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.