My JOURNEY into the MAGIC OF TEA

My journey into the magic of tea began when I met the tea master David De Candia.  It was serendipity… and magic and it all came together.  I have been intrigued by tea for a long time and thought about writing a book about it for children.  Then I met David de Candia, world re known tea master and discovered he too wanted to write a book about the magic of tea for children.  And so began my journey.

What is in a cup of tea?  Flavors, aromas, exotic places, stories of the gentle hands that pluck it….

Drink a cup of tea and you can almost sea the snow crested mountains that embrace the sky in the tea plantations of the Himalayan mountains.

Observe the color of its light liquer… golden, emerald, amber, shades of pink.  Tea is a full sensory experience andif  your mind and soul align — you can experience its magic.

With David’s help I learned to taste and smell the the tea and engage my senses fully…  I learned to taste its metaphors.

And then came the story…

Master Davey and the Magic Tea house was born of my research into tea and the sensory and cultural awakening that comes with its exploration…

In collaboration with David DeCandia we are developing the story and working with artist Kent Yoshimura on the illustrations.  I am so excited about this book and hope to introduce children to the wonder and magic of tea and the cultures in which tea is grown.

I’ll keep you posted… Look forward to the book release some time in April of May 2013!

Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of Too Many Visitors for One Little House,  Wobegon and Mildred and the soon to be released… Mr. Snoozle’s Exquisite Eggs.  (available on Amazon.com.  She is the founder of Booksicals Books   Encouraging Reading Through the Arts .  https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/books

by Andrea Beaty
illustrated by David Roberts
Iggy Peck is an architect.  He loves nothing more than to build castles out of chalk and towers out of diapers, but not everyone appreciates his passions–especially his teacher.  Banned from building, he languishes in school.  But soon, Iggy and his classmates find themselves in a pickle that only architecture can solve, and his teacher learns that there’s a place for every child’s passions in the classroom.  Both the story and art are lively and refreshing, and the fun rhyme scheme is sure to make this a repeated request at bedtime.

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Wobegon and Mildred–the story of two unlovable monsters who find one another while giving out parking tickets–and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts.~

written and illustrated by Frank W. Dormer

If you like silly, and you like fun, you’ll love Socksquach. This furry guy has only one thing on his mind. He needs a sock! His monster friends try to help, but the mummy doesn’t wear socks, and Frankenstein’s socks don’t fit. In his earnest need, Socksquach couldn’t be more endearing. Will Socksquach ever get his feet warm?

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Wobegon and Mildred–the story of two unlovable monsters who find one another while giving out parking tickets–and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts.~

The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
by Karla Kushin
illustrated by Marc Simont
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kushin is an energetic ode to the power of music and teamwork. It starts just as the city is starting to get dark, the lights in the houses are starting to turn on, and “one hundred and five people are getting dressed to go to work.” The little book lays out all the statistics—how many men wear long socks and how many wear short, how many people take bubble baths and how many take showers. (A great chance for kids to practice their numbers!) As the musicians get ready for work, the author also lingers on the intimate details. One woman likes to wear wool socks over her stockings because her feet always get cold. One man is whistling while he puts on his bowtie. In the story’s climax, these different people who live different lives come together to create…MUSIC! This book is a treat for any little musician, or anyone who is inspired by humanity’s ability to come together and create.

Here at Booksicals, we believe that by getting kids moving and singing along with their favorite books, we can build a lifelong love of reading and the arts.  Susan Chodakiewitz is the founder of Booksicals and the author of the BOOKSICAL musical book adventure: TOO MANY VISITORS FOR ONE LITTLE HOUSE.

Instructions
by Neil Gaiman
illustrated by Charles Vess
In Neil Gaimen’s Instructions, an unseen guide leads an adventurer through unknown lands.  With his instructions, the hero knows to trust the wolves, travel through the forest, and be wary of the ferryman.   The journey, as well as the book’s artwork, is enchanting, but the real magic can be found in the relationship between the hero and guide.  Though the identity of the latter is never revealed, the reader can feel his or her love for the hero, and senses that through his scary adventures, the hero will never be harmed.   The guide never encourages violence of any kind, and often reminds his charge to be polite and generous, as every hero should be.  By following the instructions, the hero returns home, only to find it, the guide tells us, a little smaller than he remembered.  Here, for the first time in the story, the guide gives the hero a choice—to make a new home, to have another adventure, or to rest.  Parents and children will be warmed by this heartfelt story of the guided journey to independence.

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts. Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Mostly Monsterly

by Tammi Sauer

illustrated by Scott Magoon

Bernadette is mostly monsterly.  She has claws and she growls, but when she goes to monster school, she’s not like the other students at all.  She sings!  She bakes!  She wants to HUG!!!!  Bernadette doesn’t know how she’ll make friends, until she has an idea.   She can be monsterly in her own unique way.  During recess, she makes a bunch of cards full of snot and other yucky things monsters like.  Her classmates love them!  They’re so charmed and excited that in the end, they all give Bernadette a big, group hug.  Mostly Monsterly is a great story about fitting in without losing yourself for kids 5-7 and a nice break for parents who are tired of princess books.

And if you and your child love monsters, get excited to meet WOBEGON, the parking ticket monster in the upcoming Booksicals picture book….Wobegon and Mildred.

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts. Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Join the Sweetness of Reading Campaign

Hope your kids are off to a great summer.  It was always difficult for me to get my three boys to include READING on their to do list for the summer.  I was thinking about how to  start off Booksicals summer with an exciting way to encourage summer reading for kids.  Then I thought about it….Kids love to shop in summer….  Wouldn’t it be great to join forces with children’s stores, boutiques and producers of children’s products to GIVE AWAY  free ibooks?

Well that is exactly what Booksicals decided to do.  And here it is…The Booksicals Sweetness of Reading Campaign is off and running.  We are now joining with corporate partners who will participate in the campaign  by giving  away our free children’s  ibooks to their customers.   Stay tune to hear WHO joins.

Let us know if you want us to contact YOUR favorite stores or kids product lines to distribute our  ibooks for free.

Happy summer and Happy READING!

Susan Chodakiewitz is the founder of Booksicals–Encouraging Reading Through the Arts and the author of Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the soon to be released children’s picture book:  Wobegon and Mildred, a quirky love and friendship story.

When a Dragon Moves In 
by Jodi Moore
illustrated by Howard McWilliam
When a little boy and his family go out for a beautiful day at the beach, little do they suspect that a dragon will take up residence in the little boy’s very own sand-castle. The boy and the dragon do all the best beachy things – the dragon is a fantastic pet – but soon the boy and the dragon grow bored, and a little annoyed at the grown-ups who don’t seem to believe in this fantastic creature. As the boy and his dragon proceed to sabotage (in small and harmless ways) the family’s day at the beach, adults will easily see the classic attention-seeking behavior. But kids and grown-ups alike will get a kick out of the boy and the dragon’s mischevious tricks, and wonder just how much in the boy’s head the dragon really is. 

Great for ages 5+.

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts.  Too Many Visitors is now available  as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration.  http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?
by Jane Yolen
illustrated by Mark Teague
Dinosaurs have a lot of strategies for not going to bed at night. They can mope, hide, bargain – they can heft their great spiky tails, or shake their huge horned heads. They can jump, they can fly, they can thrash, they can pout – but they don’t. There’s as many ways to refuse to go to bed as there are kinds of dinosaurs, but even dinosaurs know when to call it a night.

A hilarious romp through kid’s postponement tactics, put to endearingly drawn dinosaurs. Great for ages 2 +. Great rhythm – excellent for reading aloud! Be sure to check out my review of another wonderful book by the award-winning Jane Yolen, “The Seeing Stick” .

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts.  Too Many Visitors is now available  as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration.  http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Gilbert Goldfish Wants a Pet
by Kelly DiPuccio 
illustrated by Bob Shea
Gilbert Goldfish has it all – gorgeous home, plenty of food, even a chest full of treasure. But Gilbert has a dream. He thought he got his dream when a great, yappy, lappy dog prances around his little fishbowl – but no; the dog just liked barking, and anyway it didn’t stay. Or when a sweet little mouse stops by to nose the glass of his tank – but no; the mouse splits as soon she realizes Gilbert is not a big, swishy chunk of cheese. Gilbert’s heart-broken when his “pets” don’t work out, but he does get his wish eventually, though perhaps in a somewhat different form than he thought.

A fun, rhythmic story with some adorable pictures. Great for preschool and up.

Be sure to also check out the Make Your Own Fishbowl craft on the Crafts For Kids page for an excellent activity to go with this excellent story!

~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts.  Too Many Visitors is now available  as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration.  http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors  ~