Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Children's Corner Wednesday: The Giving Meadow Inspiration! #childrensbooks



THE BLURB:
The Giving Meadow is about a caterpillar who hatches from his egg in the middle of a meadow.  As he travels through the meadow, he meets new friends who learn the value of sharing.

Today, I thought I'd share a little bit about the inspiration behind the story. 
I go to Blessed Kateri Catholic Church (in Santa Clarita, CA) and I'm involved in our Sunday Preschool program.  We call it Little Church.  The program works with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. I help to teach the 3's along with 3 other talented ladies, Shirley Chang, Maureen Dunahoo, and Mary Tesselaar.  Every year I help to write the Easter play for the children. In 2009, "The Giving Meadow" was our Easter play.

After I wrote it, I showed Vivian at 4RV. She's also a moderator at Writing.com and I wanted her feedback on the story. She offered it a contract! I was tickled pink. It was a nice, unexpected surprise. I can't thank Vivian (Gilbert Zabel, publisher, 4RV Publishing) for believing in the story and wanting to bring it to life.

"The Giving Meadow" is wonderfully illustrated by Stephen Macquignon. Stephen primarily works in the medium of pen and ink and color digitally. He has had the privilege to work with Director Michael Sporn of Michael Sporn Animation Inc. He is also a monthly contributor for Stories for Children's magazine.

Stephen's children's books with 4RV Publishing include Angeline Jellybean by Crystalee Calderwood and Colors by Dana Warren.

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Midwest Book Review: "Colorful illustrations add just the right touch to this gentle heartwarming story about the transformative power of sharing."


5 Stars, N.A. Sharpe, Amazon Reviewer: "This heartwarming tale teaches life lessons of friendship, selflessness and sharing, caring, and kindness. Ms. Burkhart's charming tale is one little ones will want to hear over and over again and they will be enchanted by the adorable illustrations from the talented illustrator, Stephen Macquignon."


5 Stars, Connie Arnold, Amazon Reviewer:  "This is a good book for helping young children learn about how caterpillars change as well as a gentle lesson about sharing and caring."


BUY LINKS:


AMAZON:https://amzn.com/B00J3FBY9Y


BARNES AND NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-giving-meadow-stephanie-burkhart/1022481362?ean=9780982588697


4RV PUBLISHING:http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php

STEPHANIE ON THE WEB:

BLOG:

WEBSITE:

FACEBOOK:

TWITTER:

STEPHANIE ON AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Burkhart/e/B003R00R5I/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1

STEPHEN ON THE WEB:

BLOG:

WEBSITE
http://www.jacketflap.com/StephenM

STEPHEN ON AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/Stephen-Macquignon/e/B003K7NUVG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0


7 comments:

  1. I always enjoy learning how authors are inspired to write a story. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Wonderful to hear your story, Steph! Congratulations. I look forward to reading THE GIVING MEADOW.

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  3. Congrats on such an inspiring book!

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  4. Congratulations on your book. I always love stories about projects that start out as one thing and grow.

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  5. Very nice, Steph. You are so talented!

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  6. Hi, Stephanie!
    Interesting the motivation[s] we as writers get from many different sources.
    My very first publication was a childrens' book. At the time I was working as a Supply Teacher (filling in for someone off sick - I can't remember the 'official' term you use in the US!)
    During morning break I was pontificating in the Staff Room about the poor quality / boring nature of books available for children to read. Head of the English dept: "Well, if you think YOU could do better ..."
    Red rag to a bull! Within six months I'd written the book ["Johnny Dupl'eau"], found a (local, Indie) publisher and got the book on the market! The yarn of a band of not-very-successful Pirates sold well (350 copies printed, sold in a matter of weeks).
    I was encouraged to write Sequels: unfortunately the printer went out of business before I finished it, I now have 4 complete stories but Im having difficulties finding a publisher - everyone so far has said, because a (now-defunct) publisher has produced the first one, it's a legal minefield getting sequel[s] published through another Pub. House. All I can do is keep trying :)

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  7. Thanks so much for everyone stopping by! Paul, thank you for sharing your story. Good luck and keep trying!

    Smiles
    Steph Burkhart

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