What to do Over April Vacation

I know this isn't news to some of you, but for everyone else, I'm doing a mini-book tour over April vacation. As always you can find where I'll be on my Appearance page, but for this I'll share here as well.

If you're looking for something to do with the kids and live in close proximity to one of these places, come down and visit! I'll be making animal masks with the kids in addition to reading my book. I'd love to see lots of smiling faces.

TUESDAY, APRIL 22nd, 11 am - 2 pm Page Chiropractic Kid's Day

27 East Main Street, Webster, MA

Different activities will be set up promoting health and wellness for children.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23rd, 10:30 am Taft Public Library

18 Main Street, Mendon, MA

Story time and Craft

THURSDAY, APRIL 24th, 12 pm Lunenburg Public Library

1023 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA

Brown Bag Story Time - Bring a lunch along to eat during the reading

FRIDAY, APRIL 25th, 10:30 am Patten Free Library

33 Summer Street, Bath, ME

Story time and Craft

SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH

11 am Levi Heywood Memorial Library

55 West Lynde Street, Gardner, MA

&

2 pm Belding Memorial Library

244 Main Street, Ashfield, MA

Both of these are Story time and Craft

There you have it, my little whirlwind tour. I'm a bit exhausted just looking at it, but I'm extremely excited. It looks to be a fun week.

First Day of School (Visits)

Yesterday marked a new first for me and WHO WILL DANCE WITH ME?.

I've done readings at libraries and bookstores. A few times I've done art projects or tea parties. I've even done art festivals and bazaars. Once I sat on a panel for self-publishing.

Now I can add 'school visits' to the list.

Learning Brooke Early Learning Center in Cranston opened its door to me for back-to-back sessions with some of their students. It was a very different environment from what I've been used to up until now and I have to admit I was a bit nervous. All that changed as soon as I got started. (I'm going to apologize now for any misspelled names as I didn't write them down while I was there.)

The kids in Miss Amanda and Miss Lindsey's Pre-K class were very excited. They had lots of things they wanted to share about their favorite animals, both real and stuffed. Their favorites ranged widely from dogs to elephants and giraffes to fire-breathing dragons. At the end, as I got ready to head down the hall to the kindergarten class, one of the kids asked if he could give me a hug. It ended with me getting mobbed by fourteen 4-year olds all intent on giving me a group hug.

From there, I went to the kindergarten class of Miss Kelly. A slightly smaller and more subdued class, but by no means less imaginative. To start with, their favorite animals included saber-tooth cats (I found out later this was thanks to a Magic Treehouse Book) and a werewolf-vampire-zombie (he confirmed it was all one animal).

I spent more time with the kindergartners as we also made masks. For the first time, I had kids reshaping the paper plates to fit what they wanted to make rather than coloring on certain features or adding construction paper shapes.

These kids were also the most perceptive ones I've read to yet. They had theories about why certain features of Rhino, like his horn, wouldn't bother Grace (she was the smallest so the horn went over her head). They even had a list of questions written out to ask me concerning how to write and publish a book. Afterwards, Miss Kelly informed me they were going to try writing their own book for a contest. When they're done, she's going to e-mail me the result. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

My first school visit is now officially under my belt. I had a fantastic reception and wonderfully curious kids. I'm ready for my next one.

My First Contest!

With my children's book WHO WILL DANCE WITH ME? scheduled to hit shelves next month combined with seeing so many awesome kids in costumes last weekend, I've decided to hold my first ever contest. Winner(s) will received a signed copy of the book. Want to know how to win? Here are the rules:

• Take a picture of your child in an awesome costume and e-mail it to me, along with your child's first name, age and an e-mail address I can reach you at. Subject line should read: I want to dance! (This will keep it from being deleted.)
• Pictures can be sent any time between now and November 5th.
• Starting November 1st, I will be putting the pictures I receive up on the blog. People can then vote on their favorites, so make sure you let your friends and family know! Voting will end November 15th.
• On November 17th I will announce the winner at my book launch. 

To be eligible, the child must be 6 years old or under. It's not that I don't love older children and want to see their fabulous costumes, but my book is for a younger audience.

You do not have to be present to win, but I do ask that you live in the US to enter. 

If you have any questions or I forgot to include something, email me or comment below.

Good luck everyone! I can't wait to see the entries.

Come One, Come All!

It's official! The book launch for WHO WILL DANCE WITH ME? will take place on Saturday, November 17th at 2pm. Books on the Square in Providence will be hosting the event.         

Check out the flyer for the event and feel free to help spread the word!

This also means I can add more appearances to my schedule. If you would like to have a book signing at your library or local bookstore, have them send me an email! I'd love to set up a date.

Bookmarks & Postcards & Stickers, Oh My!

The promotional materials for WHO WILL DANCE WITH ME? have arrived! Check them out.

Postcards, Rhino Stickers & LOTS of Bookmarks

3 Different Bookmark designs!

Who wants some?

Anyone interested in helping distribute some to their local libraries and bookshops please send me an email.

Who Will Dance With Me? - Press Release

Children’s Book asks ‘Who Will Dance With Me?’

Written by Emily McKeon  Illustrated by Linda Clearwater

Pawtucket, Rhode Island –November 2012-  Debut author Emily McKeon and veteran illustrator Linda Clearwater team up to bring a new pre-school fairytale to life.

When the princesses of Wesalopolus have a party, they invite everyone in the kingdom. As each princess chooses a dance partner from the assembled guests, Rhino worries no one will dance with him.

Princess Bridget tells him he can’t leap high enough and Princess Bella thinks she’ll be scratched by his rough skin. Can Princess Grace see past these things and find the perfect dance partner?

A whimsically illustrated book for anyone who’s ever felt different.

Emily McKeon (author) resides in the tiny state of Rhode Island with her husband and two children. When not writing, she enjoys playing clarinet and eating crackers with cheese and jam. A graduate of Rhode Island College with a B.A. in theater and writing, she spun around and landed on the random career of bookkeeper before returning to her love of writing. This is her first book.

Linda Clearwater (illustrator) has been designing and illustrating children’s books for over 20 years She graduated from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and started her career creating feature illustrations for the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has designed and illustrated books for numerous publishers, including Reader's Digest Children's Books, Harvest House, and Zonderkidz.

For more information about WHO WILL DANCE WITH ME? please visit thewidewritingworldofEmilyMcKeon.blogspot.com or contact Emily McKeon at 401-499-3813 or ERMcKeon@gmail.com

Welcome!

Glad you all could join me. This blog will be focusing on news surrounding my children's books and Young Adult books. For those of you who have ventured over here from my other blog, Enjoy! For anyone who is new to me and my work, take a look around. New things will be added as they become available. Share with your friends and family. The more the merrier.

~Emily~