Guest author: Fiona Ingram, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab

Today we welcome Fiona Ingram, author of the fascinating children's book, THE SECRET OF THE SACRED SCARAB. See her tips below for turning kids into successful readers.

In THE SECRET OF THE SACRED SCARAB, a 5,000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab do the boys realize they are in terrible danger.

Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime as they search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them.

Surviving various dangers in a hostile environment, the boys must translate the scarab's hieroglyphic clues plus rescue a missing archaeologist and their friend before time runs out.

Turning Children into Successful Readers
By Fiona Ingram

Any parent who is an avid reader will have already thanked their parents for getting them started on the road to reading.

Through the magical world of storytelling, children learn, experience emotions, and begin to understand the world within as well as the world around them. But, in an age dominated by digital entertainment, how does the somewhat "old-fashioned" habit of reading for enjoyment develop in a child?

It’s all up to you, the parent, to ignite that spark within your child and it’s a lot easier than you think.

* Capture and keep your child’s attention by projecting reading as the most interesting thing anyone can ever do. Make the reading process a fun, desirable activity by using creative ways to incorporate books into your child’s daily life.

* Get enthusiastic about books for starters. At meal times, chat to everyone about what you’re reading and how much you’re enjoying it. Children love to share things with their parents and even if the idea of books isn’t exactly what they had in mind, they’ll go along with you … and that’s all you need.

* Go shopping for things to do with books: words, games and puzzles. Most book shops are laid out in an interesting way with loads of gloriously exciting book covers, posters, display tables, etc. Browse with your child and then make him or her part of the experience by asking, “What do you think of this?” or “What would you like to buy?” Often shops give away postcards or bookmarks related to a particular book they’re promoting. On your book expeditions make sure to purchase, not just browse.

* If your child is not quite ready to dive into something bulky, start small with a board game involving words. Scrabble is an old favorite, for excellent reasons. Set up a family challenge night with team Mom and one child versus team Dad and someone else. Make popcorn, keep proper scores, and offer a prize for the winner—a book gift voucher, of course.

* Once your child starts seeing books in a positive light, empower him or her by suggesting they spend that voucher. You can recommend titles but ultimately praise your child’s choice.

* Go one step further by making special space in your child’s room for their own bookshelf with encouragement about filling it in no time at all.

* Ask family members and friend to give books, book vouchers or appropriate age magazine subscriptions as birthday or other gifts.

* Movies are a fabulous tool for getting a child interested in a book. One splendid book-turned-movie is Road to Terebithia—a moving and creative look at the power of children’s imagination. The Spiderwick Chronicles is another excellent choice. Of course you’ll have to purchase and read the book together because (as everyone knows) they can’t put everything in the film. The initial visual stimulus will certainly be enough to get your child wanting to read up on the characters and action.

* Read together as a family. The experience brings everyone together in a wonderful spirit of sharing. Put on funny voices, get your child to read particular passages, and look up difficult words together with a dictionary (kept handy for the occasion).

The joy of reading is infectious and if parents are exuberant in their attitude towards books, the child will soon follow.

About the Author:

South African author Fiona Ingram developed a passion for Egypt at age eight after her mother gave her the Time Life book, Ancient Egypt. That passion led to a trip to Egypt with her two nephews, a short story about her Egyptian adventures, and ultimately her first book for children, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab--the first in the "Chronicles of the Stone" series.

* Finalist, children's fiction, 2009 USA Next Generation Indie Book Awards and 2009 USA National Best Books Awards.

Green Books Campaign: 100 Bloggers Today: Review - The Simple Little Vegan Dog Book

THE SIMPLE LITTLE VEGAN DOG BOOK, Cruelty Free Recipes for Canines by Michelle A. Rivera (Book Publishing Company, 2009)

If you are a vegan yourself or want to try a more plant-based diet for your canine pals, then this book provides plenty of good recipes to choose from.

With yummy-sounding names like Banana Nut Crunch Bars, Apple Puggly PupCakes, Rover's Risotto and Snickerpoodles, you might almost be tempted to try these treats yourself. And you probably can since they contain a range of nutritious ingredients from your own kitchen.

The book is informative, offering information from veterinarians (with warnings also), and tips on foods that are both good - and bad - for dogs. For instance, no nutmeg. Did you know it's linked to tremors and can be deadly to dogs? I didn't.

The author comes from a certain viewpoint blogging as "The Vegan Grandmother" at the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website, but the book is balanced, offering viewpoints and first person anecdotes from those who choose such a diet for its anti-cruelty stance, for nutritional reasons and for variety in the dog's diet.

A confession here: I'm a basic, bake it or nuke it kind of cook. I don't use cookbooks but many of the recipes are simple enough that even a mostly non-cook like me could make them. I might even try a few! (Well my dog will!) I give it 4 out of 4 bones!

Other highlights are a health survey on dogs fed a vegan diet versus commercial based diet; comprehensive lists of "people" foods that are beneficial to dogs and those that are harmful; dozens of recipes for biscuits and treats as well as more substantial fare.

(Note: this copy was received free for review purposes and will be passed on to someone else.)

As a sidenote, the publisher focuses on plant-based nutrition and cooking,including pioneering books in soyfoods cookery and raw foods cuisine. As a member of The Green Press Initiative, the publisher commits to printing a growing number of titles on postconsumer recycledand chlorine-free processed paper.

GREEN BOOKS

Today's feature was presented as part of the Green Books Campaign: 1 Day, 100 bloggers, 100 green books, 100 reviews.
Today, 100 bloggers are simultaneously publishing reviews of a "green" book of their choice. Organized by Eco-Libris, the campaign aims to encourage both publishers and readers to get greener and make sure books are printed responsibly. The event promotes “green” books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper.

“Although there's so much hype around e-books, books printed on paper dominate the book market, and we want them to be as environmentally sound as possible,” explains Raz Godelnik, co-founder and CEO of Eco-Libris. “Very few books are currently printed responsibly and we hope this initiative will bring more exposure to “green” books. Through this campaign we want to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books.”

Over 35 publishers from the U.S. , Canada and the U.K. are taking part in this campaign, providing participating bloggers with their latest books printed on recycled paper and FSC certified paper for review.

** See participating blogs at the Eco-Libris website.

Read Green - Plant a Tree via Eco-Libris

Founded in 2007, Eco-Libris is a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. Check the website for how to get involved.

To achieve this goal Eco-Libris is working with book readers, publishers, authors, bookstores and others in the book industry worldwide. So far, over 110,000 books ahve resulted in 120,000 new trees being planted in developing countries.

Celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

Nov. 1-7 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

The event, launched in 1996 by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), honors the approximately 4,000 animal shelters across the United States serving an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals needing refuge each year. According to the HSUS, while 63 percent of American households include pets, only 10 percent of owned dogs and 18 percent of owned cats are adopted from animal shelters.

Police Adopt Shelter Dog

The Chicago Police Department recently found a way to help a shelter dog find a home and cut their own costs by adopting a shelter dog for the department's drug detection program.

Pantera, a 16-month-old black Labrador retriever, was rescued by police from the Chicago Ridge Animal Welfare League in May. After training in narcotics detection techniques, the dog began working last month with the Organized Crime Division, recovering drug evidence and assisting in executing search warrants.

Department officials have said they expect to continue working with animal shelters to adopt other shelter dogs.

Read more about the department's new dog.

Welcome to Nick Valentino, author of Steampunk novel, Thomas Riley!

Today, we enter an alternate universe, the world of THOMAS RILEY, (Quake/Echelon Press, Oct. 2009), a new Steampunk-adventure novel by author Nick Valentino.

For more than twenty years, West Canvia and Lemuria have been battling one another in a constant war.

From the safety of his laboratory, weapons designer Thomas Riley has cleverly and proudly empowered the West Canvian forces with his brilliant designs.

But when a risky alchemy experiment goes horribly wrong, Thomas and his wily assistant, Cynthia Bassett, are thrust onto the front lines of battle.

Forced into shaky alliances with murderous sky pirates in a deadly race to kidnap the only man who can undo the damage—the mad genius behind Lemuria's cunning armaments—Thomas' own genius is put to the ultimate test.

Miniature lovers stay tuned - you're in for a unique treat! But let Nick tell you:

"Quake/Echelon Press just released my new Steampunk adventure novel, THOMAS RILEY. What is Steampunk? I’ll show you.

"Ms. Verstraete has enabled me to write a blog on a more visual subject matter than my past few guest blogs. It’s easy to get lost in the dozens of posts about miniature things here. I literally just spent the last hour scrolling, gazing at all the fine detail of The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature. (My favorite holiday by the way.)

"These amazing small recreations made me look up 'Steampunk miniatures.' And wow, did I find some good examples.

"This time instead of telling you what Steampunk is I’m going to show you… in miniature! "

Small Steampunk

Here is a wonderful example of Steampunk in miniature. Think Sherlock Holmes but with advanced technology all based on steam.

You’ll notice that this one has a little green creature on his shoulder.

If the genre of Steampunk is going to embellish on technology, why not everything else?







Steampunk Fashion

This is another nice example of Steampunk fashion and sense of adventure.

Here a man, complete with old world pipe, sports an African mask and stands atop a lion pelt.

Obviously this one is a safari hunter and explorer, a very prevalent subject matter in the genre.








Steampunk Villainy!

The Villain! Possibly a nemesis explorer holding a pointed parasol and three canopic jars.

You can tell right away that this fellow is up to no good and possibly has a very shady past.

Watch out for that dagger!

I usually only have fashion pictures or the cover of THOMAS RILEY to describe visually what Steampunk is, but this time we have some good third party examples. (Sculptures by Clavilier Gregory.)



The great thing about Steampunk is no one knows what it is until they see it.

Sure we can describe it as an alternative history with advanced technology, but you really get the picture when you see it for yourself.

If you enjoy debonair Sky Pirates, and high flying adventure, you will probably enjoy this genre. If you care to learn more, take a look at Thomas Riley’s website.




** BUY a signed copy from Nick.

** BUY from QUAKE

Halloween in Miniature 12: Happy Halloween!

Welcome to the wrap-up party for The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature (Link will take you to day 1).

I hope you had fun and enjoyed yourself, I know I did!

While the guests are helping clean up in the other room, let's go see what some of our neighbors are up to.

Miniaturist Patricia Roberson of Phoenix describes herself as a real Halloween fan and has made literally dozens of Halloween-based scenes in all scales. See some of her work below.

Shh... walk softly. See that shadow? You don't want to disturb whoever lives here.... Quick. Let's go to another house.

Oops! Oh, dear. Guess we stopped by at the wrong time. Looks like Helga is taking a bath. (Cat Wingler witch and Charles Claudon cats.)

Hurry, one more stop to make.

Ah, now that is more like it. Zelda says we should stay for tea, but we really need to get back for the Trick or Treaters. Mustn't disappoint the kiddies! (This is a half-scale scene with a Cat Wingler witch and Charles Claudon cats.)

Back outside now. Let's greet some of the Trick or Treaters! The decorations and little visitors are by Canadian miniaturist Doreen Playter.

Doreen, who's been making miniatures for four years, says she enjoys decorating her dollhouse for the holidays each season. She tries to change it every year, too, "just like a real house," she says.

While she says she doesn't sew, she is planning to add to the costumes, though she did a great job of dressing her little trick or treaters already, didn't she? (Click slideshow below. Wait for it to load.)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit!

** Today is also Pink Saturday so be sure to stop by Beverly's blog, How Sweet the Sound

** Don't forget to click to give women in need free mammograms at The Breast Cancer Site.


** Did you check out my spooky read, The Witch Tree??

** For fun, I invite all readers to comment to win one of my spooky medieval books. Simply pick one of the past 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature and tell me which was your favorite photo. (You can see all links in blog archives in bottom right column.) Have fun!**

Halloween in Miniature 11: Wizards and Dogs, Oh My!

Welcome back! We're getting near the end of The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature. (Link will take you to day 1).

Today, as they say in the classic Wizard of Oz movie... we're off to see the wizard!

Not just any wizards, of course, and certainly not the man "behind the curtain." Instead, I thought I'd share some fantastic wizards-- and their pets!

Witches always seem to have black cats. And while wizards seem to be associated with toads, dragons, frogs and other creatures, personally, I think a dog makes a perfect wizard's pet.

A dog is man's (and woman's) best friend, and in the case of my wizard, his dog (shown above), also helps the wizard with his own brand of magic. (Hence the dog's golden toenails.)

Besides being fond of pets, wizards also like to share formulas. This wizard is by doll maker Joyce McIntyre.

And lest you think otherwise, no, they aren't just preoccupied with spells and potions and whatever else.

Joyce's other wizard, whom she named the unwizardly Kenneth, seems to be hanging around a lot with the lovely Miranda.

Perfecting spells, so they say.

But when wizards aren't concocting potions, you often see them sitting at a desk cluttered with manuscripts. And even if you don't always see a pet in the picture, I bet a dog is just out of view. After all, don't dogs seem to have magical qualities?

I'd be wary, though. This Dog Sorcerer by Alice Zinn from her "Dog for All Seasons" book may look cute, but I wouldn't be late with his dinner!


These miniature dogs were also dressed by Michelle Riley in costumes based on the patterns in Alice's fun how-to book, "A Dog for All Seasons." (Copies still available at the link.) And as Michelle, found, you can't have just one!






** Next - Final Day 12: Happy Halloween!

** Look at these adorable needle-felted dogs

** Visit my miniature dogcatcher's house

** Cool assortment of Halloween dollhouse pix on Flickr

Halloween in Miniature 10: Amazing Halloween Food

Welcome to Day 10 of The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature. (Link will take you to day 1.)

Well, we've met some guests, seen some decorations, so I guess it's time to splurge again.

We've got some yummy new Halloween treats to offer today so get a plate and dig in! (Well forget that angry-looking pumpkin at left. Yikes!) Pictured: Birthing Pumpkin

Today's amazing Halloween treats (and a few more "normal" foods) are by miniaturist and IGMA Artisan Kiva Atkinson.


Pictured: Nightmare cupcakes. (cute!)

Kiva's been making making miniatures for almost five years, an obsession which began, innocently enough, with collecting dolls.

"It all started when I began collecting unusual dolls," she says. "That led led to accessories, then I had my mom make me two dollhouses."


Pictured: Halloween Tomatoes

Food (in miniature) became her downfall. (Isn't that always the way? ha!)

She says, "when I discovered miniature food, I became completely obsessed! I never knew that such an art existed, and I started collecting pieces.
Pictured: Graveyard Brownies

"In time, I thought I would try my hand at making some, so I went to a craft store and bought just two blocks of clay, brown and white. I made a plate of breakfast, and since I only had two colors, I improvised by painting everything! From there, I did some research, bought some books, did a lot of experimenting, and threw myself into it non-stop."

She now makes a wide range of foods from the whimsical, sometimes humorous and slightly scary, to historical dishes and foods so realistic they will make your mouth water.
Pictured: Mummy Dogs

Even with the variety of her miniature menu, one of her favorite items to replicate is fish.

"I've always had a fondness for making seafood, particularly fresh fish, maybe because it's one of my favorite things to eat, too," she says. "I love checking out the displays of fresh seafood here in Hawaii and getting ideas of what to make."


Pictured: Sardine Appetizer

Even if you don't like fish, the texture almost makes you want to get out a fork, doesn't it?


Pictured: Fish and Salsa

If she had to pick one thing to make again and again, Kiva says it would probably be fruit: "The easiest thing for me to make is probably fruit. I've so much of it over the years that I could probably make most of them with a blindfold on."

But there is an exception: "Making a really good, realistic pineapple is difficult. I am asked to make them a lot, because I live in Hawaii!"


Pictured: Owl cupcakes

** Next: Day 11: Wizards' Best Friends!

** See more amazing food and seafood at Kiva's Miniatures website and her blog

**Halloween Party Recipes

** Hershey's chocolate recipes

Halloween in Miniature 9: Some Halloween Decor!

Let's talk about decor today on Day 9 of The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature.

What's more fun than decorating for Halloween? You can get as spooky or as creative as you like, that's the fun of it!

It lets you indulge in all sorts of unusual treatments that you often don't dare to use in real life! (Well some might!)


Miniaturist Sally Watson of Kent, England, made this spooky scene in response to a challenge in the GSOLFOT Club (Green Sock on Left Foot on Tuesdays Club) to produce a scene based on the traditions of Halloween. You can see more of her work at her webshots page.

"The aim was to be a bit different from the usual pumpkins," she says. "I based mine on Samhain - the pagan equivalent and used the quotation on the ruler: 'It is believed that on this night the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest point, making this an excellent time to communicate with the Other Side.'"

The fireplace was made by printing a photo of her real fireplace on acetate. A wallpaper pattern done the same way gives the room a spooky feel. It features a mysterious landscape and strange plants, "the thinning of the veil. The shoes and bra are open to interpretation!" she says.

Sally also made this wonderfully decorated table filled with all kinds of potions and essentials! She hints that the variety of potions "may or may not work, but the witch has gone off for a snack so you can't ask!" (Whew! Some things are best left to the unknown... :>))



On a more seasonal note, Fay Zerbolio made the perfect fall - Halloween scene that she adapted to fit under a dome.

She made her cute little pumpkin sales scene a few years ago following a how-to pattern by Joanne Swanson. (See front of scene at beginning.)

Scouting around some real-life decorating sites, I found some fun ideas miniaturists might be inspired by:

** I can see this box of ghostly gourds as a unique mini Halloween decoration. Or how about a cabiinet of black crows?

** How about a coffin table?

** Here's a neat idea: silhouette curtains. To do: I'd draw a shape of a figure or a hanging body as shown on vellum paper with pencil. Color in with black paint or marker. When lit it should resemble a silhouette.



Next - Day 10: Kiva Atkinson's Amazing Halloween food!

Halloween in Miniature 8: What a Character!

Welcome to Day 8 of The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature. (Link will take you to day one if you're checking in late.)

The best part of a Halloween party is seeing what costumes the guests are wearing. Some people have amazing imaginations!

It's much the same in miniature. Doll makers come up with an incredible array of costumes that rival any in real life.

Louise Goldsborough, who makes 1 inch - 1/12th scale dolls under the name Angelique Miniatures in England was thrilled to tell her "friends" about the party. Believe me, they caused quite a stir when they arrived.

There is a legend of the lovely "Spectre at the Masquerade" (pictured above), whose presence has been reported by several guests. (No, not the ones drinking the Golden Eye wine.)

According to eyewitness reports, "suddenly the temperature of the room dropped and all eyes were drawn to the hazy figure of a young woman standing in the corner. Her skin seemed strangely pale and her clothes were very fine but belonged to an era long ago. She seemed to shimmer in the gloom of the candlelight as she gazed wistfully at the revellers who stood gaping at her, open-mouthed in surprise. Then she gave a faint smile and faded away!"

If that wasn't enough to give visitors a fright, then "The Ghost of Anne Boleyn" would surely do the trick. Dressed in lavish brocade and sparkling trim, poor Anne still wanders, carrying her head in her hands.

Connecticut miniaturist Anne Larson has been making dolls for about 20 years. She began by assembling painted and wigged kits. She now starts with porcelain blanks so she can make the doll completely herself from the assembling and painting, to the wigging and dressing. She also enjoys doing character sculpting such as the winged monkey and the hawk sculpture in her Wizard of Oz scene.

Well, look who's arrived! It's Mother Goose! This figure was made from a Marcia Backstrom doll kit (resin made from her original sculpt; the face is molded), also dressed by Anne Larson.

Anne found the doll kit on clearance at her local miniature store. She says the kit "had been hanging around for years. I think if you don't make dolls, it's hard to see the potential in a doll kit, so that's why she never sold." But Anne knew what to do! (Good idea, too!)



Backstom, a Pennsylvania artist and IGMA Artisan (International Guild of Miniature Artisans) also creates fully hand-sculpted 1" scale figures in polymer clay. Her witches, ghosts and older people are amazing. This one called the Headhunter Witch was recently on Ebay with a starting price of $350. Her work is featured in museums worldwide.





** Next, Day 9: Some Halloween decor

** Check out Haunt Jaunts - a travel blog for restless spirits. Cool haunted places!

** Get printable ("printies") Halloween toile wallpaper

** Make a miniature scene in a pumpkin and a miniature lion costume

** Free dollhouse doll tutorials, all kinds of costumes

Halloween in Miniature 7: Halloween Pumpkins and More!

Welcome to Day 7 of The 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature. (Link will take you to day one if you're checking in late.)

I've still got pumpkins on the brain, especially once I read these pumpkin songs at this teacher website. (I didn't know pumpkin songs existed either. Beware the Little Teapot/Little Pumpkin song. You've been warned!)

Thought I'd share an assortment of Halloween items today like this group of different sized pumpkins shown above.

Many visitors who don't collect may not know that there are several scales smaller than the 1 inch scale items I've been showing. It goes down in increments to 144th scale (dollhouse for a dollhouse) size and even smaller micro minis.

I like half scale (1/24th scale) which is roughly sized down in half from 1" scale. I've been collecting things to design a couple rooms in a Gothic clock case I bought at a garage sale for $3.

Here're a few cute Halloween and seasonal cakes of polymer clay made by my friend Kitty. See her blog, Kitty's Minis.

(That's a penny in front to give you an idea of how tiny these are.)

This draped table is from a past half scale group swap.



Even smaller is this charming scene in a pumpkin, what Canadian Chris Shibata calls her "Pumpkin Party."

While the pumpkin itself, which she made of FIMO polymer clay and hollowed out on the inside is 1 1/8" tall in 1" scale, the interior figures are roughly 144th scale.

Holy cow! Though it's hard to see (best photo she had) there is an even tinier pumpkin inside on the table that has the same scene in it!

I bet even Peter Pumpkin Eater would be amazed!

** Next, Day 8: Meet some characters!

** Official Halloween movies site

** Check out these incredible half scale houses from the UK's Petite Properties

** To give you an idea of size, here is a free half scale couch and chair pattern to try. (It is in Dutch but simply cut and upholster.)

** Wow, check out this guy's amazing pumpkin carving gallery