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