Exciting
new books and Illumination Arts
Hi Kids! I know you love good books, and that's what this page
is all about. I have gathered some great book recommendations for
you to start off the year 2006, along with contests, some of my
favorite web sites for you to check out, and an interview with John
M. Thompson, who is the president of Children's book publisher:
Illumination Arts.
BOOKS FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS: |
|
A
Crack in the Line
by Michael
Lawrence
Chapter
Excerpt |
An
exciting story of alternate realities. Alaric and Naia seem
to be living each others lives. A novel to stretch your
imagination and give you chills. |
|
Almost
Lost: The True Story of an Anonymous Teenager's Life on the
Streets
by Beatrice
Sparks
Chapter
Excerpt |
Who
in his right mind wants to talk to a shrink? I don't want to
talk about anything. I don't want to feel anything, taste anything
... or anything. The lyrics "just dying to die" run
around in my brain day and night... |
|
Um,
Like...Om:
A Girl Goddess's Guide toYoga
by Evan
Cooper |
The perfect primer for yoga enthusiasts,
Um, Like...OM goes above and beyond teaching the technique
of yoga: it reveals how yoga can help teenage girls face any
challenge that comes their way, the ultimate guide to
yoga—and life—for teens
The Books: Um,
Like...Om by Evan Cooper. |
|
If
you are 7 to 12 years old... here are new books especially for
you: |
|
Fancy
Nancy
by Jane
O'Connor, Robin
Preiss Glasser (Illustrator) |
Do
you appreciate the finer things in life, like feather boas and
ice cream parfaits? Is your family helpless without your
fashion tips? Well, you are not alone! Meet Fancy Nancy, a little
girl with a style all her own. |
|
4B
Goes Wild (Hardcover)
by Jamie
Gilson
illustrated by Ms.
Linda S. Edwar
Chapter
Excerpt |
Mr.
Star broke the news gently. "Well, 4B," he said, "it
appears we're going to do it." It was the talk of
last year's fourth, especially the part about the catfish between
the principal's sheets. It is the good-behavior reward
for this year's fourth grade. It is Outdoor Education:
three days at Camp Trotter in Wisconsin. Exciting adventure filled with the sights,
sounds, tastes, and even smells familiar to campers
everywhere. |
|
And For The Little Kids:
I have been
in love with children's books published by Illumination Arts for
several years. They continue to produce wonderful books that, in
their own words, "inspire the mind, touch the heart and uplift
the spirit." John Thompson, the president of Illumination Arts
answered my questions about the company's philosophy...
Bev:
How long has Illumination Arts been in the business of publishing
children's books?
John: We published our first children's book, All I See Is Part
of Me, in December 1989. We had been publishing adult titles until
then, but this book shifted our focus into doing children's books
exclusively. The beginning and ending of this book are as follows:
"I am
part of all I see and all I see is part of me....And I can see in
all of me that there can be no end." If we all could understand
and embrace this simple message, what a world we would have.
Bev:
About how many children's books do you publish per year? Do you
foresee an increase in this?
John: We have been publishing 3-4 books per year for the
past five years, but will publish only 2 in 2006.
Bev:
Do you publish any as e-books? Do you plan to do any interactive
online books?
John: We haven't published any e-books or interactive online
books.
Bev:
Are you open to new writers and artists?
John: We review all submissions from artists and authors.
Presently we receive about 2,500 submissions per year from authors.
Bev:
Tell me about your company's philosophy on the books you publish.
John: We publish only books that are inspiring and uplifting.
They may also be spiritual, but from a non-denominational standpoint
-- focusing on the values common to all religions (love, peace,
truth, right-action, compassion, non-violence). Books must first
be very entertaining and appealing to the kids or the messages will
never get through.
Bev:
I know that Illumination Arts donates portions of the income from
children's books to certain charities. Tell me about that and the
charities that the money goes to.
John: We have become aligned with Children's World Village,
a company that plans to become the spiritual Disney of the future.
Their foundation is dedicated to helping children throughout the
world.
Bev:
Most of the Illumination Arts books that I have reviewed are of
the "read-aloud" variety for younger children....to be
shared at bedtime. Tell us about your Accelerated Reading program.
John: The accelerated reading program is a national program
that identifies important children's books and creates quizzes that
children can take after reading the book.
Illumination Arts
- Accelerated Reader
Bev:
What can we expect from Illumination Arts in the future?
John: Illumination Arts will continue to offer the finest
inspirational children's books in the world. Our spring 2006 title,
Mrs.. Murphy's Marvelous Mansion, is a great addition to our line.
The story involves a house that looks tiny from the outside but
is amazingly expansive inside. The artwork is completely outrageous
and will have great appeal to children of all ages.
Bev: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share
with us?
John: Our children are the world's hope for a peaceful
future. We should provide them with the most inspiring, uplifting
materials possible, so that the negative input from sources like
TV and video games can be offset.
Welcome
to Illumination Arts Publishing
Award
winners? You bet! Check this out...
Awards won
by Illumination Arts Children's Books
Great
kid friendly web sites you should check out:
(click on any of them to go to the website)
Children's
Storybooks Online - Stories for Kids of All Ages
Kids'
Corner - Featuring the Stories of Beatrix
Potter (and more!)
Children's Storybooks
Online - Award Winning Links
Kidzworld - Kid & Teen Site | Teen Chat | Free Online
Games | Free Kids Contests | Free Quizzes | Fun Games | Teen Dating
Advic
Am
I A Color Too?
By
Heidi Cole & Nancy Vogl
Illustrated by Gerald Purnell
Illumination Arts-- October 2005
ISBN: 0-9740190-5-4 - Hardcover
Children/Fiction
[Ages 4-8]
Buy
a Copy
|
Review
by Beverly Rowe, MyShelf.com
In this thoughtful look at the concept of racial differences and
skin color, the mother/daughter team, Heidi Cole and Nancy Vogl,
teach children to look beyond the surface. The inspiration for
this poem came when Heidi's son, Tyler, was three. Hearing people
referred to as certain colors, he asked his grandma the stimulating
question, "Am I a color?"
Tyler is a young interracial boy who wonders why people are labeled
by colors. Through his eyes we explore the common labels of Black
and White, and wonder why we separate people into colors when
we all see, smile, sing, and dance in all colors of the rainbow.
Tyler reminds
us to treasure every person, regardless of outward appearances.
Am I
A Color Too? is richly illustrated by the very talented Gerald
Purnell in vibrant colors. He catches the wonderful features and
expressions of people of all races is this inspiring look at our
differences and similarities.
This would be a wonderful classroom tool for pre-school and older
and a great conversation starter for family reading time. It's
a universal message that touches readers of all ages.
Your
Father Forever
By
Travis Griffith
Illustrated by Raquel Abreu
Illumination Arts-- October 2005
ISBN: 0-9740193-3-8 - Hardcover
Children/Fiction
[Ages 3-9]
Buy
a Copy
|
Review
by Beverly Rowe, MyShelf.com
Here is a powerful poem by a gentle, tender and loving father
who has no problem with expressing his deepest sentiments to
his small children. I absolutely love this wonderful, sentimental
book! It should be required reading for all new fathers. From
the baby's first steps to sharing the marvels of the universe
and all that lies beyond, he promises to nurture, guide and
protect them forever.
Raquel Abreu has illustrated this inspirational book perfectly
with lovely sentimental paintings of a father with his children
in various settings. The colorful, realistic illustrations capture
the essence of the enduring love that is felt between this young
father and his children.
This book would be a wonderful gift for any new father, and
hopefully, he will be the one to read it to his children at
bedtime. It's a book to inspire loving relationships for both
parents and children. Illumination Arts has definitely published
another winner, and I sincerely hope that we'll see more of
the talented Travis Griffith.
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