Featured on the GAP Family Blog

THE GAP FAMILY

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GAP FAMILY BLOG WELCOMES Penelope Anne Cole, AUTHOR OF Magical Matthew.

Posted: 16 Dec 2012 12:00 AM PST

Congratulations on the release of Magical Matthew.  Please tell us more about it.

About the book: 

Matthew has a big secret.  He can fix things magically with his mind.  Matthew secretly uses his magic to fix things for his family and friends.  Later, he expands his magical good deeds by fixing things in his neighborhood.  Matthew’s friend, Lily, suspects something is special about him.  Matthew must decide whether to tell her the truth or not.

What was the inspiration for this book?

Penelope: My book was inspired by my friend's son, Matthew, when he attained "double digits."  I thought, “How Magical is that – he’s not a kid anymore!”  Which led to, what if he really had magic?  What would he do?  And would he tell people, or keep it a secret?.

What is your favorite moment from the book?

Penelope: There are two special moments for me.  First, when Matthew confides in his Grandma Nonie, showing he’s comfortable sharing his secret with a trusted adult.  And, second, when he realizes he has abilities and talents beyond magic. 

Is this your first published book?

Penelope:  Yes

Congratulations! We’d love to hear more about you.

I’ve had a few careers:  my longest was in government service Human Resources (HR), next as a teacher of adults and children, and now as a writer and book reviewer.  In most of my positions, I’ve been able to write and teach others.  English Literature was my undergraduate Liberal Arts major and Education my Masters program.

Do you have any book signing events or book tours scheduled for Magical Matthew?

Penelope:  For now I’m visiting fellow author’s blogs and Magical Matthew is being reviewed.  I hope to visit local schools, libraries and bookstores.

How can our readers learn more about you and any upcoming Magical Matthew events?

Penelope:  I will post them on my blogs: 

http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com and http://magical-matthew.blogspot.com.

Thank you for stopping in to share Magical Matthew with us.  Readers can purchase their copy here. We are proud to add it to the ever-growing line of quality titles from Guardian Angel Publishing.

Finding My Place, One Girl’s Strength at Vicksburg by Margo L. Dill

Finding My Place, One Girl’s Strength at Vicksburg, by Margo L. Dill, is a tough book.  Not because it’s not well-written or is hard to read.  It’s tough because it’s a realistic story about a very difficult time in our nation’s history.  This is a fictionalized story about General Grant’s six week siege of Vicksburg, as seen through the eyes of thirteen year old, Anna Green.  It’s a down-to-earth Civil War story made compelling and personal by the main character.

In the beginning, Anna is living in a cave with her Ma, her brother James, and her sister Sara.  Anna’s Pa and her older brother Michael are away, fighting for the South.  We see Anna as a normal teen, one who loves to write in her journal, play and fight with her siblings, and who doesn’t relish learning to cook and sew.  It’s the family life of a typical teen in 1863 -- except for the shells and bombs from the “Blue Belly Yankees” going off all around them. 

As in most war stories, personal tragedy befalls them, and then Anna, Sara, and James have to live with other families.  Anna struggles with grief and despairs about her family being separated.  Eventually she finds the strength and maturity to bring her family back together.  Anna is a survivor.  We trust she will be able to deal successfully with almost anything life sends her way. 

Margo Dill has interwoven powerful themes in this story:  dealing with grief, deprivation, and political issues -- such as slavery -- in war time; coming-of-age in devastating circumstances; the consequences of everyday choices and pivotal life decisions; and the impact of our faith in facing life’s challenges.

The cover illustration, by Doug Knutson, shows how Anna lived during the six week siege.  She’s running from the bombs and shells to the sanctuary of a cave where families lived during the shelling.  This book vividly tells the story of the Civil War more realistically than most students and children have seen before.  They can relate personally to Anna’s pain, hardship, and struggles.  Telling someone that war is devastating doesn’t compare with showing them as Margo Dill has done in Finding My Place, One Girl’s Strength at Vicksburg.

 

Available from:   http://margodill.com/blog/finding-my-place/

 http://www.amazon.com/Finding-My-Place-Strength-Vicksburg/dp/1572494085/ 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-my-place-margo-l-dill/1111980136?ean=9781572494084

 Books by Margo L. Dill:

*Finding My Place, middle-grade historical fiction, White Mane Kids, October 2012

*Lucy and the Red Ribbon Week Adventure, picture book, High Hill Press, TBD

*Maggie Mae, Detective Extraordinaire and the Case of the Missing Cookies, picture book, Guardian Angel Publishing, TBD

For more information on Margo L. Dill go to:  http://www.margodill.com

Whispering Wally in The Sand Art Secret, written and illustrated by Kevin Collier

Whispering Wally in The Sand Art Secret, written and illustrated by Kevin Collier, is a sweet sequel to Collier’s first Whispering Wally story.  In this new story, Whispering Wally the Whale is curious about what his friend, Torrie the Tiny Sea Turtle is doing in the sand.  Whenever Wally comes near, she stirs up the sand so he can’t see. 

Wally thinks Torrie may be hiding something and tries to find it when she isn’t around.  But Wally can’t find anything.  He asks her what she’s doing, but she’s not ready to tell him.  Wally worries it may be dangerous, but Torrie tells him not to worry.  Later in the story Wally finds out what shy Torrie was hiding.  It’s a wonderful secret that pleases them both.  Wally praises Torrie and reminds us that we are all works of art in God’s eyes.

Kevin Collier’s message is uplifting and supports the self-esteem development of children who hear or read this story.  He shows us that physical size isn’t as important as one’s heart.  Being kind, gentle, and supportive helps us to be true friends. 

Collier’s art is bright and colorful.  He excels in showing emotions on his character's faces.  His sea creatures and underwater landscape really draws you in.  You feel you’re right in the middle of the story, seeing what Wally sees and doing what Torrie does.  I recommend this story for children who love sea animals, and for parents and teachers who want an uplifting story that shows we are all valued for our unique talents and our giving hearts.

More information about, and available from:  

www.tangerineskyproductions.com

http://whisperingwally.blogspot.com

Guardian Angel Publishing November Releases

BIRDS IN THE FLOWER BASKET Academic Wingshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/birds-basket.htm

hardcover and softcover
by Mary Jean Kelso, artist Julie Hammond
Three-year-old Abbi is introduced to an interesting event right outside her living room window.  Birds are nesting in the hanging flower basket

 

 

EL BURRO SONRIENTE Spanish Editionsby Mary Esparza-Vela, artist Mike Motz
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/burro-sonriente.htm
Un pequeño burro se presenta en la casa de un niño y se gana el corazón de todos los miembros de la familia.

 

 

GATSBY'S GRAND ADVENTURES Book 1 Winslow Homer's "Snap the Whip" Animals & Petshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/gatsby-snap-the-whip.htm
by Barbara Cairns, artist Eugene Ruble
When Gatsby the art gallery cat explores famous paintings at night, he forgets to jump out before dawn and strange things happen to Winslow Homer's painting.

 

 

JUGGERUM  Littlest Angelshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/juggerum.htm
by J Aday Kennedy, artist Alex Morris
Peter and Jen devise a plan to capture a fat bullfrog. Humor, bullfrog facts and the thrill of adventure are laced together to create a book reluctant readers and boys will enjoy.

 

 

MICHAEL & THE ELF Early Chapbook
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/michael-elf.htm
by Kathryn Sullivan, art by Jo Dunningham
Michael likes to pretend. A tiny elf he finds in his parent’s garden asks him to pretend to fly him home. 

But a witch might stop Michael from pretending, and he must believe in himself. 

 

 

RIDICULOUSLY RIDICULOUS Littlest Angelshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/ridiculous.htm
by Susan K Tucker, artist Jack Foster
Share this fun ridiculous adventure. Imagine yourself far, far away in this wonderful ridiculous book. 

 

Lynda S. Burch, Publisher
Guardian Angel Publishing
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com
http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com
http://guardianangelfamily.blogspot.com/

MEDIA RELEASE

CONTACT:    Donna McDine, Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Angel Kids Ezine

Email:              submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com

Website:          http://guardian-angel-kids.com

For Immediate Release

Children’s Ezine Guardian Angel Kids: Courage – December 2012 Issue

Courage instilled in children from the onset will develop over time to monumental positive actions. Starting with the simplest act of having the courage to ask questions in an effort to learn, especially when you think no one else could possibly have the same question. To always telling the truth even though disciplinary actions may be the result or standing up to the school bully when everyone else is afraid to. Courage comes from one’s positive surroundings and the support from our loved ones to live our lives in a positive manner.

Come explore the world of Guardian Angel Kids through the thought provoking short stories and articles of what it means to be courageous and how being so can be rewarding in immeasurable ways. Digging deep down to right a wrong in The Secret and Beyond the Evergreen are examples of truthfulness, discovering the admiration of sisterhood in Its Life, encouraging our children to reach their full potential in Courage-Reach for the Stars, and how teaching children to write their own stories provides them with an outlet to let their voice soar in Writing with Kids.

Surf on over to Guardian Angel Kids today www.guardian-angel-kids.com, enjoy a child safe ad free Ezine and visit the writers and illustrators in the Guardian Angel Kids December 2012 issue and enjoy the inspiring poetry, stories, articles and activities.

We also invite you to stay connected with Guardian Angel Kids through our Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guardian-Angel-Kids-Ezine/163785080346247.

Please feel free to drop Editor-in-Chief, Donna McDine an email at submissions@guardian-angel-kids.com and let them know what you think of Guardian Angel Kids and what you'd like to see in the future. They aim to please.

The Guardian Angel Kids Ezine staff and contributors look forward to your visit. Thank you for your time and interest.