Children's book of the month clubs

If you're looking to enroll your child in an educational and fun activity, consider enrolling them in the children's book of the month club.
They have a vast selection of educational books, baby books, and children’s books for all ages.

You'll see a significant savings off publishers' edition prices on all kid’s books, including children’s picture books, new kids books, and children’s bedtime stories.

They provide suggested age recommendations, feature award winning kid’s books, and offer the classic children’s literature that an older generation will remember from their childhood.The Children’s Book of the Month Club offers a wide range of popular children’s books at low prices. The children’s book club offers a diverse selection, ranging from children’s picture books to sophisticated children’s literature.

For more information a great children's book visit this link.

Free stuff on the web for children

Looking for free stuff for your kids? Children's books site offers the top 10 children's sites listed on Google for your ease of indexing.

http://www.actualfreestuff.com/kidfreebies.htm
http://www.coolfreebielinks.com/Kids_Freebies/
http://freebies.about.com/library/weekly/aa090897.htm
http://www.freakyfreddies.com/kids.htm
http://www.freestuffchannel.com/kid.html
http://www.amazon.com/Free-Stuff-Kids-1999/dp/068982212X
http://www.mrdonn.org/freestuff.html
http://www.bestfreestuffonline.com/kidstuff.htm
http://freestuff4kids.net/

Kids get in for free until July 15th

For fun that is rarely matched by a movie or even a trip to a theme park, take your kids to the greatest adventure available to us trapped in the 21st century... Medieval Times where your kids get in free until July 15th! I happen to love Medieval Times and have been several times. I know children loveit there too, eating with your hands and drinking rootbeer from big steins while you watch your knight battle opponents to the death! Just don't take your daughter to the torture chamber exhibit!

Medieval times reminds me of a great children's book which has a brother and sister travel through a mirror into the past and into a world unfamiliar. Your kids will love this adventure and the second book is being written right now!

Visit http://www.childrensbookssite.com/ and vfind all soorts of fun activities to keep your kids occupied while they learn and use their imagination.

Are you watching what your children are reading?

Children's books are becoming more and more interesting and advcanced as the years go on. Just look at the amount of history and story involved in a Harry Potter book or a Narnia novel. EVen the Spiderwick Chronicles were able to hold my attention as I read through the five book series, enjoying it all the while.
I think adults can appreciate Children's books and Young Adult novels even more so because we have already been through childhood and developed our imaginations. Our imaginations flurished under the same circumstances as our children's have and so we need to be responsible as to what our kids are reading.
Good books with honest characters, imaginary settings and stories that let their imaginations take flight, are the right stuff for a delevoping mind. West of Noreaso is just such a book. With the first edition ready for print and another being written your child's mind will be occupied with the strange and interesting land that is West of Noreaso while picturing themsleves in Ekim and Asil's shoes.

Search engines and kids

Most of the major search engines offer a number of activities on the web for children. Just punch in Google kids, Yahoo kids, ASK kids or MSN kids into your search box and you'll find dozens of sites dedicated to children.
But if you have a harder time then you thought then we've hand picked a few for you to try.

http://kids.yahoo.com/
http://www.puzzlepixies.com/search/search/search.html
http://kids.msn.com/privacy/default.aspx
http://www.askkids.com/
http://www.childrensbookssite.com

A guide for teachers.

For information concerning children's books for teachers and educating children through books a great site to visit is the Children's Book Press, teachers guide.
This site is very informative and offers teachers several titles to use when suggesting a children's book to their students or parents.
Another great site to visit for teachers and parents alike is http://www.childrensbookssite.com/ where we feature the number one children's book in print and those coming to print. Right now we're promoting West of Noreaso, where two siblings find themselves lost in a world where superstition reigns.
Your Children's books site.

Children's Books Site is ranking well in Yahoo

Looks like we've done it in Yahoo! aswell. We're topping out at number 1 for the search phrase "childrens books superstition" and a respectable ranking at number 6 on the first page for the search term "superstition childrens books".
We are very happy to announce this as the more niche terms we can appear under in the major search engines, the bigger the audience, and one day, perhaps we will be able to advertise other Children's books along side the Children's serial novel West of Noreaso.

The fact that we're getting ranked so well under Children's books is a big deal, for instance look at Googles database when you punch in Children's Books:
Results 1 - 10 of about 48,200,000 for children's books.

And in Yahoo a similar number: 1 - 10 of about 228,000,000 for Children' s Books

Fun for Kids on the internet

There seems to be an endless supply when it comes to entertaining children on the internet. I've come across another fun site called http://www.biguniverse.com/create where parents or kids can create their own e-book. They can also read assorted e-books from other authors and shop on-line at a number of on-line book stores stacked with children's books.
For more fun on the internet visit Children's Books Site and discover why we're on Google's first page when you use the search terms Children's books featuring superstition and superstitions for children.

Enjoy!

Narnia, Prince Caspian

With the buzz around the children's story Narnia, and the release of the second movie featuring the fantastical characters of the world of Narnia, this is as good a time as any to be in the children's books business.
Narnia - Prince Caspian, should prove to be a much bigger success than the original. With a new generation of children to enjoy the stories and two generations of 'big children' going to relive the stories they remembered as kids, the movie ought to do very well.
At Children's Books Site, we're hoping that the series West of Noreaso will one day spawn a movie and franchise like that of Narnia's fame.

For more information on children's books becoming movies keep checking this blog regularily.

Children's books Keywords

With under 6 months operating as the voice for children looking to discover superstition, http://www.childrensbookssite.com/ has reached first page status in Google. To find our site people are using terms such as children's superstitions, childrens books on superstition, superstitions and children, and other niche terms such as this.
I thnk it is safe to say we have come a long way in a very short period of time thanks to our webmaster and SEO specialist. Now we will continue to move forward with more terms reaching a broader spectrum eventually landing on the first page in Google for the term "Children's Books", the holy grail of search terms fo children's books as you can well imagine.

Thanks for listening! And for the children's book featuring superstitions visit this link.

Another excerpt from a classic children's book

In this scene Asil realizes just how seriously superstitions are taken West of Noreaso:

The Cemetery

Another few hours of walking revealed a curious structure. In front of them stood a gate, as tall as it was wide, towering above them as a warning. Made of iron it twisted itself into the night sky much like a climbing vine. Elijah had not yet himself been through these parts and found what the group had come upon to be quite a serious problem. "Hold your breath children, we’re approaching a cemetery!"

Perhaps because Ekim was tired, he was more than a little perturbed by the sheep’s latest warning. "That’s a new one. Why on earth would we do that Elijah?"

Asil was scared at the idea of crossing through a graveyard alone, let alone hearing there were more precautions to take. "I don’t think I can hold my breath that long!"

Abraham approached the children and with a grave expression said. "You must try child."

The cemetery in question covered a large expanse of land and seemed to go on forever. The scent of fresh dirt permeated the air making it all the more difficult to catch one’s breath, never mind hold it! Elijah wasn’t taking any chances, though and made a choice. "We will run past it. If you can hold your breath for just a few seconds, we should be able to traverse the distance safely."

Ekim took his little sister’s hand in his. "And if we fail?"

Joseph looked upon the children with an equally grave expression. "Oh – do not say that boy, you mustn’t fail. To breath in the air of the dead is to invite death. Not even a found penny with the face up will help you then, and we all know how rare a thing that is."

Convinced and terrified, the children each took large sucking breaths until their lungs were filled to capacity. Holding their hands to their mouths, they sprinted off after the sheep across the rolling green meadow, dodging ancient grave markers along the way.

But suddenly, slipping on the freshly manicured lawn, Asil fell flat on her face and the very breath she so desperately held escaped her. As is automatic after one exhales, Asil, to her great horror, inhaled! Of course, breathing normally is a good thing, considering the alternative was suffocation, however, as they had been warned, in this place, breathing was just about the worst thing anyone could do. Ekim had turned to see his sister fall and watched helplessly as she took a breath. He doubled back and scooped her up, carrying her the remainder of the way. All the while her chest convulsed, as she tried desperately not to take in any more of the stale air. Passing the last tombstone, they fell to their knees pulling in one mighty breath after another.
"She breathed in!" shouted Ekim through panicked breaths.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Abraham.

"Oh no!" Repeated Joseph

"Then she will surely die…" said Elijah shaking his head slowly.

Asil went white with fear. "I don’t want to die Ekim!" Tears welled up in her eyes, as large as saucers, and she was unable to contain them. She let them out in violent sobs.

"You’re not going to die Asil," stated her brother defiantly.

"She will die child." said Joseph very matter of fact.

"Stop saying that," shouted Ekim. Turning back to his sister he spoke to her with great calm.

"It’s just a silly superstition, Asil, you see? You’re not dead. It didn’t kill you to
breathe in there." Rubbing her cheeks, she saw the logic in Ekim’s argument. "That’s true…"

"The effect is rarely immediate children…"

"If we can get her home within 24 hours then this stroke of bad luck should stay in this world, and not pass into your own." Elijah remained calm in offering his solution.

"Then we need to pick up the pace!" declared Ekim. With that the group gathered their wits and began trekking towards their final destination.

Another excerpt form the Children's book series

Here is another excerpt form the Children's book series, West of Noreaso:

The Shopkeeper

Inside the shop the children were overwhelmed by the variety of objects for sale or trade. There were sacks marked ‘Salt’ and vials of strange liquids, dozens of rabbit’s feet hanging in place on a wall under a stained glass window and a tray filled with pennies.

They saw a dish growing clovers, cotton baton for ones ears, literally hundreds of horseshoes and a case containing what appeared to be a black cat!

The interior of the shop was held together by large wooden pillars and stone walls. A fire burned in the corner. The ceilings were not as high as in mother’s house, and it was in fact more like a cave than any shop they’d ever been in. The place was dimly lit by a chandelier that hung far too low from such a short height, and although Asil was safe from its sharp iron fixtures, Ekim actually had to duck to avoid knocking his head!

"Hello, all," Greeted the shop keeper from behind his cluttered counter. Not at all what Ekim and Asil had expected, this shop keeper was surreal in size and tone, with kind features, but strange all the same. He had large thick fingers that looked as though they would crush most anything they held. That being said, he was carefully and delicately replacing a small tea cup to its place on one of the shelves while standing on his tip toes. Wearing a tweed jacket over his bulbous frame and a scarf round what might pass for a neck he seemed to be sweating profusely. His size was an obvious hindrance to his everyday life, but it seemed not to affect him as he fluttered hither and thither. One would wonder if he had the means to move from this spot at all should he need to, but he did so magically with the grace of a dancer.

"Goodness me! What are you?!" Asil spoke the words, then covered her mouth, ashamed of her reaction.

Ekim chastised his sister. "Asil! That’s rude!"

"That’s alright children. What am I? A fine question. What am I. What AM I! What are you?"

Asil folded her arms and answered. "We are people."

"Well so am I!" chuckled the oddity from behind his counter.

"No offence sir, but you are not people as we are people. What sort of creature are you?" asked Ekim.

"I don’t follow you child. I am who I am and nothing more. There is no secret to who I am. I am the keeper of this shop."

Elijah made his way over to the children, having spotted what they had come for hanging on the back wall along with assorted eyelashes and found pennies. "Yes, thank you shopkeeper. We’ll have two small bags of your finest salt for the children."

"Isn’t it funny..." thought the shop keeper aloud, "that the two of you have found yourselves in this place?"

"How do you mean?" asked Ekim.

"Well, that two ‘people’ such as you should end up here is a strange occurrence."

"We understand that Mr. Shopkeeper. And is there some wisdom you can offer while we make our way home?" Asil inquired.

"I imagine there is a wealth of information I could offer." He removed his scarf and wiped his smooth brow, and replacing the scarf knocked over one of the dozens of salt
shakers atop his counter. Picking up a finger full of salt he threw it over his left shoulder as though he’d done it a thousand times before.

Ekim pleaded with the shopkeeper. "Please sir, anything you could tell us would be most appreciated."

"Hmm, let me think, sheep, which way are you taking the children?"
"We’re going west," Abraham answered.

The kindly shopkeeper’s eyes assumed a frightened intensity as he considered the date on his calendar. October 31st!

"Then I can offer this one piece of information, as I am from the west. Beware the valley, and when you come upon it veer towards the woods."

What the shopkeeper was telling him dawned on Joseph as he himself realized the month, and the date.

"Oh yes, a fine warning sir. Yes, yes, a fine warning indeed."

"Alright shopkeeper, thank you for the salt but we must be going now. As you are well aware the journey is a long one." Said Elijah.

"Yes, sheep. Good luck be with you all."

The children each took a bag of salt, Asil slipped it into her dress jacket and Ekim placed his into his front pocket.

For more on the children's book visit this link.

An excerpt from the children's book, West of Noreaso.

The following is an excerpt from the children's book, West of Noreaso. This sample is the first page...

Approaching all Hallow’s Eve

October 31st.

The sky had been ominous all day while the children played outside with their two dogs, Jackson and Nicholas. Mother had asked them repeatedly to come inside lest they catch their death from the chilling winds blowing in off the water. "A storm is coming children. Please come in, and bring the dogs with you," she pleaded a third time.

Finally Ekim and Asil obeyed and ran into the old Victorian house, puppy dogs trailing, tongues hanging out the sides of their mouths (The dogs that is, not the children!).

Eventually the rain did come, and so mother’s warnings had been confirmed. The children sat at the front bay window watching the lightning strike and the thunder follow, while the dogs ran back and forth through the house barking at the crashes and bangs as they burst around them.

The rain was falling with an intensity Ekim and Asil had never witnessed in their 12 and 6 years, respectively. Another flash of lightning lit up the house through the large windows, just as mother struggled with her umbrella, preparing to venture outside.

Cafe Mom, a place for moms to lean on each other

As a Mother, if you're looking for support from other moms, then a really nice site to visit is Cafe Mom. They offer advice and all sorts of other informative articles and real life experiences from one mother to another.

At Cafe Mom, they offer Journals that, as a member, you can contribute to. Groups for mom's to discuss their concerns with others that may have already experienced what you're going through. It is essentially a support site for moms.

When, as a Mom, you're looking for a book for your child, remember to look up http://www.childrensbookssite.com/ as this site features all sorts of informative applications for children. It's a site that is sure to hold their interest with games, news and fun links for kids to discover.

A children's book, a source of imagination

As a parent it must be difficult to filter through all of the junk your child will be exposed to in their day to day. But as a parent you are expected to nurture them and protect them. Books are one of the best answers for any child, be they comics or a series such as Harry Potter. Movies are especially good at bringing fantasy into their imaginations, but books still win out when a developing imagination is being nurtured.
Books allow the child to imagine a place, sometimes a magical place with magical characters. These are brain building exercises that are fun and informative, and so a great way for a child to grow.
Books like the The Spiderwick Chronicles , The Bridge to Terabithia and West of Noreaso speak to the child. These books bring them into situations or worlds that are only found through discovery, reading through the pages and studying the illustrations. It is my suggestion that the book always be a child's first experience, the movie and/or T.V. show a secondary source for the story.
Let your child experience a story in their own mind before someone else tells them how to see it.

Children's book week

Celebrating books and reading since 1919, Book Week On-line has announced children's book week the 12 - 18th of May for 2008.
Kids and parents alike have the chance to vote on the nominees for this years favourite books. The books are set up in grades, K-2 - 3-4 -& 5-6. You can also vote on your favourite author and illustrator.

To stay current on when Children's book week is, here are some future dates to consider:

2009: May 11 - 17
2010: May 10 - 16
2011: May 2 - 8
2012: May 7 - 13

We hope that next year, West of Noreaso will be included as one of Children's books weeks nominees.

Children's books illustrations

Looking for some great examples of a Children's book series illustration? Look no further, at Children's books site illustrations abound! Click on the link and see several pen and ink illustrations by Michael Poeltl to accompany the story book series "West of Noreaso".

Each illustration was rendered specifically for the YA fiction and depict portions of the story as you read through the book.

On completion the first book of the children's series should have roughly 20 full page illustrations and a number of spot illustrations.

Go to http://www.childrensbookssite.com/ to see more.

Flamming Net YA book reviews

Looking for a good resource for young adult books? Who do you think would be the best critic of a book geared towards the YA audience? Young adults of course! Flamming Net is a website that allows tweens and YA readers to comment on books they've read and recommend books that they enjoyed.
It is a great resource for parents and kids to find the book for them.

For more on Children's books, visit http://www.childrensbookssite.com/

Games for children

Children's Books Site is happy to offer games for kids - The games compiled here are just for recreation.
Enjoy!

Take the West of Noreaso Quiz!
Make a snowman on-line!
Track Santa at Christmas!
Tell your fortune with tea leaves!
National Geographic games for kids!
Visit this website for a bunch of games for kids! Fun Math Games Online

To view more games visit us at Children's books site.

fun links for Children

Children's Books Site is your number one resource to find the most up to date news items for kids.

Check out other young reader and children's books that share a common theme with West of Noreaso:
The Spiderwick Chronicles Neil Gaimans CoralineThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Bridge to Terabithia Harry Potter The Golden Compass ___________________________________________________________
More sites for kids to get excited about!
Lynn Reid banks web site Shel Silverstein web site Robert Munsch web site Beverly Clearly web site
Superstitions children should know
Children's NewspaperNational Geographic for Kids Time Magazine for Kids
Kids News
Kids SpotlightScience News for Kids
Treehouse TV
To purchase Children's books on-line visit this link ___________________________________________________________
Quality Kids Sites
safe kids
family education
Fun & Educational Activities
enchanted learning
About Zoo Animals
Children's Storybooks Online
Online Flashcards
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Electrical Safety

Facebook for children's book enthusiasts

Anyone looking to find great books for their kids is urged to go to a great site that is hosted on the world's number one social network. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2347317590 is the link to visit the Children's Book Writers and Illustrators group designed by Diana Evans of Hamilton Ontario. As of the date of my post the group has grown to 845 members. Some of the members are published in their respective talents and offer help and advise to those that have not.
It's also a great resource to find out what new books are coming out for your child's age group. Of course, you need to join facebook in order to view the group, but then, why wouldn't you?

Enjoy.
www.childrensbookssite.com

Synopsis of a children's book

Synopsis – West of Noreaso

Two siblings, one 12, and one 6, have been brought up in a home filled with morals and manners, not a home that would tolerate such silliness as superstition. Their Mother believed in making one's own luck in life, and had no time for flights of fancy, and certainly didn’t pay any mind to such things as superstition.However, despite their upbringing, the children find themselves caught up in a series of circumstances that they can't explain through the logic that has been instilled in them.

One fateful day, they find themselves in a world foreign to them; a world where animals guide people, and a profound belief that superstition should be taken very literally is commonplace.Adopted by three sheep, the children learn the rules of superstition as they make their way towards home, guided by Ekim’s intuition. Passing through forests, graveyards and villages, and traversing canyons, rivers and mountains, the group meet a myriad of strange and exotic characters who enlighten them to all of the frightening and bizarre rules of the land.

The land west of Noreaso, they discover, is a place ruled by fear. The inhabitants of this land endlessly watch their step, listen for owls and scan the ground for pennies and clovers. When Asil’s very life becomes threatened due to a devastating superstition having played out while passing through a cemetery, the group redoubles their efforts to find the Caretaker of this land; West of Noreaso. Ekim is driven to find and destroy the book of superstitions in the Caretaker’s possession. Scaling a mountain range and crossing a gorge the five friends enter the castle of the Caretaker, where it is up to Ekim to decide what course should be taken in order to get home.

Will the children end up like the rest of the inhabitants west of Noreaso, adhering to the superstitions of the land? Or will the right course be to ignore the many rules and follow their own intuition?

By Michael Poeltl

For more about the book visit this link.

Children's adventure stories

What could be more exciting for a child than to go on an adventure? Adventures can be made up, played out in your cardboard castle or in a snow bank. Other adventures, however, can be more than simple pretend. Some children find adventure without looking for it. Sometimes the most unlikely circumstances can change your life forever.

Mysteries are embedded into the very old things, antiques and ancient buildings. These are the places where adventure awaits.

The story West of Noreaso features two siblings that find just such an adventure in an ancient family heirloom.

For more on the Children's series visit this link.

Golden Kite Awards Announced

Article taken from The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators


2007 Golden Kite Awards Announced The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators is pleased to announce the winners and honorees of the 2007 Golden Kite Awards. The Golden Kite Award is the only award presented to children’s book authors and artists by their peers.
Golden Kite Award Winners

Fiction HOME OF THE BRAVEby Katherine ApplegateFeiwel and Friends Editor: Liz Szabla

Nonfiction MUCKRAKERSby Ann BausumNational GeographicEditor: Jenniffer Emmett & Mary Beth Oelkers-Keegan

Picture Book TextPIERRE IN LOVE by Sara Pennypackerillustrated by Petra MathersOrchard Books - ScholasticEditor: Amy Betz
Picture Book IllustrationLITTLE NIGHT by Yuyi MoralesRoaring Brook Press - HoltzbrinckEditor: Neal PorterDesigner: Jennifer Browne
Golden Kite Honor Recipients

Fiction EMMA-JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE by Lauran TarshisHoughtonEditor: Ann Rider

Nonfiction 1607: A NEW LOOK AT JAMESTOWNby Karen LangeNational GeographicEditor: Jenniffer Emmett & Sue Macy

Picture Book Text THE END by David LaRochelleillustrated by Richard EgielskiArthur A. Levine BooksEditor: Arthur A. LevineAssociate Editor: Rachel Griffiths

Picture Book Illustration WHO PUT THE B IN BALLYHOO? Illustrated and written by Carlyn BecciaLittle, Brown & Company Books for Young ReadersDialEditor: Nancy Mercado
For more information on all SCBWI awards and grants, please visit the Awards & Grants section of their website.

We, at Children's books site hope that one day West of Noreaso will be chosen as the Fiction winner of the Golden Kite Awards.

The most comprehensive list of superstitions

Superstitions that begin with the letter W.

Walking in the rain is considered good luck! That's wierd, it sounds like bad luck to me!

When a couple is walking down the street holding hands and an obstacle (like a lamp post) comes between them you say bread and butter...thereby keeping the union until the hands meet again on the other side of the lamp post. If you do not, your relationship will be broken!

For the most ocomprehensive list of superstitions visit this link.

More superstitions children can use

More superstitions children can use!

When you are talking to someone, and if you should both happen to say the same word or sentence at the same time, you must each clasp the other's little finger and wish. Then, if you do not disclose your wish, it will be fulfilled.

If you bite your tongue while eating, it is because you have recently told a lie.

Opening an umbrella indoors is certainly considered bad luck!

To see more superstitions visit the West of Noreaso website!

Kids superstitions

Putting a shirt on inside out – To turn it right side out is bad luck, leave it be! Bad Luck
Throwing stones into the sea causes bad luck. Bad Luck

If a person stumbles when leaving his house at the beginning of a journey, or trips or stumbles more than once during the course of the journey, it is advisable to postpone it. Bad Luck

To pass anyone on the staircase. Bad Luck

Saying God Bless You When Somebody Sneezes. Good Luck

Meeting 3 sheep. Good Luck

Sleeping facing south. Good Luck

To put on your stockings or socks inside out is an omen that you will shortly receive a present. Good Luck.

For a fiull list of superstitions please visit this link.

Helpful superstitions for children

Helpful superstitions for children.

Superstitions that start with O.

An owl hooting 3 times is a warning to those that hear it that bad luck is on the way!

Superstitions that start with P.

A picture falling. Bad Luck

Watch youself arounf the dinner table! If pepper is spilt, then you will have a serious argument with a friend.

Always pick up a pin when you see one lying on the floor, for "See a pin and pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck." - "See a pin and let it lie, luck will surely pass you by. "

This is a superstition for those that need to study for a test! If you use the same pencil to take a test that you used for studying for the test, the pencil will remember the answers.

More superstitions

The letter M is the beginning to many superstitions...

Looking at the new moon over your left shoulder. Bad Luck

Breaking a mirror -7 years of bad luck, unless you take the pieces outside & bury them in moonlight. Bad Luck

Never mend a garment while you are wearing it, or misfortune will follow. Bad Luck

Mirrors in a house with a corpse should be covered or the person who sees himself will die next. Bad Luck

A mirror should be covered during a thunderstorm because it attracts lightning.

To get the whole index of superstitions visit this link.

Superstitions that begin with 'L'

Children's superstitions that start with the letter L.

Be careful around construction sites! Besides wearing a helmut, one should be wary when walking under a ladder, unless your fingers are crossed while moving under the ladder, somebody will suffer an accident as a result.

A ladybug landing on you is a bearer of good luck!

For more on superstitions visit this link!

superstitions

Here are a few superstitions that start with the letter K.

Knock on Wood - It was believed that good spirits lived in trees, and by knocking on anything made from wood, we could call upon these spirits for protection against misfortune.

Tying a knot in one's handkerchief is a means of warding off evil .

If a friend gives you a knife, you should give him a coin, or your friendship will soon be broken! Often seen at weddings.

For more superstitions visit this link!

Superstitions that start with the letter H.

More superstitions - this time superstitions that start with the letter H.

To move into a new house during the months of April, July, and November is considered bad luck.

Itchy hands – Means you’ll soon be rich!

Finding a horseshoe is an assurance of good luck, but if you give it away or throw it away, your luck will leave you.

A horseshoe hung in the bedroom will keep nightmares away.

For a full list of superstitions and a look at the children's book West of Noreaso please visit this link.

A glossary of Superstitions

Looking for a glossary of superstitions to rhyme off to your kids at Halloween or at the camp fire? The children's book West of Noreaso offers a great list of superstitions. Here are some that start with the letter G.

To break a glass bottle portends misfortune and as such is considered bad luck!

Clink two glasses of alcohol to scare the demon out of the alcohol. – Perhaps this is where the act of Cheersing a friend over a glass of beer or other spirit originated?

For more on superstitions visit this children's information site.

Superstitions and Children's literature

More superstitions featured in the children's series West of Noreaso, this time starting with the letter F.

For those who completely rake out a fire before retiring top bed. A few embers should always be left burning. Bad Luck

To stir anything with a fork is to stir up misfortune. Bad Luck

Fingers Crossed - By crossing our fingers, evil spirits would be prevented from destroying our chances of good fortune. Good Luck

A frog brings good luck to the house it enters . Good Luck

If the bottom of your right foot itches, you are going to take a trip.

If a candle flame suddenly turns blue, there's a ghost nearby.

For a full listing of superstitions visit this children's link.

Superstition in childrens books

Superstitions starting with E. Many of which you will find in the kids book series West of Noreaso!

If your ear is burning, then someone is talking about you. To determine whether what they are saying is good or bad, remember this rhyme, - Left for love, Right for spite!


Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.

If an eyelash falls out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over your shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted.

Visit Children's Books Site for more Superstitions

Learn about superstitions

Superstition's that begin with the letter D. Some of which were featured in the childrens series West of Noreaso.

Putting a dress on inside out is considered good luck

Dolphins swimming nearby a ship is also considered good luck

If you touch a loved one who has died, you won't have dreams about them. I would consider this bad luck

For a full list of superstitions kids will love visit this link!

Superstitions featured in Childrens books

Try to get your head around some of these superstitions that are featured in the childrens book series West of Noreaso.

If you blow out all the candles on your birthday cake with the first puff you will get your wish.

If you get a chill up your back or goose bumps, it means that someone is walking over your grave.

It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.

If you make a wish while throwing a coin into a well or fountain, the wish will come true.

Counting Crows: One's bad, Two's luck, Three's health, Four's wealth, Five's sickness, Six is death.

FOr more superstirions visit www.childrensbookssite.com

Superstitions children should be aware of.

More superstitions, these ones start with the letter C, some of which were included in the children's book, West of Noreaso.

A 4-leaf clover is good luck.

Stepping on cracks in the sidewalk are bad luck for your mother!

A cricket in the house brings good luck.

If a clock which has not been working suddenly chimes, there will be a death in the family. So make sure your clocks are either fixed or thrown out!

You will have bad luck if you do not stop the clock in the room where someone dies.

For the entire glossary of superstitions visit this link.

Children's books involving superstitions

West of Noreaso is a children's book that involves many superstitions. Here a a few more superstitions starting with the letter B.

Getting out of bed left foot first . Bad Luck

Placing a bed facing north and south brings misfortune. Bad Luck

If a woman is buried in black, she will return to haunt the family . Bad Luck

Two people pull apart the dried breastbone of a chicken or turkey until it cracks and breaks, each one making a wish while doing so. The person who gets the long half of the wishbone will have his or her wish come true.

More superstitions that start with the letter B

Here are some superstitions that start with the letter B.

A black cat crossing your path would create a barrier of evil, cutting you off from God and blocking the entrance to heaven. Bad Luck

A bat flying into the house. Bad Luck

Never kill a butterfly, they carry the souls of the dead until their fate is decided. Bad Luck

Getting out of bed left foot first . Bad Luck

For more superstitions check out the West of Noreaso site

superstitions featured in the children's series West of Noreaso

Superstitions that start with A.

Carrying an acorn on your person will ensure good luck & longevity.
Often found on forest floors or at the base of any Oak tree, as the acorn is the Oak's nut.

Why this curious little nut was given such special powers in folklore and superstition is lost on us today. Many people enjoy roasting acorns before eating them.

Keep coming back every day for more superstitions as we log our index to our blog.

To see all of the superstitions featured in the children's series West of Noreaso click here!

Superstition in Children's books

As in the book West of Noreaso, we will cover several superstitions in this blog that should interest anyone that shares a common curiosity about superstitions. As you may know, the children's book Westof Noreaso does feature a myriad of superstitions and we are in the midst of creating an illustrated index of superstitions to accompany the children's series.
For example did you know that bad luck can come from:

1) Passing someone on a staircase?
2) Stirring anything with a fork, is sure to stir up misfortune.
3) To move into a new house during the months of April, July, and November?
4) Placing a bed facing north and south?

Learn more at the children's books site West of Noreaso and click on "index of superstitions"

Crow Toes

Crow Toes Quarterly is a childrens magazine that has a more sinister look than most literature aimed at children. I like what they've done with their site and blog, and encourage kids to go to this site and even subscribe to their magazine.
Potential for artists and writer's abounds there as well. They accept submissions of both stories and illustrations.
Their site has some fun opportunities for children to be creative too.
Definitely worth a look!

For more news and articles on children's literature visit this link

Scholastic web site for kids

A great source for kids to read and Learn is the Scholastic website .
Also it's a great place for kids to be kids and answer questions like: "What if you were president? It really is a fun resource and one that is tried and true. They have a club for kids who love books as well - a community message board where kids can talk about things like Saving the planet, science explorations and the underground railway.
Childrens Books Site fully endorses the Scholastic web site and recommends you send your child there, if they're going to spend time on the computer, then they might as well learn something and be a part of something educational!

http://www.childrensbookssite.com/

Superstitions for kids

Kids who play with toads get warts! This is a popular superstition that has been in circulation for years.

Perhaps your mother told you this to keep toads out of the house. science does speculate that this superstition stems from the poison excreted by glands located on the backs of some toads. People who develop an allergic reaction to the secretions from these glands may get bumps that look like warts!

Superstition can change your life!
Visit this website to experience a story that takes two children to a place where superstition rules its inhabitants! Find out how they survive and how they manage to get home.

Highlights for Children

A great opportunity to get your children's book published!
Highlights for Children is another website that is very well established, offering fiction contests annually to anyone and everyone of interest. The contest is free and asks you send no more than 800 words per story but no less than 500.
Highlights is also a magazine that publishes winning stories and sometimes even buys stories that did not win! If you're an illustrator of children's fiction you can send your illustrations in for their perusal as well.

The site features a store too for parrents and children to view.

Another great site for children can be found at this link!

Write for Kids

Write 4 Kids website is a great resource for anyone looking to write a picture book for children. The site is packed with articles, interactive tools and freebies... all about the art of writing children's books and submitting them to children's book publishers.
Voted one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer's Digest.com.

Its a site worth checking out for the budding children's story writer.

Another great site promoting itself to children is www.childrensbookssite.com

McNally Robinson and kids books

Looking for book related things for kids to do? McNally Robinson is a wonderful book store brimming with life. Their restaurant - Prairie ink, that accompanies each book store, serves fantastic meals and baked goods and is licenced to serve liquor.
There is always something going on, either an author is at the podium taking questions or there is an event at the kids section (a reading or otherwise).

These book stores are only in Calgary, Winnipeg and Saskatoon right now but they will soon be branching into Ontario with their first store placed in Toronto.

For other children's books visit this site.

News Kids can use

If you're interested in the universe and what makes it - and us - tick then the NASA for kids site should be able to educate and entertain for hours! With great pictures of outer space and explanations on how the universe works this site should appeal to kids looking to apply themselves in the sciences and astronomy.

To see NASA compete in the 2008 FIRST robotics competition click here!

Hunt for Planets with NASA

Looking for a great children's book? click here

Writing for children

An interesting look at how to write for children is featured on the following website: http://children.fictionfactor.com/.

One point they make that really hit home for me was to keep a name simple, not difficult to pronounce Don't confuse the reader, keep it simple and relect the culture your character comes from.
Memorable is good, but keep it down to one or two sylables so, though memorable, it is easy to say inthe reader's head or outloud.
I always struggled with long winded difficult names in books when I was a young reader, and frankly, as an adult, I don't need to read a name that goes beyond three sylables and is somehow lacking in vowels.

Keep it simple.

As in the book West of Noreaso, Ekim and Asil are brother and sister, each with a one sylable name, but memorable names that you don't have to fuss over while reading, a name that doesn't get in the way of the story.

PS. Ekim is Mike spelt backwards and Asil is Lisa...

Young Writers Society

There's lots to do for kids, and tweens alike in the world of writing!

Created for the young writer, this site is an online community where kids, tweens and teens can share work, chat, create a blog, join usergroups and much more. The site also has its own monthly publication called the Squills E-Zine, compiled of members’ work.

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/

Kids books resources

Another good resource to find kids books is Kids Read. Here you can read up on what's hot on the shelvbes for kids, find serial they'll enjoy and see what books have been made into movies!
They have book clubs and reading lists to share with kids of all ages.
It's worth a look.
When you're ready to find the perfect book visit www.childrensbookssite.com and you will be sure to find exactly what you're looking for.

More websites to keep the kids interested

Here is a collection of fun and interactive websites that will keep the kids intersted in learning and help to stimulate their imaginations. Children's Books Site features books for children and young readers that are soon to be published while the others mentioned below are links to author sites that feature games and ideas for parents and teachers alike!

Lynn Reid banks web site
Shel Silverstein web site
Robert Munsch web site
Beverly Clearly web site
Children's Books Site

Onley appeals for donations of new children's books for north

January 03, 2008
Toronto Star
TORONTO (Jan 3, 2008)

Aiming for quality over quantity, Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor David Onley is asking citizens to donate new children's books to help aboriginal kids and teens living in remote northern communities.
The former television broadcaster, who is continuing the book appeal begun by his predecessor James Bartleman, said new books are the best way to keep children in fly-in First Nations communities as up to date as kids in the south.
Bartleman's previous drives netted more than 2 million "gently used" books to establish libraries in the reserves where the cost of living is high and resources are few.
But "a certain proportion of those were books that were just not appropriate for kids," Onley said yesterday.
"Those of us who live in southern Ontario take the availability of public libraries and book stores in every town and city for granted," said Onley, a former education reporter who recalled being an avid reader as a child while recovering from polio surgeries.

www.childrensbookssite.com

Publishers Weekly

A great way to find new books for your kids is to visit the Publishers Weekly website. Here they offer reviews of new books for both young readers and children alike.

They also offer Author blogs and podcasts so you can gather information via the people writing the books you're reading your children.

Also featured are bookstores, locations and a feature of the day. Itr's a worthwhile web site to explore if you're serious about what your children and Young adults are reading.

Another great resource for young readers is www.childrensbookssite.com, this site offers a featured book suitable for both young adults and children. It also offers news items and games for kids.