HOOK KIDS on READING
NOW FOLLOWS a Revamped PATH.
BOOK. . . News
WRITING. . .Ideas
MARGOT'S. . . Thoughts
W-H-A-T-E-V-E-R Grabs My Interest.
Hold onto your hair, mates,
not even The SHADOW knows!
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The Stolen Generation:
Australia’s Dark and Tragic Past.
Imagine your child playing in your front yard. As you watch through the window, a van of policemen pulls up. They take your screaming child away. You never see your child again.
Children who were very dark skinned were allowed to stay with their parents, causing many indigenous people to dye their children’s skin dark using the sap of the milkwood tree. However, if a child looked as if he had any white ancestry, he was taken away. Some, if they looked white enough, were adopted by white families. READ MORE:
As an Aussie myself (now living in the US), I was shocked and disgusted by the actions by my then government. I always knew that Aboriginals, like the American Indians, got a raw deal when the white settlers arrived and took over their land.
This is one reason I wrote Dreamtime Man. I wanted to show how the native Australian people struggled to survive, and how far they have eventually come in claiming their place, their cultural dignity, and their rights.
Final illo and verses from
'Dreamtime Man.'
Much time has slid past–many moons full and new,
Since the people of Dreamtime claimed old Uluru.
Tribes now are proud of their history and lore,
Some, willing and eager to claim even MORE.
Men dance old Legends while the Spirits inspire.
"Dreamtime" still leads them where white men can't follow,
Where the spirits of old offer hopes for tomorrow.
The stars here are the Southern Cross--seen only
south of the equator
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Margot Finke
14x Books for Kids--Skype Author Visits
'Content' Manuscript Critiques
OSCAR Needs a Friend
Is my latest Picture Book
AND YES
It is my FIRST PB that is NOT in rhyme!
Wonderfully talented Ioana Zdralea is again working
on the fun illustrations.
Oscar has a SECRET. . . Can you guess what it is?
Below are some illustrations that might help
you guess what his secret is about.
Illo #1 sketches--plus the finished illo.
#1- FINISHED
Illo #3 - full page spread
ILLO #5 - full page spread
COMING SOON
I only hope you love the story as much as I know you
will love Ioana's delightful art work
There will be 12 illustrations + the cover.
I am excited about launching this book in a few months--
when the illos are completed.
It will be in Soft Cover and Kindle Pop-Up
(the same as Dreamtime Man)
Kindle Kids POP-UP Books
are a great way to add extra fun or information.
Just tap the screen, and a small information screen pops up--
like Magic!
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Books for Kids - FREE Skype Author Visits
Manuscript Critiques
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GO ON. . . I DARE YOU!
Love 'em with BOOKS this Holiday Season.
2
BOOKS that make terrific Holiday Gifts.
*Trial by Walkabout is a great Aussie outback adventure--
a multicultural tale of sibling rivalry, aboriginal culture, danger,
and Dreamtime pirits--plus a friendship between two young teens
*Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind--
a rhyming story that tells how sudden BIG changes
can turn a sweet girl into a brat!
(parent teacher guide included)
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JUST PUBLISHED (soft cover)
Dreamtime Man
For young and old alike. . .
My rhyming tale, based on Australian history, shows how Aboriginals
survived the arrival of the white man, and eventually created
a place for themselves and their culture
in the present day.REVIEW SNIP:
SAMPLE from Book REVIEW on Penny's Reviews and Chat:
http://pennyreviews-chat.blogspot.com/
"I'm a great, and long time fan of Margot Finke’s children’s stories, as you know. I’m completely enthralled with this new one, Dreamtime Man. It is absolutely one of her best. It’s in rhyme and powerfully relates the stories of ancient Australian aboriginal tribes who used to roam the wild, untamed lands of Australia. Her word pictures are perfect jewels."
**The illustrations, by Ioana Zdralea, are amazing.
This SUPER Review is a huge thrill!! **You can also LISTEN to me read the story HERE
Not on Sale. . . but worth every penny!
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Books for Kids - Skype Author Visits
Manuscript Critiques
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Welcome to my contribution to
The WRITING PROCESS Blog Tour.
The talented Clara Bowman-Jahn tagged me to join this intriguing Blog Tour on WRITING PROCESSES. Each week, authors post answers to four Writing Process Questions on their blogs. Then they tag friends to play along the following week. You can read Clara’s terrific post, and learn what she's working on, right here. You can also see what’s going on with Clara and her books on Facebook - right here.
Bellow, find my answers (after much head scratching) to the four set questions. At the bottom of the page you'll find the names of talented writers who’ll carry the “Writing Answers Torch”for next week - Monday the 21st of April.
What am I working on?
Aha, I am getting ready to self publish a picture book that is near and dear to my heart. “Dreamtime Man” was first written many years ago – just scribbled down, and then put aside when more pressing works grabbed my attention. I would bring it out every so often and rework the rhyme, tweak the meter, and reinvent a verse or two – a rhyming story. I never forgot it - but life got in the way. This is a tale of bad deeds and tribal suffering: of how the aboriginal people of Australia were treated when the white man arrived– and after! For this story, near enough was not good enough. I wanted it perfect . . . and perfect takes longer than I imagined. Finally, I was ready for an illustrator.
I found Ioana Zdraleaon Linkedin. After reading Dreamtime Man, and a few words from me, she GOT it – the outback colors, the “feel,” and a wonderful sense of what my verses needed to tell about. I am eager to see her sketches for verse #2.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?. 
I grew up Down Under, in the state of Queensland. They used to grow a lot of bananas there when I was young, so I was called a Banana-lander. Aussies have a barefaced independence, a way of thumbing their noses at anything that smells of “set in stone”rules. I think my writing voice shows this. I also like to mix humor and dire trouble in my young teen books. Life is full of awful situations that are made bearable by the ability to laugh at yourself. If kids learn this early, it will make life for them easier to handle. And even though I now live in the US with my family, my Aussie upbringing still holds sway. You know the old saying, “You can take the sheila outa OZ, but you can’t take the Aussie outa the Sheila!”
Why do I write what I do?
I write what comes to me in the middle of the night, when my head hits the pillow and I should be snoring. I guess if erotic ideas chased me into the bathroom at night, begging to be jotted down, I would write best selling erotica and make a bundle!! BUMMER! Unfortunately, my brain seems to generate pictures of Aussie adventures, and assorted animals that beg to be written about . And I can’t imagine Thelma Hill (from The Revenge of Thelma Hill ) doing anything even faintly “naughty.” She is modeled after my mother for goodness sake! She does sport the see through filmy gowns, but rattling bones and a musty basement are not conducive to anything vaguely erotic – unless you are REALLY kinky!
So, I’m stuck writing about ghosts, families separated by an ocean, Aussie adventures, and picture books with assorted critters, dyslexic boys, rattlesnakes, and grizzly bears. And as always, the big bucks will pour down onto those who dream up exotic doings. Sigh. . .
How does my writing process work?
Next morning I bring all those nighttime notes to my writing den and see what has real possibilities. Or, if there’s an idea that beefs up a plot or character I am working on, I slip it into place with a sigh of relief. Some books almost write themselves. Others have characters it is hard to pin down, or plots that are always wandering away on their own. Guess they caught the Aussie independence virus from me. I have to admit that Down Under Calling was a book that wrote itself. It poured from me like a river in flood. The characters are all fictional, but the tales and remembrances that Grandma Rose wrote about to her grandson, Andy, all came from my childhood or my dear mother. It was as if Mom were looking over my shoulder. A joy to write - and I do hope readers love it as much as I loved writing it. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]-->
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WHO'S UP NEXT MONDAY! – April 21st 2014.
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AGY WILSON - writer/Illustrator
NOTE: Agy did the cover art on two of my young teen books. I named her "Awesome Agy" for a good reason!
Agy loves her family, art, environment, history, calligraphy and all things language. It's only natural for her to throw it into a huge pot and cook up her books. When she is not playing with kids or pets, Agy is usually immersing myself in her work. She is currently working on a coloring book suitable for all ages, and a few more projects - picture books, and beginning readers/chapter books, are included.
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DONNA SHEPHERD:Donna Shepherd's children's books, Topsy Turvy Land, No More Gunk! & OUCH! Sunburn!, Chizzy's Topsy Tale, Dotty's Topsy Tale, Poodle and Doodle, Sully's Topsy Tale, Bradybug, and Where is Salami? feature short, playful rhymes and humorous illustrations. Be sure to look for the items hidden in each picture by the imaginative artists.
Her newest book for children, Ava's Secret Tea Party, is her first 'girly' book with an old-fashioned fairy tale, hidden teacups and cookies, and recipes and crafts. Available in both paperback and hardcover. Donna is founder of Greater Harvest Workshops and Middletown Area Christian Writers, and in demand as a Bible teacher, conference speaker, and singer with over thirty years of experience. For writing tips, useful links, and updates about Donna's books, visit her Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/donnajshepherd
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Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiques
FREE Skype Author Visits to Schools
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Your PROMO QUEEN presents:
a GRAB Bag
of news that could be of interest. . .
NEW BOOK - SKYPE - DYSLEXIA - PINTEREST
Temporary picture: As soon as I have the first completed illo I will put it here.
My main news is
"DREAMTIME MAN"
What is that?
My latest book!
.A picture book for older grade-school children.
.
It is the rhyming tale of what happened to the Australian Aboriginal tribes after the white man arrived and proceeded to take over their land. I have had this story simmering on my back burner for a number of years. In the meantime I wrote 13 other books - some of them about Aussie animals, and several that had Australian protagonists, with even an aboriginal main character or two.
.
Yet the Dreamtime Man kept whispering to me from the depths of my computer. "Come on Margot, let's get this walkabout on the march. The American Indians got their story out. Stone the crows, mate, we've waited long enough! It's a bonzer tale. Let's DO IT!"
.
I guess nagging does work, because I dug him out, dusted him off and polished until he yelled, "Jumping grasshoppers mate, I"M READY already!"
.
Finding the perfect illustrator was no swim in the billabong. The Aussie Outback and bush colors are unique: bright, clear and strong - their own spectrum of blues and reds. And the aboriginal has a special look - a black Indian like figure will not cut it. I sent bunches of pictures of it all to prospective artists, but the Dreamtime Man was not impressed. "No fear! I won't fight for my freedom in colors this those!"
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Then I found an artist on the Dreamtime wavelength. Her first sample was not promising. But after I sent details and more pictures she came up with a sample that had the Dreamtime Man hopping with glee - like a kangaroo on steroids! The artist's name is Ioana Zdralea, and you can look at some of her diverse work here: http://ioanazdraleaillustration.wordpress.com/page/2/
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April 1st 2014 - 10.30 am
Taking my Magic Carpet of Books to a first grade class in the Eastern US.
Read a story, talk about writing and how books are written,
and answer lots of class questions.
A FUN DAY FOR ALL!
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Flemming Ast is a crusader for those with Dyslexia and other reading
or learning problems. This is his latest VIDEO encouraging parents
to get their children reading well and early, and if they
need help doing this, find that help ASAP.
He has kindly featured me and my Horatio Humble Beats the Big D -
a picture book that helps and encourages dyslexic kids and their parents.
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*There's mouthwatering YUMMY food
* Great BOOK REVIEWS
*Help for SPECIAL NEEDS
*Cool BLOGS THAT ROCK
*TEACHER- CLASSROOM
HOME SCHOOL
And LOTS more!
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