PBS KIDS – Writing Contest for Grades K-3

Every now and then, I come across a story in the news that has an incredible message that I just have to share it. PBS KIDS is hosting a writing contest for kids in grades K-3. What a wonderful way to develop a love of reading and help young minds explore their creativity! I first started writing in the first grade and I just love the fact that this contest could open up a whole new world to another generation of writers. Plus, getting kids interested in the storytelling process is a terrific way to foster a love of reading. The press release is below.


Press release

Jan. 30, 2012, 9:00 a.m. EST

PBS KIDS GO! is Calling All Kids for Its Annual Writers Contest

PBS stations throughout the country encourage children to create original stories and illustrations


ARLINGTON, Va., Jan 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PBS KIDS GO! is kicking off the new year with its annual PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest, a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children's reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The Contest, managed by member station WNED, partners with PBS stations nationwide to encourage children grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original work.

"In partnership with our local member stations, we are offering the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest as an opportunity for early learners to explore their creativity while developing essential literacy skills," said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children's Media, PBS. "Research shows that creative writing can enhance and improve a child's literacy development, and through this Contest, PBS is helping prepare children for learning and success in school."

Beginning January 16, 2012, PBS stations throughout the country will work with schools, public libraries and other literacy organizations to implement the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest in their communities. Children will be encouraged to write and illustrate stories and submit them to their local stations, which will select winners and award prizes. These winners will then be entered into the national level of the Contest where a panel of judges will select the winners. National winners will be announced and prizes, including tablets, e-readers and MP3 players will be awarded during summer 2012.

For the first time, stories can be digitally submitted to the Contest through a tool developed by new sponsor, StudentPublishing.com. Every participant that uses the tool will receive a free animated digital book of their story that they can share with others, including parents who can purchase bound copies of the entry as a keepsake for years to come. As in years past, winning entries in each of the Contest categories will be featured on the site, PBSKIDS.org/writerscontest, and visitors to the Contest site will continue to have the opportunity to create "Story Mashups" with winning stories.

More information on participating local stations, general entry rules and contest resources can be found on www.PBSKIDS.org/writerscontest .

PBS KIDS is a trusted guide nurturing young learners ages 2- 8. As America's largest classroom, PBS inspires children to discover their full potential for success in school and in life through a transmedia approach reaching children wherever they live, learn, and play.

About PBS KIDS GO!

PBS KIDS GO! offers early elementary children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS GO! content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom, join our community online on Twitter and Facebook, or visit PBSKIDSGO.org.

About WNED

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well/WORLD TV, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970, the member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services to local, regional and national audiences that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities. Additional information about WNED can be found at wned.org.

About StudentPublishing.com

StudentPublishing.com is the school division of Creations by You, and provides award-winning educational publishing products that support educators and parents. Several publishing services are offered to schools whereby students receive a free printed copy of their story. These programs are designed to inspire and reward the creative effort of students as well as improve comprehension and interest in the underlying subject matter.

SOURCE: PBS







PBS

Melissa Mills, 703-739-8134

mkmills@pbs.org

or

360 Public Relations

Caitlin Melnick, 617-585-5775

cmelnick@360publicrelations.com

or

WNED

John Craig, Ph.D., 716-845-7000

jcraig@wned.org

The Sister Exchange is now an interactive Ebook app for the iPad

Hi All,

I’ve been pretty quiet around here recently and although I’ve been bursting at the seams to let people know, I wanted to wait until I had something concrete to show before I made any kind of announcement. My picture book, The Sister Exchange, has been published as an interactive book for the iPad.

There are plenty of features to this book including, movable graphics, sound effects, music, animations, and author readings by yours truly. There are even bonus features such as a jigsaw puzzle and hidden autograph page with a personalized message.

This book is priced at $2.99. Considering all the features this book has, I think it’s a bargain. I’ve tested the app and I’m very, very happy with the results.

So if you have an iPad and you would like to hear a picture book read with a New York accent, boy do I have the book for you! The link to the iTunes store is below.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-sister-exchange/id491267295?mt=8

Regards,

Kevin

My Brother the Frog is featured in Guardian Angel Kids Magazine

Happy New Year All!

Here’s to a happy, healthy new year filled with peace, prosperity, six figure book deals, or what ever else your heart desires.

I’m pleased to let you know that my latest picture book, My Brother the Frog, is being featured in this month’s edition of Guardian Angel Kids online magazine. The theme is siblings. This book is perfect for that theme. It is about a boy who gets mad at his brother and turns him into a frog, and an assortment of other animals as well while trying to change him back.

If you get a chance, please stop by http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/ to see my book and other stories, games and activities with the little ones in your life.

Regards,

Kevin

Another Great Review for My Brother the Frog

Oh, my poor neglected blog. I think it’s time to make amends.

I’ve been busy with writing-related tech stuff that involved learning some new technology. I don’t have a finished product to show off yet, so I’m afraid the news will have to wait for another time. Sorry to be dropping vague hints, but I like to have something concrete to show off before I make any kind of announcement.

I’ve been neglecting plenty of stuff including writing new material, my critique groups and my website. I still had Halloween references there, yeesh!

Catching up has been a little like playing Whack-A-Mole. All these little things kept popping up, but I’m almost there.

Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to share another nice review by children’s author, Lori Calabrese, for my latest picture book, My Brother the Frog. Ms. Calabrese has this to say.

MY BROTHER THE FROG is a humorous read that dives into a little sibling rivalry. As I said before, we've all probably imagined turning our brother or sister into a frog, but MY BROTHER THE FROG takes it one step further and really examines what would happen if it actually came to fruition. Kids will get a kick out of the illustrations and parents will enjoy the hidden message that a sibling can actually be your best friend.


To see the full review and other book info, please click on link below.
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2IPXLPVCJT00I

Pretty cool feedback if I do say so myself. :-)

Great Review from Stories for Children

Hi All

I received a great review for My Brother the Frog that I wanted to share. Being that writing can be such a solitary pursuit sometimes, getting recognition from other independent people in this field helps makes the effort all the more worthwhile.

This review is from Stories for Children, which says: Overall thoughts: There are many great lessons to learn from this book for kids. For one thing, it can open up some much needed discussion about the problems that siblings have with each other ... Secondly, it can teach kids that there is no point in trying to change their brothers or sisters. All they have to do is accept them for what they are and love them unconditionally. What a great message for kids.

How nice is that? :-)

Please see the link below for the entire review.
http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com/2011/10/book-review-my-brother-frog.html

I Have A Spooktacular Book Reading Coming Up

I just finalized the date and time for a Halloween-themed event at Main Street Pediatric Dentistry in Tuckahoe, N.Y. I did a book reading there last year and had a great time. The entire office is designed with an ocean theme and includes a life size deep sea diver in the waiting room. It’s a large space and able to accommodate a good size crowd, but they are wisely separating the event into two separate sessions.

They serve refreshments and have crafts for the kids to do. So there’s always a flurry of activity with kids being guided from one activity to the other. It was extremely well organized and I’m very happy that they are asking me back again.

I’ll be reading from my books and since it’s close to Halloween, I’ll be reading selected poems from An Eyeball In My Garden: And Other Spine-tingling Poems. This is a terrific poetry collection that includes two of my poems, Our Neighborhood and The Gargoyle. As you can guess from the title, this book is perfect for a Halloween-themed event.

So if you are anywhere near the Westchester County area and would like to attend, just RSVP mspeddent(at)aol(dot)com to reserve your child’s spot. The flyer below has all the details. You’ll be walking away with some good memories and most likely, a new toothbrush (they give our goody bags from what I remember).

Hope to see you there.

Eyeball featured at Writers on the Move

Hi All

Now that Fall is here and Halloween is on its way, I just wanted to drop a quick note to let everyone know that An Eyeball in My Garden: And Other Spine-tingling poems is being featured at Writers on the Move.  If you get a chance. please stop by http://www.writersonthemove.com/2011/09/anyone-lose-eyeball.html for book information, links to Halloween craft ideas, and a cat wrapped in tin foil (you'll just have to see for yourself). :-)