BLACK HISTORY MONTH

In honor of Black History month I'd like to share some great African children's games that you can play with your kids. The people of Africa are gifted with rhythm. So we find many of their games accompanied by chanting, hand clapping, stamping of the feet, or all three. The players are frequently more interested in the rhythm of the game than they are in competing to win.


WHAT IS BIG?

The song leader, the teacher, asks a question and the chorus (children) answer. Kids stomp around the room and act like the animals.

LEADER: What is big?
CHORUS: Elephants are big.
LEADER: What is big?
CHORUS: Elephants are big.
LEADER: Amoung all animals of the world Elephants are larger.

LEADER: What runs fast?
CHORUS: Cheetahs run fast.
LEADER: What runs fast?
CHORUS: Cheetahs run fast.
LEADER: Amoung all the animals of the world Cheetahs are faster.

LEADER: Who can swim?
CHORUS: Hippos can swim.
LEADER: Who can swim?
CHORUS: Hippos can swim.
LEADER: Amoung all the animals of the world Hippos can swim.

LEADER: Who can change?
CHORUS: Chameleons can change.
LEADER: Who can change?
CHORUS: Chameleons can change.
LEADER: Amoung all the animals of the world Chameleons can change.

LEADER: Who is king?
CHORUS: Lions are king.
LEADER: Who is king?
CHORUS: Lions are king.
LEADER: Amoung all the animals of the world Lions are king.

NUMBERS

Children march around the room to African instrumental music. If your kids are old enough you can vary your march to stomp right, step right, stomp left, step left. When the teacher calls out a number kids join hands with others to make that number. Say the number is two. Everyone has to find a partner and continue to do the stomp, step until the next number is called.

P.S. Tour with VBT-Writers on the Move through February. New and famous authors, plus useful information. http://tinyurl.com/yhkt7v8


Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

I'm honored to have my book, Moving Through All Seven Days reviewed by an excellent author and teacher, Nancy Sanders. She has authored over 75 children's books. Her most recent book is America's Black Founders: Revolutionary Heroes and Early Leaders with 21 Activities.

Here's my review of her book:America's Black Founders

5 stars!

This book, America's Black Founders, is chock full of information presented through personal stories that will appeal to kids. Nancy Sanders relates the accomplishments of great African Americans in a logical, organized and interesting way. I loved it!

Kathy Stemke
Author/Educator


Here's Ms. Sanders review of my book: Moving Through all Seven Days
5 stars!

This delightful picture book has ingredients kids will love! Bright colors, catchy rhythmic text, and fun, fun, fun! Parents and teachers will love it too because it encourages movement while teaching the days of the week. Plus, there are suggested activities, worksheets, and even a mini-book included in the back.

-Nancy I. Sanders
Author
http://nancyisanders.wordpress.com/

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

MEET AUTHOR/ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR: TIM LINK

Tim Link is an author, writer, speaker, and full-time animal communicator. As part of his passion for helping animals, Tim has also mastered Reiki - an ancient art of energy healing - which he uses on animals.

Tim has recently been featured in numerous newspaper, television and radio shows including the Associated Press (reaching more than 115 different media sites across the nation and internationally including MSNBC.com, USAToday.com, NYTimes.com, ChicagoTribune.com, LATimes.com, CBSNews.com, ABCNews.com, etc.), “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” “Good Day Atlanta,” Forsyth County News, The Bronx Times, Species Link, “Live Your Legacy”, “Cumming Home”, The Palladium-Item, The Other Paper, Woman 2 Woman Business, Atlanta magazine, “EveryDay with Marcus & Lisa”, Shirley MacLaine's Independent Expression Internet radio show, Aquarius, "Mornings with Lorri & Larry", "FOX & Friends", "Good Day Columbus", Gwinnett Daily Post, "Good Morning Texas", "Good Day Colorado", "Colorado & Company", The Detroit Free Press, "The Pat McMahon Show", "Sonoran Living", "Good Morning Arizona", "Arizona Midday", "San Diego Living", Tails, "More at Midday", Animal Fair, "Tennessee Mornings", "Better Mornings Atlanta", Dog Sport, and remains a regular guest on two Internet radio shows. Since May 2008, Tim has been a featured AJCpets expert for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.


Wagging Tales: Every Animal Has a Tale is a delightful read that introduces the reader to 32 stories about animals and the scenarios that prompted their human companions to consult with Tim. Each tale, which explores the thoughts and actions of each animal, and gives you insight into the daily world of what Tim does as an animal communicator. This book is appropriate for all ages who are curious about what goes on in the minds of animals just like yours.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TIM'S BOOK:

“In my long career of working with domestic animals, pets, and wild animals; they never cease to amaze me! Whether it is their impressive strength, adaptability to new circumstances, social skills or their ability to communicate—they continue to re-define the term ‘animal’. Perhaps what we don’t know about animals will be the most incredible finding yet! Tim Link’s accounts in Wagging Tales will make you start thinking…”

Jack Hanna
Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo
Host, TV’s “Into the Wild”
http://www.jackhanna.com/

"Tim Link delights us with enlightening true stories that clearly illustrate the powerful process and results of telepathic communication with animals. The author is also refreshingly realistic about the limitations of his animal communication work. An entertaining and educational book!"

Penelope Smith, author of Animal Talk, When Animals Speak, Animals in Spirit
and editor of Species Link magazine www.animaltalk.net

"Tim Link guides readers into the world of animal communication with his experiences, photos, and practical tips. He makes us aware how human decisions affect pets -- what kinds of candles cats don't like, how work schedules and changes upset pets, which pets don't want to share their toys. This is a delightful and helpful book that shows the utmost respect for sensient beings with whom we share our homes. Read it and become wise to the ways of animals."

--Allen and Linda Anderson, authors of Angel Cats, Angel Dogs, Angel Horses, and other books in a series published by New World Library, www.angelanimals.net



For more information about Tim Link, his books, speaking tours, or great information about understanding and communicating with your animals go to his website: www.wagging-tales.com.

Now...I hope you'll visit the next site on the blog chain sponsored by the National Writing for Children Center. That site is http://ireneroth.wordpress.com/ For a list of all the links on the chain, go to www.writingforchildrencenter.com

P.S. Tour with VBT-Writers on the Move through February. New and famous authors, plus useful information. http://tinyurl.com/yhkt7v8

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

NEW INTERACTIVE EZINE FOR KIDS!

The first issue of the new interactive ezine Guardian Angel Kids is now available online. http://guardian-angel-kids.com/ Children will the love the mascot, an adorable angel gecko named GAK. Stories, games, puzzles, activities, videos and more to entertain and delight your youngsters. This is a site you and your children will want to return to again and again.


This angel gecko, GAK, is drawn by Kim Sponaugle.


This first issue contains one of the stories from the book The Misadventures of Rooter and Snuffle for you to read. Listen to The Sister Exchange or read Tracking the Twitchy Itch. There are drawing instructions and drawing boards where you can draw your own pictures.

Oh yes, you will also find articles for parents and teachers.

This is only the first issue and it promises to get better and better and better. http://guardian-angel-kids.com/

Now...I hope you'll visit the next site on the blog chain sponsored by the National Writing for Children Center. That site is http://ireneroth.wordpress.com/ For a list of all the links on the chain, go to www.writingforchildrencenter.com


Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

GUEST AUTHOR/PHOTOGRAPHER: DANA DONOVAN

Please welcome my guest author for February. Dana E. Donovan is the author of the Tony Marcella detective series including The Witch’s Ladder, Eye of the Witch, The Witch’s Key, Bones of a Witch and Witch House. He has also penned the novels: Abandoned, Skinny, Resurrection, Death & other Little Inconveniences and A Talisman’s Tale, available in trade paperback and ebook at Lulu http://www.lulu.com/dana and Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/encyber respectively.

Besides being an accomplished author, Dana is also an excellent photographer. He makes all his own book covers with the help of Photoshop. I asked him to tell us how he put some of his covers together.


I love taking photos, and using them for my book covers. Abandoned is about a boy who supposedly drowned in a river and I thought that this picture captured the feel, what with that weird cloud rising in front of the sun. I shot it right outside my back door.

Excerpt from Abandoned
Dana E. Donovan © 2004

The three of us found a seat, two on the sofa and one in the chair. Charlie
favored Rodriquez over me and even took up company by his side, curling up
at his feet like a common defector. I gave Charlie a dirty look but he only
snubbed me and turned away.

“Mr. Riley, you don’t remember me, do you?” Marcella said.
I looked at him and shook my head. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t. Should I?”
“Oh, I don’t suppose so. You were pretty young when last we met. I was
still a street cop and you had just lost your brother.”

“Oh, right, Marcella, of course. I’m sorry the name escaped me for a
minute.”

He smiled. “That’s all right. Trust me. Considering the circumstances that
brought us together, I’m surprised you have any recollection at all. That kind
of trauma can make a young boy forget all kinds of things.”

I smiled back and nodded, but my eyes broke away and drifted down
toward the floor. “You would think,” I said to him. “But strangely, I
remember everything about that day. It was Friday the thirteenth. It rained that
morning but the skies were trying to clear. You pulled up in your squad car
riding shotgun with Officer Greene. You had a bandage on your thumb, your
left I believe. I heard you tell Fireman Reynolds you slammed it in the car
door the night before. He joked how your swollen thumb now matched your
inflated ego. You both laughed at that until you saw the nine-year-old brother
of the missing boy.”

“You.” said Marcella.

I nodded.
“I’m sorry about that. I meant to apologize.”

Other book covers created by Dana:



The image for Skinny was shot on the road I now live on.





Resurrection is about zombies and witchcraft. I wanted something voodoo like and even played with the idea of making a voodoo doll for the cover, but that didn’t work. I ended up staging the props for the shoot in my garage.






My favorite is Bones of a Witch. I bought the rights to use that picture because I thought it was perfect, so I did not have to do much else with it.












The cover for Witch House, my latest book is really a shot of my swimming pool. If you look closely you can see the shadow from the handrail.









Another favorite of mine is the cover for Death & Other little Inconveniences. Everyone on the front & back cover is dead. Some I knew. Some I didn’t. I just thought it would be cool do use the photos of dead people for a book called Death & Other Little Inconveniences.

If you still have time after reading this, learn more about Dana Donovan and what he’s up to at http://www.danadonovan.com

Now...I hope you'll visit the next site on the blog chain sponsored by the National Writing for Children Center. That site is; http://ireneroth.wordpress.com/. For a list of all the links on the chain, go to www.writingforchildrencenter.com

Kathy's websites:

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

VISUAL DANCE POETRY! Author/Photographer Kathy Stemke

I'm just putting the finishing touches on my new photography/poetry book titled, Visual Dance Poetry. It is a dream come true for me. With my graduate work and experience in Communication Arts, Television Production, and my graduate work in dance education I have finally put together a book which features my poetry and photography. This book, which should be released in 2011, covers many subjects through the eyes of a dancer.

Table of contents:

3. FIRE DANCERS
4. AN EMPTY STAGE
5. THE STREAM
6. DANCE
7. SPRING DANCE
8. SUMMER SAMBA
9. FALL
10. WINTER
11. LAST DANCE
12. KRUMP WARRIOR
13. PLACES
14. I DANCE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
15. TANGO LOVE
16. SNOW
17. DANCE WITH THE WIND
18. NIGHT SHADOWS
19. SWAN’S DANCE
20. PASO DOBLE DANCE
21. WAVES AT SEA
22. REJECTION

Here’s an example of my poetry.

DANCE

The mirror of my soul
reflects deep within my core.
Dance, with unconscious roots
flows through every pore.


A moment captured in time,
expanding rays of light and space,
soaring beyond earth's grip,
imagination takes a visible place.


An innate force that must be released,
communes with God and transcends
life's trials and joys, simply becoming
dance, the essence that my heart extends.

Now...I hope you'll visit the next site on the blog chain sponsored by the National Writing for Children Center. That site is; http://ireneroth.wordpress.com/. For a list of all the links on the chain, go to www.writingforchildrencenter.com

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

100 Coolest Science Experiments on YouTube by Suzane Smith

Click on the title above to see all 100 utube links with a short description for each. Here are just two examples of what's in store for you.





Now...I hope you'll visit the next site on the blog chain sponsored by the National Writing for Children Center. That site is http://ireneroth.wordpress.com/For a list of all the links on the chain, go to www.writingforchildrencenter.com

Kathy's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

FOLLOW OUR BLOG CHAIN AND WIN PRIZES!

Suzanne Lieurance http://www.suzannelieurance.com, Children's Author, Freelance Writer, and the Working Writer's Coach, has organized a blog chain with some very exciting authors from February 1st through February 8th. Have some fun, learn some great tips, and possible win some prizes.


Suzanne Lieurance is the author of over a dozen published books for children. Find out what she's up to every day by visiting her author site. You'll find information about all her books, upcoming writer's conferences and other events where you'll find Suzanne, as well as tips for both aspiring and established children's book authors. Suzanne hosts Book Bites for Kids, a talk show about children's books, every weekday afternoon on blogtalkradio. Find out who her guests will be each day by reading her blog. Sign up for her mailing list at the site and receive a FREE ebook.


Grier
www.griercooper.com/category/ blog/


Terri
terri-forehand.blogspot.com


Mayra
www.mayrassecretboo kcase.blogspot. com


Karen
http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com


Nancy
www.nancyisanders.wordpress.com


Dorit Sasson
http://www.newteacherresourcecenter.com


Kristi Bernard
http://memelynne.wordpress.com


Kathy Stemke
http://educationtipster.blogspot.com

Now...I hope you'll visit the next site on the blog chain sponsored by the National Writing for Children Center. For a list of all the links on the chain, go to www.writingforchildrencenter.com



Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

HeliumTips for hooking kids on reading

Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com