I earned a Silver Award for "Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep: in the 2012 Childrens Literary Classics Awards!

I am thrilled to receive a silver award formy book "Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep" in the 2012 Children's Literary Classics Awards. Several authors from my publishing house earned awards. Way to go Guardian Angel Publishing!

http://www.clcawards.org/2012-Award-Books.html

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Fantastic Reading at Indian Rocks Beach!

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous two weeks visiting our daughter and son-in-law in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida. We went to the beach, the Chihuly Museum, the aquarium, a tree lighting, tons of garage sales, out on the boat, the villa, the bird sanctuary and many restaurants. We were also in a Christmas parade!! We threw beads and candy to the observers as well as dog bones to the dogs. So Cool!

I was also asked to read my books at the library. Although the children that attended were a little older than usual, we had a great time. They loved jumping on my consonant blends and throwing a bean bag in the basket.

The children were very interested in the recycling crafts and games. They even said, "Can we do more?"As you might imagine, I was thrilled!

I should be appearing in the Indian Rocks Beach newspaper.  Next time we visit I'll schedule the other libraries.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

The Reviews for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY are Rolling In!

In Kathy Stemke’s charming picture book, Trouble on Earth Day , little Shelby squirrel is excited to announce her first place ribbon in the Earth Day poster contest at school. Shelby’s explanation of the concepts on her poster to her parents gets everyone to think about how we can rethink, reuse, and recycle in our homes. Follow along as Shelby answers cries of despair from the forest with what she has learned at school and saves the day.

A perfect introduction to Earth Day concepts that will keep kids thinking all year long, Trouble On Earth Day features an engaging tale with colorful illustrations by Kurt Wilcken that children will love. The bonus in this edition is the section of teaching materials that allow children to extend and apply the concepts taught in the story. Perfect for a traditional classroom or a homeschooling environment, the book offers discussion ideas, songs, activities and crafts to create a multi-sensory learning experience.

I found the characters very relatable, and my children enjoyed the story and illustrations. The included activities are easily done at home with every day supplies. I think this story would have great appeal for early elementary grades as well as pre-school.

Reviewed by lara Kimbrell

Trouble On Earth Day by Kathy Stemke, Illustrated by Kurt Wilcken, Published by Wild Plains Press, Educator’s Edition ISBN 978-1-936021-36-9, Paperback SRP $15.00


Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

More reviews for TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY!

RECYCLE old crayons by making a multi-colored one like this!  It writes in many colors! Kids love it! this is just one of the craft projects found in Trouble on Earth Day.

In our ever changing world, we are urged to "go green" everywhere and every way we can. Trouble on Earth Day, written by Kathy Stemke and illustrated by Kurt Wilckin, teaches children what they can do to help the earth stay green. Stemke's cute and fun book isn't just for kids, it is full of activities and crafts for teachers or home school parents to use with their students. The book pulls the reader into one family's creative ways to Rethink, Reuse and Recycle.


Meet Shelby Squirrel, winner of the Earth Day Poster Competition. Shelby is so excited to win a 1st place ribbon in the contest, her enthusiasm bubbles over to her whole family.


Dad Squirrel finds old clothes to make a quilt. Mom Squirrel finds some nuts to make a wreath, even though Shelby thought they were useless. Then Shelby makes friends with a sad bluebird and uses her rethinking and reusing skills to build him. a nest after his home was reduced to a stump.



Stemke uses Rethink instead of Reduce on Shelby's poster. I love the new spin it gives on ways to make our earth a better place. Sometimes you can't reduce, you have to rethink and come up with a new solution to an old problem.


I did expect Shelby to get into some sort of trouble in Trouble on Earth Day, instead she helped Charlie bluebird in his troubles.


The Educator's Edition includes songs, activities, recycled crafts, worksheets, word activities and comprehension questions that helps children learn more about Earth Day. Stemke makes learning fun and gets kids empowered to change the way their family recycles. Her Fuzzy Squirrel Song left me singing the I'm a Little Teapot tune all day!

Wilckin's illustrations add great details to the book. Dad Squirrel isn't reading just any newspaper, he is reading the "Daily Nut." On Shelby's poster, Rethink is shown with a florescent light bulb. Charlie, the little blue bird, wears and baseball cap and plays guitar. Those fun little touches make the characters come alive.

Trouble on Earth Day gets the whole family going green! I would highly recommend it for young readers ages 4 to 8.

Review by Pam Maynard


*Picture book, fantasy but gives a true message about Earth Day and recycling
*Young Shelby Squirrel as main character
*Rating: Trouble On Earth Day is a sweet story for young children to introduce them to Earth Day and/or recycling. The best and absolute most valuable part of this book is the resource section for teachers (and parents) in the back of the book. There are activities, games, questions, and more!

Short, short summary:

Shelby Squirrel won a poster contest at her school, and she explains to her parents what RETHINK, REUSE, and RECYCLE means. As they are trying to figure out different ways they can re-use materials around their house, Shelby hears a cry for help from the outside. She runs to find a bird who has no material for a nest–Shelby and her recycling ways to the rescue!


So, what do I do with this book?
Well, I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel, so I’m not going to put a bunch of activities here. But here’s a preview of what you will find in the back of the book:

• Discussion questions on the importance of trees, birds, and recycling
• Going Green game
• Craft ideas made from recycled products like toilet paper rolls and ice cream cartons
• A to Z Let’s Go Green list
• Search-a-word
• Songs!

Reviewed by Margo Dill

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Recycling and Water Conservation!

Song from my new book:TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY

Shelby Recycles

(tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)

Shelby squirrel saved and saved,

Saved and saved, saved and saved,

Shelby squirrel saved and saved,

She used her things again.

She helped a songbird build his nest,

Build his nest, build his nest,

She helped a songbird build his nest,

With stuff around her house.

If we all just recycle,

Recycle, recycle,

If we all just recycle,

We’ll help our Earth to last.

Water Conservation Awareness Activities

Objective: The students will recognize that there is a lot of water in the world, but that not very much of it can be used for our drinking water and other water supply needs.

Get a globe.

Paint 97 pieces of uncooked ziti blue, paint 1 piece red, and paint 2 pieces green.

1. Ask the students if they think there is more water or land on the globe. They will answer water. Explain that although it looks like a lot of water, not all of it can be used.

Most fresh water is frozen in polar ice caps, icebergs, and glaciers. In addition, salt water is too salty to use for most purposes, and the salt is very costly to remove.

2. We will spread the colored ziti out on a table. We will explain that there are 100 ziti pieces, which can be thought of as 100 drops of water.

3. We will explain that the 97 blue drops of water represent the salt water we find in oceans and seas that we cannot drink.

4. The two green drops of water represent the water that is stored as ice in glaciers and at the poles that we cannot use.

5. The lonely red drop of water represents the fresh water that is available for plants, animals, and people.

6. We will ask the students if they think there is a lot of water available for use, reminding them that the one red drop of water represents the amount of fresh water on

Earth.

Kathy Stemke's websites: Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Reading Expert, Stephanie Brandt, reads my book to her son!

<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JylE1LZGEhs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Helium Education Articles: http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
Education Articles: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kathy-stemke/13/269/285

Have Fun with Consonant Blends!

Reluctant readers will love this activity to be done with Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep!

• Laminate and tape several consonant blends to the floor. The ones featured in the book are Sh, Br, Th, Ch, Gr.
• Create aword basket at the end that uses the same blend.
• Start each child with a beanbag or  pair of rolled up socks.
• With feet together, they jump on each blend and say the sound as they land.
• Then they throw the beanbag into the basket and read the word.
• They retrieve the beanbag, give it to the next child in line and sit at the end of the line.
• When all the groups are finished, they rotate to the next blend.

Variations:

• Leave the word off the basket and ask the children to come up with their own word. ex. ship, shot, shy, shape, shut, etc.
• This activity works great with vowel sounds too!
•  

Welcome to my new blog!

With the release of my new book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, I'm starting this blog which will feature the book and all the news about it.

Here are some pictures from recent library reads I did in Georgia.