PPBF: Lightship

I was so fascinated by Lightships that I purchased a replica on a trip to New England (my favorite spot in the States). Here is Brian's story of their history and use.

Pinterest.com

Author/Illustrator: Brian Floca

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Date: 2007

Genre: Non-Fiction

Themes: Lightships, Ship safety and navigation, Coastal Safety.

Ages: 6-11

Inside Jacket Cover: "You may never have heard of a lightship. Once, lightships anchored on waters across America. On the oceans and in the Great Lakes, floating where lighthouses could not be built. Smaller than most ships, but more steadfast, too, they held their spots, through calm and storm, to guide sailors toward safe waters . . . "

Why I like this book: As I've mentioned, I love the ocean, and the fascinating story of how vessels are kept safe on potentially dangerous waters. A sister to the lighthouse, this ship houses a dedicated crew that sometimes do not see their homes for months, but their commitment to this work has saved many lives. Brian gives extra information in both the acknowledgements at the beginning, as well as the author's note at the end.  The illustrations are simple but engaging, and illustrate the story well.

Find the book on Amazon HERE

Brian Floca's own website with activities and other info HERE

Study Guide for "Lightship" HERE

Since the crew had so much time on their hands, they wove beautiful baskets and decorated them with whalebone or Scrimshaw designs.  Find out more at the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum link HERE

The Nantucket Basket.com

Hope you enjoyed today's offering for Perfect Picture Book Fridays, when we review picture books which we deem worthy of mention.  This concept was created by Susanna Hill, and is a helpful resource for librarians, teachers and parents.  For a list of all books reviewed so far, along with activities to complement them, click here.

PPBF: Wanda Gág: The Girl Who Lived to Draw

Author/Illustrator: Deborah Kogan Ray
Publisher: Viking
Date: 2008

Ages: 7-11

Themes: biography, authors, illustrators, dreams, determination.

First lines: In 1928, an artist named Wanda Gág created her first book for children. The lively tale was about an old man in search of one kitten. Except that he didn't just find one cat, he found-

Hundreds of cats,
Thousands of cats
Millions and billions and trillions of cats.

Jacket flap: "I can't help it that I've got to draw and paint forever; I cannot stop; I cannot; CANNOT...I have a right to go on drawing...And we are all going through high school!"

en.wikipedia.org

These words from Wanda Gág's diary, written when she was a teenager, reveal the two most important parts of her life-her art and her family. And the two were very much entwined. Wanda's idyllic childhood was filled with German fairy tales, musical evenings, and hours spent in her father's painting studio. As soon as Wanda learned to draw, she couldn't stop and dreamed of becoming an artist.

But when her beloved father died, teenage Wanda put her family before her art, taking care of her ailing mother and six siblings. It wasn't until she knew that her family could support itself that she finally attained her dream-winning a scholarship to a famous art school in New York City and eventually creating one of the most beloved children's books of all time, Millions of Cats.

Why I like this book: What a story! If Wanda could develop her painting with all the roadblocks in her way, we should be able to realize our dreams. The story of her journey is beautifully written, and holds our attention to the very end. There we find snippets from her diary, and extra info about her life. And a gorgeous photo of Wanda in her art school days (with a cat, below)! I always wondered how to pronounce her name, and now I know. She said, "It should rhyme with jog, not bag please!"

The illustrations have an "old world" appeal. I was thrilled to discover that her ethnic heritage was Bohemian (Czech) like me!

Online Activities:  

Lesson plans for author study: Wanda Gag here.

"Millions of Cats" lesson plans here.

minnesotahistorycenter.org

Don't you just love the above photo???

Steps to Publication in the New Year

I've been enlightened!

I'm realizing I can't tackle everything at once. I either do a good job in one area, or so-so in many. I must decide. And the start of a new year is the perfect opportunity!

Below is a list of tasks or goals for the writer which takes him/her from idea to publication. Hopefully, I've listed them in chronological order:

• Finding Ideas/inspiration

• Reading in the genre you wish to write

PiBoIdMo

• Choosing what to write: PBs, early chapter books, Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction...which one is for you?

• Finding your writer's voice

• Writing the Story:

            -Mechanics of writing
            -Grammar
            -Word choices
            -Plot
            -Character development
            -Conflict

• Your schedule/organization of time and environment

12x12 in 2012




• Writer's Workshops

• Writer's Challenges

• Editing:

           -Story boarding
           -Critique groups

• Submissions:

           -Query
           -Proposal

 

Jeff Goins




• Finding the right Editor/Publications

•  Is an agent in your future?

• Platform/social media

• Promoting your book

I have made the commitment to concentrate on the mechanics of writing this year, and drop all the rest. Not completely, of course. I will still be blogging, continuing to search for the appropriate publications for my manuscripts, and so on, but that will not be my main emphasis.

Do you need to hone your focus? Are you wasting precious time? Pick one area, and make a resolution to concentrate your efforts there...

Can you add any others to my list? Leave them in the comment box below:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

Rach Writes...: Fourth Writers' Platform-Building Campaign

Another journey into the unknown...but I'm game! Rachel has hosted three of these so far, and is doing a fourth, beginning now.

If you are interested in developing your writer's platform, so others can find you, and desire to share your journey with others, join us!

From what I have seen, participants in the past have really benefitted from this encouraging group...and learn to build their platform together with others on the same road.

Check the link above to learn more...but, beware...the signup ends Wednesday the 15th!