Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Free PR, Making Reading Fun for Children, art by contributors, other Zazzle Artists

Hi Hope you had a lovely month

Free PR for Children’s book and ebook writers, free pr for G rated Zazzle, etsy, shop owners. Just put a write a comment about your book or art in the comment section. You can promote as many as 30 Stores or 30 books. No referral numbers, or Zazzle stars please.

Newest art "I will be putting up more"

Making Reading Fun for Children

Valerie http://www.zazzle.com/abundancelovetrip

I have been working mostly with my own children to encourage reading. My children’s school has been vital for teaching my children to read but I feel that primarily parents need to be the ones encouraging children to read versus our schools.
Having a book that is fiction or non-fiction to write a report about or receive a pop quiz from may teach valuable study ethics but it will not teach a love of reading.

When I was a teen, I wasn’t fond of the soapy YA fiction books that were recommended by my school. I read them anyway for extra credit, but I would have preferred reading other books.
Don’t assume just because of its genre that a book is not fine literature. Some people make this mistake and forego some very thoughtful books. In addition, non-fiction books can be both creative and pleasurable. Effective pairing of non-fiction books with fiction books on the same subject can make them even more so.

Some signs of real success with your child’s love of books are that they would rather use their allowance to purchase books than toys and you catch them sneaking and reading their books when they are supposed to be sleeping. It doesn’t matter if they are perfect readers or not. Obviously, they are falling in love with books!


Here are some suggestions to help encourage your little ones to fall in love with books.

1. Make popcorn and read to your kids. Having ‘Popcorn and Book Night’ versus ‘Movies and Popcorn’ can be more meaningful to your child when getting to spend time with mom or dad.

2. Have your own book fair for your kids. This one was a huge hit at my house. Sometimes kids might want the same book so keep that in mind if you have more than one child that will be attending. Buy the books without the kids along and you have better control of the price.

3. Make a healthy snack based on a book.

4. ‘Book Cooks’ is a good book with story based recipes for parents and teachers that want to involve kindergarten age children in cooking. The book design is with a classroom in mind and most recipes do not need a heat source. It also includes several reading based activities that are fun for kids.

5. Here is a blog that has many cool activities based on books. http://shannonsbooknook.com/

6. Take your kids to the school book fair and give them a little spending money to make their own purchases.

7. Host a small book party that is for family members only or let your little ones invite a few special friends. Your book party can be part of a birthday celebration or celebrating when a new book in a series is available.

8. Buy a book for a child just because.

9. Ask a child to read to you. You can even play school with the child being the teacher.

10. Create your own summer reading program. This went very well last year! I chose prizes that were age appropriate and cost effective. Tip - Check out the Dollar store for great prizes.

11. Give books for Christmas along with toys and clothes. Give books just because you love them.

12. Create puppets together based on a book.

13. Make your own book award for your blog or have a favorite children’s book and promote it. I used to do this when I had a newsletter.

14. Create art based on your favorite books together.

15. Trips to the library are free and many have summer reading programs for kids.

16. Buy books from local authors. There is nothing like a signed book. Also, check to see if there are any local writing groups.

17. A school can encourage reading even with a limited budget. Many schools will have the school principal do a funny stunt in exchange for returned reading logs. The key is making sure the parents know about the stunt by sending a flyer home with the children and putting it on the school’s website. Not all children have the verbal or communication skills to inform parents.

18. Create your own e-books for your children using photos and text. It’s a really fun way to get children involved with reading.

19. If you have a Kindle or iPad, you can read Kindle e-books to your child. Many independent electronic books are from .99¢ to $4.99. It’s affordable and you save on gas. There are also many FREE electronic books on Amazon and other sites which of course costs nothing but your time.

20. You can read a novel to a child a chapter at a time.

21. If a child has a favorite movie or TV show, many times there are similar books. If your child has a specific episode they like that deals with camping or dinosaurs, you can also find children’s books on camping or dinosaurs.

22. Book related gift baskets could be a fun gift for an older child. Consider filling it with related toys and snacks.

23. The website http://starfall.com can be useful for teaching early reading skills. The basic version is free but there is a fee for the extended version of Starfall.com.

24. Read a short book as your kids get ready for school. This reading time could be during breakfast or a few minutes before leaving for school. It’s not just reading time; it’s bonding time as well.

25. The band ‘They Might Be Giants’ DVD, and CD ‘Here Comes the ABCs’ that teach kids their ABCs and other reading concepts along with fun music. They also have math and science music.

26. Flash cards can be effective but make sure they are also fun. Some children love flash cards and others hate them. I taped up a box with duct tape and put a slit in it and we fed the box the flash cards. Duct tape comes in many colors and patterns now and that makes it more fun. You could also tape paper and draw a silly face on the box.

27. For school - Have a used book drive at school. Books can then be re-sold at school carnivals or a Christmas store. Books should be from .25¢ to $2.00.

28. Help children safely bake a cake or make pudding and practice reading the instructions on the boxes. Boxed cake mixes often have visual pictures to help as well.

29. Practice by helping them read the menu while going out to eat.

30. Some fun phonic book sets come with eight to twelve small books in a set and are perfect for early readers. You can easily purchase them on Amazon.com.

31. Give books as rewards for good behavior.

32. Grocery ads are a great way to teach recognition. Remember to remove the toy ads first.

33. Play ‘Which Hand Holds the Letter’. Then children can also guess the letter.

34. Play ‘Living Flash Cards’. This is for preschool age children. I learned this from a friend who used to work in a Montessori school. Though this isn’t a strictly Montessori activity, since it can done with objects around the house. Gather toys and objects that all start with the same letter and practice the sounds. Let them touch and feel the objects. Letter ‘B’ could be boat, ball, bear, book, and bread. Letter ‘D’ could be Doll, dish, and dinosaur.

35. Play ‘Secret Agent’. Write backwards using a mirror so when they hold the finished message they can read it by holding it to the mirror.

36. Adapt word games for children 5 and over so there is less competition.

37. Create a pirate map and the children use it to search for the treasure that is a chest full of books and a few stickers and treats. You don’t even have to use new books. Older books they used to love but haven’t read in a while will work. I used older books and gifts I already had on hand.

38. Get a sheet of computer paper and fold it like a booklet. Now glue the creases with a glue stick or lightly with regular school glue. Let the children make up their own book. Besides the drying time with some glue, this is a super-fast activity to set up.

39. Find Joy in everyday Reading. Reading can lead to learning but also enchantment and wonder.

Art by me

Art by AsksazombieHouseWife Contributors

Eiffel Tower, 1889 Photo Cutouts
Eiffel Tower, 1889 Photo Cutouts by loudesigns
View more Eiffel tower Photo Sculptures at zazzle.com
Beautiful Red Rose Jigsaw Puzzles
Beautiful Red Rose Jigsaw Puzzles by loudesigns
Check out Flower Puzzles online at zazzle

Other zazzle Artists

Princess OmNom iPhone 5 Covers
Princess OmNom iPhone 5 Covers by NekoCreations
Browse more Zombie Casemate Cases at Zazzle
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28 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Thanks so much for promoting American Gothic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Itaya ArtMarch 26, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    Thank you for promoting my artwork above! I love this article about encouraging our children to read more and ways to do just that. Great job. :)

    I would love it if folks visit my Itaya's Designs Shop as well as my Art Blog.

    Thanks for the free PR today Val! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Graphic AllusionsMarch 26, 2013 at 6:18 PM

    Great idea for a blog! I have tons of kid-friendly stuff, which you can find here: http://www.zazzle.com/graphicallusions/gifts?cg=196995925480676578 Thanks for the ad. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 26, 2013 at 7:01 PM

    Great blog, very thoughtful and interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Crystal MarcosMarch 26, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Great blog post! Thanks for letting us share our links.
    http://crystalmarcos.com/locations.php

    ReplyDelete
  6. PicartbookMarch 26, 2013 at 7:52 PM

    Hi, thanks for sharing ideas with your blog. I just made some products related to the famous book - The Little Prince. Here is the link. http://www.zazzle.com/picartbook/gifts?cg=196106163629786082, Hope you will like them. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. AskazombiehousewifeMarch 27, 2013 at 4:43 AM

    thanks for getting to look at all your art
    Itaya always a joy to promote you
    PICARTBOOK love how you found a book theme

    graphicallusion love your lady bug girl, very cute
    Anonymous thank you so much
    Crystal welcome

    ReplyDelete
  8. Holidays, and More on Zazzle. Gifts and Presents.March 27, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    amazing blog! Nice combination of interesting reading with a little bit of promotion. In free time please visit my stores:
    http://www.zazzle.com/colonelle
    http://www.zazzle.com/likeit
    http://www.zazzle.com/partymonster
    http://www.zazzle.com/daisyo

    best wishes

    Madame Colonelle

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 27, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    Great post with lots of terrific ideas! Congratulations on creating such a helpful and good-looking blog.

    You can find Alice in Wonderland items and and more children's book items from the Golden Age of Illustration (polar bears by Edmund Dulac, for example) in my store here: http://www.zazzle.com/imagina

    My new Jane Austin store: http://www.zazzle.com/ageofjaneausten

    For babies and toddlers: http://www.zazzle.com/sweetybaby

    My other stores:
    http://www.zazzle.com/bramblewood (mainly Arts and Crafts Movement patterns)

    http://www.zazzle.com/pomegranateprints (mainly antique woodblock prints)

    Thanks so much for the opportunity to share. You've created a really beautiful and helpful blog here!

    ReplyDelete
  10. PaulMarch 27, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. PaulMarch 27, 2013 at 3:24 PM

    Lots of great ideas!
    I spend a lot of time on the road, working with kids of all ages, in schools, libraries and festivals.
    It's a great privilege to meet all the kids who have grown up on my books.

    http://www.paulstickland.co.uk/Author-Visits-Pop-Up-Workshops

    My Zazzle Stores are full of the artwork from my books.

    ReplyDelete
  12. LiquidMarch 27, 2013 at 7:12 PM

    I enjoyed it. Thanks so much.
    I am inspired now to go out shopping for some new books this week. I am looking for old books that are binded in all colors of red to fill a new book shelf.
    http://www.zazzle.com/liquideyes

    ReplyDelete
  13. nature_photoMarch 27, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Great blog!

    http://www.zazzle.com/nature_photo

    http://www.zazzle.com/cats_dogs

    Thank you so much

    ReplyDelete
  14. FlamincatdesignsMarch 28, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    My kids loved being read to, bedtime was our time of choice. Very nice blog. Thank you for letting us Zazzlers share here too.

    My biggest shop is my cat shop. Many kids love cats.

    http://www.zazzle.com/flamincatdesigns

    ReplyDelete
  15. DJMarch 28, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Great blog post. I only buy books for my nieces and nephews. I have read over 2,000 books in my lifetime.

    My Zazzle Store is http://www.zazzle.com/gkrew1

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownMarch 29, 2013 at 12:42 AM

    Thank you for such a thoughtful and creative look at this very important topic. Because I was fortunate enough to be taught to love reading at a very early age, I was able to excel in school and continue learning, in spite of being dyslexic and having wacky vision which went undiagnosed. A brief stint working in public schools showed me what happens to many kids that were not shown that reading is a joy and a privilege. This article has inspired me to join the campaign. It's still just a rough idea in my head, but you may see a new product line in my store Become the Change on Zazzle.

    Thank you!
    Serena
    http://www.zazzle.com/urockdezinezone
    http://www.zazzle.com/becomethechange
    http://www.zazzle.com/celticrevival

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownMarch 31, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    How nice of you! My Zazzle store is here: http://zazzle.com/sicara

    ReplyDelete
  18. KirstenApril 1, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. KirstenApril 1, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    I don't have too many designs posted to these stores atm but think it would fit right in :D

    http://www.zazzle.com/fantasydreaming
    http://www.zazzle.com/pixiehollow

    ReplyDelete
  20. deer prudenceApril 1, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    Thank you so much! I have whimsical cartoon animals and other creatures in my store "those cool animals" at www.zazzle.com/greendeer

    ReplyDelete
  21. Henrik LehnererApril 3, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    Awesome blog! And thank you for letting us share links to our Zazzle stores!

    http://www.zazzle.com/hlehnerer
    http://www.zazzle.com/photosojai
    http://www.zazzle.com/photossantabarbara
    http://www.zazzle.com/photosventura
    http://www.zazzle.com/photosyosemite

    ReplyDelete
  22. lilymomApril 3, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    Thanks so much for the opportunity. =)
    My nature photography store
    http://www.zazzle.com/lilymom24

    My clip art stores
    This one is my clip art
    http://www.zazzle.com/ourartetc

    This store is clip art I have purchased and have permission to use on Zazzle
    http://www.zazzle.com/thejack4store

    ReplyDelete
  23. AmyApril 3, 2013 at 6:37 PM

    Would love some of my designs featured! Thanks so much!

    www.zazzle.com/amytothegrace

    www.zazzle.com/thekitschycate

    www.zazzle.com/goodnaturedbeast

    ReplyDelete
  24. angelandspotApril 4, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    I have a section in my store with vintage children's book images www.zazzle.com/angelandspot/gifts?cg=196846085882058231

    Here is one of the cards from that section. This card is Mr Owl Gives a Party http://www.zazzle.com/mr_owl_gives_a_party_greeting_card-137898669527658062

    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. SweetLoveGiftsJuly 21, 2013 at 8:21 AM

    Great reading tips for kids! Just pinned this on Pinterest.

    I have a few t-shirts for kids and infants to celebrate their parents or grandparents anniversary. My store is:

    http://www.zazzle.com/sweetlovegifts

    ReplyDelete
  26. JDAugust 20, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    Stop by and check out Teepossible.com for back to school history themed t-shirts and gifts, sports related items, and some fun in the Crazy Critter section of Catch Phrase Mania.

    http://zazzle.com/teepossible

    ReplyDelete
  27. Undefine HydeAugust 20, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    oh I love the owl and the anime zombie girl. Anyways if you have the time take a look at my store. Still setting up. So it's a bit rough.
    http://www.zazzle.com/undefinehyde

    ReplyDelete
  28. SnowNovember 15, 2013 at 12:24 AM

    Great blog.

    http://www.zazzle.com/snowicy

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete

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