SFC Editor Speaks

From The Editor:

It is cold in southwest Ohio. We might get rain or snow, but one thing’s for sure—the holiday spirit is in the air! Maybe your town or city is like mine: Trees are twinkling, and shopping malls are packed with people. Some get a thrill from the hunt for the perfect gift; others just want the madness to end.

Either way, the end result is the same—beautiful packages tucked under branches, slipped into a stocking, or smothered in packing peanuts for mailing. The electricity is in the air. Just seeing the bright wrapping paper can make a child’s heart skip a beat!

When I was a child, I could barely contain myself, wondering if the gifts I saw contained that special, longed-for book or toy. But it was even more exciting to watch as brothers, sisters and parents eyed gifts from me. When Christmas morning came, it was all I could do to keep from shouting out what was hidden inside the wrapping paper!

When my children were young, I could see the true delight they would feel when their dad and I opened gifts they had made for us.

They almost fought over whose gift we should open first! They had discovered one of the most important truths: It is better to give than to receive. I hope this feeling stays with them forever.

This issue of Stories for Children Magazine is like those wrapped gifts. It contains wonderful stories, poems and activities that we hope will make you happy. We hope you have fun reading it, but we have had even more fun getting it ready for you!

May your holidays be filled with fun and mystery, and may you always know the joy that comes from giving.

Winter blessings,

Jamie DeMumbrum

Assistant Poetry Editor

SFC Good News

The staff at Stories for Children Magazine wishes to honor our contributing authors and illustrators by listing their other accomplishments outside Stories for Children Magazine so you, our readers, will know just what level of talent you are getting here at our magazine. Although some of our authors and illustrators are just starting out, they are already proving themselves to be the ultimate professionals. We are proud to offer up this space on our website to tell you about their exciting accomplishments! Bravo and kudos to all of you – we are so happy and excited to be including you in our GOOD NEWS FILE! J

--The Editors at SFC Magazine

November 2011

Contributor Cathy Witbeck has just published an E-book on smashwords, Totally Cliche. Writers aren't supposed to use cliches, but they took a challenge to use as many as possible in a collection of short stories. At 99 cents, you can take the challenge and see how many cliches you can find in this collection of eleven fun stories. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/105776

Contributor G.R. LeBlanc has a blog in case you ever take up an interest in haiku: http://berrybluehaiku.blogspot.com/

Andrea Buginsky (Freelance Writer/Author) was just interviewed recently if you'd like to read it at http://www.joramsey.com/?p=779 and is an official winner of The Authors Show 50 Writers You Should be Reading! http://www.wnbnetworkwest.com/WnbAuthorsShow50Writers2011.html

Lastly, Andrea’s publisher has put together a holiday PDF cookbook with recipes from fellow authors and herself. It’s available to download from their website for free! Here is the link: http://www.solsticepublishing.com/products/Cooking-With-Solstice-Authors-Volume-One.html

Contributor S.G. Rogers (February 2012, SFC Magazine) has just released a young adult fantasy e-book, "The Last Great Wizard of Yden." Published by Astraea Press, this story follows a young artistic prodigy as he uncovers a closely guarded family secret that leads to another dimension. Written in the vein of "Harry Potter" and the Percy Jackson series, "The Last Great Wizard of Yden" is the first in a trilogy.

Contributor Candida Sullivan has her first two book coming out in December 2011. Zippy and the Stripes of Courage (illustrated by Jack Foster-another SFC contributor) is a picture book about how Zippy the zebra came to accept himself for who he is. It teaches children to celebrate one another’s differences and to treat others as they themselves want to be treated. Underneath the Scars is Candida’s personal reflection about what it is like to live with scars (caused my Amniotic Band Syndrome).

Past World of Ink FG Author Linda Valderrama, RDH received notification that their children's book, Brush Barry Brush received recognition as a 2011 KART (Kids Are Readers Too) Book List winner in the pre-school/pre-K (ages 2-5) category. She also recently had a nonprofit health service buy 900 copies of her book, Brush Barry Brush. You can learn more about her and her book at Shirley's Girl Publications http://www.shirleysgirlpublications.com

Past FG Janet Halfmann’s picture book Fur and Feathers has won a Teachers' Choice Award from "Learning Magazine." Here's the link to the press release from the publisher: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/documents/TCAForChildren'sBooksJanetHalfmann.pdf

Janet Halfmann CHILDREN'S AUTHOR

http://www.janethalfmann.com

Star of the Sea, Henry Holt, May 2011 (Junior Library Guild Selection; Great Review in The Wall Street Journal)

Fur and Feathers, Sylvan Dell Publishing, August 2010 (2012 Teachers' Choice Award: Learning Magazine; 2010 Gold Moonbeam Award)

Good Night, Little Sea Otter, Star Bright Books, September 2010

Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story, Lee & Low Books, 2008 (Best Children's Books of the Year: Bank Street College of Education; Honor Book: Society of School Librarians International; Honor Book: 2009 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People; Starred Review: Kirkus Reviews; Editor's Favorites: The Bloomsbury Review; Land of Enchantment Masterlist: New Mexico Library Association; Beehive Book Awards Nominee: Children's Literature Association of Utah; Reading Circle Program: Missouri State Teachers Association)

Little Skink's Tail, Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2007 (Mom's Choice Awards: Best Children's Book of 2009 (1 of 3), plus Gold Recipient: Educators' Choice & Animal Kingdom; 2009 Teachers' Choice Award: Learning Magazine; 2008 Best Overall Book and Best Picture Book: Florida Publishers Association; Just Read, Florida! Recommended Summer Reading List 2009, 2010, 2011)

Little Black Ant on Park Street, Soundprints/Smithsonian Institution, 2010

Garter Snake at Willow Creek Lane, Soundprints/Smithsonian Institution, September 2011

Home in the Cave, Sylvan Dell Publishing, Spring 2012

EGGS 1, 2, 3, Blue Apple Books, Lift-the-Flap Book, April 2012

A Rainbow of Birds, Guardian Angel Publishing, TBA

On Saturday, past World of Ink FG LaNiyah was the youngest speaker, on the panel of "Youth Naming & Proclaiming" hosted by famed actress Drew Sidora (The Game, White Chicks & Never Die Alone) LaNiyah spoke on how she handles bullies, gave advice to youth on how to stand up for themselves and also, gave words of encouragement to the aspiring young authors that were in the audience.

Recently, LaNiyah has booked speaking engagements in and around the Chicago-land area. Her next appearance is scheduled for December 16, 2011 @ Malcolm X College, where she will be speaking to the students of The Village Learning Academy. She'll also have a surprise............ Be sure to check her "official" website for details. http://NotFatBecauseIwannabe.com

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