Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

knowonder! has done it again. SPREAD YOUR WINGS: A Collection of Dragon and Princess Stories is now available to order. 31 read-aloud stories focusing on dragons and/or princesses offers parents and their children a month of bedtime stories in one collection. Why read-aloud stories? Knowonder's focus is children's literacy. The benefits of read-aloud stories are numerous. Builds listening skills Increases child's vocabulary Improves vocabulary skills Develops learning aptitude Strengthens family bonds ...so much more knowonder! story collections are compiled for children 0 - 10 years of age, but the varied stories will be enjoyed by kids and adults of all ages.  I'm thrilled that two of my stories are included in the newest knowonder! collection. KELL -  a story about a dragon who gives up her hoarding after meeting a young princess  BLITHE AND MIRTH: A JOLLY TALE - My newest story about a princess who is forced to choose a prince to ma...

For those of you who may not know, I am a staff writer for Knowonder. Knowonder is a leading publisher of engaging content that drives literacy; the most important factor in a child’s success. Parents and educators use Knowonder tools and content to promote reading, creativity, and thinking skills in children from zero to ten. Knowonder’s books deliver original, compelling stories and content, creating an opportunity for parents to connect to their children in ways that significantly improve their children’s success. Ultimately, Knowonder’s mission is to eradicate illiteracy and improve education success through content that is affordable, accessible, and effective. Volume 4 of Knowonder's story collections was published at the beginning of this month. It includes my short stories Bungling Lulu and Queensicle . As a treat for little ones, I've recorded myself reading from my story Queensicle . Kids love to meet the author. So have your child sit down in front of...

I'm excited to announce the release of Volume 4 of the Knowonder! collections, HERMAN'S HORRIBLE DAY. I have two stories in this collection. Queensicle - Laila lives in the Arctic. She's excited to see her best friend, Finn, whose family are nomadic reindeer herders. Finn has a special present for her befitting the queen of the Arctic. Bungling Lulu - Who ever heard of a clumsy pixie? Poor Lulu, just passed flying lessons, but that doesn't make her an expert. Chanting the pixie credos she tries to right her wrongs. My stories are part of a collection of 31 great short stories. Want to know what people are saying about the story collections? Here's a review posted by Barbara Bockman on her blog Stories a la Mode . Available in print and Kindle .

My short story, Kell, was published today on Knowonder . Be sure to stop in and give it a read. Remember you can download the free app and have a new story a day available to read to your child at bedside. Also, my lovely niece, Jennifer Hartsock is hosting a giveaway on her blog . I know how you all love a giveaway, so hop on over to her site to see how you can enter to win a $20 gift card and a sock monkey key chain (the key chain alone is so worth it!) Last but not least, I'm preparing my very first newsletter for distribution tomorrow. Have you signed up yet? What the heck are you waiting for? Clicky, clicky:  Subscribe to our newsletter  (<--I'm even speaking in the royal 'we')

So much has been happening and I want to compile all my exciting, sparkly book news into one place. Releasing in 2012: Save the Lemmings 8 th grade inventor, Natalie Isabelle Cailean Edwards is the N.I.C.E. girl who finishes last with the kids in school. Sappy inspirational phrases and monochromatic outfits have all but her best friends wrinkling their nose at her. When Natalie’s invention, the Texty-Talky, goes nationwide, she becomes an overnight sensation. Suddenly her days consist of photo shoots and interviews with little time left for her friends. A local reporter shatters her good-girl image by reporting a graffiti incident and the media launches into a smear campaign. It is so bad, even her friends start to believe the stories. How will Natalie stop the lies and win her friends back? And who will SAVE THE LEMMINGS? The Wishing Well, Another Weaver Tale Molly Minstrel is treated worse than Cinderella by her mom and sisters. When Molly meets the magical...

Parents, teachers, caregivers. Grandparents, counselors, aunts. Lend me your ear. Knowonder, an online children’s magazine, is announcing its relaunch. It is bigger and better than ever! Promising a story a day, Knowonder is a valuable partner for parents and educators in promoting literacy. Some of the exciting features the newly redesigned site offers is: §          New stories every day §          3 new non-fiction articles each week §          8 content categories, including classic favorites, kid stories and kid art §          Contests & prizes; your opinion matters! Vote for your favorites to assure you see more like them in the future! §          IPhone app available §          Android app coming soon! I am thril...