The Woozler - from Sofie, Meeda, and Woozlerpedia

The Woozler

Do you have a Woozler in 
YOUR backyard?

WE do! From Sofia Margaret and Meeda

Dear Friends, 

We've got a Woozler
in our backyard!

This is a Woozler warning from me and Meeda.  If a woozler moves into your backyard, good luck!    
This story,  "The Woozler," is about our first encounter with the REAL Woozler.  He moved into our backyard - and he's still there!  He's our Woozler now.  We want to be his friend, but it's not easy.  Woozlers are kind of grouchy.  We think cookies, or chocolate, might help. 
Very sincerely, your friendly friends, Sofia Margaret and Meeda

PS - Below are some very nice reviews for our story, The Woozler .   

  

P.P.S.  We wanted to find out more about our Woozler, so we did some RESEARCH!  Here is some of what we found out!

What's a Woozler - defined by Woozlerpedia

Woozler:  pronounced Woooo-zler

Definition:  Woozlers are wild, human-like creatures.  Many have bright orange hair.  They inhabit forests and prefer to live in holes.  They have long claws for digging.  Their primary food source is root vegetables.  When available, Woozlers prefer human food, especially spaghetti and cookies, over roots and grains that are available in the woods. Woozlers are also VERY fond of chocolate. 

Habits:  When woozlers reach running age, they run away from home.  It's what Woozlers do. They prefer to live alone.  Most woozlers are nocturnal - they sleep all day and play all night.  However, depending on the climate and time zone, some woozlers have been spotted during daylight hours. 

Some lovely reviews:

5.0 out of 5 starsAn engaging, delightful story for preschoolers and toddlers

By Jill Antel on August 11, 2015

Format: Paperback

I read this book to my children who enjoyed seeing
what the Woozler was going to do next. The
Woozler's character is just the right kind of silly
and grumpy, which makes it an entertaining
character. The kindness that Sofie and Meeda
show to him by offering cookies in spite of the
Woozler's grumbles is a great lesson for kids.
Showing kindness and compassion for others is
a lesson I feel is lost in our society today, and
instilling such lessons in our children is of utmost
importance. My toddler also loved pointing out the cookies,
blanket, and Spidermonk.

Charming and Fun...My kids love the Woozler!

By David Chuka on December 18, 2014

Format: Kindle Edition

I started reading this at bedtime for my 8 and 5 year old the other night.
My daughter grabbed the tablet half way through reading this
story as she felt I wasn't reading it fast enough.  It's a charming
story with fun characters that children will find captivating
and entertaining. There's a wonderful lesson about sharing and 

caring that's weaved into the fabric of the story amidst the
shenanigans taking place.  Definitely a worthy addition to
your loved ones library.

Whimsically fun!

By Ron Shaw on December 10, 2014

Format: Paperback

Read this wonderful book this afternoon. I was so
impressed by the story. messages, and art that I phoned a cartoonist/writer
friend and read it to him over the phone with complete descriptions of the
illustrations. This is a lovely book. The Woozler is an adorable, non-scary
character that is soon to be a friend of the girls... I think.

5.0 out of 5 starsKeeps them wondering

By Breeze on December 20, 2014

Format: Paperback

Intriguing character! The grandchildren were eager to know what was going to happen next! 

We like how there are always activities at the end of the book. They could not wait to start 

drawing their own treasure maps! I hope there is another Meeda and Me story coming soon!

2016 - A Time to Be Grateful from Grammy Pags Stories

I am trying to wrap up my 2015 with grateful appreciation to my special friends who support and encourage indie authors.  This is a partial list of folks and groups who made my 2015 so wonderful. I can't thank them enough or even say the right things.

Please check out these lovely people and their websites.  Please go "like" their Facebook pages - they are great ones!

I appologize to my other friends who I have neglected to mention here.  I'm so sorry.  I love you too! My neglect is due to "old age" and "alzheimer's." So sorry!  Thank you!

(((Hugs & much love from Grammy Pags Stories!!!)))

Much LOVE and appreciation from Grammy Pags Stories

• Author LK Hunsaker, founder WestPA Authors: https://www.facebook.com/author.lkhunsaker/
• Author Mollie Lyon: https://www.facebook.com/mollie.lyon.1
• Aviva Gittle ~ #kidlit and Aviva Gittle Publishing: http://gotogittle.com/
• Carmela Dutra & Lorenzo Bear: https://www.facebook.com/LorenzoTheBear/
• Cat Michaels #kidlit author: https://www.facebook.com/catmichaelswriter/
• Chloe Pink ~ encouraging leadership for girls: https://twitter.com/chloepink
• Corrina Holyoake ~ #kidlit author / illustrator:  https://www.facebook.com/corrina.holyoake?fref=nf&pnref=story
• Gomee Girl ~ inspiring young girls to be themselves:  http://www.gomeegirl.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/GomeeGirl/
• Jack Bradford ~ Cookie Monster ~ Supporter of all good things: https://www.facebook.com/Da.Old.Troll
• Jill Cofsky Voice Actress & #kidlit supporter:  https://www.facebook.com/JillCofskyVoiceActor/
• Karen Emma Hall, #kidlit author, & founder of Kid Literature Authors: https://www.facebook.com/KidLiterature/   
• Kid Lit Parade ~ supporting #kidlit Indie Authors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/KidLitParade/
• Kristen Lamb, Indie Author of the Dani Mystery Series: https://www.facebook.com/danipmystery/
• Lovable Lobo: https://www.facebook.com/Lovable-Lobo-265661023552725/
• Nelson Suit, #kidlit author, founder of Inkspoke: https://www.facebook.com/inkspokes/
• Rosie Russell, #kidlit author ~ Books by Rose: https://www.facebook.com/Books-By-Rose-683636425012139/
• Random Acts of Artists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/randomactsofartists/ and founders Linda Brink ~ https://www.facebook.com/linda.brink2 and Terry Polansky ~ https://www.facebook.com/terrypolonskyart/  
• West PA Authors and WestPa Book Festival: https://www.facebook.com/westpabookfestival/
• Willy Robbins, #kidlit author: https://www.facebook.com/Willy-Robbins-503637473069165/

2016 - Grateful for Aviva Gittle Publishing & "Gittle Top 10 List!"

Click here for more information about "Grammy's Color Rap"

Hi Everyone!

Today, I'm grateful for Aviva Gittle Publishing and the Gittle Top 10 Indie Children's Book Author's List.  

From "Grammy's Rockin' Color Rap-a-lcious Rap"

It's not easy being an "Indie Author," but folks like Aviva Gittle, and Inkspoke's Nelson Suit, are giving Indie Children's Book Authors opportunities to be recognized and appreciated. I am so grateful, and humbled that my children's story, Grammy's Rockin' Color Rap-a-lcious Rap was one of 10 independent authors to earn a 2015 Gittle List Award.  Thank you Aviva Gittle Publishing! You are so rockin'! 

Nicole Resele, illustrator
Grammy's Rockin' Color
Rap-a-licious Rap

I also want to thank Nicole Resele, 
the talented illustrator, who brought this funny little
 rhyme / rap to life with her adorable, 
humorous illustrations.  

"Grammy's Color Rap" on Amazon

More about Nikki:  Nikki is an educator and recently earned her master's degree in special education. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two kitties. She loves reading, photography, and spending time with her family, but drawing is her life-long passion and hobby. Nicole says, "It was a great honor to create this book with Mrs. Paglia, who was my former 4th grade teacher, and a dream come true to illustrate my first  children's book,  Grammy's Rockin' Color Rap-a-licous Rap .   

More about Aviva Gittle and "the Gittle List" ~ "Each year, the goal of The Gittle List is to find 10 great indie children’s picture books out of the thousands self-published.  Please check out all the the 2015 Gittle Top 10 List of Indie Children's Books.

Aviva Gittle of Gittle Publishing

AVIVA'S BOOK REVIEW:  #9 Grammy’s Rockin’ Color Rap-a-licious Rap, written by Rhonda Paglia and illustrated by Nicole Resele, is a fun way to teach children colors. Actually, it’s an hilarious way that the adults will enjoy as much as the kids. Indie author Rhonda Paglia starts off by teaching you the “BOOM Shee-boom-boom” beat. This should be especially fun for grandparents reading to their grandchildren. Nothing looks sillier to a 4-year-old than their granny or grampy “shee-boom-booming” their way through a book. Be sure to add a little shoulder shakin’ and pump up the volume. The learning continues with activities that ask children to “help grammy” by, for example, circling all the red things they see in a picture or matching all the rhyming pictures and words. Artist Nicole Resele clearly had a lot of fun creating grammy’s colorful outfits. A big step up from the standard (and boring) “yellow banana” “purple grape” books. A perfectly fine way to teach kids their colors, but not nearly as entertaining as Grammy’s Rockin’ Color Rap-a-licious Rap. 

Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Her books are filled with beautiful illustrations from artists around the world. You can now order prints and mugs from all of theKitten and Friends books, Nana books, and more! Each year, Aviva runsThe Gittle List contest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List submission guidelines are due out in January. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News to be the first to know when they are posted.

2016 - a New Year and a time to be Grateful!

Hi Everyone!
Grammy Pags here.  2015 was so much fun!  It was a wonderful year with family, grandchildren, travel, and of course, books!

In the next few posts, I want to take a quick look back, share some exciting moments, and extend my deepest gratitude to some very special folks.

Grammy Pags Stories was blessed to have earned several wonderful, independent author book awards this year.

THANK YOU INKSPOKE for honoring Grammy Pags Stories
with an Inkspoke Select Book Award. I am so grateful!

I also want to thank my friend and talented illustrator, 

Ratna Kusuma Halim.  Ratna, this Inkspoke Award belongs to you too!
THANK YOU so much for the beautiful illustrations for

Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion. 

Three Little Gnomes was beautifully illustrated by Ratna Kusuma Halim.  

Inkspoke says this about the Inkspoke Select Book Award:
"The Inkspokes Select Books Award recognizes books that are not only well written but that, in their originality, passion and freshness, make us passionate about reading again. The authors of these books care deeply about their characters, their stories and their craft. At their best, they bring us a fresh way of looking at our world, they remind us of things that matter, small things and forgotten things also — and, with it all, they give to us wonderfully engaging characters and stories that we might share with our children and each other.  Our focus is on independently published and small press works and this list is meant to introduce the best of these – with all their wonder, spunk and diversity.  Our list begins with Children’s Books (and, for now, only goes up to middle grade). We hope to expand on this in the future."   
To read more about Inkspoke and to see all the winners, click here.

Ratna Kusuma Halim.

This is my friend and illustrator, Ratna.  She is the creator of the beautiful illustrations for "Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion."

Ratna lives in Indonesia with her husband and two daughters. She has a soft, sweet, warm, and lively artistic style.  Her illustrations begin as pencil sketches, which she then transfers to her computer.  She finishes her illustrations digitally.

The original sketch for the "Three Little
Gnomes" cover by Ratna.

Ratna has illustrated several e-books, including:  Daiku’s New Shirt, Nine Black Ants, Talitha Loves Her Neighbor, A Story about Two Boys, and Dragonfly and Damsefly.

Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion is the first book she illustrated to be available in print.  

To learn more about Ratna and her artwork, visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RatnasArtWork/

And her blog: Drawing of the Mind by Ratna

Thank you Inkspoke!  Thank you Ratna!  

My 2015 would not have been as wonderful without you!

Love, hugs, and much gratefulness!
From Rhonda Paglia ~ Grammy Pags Stories

P.S. Ratna and I have something special 
to share later in 2016!  Stay tuned for updates!!  

Happy New Year - 2016 - Honoring "Kindness Kids"

The Woozler, Sofie & Meeda say,
"May the force of a GREAT New Year be with YOU!"

Happy New Year everyone from Grammy Pags Stories & the Gang! 

Thank you so much for a wonderful 2015. I am so grateful for your support, your post shares, and for your kind reviews and comments about my "Grammy Pags Stories."

The "Gang" and I are so excited about 2016. We're looking forward to new adventures, new stories, and lots of fun!

Grammy's working on several new "Sofia Margaret, Meeda,  and Woozler" tales that we hope kids will enjoy!

Keep checking back here and be sure to check new posts on Grammy Pags Stories Webpage.

2016 ~ the Year of KINDNESS KIDs

Do YOU know a KIND KID?

Do you know a kid who deserves an AWARD?

Grammy's looking for special kids who deserve a "Kindness Award!" 

If you know a child who deserves an award, or one who is a "good deed doer," or a child who is helping to make the world a better place, please message Grammy Pags at grammypags1@gmail.com.  

Tell Grammy about your "Kindness Kid" and his or her good deeds.  Grammy will sign and forward you the "Color Us Kindness" certificate for you to share and color with your special "Kindness Kid!"

Kindness Kid Certificate - front

Kindness Kid Certificate - back

Merry Christmas from Grammy Pags Stories

Hi Everyone!
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for a wonderful 2015!   I have appreciated all of your shares and tweets and retweets. Thank you for buying my books and for all the lovely reviews.  I am so grateful!  I hope you will keep following "Grammy Pags Stories" and continue to enjoy the silly little tales that I write.

The Gang and I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a joyfilled, healthy, Happy New Year!

Love from Grammy Pags and the Gang

Grammy's most famous
Halloween costume -
the Christmas Tree Disaster!

P.S. Here's a little peek into the future:   Sofie and Meeda, of the "Meeda and Me" series are working on two new stories: "What's a Woozler?" and "How to Train your Woozler without getting in TROUBLE!"  The girls are attempting to learn more about the woozler who lives in their backyard.  Will they be successful?  Well, that remains to be seen!

Merry Christmas and Happiest of Holidays friends!

Be sure to check out our website!

Dec. 14 - 3rd Anniversary, Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy - Remembering

FREE FOR KINDLE~ December 11 - 15, 2015

KINDNESS MATTERS

December 14 is the 3rd anniversary of the tragedy at 

Sandy Hook [CT] Elementary School. 

"The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission," is co-illustrated by student Taylor Galaska and author Rhonda Paglia.  It is dedicated to the children and teachers who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, 

and ALL victims of violence. 

The message of this sweet story: 

Follow the lambs' "BE" messages, and our whole world will be a better place.  

All profits from soft cover sales goes to the "Angels in Charge" Scholarship for kids from Newtown, CT who are planning a career in education. To date, $5,500.00 has been donated to the scholarship.

Background of "The Little Lambs and the Very Special Mission" and 2015 Scholarship announcements

2nd Anniversary - rmembering the victims of Sandy Hook

2014 Scholarhip recipients: Part 1

2014 Scholarship recipients: Part 2