Children see magic because they believe it exists - About Karen Emma Hall

                     Children see magic because they believe it exists. 

  Karen Emma Hall

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Karen Emma Hall is a children’s author, artist and founder of Kid Literature, an online platform for writers, artists and anyone with a passion for reading and writing.

Karen has a passion for showing how exciting and pleasurable reading books can be, making storytelling an adventure of discovery. Karen’s love for writing developed while reading to children as an auxiliary nurse and nanny. She studied for her N.N.E.B as well as many courses over the years in art, literature and child care.
Her first series of children’s stories are a little bit magic. They leave readers with that magic feeling.
If you love owls and you love cats, then you are going to adore her own fully illustrated books.

Karen believes that being able to read and write is the most basic foundation of knowledge that propels us as children into a world ready to be discovered. With literacy comes a quality of life that can take us to the far ends of the earth without even leaving our own room. You can go anywhere in your imagination, and having a book at your fingertips is an accomplishment in itself; you have the universe in your hands.

Karen has four daughters and three cats who love to feature in her stories. Karen still finds time to be active on social media when she is not creating something new for a book or her blog. She is currently illustrating more sketches and starting on her next lot of children’s amusing stories, as well as venturing out in video art media which will be ideal for creative imaginitive minds. Bringing teeny bits of teeny magic. printed here at http://www.childrenswritersguild.com

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-Teeny-Pheeny-Karen-Emma

Print Hello-Tenny-Pheeny-Karen-Emma

               http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Teeny-Pheeny-Karen-Emma-

Karen's first book is about a little owl and it is called 'Hello Teeny Pheeny', a charming story that takes place in a magical village of owls and in the book we see Karen’s owl illustrations – cozy, enchanting, full of character.
So what is it that makes this book compelling, special or unique?

Well Teeny Pheeny was born one day quite by accident, after my visiting a beautiful rescue owl called Phoenix. My children gave my storybook owl the name Teeny Pheeny, naming him after this amazing creature we helped rescue. It is a name (and an owl) that children will love and want to know more about. The day Teeny Pheeny was born I knew he was going to be rather special.
I developed a love for reading and writing very early on in childhood. I received so much enjoyment out of my treasured picture books, and I just loved visiting whatever magical land they took me to. I would become completely absorbed. I fell in love with books and, you could say, fell right into them, much like Alice did when she fell down the rabbit hole. It was always a magical place. It still is.

Creativity and reading have always been my main passion, even today. It is a therapy like no other. After leaving university with a BA in Art, I worked with children for many years, from being a qualified N.N.E.B nursery nurse to a teachers assistant. I have always enjoyed reading aloud to children of all ages. I find enjoyment and satisfaction in helping children and people with disabilities with reading and writing



From the perspective of my own writing, there’s another Teeny Pheeny book almost complete with brand new illustrations, in fact the first series is penned and edited. Then there is as a book for middle grade readers, called Cory in Cold Cliff Castle. It’s a wild adventure with gruesome characters that will hopefully attract boys to reading. Very fun, Scooby Doo meets Hammer Horror. Also a cat ryhming book and other cat things! But there is still decisions to be made about which one to put out first and what art is going in these book. Check the progress on Twitter and the website and I will be excited to share this from my new author page late this year. 
Follow Karen and Kid Literature on their journey. 


I believe in magic and I do my best to trap it in a book. As Roald Dahl once said “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it".

To see what art and writing Karen is currently doing, visit her at this blog every Monday and her page here  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenEmmaHall most days 

So what age do I write for? Middle Grade or Young adult

So what age do I write for? Middle grade, or Young Adult. 

So what are the differences between middle-grade (MG) novel and a young adult (YA) novel? and does your book fall between these 2?

 If you think of MG as literature for readers ages 8–12 years, and young adult (YA) as literature for readers ages 13–18 years,  then that is a good starting point. So when writing for the younger audience you do need to know what sets them apart from each other and what category you are writing for.

If you remember MG characters are mainly focused internally; meaning it will be focused on self-growth, learning who they are. Young adult characters are focused more externally, noticing the world around them and how they fit in, how they affect things. Often, that's a huge part of a YA character's growth throughout his or her story; moving from a naturally self absorbed stage in life, where the world revolves around them, to thinking outside their heads, and what is going on in the outside world, and how others feel. So becoming more aware of the feelings and situations of others. Remember children like to read about characters who are older than themselves.

 Middle grade books do not mean for middle school age children. Middle school age children tend to be divided about reading MG and YA books.

So if you are writing for middle grade, you are writing for your readers who are aged  between 8–12 years old, and usually the length is generally 30,000–50,000 words  No profanity, graphic violence or  sexuality. You will be focusing on the immediate world as seen by a child of 10 for example, who is still self orientated. 

YA

 Young Adult books are very popular at the moment and are marketed to adolescents and young adults. A young adult book is defined as literature traditionally written for ages ranging from 13-18 years.  It has been said to also be up to 25 years, but if you enjoy a book at any age, these are just guidelines. Teen fiction can be classed as books from the ages 10 to 15 years. So with all of these confusing guidlines and inbetween MG and YA readers, how do we know who our novel or book is for? 

 YA literature can span the spectrum of fiction genres. YA stories that focus on the specific challenges of youth are sometimes referred to as problem novels or coming-of-age novels

Generally a YA novel word count is between 50,000–75,000 words. More in some cases, like a fantasy. And just because profanity, graphic violence, romance and sexuality are more likely to appear in YA storylines, it  does not mean it has to be full of these topics all the way through. Focus on the story, how the characters fit into the story and beyond their world, and how they analyze the meaning of their existence and what is happening around them. Age of protagonist: Ages 13-18 as a guide. Some YA readers may fall for a younger YA book range. A younger YA book is one that appeals to the older end of the the MG  crowd as well as the younger YA and has cleaner content and as mentioned before can be called teen fiction.

 That is not saying a younger reader would not steer towards the more mature YA books, and sometimes you have the older reader reading the younger YA books too. But for the wider audience, you'll generally want your protagonist to be on the older side.

 if you aren't so sure whether your current project is YA or MG, I think you need to ask yourself  - what age am I writing for? what's the romance like? where's the focus? what's the genre? If it has deep loving, deep feelings, or sensitivive topics like drugs or abuse, then it will not be MG. Keep asking yourself questions throughout your book and you will also learn more about your story and characters.

Your aim is to write a story that is meaninfuly and complulsive to your reader, and you have to know who your reader is. You are learning this as you write. Understanding it more because as you are the story maker, you decide what goes into the story, you get to know it inside out and questions that may not be apparent at the beginning should be made very apparent by the time you finish.
For those of you who feel your story is inbetween a MG and YA, but have to choose one or the other, (there is no inbetween in a publishers requirements) just in your readers. I would make your word count the defining factor in deciding, if you are really stuck in choosing and are hating on the fact you have to pick one or the other for publishing, marketing reasons. Make sure you still write the story in the length it takes to tell it, and focus on the story and the writing. Once finished check publishers guidlines

I know we need guidelines to an extent, but write for yourself, forget about the rules while actually writing, just write, and love your writing and where it takes you. Once you have asked your questions, and know who the age range is you are writing for, then it is time to let your pen do the talking.

what in the world prompted you to write fiction for kids?

Kid Literature are pleased to have Shana Gorian on their blog today talking about - what made us decide to write fiction for kids? and meeting Rosco the rascal.


Shana Gorian is the author of the Rosco The Rascal Series. Her chapter books, for young readers ages 6-9, includeRosco the Rascal Visits the Pumpkin Patch, Rosco the Rascal in the Land of Snow, and her newest release coming in July 2015, Rosco the Rascal Goes to Camp. Please visit her on the web at shanagorian.com.

Author Interview, Part 1: What in the world prompted you to write fiction for kids?


In the first of a new short series of blog posts, I’ll be answering some of the questions I’ve frequently been asked about my writing.

First question: what in the world prompted you to write fiction for kids?

It all began several years ago, when I started writing a picture book about my fun-loving German shepherd. I had invented a character based upon him – Rosco the Rascal – as this enormous, overgrown puppy pulled us around on his leash in the evenings. My kids and I would laugh at his funny behavior as he encountered the usual sights and sounds that make a dog’s life interesting.

A squirrel would run by and he’d use his massive strength to pull on the leash as if the world would end if he didn’t catch that squirrel. We’d have fun narrating the monologue that might be going on inside his head as we walked. “Get that squirrel. Gotta get that squirrel.” Nothing complicated. (He never got that squirrel, fortunately.)



But Rosco the Rascal’s character grew, because this real dog of ours was always getting into trouble and providing a multitude of inspiration. He chewed up the license plate and the mud flaps on my minivan. He chewed up our outdoor barbecue. He got bitten by a squirrel. He ran off with the tennis ball when you tried to play fetch, willing us to chase him instead of just chasing the ball again for us like most dogs would. He ran off to neighbors’ homes when we thought he was safely in the yard. But he was mischievous only because he was a dog being a dog. He had a good heart and a steady temperament. What he lacked was a solid set of manners. (We’ve since worked on that with the real dog, fortunately, through a lot of training.) But that early lack of manners and the outrageous behavior are what Rosco’s character is based upon.

Time went on, and I eventually wrote a short story about him for my children. Rosco had human-like thoughts and actions, but he was just a dog, like any pet. He would find or make trouble, then fix the problems he created; learn something every time, grow up a little more, just like a child. Simple personification of a dog. My story was to be an illustrated book for ages 4-6.

My own children were much younger than they are now, when I started writing it, (4 and 7 at the time) and still reading picture books on a regular basis. The story line was cute and sweet and funny and accessible.

It’s worth mentioning that we were that family that had three library cards, one for me and one for each kid – who visited the library each week, and often maxed out the cards as we filled our tote bag with books. So many cards were necessary in case each child wanted to play the games on the library’s computers or if we had a fine on one card and I didn’t have cash on hand to pay it. Or if we went over the 30-book limit in our wild freedom of choice, we’d never have to leave empty-handed. But I was always the sorry-looking mother crouching over from the weight of the bag as I limped back to the car holding my smallest child’s hand.

Every night we had ‘books time,’ in which we read three or four picture books, taking turns reading out loud. We loved it. But, I digress; back to my writing.

Needless to say, over the years we had literally read hundreds and hundreds of picture books. So I ‘knew my stuff’, as far as picture books went.
Please read more here shana gorian-what-in-the-world-prompted-you-to-write-fiction-for-kids/



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Books for children for Fathers day, books for dads, and books about loss.

Children  love to treat their Fathers to small gifts of appreciation, homemade things are the best, and homemade cards and pictures are always top of the list. But a book to read together can be very special. Not only do they teach kids wonderful things about consideration and empathy and thinking of others, and the joy you give others when you are giving and not receiving. It can also teach Fathers to share story time more often and how enriching and important it is when embraced in their life. 
It can show children the importance of a male role model in their life. Each of these books features a Father figure in the story and is appropriate for small children, or you can read to them if they are under three. Some of the books are ideal for older children also. Use these stories as an introduction to your Father's Day activities or simply to show students the significance their father has in their life

Here is a compilation of 18 plus with links to many more brought to you by Kid Literature. https://www.facebook.com/KidLiterature 

                  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKarenEmmaHall

1  A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting Why I love my Daddy

Eve Bunting's lyrical text makes it the perfect read for Father's Day. A young child takes her father on a fun filled adventure for Father's Day. This is a cute read for kindergarteners through first grade. Perfect-Fathers-Day-Eve

2 Why I love my Daddy 

amazon. why i love my Daddy

 heartwarming book featuring children’s own words and animal illustrations, this is the perfect book to say, “I love you, Daddy!”
A good read from birth up over. 

‘I love my daddy because… ‘

Everyone’s daddy is the best. And who better to tell the world than children themselves?

This charming book combines endearing things said by children about their fathers with gentle illustrations of familiar animals. The text is amusing and insightful, with reasons why daddies are loved by their children ranging from ‘because he tickles me’ to ‘because he is my best friend’.

With beautiful pictures and charming words from children all about daddies, it’s just right to give to Dad and to read together!

3  The Night Before Father's Day by Natasha Wing

This story uses the same lyrical rhyme of the beloved "Night Before Christmas." A mother and her children surprise the dad by cleaning out the garage and washing the car. This story is an introduction to showing children the special things they can do.  Night-Before-Fathers-Day
read this with or to your child at any age.

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4  The Ten Best Things About My Dad by Christine Loomis 

The main character in this book talks about all the fun things that his dad does that makes him special. The father reads stories, scares away the monsters, tells jokes and teaches him right from wrong. It is the perfect book to read for Father's Day because the children can relate to the young narrator in the story. For ages 3-8 approx 10-Best-Things-about-Dad

5  What Dads Can't Do by Douglas Wood

This fun and amusing picture book talks about the things that dad's cannot do that regular people can. Such as, they can push but cannot swing, they cannot cross the street without holding hands and they cannot sleep late. Kids will get a kick out of the illustrations and love coming up with their own ideas of what their dad cannot do. For ages 2-7 approx  What-Dads-Cant-do

6 My Father Knows the Names of Things by Jane Yolen  

This story is the perfect book to show children how a father knows it all. The father in this story shares his knowledge of the world with his child while they take a walk for ages 3-8 approx   My-Father-Knows-Names-Things

                            7 Just me and Dad

  This classic critter book shows the tale of a father and son camping   trip. Along the way the little critter makes some mistakes but manages to turn things around. It’s a delightful story that shows children their dad will always be there and things can get better.  for ages 3-8 approx Just-Dad-Golden-Look

 

8 The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman 

This delightful witty book tells the tale of how a young boy traded in his dad for two goldfish because all his dad did was sit and read the newspaper. When the boy's mother finds out what he did she tells him to go get him back, but it wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. The father gets traded all around town! This whimsical, yet sarcastic, book is a fun read for upper elementary children. Day-Swapped-Dad-Two-Goldfish for all ages. 

9 The Berenstain Bears and the Papa's Day Surprise by Stan Berenstain

This classic Berenstain Bears book features Papa as a grumpy old bear that thinks that Father's Day is only a greeting card holiday. So when the day approaches and he doesn't receive anything, he is very upset. This is a great read for Father's Day and teaches children the importance of keeping secrets and lying. Berenstain-Bears-Papas-Surprise ages 3 -8 approx

                     

                           10  Kisses for Daddy 

When a grumbly Baby Bear refuses to give his father a goodnight kiss, their bedtime routine is transformed into a delightful game, as Daddy imagines all the different sorts kisses that other animal babies give their dads. Ages 2-5. Or from birth up if you are reading to your child. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.  Kisses-Daddy

                              11  I love you Daddy 

-Love-Daddy

No father could fail to be touched by this adorable, heart-warming book. It gently and lovingly affirms the unbreakable bond between a father and his child.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Daddy is always there to play, protect and comfort. Enter a world of strength and tenderness in this timeless book to keep and cherish. To read from birth up, or for children 2-6 years approx 

12 A Wild Fathers Day by Sean Callahan

After two young children give their dad a father's day card that says "Have a Wild Father's Day" on it, the dad insists that the children act like animals for the day. The illustrations are simple and the repetition in this story is great. It will help the children predict some of the things that are going to happen next in the story. Wild-Fathers-Day
children 4-9 years.

13 My Dad's a Hero by Rebecca Christiansen

Trying to explain to children about the war is not an easy subject to pull off. The author takes this tender subject, and has found a warm and endearing way to show children how to be proud of their father for serving in the military. My-Dads-Hero
4-9 years approx 

                     14 How to Babysit a Grandad  

How-Babysit-Grandad

When your grandad rings the doorbell, it's babysitting time! This is a hilarious and accessible picture book about a child spending time with his grandad. The perfect Father's day gift!

Written in a how-to style, the narrator gives important tips for 'babysitting' a grandad, including what to eat for snack (anything dipped in ketchup, ice cream topped with cookies, cookies topped with ice cream), what to do on a walk (find lizards and dandelion puffs, be on the lookout for puddles and sprinklers), and how to play with a grandad (build a pirate cave, put on a scary play).

A cunning study in role reversal, with Lee Wildish's over-the-top illustrations well in keeping with a jaunty text. children 3-8 years approx.

                            15 Daddy's promise 

                                                                     Daddys-Promise

A story to bring comfort and hope to children who have experienced the death of a loved one.
To read yourself and decide what age best to read to your child. 

                                           

                           16 God gave us Heaven 

GOD-GAVE-HEAVEN

“What is heaven like?”

With tender words, her Papa describes a wonderful place, free of sadness and tears, where God warmly welcomes his loved ones after their life on earth is over. Little Cub and Papa spend the day wandering their beautiful, invigorating arctic world while she asks all about God’s home: How do we get to heaven? Will we eat there? Will I get to see you in heaven? Papa patiently answers each question, assuring her that…

This gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about what happens after this life, inviting “little cubs” to find comfort in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.

For children of all ages. 

Some good links about loss for children to read and reading with children

                17 My Dad still thinks he's funny!

A sequel to My Dad Thinks He's Funny, and a great Father's Day gift, dad is back by popular demand with more hilarious material in this witty celebration of dad humour. Dad still thinks he's funny... and says silly things like,"I've told you fifty million times, don't exaggerate." By turns funny and sweet, and with exciting art from award-winning illustrator Tom Jellett, this is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh - and the occasional eye roll!  

For children of all ages. 

This next one below is a page-turning story about a normally boisterous youngster with a fear of being alone in the dark...until a magical quest results in a good night's sleep all round. Extraordinary artwork provides a fantastical backdrop for a winning text set in a nonsensical invented environment. This is a terrific dad-and-son adventure tale, involving monsters, seafaring and wormcake! It is brilliant for reading aloud at bedtime when the sun slips down behind the scrintalberry trees

18 The Almost Fearless Hamilton Squidlegger

Almost-Fearless-Hamilton-Squidlegger

From the illustrator of the multiple award-winning The Tale of Despereaux, comes the endearing tale of Hamilton Squidlegger - a boisterous youngster with a huge fear of the dark. During the day Hamilton is fearless! He can triumph over all the frackensnappers, skelecragons and bracklesneeds in the swamp. But at night? Well, he quakes in terror... Will his dad be able to help him remain fearless in his own mud all night long? The perfect bedtime read, this terrific dad-and-son adventure tale involving monsters, seafaring and wormcake is brought to life by Timothy Basil Ering's colourful, energetic signature artwork and hugely imaginative language.

For children 4 - 8 years approx 

And for the Father's? some good books and links that every Father should read. Fathers-Day-eight-books-every-dad-should-read

These books are amazing, and will lead on to many more about that special relationships in the lives of little children. A soft and gentle take on family life and relationships that perfectly captures the humour and impulsive nature of family life, and those people. Also books of a delicate nature that can help children understand about life and loss and death as a natural process, but how to deal with it and not hide it away or pretend it didn't happen. Some parents feel that if they do not talk about grief or loss with their children they are protecting them, but alas to protect them we must allow them to discover about life by approaching difficult subjects in the easiest helpful way, and allowing children to be able to come to us with questions, books are ideal to help in these areas. 

These  brilliant story books also capture the unbreakable bond between father and his children. Dad might not be a superhero, but he can always make a superhero mask or wear his pants outside his trousers, even if he does super snores or think he's funny! Dad can still make monsters go away at bedtime, because he is going to read to me again tonight yehh!! 

Yeh for Dads Happy Fathers Day everyone, to all Fathers and all remembered!

These links from Amazon are easy enough to change from UK to US or whatever country you are viewing them from. Thank you

Written and compiled together by Karen Emma Hall