The book is actually writing itself. Sometimes I don’t feel a poem I have finished is appropriate for children but I like the poem so it ends up in the adult file. These poems are not vulgar but are about subjects that children don’t need to be reading. Below is the first few lines of such a poem.

TIME OUT

Daddy is doing time out,

But he doesn’t think it’s funny.

I guess that he was pretty bad.

He’s doing ten to twenty.

I’m also writing a sci-fi novel titled “The Chronicles of Blake Gray.”

Tyler: Leonard, I mentioned you also visit schools to present your poems to children. Will you tell us a little bit about these presentations and why you enjoy them?

Leonard: Presentations are like a “Comedy Club for Children.” The idea is to show them that poetry can be fun. Judging from the letters I get from students and teachers, it works well.

Tyler: Thank you for joining me today, Leonard. Before we go, will you tell us about your website and what additional information readers might find there about your books?

Leonard: The website is LWLewispoetry.com. It is a way to contact me for school visits or to buy books and audio books on line. Children can also read poems and/or listen to them on line.

http://www.readerviews.com/

Today, Tyler R. Tichelaar of Reader Views is happy to be joined by L. (Leonard) W. Lewis, who is here to talk about his new children’s book “Poodles, Tigers, Monsters, and You,” Red Pumpkin Press (2007), ISBN 9780971157217.

Author: Tyler R. Tichelaar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

There are literally thousands of different children’s books that you can choose from when you are looking to get something for your little boy or girl. When it comes to which books you get for your children at an early age, you won’t want to rush through and make a hasty decision. Getting children interested in reading happens at a young age, and that means being able to pick out the right books that will get them hooked well into their adult years. Most adults are able to look back fondly on the books they enjoyed reading or being read to them as a child. When you are in the book store or looking online, make sure that you take your time and search through all the available titles before making any firm decisions.

Baby books are filled with all kinds of bright colors and beautiful pictures for your child to enjoy, no matter how young they are. Since at that age they are not able to read or even understand everything you are saying, choosing books with nice looking bright pictures is important. They will enjoy the book based more on the images they see rather than the story the book tells. For this reason, it’s important to choose books for your baby that are visually stimulating and give them something nice to look at page by page. There are some books that your child will enjoy more than others, so it is important to get a wide variety of them so they can choose which ones they like the best. You might even want to take your child with you to the store and see which books look the best to them based on the cover art or inside the book itself.

If you are preparing to be a parent to a child and want to look at some of the literature that is out there, then you will certainly be pleased to know that there are many books for up and coming parents. It’s important that you get a feel for what being a parent is going to be like, whether you are a mom or a dad. Each parent plays an extremely important role in the child’s development, so you will need to know how to be there as much as you can for them while they are growing up. Too many parents do not take the time to understand some of the basic elements of being a parent, and that is exactly what you will learn in some of these books. They are essentially the tools and skills that you will use raising your child. While these books certainly don’t cover everything, they are a good basic guide for soon-to-be parents.

You will be able to look through many different Childrens books at your local store or online till you find what you are looking for. There are also hundreds of different Baby books that you can purchase for you and your child to look at together.

Author: Todd Duan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com