No App to Replace Your Lap
Grandma Diane’s Story Time With Elsie and Eli
What with COVID-19 and our social distancing as well as being pretty much confined to our homes, all of my school visits have been canceled until this virus lifts. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. In the meantime, my grandkids came up with the idea to create “Story Time With Grandma Diane”. Every day (M-F) on my Facebook page at 11:00 a.m., I read a favorite children’s book. Homeschoolers can now listen in giving their caregivers a little time for a cup of coffee or a little breather. We started doing this on Monday, March 23 and will continue until the kids are back in school. Tomorrow I’ll be reading my own Life in the Neck New Friends as a special request of my great-niece Lily Lindemann in Oshkosh. Tune in and enjoy the story along with the rest of us. If you have your own copy, you can follow along as we read. Hope you listen in.
No App To Replace Your Lap
Gratitude is the Best Attitude
Gratitude Defined:
Gratitude is thankful appreciation for favors received. Webster’s
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home. a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie
In this time of great fear and difficulty with the COVID-19 virus hanging over our heads, with schools closed, social distancing, and many many of us working from home experiencing being quarantined for perhaps the first time in our lives, we as a nation and as communities would do well to think about what we do have instead of what we do not have. For most of us, our daily needs at this point are being met. We have homes, food on the table, and clothes to wear. Most of us can walk and talk, see the beauty that surrounds us, listen to music that stirs our souls and makes our feet want to boogie. We have family and friends to love and be loved by in return. Focusing on our abundance rather than the lack in our lives helps us experience the sense of fulfillment which is gratitude at work. This fulfillment creates in us the desire to share what we have with others. What better time than now for us to reach out in love and thanksgiving to the community in which we live? What can YOU do to bring some happiness and joy into the lives of those around you?
No App to Replace Your Lap
Just thinking . . .
Covid-19 has forced us to stay home and spend more time together as a family. Schools are closed, parents are working from home, sports have been canceled (professional as well as school and community programs). So what’s a person to do?
Social media is full of advice for and from all of us. As I’m thinking about all of this, what comes to mind is that list of things I wanted to do when I retired. Read, write children’s books, clean the pantry, and the list goes on!
Now having two grandchildren home from school everyday for the unforeseeable future, my thinking has turned to them and to how can I help the “boredom” that they seem to be complaining about so much as time passes. I trust that if I put my mind to it, I can come up with a plan that may turn this time together into an opportunity to grow in learning, understanding and love.
Children need and want structure. It helps them feel safe and in control - they know what to do and when to do it - even though they will argue about it. So to provide structure we need to first talk about the “have to dos” and the “want to dos” and then make room for both in our daily schedule.
So that’s my job for today - working together to make our daily schedule. This could be exciting. I’ll let you know what happens . . .
To be continued . . .
50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Canceled Due to COVID - 19
March 21, 1970 Butch & Diane Davies
As Butch and I were busy planning our wedding fifty years ago, we never took into consideration that the world would be suffering a pandemic of Coronavirus when it came time to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Who Knew? Right?
Our party on March 21st has been canceled. It has been fun in the planning – going through old pictures and old memories – putting together a slide show for your viewing enjoyment – never to be seen. Oh well !?!?!?
So instead of celebrating with all you on Saturday as planned, we will be sitting home on the couch watching nothing on TV and eating macaroni and cheese. Send happy celebratory thoughts our way and envision the fun we could be having together.
Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer Trailer
By Diane Davies
Illustrated by CA Nobens
Davies 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration Canceled due to
COVID - 19
As Butch and I were busy planning our wedding fifty years ago, we never took into consideration that the world would be suffering a pandemic of Coronavirus when it came time to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Who Knew? Right?
Our party on March 21st has been canceled. It has been fun in the planning – going through old pictures and old memories – putting together a slide show for your viewing enjoyment – never to be seen. Oh well !?!?!?
So instead of celebrating with all you on Saturday as planned, we will be sitting home on the couch watching nothing on TV and eating macaroni and cheese. Send happy celebratory thoughts our way and envision the fun we could be having together.
Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer
By Diane Davies
Illustrated by CA Nobens
Help a Writer Out
Award winning author and teacher Shannon Anderson shares “Help A Writer Out” with Diane Davies on 2nd Tuesday with Kiddie Lit Market. Shannon’s presentation is a treasure trove of ideas for writing and getting published. Numerous resources are shared including what volunteering has done for Shannon, how to sharpen your website, school visits for children’s authors and much more. Creativity abounds in Shannon’s presentation through her message and her shared screen. Don’t miss a minute of Shannon’s outstanding contribution to writers everywhere. This quote from Maya Angelou, “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”, is Shannon’s mission in her life and in this presentation.
Award winning author and teacher Shannon Anderson shares “Help A Writer Out” with Diane Davies on 2nd Tuesday with Kiddie Lit Market. Shannon’s presentation is a treasure trove of ideas for writing and getting published. Numerous resources are shared including what volunteering has done for Shannon, how to sharpen your website, school visits for children’s authors and much more. Creativity abounds in Shannon’s presentation through her message and her shared screen. Don’t miss a minute of Shannon’s outstanding contribution to writers everywhere. This quote from Maya Angelou, “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.”, is Shannon’s mission in her life and in this presentation.
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Help a writer out
1:24 Bravery and vulnerability
2:02 Writers support each other
2:41 You can have everything
3:12 Helping others helps
6:34 Helping out a professor
7:08 Applying for grants
7:51 Learning about writing
8:37 Deed Diary
10:52 Volunteering
12:30 Coasting Casey
12:50 Growth Mindset
13:30 Indiana State Literacy Board
15:20 Social and emotional resources
16:02 Teaching kids about writing
17:02 Going viral
17:33 Helping writers
18:11 Picture Book Boot Camp for adults
20:05 What do you want…how do you get there?
20:38 Proven resources
21:34 More resources
22:14 More resources
22:52 More resources
22:35 More resources
25:26 Help other authors
28:12 Ask for help
29:41 Quote for success
30:22 Connect with Shannon
31:59 Thank you Shannon and wrap up
Visit Shannon, https://www.shannonisteaching.com
Meet Nancy and Gordon Fredrickson
Farm poets and American farm heritage authors Gordon and Nancy Fredrickson of Lonsdale, Minnesota join Kiddie Lit Market’s Diane Davies for this interview. To tell stories that preserve, promote and encourage agricultural literacy is the Fredrickson’s mission. Their stories for children are about farm kids told by farm kids. These same stories for adults are a nostalgic trip into yesterday. Listen and learn as Gordon recounts with us his life, his love and his and Nancy’s many books.
Farm poets and American farm heritage authors Gordon and Nancy Fredrickson of Lonsdale, Minnesota join Kiddie Lit Market’s Diane Davies for this interview. To tell stories that preserve, promote and encourage agricultural literacy is the Fredrickson’s mission. Their stories for children are about farm kids told by farm kids. These same stories for adults are a nostalgic trip into yesterday. Listen and learn as Gordon recounts with us his life, his love and his and Nancy’s many books.
“A story not told is lost forever.”
0:00 Introduction
1:56 Who are Nancy and Gordon
3:16 Lunch is served
3:46 Where was your farm?
4:08 No vacations
4:24 Children and chores
5:10 Be kind
5:28 Country school
7:19 Time off
7:40 Read to your dog and kitty
7:55 When did you start writing?
9:05 The small farmer
9:49 Gordon’s first book
10:40 Holiday books
10:50 School program
11:15 Nancy co-writer and photographer
11:50 A Farm Country Haying
12:21 Why write
12:35 A tribute to Gordon’s parents
13:28 Where do people buy your books
14:48 School visits
15:51 I feel rich
16:13 Getting recognized in public
17:11 What advice might you give inspiring authors?
18:09 Interesting quote
18:48 Novels, poetry, and Nancy’s memoir
19:35 Poetry for farmers
Learn more about Nancy and Gordon: https://www.gordonfredrickson.com.
Learn about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.kiddielitmarket.com.
Meet Lisa Gammon Olson
Meet Lisa Gammon Olson in her Kiddie Lit Market interview with Diane Davies. Lisa makes her home in Wisconsin with her husband Bruce. They have three adult sons. She is the secretary at the Coon Valley Elementary School—a job she adores! At a young age, Lisa tells us that “Dick and Jane” helped to launch her writing career. Her children’s books are a little look into history adding faces and personalities to each historic event making them more memorable and interesting. Preserving our planet and populating it with human beings who are Respectful, Responsible and Kind is Lisa’s mission in her life, her work and in her books.
Meet Lisa Gammon Olson in her Kiddie Lit Market interview with Diane Davies. Lisa makes her home in Wisconsin with her husband Bruce. They have three adult sons. She is the secretary at the Coon Valley Elementary School—a job she adores! At a young age, Lisa tells us that “Dick and Jane” helped to launch her writing career. Her children’s books are a little look into history adding faces and personalities to each historic event making them more memorable and interesting. Preserving our planet and populating it with human beings who are Respectful, Responsible and Kind is Lisa’s mission in her life, her work and in her books.
0:00 Introduction
1:00 Lisa is from Wisconsin
2:10 When did you begin your writing career?
2:19 Dick & Jane
3:29 The Hobbit
5:39 School masks
6:33 Tell us about your books
6:40 Dust Flowers
7:29 Working with family
8:45 Sewing The Magic In
10:08 The Cheese Song
11:25 Remembering Green
12:58 And the Trees Began to Move
13:34 Fig Newton Summer
16:35 Author Visits
17:23 Advice for a new author
18:29 Beverly Cleary
19:16 Knowing the ending
19:35 POV
20:23 Nora and Molly
Buy Lisa's books, https://LisaGammonOlson.com
Learn more about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.KiddieLitMarket.com
Meet Mary Bleckwehl
Mary Bleckwehl’s website opens with this statement: “Inspiring children one word at a time.” She talks about how her teaching and writing SPARKS creativity in her students of all ages. You will witness this spark in Mary’s interview with Kiddie Lit Market’s Diane Davies. She talks about growing up on a large Iowa farm with her large family – each with their own chores to keep the farm running. Mary describes her writing career, her children’s books, and her advice on becoming an author. She published her first book in 2011 and as they say, “the rest is history!” As a writer and educator, Mary’s love of life and her career are infectious, fun and inspiring!
Mary Bleckwehl’s website opens with this statement: “Inspiring children one word at a time.” She talks about how her teaching and writing SPARKS creativity in her students of all ages. You will witness this spark in Mary’s interview with Kiddie Lit Market’s Diane Davies. She talks about growing up on a large Iowa farm with her large family – each with their own chores to keep the farm running. Mary describes her writing career, her children’s books, and her advice on becoming an author. She published her first book in 2011 and as they say, “the rest is history!” As a writer and educator, Mary’s love of life and her career are infectious, fun and inspiring!
0:00 Intro
1:23 Can you tell us about Mary
3:14 Journalism
4:35 Teaching
5:28 Birth of a writing career
7:00 Motivation
8:41 Kid’s books
9:24 Picture books are for all ages
10:27 Tell us about your books
10:29 Henry! You’re Late AGAIN!
11:56 Henry! You’re Hungry AGAIN!
13:08 Claire’s Hair
13:58 The Birthday Cookbook
14:39 Debut Middle Grade Novel
15:35 Where can we buy your books?
16:18 The education market
17:15 How can I be an author?
17:52 Reading to write
18:30 Journal
19:22 Welcome feedback
21:23 Be kind
Buy Mary's books, https://MaryBleckwehl.com
Learn more about Kiddie Lit Market, https://www.KiddieLitMarket.com
Meet Shannon Anderson
Diane Davies of Kiddie Lit Market interviews children’s author Shannon Anderson ShannonIsTeaching.com. Shannon is an awarding-winning teacher and author with over a dozen books published. She is a highly sought keynote speaker, teaching coach and a mentor for getting books published. Shannon’s enthusiasm for living, writing and sharing clearly spill over into this amazing interview. Indiana is home for Shannon and her husband and two daughters.
Diane Davies of Kiddie Lit Market interviews children’s author Shannon Anderson ShannonIsTeaching.com. Shannon is an awarding-winning teacher and author with over a dozen books published. She is a highly sought keynote speaker, teaching coach and a mentor for getting books published. Shannon’s enthusiasm for living, writing and sharing clearly spill over into this amazing interview. Indiana is home for Shannon and her husband and two daughters.
0:00 Introductions
1:04 Who is Shannon Anderson
2:55 Focus on Growth Mindset
3:18 When did your writing career begin?
4:46 Career goals
7:22 Good deed a day
8:22 My first book
9:42 Why do you write
10:53 Read aloud time
11:36 Tell us about your children’s books
11:57 Y is for Yet
12:23 Mindset Power
13:20 Work for hire
13:40 The Story of Benjamin Franklin
14:43 Penelope Perfect
14:48 Coasting Casey
15:20 Monster & Dragon Write Poems
16:20 A Deed a Day
16:40 Too Shy to Say Hi
16:52 Kids and anxiety
17:45 Inspiring Story
19:20 How can I be an author
22:43 Where to buy Shannon’s books
23:22 Response to pandemic
23:32 ShannonIsTeaching.com
24:26 Help a writer out
25:20 The Kiddie Lit Community
Learn more about Shannon: ShannonIsTeaching.com
Author Diane Davies reads to Kennedy Elementary students
Diane Davies reads to elementary students at Kennedy Elementary School in Hastings, Minnesota.
Diane Davies reads from her book, Life in the Neck, to 4th grade elementary students at Kennedy Elementary School in Hastings, Minnesota.
Diane’s new award-winning book, Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer, is available online.
Special thanks to: Karen Arnold, Beth Ann Kerber, and Kyle Latch.
Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer
Regina Hospital plays host to local author Diane Davies and her book launch for Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer.
Hastings author, Diane Davies, reads from her latest children’s book, Jeannie Ann’s Grandma Has Breast Cancer at Regina Hospital in Hastings, Minnesota.
Diane Davies, Reads Her Children's Book, "Life in the Neck" at SC Toys
Diane reads at children’s toy store, SC Toys, in historic downtown Hastings, Minnesota.
“This is one of my favorite pictures in the story. I love it.
I’m Diane Davies, and I’m so glad that you all came today to hear my story, Life in the Neck - New Friends. I’m a retired school teacher here in Hastings.
I taught at Kennedy, 3rd grade for ten years. Then I moved to Tilden, and I taught 1st grade at Tilden. Then I moved to McAuliffe, and I taught 1st grade at McAuliffe.
I’ve been around a long time, and it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to write children’s books. I’ve read thousands of children’s books being a teacher and hundreds of books to my grandchildren.
So, I’m happy to be here today and happy to share Life in the Neck - New Friends with you.”
