Good Karma

Beautiful Babies

Karma — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:49:18 +0000

Here is a sneak peak of my illustration debut! The pictures in this new touch and feel book for babies and toddlers were all taken by me. Trust me, baby animals are divas! Super models have nothing on them.

This book is coming out in Janurary. I had so much fun working on this!

Karma

MSRC Speeches

Karma — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:05:18 +0000

My presentation for the MSRC went great! I didn’t use the computer at all. I just tried to be myself. People are being really nice and saying I entertained them. I’m just glad I managed to stay upright and remember who I was! Thanks for all the great suggestions. You’re all awesome!

Karma

What would you like to hear about?

Karma — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:20:24 +0000

I am preparing a presentation for the Montana State Reading Council. I’ll be the keynote speaker on Friday the 17th at the Great Falls Best Western Heritage Inn. Am I terrified? Absolutely.The last time I spoke in public I completely bombed (and I’m not just making it up or trying to paint it worse than it is: I BOMBED!)

The talk will be titled: Breaking All the Rules: A Rebel’s Path to Publication

What are the types of things you would like to know about how I got published? What would interest you? Give me some ideas! I’m so scared.

Also, would you prefer an interactive talk that incorporated some powerpoint, or just a down-home talk?

I’m also going to be giving some breakout sessions about using rhyme in the classroom. Leave me some of your best ideas and I may include them in my talk!

K…..

Pip…atta girl!

Karma — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:10:23 +0000

Where is Home, Little Pip? has been released and is doing quite well. I browsed some customer reviews at Amazon and people are universally calling Pip a he. But Pip is actually a girl. Funny enough, she started as a he when I first thought of her, but I decided that I needed a good female character since all the bear characters are boys.

I guess she needs a bow in her hair. Reminds me of when my daughter was a baby with little-old-man hair. She would be decked out in pink with roses and people would say, “What a cute little boy!” ha ha ha!

Hope everybody is having a terrific fall. It is GORGEOUS here. The aspen are at peak color.

I am so behind on email. If you have written me please be patient. Life is in my way!

K….

COUNTDOWN TO LITTLE PIP!

Karma — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 02:58:43 +0000

She’s almost here! My newest character will be in bookstores on 9/23/09! I can’t wait.

I just adore this new series (illustrated by the talented Jane Chapman) and I hope you all will love Little Pip as much as I do!

Hip, hip hooray for adorable, baby penguins! And pssst…she just might have her own special spot on the world wide web!

K….

Quick tip–read rhyme until you’re sick of it!

Karma — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:39:58 +0000

You all know I write rhyming books. I am a huge advocate of reading rhyme to kids–but remember read it until the child has it memorized. The great power in rhyme for kids is that good rhyme is easily committed to memory. Once a child remembers a rhyme every word in the poem or story is locked in their mind forever in context–which is what makes rhyme such a great vocabulary builder. But if you just read a rhyming story one or two times chances are it won’t work it’s way into the old brain cells permanently. So read, read, read the story over and over again. And again. And yes, again. Eventually your child will be able to read the story to you.

Really, you’ll thank me someday! Hee hee.

K….

Fall is in the Air!

Karma — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:52:21 +0000

I am a seasons kind of girl. I love all the seasons, but fall is my favorite. I’m so excited to see leaves change, smell pumpkin pie, taste apple cider, and feel a crisp autumn wind. Here’s one of my fall photos from last year!

What are your favorite seasons?

K…

Giveaway open until Friday! NOW CLOSED

Karma — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:52:29 +0000

~~Hi all! Just a quick update–the current giveaway is open until this Friday. I’ve gotten tons of entries, so keep em coming.~~

~~As of right now I’m working on my newest poetry collection. I can’t believe what a challenge it is to write 120 poems! But what a fun challenge.~~

~~That brings me to a question–what poem subjects do you think need attention to? I’d love to hear your ideas. Remember, think Shel Silverstien (my poet hero).~~

~~Looking forward to your entries and ideas!~~

K…

Back to School Big Book Bonanaza Giveaway!!!

Karma — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:58 +0000

Well, it’s time for another giveaway and this is a big one!

Two lucky winners will win five of my signed books each!

All you need to do to enter is answer this question:

“When she was a child what were Karma’s two favorite genre’s in fiction?” Take a gander at my “Meet Karma” page to learn the answer!

So click on over to my contest page, read the fine print, answer the question and fill in the form and you’re in the contest. I will choose the winner lottery style.

K…

Now I must read this book!

Karma — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:00:03 +0000

Did you see this article?

I really am curious about this book (Requiem for a Beast) which was determined to be one of the best picture books by the Children’s Book Council Awards in Australia. It looks like a picture book, but apparently is more of a graphic novel. Some people are all atwitter because the author chose to include some harsh language. Keep in mind that even though this book makes use of illustrations to further the story it is intended for older readers. Where do you stand on this?

I personally feel that if the “harsh” language is used in a way that doesn’t glorify it and the dialog is realistic then it should be included. Nothing feels more forced than reading a story and coming across a “golly” when you know the character wouldn’t have chosen that word. But I do understand the concerns of not exposing children to profanity–but ultimately feel that if we raise our children grounded in morals they will be able to see the language for what it is–a tool to portray a realistic character and story, and not something intriguing in a “naughty” way.

Reviews I’ve read for Requiem for a Beast have piqued my interest. It’s on my reading list.

K….