So I've reached 227 published works, and now that I've had a chance to sit back and watch the dust clear, I'm wondering, "What did I do?" I have a bunch of shorts, no novels to speak of, and most of what I've published are children's books.
Is there something wrong with this? And should I be made to feel like something is wrong with what I've produced?
Due to changes in Amazon's payout system, the operative advice is to make your books longer. Write more, if you can, especially if it fits the story. In this, I don't really have a problem. I actually have a couple novels that I haven't published yet, and I will eventually change gears and finish them off. Eventually.
But I love short fiction, and based on reader feedback, they seem to like it, too. Should I give up short fiction for a while and put everything I have into novels?
Not so fast…
Picture books need to remain short--around 30 pages--so that young readers can actually finish them. Although extending stories might seem like a great idea, I've received complaints about some books being too long. That's right--a picture book that's too long. Is that even possible? But the readership is speaking, and I do not necessarily disagree with them.
All stories have a desirable length that they fit in, and each is different. Writing longer simply doesn't apply to children's books as it does to other genres.
So what's a children's book author to do? What they always do: produce more books, not stretch existing ones.
Can you imagine if Dr. Seuss tried to extend the Cat in the Hat to make a few more pennies from borrows? It might have a disastrous effect on the final product. Money has a way of muddling things, and that's exactly what I think this is: a muddle.
Some readers like my picture books because they're short and sweet. More complex works, like the 16,000 words I poured into Bubblegum Princess: Pinkberry Patch, create an entirely new reading experience. Forcing one to become the other isn't always in the book's best interest. Since the book is a showcase of our efforts, you would think an author would take a more guarded approach.
Such is not the case from what I've seen, and I worry that authors might screw up perfectly good stories to make a few bucks.
While each of us has to do what we need to survive, I'm going to avoid the temptation of extending anything and simply write more stories. I'll write as long as I can, but not at the expense of the work at hand. I'll also tackle larger, more complex books, such as Secret Agent Disco Dancer, which I've avoided for one reason or another. (Which is a nice way of saying that I've been lazy.)
Another thing I read about is authors getting stuck writing in a particular genre. I'm a free spirit, and I understand exactly how this feels. I love the challenge of producing something new and following my instincts. The thought of rehashing something or continuing to write a series that I'm no longer fond of doesn't appeal to me, but even that's secondary.
What writers seem to forget is that they're getting the opportunity to write what they want and make a decent living off of it. Some of us will even become rich off of our endeavors. That's not such a bad deal.
But forget about the money or what you'd rather be writing instead. Just write. Write as much as you can whenever you can. Let your universe explode!
While it might sound like I'm advocating scattering one's focus, I'm not. I'm just of the mind that if other writing projects are important, you'll find a way to fit them in. You'll wake up an hour earlier, etc., just for the chance to live in that world.
And why not? If you have an idea, go for it. Don't put limitations on yourself that you can only write certain types of books, etc., because there's no money in certain genres. Your desire to write other things may be an indication that you need a break, and will give you the opportunity to test out new waters.
Just yesterday I finished up Bubblegum Princess. "But the picture book has been available since 2012," you say. Yeah, but I wasn't satisfied with it. It didn't represent my best effort or fulfill reader expectations. So I vowed to write a little each month, a chapter here and there, until it was done. Although the project dragged on, I never forgot about it, and forced myself to sit down and extend the lines a little further. I'm proud of what I accomplished, even if there's no financial reward.
I kept my promise, that's the important thing. I gave the reader something closer to what I had in mind. And it feels good. So very, very good.
Now I'm presented with a challenge: Do I work on Story A or Story B? Why do I do this to myself? Isn't the intention to write all of them? Just dive in and take them all on. Be fearless! Challenge yourself, don't limit yourself! If all of us acted on our instincts rather than getting lost in the benefits of writing one book versus the other, we'd produce a lot more content, and thus, make more money.
That's what I'm trying to do right here--to break out of this narrow mindset. If I can even accomplish one tenth of what I set out to do, I'll do far more than I would otherwise.
Sure, a successful series brings with it obligations, but that doesn't mean that we can no longer be creative or try out new things. We just need to mix them in: a sequel here, a brand new picture book there. And by all means, none of us should ever feel stuck. Enjoy all of the writing, even if there are other things that you'd rather be writing at a particular moment. Give it a chance, and you'll be surprised at the results.
So at 227 published works, what am I doing? Starting over. And moving on to #228.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Bubblegum Princess: Pinkberry Patch
Back in 2012, I wrote a picture book titled Bubblegum Princess that was short, sweet and full of colorful pictures. It wasn't a chapter book to the disappointment of many who had downloaded it, and in hindsight, it probably should have been. To correct this, I've been writing a children's novel to accompany the picture book titled Bubblegum Princess: Pinkberry Patch. The coolest part about this is if you already own the book, you can read the new chapters for free. Just delete it from your Kindle and download it again (look in the Coming Soon section in the back of the book). It's also reasonably priced (99 cents) and can be borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited Lender's Library.
Twenty chapters have been added thus far, with more on the way. It's a little over 14,000 words or 57 pages at 250 words/page. Currently, I have no idea how many chapters it will take to wrap the story up. It wouldn't surprise me if it stretches past 50. Enjoy the story for now, and I'll put up more chapters as soon as I can.
UPDATE: Bubblegum Princess: Pinkberry Patch is now done! The last few chapters have been added, now 22 in all and nearly 16,000 total words. Right now I'm in the process of going back and smoothing everything over. I expect to wrap it up in the next few days.
Here's the full chapter list in case you are interested:
Chapter 1: Tingle
Chapter 2: Peculiar
Chapter 3: No Problem At All
Chapter 4: Skyward
Chapter 5: Marnie
Chapter 6: Gatekeeper
Chapter 7: Teaser
Chapter 8: Incomplete
Chapter 9: Amiss
Chapter 10: Awakening
Chapter 11: Found
Chapter 12: Alexandra
Chapter 13: Flash
Chapter 14: Hedgehopper
Chapter 15: Schooled
Chapter 16: Tears
Chapter 17: Retribution
Chapter 18: Truth in Numbers
Chapter 19: Vermin
Chapter 20: Replenish
Chapter 21: Memento
Chapter 22: Blue
As well as the first chapter:
Bubblegum Princess
Pinkberry Patch
By Scott Gordon
Chapter 1: Tingle
Melissa Alexander knew something was amiss the moment she slipped a piece of bubblegum in her mouth. Although the package said Pinkberry Patch, BubblePop Girls' brand new flavor, it had a minty aftertaste that sent tingles down her spine. As she rubbed her arms to keep from freezing, her pearl skin began to glow.
"What's happening to me?" She noticed her unblemished skin. Years ago, when she was just a wee thing, she cut her hand on a glass, leaving behind a one inch scar that she would carry for the rest of her days. But as she passed her fingers over it, the eternal mark rubbed off—as if all she needed was a fine polishing. "No way." She gawked at her perfect skin.
"Miss Alexander, are you chewing gum in class?" said Beatris Blunt, a middle-aged woman with thick, brown hair pulled back in a bun.
"Uh...no, ma'am," she replied.
The entire class turned and looked at her. A pair of girls snickered in the far corner.
"Really? Then what's that in your mouth?" The teacher tapped her foot.
"Oh, that. I was just chewing my nails." Melissa tried her best to hide the gum.
"Those must be some really big nails.”
"Yes, ma'am." Although mommy and daddy frowned whenever she talked with food in her mouth—even gum—Melissa could carry on entire conversations without exposing the contents of her mouth.
"You really have a thing for fingernails, don’t you? Is this part of some bizarre health craze?" The old maid raised an eyebrow, evoking a fresh round of giggles.
"No, I just chew them whenever I get nervous.”
"And what on earth is there to be nervous about?" Beatris stepped closer and crossed her arms.
Melissa shrugged, but no words came out.
"Great heavens, child. What have you done to your hair?" said Ms. Blunt.
"What's wrong with my hair?" Melissa grabbed a handful and gasped. No longer was it golden brown like her mother's; instead, it was strawberry pink, the very shade of bubblegum that she was trying to hide. As she caught her breath, she accidentally gulped down the minty morsel. "I’m not feeling so well…perhaps I should see the nurse.”
"Yes...perhaps you should..." The teacher eyed her suspiciously.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Lullaby by S.E. Gordon - Chapter One
Lullaby
By S.E. Gordon
ONE
My earliest memories are of water. Cold, frigid water stabbing at my throat like knives, and weighing me down on the swimming pool floor below.
I died that day. Briefly. A few moments, nothing more.
In those anguished moments, as my mother worked my chest, pumping out the essence that had snatched life from me, I saw him. His golden hair was long and flowing. Like mine, in fact, but a shade brighter. His skin was glowing, smooth and firm to the touch. As my fingers grazed him, he turned and looked at me.
Seaborn eyes gazed through me. There was not a hint malice, only curiosity. The angel in the apartment swimming pool—how did he get here? I hadn’t noticed him till my life flickered, eyes drawing to a close.
He did not offer a hand. No, he had something more to offer.
Instead, he offered his lips to my virgin mouth. A final breath, a breath of life, kept me in the realm of the living a while longer.
He drew back, eyeing me with that same puzzled look. I must have opened my eyes then, fully taking notice of him. As I looked into his, I wondered if I was in the pool at all.
My saving grace was but a kiss. My very first kiss!
Water erupted from my mouth like a geyser. I coughed the swimming pool back out of my lungs. The afterworld could not have me, not just yet. The stranger had made sure of it. Another cough, more choking, and then some crying. So much crying, but it didn’t come from me. “Oh, thank heavens!” Momma weeped, thanking her mysterious savior that she prayed to over and over, and wondering what she’d ever do without her only daughter, the one precious thing she had in her life.
I lay there on the concrete lip of the pool, gazing at the sun overhead. There were no clouds, nothing to prevent my ascension to the above. “It’s ok. I’m still here.” I touched her arm. “Everything’s going to be all right, momma. Everything...” Consciousness slowly drifted from me.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Scott Gordon and Friends Kidtastic Giveaway: April 5th - 9th
Scott Gordon & Friends
Kidtastic Giveaway
Kidtastic Giveaway
April 5th - 9th, 2015
This raffle is for children 12 or younger and expecting mothers. (Parents entering for their children is also fine.) By submitting your name, you are confirming that you are eligible to the receive a prize if your name is drawn. International children are welcome to participate provided they have a reliable address that can receive packages. Not responsible for items lost in the mail.
And most importantly--NO CHEATING!
Please do not enter more than once or your entry will be invalidated.
Grand Prize
(1) New 3DS XL ($199.99 or less), color of your choice (black or red) +
(1) 3DS game of your choice (up to a $39.99 value) +
(1) Amiibo of your choice (up to a $14.99 value)
Additional Prizes
Win one of Louise Lintvelt's fabulous children's books:
* Goodnight, Sleep Tight: What a Wonderful Flight
* Sing-Along Construction Song
* How Andrew Got His Spots
Entries will be accepted from April 5-9. The drawing will take place on April 10th, and the winners will be announced shortly afterwards.
Terms may be amended at any time.
HOW TO ENTER
This raffle is being hosted by Rafflecopter. Please use the form below to enter. Although the form asks you to comment on the blog, it is completely optional and doesn't prohibit you from entering. Just click on "I commented" to be entered into the raffle.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Free Children's Books
The following children's books are available for free from April 5-9, 2015, unless otherwise noted. Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow these titles for free at any time.
Enjoy and Happy Easter!
—Scott Gordon
Introduce your children to a great message about accepting people for who they are. Great for bedtime!
BONUS! Grab a copy of My Crazy Pet Frog for just 99 cents >>
The Pig Princess is the story of a princess searching for that perfect dress to wear to the ball. She becomes upset when she cannot seem to find a dress that suits her. Will she ever find her perfect fit? This book is intended for children aged 8 and under.
Also check out Caterpillar Shoes (new!), Lil Glimmer, The Nutt Family: An Acorny Adventure, The Bee Bully, Eager Eaglets: Birds of Play, Cactus Charlie, Suzy Snowflake, The Christmas Owl, The Cat Who Lost His Meow & Ten Thankful Turkeys by Angela Muse.
What happens when you don't brush your teeth? This is a story about monster Ruzz who doesn't want to brush his teeth ever. But when his teeth starts aching he's not so happy anymore... Follow along when monster Ruzz has to go to the dentist.
This rhyming children's picture book is written in a humorous style with colorful, entertaining images. It's fun, quick and easy to read. Suitable for children 3-8 years old.
BONUS! Grab a copy of Meet the Monsterlingz for just 99 cents >>
Learn the farm animals and their sounds with the Three Wee Peas. Follow the peas through their day, say the sounds and give them a hey!
This is a fully illustrated children's eBook for ages 18 months and up.
BONUS! Grab a copy of My Silly Kitty for just 99 cents >>
Mister Gibbles is a funny little guy. Maybe he’ll eat a piece of Mary’s cake? Oh no! Stop! Guinea pigs don’t eat cake. What do they eat?
Mister Gibbles will certainly let us know if we can get him to come out and play.This is a fun poem for the little ones and wait...if Mister Gibbles won’t eat that piece of cake, can I have it?
BONUS! Grab a copy of My Silly Kitty for just 99 cents >>
The little puppy is lost. He dreams of the past and how he got under that silly bush! Find out what happens to him. Will he make it home?
This is a cute fully illustrated eBook for ages 2 and up.
BONUS! Grab a copy of My Silly Kitty for just 99 cents >>
Oakley is a Dalmatian who doesn’t have any spots. Convinced by his friend Rover that he has lost them, he sets off to find his spots, only to find out that Dalmatians aren’t born with spots and that they all develop at different times.
A vividly illustrated picture book, this story is perfect for showing children how everyone develops at different rates.
BONUS! Grab a preorder copy of The Bees for just 99 cents >>
Catching a breeze high in the sky, find out how far this yellow kite will fly.
A fun, rhythmical, picture book - your children will enjoy this imaginative journey.
Recommended for children aged 2 - 5.
BONUS! Grab a preorder copy of The Bees for just 99 cents >>
Poor Andrew is feeling very blue, all the other giraffes are very spotty but he is as white as can be. He does not have any spots, you see!
He keeps seeing spots wherever he goes...
One spot, two spots, three spots...Four!
And many, many, many more.
"Where did you get your spots?" he asks. Join Andrew as he discovers how the ladybug, the leopard and the owl came to have spots and discovers that spots often appear when you are least expecting them! This is a wonderful rhyming picture book for children of all ages.
BONUS! Grab a copy of Louise Lintvelt's Diary of a Dancing Drama Queen for just 99 cents >>
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
Animals begin to stir, slowly rising with the sun.
Tourists hop into a bus, and set off for some fun.
"We are off on safari; can you guess what we will see?"
Learn to count and meet all kinds of interesting animals on an exciting safari through Africa.
BONUS! Grab a copy of Louise Lintvelt's Diary of a Dancing Drama Queen for just 99 cents >>
Things You Might See Swimming Under the Sea: A colourful underwater adventure
by Louise Lintvelt
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
by Louise Lintvelt
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
"We are going for a swim in the sea; can you guess what we will see?"
Learn to recognize colours and meet all kinds of interesting marine animals on an exciting underwater adventure.
BONUS! Grab a copy of Louise Lintvelt's Diary of a Dancing Drama Queen for just 99 cents >>
THE FISHERMAN’S SON is a middle grade fantasy novel about the adventures of Wiley O’Mara. On the back of a magical dolphin, the twelve-year-old rescues six boys trapped in an ancient city under the sea. Along the way, he fights both The Beast in the Forest and a Fire Beast guarding the city of old.
BONUS! You can also pick up the next books in the series for just 99 cents each during this special promotion:
—The City of the Golden Sun (Book 2)
—Return of the Golden Age (Book 3)
Check out the flashcards that all of the animals are talking about! 36 colorful illustrations in all.
Intended for children 2-6. Approximately 40 pages. Descriptions of my other popular children's books are included after the main feature (an additional 5 pages).
BONUS! Grab a copy of Alphabet All-Stars: Funny Flashcards for just 99 cents >>
The Snarls. They live on pillows and in the wind, just waiting to move into long, fine, or curly hair. And when they move in, they make nests, and more snarls, and more nests. But they also have their natural enemies: a comb, a brush, and the dreaded Detangler spray.
This charming story makes hair combing of difficult hair not only enjoyable but a silly experience.
BONUS! Grab a copy of Becca Price's Heart of Stone for just 99 cents >>
Sharee is an adorable alien who lives in outer space on a star. Sharee would really like to meet new friends. But how can he do that if he lives by himself on his own star? Sharee decides to have a party and share his star with other aliens. Will he succeed? You can find out in this colorful and amusing picture book.
This book has an addition of Text Pop-Up, a special feature that allows you to view the text in a bigger size by double-clicking on the text.
Curse of the Creeper Part 1: Minecraft Books for Kids (Unofficial)
by Daniel Ashley
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
by Daniel Ashley
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
They Come Every Night
Sam and his family have a job to do: fight creepers. At night, waves of creepers emerge from the forest and attack his village. The hissing gets louder each night because there are more and more creepers.
He's Got a Problem
Secretly, Sam is obsessed with creepers and wants to know everything about them. He's not even sure they're bad!
Something Weird Is Happening
The problems start when one night he hears a creeper talking to him. In English. Is he going crazy or are they trying to say something?
He Needs to HELP a Creeper
Sam has an idea that can stop the creepers forever, but he's going to need some help: from a creeper. The creeper needs help from Sam: the creeper has a curse. To remove the curse, Sam must travel farther from home than he's ever gone before, and will see things in Minecraft he never knew existed.
On the day of his triumph young scholar Ming Li is kidnapped and forced to take sides in a feud among two supernatural beings. Will his ingenuity allow him to break the curse of the Dragon King?
NOTE: This fairy-tale contains full-color illustrations, while they look good in greyscale, they are better appreciated on the Kindle Fire tablets or on the Kindle apps for devices with color screens.
A bullied herd boy becomes a hero.
'The big day has arrived and Bheki’s house is flooded with electric light for the first time. He remembers the time, many years before, when his father gave him a light that really did seem to be magic. The torch brought him many friends and a new status in the kraal, until its beam began to fade. Bheki’s journey to bring power back to the magic light tested him to the limit but ended in magic of a different kind. It gave him a belief in himself.'
At the end of the story, Bheki explains how batteries work and how electricity is generated and brought into homes across the world.
If you watched Nelson Mandela's funeral service at Qunu you will recognise the similar rural setting in the story. (Nelson Mandela was also a herd boy.)
BONUS! Grab a copy of Leon Chameleon P.I. for just 99 cents >>
A HALLOWEEN STORY ABOUT GHOSTS AND WHAT THEY DO WHEN THEY'RE NOT SPOOKING!
What do ghosts do when they are not spooking and scaring people? Do they go to sleep counting ghost sheep? Do they go to ghoul school? Do they tell ghost stories?
A quality children's picture book for kids aged 2-6
BONUS! Grab a copy of Allira Bell's Coco Cow and the Biggest Apple for just 99 cents >>
This Halloween short story is intended for ages 3-10. Get into the Halloween spirit with this family friendly tale.
On Halloween Eve, Pumper is trying to be a jack-o-lantern. Only he needs to find the right family to adopt him. Will he in time? Join Pumper in this amazing Halloween quest of being a part of something bigger.
BONUS! Grab a copy of The Lost Secret of Fairies for just 99 cents >>
Oh no! Everyone in the family is sick and rushing to get out of the car! Why are they sick, and who is the only member of the family not to get sick, and why?
BONUS! Grab a copy of Allira Bell's Coco Cow and the Biggest Apple for just 99 cents >>
If you like fart books for kids, you will love this one!
Max Hinky's favorite dinner is his dad's Spaghetti Explodarama. But on the day after he'd had six helpings, Max had a case of gas that wouldn't quit. Now the whole of Cloverfield school thinks he's gassing everyone out on purpose. Probably even Amy (the only non-weird girl at school). On top of that—the bully brothers, Kryton, Kelvin and Kenny—are hot on Max's stink trail. Yet by the end of this day, Max's stinkazoids are going to rocket him to fame!
A humorous book for reluctant readers. Approximately 8000 words.
Game On Boys! The PlayStation Play-offs: A Hilarious adventure for children 9-12 with illustrations
by Kate Cullen
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
by Kate Cullen
FREE 4/5/15 - 4/9/15!
Game on Boys is a hilarious adventure story for boys and girls that will get you laughing hysterically until your guts explode. Just make sure your Mom doesn't have to clean it up and keep the dog away.
It follows the adventures of 10 year old cool gamer Ryan and his cool school, cool teacher and very uncool sister 'Loom Band Lisa' who does everything in her pink power to ruin his fun.
It's all about boys that love computer games, pea shoot in class, catch flies in their mouth and make fart sounds under their arms.
When their teacher with the unfortunate name (Mr Higginbottom) introduces a Play Station competition at school, everyone in the fifth grade goes into a crazy frenzy as they battle their way to win the prize. With Ryan's cool gaming record he's a sure fire thing to win until something disastrously ugly happens to cause his plans of victory to come tumbling to the ground faster than super sonic radar doing a bungee jump with a triple somersault back flip on the way. SPLAT !!%**$
Will it all end badly, and will Ryan's reputation change from being the coolest gamer to the biggest loser wearing splatted egg on his face or can super dooper good things come out of really horrid bad things?
With heaps of school yard humor and funny illustrations, this book is sure to get you away from your consoles for awhile.
BONUS! Grab a copy of Diary Of a Wickedly Cool Witch for just 99 cents >>
The Search for the Sheriff's Star: A Lost Bookshop Adventure
by Adam Maxwell
FREE 4/9/15 - 4/11/15! << Beginning April 9th!
by Adam Maxwell
FREE 4/9/15 - 4/11/15! << Beginning April 9th!
When Nina, Ivy and Oswald step into the hidden room in the Lost Bookshop they find themselves transported to a saloon in the Wild West and looking down the barrel of the rotten Rude Robbie’s gun. They quickly find themselves caught up in a plot that threatens to demolish an entire town. The children know they must help and, with the aid of a little Indian girl named Wachiwi, they set off to save the town in The Search For The Sheriff’s Star.
Will they find the fabled treasure in time to save the town and if they do will they ever find a way back to the Lost Bookshop? Read on and join the fun in this children’s cowboy (and cowgirl!) adventure!!
Is this your first visit to the Lost Bookshop? I’m not sure I recognise your face. Or perhaps I do. I’ve been in these pages so long sometimes faces get a bit blurred. Well, if it is, welcome back and if it isn’t don’t worry, you don’t need to have read any of the other books to enjoy the story. The Lost Bookshop adventures all stand on their own so the only thing you need to know is that there’s magic in the pages and on the shelves hereabouts. What kind of magic? Well, you’ll have to wait and see...
Simple, delightful and utterly cute, this picture book celebrates the tender years of childhood. Feel the love resonate from the pages!
BONUS! Grab a copy of My Crazy Pet Frog for just 99 cents >>
Spring is just around the corner and it's time to see what the Easter Bunny is up to. This year he's enlisted some help, and it's an odd choice at that. What is that clever rabbit up to and what is he really planning?
BONUS! Grab a copy of My Crazy Pet Frog for just 99 cents >>
Foreign Language Editions
El lejano planeta de Infinim, que promete una existencia celestial y eterna para su sociedad de robots, está aceptando postulaciones. Aunque uno de los postulantes es más viejo y no tan rápido como solía ser, ¡tiene lo necesario para ser aceptado? Adivina quién es antes de que termine la historia en este ingenioso libro para niños.
Leggere Cuori Sani e Felici e' il modo giusto per iniziare una conversazione col tuo bambino sul cibo e su come fare le scelte piu' sane per lui.Tante belle illustrazioni e messaggi positivi accompagnano questo divertente piccolo libricino.
Per bambini dai 2 anni in su. Piu' di 50 pagine in tutto!
This edition includes English and Italian subtitles side-by-side.
Great Books for 99 cents!
A long-lost emerald, a missing treasure map, and a wealthy villain combine for an action-packed adventure!
Thirteen-year-old Noah Winter, the son of sea-exploring treasure hunters, dives the San Isabel shipwreck with his parents in search of a mysterious treasure map lost in the murky depths off the Florida Keys over a century ago. The map reveals the hiding place of the priceless De La Rosa emerald. But before the Winters can find the map, a wealthy treasure-hunting rival kidnaps Noah’s parents. Now Noah must match wits with a dangerous adversary, not only to discover the treasure map first, but to rescue his mom and dad before it’s too late.
This book tells the story of a small child struggling through the daily challenges of childhood while being happily comforted by Cooper the dog. It is an illustrated, feel-good rhyming story that will captivate adults as well as children.
MY CRAZY PET FROG doesn't know what he is! Perhaps he's a secret agent or a world champion golfer. Who knows? One day to the next, he runs in circles, trying to be everything for everyone. It's not until he comes across one of his loved ones that he realizes the most important thing of all...
ASCD Arias Publications provide concise answers to challenging questions that you need to solve today.
ASCD Arias titles are conveniently formatted to be read in one sitting and immediately put into practice. They offer original and relevent content, answers from voices you trust, and a time-saving, 50-page format. Choose from two value-priced formats: $12.99 (print) and $6.99 (e-book).
ASCD is the leader in K-12 professional development for educators.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Could It Be...?
Could It Be...Another Big Gift???
Coming April 5, 2015
I wonder what they'll think of next...
Brought to you by:
Scott Gordon
Sarah Holmlund
Angela Muse
Laura Yirak
Louise Lintvelt
D.C. Swain
Becca Price
Renee Pawlish
Jan Hurst-Nicholson
Daniel Ashley
Monday, March 2, 2015
A Special Gift for You! (March 4-8, 2015)
A Special Gift for You!
March 4-8, 2015
The following children's books are available for free from 3/4/15 - 3/8/15, unless otherwise noted. Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow these titles at any time for free.UPDATE: First of all, my apologies. There were some technical difficulties yesterday getting a few of the books to change from full price to free. Jasper Penzey: International Boy Detective is now free from 3/5/15 - 3/9/15, and The Fearsome Charlie Grace will be free 3/6/15 - 3/7/15. Sir Dudley is heavily discounted from $4.99 to $0.99. I will let you know when that title goes on free promotion again.
I feel terrible about this, so I decided to add another book to the mix: Brainy Bird, Exercise Master (free 3/5/15 - 3/9/15). Have a great time enjoying this wonderful assortment of books!
—Scott Gordon
Jasper Penzey: International Boy Detective (Book 1, The Ruby Brooch of Atlantis)
by Monica LaSarre
FREE 3/5/15 - 3/9/15!
Jasper Penzey has never known his mother and his father never wants to speak of her. At the ripe age of 9 years old, on the eve of his and his father’s move from Louisiana to Santorini, Greece, precocious Jasper discovers an amulet and a note from his mother. So begins the journey of a lifetime into island life, complete with a traipse through history and a search for the location of the lost city of Atlantis. What starts out as a summer of fun tagging along with his history professor father, quickly turns into a romp through all things Greek with a host of new friends and an undercurrent which pulls Jasper into searching for his mother.
Meet the Monsterlingz
by Sarah Holmlund
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
"Imagine being a young child again, presented with a Kindle that has a colourful picture story about a monster family. Each monster has a story to tell, and there is so much more to see..." Would you be engaged by this? Who wouldn't...Meet The Monsterlingz - they are colourful, diverse, and each of them has something interesting to show your child. A short rhyme accompanies each monsterling, and be best read aloud for a child. But you will probably not get the chance to finish the story, as each page is full of great things to discover. Besides the story being funny, it is a quick read, too, as there are only 15 pages.
If your child will allow you to finish the book, besides wanting to ask numerous questions about the illustrations, you could read this book in about 5 minutes. But it would be better to take some more time, and explore each page with your child and introduce him/her to new concepts found in the illustrations.
This is the first book in the rhyming monster book series about the Monsterlingz family and their family members. The book is best read in colour, as it makes the illustrations really pop off the screen. If you have a child who is between 3 and 8 years old, you should treat yourself and your child to the adventure inside this picture book. It's the perfect illustrated children's book for kids that love monsters and rhymes!
Monster ABCs: An Alphabet Book from A to Z
by Sarah Holmlund
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
Teach your child the alphabet with this fun book. The book presents all the letters, from A to Z, with colorful, entertaining images that will capture your child's interest. Suitable for children 3-8 years old.This book:
—contains charming monster illustrations.
—has a unique picture for each letter.
—has a simple question before each letter that helps to engage your child and sustain their interest.
This book is a great tool to use to make learning the alphabet fun. Pick up your copy today!
The Fearsome Charlie Grace and the Amazing Pirate Race
by D.C. Swain
FREE 3/6/15 - 3/7/15!
The Fearsome Charlie Grace holds a race of pirates in this book of rhythm and fun. Each page introduces a new pirate coming to a calamitous, hilarious end in this adventure race. With colorful full-page illustrations and a wonderful rhythm, your children will love reading this story over and over again. Perfect for children aged 3-7.
How Far Will it Bounce? (My Blue Ball)
by D.C. Swain
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/6/15!
Take a trip of fun and adventure with this little blue ball as it goes down the front steps, out the gate and into the big wide world. With vivid illustrations and a fun, sing-song rhythm, your children are sure to love this journey. Recommended for children aged 2 - 5.
Worlds of Wonder: A Short Story Anthology
by Emily Martha Sorensen
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
A bunch of science fiction and fantasy short stories aimed at young adult and middle grade readers. There are fairy tale retellings, time-traveling, giant babies, dragons, and even a short story set in the middle of Black Magic Academy.Contains the following short stories:
—Rite of Passage
—A Phone Conversation
—The Spinning Talent
—Unicess
—Cindy's Fairy Godmother
—Monster Under the Bed
—Time Switch
—The Apple of Discord
—Advanced Precognition
—Beauty and Brave
—The Dragon and the Santa
—Invoice
—Interplanetary Edition
—Schedule TMTR
—On the Way Through the Woods
—When the Wilkinsons Grew
The anthology is about 26,500 words.
Kids Book: One Sheep, Two Sheep...Time to Sleep
by Louise Lintvelt
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
One little boy and five naughty sheep,
will poor Ben ever get to sleep?
"One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four....."
Suddenly there's a knock on the door.
Join Ben and the unruly sheep for some bedtime fun!
Riley Flynn and the Runaway Fairy
by M.J. Storm
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
Riley Flynn loved books. She just never expected to find herself trapped inside one.Years ago, her great-grandfather had written a series of fantasy novels about a world called Alora. They'd been full of magic, mystical creatures, and adventures. Riley thought they were just about the best books in the world.
On her eleventh birthday Riley received a mysterious gift: a set of notebooks containing the handwritten first draft of her great-grandfather's first novel. The odd thing was, nobody knew who had sent them to her. Riley's great-grandfather had vanished many years earlier under circumstances that had never been explained. His notebooks hadn't been seen since.
And while the old notebooks might have seemed harmless enough, they contained a power Riley could never have believed was possible. Now she finds herself trapped in Alora, the land of her great-grandfather's stories, with a lonely fairy as her only companion. Her only chance to get back to her own world lies in freeing the greatest wizard Alora has ever seen from a magical prison, all while being hunted by an evil queen who will stop at nothing to find her and claim the fairy's magic as her own.
Sir Dudley Tinklebutton and the Dragon's Lair
by T.J. Lantz
Just 99 cents!
Sir Dudley is a shining example of true knightliness- he is always chivalrous to the ladies (provided they are young and attractive), he keeps his boots polished at all times (his squire’s job), and he never says no to a free drink (he deserves it). He has the perfect career- until one day when he steps foot in Candon, a battered village, besieged by a vicious dragon. Unable to figure a way out of the situation, Dudley soon finds himself face to face with the most deadly creature known to man.Sir Dudley Tinklebutton and the Dragon’s Lair is a comedic fantasy/adventure. While intended for audiences 8-14 years of age, there is plenty of fun for adults as well!
Fairies and Fireflies: Bedtime Stories
by Becca Price
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
In the Wide, Wild Field, friendship is bigger than fear, and can be found in the unlikeliest of places.A butterfly fairy gets a kitten, raids a beehive, and makes friends with a firefly. Urisk the brownie gets a new home, and finds help overcoming his fear of the dark. Fireflies learn that friends come in all shapes and sizes, and let you be who you really are.
This collection includes the bonus story, Sunflower, which was also published in Dragons and Dreams.
These bedtime stories will enchant children ages 3-7.
A Princess for Tea
by Becca Price
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
When a dragon moves into the neighborhood, a brave Princess volunteers to be sacrificed for its dinner. A dashing Prince goes to rescue her, and discovers that he and the whole kingdom entirely misunderstood the situation.Children have always delighted in fairy tales, tales of adventure and challenge in magical lands where dragons live and The Dark is a thing to be feared and explored. From the original Grimm's fairy tales through Andrew Lang's colorful fairy books to modern classics like Robert Munsch's The Paperbag Princess, there will always be a need for, and a place for, fairy tales. This story, which also appears in Dragons and Dreams, continues on in this tradition, with silly, serious, and poetic stories.
Leon Chameleon PI and the Case of the Missing Canary Eggs
by Jan Hurst-Nicholson
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
A humorous animal detective story for 7-12 year-olds (set in South Africa) .When Mrs Canary’s eggs mysteriously disappear, a frantic Mr Canary dashes straight off to the Pigeon Valley Police for help. Unfortunately, Sergeant Loerie and Constable Mole’s hasty attempts to make an arrest lead them to the wrong suspects. Leon Chameleon PI, who has quietly kept an eye on developments, decides it is time to step in and offer his services – after all, isn’t he the best Private Eye in Pigeon Valley? He puts all his skills to work and finds vital clues which Loerie had overlooked. Now a daring plan is needed to trap the suspects and bring them before Spotted Eagle Owl’s Court, where Leon springs his final surprise...
Janet Hurst-Nicholson draws on the habits and characteristics of the small creatures living in Pigeon Valley, Durban, to create a thrilling detective story. Barbara McGuire’s illustrations capture the story’s humour, while portraying the animals as they really are.
Leon Chameleon PI and the Case of the Kidnapped Mouse
by Jan Hurst-Nicholson
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
A humorous animal detective story for 7-12 year-olds."When Mr Woodland Mouse mysteriously disappears, Constable Mole is quick to enlist the help of Leon Chameleon, Private Investigator, whose expertise enabled the Pigeon Valley Police to solve the case of the missing canary eggs.
After organising a search, Leon realises that there is only one creature in the valley who can spring the captured mouse from his prison. But just when he thinks Mr Woodland Mouse is safely on his way home, the plan goes horribly wrong..."
All the animal details of food, habits, and lifestyle are true to nature (apart from Constable Mole’s sunglasses!) and the animals solve the crimes using their own natural abilities. Children will absorb much knowledge of the small creatures of Africa without being aware of it.
A section of interesting facts has been added to this second detective story in the Leon Chameleon PI series. It provides valuable and little-known information on chameleons, moles and other creatures featured in the story.
The Race (An Inspiring Story for Left-Handers)
by Jan Hurst-Nicholson
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
Vicky is left-handed and teased for being clumsy, but a visit from her Gran changes everything.Vicky’s Granddad has died and her Gran is coming for a visit. Vicky wants to cheer her up by embroidering a cushion as a gift, but Vicky is left-handed and she struggles to learn how to sew. She decides that winning a race in the school sports might be a better idea – but can she do it, especially when Graham threatens to spoil all her plans?
The story highlights some of the challenges faced by left-handers.
At the end of the book is advice on how to help left-handers; how to tell if a child is left-handed; the correct way for a left-hander to hold a pencil and to slant the paper; famous left-handers; percentage of the population who are left-handed; career choices for left-handers and cultural issues for left-handers.
The Lost Secret of Fairies
by Tiffany Turner
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
Wanda had always read about adventure. Now she was in the middle of one. The World of Fairies is real, and she is their new Crystal Keeper, human caretaker to the World of Fairies. But the Fairy World is in trouble. The fairies are falling ill from the pollution that ravages the world above. Wanda has to find the key to their cure, before it's too late.Note: Use Smashwords Promo Code FL57N to get your free book. You can also purchase this book for 99 cents on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Monsters Have Mommies
by Angela Muse
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/5/15!
Have you ever wondered if monsters have mommies and daddies? It turns out monsters families are a lotlike our families. This monstrous tale about parents and family is perfect for children aged eight and under.Also check out Lil Glimmer, The Nutt Family: An Acorny Adventure, The Pig Princess, The Bee Bully, Eager Eaglets: Birds of Play, Cactus Charlie, Suzy Snowflake, The Christmas Owl, The Cat Who Lost His Meow & Ten Thankful Turkeys by this author.
Coco Cow and the Biggest Apple
by Allira Bell
Just 99 cents!
Coco Cow wants the biggest apple on the tree for lunch. But she can't reach it by herself. She needs the help of Hushabye Horse, Shooshoo Sheep, Peekaboo Pig, Rufus Rooster and Snisha Snail. Coco discovers there's something much better than the best apple on the tree - friends!A quality children's picture book for ages 2-6.
Little Ghostie
by P.M. Richter
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
When a tiny ghost is caught on Halloween by the dreaded Ghost Buster Hunters he is placed in a Haunted House with other magical creatures. Cindy and Bobby, two children who can actually see ghosts, attempt to free the tiny ghost from his trap in the spooky house. (This is a book for children with lots of pictures for their enjoyment. Also included is a recipe for Triple Dipped Smores Candy Apples.)
Christmas with Uncle Nick
by P.M. Richter
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
A mysterious relative called Uncle Nick comes to babysit on Christmas Eve. The children, Bobby and Cindy, are surprised because they didn't even know they had an uncle. When the lights go out, Uncle Nick starts telling them wonderful Christmas tales and fantasies. (The entire Night Before Christmas poem and a recipe for Sugarplum candy is included.)
Oliver and Jumpy
by Werner Stejskal
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
These illustrated cat stories are all about “Oliver and Jumpy”, who are best of friends and experience many adventures together. Oliver is an elegant black tomcat, who is full of himself. As a matter of fact he says: “I love myself!” quite often. Naughty, isn’t he? But his best friend Jumpy, a kangaroo lady, is aware that it is only a front! Oliver has a soft heart and will always want to help others. The great thing is Jumpy’s pouch, which Oliver loves to ride in! He calls her his kangaroo taxi! These little bedtime stories with their lovely illustrations are great for small kids. A parent can read the text and tell the child in his own words. These animal stories have sufficient text to keep early readers happy and provide some educational value. Depending on your device, there is pop-up text (at Amazon) or audio available. Several talented illustrators are essential to bring these children's stories to you in quick succession. Love you all! Meow!Check out the Free INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES to see how beautiful the illustrations are! Story 7: Winterland - Fun in the snow. Story 8: Baby Oliver - Yes, Oliver has been a baby too! Story 9: Egging – Watch what hatches from a big egg.
Little Lisa and Her Two Princes
by Rhonda Tyler
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
In a far, far away land, one day the animals of the forest woke up to find a stranger in their woods.It was a beautiful little girl whose name was Little Lisa. She had pretty blue eyes and hair the color of gold and wore a tiny gold crown perched upon her head.
She was smaller than most of the animals and had no idea how she got there or even who her parents were.
She did know that she was a princess and needed to find a prince to marry, but who would marry such a little princess?
This is a story of her adventures.
This children's e-book is a fairy tale. Each page is a full-colored illustration with large printing for easy reading and is for kids aged 3 to 8. Beginner readers will love the pictures and older children will love the story.
There are 77 pages in the story.
Taming Your Pet Monster: An Operational Guide
by Scott Gordon
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
The craziest user guide you'll ever read! Written for mommies and daddies just as much as their children, Taming Your Pet Monster is filled with laugh-out-loud humor and bizarre situations. Witty, colorful and unique, this is one wacky ride you'll never forget!This book is approximately 60 pages in all. Descriptions of my other popular children's books are included after the main feature (an additional 5 pages).
A Little Book About You
by Scott Gordon
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
Take a few moments and read this heart-warming picture book to your child. Featuring over 30 pages of colorful, computer-generated art, there's plenty to keep them interested in addition to the awesome message inside.There's no better way to tell them that you love them!
Little Chickadee
by Scott Gordon
FREE 3/4/15 - 3/8/15!
After months of loneliness, a little chickadee realizes that he misses someone in particular. He writes constantly and waits for her return, but time slowly trickles by with no end in sight. There's something he's been meaning to tell her--something very, very special. Will he get the chance?15 fun-filled pages. Appropriate for all ages, children 3-6 in particular. Descriptions of my other popular children's books are included after the main feature (an additional 5 pages).
Brainy Bird: Exercise Master
by Scott Gordon
FREE 3/5/15 - 3/9/15!
It's time to get off the couch and have some fun! Leave your cell phones behind and get outside. There's nothing better than playing sports with your friends.Live life, feel great, and you'll be a winner every time!
Over 30 fun-filled pages. Appropriate for all ages, children 3-6 in particular. Descriptions of my other popular children's books are included after the main feature (an additional 5 pages).
Teachers and Principals, Please Check Out ASCD's Arias Publications and Other Books
ASCD Arias Publications provide concise answers to challenging questions that you need to solve today.ASCD Arias titles are conveniently formatted to be read in one sitting and immediately put into practice. They offer original and relevent content, answers from voices you trust, and a time-saving, 50-page format. Choose from two value-priced formats: $12.99 (print) and $6.99 (e-book).
ASCD is the leader in K-12 professional development for educators.
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