From Grammy Pags Stories - Thank You for a great 2014!

Happy New Year from Grammy Pags and the Gang!

Hi Everyone!!
2014 - what a year - what a blast!!

Thanks so much for your kind support of my children's books in 2014.  What a journey!! Your Facebook follows, shares, tweets, retweets, links, pins, and blog shares are so appreciated!!  You have given me encouragement and incentive to write and to continue writing for kids!!  I am most grateful and I'm looking forward to 2015!

In 2009, when I began writing stories for my grandchildren, I never thought I'd be writing for other kids!  If someone would have said, "Oh Grammy, you will be writing books for many kids.  You will read your books in schools and libraries.  You will be signing books, attending writing conferences, and donating money from your book sales to scholarships and nonprofits."  I wouldn't have believed it, but it's all happening and I'm so excited!

I was especially happy to donate another $2500 to the "Angels in Charge" Scholarship from the sale of  The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission .  This book, my first, was released in 2013.  It is dedicated to the children and teachers of Sandy Hook and the scholarship goes to kids from Newtown High School who are planning a career in education.

This past spring, I had such fun meeting and working with illustrator Ratna Kusuma Halim of Indonesia.  Ratna illustrated Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion . Though she lives half-way around the world, working with her felt was like living and working in my flower garden, right along with the gnomes.  It was a magical, international, cultural experience for me that I will always treasure!

I met Matt Pi and his rescue dog, Duke, this past summer.  Matt told me about the volunteer work of the Rescue Road Warriors.  They transport abused, unwanted, and abandoned dogs to safe shelters, foster homes, and adopted families.  I was so touched by his story and the message, that I thought others might like it too, so Duke 'n' Matt, Rescue Road Warriors was born.  A portion of all sales helps the work of the Rescue Road Warriors.

The "Meeda and Me" series has been a blast for me.  This summer, my 3-year-old granddaughter, Sofie, introduced me to her imaginary friends, "Meeda" and "the Woozler."  Meeda lives in Sofie's mirror and the Woozler lives in a hole in her backyard.  These characters were such fun that they led to the first 3 books in the "Meeda and Me" series.  All three books include "Look Back in the Book" activities.

This series is for kids 3+.  The books are easy / early readers for kids grades 1 - 3

Grammy Pags & Sofie

• Book #1 - Meeda and Me introduces Sofia Margaret and her imaginary friend, Meeda.
• Book #2 - The Woozler introduces the grouchy, old Woozler.  Sofie and Meeda want to be his friend, but he's not interested - well, sort of.
• Book #3 - Merry Christmas, Woozler - Sofie and Meeda are having fun getting ready for Christmas, when Sofie starts to worry about the Woozler.  He's outside in the cold in his hole under the apple tree.  The girls devise a plan for a little Christmas surprise for him.

What's coming in 2015?
More books in the "Meeda and Me" series.  I will also be releasing a fun ryhyming / rap picture book that teaches kids their colors: "Grammy's Rockin' Color Rap-a-licous Rap"and I plan to release "Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue, Part 2," and maybe a few more surprises!!  Stay tuned!  

Thank you again for your support and encouragement!  
God bless you all!  Happy New Year and here's to 2015!!
Love, Rhonda Paglia of  "Grammy Pags Stories"

Grammy Pag's Website

Happy New Year from Grammy Pags Stories

To Grammy Pags' Website

December 14: Remembering Sandy Hook, the 20 first grade students, and their teachers

The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission

The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission is a sweet, gentle story that came to me during my prayers for the children and teachers of the Sandy Hook [CT] Elementary School tragedy. The book is dedicated to the victims of the tragedy and all victims of violence.  

The messages of the story? 
Love ~ Hope ~ Kindness.

The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission

Story Synopsis:  God asks a field full of sweet, playful little lambs to help Him with a very important mission. He tells them that the people of Earth have forgotten to be loving and kind to each other. God needs their help to remind the people of Earth how much He loves them. With the little lambs’ help, the world becomes a better place. 

ALL PROFITS from the sale of this book are donated to the "Angels in Charge" scholarship. The award goes to graduating students from Newtown [CT] High School who are planning a career in education. The school district chooses the student, or students, who best meet the scholarship requirements.  To date, four seniors have received a total of $5,500.00. To read a little about the 2014 student recipients, here are the links to past blogs I wrote about them.  

Part 1 - 2014 Angels in Charge Scholarship Recipient  
Part 2: 2014 Angels in Charge Scholarship Recipient

Background and special note:  I'm a retired elementary teacher. My first assignment?  First grade - I taught 6-year-olds. When the tragedy happened at Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012, I related to those teachers and the kids in so many ways.  Later in my career, we practiced school-wide lockdown drills.  We turned off the lights, and locked our doors - if it had a lock.  We hid our students in our classroom to the best of our ability, and kept them silent until the all clear bell sounded.  I know the Sandy Hook teachers did everything in their power to protect their students and keep them safe on December 14, 2012. To me, those teachers were heroes.

I didn't ask for the "Little Lambs" story.  It was literally "given to me" during my prayers for the victims and their families.  The story wouldn't leave me alone.  I didn't want it, but it haunted me until I wrote it down.  With help from student artist, Taylor Galaska, we created this little story to honor the Sandy Hook children and their teachers, and all victims of violence.   

The "Angels in Charge" scholarship honors the teachers.  The students who receive this award plan to pursue a career in education.  Students must meet a set of criteria including: academic excellence; community service; and they must be recognized as a role model to their peers and the children in their community.  I am so proud of them and you can read more in the blogs linked above. 

My prayers continue to be with the families and for all victims of violence.  I pray everyday for Love and Healing and Kindness in the hearts of everyone on Earth.   
Rhonda Paglia "Grammy Pags"

The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission has been endorsed by the American Institute of Health Care Professionals.

Student & co-illustrator
Taylor Galaska

Rhonda Paglia is a "Moms Choice Silver Award" Winner for her "Meeda and Me" early / beginner reader picture book series and an "Inkspokes Select Book Award" recipient for the easy reader version of "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion." She recently received a "Gittle List Top 10 Indie Children's Book List" award for her newest book, "Grammy's Rockin' Color Rap-a-licious Rap." 

In a former life, Ms. Paglia was an elementary teacher. She and her husband live in Pennsylvania. They have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little pup named Bella. "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, and writing stories for kids! She has authored 10 children's books, 8 of which she has also illustrated. "There are more books on the way!" she says. Ms. Paglia is a member of SCBWI, PennWriters, and WestPA Authors.

Grammy Pags Stories Website:  www.rhondapagliaauthor.com
Grammy Pags Stories on Facebook: www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories
Grammy Pags Stories ~ Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G5X3WO2
Twitter: Rhonda Paglia @grammypags1

2 NEW Books from Grammy Pags Stories - "Meeda & Me" . . . and "The Woozler"

The Woozler for Kindle

Meeda and Me for Kindle

"Meeda and Me" ~ This is an introduction to Meeda and Sofia Margaret.. Meeda is Sofie's best friend and lives in Sofie's mirror.  Sometimes, she comes out!

"The Woozler" - The Woozler lives in a hole under Sofie's apple tree.  He's very unhappy!  Someone took his treasure map.  Meeda and Sofie want to be his friend.  Will they be successful?

Both books, that include "Look Back in the Book Activities," are also available for Kindle. Introductory price ~$3.99.  Enjoy!!

IF you like these stories, please leave a review!!  Thank you!! Love, from Grammy Pags

NEW ~ "Meeda and Me" series. 

For kids 2+, Reading Level grades 1-2. 

"Look Back in the Book" activities included!

Grammy Pags Stories Website

Rhonda Paglia aka "Grammy Pags" with
her 5 grandchildren: Sofie, Sylvan, Caleb
Orion and Rowan

Rhonda Paglia - aka "Grammy Pags"

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little Yorkie-poo named Bella.  "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, playing the recorder, reading, and, of course, writing stories – especially for her grandkids!  Rhonda is the author of “The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission,” “Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion,” “Doonsey’s Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue,” and “Duke ‘n’ Matt, Rescue Road Warriors,” her first        non-fiction book.

Website:  www.rhondapagliaauthor.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories

Twitter: Rhonda Paglia @grammypags1

NOW LIVE from Grammy Pags Stories - "Meeda and Me" books 1 & 2

Books 1 & 2 of "The Meeda & Me" Series -  NOW LIVE

Written and Illustrated by Rhonda Paglia

Grammy Pags Stories

Meeda and Me for Kindle
Meeda and Me - paperback

"Meeda and Me" ~ Sofia Margaret and Meeda are like sisters and very much alike, but they are not!  This is an easy reader, early learner "just like me" book with key vocabulary and "Look Back in the Book" activities.

The Woozler for Kindle
The Woozler - paperback

"The Woozler" doesn't like people and someone took his treasure map.  He moved into the girls' backyard.  They would like to be his friend.  This is an easy reader, 

early learner book with key vocabulary and "Look Back in the Book" activities.

Rhonda Paglia - aka "Grammy Pags"

Rhonda Paglia "Grammy Pagswith her
5 grandchildren, Sofie, Sylvan, Caleb,
Orion and Rowan

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little Yorkie-poo named Bella.  "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, playing the recorder, reading, and, of course, writing stories – especially for her grandkids!  Rhonda is the author of “The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission,” “Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion,” “Doonsey’s Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue,” and “Duke ‘n’ Matt, Rescue Road Warriors,” her first non-fiction book.

Website:  www.rhondapagliaauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories
Twitter: Rhonda Paglia @grammypags1

Blog:  rhondapaglia.blogspot.com

Author Interview Thursday - with Grammy Pags Stories

Thank you so much, Children's Author, David Chuka 

for inviting me to be part of your "Author Interview Thursday!"  

Click here for interview 
with children's book author Rhonda Paglia

Rhonda Paglia

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little Yorkie-poo named Bella.  "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, playing the recorder, reading, and, of course, writing stories – especially for her grandkids!




Books by Rhonda Paglia of "Grammy Pags Stories"

• The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission
• Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion
•  Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue
•  Doonsey's Beach Adventure Coloring and Activity Book
•  Duke 'n' Matt, Rescue Road Warriors [non-fiction]

AND . . . the NEW:  "Meeda and Me" series . . . 
recipient of a prestigious "Mom's Choice Silver Award" 

Book #1 - Meeda and Me (soft cover)
Book #2 -  The Woozler (soft cover)
Books #3 -  Merry Christmas, Woozler (soft cover)
Book #4 -  Trouble with Chocolate (soft cover)
(2015 release) Book #5 - How to Train Your Woozler, without getting in Trouble 
(2015-16 release) Book #6 - Treasure Hunt
(2016 release) Book #7 - Happy Birthday, Woozler

ALL books available in soft cover and for Kindle.
Visit Rhonda Paglia's Amazon Author Page here.  
Website:  www.rhondapagliaauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories
Twitter: Rhonda Paglia @grammypags1

Blog:  rhondapaglia.blogspot.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00G5X3WO2

Grammy Pags Tall Turkey Tale! Tale #2

Join the fun!  

FACEBOOK FRIENDS contributed the following words 

to be included in this little tale! 

[To join the fun, send your short story to Grammy Pags at:  grammypags1@gmail.com - Turkey Tale!]

Writer must use ALL words 

and keep the story below 500 words.

Here they are: "Family, turkey, pilgrims, John, Priscilla, Indian, stuffing, pumpkin, pie, yams, green beans, parades, napping, tofurkey, love, laughter, stuffing, feast, memories, cooking, cranberries, gobble, kids, bountiful, harvest, blessings, grateful, parade, football, glutton, nap, compost, leftovers, dish-washing, cleanup, warmth, gravy, crisp, sweet, savory, moist, center pieces, don't eat me, I stuff the turkey, then the turkey stuffs me, burp, fluffy mashed potatoes, seconds. volunteer soup kitchen, snow, November , sweet, kitchen, smells."  

Written and Illustrated by Rhonda Paglia

A Grammy Pags Story ~ just for fun!

c. 2104

Thanksgiving today:  I stuff the turkey, then the turkey stuffs me!! BURP!!!!

 But, perhaps the first Thanksgiving started like this . . . 

“GOBBLE, gobble, gobble!” 

“What was that?” wondered Mrs. Pricilla John.  She was cooking green beans, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pies.  Savory smells were coming from her kitchen.

It was November.  Snow had not yet begun to fly.  Laughter filled Pricilla’s ears.  Her kids were having a pilgrim and Indian parade.  Pricilla was so grateful for these memories, for her family, and for their blessings. 

“GOBBLE, gobble, gobble!”  

She heard the noise again. This time it was louder, closer!   “I’m hearing things,” thought Pricilla and she went back to her work.

The parade ended.  The kids started kicking the ball.  Football, they called it.  Mr. John, known as Papa, felt like a glutton.  The compost was waiting, but he just wanted to relax and take a nap.   He was glad the kids were outside.

Pricilla added marshmallows to the yams and stirred the gravy. She made fluffy mashed potatoes.

“Something’s missing for this feast,” she said to herself.  “I need something special; something crisp, sweet, warm, and moist.   Hmm, what should it be?”

 “Not me!” whispered the Gobbler.  His knobby knees were shaking and quaking with fear! 

Suddenly a package flew in the kitchen window and landed with a crash in the sink!  Dishes that needed washed and cleaned up flew in the air!   

 

“What’s this?”  Pricilla jumped, she was startled!  She picked up the dripping blob, turned it over, and wiped it off.  She peeked out the window.  Her kids were still playing.  Nothing seemed unusual. 

Pricilla carefully opened the package.  She was a little nervous!  Not too many packages landed in her sink! Inside was something white.  The label read, “Tofurkey.  Vegetarian product.  Made only with the finest organic soybeans and tofu.”

She took a sniff.  Not much to it.  “Beans,” she thought.   “Edible.”  Pricilla had an idea!  “This is it!” she said, “our main course!!” 

“Thank you,” she called to the mysterious package thrower. 

“Gobble, gobble, good!” thought the Gobbler.  

He shut his eyes and leaned tight against the cabin wall!

He heard Pricilla whack the tofurkey with great vigor!  His heart beat faster.  He heard the stuff sizzle in her frying pan.  He could smell the stuffing and cranberries and flavors mixing together.  

“Don’t eat me!” he thought.

Pricilla set the table and straightened the centerpiece. “Come and get it!” she called to her family.  “It’s a special feast!  No seconds or leftovers for the volunteer soup kitchen this night!”   

Papa John and the kids raced into the kitchen!  Delicious smells were everywhere.  The family gave thanks for their bountiful harvest.   “What a Thanksgiving Day!” said Papa.  “I think we should celebrate every year!”  And so it was!

“Gobble, gobble, PHEW!”  

Mr. Turkey  backed slowly into the woods, safe for another year.  

Rhonda Paglia ~Grammy Pags
with her 5 grandchildren:
Sofie, Sylvan, Caleb,
Orion, and Rowan

This Blog is brought to you by Grammy Pags Stories

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little Yorkie-poo named Bella.  "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, playing the recorder, reading, and, of course, writing stories – especially for her grandkids!

Rhonda is the author of “The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission,” “Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion,” “Doonsey’s Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue,” and “Duke ‘n’ Matt, Rescue Road Warriors,” her first non-fiction book.

E-mail:  grammypags1@gmail.com

Website:  Grammy Pags Stories

Special website for The Little Lambs: https://sites.google.com/site/littlelambs20/

Amazon:  Grammy Pags on Amazon

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/grammypags1

Blog:  http://rhondapaglia.blogspot.com/

Grammy Pags and Friends are sharing Turkey Tales!!! Today~Tale #1

FACEBOOK FRIENDS contributed the following words 

to be included in this little tale! 

Writer must use ALL words 

and keep the story below 500 words.

Family, turkey, pilgrims, John, Priscilla, Indian, stuffing, pumpkin, pie, yams, green beans, parades, love,

tofurkey, laughter, stuffing, feast, memories, cooking, cranberries, gobble, kids, bountiful, harvest, blessings, grateful, parade, football, glutton, nap, compost, leftovers, dish-washing, cleanup, warmth, gravy, crisp, sweet, savory, moist, center pieces, don't eat me! I stuff the turkey, then the turkey stuffs me, burp, fluffy mashed potatoes, seconds. volunteer soup kitchen, snow, November, sweet kitchen smells

First guest Turkey Tale Teller:  

Rosie Russell of ~ Books by Rose ~ author of 

Maggie, Millie and Merrie's Magical Adventure

Farmer Tofurkey knew when he bought his farm, raising turkey’s was just something he knew he could never do. He loved everything about them, their bright colored feathers, their wattle red skin that hung from their long necks, and their keen vision with a 360 degree field of view.

He set them all free years ago and really never knew what happened to all of them except a few that he secretly visited. Their names were John and Priscilla Feathers. They lived in a tiny little cabin, deep in the woods. Mr. and Mrs. Feathers had love for their home and their pleasant surroundings. In the month of November, they counted their blessings and felt grateful, as they knew they had escaped the city from the all the folks that were a glutton for the taste of them. And they didn't miss the yearly parade with the band playing repeatedly “I stuff the turkey, then the turkey stuff me!” followed by a loud burp!! They never understood how anyone could partake in such activities!

They did have their own celebration every year but only with the bountiful harvest of foods that came from the nature around them. Every year, John and Priscilla would cook up a feast in their tiny kitchen with all of their favorites: savory stuffing with gravy, crisp green beans, fluffy mashed potatoes, cranberries, and moist pumpkin pie. With the smells of their dinner in the air, they would all chant with laughter and gobble “don’t eat me!”

As Mrs. Feathers was putting the centerpieces on the table she peeked in on the kids in the living room. Little Tom, was sitting in his favorite chair, piled with blankets, reading all of his cherished books about pilgrims and of course, a book about his favorite Indian, Hiawatha. Sweet baby Yam Yams was sound to sleep napping in her playpen. The picture of this, would bring her warmth for her family and in her heart for years to come.

After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Feathers always worked together with the clean-up. John would throw the peelings in the compost as Priscilla would do the dish washing. They knew within seconds, Farmer Tofurkey would be by to collect their leftovers to take to the Volunteer Soup Kitchen as he did every year.

With the snow falling lightly, they all snuggled up watching football. They never did find out if the Seattle Seahawks won the game or not, they had all dosed off for a nap.

Check out Rose on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Books-By-Rose/683636425012139

Rhonda Paglia ~Grammy Pags
with her 5 grandchildren:
Sofie, Sylvan, Caleb,
Orion, and Rowan

This Blog is brought to you by Grammy Pags Stories

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little Yorkie-poo named Bella.  "Grammy Pags," as she is called, enjoys gardening, tap dancing, yoga, playing the recorder, reading, and, of course, writing stories – especially for her grandkids!

Rhonda is the author of “The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission,” “Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion,” “Doonsey’s Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue,” and “Duke ‘n’ Matt, Rescue Road Warriors,” her first non-fiction book.

E-mail:  grammypags1@gmail.com

Website:  Grammy Pags Stories

Special website for The Little Lambs:  https://sites.google.com/site/littlelambs20/

Amazon:  Grammy Pags on Amazon

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories

Twitter: https://twitter.com/grammypags1

Blog:  http://rhondapaglia.blogspot.com/

Join the FUN!! Help Grammy Pags write a Turkey Tale!!

Leave your Turkey word suggestions in the Comments Box below!