Inkheart… Inkspell… Inkdeath

Inkheart and Inkspell are two of my faves—I love these books by Cornelia Funke. I’m nearly breathless waiting for the October 7th release of the final book Inkdeath.

Trust me.

Start now.

Read Inkheart.

Read Inkspell.

Hold your breath for Inkdeath.

Book Alert: The 7 Habits of Happy Kids

Boredom. Taking charge. Procrastination. Balance.

Journey with Pokey Porcupine, Jumper Rabbit, Sammy Squirrel, and their animal friends to learn valuable life lessons in Sean Covey’s new picture book The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.

Sean (yep, he’s Stephen Covey’s son) wrote the best-selling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens, too.

He also made a nice little video to tell you about his new book.

I’m not sure what this says about me, but I learn a lot from kids’ books. I think maybe they fill in holes from own childhood.

Anyhoo, this is on my Must Read List. Just thought you’d want to know.

I love it when reading is fun, but it’s even better when it grows something in me!

Book Alert: Good Design Can Change Your Life

I’m not a big t.v. watcher these days. Rather be reading ;0)

But… my fam and I do make it a point to watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday nights. Most of you probably know that Ty Pennington, the show’s host, has been a busy boy lately. His face seems to be everywhere.

Well, now he’s gone and written a book too. In his newly released, Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories Ty offers “low-cost, high-impact ideas,” personal stories, and stories from his show.

The kids can’t wait to check it out. Neither can I.

Who knew? Reading and decorating fun can go together!

Movie Alert: City of Ember

Read it. Watch it. Stay tuned for more reading fun.

Roald Dahl Day

Tomorrrow is Roald Dahl Day. Check out the site for Fun Activities and Downloads. There’s even more fun stuff here.

Seriously, what’s it take to get your own day? That sounds so cool!

Dubbed the most successful children’s writer in the world, Roald Dahl's stories have been translated into over 34 languages. His most popular books include The Twits, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach , Matilda, The Witches, and The BFG. See a complete list here.

Check out his official website. Is that chicken doing what I think it’s doing? Yikes!

This is just the excuse I needed to read tomorrow! Care to join me in some reading fun?

Remember. Always.

September 11, 2001

Geronimo Stilton Takes the Tube

Swiss-errific!

Our favorite mouse editor is headed for TV stardom! Slated for 2009, best-smelling (er… selling) Geronimo Stilton will star in a new animated television series.

Geronimo’s antics have thrilled readers worldwide (he even outsold Harry Potter in Italy—WOW!). Geronimo loves to write adventure stories but somehow his wild family always drags him into one.

These books are funny and so much more! Cheesy humor, awesome use of color and imagery, and fast paced adventure are sure to make them classics.

If you aren’t familiar with Geronimo’s books you can hear and read samples here. And play fun games here. Be sure to check the Funny Page archives too. Have a ton of reading fun!

The 39 Clues – The Hunt Has Begun

Scholastic is doing something new with The 39 Clues. Something a lot of people think is really big—an interactive adventure for 8-12 year olds filled with power, adventure, and mystery.

10 books. 350 collectible cards. Online gaming (with secret information!).

You can find clues, earn points, and compete for more than $100,000 in prizes. It starts today.

This sounds like reading fun—plus some!

Happy International Literacy Day!

Did you know today is International Literacy Day?

Now you do!

Here’s a link with fun reading ideas for kids.

Women Who Love Books Too Much

My mom found a book for me yesterday (yes, I have a mom ;0).

The title? Women Who Love Books Too Much.

Say it isn’t so, I thought. Too much?

Never.

Now, it’s true I have a room I’ve turned into a library, I pick up new books weekly, and my nose is buried between their pages whenever possible. But… too much?

Nooo.

I just went through my house on a bookhunt and realized there are books in every single room! Even my kids’ restroom. And the laundry room. I must admit, this does seem a little freaky… but I wouldn’t change a thing!

Reading changes us. It grows us. And reading is fun!!!

Turns out the book my mom found is about women obsessed with books, but it’s about women who gave it all to read and write. Women who made a difference. Women who were excessive… in a good way.

The bad news: it’s out of print. The good news? I’m about to let you in on a little secret.

Allbookstores.com. Check it out.

What’s a Wordle?

A Wordle indeed. Word lovers everywhere—check this out!

Enter your choice of words. Play with fonts, colors, and layouts. Make a picture out of words. This is soooo cool!

Save it for yourself or share it with others. Wordles are perfect for a wall. A school report. A birthday card. The opportunities are endless. Seriously.

Hey, this is reading and writing fun!

What Book Got You Hooked?

First Book is taking a vote. You’re invited to tell the whole world which book got you hooked on reading! The whole… wide… world, just imagine—they’re waiting to hear from you! Cool.

Barbara Park, Christopher Paolini, Eric Carle, Gary Paulsen, James Patterson, Kate DiCamillo, Lois Lowry, R.L. Stein and a boatload of other authors and famous people (and me too!) already voted and you can read about the books they love (Has anyone else read the book I voted for?).

Plus, you get to vote for one lucky state to win fifty thousand books! How much reading fun is that?!?

You can even vote every single day, but only until September 15th.

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you're having some reading fun!

Mini Tales From Massive Writers

Short and sweet. Sometimes it’s good. Real good.

At bedtime.
In the car.
While waiting for an appointment.
In the bathroom (shhh, you didn’t hear that from me ;0)

Enter WOW 366: Speedy Stories In Just 366 Words

I mean... just the idea that they all have exactly 366 words makes me want to read it. Plus, this new short story anthology by Scholastic was written by famous authors from all over the world, and each makes suggestions for reading fun!

Hello! That’s what I’m talkin’ about.

P.S. I'm going on vacation, but I promise, I'll be back for more reading fun!

Disney’s Ultimate Broadway Sweepstakes

What do The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, and The Lion King all have in common?

They’re all books, of course (and lots of reading fun!).

And, they’re all Broadway plays.

AND… Disney is giving away a trip for four to see them all in New York!

See the official rules on the site. The sweepstakes end August 31st.

Harry Potter Fans Grab Your Hankies!

Big news for movie goers—Warner Brothers just announced that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, previously scheduled for a November 21st release, is being pushed back to July 17th, 2009. That’s right… no Harry til June. Aaaaah!!! Eight additional months of agony.

This move has caused Twilight to move up from December 12th to November 21st.

I do my best to keep you up-to-date on the very latest… stay tuned for more reading fun!

Barring any breaking news, I’ll get back on the magazine topic tomorrow.

So Many Books… So Little Time

Books
~ a poem by Arnold Lobel

Books to the ceiling.
Books to the sky.
My pile of books
Are a mile high.
How I love them!
How I need them!
I'll have a long beard
By the time I read them.

Two and a half million copies of Brisingr are headed to bookstores!

Of magic and dragons...

"Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep."

September 20th brings Christopher Paolini’s much-awaited third book in the best-selling Inheritance Cycle series to eager readers everywhere (yes… there will be midnight parties!).

You can read or listen to an excerpt of Eragon, the first book in this high fantasy series, here.

You can read or listen to an excerpt of Eldest, the second book, here.

You can read an excerpt from the third chapter of Brisingr here.

You can become a Fricaya Member and enter to win exclusive Inheritance prizes here.

You can sign up for the Alagaësia Newsletter and receive exclusive updates from Christopher regarding all things Inheritance here.

You can check out Eragon’s favorite books and music, read Christopher Paolini’s answers to fan questions, play an interactive fiction game, learn from the Eragon pronunciation guide, see which character you are most like, download a screensaver, and put your knowledge to the test here.

You can play the new, interactive online game Vroengard Academy here.

This should keep you busy for a while. Here’s to having reading fun!

Oprah’s Book Club

After a great deal of influence in the adult book world, Oprah is now in the kids reading business, too. In partnership with the American Library Association, Oprah.com just released a Kids Reading List.

Search by five age groups or the classic category. A short summary of each recommendation is included, too. Plus, a picture of the book. I like that. Contrary to popular teaching you can actually tell quite a bit about a book by its cover.

But, that’s another story.

Check out the list and have some reading fun!

2nd Annual Cutest Cat and Kid Digital Photo Contest

Meow! Simon and Schuster is giving away books. Oodles of books. Cat-themed books at that.

To be precise The Cat Fanciers' Association, Simon & Schuster Publishing, Iams, Dr. Elsey's, and PetSmart have joined paws to present the 2nd Annual Cutest Cat and Kid Digital Photo Contest. You can win cat-themed books and other cool cat stuff!

Basically, someone over 18 enters a digital pic of someone under 12 and a cat. See all the rules here.

Learn about cat breeds and colors, cat shows, cat careers, play fun cat games, and link to cool cat sites here.

This contest sounds purr-fect. And—like loads of reading fun!

Summer Games – Beijing, China 2008

The TV rarely gets rest at our house these days. The Olympics are on and we are soaking it up (could that possibly be swimming humor? Hm.).

Time for Kids has a great site devoted to the Summer Olympics. With News, Fast Facts, Olympians Scoop, Photo Gallery, and Quick Quiz you won’t be disappointed.

Time has magazines for kids too. They’re targeted to teachers, but home subscriptions are available as well.

Take a dive (get it?) into the Olympics and reading fun!

Harry Potter Returns… Sort Of

Good news for Harry Potter fans!

You probably remember that Dumbledore gave Hermione a book in Deathly Hallows. A book of five wizarding tales. Tales which contained clues critical to the destruction of You-Know-Who.

Well… drum roll please…

The Tales of Beedle the Bard will now be available to the rest of the world on December 4th!!!

The book will include all five wizarding fairy tales (only one - The Tale of the Three Brothers - is told in Deathly Hallows), AND introduction and illustrations by J.K. Rowling (who knew she can draw too!), AND commentary and previously unrecorded historical backstory by none other than Albus himself.

Pretty sure J.K. has another hit on her hands.

You can see pictures of the original book created here, pre-order here, and read Amazon’s exclusive interview with J.K. here.

J.K. always makes reading fun!

Magazines Teach Health, Nutrition, Safety, and Exercise Fundamentals

The Children’s Better Health Institute publishes award-winning magazines you may not have heard of. Their purpose is “to encourage children of all races and cultures to strive for excellence in the areas of academics, personal fitness, medicine, and science.”

And… they make it FUN!!!

Turtle Magazine “offers colorful and entertaining stories, poems, and rebuses” to preschool children.”

Humpty Dumpty “keeps four to six year olds growing and healthy bodies moving.”

Children’s Playmate has “fun activities, stories, and recipes that promote healthy habits” for six to eight year olds.

Jack and Jill “ features profiles of regular kids doing extraordinary things” (ages seven to ten).

Children’s Digest “features up-to-date reviews of books and CD-ROMS” for nine to twelve year olds.

Check out the 2008 Cover Contest featured on each website–kids get a shot at illustrating a cover!

Cool. And definitely reading fun!

Christian Magazines for All Ages

Back on the magazine front... Focus on the Family has Christian magazines for every age group. Each magazine has a totally awesome, age-appropriate website too!

Stories. Crafts. Movie Reviews. Contests. What’s New. Entertainment. Health and Beauty. Spiritual Health. Too Funny. Mail Bonding. Music. Sports. You want it—Focus has it!

Check ‘em out:

Clubhouse Jr. – “Faith-filled fun for youngsters. Creative stories, fascinating articles, puzzles, craft ideas and more are packed into each issue.”

Clubhouse - “This magazine for kids reinforces traditional values and promotes family closeness with hands-on activities, challenging puzzles and exciting stories.”

Brio – “Packed with feature articles and stories that encourage teen girls 13-16 to make godly choices.”

Brio and Beyond - “Not only will your daughter find articles that'll strengthen her faith, each issue is packed with great reading about everything from fashion and food to fitness and fun things to do.”

Breakaway - The magazine for Christian teen boys. Honest answers about the issues that concern you the most.”

There you have it, loads of Christian reading fun!

Time Paradox

I have a confession to make. Big. Huge. Like… really large.

I haven’t read Artemis Fowl.

Not one. Ever. I mean never.

*Sigh*

I want to. Really, I do. I just haven’t gotten there yet.

But I thought you should know (assuming you’re over the age of 12)… the teenage criminal mastermind strikes again. Book six, The Time Paradox, is on shelves now.

I hear that Artemis really is reading fun. I hope letting you know about his latest book redeems me. Just a little bit.

Check out Eoin Colfer’s site (it’s pronounced Owen). The Artemis Fowl site. And the Artemis Fowl graphic novel.

Whew. I feel better. ;0)

Cricket Magazine Group

Cricket Magazine Group has magazines for everyone! From babies to teens.

Babybug. Ladybug. Click. Appleseeds. Ask. Spider. Cricket. Dig. Cobblestone. Muse. Faces. Calliope. Oddyssey. Cicada.

Those are ALL magazines! Maybe there's one that's just right for you! Check out samples here.

Highlights Highlights

I think it’s safe to say that Highlights is the big-daddy of kids’ magazines. They’ve been at it for over 60 years and have two-million-plus subscribers. And after all these years they’ve still got it goin’ on. Check out a sample issue.

But wait… there’s more!

The younger set is now in luck too! Highlights High Five has been created for two to six year olds (although older siblings and parents are sure to enjoy it). With read-aloud stories, Hidden Pictures, poems, activities, and puzzles this mag is sure to please. Sneak a peak here.

Highlights also has awesome, free email newsletters! They’ll send a free Hidden Picture each month, crafts, stories, discounts—you pick what you want them to send. Sweet.

Highlightskids.com rocks too. With the Game of the Week, Mystery Photos, crafts podcasts, and more. All the fun normally get from Highlights—check it out.

Reading—Fun With a Purpose

Magazine Reading

I’ve just been remembering the joy of magazine reading. When I was younger I had a subscription to Disneyland Magazine: “All-new stories with favorite Walt Disney characters… for Beginning Readers.” Every Tuesday I waited breathless and all hopped-up at the front door window. I think I left drool marks like our Basset Hound.

The mailman delivered my weekly bounty—fresh off the press and custom-created-for-me (well, it seemed like it). Week in and week out I poured over the colorful pages. There were comic-book-like stories, coloring pages, dot-to-dot, mazes, hidden object pictures, and more—all with my favorite Disney friends.

Disneyland Magazine was definitely one of my best early reading experiences—I loved it! As I’ve searched for magazines for my own kids, I’ve realized there are loads of them out there that most of us have never even heard of. Good magazines that are sure to delight even the most finicky reader. Magazines tailor-made for every appetite.

Magazines are definitely reading fun!

Stay tuned… I’ll hook you up.

Smithsonian—More Than a Museum

Walk on the moon. Build a light bulb. Stake your claim on the great American prairie.

Create a sculpture. Be a spy and read satellite photos. See a skeleton walk.

Check out the Smithsonian website for lots of fun, games, and downloadable activity sheets.

Learn how to play Hnefatafl.

Hnefatafl? Oh, come on… you’ve got to check this out! Click here—and here.

Chronicles of Narnia Giveaway

Aaaah! Tomorrow’s the last day to enter The Narnia Sweepstakes.

HarperCollins is giving away awesome Narnia stuff.

Check this out:

“Each winner will receive a copy of the new interactive gift edition, Narnia Chronology: From the Archives of the Last King; The Chronicles of Narnia Pop-up by Robert Sabuda; The Return to Narnia: The Rescue of Prince Caspian, illustrated by Matthew Armstrong; and The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set, which includes all seven books in the series and features cover illustrations by three-time Caldecott Medal–winning artist David Wiesner.”

Hurry! Quick! Enter here.

Plus, there’s games, an interactive timeline, and audiobook samples. You can even download a Narnia widget—now, that’s reading fun!

Cooking by the Book

It seems a few other people have been thinking along the same lines as I have. Wouldn’t you know it—there are already whole cookbooks with recipes from books.

Check’em out and have some reading fun!

Literary Smorgasbord or Book Buffet?

Summer still has me in par-ty-mode! I’m thinking a Literary Banquet would be fun. We could plan a whole meal or dessert around food from our favorite books.

Sam-I-Am has Green Eggs and Ham.

Charlie has a factory of chocolate delicacies.

Harry delights in Pumpkin Pasties, Licorice Wands, and Butterbeer (no, there’s not really beer in there).

Edmund is tempted by Narnia's Turkish Delight.

Mmm. Reading and food fun! How many food dishes from books can you think of?

Beyond the Deepwoods

At about one o’clock this morning I finished my latest read, the first book in The Edge Chronicles series: Beyond the Deepwoods.

Twig, a thirteen-year-old boy, was abandoned at birth and raised by woodtrolls. His mom is afraid the sky pirates will kidnap him so she sends Twig to live with an uncle. Twig doesn’t make it though. He does what woodtrolls never do—he strays from the path.

So begins this non-stop adventure! Bizarre creatures—hammelhorns, flat-heads, shrykes, nightwaifs, wig wigs, and more bring danger and intrigue at a breakneck pace. The beloved banderbear. The ever-watchful Caterbird. The evil Gloamglozer. Twig meets them all on his journey through the deepwoods.

Rocks float and trees eat people; British co-authors, Paul Stewart and Chris Riddel have co-created a completely new world—the line drawings bring amazing detail, further drawing the reader in.

This book is recommended for nine to twelve-year-olds, but I would say that those ahem, somewhat older will appreciate it too. I’ve already ordered Stormchaser, the second book!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the young lady at Barnes and Noble who made the recommendation!

Check out the Edge of Chronicles website, too. It’s awesome! Beyond the Deepwoods is definitely reading fun!

Christmas in July

Tuesday’s post made me think of a fun game our family plays at Christmas. Actually, it’s the way we exchange gifts when we get together with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. I’m thinking we change it up a little and make it a Summer Book Bash!

First, send out invitations to your Summer Book Bash.

Ask your friends to shop for a new book that they would love to read.

Have them wrap it and bring it to the party.

Place all the wrapped books in a pile.

Fill a bowl with little pieces of paper with numbers (You need a number for every person) and have each person draw a number.

Now comes the really fun part! Number one picks a book, unwraps it, and shows it to all the guests.

Number two goes next. They can either pick from the pile, OR they can choose the already opened book from number one. If they pick the book number one opened, then they choose another book from the pile and number one gets to open again!

Each person takes their turn, either choosing a book that has already been opened or one from the present pile.

The last person can take any opened present or the last one from the pile.

We usually say a present can only be stolen three times, but you can make any rules you want, as long as everyone understands them at the beginning.

Make sure you remind everyone at the beginning that they might not end up with the first book they open!

Christmas in July—this definitely sounds like reading fun!

Book Exchange Party

Looking for more fun books to read this summer?

Looking for an excuse to have a few friends over?

Why not plan a book exchange?

Yeah, invite a bunch of friends over for a summer book exchange. Have each person bring five books (or however many you agree on) they want to trade. Set up a table or area to display the books. Then play games and let the winner pick a book. Or give out fake money and have an auction. Or pick your own fun idea to swap books.

Maybe you could even go to Michaels and get plain canvas totes to paint and make individual, customized book bags!

New books. No money required. A party with friends. This definitely sounds like reading fun!

What other ideas can you come up with?

New Seekers Series

Erin Hunter, the author of the Warriors books, has a new series. Seekers: The Quest Begins is about bears and the reviews are mixed. They range between “I love this book” and “seems quite relentless and brutal.” Check out the Amazon reviews here.

HarperCollins is giving ten lucky winners a free autographed copy. Free is fun! Enter the contest here.

Harry Potter Readers Speak

According to the 2008 Kids and Family Reading Report:

74% say of Harry Potter readers say reading Harry has made them “more interested in reading other books.”

69% say they, “Harry Potter books are my favorite books.”

70% say they are “‘very’ interested in re-reading Harry Potter books.”

66% of their parents say, “Reading Harry Potter has helped my child in school.”

Whoa... Harry Potter is like brain food!

Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but they sure make reading fun! I just re-read The Sorcerer’s Stone. It’s the first time I’ve read a book more than once—ever! My plan is to re-read all seven before Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince comes to theatres November 11th.

It’s a good plan. Care to join me?

Here's a sneak peak...

Get Healthy—Have Fun

I’m loving all the fresh fruits and veggies that are in season right now. It’s so much easier to make better food choices in the summer.

This got me thinking about feeling good and being healthy. When we eat right and exercise, we have a lot more energy to do fun things.

And you know I like to do fun things!!!

So... I found some fun games:

At the YouthZone you can build a healthy kid, help a mad scientist put Frankenstein back together, go on a food safari, and play with an interactive crossword puzzle. You can even have a food fight.

Nutrition Exploration has a World of Activities: Fueled for Fun, Little D the Draon, Arianna and Marcus, Monster Nutrition, and Shopping List. There are even jokes.

You probably guessed… there are some cool books on nutrition, too!

Win James Patterson’s Newest Book

James Patterson’s newest book, The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, isn’t due in stores until July 21st, but you can win a copy for FREE now!

“James Patterson's exciting new series is full of high wish-fulfillment fantasy, humor, and of course, all of the suspense that Patterson fans have come to expect--only this time, it's literally out of this world.” Read an excerpt here.

Enter the JamesPatterson.com Sweepstakes by signing up for the JP newsletter. You get entered in the contest and get the scoop on exclusive contests and content. Stuff like advance chapters of upcoming books, contests and special offers, the latest movie news, and James Patterson appearances.

Sweet.

Barnes and Noble Gives Books Away—For FREE

Summer Reading with Andrew Clements is on!

This is the deal for first through sixth graders...

Read eight books of their choosing
Print out the Summer Reading Journal
Tell about their favorite part of the books they listed
Do four fun activities (they really do look fun)
Get it all signed by a parent
Take it to a Barnes and Noble by September 2nd

The free book list isn’t on the site, but I was in the store the other day and there were some AWESOME choices. A nice selection of classics, award-winners, and new releases. Check out the rules here.

Don’t miss out on this one! I’m bummed; I’m too old to participate ;0(

Oh! When you turn in your Summer Reading Journal and get your FREE book, you are automatically entered in a drawing for an autographed copy of an Andrew Clements book. There’s an exclusive interview with him under the rules section and a store locater on the right. It just keeps getting better!

Seriously. I’m sooo jealous.

Independence Day

Happy 4th!

Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards

Have you heard of The Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards? They’ve recognized excellence in children’s and young adult literature since 1967.

Dude, that’s a long time.

This is a really prestigious award, but it sure does have a funky name!

It turns out that like 300 hundred years ago kids didn’t have books (aaaaaaaaaah!!!); the monks taught them with a wooden paddle that had an alphabet and a verse glued to the surface. It got the name hornbook because a piece of transparent horn protected the verse.

Eeew.

Anyways, here are the 2008 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winners:









Nonfiction: The Wall by Peter Sis

Fiction and Poetry: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, illustrated by Ellen Forney

Picture Book: At Night by Jonathan Bean

Special Citation: The Arrival by Shaun Tan by Shaun Tan

Be sure to check out the cool author websites and the past winners, too.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Kit is coming to theatres today!



Whew, I can’t keep up with all the movies that are coming out.

I’m still reading Meet Kit. I’d like to finish it before I see the movie, so if anyone wants to give us a review (on the movie or the book), I’d love it!

Just click on Comments below.

And be sure to check out all Kit’s other books. There are lots of fun project books and crafty books too!

We Have a Winner!

Last month I announced the cheriwilliams.com monthly drawing. Every comment made by you, my faithful readers, equaled an entry in a drawing.

Anonymous, who posted a one-word book review on June 2nd, is our winner!!!

Congrats, anonymous ;0) Please, email me and I’ll get your winnings to you.