I’m thrilled to holler out: My new picture book , ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING, is on the way!  It’s coming to bookstores on April Fool’s Day!

Illustrated by the creative goddess, Terri Murphy, with whom I partnered to create DANCE, Y’ALL, DANCE (also published by Bright Sky Press) ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING stars Zane, a boy who finds fun and adventure within found objects.

Come rambling with Zane and his friends and you’ll discover the priceless jewels and other treasures that lie all around…if you just know how to look!

Back in the day, it was more about how you wrote than what you wrote. There was something to that–still is if you ask the IRA!

Are you ready for a healthy, educational competition that rewards everyone, builds students’ self-esteem, and generates positive public relations for your school?

Enter the Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest—an annual event that Zaner-Bloser sponsors to promote legible handwriting. The contest is free to enter and open to all students in Grades 1–8.

Over $100,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. Prize packages for students, teachers, and schools include an all-expenses-paid trip to IRA’s 57th Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois, for the eight outstanding teachers of the Grand National Grade-Level Winners! Watch this video to learn more.

Give all your students the opportunity to win. Download contest entry forms today. The deadline to enter is January 23, 2012—National Handwriting Day.

Sincerely,

International Reading Association

Not Norman, A Goldfish Story is now Reader’s Theater!

After garnering a 5-glug review at its debut at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, VT the Reader’s Theater version of Not Norman, A Goldfish Story is ready to take on the road. Next stop: Your Place!

Download the Not Norman Reader’s Theater Script.

(If this link fails, click on the “Activities” Tab and scroll down to Not Norman‘s Activity Box

Ready all you Normans? (Come on you know you always wanted to play a goldfish.) Puff up your fish cheeks, puff out your fish lips and give us a “Glug!”