Mystery Friend Friday - Meet Brandon Mull!

This Friday's Mystery Friend is none other than Brandon Mull, author of the incredibly popular fantasy series, Fablehaven.




Mr. Mull is also the author of The Candy Shop War and Pingo...have you read these books yet?




Be sure to visit Mr. Mull's magical website to find out all about this exciting author, a father of three children, who says that he always secretly wanted to write books! Well, now he's doing that fabulously, isn't he?

His enchanting website invites readers to explore the Fablehaven preserve, learn all about his work, and follow his upcoming book releases and tours.  He even offers his book recommendations!! Wow!! Check it out!!

**For the comments section :: Have you or your children read the Fablehaven series? If so, what did you think of it?**

Literacy Tip #8 - Help Your Child Find a Favorite Author and Illustrator :: AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

I began a weekly feature on this blog a few weeks ago that showcases a different childrens' author or illustrator each Friday. 

Have you noticed it?

I call it "Mystery Friend Friday," and I give clues throughout the week to pique your (and, hopefully, your children's) interest in who the special author or illustrator will be.  I began this feature for a specific reason...and that leads me to today's literacy tip!

We all have our favorite authors, book and movie genres, actors and actresses (the list goes on and on)...and our children are no different! I, personally, have a repertoire of certain children's authors and illustrators whose writing and artwork, respectively, I enjoy to such degree that I will read anything and everything they write and/or illustrate.  How about you? 

For example, I will read anything written by Margaret Wise Brown, Cynthia Rylant, Lemony Snicket, Cornelia Funke, Andrew Clements, E.L. Konigsburg, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Avi...just to name a few! Children's illustrators whose work I adore include:  Lois Ehlert, Tomie dePaola, Rosemary Wells, Melissa Sweet, Maurice Sendak, Carin Berger, Arnold Lobel, and Eric Carle (again, I have to stop myself here!).

The sheer thrill I experience from picking up new or undiscovered books from the aforementioned authors and illustrators is incredibly exciting and fulfilling, and seeing my own children experience this type of enjoyment is amazing.  

If your child has not found a favorite author or illustrator yet, introduce him or her to some of your favorites in the world of children's literature! Point out the similiarities in the prose, writing style, patterns, and illustrations of a certain author or illustrator, and he or she will eventually find a favorite! Consequently, this expands your child's thirst and excitement of reading.  What a positive way to build your child's love of literature!

Now, how about this week's final clue for Mystery Friend Friday? It is...Seth.

  

It's time for another giveaway here at A Novel Idea!!!

One lucky reader will win a Boy's Book Pack in honor of Father's Day...since all fathers were once boys! The pack includes the following four brand-new, paperback books from Scholastic:

and Superfudge by Judy Blume (same edition as above).

You must be a follower of this blog to enter this giveaway.  Additional entries may be obtained by doing the following:

• Become a follower of my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs.
• Leave a comment that shares your favorite children's author and/or illustrator.
• Grab my button and place it on your blog!

Please leave a comment on this post for each entry, including your e-mail address with each one!

This giveaway is open until Friday, June 25th at 11:59 pm CST.  Open only to U.S. residents.

Best of luck!

Friday has some awesome link parties and memes!

Join the fun below...

 

Father's Day Special Feature :: Interview with My Hubby, Jeremy!!!

In honor of Father's Day 2010 this coming Sunday, I have been devoting this week's blog posts to all things fatherly!!! Why?? Because FATHERS ROCK!!!

I wanted to showcase the most important man in my life ... my wonderful husband, Jeremy - the father of our four little blessings - Elijah, Callan, Aedan, and Naomi. 

Enjoy getting to know him - he is truly incredible!

THIS IS JEREMY!

(Isn't he cute handsome gorgeous???)

I had so much fun interviewing my own husband about his experiences with literature!! He enjoyed it, too!!

Q.  What was your favorite children's picture book as a child ... and why?

My favorite picture book was (and still is) How Droofus the Dragon Lost His Head by Bill Peet.  I felt that it was very innocent, kind, and showed understanding.  I appreciated the fact that the book demonstrated the value of life in animals.


Q.  What was your favorite children's chapter book as a child ... and why?

It was definitely The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.  I liked the Christian values exhibited in the books, specifically, respect for the reader's own manner of worship. 


Q.  How has being a father affected your attitude towards reading and/or literacy?

It has refocused the importance of literacy to me.  Since my wife [that's me, Mary Elizabeth!] was a teacher before staying home with our children, she has always communicated the importance of literature to me in regards to learning, self-esteem, and future potential in our children.  The free-thinking and creative ideas that only books can introduce to our children is invaluable!


Q.  As an adult, do you have any new favorite children's books?

The Fablehaven Series by Brandon Mull
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi
The Tunnels Series by Brian Williams and Roderick Gordon
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling





Q.  When did you develop a love for reading?

I developed a love for reading in college, when I began taking courses related to my areas of study, specifically history.  World history, religious history, and religion most interested me in my reading endeavours. I also developed an interest in children's literature through my wife as she studied Elementary Education.


Q.  What is your favorite thing about reading to your children?

I love their enthusiasm for reading! I especially love hearing them say, "Daddy, read me a book!" and having them bring it [the book] to me.


Q.  And just for fun...please describe yourself in six words!

::Confident::

::Loving::

::Arrogant::

::Compassionate::

::Forgiving::

::Irish::

**Thank you so much, Jeremy, for sharing a part of yourself with my readers!!! I love you!!**

Clue #2 for Mystery Friend Friday:  The mystery author / illustrator can be found in this interview!!

Come back tomorrow for a special Father's Day Giveaway!!!

Book Review #10 - Friday Night Is Papa Night

Written by Ruth A. Sonneborn

Illustrated by Emily A. McCully

Original copyright 1970

First published by The Viking Press, 1970

Published by Picture Puffins, 1987

"Pedro went to the window.  He stared down into the street.  It was beginning to grow dark. 

'I don't see Papa,' he said. ...

'Don't worry,' Mama said. 'Papa will come.' "

Publisher's Summary:  "Tonight is Friday night, the night Papa comes home, and everyone is busy getting the house ready for him.  But long after the table is set and the street lights are on, Papa still hasn't come home.  Where is Papa?"

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  Very, very soft illustrations serve as an ideal backdrop for the somewhat somber mood of this beautiful story.  Along with his mother and siblings, Pedro anxiously awaits the arrival of his beloved Papa at the end of each week.  Papa must find work away from home during the week in order to support his family, so Pedro's mother and siblings always prepare a delicious supper to celebrate Papa's arrival. 

But tonight, Papa is very, very late, and Pedro falls asleep waiting for him.  Pedro's sadness is acutely felt in the reader as he waits by the window, his heart aching for Papa.  When Papa does finally arrive in the middle of the night, however, the feelings of relief and happiness are overwhelming!

Why I Recommend This Book:  For full disclosure, I chose to review this book for two reasons - (1) in honor of Father's Day this coming Sunday and (2) because it is my absolutely favorite children's picture book of all time.  I just had to share it with everyone!

The prose and pictures in this book are an impeccable complement to one another, making for a high-quality literature experience.  This book also provides a unique snapshot into the life of a financially struggling family whose love for each other far outweighs their monetary strife.  It is a heartwarming story that begs to be read again and again!

Recommended for ages 3 - 8 years.

Other books by this author:

 

For the comments section:  What are some books you would recommend for Father's Day?

Clue #1 for Mystery Friend Friday:  FABLE.

 

**This post is part of Tuesday Tag-Along @ Twee Poppets blog! Click on the button to join the party!!! **