Big News!

Such wonderful news here. I've got 3 cover designs for my book The Hidden Market for Children's Literature: Getting Paid to Write for Reading Tests. My publisher, Frank Brockmann of Paceline Publishing (you may know him from Center Point Assessment Solutions), and I haven't been able to decide which we like best.*


Help!


If you feel inspired, please leave a comment with a vote for Cover A, Cover B, or Cover C. Let's give it a week, and then tally up the votes and see which cover is the winner.






COVER A: The cool, minimalist approach:

COVER B: The retro, old-school style:

COVER C: A bit of whimsy:

Design concepts by Chris Di Natale of Di Natale Design, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude, though we have never met nor spoken nary a word. However, when I see these designs, it's clear to me that Chris listened carefully to Frank and me as we talked about our aesthetics and what was important to us. There is nothing I appreciate more than being listened to. Thanks, Chris.




* Um. I actually do have money down on one a favorite. Frank also has a favorite, but his favorite is not the same as my favorite. I'll reveal all when the votes are in.


UPDATE: I hear from someone that sometimes Blogger eats the comments and they don't appear. If you have any problem with that, just find me on Facebook and you can vote there.

Best Day in the World, Maybe

It's coming up: World Read Aloud Day. March 7, y'all. Put it on your calendar.

LitWorld's mission is to

. . .use the power of story to cultivate literacy skills in the world's most vulnerable children through Education, Advocacy and Innovation. LitWorld creates resilience building reading and writing experiences which connect and fortify communities.

Who can't get on board with this agenda?


The best thing I ever heard anyone say about reading was that in addition to the value (in terms of acquiring knowledge and information) and sheer pleasure it gives, reading also ensures domestic harmony, because whenever one must wait for another member of one's household, one may sit oneself comfortably and read, thereby spending time profitably and enjoyably that would otherwise be wasted in grumbling. 

Read about World Read Aloud Day here.

Register to participate in World Read Aloud Day here.

Download a pdf containing an activity kit here.


I'd love to hear what you're going to read aloud. Could be anything. I'll make a list, starting with 10 Minutes till Bedtime by the wonderful, wonderful Peggy Rathmann.

NOTE: You probably noticed the change in design. No credit to me. You know how simple those templates are.


UPDATE: Great idea here at GOOD. It's a 30-Day Art Challenge for March. Already shaping up to be a good month, what with the reading and the art.

Tell Me Something Good

. . . in the immortal words of Chaka Khan.

More than 2.5 million students in New York City, Charleston, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jersey City, and Los Angeles have benefited from the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program. The program is designed to help educators teach communication, decision making and goal setting skills, aimed at giving middle and high school students the skills to be successful in life.

More here. By B.A. Birch at Education News. Overcoming Obstacles offers free lesson plans for middle school and high school.

Happy Friday.