Children's Story: Brady's Lost Blanket #childrensbook

BLURB:  

Brady is a sensitive young boy who takes his blanket wherever he goes. After traveling with his parents to visit his new cousin, Brady accidentally leaves his blankie behind. Can Brady learn to get by without his blankie?

EXCERPT:

At the airport. People raced past Brady. Daddy checked in and Mommy walked behind Brady when he went through the x-ray machine. At the gate, a pretty flight attendant took their tickets. Brady sat next to the window. The plane pushed off and they taxied to the runway.

Brady looked at his Mommy. "Do you have blankie?"

Mommy puckered her lips. "Ah…no."

Brady looked at Daddy. "Do you have blankie?"

"No, Son, I don't."

Brady's stomach fluttered. His hands grew clammy. He needed blankie.

REVIEWS:

5 Stars, Beverly's Reviews, Amazon Reviewer: "Bridget McKenna’s illustrations are colorful and the characters’ expressions reveal what they’re feeling. A lovely book for little ones, who might just discover that the blankie, though important, can be replaced with something just as good. This picture book would make a nice addition to pre-school and kindergarten libraries as well as your own private library."

5 Stars, Deborah S. Hockenberry, Amazon Reviewer:  "I highly recommend this adorable picture book about a child's major step in growing up. The watercolor pictures on each page are skillfully done by Bridget McKenna."

5 Stars, Shawn Simon, Amazon Reviewer: "This sweet, simple story will be so helpful for small children everywhere who become so attached to a comfort object that they feel they need it. Brady’s story will help them learn to believe in themselves above the comfort object. I recommend this lovely story to young children and parents everywhere."

Brady's Lost Blanket is available in Paperback.  Here's a list of Buy Links:

AMAZON:https://www.amazon.com/Bradys-Lost-Blanket-Stephanie-Burkhart/dp/1940310040/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1486141344&sr=8-29&keywords=stephanie+burkhart

BARNES & NOBLE:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bradys-lost-blanket-stephanie-burkhart/1121138037?ean=9781940310046

PUBLISHER'S WEBSITE:http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php

4.99 Children's Kindle Book: The Giving Meadow #childrensbook #amazonkindle

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:

http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

WEBSITE:

http://sgcardin.tripod.com

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1357922219

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

STEPHANIE ON AMAZON:

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

STEPHEN ON THE WEB:

BLOG:

http://stephen-sketch2color.blogspot.com/

WEBSITE

http://www.jacketflap.com/StephenM

STEPHEN ON AMAZON:

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

Children's Corner: Giving Meadow interview & Giveaway #childrens #4rvpublishing

Enjoy this interview with Stephanie Burkhart, author of "The Giving Meadow."

Question: What was the inspiration behind "The Giving Meadow?"

Steph: At the time I was teaching "little" church (preschoolers, 3-5 years old) at my church and Easter was just around the corner. My fellow teachers and I thought it would be nice to present a play for the children and I was tasked to write it. I chose to focus on a caterpillar because they go through a transformation to become a butterfly and that's something they can relate to, then apply to what Jesus went through.

Question: How long did it take you to write?

Steph: A couple of weeks.

Question: Did you pick the illustrator?

Steph: 4RV Publishing presented me with several designs from a couple of illustrators. Stephen's whimsical, soft spoken drawings spoke to my heart so I selected his.

Question: How does the cover represent the story within?

Steph: On the cover is Caterpillar sitting in a meadow. Caterpillar is the main character and his adventures take place in the meadow.

Question: Does the story have a message or a theme?

Steph: I think what will appeal to kids (3-7 years) is how Caterpillar makes friends and how they share and care for each other.

The Giving Meadow is available as an ebook and in paperback on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

**If anyone would like a review copy, please post a comment along with your email. Also, one lucky commenter will win a Giving Meadow coffee mug***

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:

http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

WEBSITE:

http://sgcardin.tripod.com

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1357922219

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

STEPHANIE ON AMAZON:

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

STEPHEN ON THE WEB:

BLOG:

http://stephen-sketch2color.blogspot.com/

WEBSITE

http://www.jacketflap.com/StephenM

STEPHEN ON AMAZON:

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

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:

http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

WEBSITE:

http://sgcardin.tripod.com

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1357922219

TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

STEPHANIE ON AMAZON:

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

STEPHEN ON THE WEB:

BLOG:

http://stephen-sketch2color.blogspot.com/

WEBSITE

http://www.jacketflap.com/StephenM

STEPHEN ON AMAZON:

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