Category Archives: childrens books

Turning Points

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Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.” ~ Ralph Blum

air raidsOver the last week, I have been writing  about freedom of our country. Today’s topic concerns my own journey toward independence from what was to my life as it is today.

The first four years of my elementary school education were spent at Hampden Elementary School in Towson, Maryland. Those years held some uncomfortable times for me as a student and also uncertainties for our country. Remember air raid practices?

Overcrowded conditions in Towson and in other growing post war suburban neighborhoods led to the building of  new schools. In fifth grade I began attending Cromwell Valley Elementary School.

Cromwell is now  a magnet school. It was recently nationally recognized for it’s excellence in outstanding technology programs. http://towson.patch.com/groups/schools/p/towson-magnet-schools-earns-national-award-for-excellence.

cromwell valley elementary schoolIn retrospect, Cromwell probably holds happier memories  than Hampden Elementary. By the time I entered fifth grade, I was really getting stronger from my “pioneering” heart surgery at Johns Hopkins. A chance at new beginnings.

Two years later, when I was in seventh grade, one memorable day in the gym became a real turning point. That day is recounted in my memoir, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, in the chapter titled Stronger than You Think.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.Sue’s memoir

Photo above:  The second of my two elementary schools.

Tugs of Heart Strings

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tugof war Do you remember playing tug-of- war on the play ground?

The physical education teacher marked the the pavement with chalk, threw down a hefty rope and teams were chosen at the discretion of the teacher or the team captains. Then began the battle to see which team had the greatest strength and persistence and could pull the other team over the line.

A few weeks ago when I talked with Kiwanis, I read aloud a chapter from my memoir called Having Faith in Oneself. Essentially it is about Fanny’s advice to me about the feelings I had when I was left out of the crowd on the playground due to my childhood illness. Fanny is the stellar character in my memoir who was a very sage woman.

Now that I am an adult, I understand what she was hinting at in one of our heart-to- heart conversations. One day she said “Sue, there ain’t no one who don’t play tug of war in life. Sometimes we is among the lighthearted and sometimes we are wid da heavy hitters. Dem knots in da rope is what helps us to learn to hang on and to roll wid da punches.” There is a lot of truth in that! But it is more fun to play nice. Tug of War Shel Silverstein This blog brought to you by author Sue Batton Leonard. Click here for information about Sue’s memoir, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.  

“Serving Children of the World”

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It is Tuesday, June 17.  Today I am scheduled to speak with the Kiwanis Club http://www.kiwanis.org/ of Steamboat Springs, Colorado about my new publication “Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.”

kiwanis 2The mission of Kiwanis is “serving children of the world.” I have dreams of reaching children around the world who have health issues through my story. Sick children and their parents need to hear stories of hope. My memoir will uplift many people. And a little humor has never hurt a soul so anyone can enjoy the book. As one reader said “Gift of Lifetime is indeed that…. a story of how the simplest words can have the most impact on our lives…”

There have been many studies in the medical field, in recent years, about the connection between healing and living with a positive spirit and humor. My memoir presents an example of how one person’s outcome in life was affected by having what I consider to be all the right conditions that are necessary to live a fulfilling life despite a very difficult start.

Thanks to the independent publishing industry and the ability to sell books on the internet, my book will reach readers from all over this country and places around the world who will take away from the story the message that we can learn a lot from people of all faiths, color and creed.

My greatest wishes for the book, is that parents around the world will learn of “Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected” and share the upcoming audio book with their sick children to give them hope, and a little laughter to lift their spirits.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Thank you Kiwanis Club of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It’s great being in your company today and I am grateful I am able to share my thoughts with you!

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.Sue’s memoir See you tomorrow on http://www.allthingsfulfilling.com.

 

Connecting to the Great Outdoors

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“Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.”  ~Thomas Berry, The Dream of the Earth

If you are a baby boomer, no doubt you learned to read from the Dick and Jane series. For forty years (1930s – 1970s) these books were used by elementary school teachers around the world to teach children the art of reading.

dick and jane jumping ropeDid you ever notice how the Dick and Jane series had so many pictures of children engaged in outdoors activities? The books typically featured images of kids walking the dog, playing hopscotch on the sidewalk, planting flowers, pulling wagons, playing ball, lying in a hammock under the shade tree day-dreaming, and flying kites outdoors.

Miss Zerna Sharp, known as the “Mother of Dick and Jane” http://bit.ly/1pwGk0u had great insight in the creation of the series because she felt that students would enjoy learning to read and find it much easier if they identified with the children shown in the illustrations. If she were alive today to redo the series to make the stories more relatable for this generation of children, she’d probably be horrified to realize what would the illustrations would look like. Rather than publishing pictures of fit children playing outdoors, I suppose we’d see images of  children engaged in all things digital and figure drawings of children with physiques that look very different than those of the children from the 1930s – 1970s. dick and jane use the force

We are living in a very visual age. With the power of digital marketing perhaps we need to stir children’s interests and entice them into wanting to experience the great adventure of life called the “great outdoors.” Personally, I think our whole society would benefit by becoming more aware of our connection to mother nature and all that she has to offer.  And it may even save us some trips to the doctor!

Those are my independent thoughts, words and views for today. See you tomorrow on http://www.AllThingsFulfilling.com. Have a great day, and remember to get outdoors for some fresh air! It’s good for fulfilling the mind, body and spirit.

Timeless Message and Gifts Within

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“The horse is an archetypal symbol which will always find ways to stir up deep and moving ancestral memories in every human being.” ~ Paul Mellon

In a time when it seems like many in our culture want to do away with nativity scenes and other signs of the Christmas season, author JL Hardesty has found an extraordinary way to tell the story of the holiday that means so much to so many people. Her book, The Lost Legend of the First Christmas, appropriate for middle school to adult readers, uses a beautiful creature that God created, the horse, along with memorable characters, as messengers of lessons to human beings to tell the tale. The cadence and rhythm of the writing is effective in telling a story in a voice that will long be remembered.

If it is important to you that your loved ones know the true meaning of the holiday, The Lost Legend of the First Christmas is an ideal gift that shares insights of Christianity – having faith and hope in our hearts, and God’s promise to people everywhere.

Come to know the important relationship of the horse to people by reading JL Hardesty’s book.  Horse enthusiasts will love all of JL Hardesty’s publications.The author has spent her entire life in the company of horses, loving them and ceaselessly learning about them. Through her writing, Hardesty shares her knowledge of and adoration for these noble creatures with passion and clarity.

This timeless story is available through Amazon.  http://amzn.to/1cYyYO8. What a great read The Lost Legend of the First Christmas will make as a gift to children who love horses. Put one under the Christmas tree this year for the entire family to enjoy together.

Maggie with Jo Hardesty Lauters Book

Photo: Maggie, a member of the University of Vermont (UVM) equestrian team and student of equine medicine says “Every young equestrian should read The Lost Legend of the First Christmas. She wants to recommend it to her friends.”

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling.

Right, No Matter What

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“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you‘re right.” – Henry Ford

This adage is all about “mind over matter,” a motivational principle that became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The phrase means” the mind is more powerful than the body,” according to Wikipedia.com.

Little Engine that CouldThe “mind over matter concept” was integrated into the storyline of a children’s book all the way back in 1930 when “The Little Engine That Could” was published by Platt and Monk. This tale is still popular today. In fact, as recently as 2007, an on-line poll rated the book as one of the Teachers Top 100 Books by the National Education Association.

In yesterday’s blog, I mentioned the recent speech I gave about Helicopter Parenting. Within the context of the speech I cite the fact that if parents do everything for their children, kids start to doubt themselves and lose confidence in their abilities. They begin think they can’t or may not be able to handle a task. Here is a relevant article about the power of the mind and how to use it as a great tool. http://bit.ly/IllFOz.

In my speech I related some of my own experiences in life. To this day, I count myself as a very fortunate child because my parents didn’t let me know that I may face an uphill battle when trying to accomplish certain goals. They expected me to be able to keep up with everyone else. Guess what – it usually worked!

Thanks, Dad and Mom! Now that I am “big,” an adult, that is, I can I admit you were right!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. Hope you’ll return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow for more self-fulfilling thoughts.

Book for Reluctant Teen Readers

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The secret of education is respecting the pupil. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Experienced writer Linda Collison knows something about relating to the hearts and minds of young adults when creating a good story. She made her first big break as an author in 2006 when her first novel Star-Crossed, published by Alfred A Knopf was chosen by the New York Public Library as one of the best Books for Teen readers in 2007. Her coming of age story With a Little Luck won the Grand Prize at the Maui Writers Conference in 1996.

Collison’s latest novel, Looking for Read Feather, was published by Fiction House, Ltd. Although written for teenagers, the book is for anyone who has a youthful spirit and can remember what it is like to feel invincible and determined to seek one’s own path toward personal fulfillment.

 looking for redfeatherLooking for Red Feather is about the three teenagers who take to the road for different reasons. Yet the truths they discover in their travels will make you want to pack your bags and take to the highway across country with your friends on a whim. The author’s dialogue is so authentic to the feelings that come with the age she writes about. Collison also accurately relates throughout the story the difference in culture between East and West attitudes because she’s lived in both parts of the United States. Like myself, Collison is a Baltimore native. However, she migrated west when she was 24 years of age.Click for info & ordering

This book is highly recommended for adolescents who are at the age where they are becoming reluctant readers. I’m confident that Collison’s well-crafted tale will grab your teens attention and hold them until the end of the story.

Do return to All Things Fulfilling tomorrow, I will give you a little more insight into my memoir.Click for info & ordering This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Publishing Message Of Importance

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 It is good to rub, and polish our brain against that of others. ~Michel Eyquem de Montaigne

This morning I’d like to send a shout out to two smart cookies –  Joyce Miller of Integrated Writers Services, LLC and to Jon R Tandler of Ryley Carlock and Applewhite for sharing their knowledge of copyright issues with the Colorado Independent Publishers Association members and guests. On Saturday, I came away feeling better informed. However, I am more convinced than ever that it is a good thing there are experts who can navigate the copyright laws for their publishing clients’ protection. Laws change, evolve, and are also constantly developing as we transition into world that is ever more reliant on digital media.  Here is a link to a very important resource for anyone in the creative field on copyright issues. http://amzn.to/19Uh3a0

 thank-you

 Image source – http://funlava.com/thank-you-quotes/

Now to a different subject but still within the realm of publishing – this year, the Colorado Independent Publishers Association has begun “focused forums” as part of their commitment to educating authors and publishers. These are great opportunities to hone in on a specific topic and learn from experienced publishing experts. Until the first of the year, these sessions are free for CIPA Members and non-members alike. Beginning in January there will be a charge to non-members of $25. It is necessary to pre-register on-line at www.cipacatalog.com  because space is limited.  See more specifics on the CIPA website.

The next focused form will be November 5th and the subject will be publishing children’s books. CIPA members Benjamin Hummel, Nancy Mills and Julie Federico will be leading the discussion. Anyone who has ever dreamed of writing for children should sign-up – it is free education!

On November 11th, Karen Saunders of MacGraphics Services will be talking about branding. If you are an author who is planning on writing more than one book, brand development is very important and can help sell books. (Think Chicken Soup for the Soul Series).

That’s my message for today. Have a fulfilling week ahead. This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com .

Filled with Essentials

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Every child born has innate goodness.” ~ Chinese proverb

President of Bucket Fillers, Inc. is a title that Carol McLoud proudly wears along with her designation of award-winning author of six publications that teach individuals how to fill themselves up with fulfilling things in life.

Bucketfillers, Inc. independently publishes children’s books  and they include:

  • Have you Filled a Bucket Today
  • Fill a Bucket
  • Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness
  • My Bucketfilling Journal
  • Will You Fill My Bucket
  • Bucketfilling A to Z

Bucketfillers, Inc has won 58 awards. The author of these publications, Carol McCloud is also an energetic professional public speaker who uses creative storytelling in her presentations to all ages. Mccloud is a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Talent SmartTalent Smart® Emotional Intelligence Certified Trainer, and the National Association of Professional Women, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

bucket filler“For the past five years, Bucket Fillers, Inc. has been busy creating bucketfilling schools, families, workplaces, and communities” through presentations and workshops, books and through other downloadable resources available through their website.  http://www.bucketfillers101.com/about-us.php .

As former educator, McCloud understands that happy kids grow into well-adjusted adults, who deal well with challenges when their buckets full of happiness get knocked over and depleted due to the  stresses of life. Learning how to gather a bucket full of happiness as a young child has life-long advantages.

Parents, help fill your child’s bucket full of happiness by sharing these books with your family. They have won the prestigious Mom Choice Awards and they have gained a top 5 Star ranking on Amazon.com.

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService. com

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfulling!

Author Spotlight: Lindsay Eland

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“You must write for children in the same way
as you do for adults, only better.”    Maxim Gorky

A year ago I participated in an authors workshop at the Bookworm in Edwards, Colorado with the delightful author Lindsay Eland. She writes books for middle grade students.

Eland’s first book “Scones and Sensibility” has done very well.  Even reading the book as an adult, I enjoyed it and the storyline kept me completely engaged.  I was charmed by the voice used for the main character Polly Madassa. Click for info & order on Lindsay Elands publications

On September 24th, The Bookworm in Edwards, Colorado (an Indie Bound Bookstore) http://www.bookwormofedwards.com/ will be having a book signing for Eland’s second and newly released publication “A Summer of Sundays.”

SummerSundays_FINALcvr

The premise of the story is about a little girl, Sunday Fowler, who feels she is always looked over since she’s a member of a large family of six children. When she discovers a treasure in the basement of a library that her parents are renovating, the limelight suddenly turns in her direction. That is when things become a little different. With the discovery comes some decisions about whether fame is more important than other values.

Lindsay’s book has gotten an excellent review from the Teen Librarian’s Toolbox, to read more about it, please follow this link.  http://bit.ly/1aoGEJp 

Congratulations, Lindsay! I so enjoyed meeting you a year ago. Best Wishes for your second publication.

authors workshop

Left to right: Sue Leonard, founder of Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC, author Lindsay Eland, The Bookworm of Edwards store co-owner, Nicole Magistro

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.