Three Little Gnomes & Orion had a Terrific Book Birthday!!

Giveaway fun!
Gnome riding a cart won by Keira F.
Ladybug bucket filled with garden
tools and supplies for kids
won by Diane V.

Book Launch Birthday Party for 

"Three Little Gnomes 

and a Boy Named Orion" 

Written by Rhonda Paglia "Grammy Pags"

Illustrated by Ratna Kusuma Halim

Happy Book Birthday "Little Gnomes!"
What kind of cake do these garden gnomes love?
Chocolate and vanilla almond!  Yummy!

[L-R] The "real" Orion signing books with
Librarian, Mrs. Langdon, and Grammy Pags 

Signing books at Cottage Gardens - what a beautiful spring day for the book launch and birthday party.  It was an honor to have Mercer Elementary School Librarian, Mrs. Janice Langdon, attend the book signing event this past Saturday. She is pictured here with the "real" Orion, age 6, and his grandmother and author, Rhonda Paglia.  

In 2009, Orion inspired the original version of this story that is about three little garden gnomes who don't have names. 

Grandma Joanne with her granddaugther,
Sophia, reading "Three Little Gnomes and a
Boy Named Orion."  Joanne was a winner of
the "Name the Gnome" Contest.

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania.  "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion" is her newest children's book.  Reading level, grades 2 & 3, interest level - ages 2+  

"Grammy Pags" as she is called, is also the author of 3 other published children's stories:  "The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission" dedicated to the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School; "Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue" and "Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue, Coloring and Activity Book."  Doonsey is a little ocean crab that loves to explore.

For more information, here is Grammy Pags' website:  www.grammypagsstories.com

Stop over and LIKE her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories

Find Grammy Pags' other stories here: Rhonda Paglia on Amazon

You can e-mail Grammy Pags at: grammypags1@gmail.com

Reading Tip #4 & Book Giveaway Results

Hi Everyone - Children's Book Week & the Book Giveaway was GREAT! Thanks everyone who participated!  I'm so excited to be able to share my books with the winners ~ who are all sharing the books with some of their favorite kids!
Happy reading, winners of:
Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Name Orion: 

• Doninique C. from Ottawa, KS
• Cathy M. from Ashland, OR
• Candie L. from Calico Rock, AR

READING TIP # 4 from 
GRAMMY PAGS STORIES

What else can I read with my kids? 

Here's a small list: 

• Besides good kids' books - all genres and topics
• Kids' magazines
• the kid's page in your local newspaper 
• Greeting cards
• Letters or notes
• Street and store signs  
• *READING TIP FROM Grammy Pags:  Lyrics from kid's songs:  When I was teaching my first grade students to read, I would create song sheets for them with the lyrics.  They loved seeing the words they were singing written down.  Try it!!  If your kids like to make up songs, write those words down too!  One of the best ways for kids to learn to read is to see their "talk" written down!  

• Another Reading Tip from Grammy Pags:  3"x5" note cards: As I mentioned in my other Grammy Pags Tips, get out those 3" x 5" cards.  Choose some familiar objects around the house like: chair, table, lamp, refrigerator, television, door, floor, toybox, etc.  Write the name of the object on a card, "table" on one, "chair" on another card, etc.  Tape the cards to the correct household object.  Go over the words with the kids, sound out the letters and the words, talk about the word shape and spell out the letters.  Questions you can ask while the cards are up:  "What does this word say?"  "What letter "table" begin with?"  What sound does "T" make? etc.  This is a every activity to do with the kids, and they can see, learn, and identify the word associated with regular household objects or things in their room. 
• A fun extension to this activity:  When the kids get really good at identfying the word for the object, remove the the cards, lay them on the floor, and have the kids put them back in the right place.  You can start with removing 2 or 3 cards, or all of them depending on your child.  
• When the kids get really good at matchng the words and objects, put the cards in the wrong spot, mix them up, and have the kids put them back in the right place.  Fun!!
• Write a sentence using the new word ~ or ~ have the kids draw a picture that includes the object.  Then write a sentence at the bottom of the page, and underline the new word.  Example:  "I eat dinner at the table."  Have fun!!

The list is endless.  The most important thing: READ - READ - READ 

to your kids, your grandkids, your nieces & nephews!  

It is the best gift you can give them.  

Rhonda Paglia is a children's author, a retired elementary teacher, and a "not so retired" grandmother from Pennsylvania.  She has just released her newest book, "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion;"  reading level, grades 2 & 3, interest level - ages 2+.  

"Grammy Pags" as she is called, is also the author of 3 other published children's stories:  "The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission" dedicated to the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School; "Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue" and "Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue, Coloring and Activity Book."  Doonsey is a little ocean crab that loves to explore.

For more information, here is Grammy Pags website:  www.grammypagsstories.com

Stop over and LIKE her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/grammypagsstories

Here's her author page on Amazon:  Rhonda Paglia on Amazon

You can e-maill Grammy Pags at: grammypags1@gmail.com 

Kid LIt Giveaway Hop - Children's Book Week!

Are you a children's book or teen literature blogger, an author, a publisher, or a publicist looking to share copies of a fabulous book?  Mother Daughter Book Reviews  and Youth Literature Reviews  are joining forces to provide you with the opportunity to take part in the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop 2014, featuring links to giveaways for fabulous children/teen's books, gift cards, cash, or other prizes.  What better way to celebrate Children's Book Week?

Celebrating Children's Book Week

May 12 - 18, 2014

Peek inside the book!

Grammy Pags Stories 
Book Give Away!

The Gonomes are
making"Droppin' Time Stew"
from
"Three Little Gnomes
& a Boy Named Orion"

Grammy Pags is giving away THREE signed copies of her newest children's book, "The Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion."  These special books will ALSO be signed by the REAL Orion, the inspiration for this charming story.

 Click Here to Enter Drawing

Book Details

Title:  "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion" 

Written by Rhonda Paglia "Grammy Pags"

Illustrated by Ratna Kusuma Halim

Publication:  May 2014

Publisher: Angels Landing

68 pages, +40  full color illustrations

Reading level: Grades 2-3

For kids: 3+

#kidslit #5stars #gnomes #gardens #problem/solution #friends #indoor/outdoor voices #secret gnome recipe

Summary:  Three sweet little gnomes live, work, and play in Grammy's beautiful garden.  They have a happy life and many good friends and neighbors.  One day, they suddenly realize they have no names.  They are so sad!  They ask their friends, but no one can help them.  Find out how they solve this gnome-sized problem and make a new best friend!

5-Star Reviews:  

~  An ordinary garden at Grammy and Papas' has a secret world with fanciful characters that need the help of their grandchild.  ~ R. Kairys business owner & grandmother

~ I loved this book and can't wait to read it to my granddaughter. The illustrations are very colorful and will keep the attention of a child. 
~ J. Johnson, Secretary & Grandmother

~ I want to learn the "Honey, Honey Dance"! This book makes me smile and want to share it with others. ~ M.B. Moyer, business owner, classroom aide

~"The 3 Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion," is a perfect, light hearted story that the whole family can enjoy. I absolutely loved it. The illustrations are top notch.~ Carolyn S, RN

View on Amazon

View on Amazon

Other books by Rhonda Paglia 
"Grammy Pags Stories"

The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission

Doonsey's Beach Adventure, the Great Rescue

Doonsey's Beach Adventure, Colorig & Activity Book

Rhonda Paglia is a retired elementary teacher fron Pennsylvania.  She loves writing stories for her 5 grandchildren and other kids!  

Grammy Pags Stories Webpage

HAPPENING in 20 minutes: 10 AM EST, Beantown Pals, with musician Joanie Calem, author Rhonda Paglia, & illustrator Ratna Kusuma Halim

This Saturday, May 10, at 10 AM, EST, children's author, Rhonda Paglia of "Grammy Pags Stories" and Illustrator, Ratna Kusuma Halim, from Indonesia, will be guests on Kid's Blog Talk Radio out of Boston, Mass - Beantown Pals!  Joining them will be young Taylor Galaska, the co-illustrator of "The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission."  Tune in - call in!  Join the fun!!  

Here's the link:  Beantown Pals Talk Radio   

Rhonda Paglia is a retired elementary teacher from Pennsylvania.  "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion" is her 4th children's book to be published.  Ratna Kusuma Halim from Indonesia was the illustrator for this book.

For more information: 

Grammy Pags Stories on Amazon

Grammy Pags Stories website

Grammy Pags Stories on Facebook

Children's Book Week & Book Giveaway!

Celebrating

Children's Book Week

May 12 - 18, 2014

What are your favorite kids' books?

Let's make a list of the best!!

Here are some Grammy Pags favorites!!

• Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• On Beyond Zebra by Dr. Seuss
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Bill Martin, Jr.
• The Borrowers by Mary Norton
• Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
• Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
• Just a Mess, by Mercer Mayer
• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
• Olivia by Ian Falconer
• Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff
• A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

These are just a few.  I could fill up pages!  So for fun, and in honor of Children's Book week, I'm offering a Book Give Away!!

The Gonomes are
making"Droppin' Time Stew"
from
"Three Little Gnomes
& a Boy Named Orion"

I will be giving away 3 signed copies of my newest children's book:
"Three Little Gnomes 
and a Boy Named Orion" 

these books will ALSO be signed by the REAL Orion - the inspiration for this charming story.

Entry dates: May 8 - 18
Drawing will take place at the 
end of the day on May 18.

All names will be put in the Gnomes' Droppin' Time Stew Cooking Pot and the REAL Orion will draw the names.

How to enter:  

Add your name and favorite children's story in the Comment section below ~ or ~ e-mail Grammy Pags Stories with a message and your name will be automatically entered.  

EXCEPTION:  Grammy Pags Stories is sorry, but we can only take USA mailing addresses.

Rhonda Paglia is a retired elementary teacher from Pennsylvania.  "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion" is her 4th children's book to be published.  Ratna Kusuma Halim from Indonesia was the illustrator for this book.

For more information: 

Grammy Pags Stories on Amazon

Grammy Pags Stories website

Grammy Pags Stories on Facebook

Author Rhonda and Illustrator Ratna to be on the Radio this Saturday!!

Exciting NEWS to share!!!

Author, Rhonda Paglia and Illustrator, Ratna Kusuma Halim, will be guests on KIDS's talk Radio show Beantown Pals . Rhonda and Ratna will be speaking live with talkshow host, Thomas Hayes - the official Bean-man of Boston!  Tune in Saturday, May 10 at 10 am!  We'll be talking about our newest children's story, "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion."  

 

Check out the link, the fun, the stories, the educational activities!!  Beantown Pals !!

Rhonda will also be sharing the back story of her book:

 "The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission." 

This story is dedicated to the children and teachers of Sandy Hook.  

So TUNE IN!!

Saturday, May 10 - 10 AM EST: www.blogtalkradio.com/beantownpals

REVIEWS ARE COMING IN for:  Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion

• My 3-year-old daughter loved this story.  She loved the gnomes so much; I think she wished the gnomes were real. She especially loved when the gnomes made "droppin time stew!" ~ J. Logue, Behavioral Specialist and mother 
• Our youngest daughter, age 7, really liked the names of the gnomes at the end!  ~ Tania Pineo
• With a dewdrop of happiness from reading your book, I say BRAVO! ~ Marcia Moyer
• Tucked into this beautifully illustrated book is a recipe for a delicious stew and a tale that stirs the young reader’s imagination. ~ Ruth Kairys, business owner and grandmother
• Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion is a perfect, light hearted story that the whole family can enjoy. I absolutely loved it.  ~ Carolyn S., RN
• The story is cute and makes you almost believe that these little Gnomes probably do exist in our gardens.  ~ Janet Johnson, receptionist and grandmother

Rhonda Paglia is a retired elementary teacher and grandmother from Pennsylvania.  

For more information:

Grammy Pags Stories Website

Grammy Pags Stories on Facebook

Kids Literature Authors 

Love Gnomes? Garden variety? Take a peek inside the new children's story about 3 lovable gnomes!!

Attention all Lovers of Gnomes  - Garden Variety!  

Amazon is showing a "Peek inside the Book" for "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion."  Check it out!  Amazon is showing about 10 pages of text and full illustrations! 

Peek inside the Book!

BOOK REVIEW:  Tucked into this beautifully illustrated book is a recipe for a delicious stew and a tale that stirs the young reader’s imagination.  An ordinary garden at Grammy and Papas' has a secret world with fanciful characters that need the help of their grandchild.  The story that unfolds treats the reader to a sweet story to enjoy.  Grammy cooks up all the ingredients to make a dish to share with young and old.  This is an ideal book to interact with your little ones and have some fun! (I can't wait to read this with our grandchildren!)    ~ Ruth Kairys, business owner and grandmother

Story by Rhonda Paglia - A Grammy Pags Story
Illustrated by Ratna Kusuma Halim

Rhonda Paglia is a retired elementary teacher and grandmother.  She loves writing stories for her grandchildren and other kids!  This is her 4th published children's book. To learn more about Rhonda AKA "Grammy Pags" visit her website [still under construction] at:  Rhonda Paglia, Author