The "Flurry of Ideas" Part of the Writing Life

As I predicted in my last post, this space has been quiet for awhile. My social media activity has also been quiet. What HAS NOT been quiet is my imagination. That has been on overdrive, and let me tell you, it's been a heap of fun!

My oldest child went off to college this past fall and something about that transition kicked my creative caboose into high gear. I've been writing, I've been revising, and I've been submitting my work. It feels great!

Image Source: Tara Lazar 

This past month I participated in Tara Lazar's famed StoryStorm challenge. I have hesitated to participate in this event in the past because coming up with story ideas has not typically been an issue for me. The greater challenge for me has been keeping up with my ideas, honoring my ideas by getting them down on paper, and then further honoring my ideas by drafting, revising, polishing, and eventually submitting my stories to publishers.

I sincerely enjoyed the daily StoryStorm blog posts, and I diligently participated in the creative activities shared in each post. I completed the challenge with heaps of new story ideas, a few of which are already starting to materialize into stories with genuine potential. 

StoryStorm was a good match for me this year, and I have to say, it will definitely be an annual tradition going forward. Thanks, Tara Lazar, for coordinating such an excellent creative experience via your blog!

Speaking of blogs, I anticipate my own blog might be quiet for another little stretch of time . . . I have big ideas that are calling for my attention, and I need to give them the respect they are due.

So, dear readers, while you're waiting for my next post, might I encourage you to visit my summary post page, which is a handy way to access past entries on popular topics in one convenient location. 

Happy Reading, Happy Writing, and Happy Signing! Dawn

Summary Post: Book Trailers Made by Students

I'm starting to receive examples of book trailers that students have made for my books in the "Story Time with Signs & Rhymes" series using the student-directed learning project I outlined in earlier posts.

I thought it might be fun to have a consistent spot to post these as they come in. Here goes:

The Nest Where I Like to Rest (Book Trailer by Carli H., Julia T., and Josie B.)  I absolutely LOVE the clucking sound effects in this one!!

The Big Blue Bowl (Book Trailer by two fifth grade boys). I think this is such a clever use of props!

Shape Detective (Book Trailer by Mrs. Hembree, who has recently started a "Book Trailer Club" for her students). She created this using iMovie and her iPhone . . . over winter break! That's Dedication!

Keep them coming, folks! I will add more as I receive them and am able to upload them.

Cheers!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

I've had so much fun celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday over the past few days.  On Saturday, Dr. Seuss's actual birthday, I presented at the PCPO conference where I taught parents and preschool teachers about the early literacy and behavior management benefits of sign language and tips and techniques for enriching story times at home and in the classroom. On Sunday I attended the baby shower for one of my nieces (and I of course showered her with books, including some of my favorite Dr. Seuss books!).

To top that off, today and yesterday I had the pleasure of participating in Dr. Seuss celebrations at two different schools. Am I lucky or what?

Here are some photos from the Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash at a local preschool:

Here I am with "The Cat in the Hat" on the left and then with "Thing 1" on the right.

And here is another "Cat in the Hat" and "Thing 1" on the left, and on the right, "Pale green pants with nobody inside them."  How clever is that?

Speaking of clever . . . this particular preschool is located inside of a high school. The high school students learn about early childhood development by working with and learning alongside the preschoolers. For the Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash, the high school students dressed up as Dr. Seuss characters, just like the kids . . .  The most creative costumes, in my opinion, were Horton and one of the characters from "Ten Apples Up On Top." 

During this event I got to read from several of my rhyming picture books, and I got to share (and wear) some of my favorite hats! I decided to open with "Wear a Silly Hat," since so many of the kids were dressed up, and since Dr. Seuss was a hat lover himself.

As usual, I opened with a song to teach the signs for some of the words in the story, in this case, the sign for hat, and the signs for different articles of clothing. My favorite kid comment of the day occurred after I'd been through a few verses of my opening song. A child piped up and said something along the lines of, "Why do you keep on singing? I thought we were here to listen to you read?" Touche'. We learned a couple more signs, and then dove into the book!

Visit ABDO Publishing Group

Next up was a visit with a classroom of 3rd graders at a local elementary school. I got to share my love of reading with the kids, and read one of my books. I showed them tattered copies of some of my beloved books from childhood (including "The Eye Book" by Theo. LeSieg) and my treasured "Pleasure Reading Award," from Mr. Snook's fifth grade class, then I read my book, "The Nest Where I Like to Rest."

As usual, I taught the kids some signs before I read them the story, and told them their job was to listen for those words in the story, and to sign along while I was reading so I could tell they were listening. Just before we started reading, one of the kids asked how he could possibly remember all of those signs. I reassured him that the signs would be easy to remember, and sure enough, he (and the entire class) enthusiastically (and capably) signed along with the story. At the end of the story I pointed out that someone had been worried that they wouldn't remember all of the signs. The little boy raised his hand and said, "That was me!" I told him I saw him signing the whole time, and I wish I could have captured his proud grin on camera!

Speaking of capturing things on camera, I waived my usual author visit fee for the preschool visit because the school participated in my "Capture that Story" campaign by filming my story time program at their school.  Once I get a chance to do the necessary uploading, I will add these video clips to the blog and my YouTube channel.  If you would like to host me for a "Capture that Story" story time at your school, get in touch.  Happy Signing!

Capture That Story (Film, Edit and Publish Your Book Trailer)

Greetings innovative teachers, librarians, home schoolers, scout troop leaders and readers interested in books and technology! Today's post offers parts five and six of my lesson plan for a hands-on, self-guided Book Trailer Project that you can incorporate into your own learning environment.

As I noted in an earlier post, I'm embarking on a quest to capture video footage of story time experiences  involving books in my Story Time with Signs and Rhymes series and/or book trailers for titles in my series. For a limited time, I will provide a complimentary Skype/Facetime or Email Author visit with any group that shares a video of this nature that is suitable and available for upload to YouTube.

So far I've Introduced the Project and Provided Sample Book Trailers and discussed Choosing a Book and Planning Your Book Trailer. This week's focus is on Filming, Editing and Publishing Your Book Trailer.

Part Five: Film and Edit Your Book Trailer

Film and edit your book trailer using the tips and guidelines described in this website (developed by Michelle Harclerode, a Teacher Librarian in Florida).

Additional Resources

*If you decide to include background music in your trailer, be sure to use royalty free music (or obtain the proper rights to the music).  Mrs. Hembree, a teacher in Seattle, Washington, who has done book trailer projects in her classroom suggests that students use the royalty free music from Kevin MacLeod on his website, Incompetech.com. He shares his music for free for others to use as long as you give him credit. 

If you want to use pictures or other images in your book trailer, it’s important that you find images that are “copyright friendly” (i.e. so you are not using someone else’s copyright protected files). If you use Google Advanced Image Search, at the very bottom of the screen, next to the option for “usage rights,” click on one of the “free to use” choices. This will filter your image search so that you only get images that are copyright friendly.  The Rochester High School website also has lots of links for other copyright friendly resources.   

Photo Credit: ABDO Publishing Group

*If you want jpegs of the book covers in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series, or a picture of me, those resources can be found here.  

*If you want access to electronic/PDF files of any of the books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series (beyond what is available via the Google eBook previews ), please contact me, so I can put you in touch with my publisher.

Part Six: Publish and Announce Your Book Trailer

If you’d like to share your finished project with me, message me or let me know via comment, and we'll make arrangements so I can get a link to your video and plan for your complimentary author visit via Skype/Facetime or Email.  I can’t wait to see your work (and, if I have your permission, and the permission of those who have been filmed, I’ll share it with others). Even if you don't share your work with me, I hope you had fun and learned a lot and will share feedback about your experience with me.  

*Need inspiration? Here is a link to a video project produced by two fifth grade boys.  I think they did a great job, don't you agree?!

*If you really enjoyed this project, and/or you want to do something similar, (and you can finish your project before February 1, 2013), there is a fun, 90-Second Newbery Book Film Festival that you might want to participate in. The Multnomah County Library, in Portland, Oregon, my hometown, is one of the national screening locations. You can find out more about this project here and here.  

Capture That Story (Choose a Book and Plan Your Book Trailer)

Today's post is geared for innovative teachers and librarians, home schoolers, scout troop leaders and readers interested in books and technology! I'll continue with parts three and four of my lesson plan for a hands-on, self-guided Book Trailer Project that you can incorporate into your own learning environment.

As I noted in my last post, I'm embarking on a quest to capture video footage of story time experiences  involving books in my Story Time with Signs and Rhymes series and/or book trailers for titles in my series. For a limited time, I will provide a complimentary Skype/Facetime or Email Author visit with any group that shares a video of this nature that is suitable and available for upload to YouTube.

This week's focus is on Choosing a Book and Planning Your Book Trailer. (NOTE: The Voki video below may not be viewable with iPads or other devices that do not use Flash)

Part Three: Choose A Book

Now that you know what book trailers are, and you’ve seen some samples, I hope you will decide to make a book trailer. To get started, choose a book you’d like to feature in your book trailer.  

You can choose whatever book you like, but I HOPE you will consider one of my books from the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series (Set One or Set Two) because I would LOVE to feature your trailers on my website, blog, and YouTube channel! If you choose one of my books, they are easy to find in libraries around the world using Worldcat. You can find eBook previews here.

Part Four: Plan Your Book Trailer

You can find an excellent resource for planning your book trailer here, (on the website of Michelle Harclerode, an innovative Teacher Librarian in Florida).

Some special things to consider if you are using a book from the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes Series:

*Learning and demonstrating a little bit of American Sign Language (ASL) will enhance your book trailer. You can find online sign language dictionaries here.  

*You can find downloadable glossaries and sign language activity ideas here (scroll down past the “Star Wars” info).

*Some of the books can be “sung” to the tune of familiar children’s songs. Read this blog post for a list of the songs that match up with some of my books.

*The books in this series are geared for three to eight year olds. Consider involving kids in this age group (siblings, neighbors, younger kids from your school) in your project.  Kids in this age group usually LOVE to sing and sign. (You will need to obtain appropriate releases to show other people on film.  Your teacher should have the appropriate release forms that will need to be signed by parents, but if not, feel free to contact me and I will send you a sample release form). 

*There are ASL Fun Facts and Activity Ideas in the back of each book. You can also find out more information by reading some recent interviews with me (scroll down past the Mike Thaler and Stan Lee interviews). 

In my next post I'll discuss filming and publishing your book trailer. In the meantime, please feel free to message me directly or via the comment section if you have questions or requests for additional information.

Capture That Story! (Introduction and Sample Book Trailers)

Calling all innovative teachers and librarians, home schoolers, scout troop leaders and readers interested in books and technology! I'm embarking on a quest to capture video footage of story time experiences  involving books in my Story Time with Signs and Rhymes series and/or book trailers for titles in my series. For a limited time, I will provide a complimentary Skype/Facetime or Email Author visit with any group that shares of video of this nature that is suitable and available for upload to YouTube. If you're in my local area, I will also donate a limited number of in-person visits for groups that are willing to capture my story time program on film so that I can upload the experience to YouTube.

As a fun extra, over the next several weeks I'll share my lesson plan for a hands-on, self-guided Book Trailer Project that you can incorporate into your own learning environment.  This week I'll introduce the project and provide sample book trailers.

Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have questions in the meantime (or if you have a need for the full lesson plan before I have posted all of it out to the blog).  (NOTE: The Voki video below may not be viewable with iPads or other devices that do not use Flash)

Part One: Introduction

Greetings! Thanks for stopping by the Book Trailer Project page. My name is Dawn Babb Prochovnic. I’m the author of 16 picture books in the Story Time with Signs & Rhymes series. None of my books have book trailers...yet. I’m hoping YOU will help me change that!

Most people are familiar with movie trailers. Those are the short movie previews that persuade people to watch a particular movie. A book trailer is a short movie that previews a particular book and persuades people to read that book.

Part Two: Sample Book Trailers

A book trailer can come in many different forms: 

It can be a preview of the book. Here is an animated example for the book, Ollie and Moon by Diane Kredensor, and here is an example with still shots from Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, by Robin Koontz. 

It can be an animated retelling of the book such as this example for the book, An Army of A’s by Robert Scott Kelly.

It can be an creative retelling, with still shots from the book. Check out this example for the book, A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker. 

It can be a demonstration of a unique element of the book. Here is YouTube video of me singing and signing along with my book, See the Colors.

It can be a series of filmed interviews or interactions with people (kids!) who have read the book. Here is an example for the book, Pete the Cat, by Eric Litwin.  

It can be audio interviews with people (kids!) who have read the book and funny film footage to go along with the audio. This is a great trailer for the book, Little Chicken’s Big Day, by Katie Davis.

It can be a book talk with one or more students sharing favorite parts or unique aspects of the book. Watch this book talk for the book, Song of the Water Boatman, by Joyce Sidman. 

It can be a staged reading of the book. Here is a YouTube video of me reading and signing along with my book, One Trick for One Treat, here is an example of me reading Wear a Silly Hat to a group of children, and here is a really popular YouTube video of Eric Litwin and friends reading his book book, Pete the Cat, with a live audience. 

It can be an audio reading of the book with close ups and creative camera work of the book art. Here is an example for the book, The Little Mouse, The Red-Ripe Strawberry, and the Big, Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood.

It can be a creative re-interpretation of the book, as shown in these examples for the book, Uh-Oh!, by Mary Newell DePalma and the book, Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle. 

The possibilities are limited only by your imagination! You can find more examples here, (on the website of Mrs. Hembree, a library teacher from Bell Elementary in the Seattle area) and here (on another author's blog post about the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival). 

Stay tuned. Next week I'll discuss choosing your book and planning your book trailer.

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(January 2014: Here is a fun update! Mrs. Hembree and I met at a library conference in October 2013. She recently started a "Book Trailer Club" at her school and some of the students in the club are going to work on book trailers for my books! Here is a sample book trailer Mrs. Hembree created for my book, Shape Detective. She created it during winter break . . . using iMovie on her iPhone! I LOVE it! Once Mrs. Hembree's students start sending me their book trailers, I will post them on this summary page).  
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