Little Meg finds the outside world a bit too loud and far too scary! So, she’s going to stay inside her safe white shell, thank you very much. But then the Howl breaks into the barn and steals Mother Hen! What is she supposed to do, still holed up in that egg of hers? She can’t run and she certainly can’t fly. Well, never get between a chick and her momma, cause this little bird’s got a can-do spirit and a whole lot of courage that she didn’t know she had before! A tale of self discovery that speaks to all children’s fears of the unknown, Ms. Borg delivers a great read-aloud resource for parents and teachers alike. With an onomatopoeic construction that gives life to the story and encourages children to participate through repetition of words, noises, and actions, MEG THE EGG is the perfect story for beginning readers.
Rita Antoinette Borg was educated in New York and now resides on the Mediterraneanisland of Malta. She performs storytelling and creative writing workshops in schools across the country and works as a freelance writer for local magazines and newspapers. Ms. Borg has published four picture books aimed at early readers as well as an anthology of short stories for older children. Her books have been recognized by the Malta National Annual Literary Awards. Her book “Don’t Cross the Road, Holly!” was chosen as the year’s best Children’s Book in English. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Writers & Illustrators.
Pump Up Your Book and Rita Antoinette Borg are teaming up to give you a chance to win fabulous prizes!
Here’s how it works: Each person will enter this giveaway by liking, following, subscribing and tweeting about this giveaway through the Rafflecopter form placed on blogs throughout the tour. This promotion will run from April 22 - May 17, 2013. The winner will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter, contacted by email and announced on May 20, 2013. Each blogger who participates is eligible to enter and win. Visit each blog stop below to gain more entries as the Rafflecopter widget will be placed on each blog for the duration of the tour. Good luck everyone! a Rafflecopter giveaway If the Rafflecopter form doesn’t load, you can visit the Meg the Egg tour page at http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2013/04/01/pump-up-your-book-presents-rita-antoinette-borgs%E2%80%99s-meg-the-egg-book-blast-%E2%80%93-win-25-amazon-gift-card-and-free-books/ for your chance to enter and win!
MEG THE EGG TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, April 22nd
Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, April 23
The Children’s and Teen’s Book Connection
Wednesday, April 24th
The Writer’s Life
Thursday, April 25th
As the Pages Turn
Friday, April 26th
The Busy Mom’s Daily
Monday, April 29th
LadyD Books
Tuesday, April 30th
Tribute Books Reviews and Giveaways
Wednesday, May 1st
Classic Children’s Books
Thursday, May 2nd
My Devotional Thoughts
Friday, May 3rd
Review from Here
Saturday, May 4th
Bea’s Book Nook
Monday, May 6th
Mayra’s Secret Bookcase
Tuesday, May 7th
Paperback Writer
Wednesday, May 8th
Read For Your Future
Thursday, May 9th
Freda’s Voice
Friday, May 10th
Lori’s Reading Corner
Monday, May 13th
Books for Kids
Tuesday, May 14th
I’m A Reader, Not a Writer
Wednesday, May 15th
Literal Exposure
Thursday, May 16th
4 the Love of Books
Friday, May 17th
The Crypto-Capers Review
“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
Well, folks, this is my very first attempt in writing a haiku... so please be easy on me. I thought I would try it since April is Poetry Month! Yes, this mountain does exist and it is located in the San Pasqual Valley. Not really sure if the Indians called it Starvation Mountain or if one of the Safari Park tour guides gave it the name so children wouldn't wander off from their parents. In any case, I was so glad for the opportunity to see this beautiful spot this season. LadyD Books is linking with other sky watchers, Skywatch Friday
Words You Know
chrysalis - the second stage of a butterfly's life. larva - the first stage of an insect's life. nectar - a sugary liquid that plants make to attract insects and birds. proboscis - a long, thin tube that a butterfly uses to drink nectar. It works like a straw. milkweed plant - a plant that is common in North America. Monarch butterflies always lay their eggs on these plants, so that the caterpillars can eat the leaves.
Glossary
Migration - Moving from one region or habitat to another for food or for a mate.
Instinct - Behavior that animals are born knowing how to do.
Habitat - The place or environment where a plant or animal naturally lives.
My butterfly photos were taken at the San Diego Safari Park, Butterfly Exhibit with the Nikon D200. The exhibit was very humid and my camera lens kept fogging up but well worth the trip to see all these majestic butterflies flying and landing about... such a wonder. Do you have a butterfly garden?
Joke: Why did the butter jump off the table? Answer: It wanted to be a butterfly!
-- Fly, Monarch! Fly! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
There are several books that are among my favorites on the subject of butterflies. My grandchildren and I recommend these but tell me, have you read some, too?
I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to read a special storywith this instructional song to my grandson. Don't you just love engaging books for children, especially where music is involved?! I sure do because it's fun to learn new things and to practice repetitive things with rhyme and music. You'll find my review of this little tale, Learn to Tie with the rabbit and the Fox on today's post.
I am also very pleased to share with you a special interview with the author, Sybrina Durant.
About The Book
Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox is the new, fun, interactive story for kids by Sybrina Durant. The book is based around the endearing tale of a rabbit and a hungry fox. The illustrated new story melds generations past, with a story of new found freedom and flavor.
Learn to Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox is the careening adventure of these two characters, set to a lively and memorable instructional song, that offers a simple and fun way of learning to tie the "school boy" style knot that so many kids struggle to learn.
In the new book, the very hungry fox races through the forest seeking to capture the sweet rabbit with its sharp and powerful snapping jaws. The race itself mimics the motion of tying a knot.
The book is written to involve the entire family and intended to make it fun for parents to teach the sometimes troubling task to the little learners.
The book encourages participants reading and listening to the companion song to each have a tie handy to go through the motions of actually tying a necktie.
Brilliant New Book by Sybrina Durant Opens new Doors for Child Learning.
The song is a catchy and repeatable jingle that runs around the head long after the book is finished. Children remember the song melody and words and with the jingle re-call their actions in tying their neckties. The elegant knot the book teaches is also known as the "four in hand". Word association has long been used by scholars and amateurs alike in the learning of anything and everything necessary and unnecessary. The process is called "Mnemonic" which is defined by the art of memorizing something by associating it with words, phrases or sentences designed to help remember.
Learn To Tie A Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox is a book readers may see, touch and share. It is also available in Spanish and Tagalog languages. The accompanying song can be streamed for free, in all three languages, at the author's website at www.sybrina.com
The illustrations by Donna Marie Naval are wonderful and go well with the story line.
This book contains 24 pages of story, instruction and tie-a-tie diagrams, plus the lyrics to the song.
Listen to the song for Free
My Review A cute story and colorful illustrations provide a fun and easy approach in learning to tie a knot in a necktie. Following the story of the fox chasing a rabbit, the up-beat song will help you in performing the challenge of this hand and eye coordination task. My grandson was delighted to cheer on the rabbit escaping the quick gray fox. How does the little rabbit do it? Why, it's as easy as tying a "school boy knot." What I especially like about the book and song is that it brings families together in a delightful way!
5/5 stars. Recommend it.
Author Interview
Tell us a bit about your book and where it’s available.
Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox is a cute storybook with beautiful disneyesque, yet thoroughly modern artwork meant to make it easy to learn to tie a simple knot in a necktie.It is immediately available in print and ebook format at most online bookstores.And it is available in print version upon request at major bookstores around the world via Ingram /Baker and Taylor.
What was the inspiration for your book?
I was inspired to put together a fun “how-to” for learning to tie a tie way back in the 1980’s when my children were young.Someone told us the little story about the rabbit and the fox when we were tie shopping for their Dad and it was so simple we remembered it when we got home.Being a young and very busy mother, I never really had time to work on it and I completely forgot all about it until a year or so ago. I did some research to see if anyone had ever published such a book and found that no one had so I got right on it.
What was your aim for this book? What did you want readers to think and feel when reading it?
I wanted to take a seemingly complicated task and make it simple for anyone of any age – even for little kids.I want parents and children to have fun learning together because after all, like me back then, many young parents today don’t know how to tie a tie.I want everyone who follows the tale of the fox chasing the rabbit through the forest to have a sense of accomplishment and pride for mastering something that requires some manual dexterity.Not all hand to eye coordination has to be experienced with video games.
Do you have any other books currently available?
Actually, Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox and the accompanying instructional song are currently available in English, Spanish and Tagalog. Anyone can go to Sybrina.com and hear the song in all three languages for free.
What will you be working on next?
In a few months I will release a book that specifically involvesgirls in the knot tying process.It will be titled “Learn To Tie A Neck Scarf With The Rabbit And The Fox”.Come to find out, there is actually a method for tying a scarf called the “necktie knot”.This book, also illustrated by Donna Marie Naval, will be in soft pastels reminiscent of water color paintings.
How did you originally get into writing?
I have been writing songs and stories since I was first able to spell.I’ve started writing many science fiction and fantasy novels but have yet to finish one. One day…
What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
What I enjoy most about this current phase of being a writer is something I would have never imagined before the internet age…I most enjoy interacting with like-minded individuals from all around the world. For instance, Donna is from the Philippines and I would have never met her if not for the internet.I had looked at the portfolios of over 100 artists before hers appeared.When I saw it, I knew that her artwork was what was needed to make the story come alive.It really makes me happy to be able to help further someone else’s dreams along with my own.
What do you find hardest about being a writer?
The hardest thing about being a writer these days is realizing that you must also be your own publisher and publicist.The truth is over 900 new books are released for sale in this country alone every single day so the hard work begins after the book has been made available to the public.It is then, you realize you must set your feet on the long hard path of marketing because, with so many other books calling for people’s attention, it’s up to you to ensure people know yours is out there and that is it something they’ll be happy to read.
Who or what would you count as your main influence?
I have to say my Dad was my main influence.He could tell a story like nobody’s business.He would hold an entire room enthralled, wildly recounting his youthful adventures.I could never tell stories like that but I found that I could write them down pretty well.A little aside about my Dad that you might find interesting…he thought he made up my name Sybrina and he was very proud of it.Once I made the mistake of asking him if I could have a nickname because it is a somewhat awkward name to pronounce.No one ever got it right.Well, that was the angriest he ever was at me.His answer was unequivocally “NO!”He said, “I gave you that name for a reason.Someday the world is going to know who you are and you need a name they will remember.”I scoffed at such a notion at the time but maybe that little lecture is what has motivated me to keep writing and sharing my stories.
Who is your favorite author?
I have many favorite authors and my library at home is packed with row upon row of books going all the way up to the ceiling.I’ve always felt like books were my friends and I could never let go of one once I’d read it.Books are my favorite presents to buy for my friends and family.I want them to get as much pleasure as I have from so many amazing stories.I was first inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien author of “Lord of the Rings”.I was totally enchanted with the land that he created.So much so that I began creating magical worlds of my own.
What do you enjoy reading?
Epic fantasies are my favorite read.
What would be your ideal writer’s haven for creating your book? Would you have a desk in a quiet cabin somewhere or an iPad on the beach?
My ideal writer’s haven would be the second story of a cabin at the lake.I would love to have a big picture window right in from of me for gazing out at tranquil scenery filled with a green tree filled lawn with water expanding into the distance beyond.That is very soothing for me.But it really doesn’t matter where I am when I’m writing because I totally lose focus of my surroundings.I am lost in the story when I’m writing, just as when I’m reading.
About The Author
League City, TX - Sybrina Durant is an inventive author, who understands children and what they enjoy. Learn To Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox, is the recent book by the author who is igniting excitement in families worldwide, with a simple little book that is helping children learn a sometimes tough lesson.
Thanks so much Sybrina for the wonderful interview and giving our readers a chance to know you a little better. I especially loved the story about you and your dad. Plus, learning how you found the illustrator to the book and now another up-coming new one. I look forward to reading Learn to Tie a Neck Scarf with the Rabbit and the Fox when available. Best wishes and much continued success!
Learn To Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox: Story with Instructional Song
Blessings,
“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
The serene location is near the African Village at the San Diego Safari Park. It looks like it just may be the perfect spot for crawdad fishing. A crawdad looks like a small lobster (also called crayfish.) Have you ever been crawdad fishing? When I look at this peaceful scene, an AmericanFolk Song, The Crawdad Song comes to my mind. You can hear the song and download the free sheet musicFreebies Crawdad. I play this southern song in the Key of F, too.
Alongside the numerous nature trails inside the park, I noticed these pretty orange flowers growing everywhere. I'm not sure of the name but they have an appearance similar to a red trumpet wildflower.
Later on in the day we took a drive over to the harbor to see if anyone caught something for the day and we spotted the two fishermen with a sun perch on the line.
No worries here because this little fish quickly was scooped up and put right back in a bucket of water. Do you remember the funny part in Nemo where the pelicans say, "Mine."?!
I think you can see the puzzled look on my grandson's face since he was so excited to climb up the rails of the pier, but seems a bit perplexed and not so thrilled in finding his way down. He made a safe landing, so all is well!
The Essential seafood Cookbook
From crab cakes in a New York eatery, to moules mariniere in a French bistro, or salty fish and chips on a windy boardwalk, seafood is deliciously at home anywhere. Today, caviar is a costly extravagance, and fish is a highlight on pricey restaurant menus, so it is hard to imagine that seafood was once poor man's fare. But tastes and values have changed and The Essential Seafood Cookbook - with over 600 full-color photographs - shows how fresh seafood now enjoys respect and popularity around the world.
The Page 56: "Lobster, Rock also known as crayfish, cray, spiny lobster is firm with sweet flavor. Barbecue, grill, pan-fry, poach or steam."
Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon
We could float among the stars together, you and I
For we can fly we can fly
Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon
The world's a nicer place in my beautiful balloon
It wears a nicer face in my beautiful balloon
We can sing a song and sail along the silver sky
For we can fly we can fly
Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon
Suspended under a twilight canopy
We'll search the clouds for a star to guide us
If by some chance you find yourself loving me
We'll find a cloud to hide us
We'll keep the moon beside us
Love is waiting there in my beautiful balloon
Way up in the air in my beautiful balloon
If you'll hold my hand we'll chase your dream across the sky
For we can fly we can fly
Up, up and away
My beautiful, my beautiful balloon
Balloon...
Up, up, and away.....
The San Diego Safari Park offers a balloon ride for those to see a glorious view of this vast refuge.
This enormous air balloon sends frequent visitors upwards throughout the day.
I recently lost my aunt and uncle. I was so very close to them and I will miss them dearly. I am comforted to know they are with Jesus and I'm holding onto the remembrance of so many wonderful memories. Have you ever lost a loved one and have felt that tug on your heart? Yes, it will pass. Love is so great. Balloon photos for Skywatch Friday
You might feel alone sometimes when you're grieving the loss of a friend or family member but He promises we are never alone. He's always with us. Cactus blossom photo taken at the Safari Park Nature Trail for Orange You Glad It's Friday. Do you have a cactus garden?
The Friday 56
Currently, I'm reading Accidental Pharisees by Larry Osborne. Oh my, it is such a good read. Now there isn't a page 56, so I chose the very last line to the previous page for this book meme.
"We can't see what God sees, which is why he asks us to leave the judging to him."
Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Other Dangers of Overzealous Faith
I'll be blogging more about my grandson's b'day party at the park. He invited lots of friends and in this photo you can see some of the big boys with his Aunt Shasta, along with Ryan standing up on the ledge to the left. At first glance, this picture reminded me of the movie, Men In Black. Photo for Color Connection. Did you see this movie?
Blessings,
“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
English: A multi-volume Latin dictionary (Egidio Forcellini: Totius Latinitatis Lexicon, 1858–87) in a table in the main reading room of the University Library of Graz. Picture taken and uploaded on 15 Dec 2005 by Dr. Marcus Gossler. Español: Diccionario de latÃn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve always been a
lover of books—the opportunity to visit a new world, a new time, a new way of
life. What’s your rite-of-passage reading story? I’ll start with mine.
As soon as I started
school, Mother encouraged me to learn to read. She was a voracious reader,
eager for me to develop the same love of books. This Chatty Kathy enjoyed every
form of communications since my first spoken word. The written word was no
different—I took to it like gravy goes with biscuits. Remember those Weekly
Reader magazines (oh, the
delicious smell of the ink and paper!)? The SRA Reading Lab inspired me to read
not just for speed, but for retention.
When I received my
first public library card around age 6, Mom walked us to the library several
times a month. Yes, it seemed like it was two miles uphill both ways, but it
was worth it! Our little town of four thousand was blessed with a Carnegie
library (built in 1905) full of well-loved books. Mom taught me how to follow
my favorite authors—I read all their titles. I knew how to thumb through a card
catalog and recite the Dewey decimal system. By the time I outgrew the
children’s section, I had read every book and graduated to the “grown-up”
shelves.
Most avid readers say their idea of a time-out from stress and life involves curling up with a good book—claw-foot tub or blazing fireplace optional.
My favorite reading tip is this: Don’t waste time on a mediocre book. When reading for recreation, remember that you aren’t in school anymore. You aren’t being graded for reading every word. So if a book doesn’t appeal to you, put it down! Grab a different one. We have only so much time in life—definitely not enough time to get bogged down with a boring book or confusing storyline.
Just because a book earned rave reviews doesn’t mean it’s the right book for you, any more than gorgeous size 7 shoes will fit size 10 feet!
Think about your own reading tale. What was it like when you learned to read? When did you discover your local library? Do you recall the favorite authors of your early years? Who inspired you to read more? What challenges you today in your reading? We all have a story—even a reading story!
Kathy Carlton Willis Bio:
Kathy Carlton Willis gets jazzed speaking for women’s events and writers conferences across the country. She’s known for her practical and often humorous messages. Kathy enjoys fiddling with words as a writer and also coaches others. When not reading or writing books, she serves as a happy pastor’s wife.
