Posted on

Free Emergent Readers

With libraries and schools shut down across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, our access to books is a little more limited. Publishers, authors, illustrators, and other professionals across the nation–and throughout the world–are sharing stories in creative ways.

One of the ways I am working to share literature is by offering free versions for most of my books during March and April. Some of these titles will be available as free Kindle books during certain times (I’ll post the titles and dates they are available for free below).

For other titles, I am creating “visual audiobooks” and will post them on my blog, along with free printable resources to help students connect with the story and words they may be learning (or reinforcing). Access to these videos will be available through May 31st, 2020.

Many of my books contain enrichment sections at the end with questions and activities for students. In addition, I create activity packets to go along with most of my books. These activity packets can be found on each book’s page on my website.

Free books from March 30-31 (clicking on a title will take you to the Kindle page):

Have You Seen My Frog?

Do NOT Turn This Page

Ten Swishy Fish

At the Haiku Zoo

Free books from April 8-12 (clicking on a title will take you to the Kindle page):

The Box

The Bus Stop

Pup in a Cup

When I Grow Up/When I Was Young

Free book from April 13-17 (clicking on the title will take you to the Kindle page):

The Lost Lid

I hope that you are able to stay connected virtually with other people and with great literary and creative adventures during this period of social distancing.

All the best, Bernice

Posted on

Shelter in Place Boredom Buster

Some of my friends began compiling a list on Facebook of things to do while we “shelter in place” and practice social distancing. The collaborative list inspired me to create a Boredom Busters Bingo card. If you’d like to print this out, simply click on the picture above or on the title in this paragraph.

The ideas on the card are family- and child-friendly, but can also fit a variety of ages.

If you use the card and you get a Bingo, comment on this post within the next four weeks and you will win a pdf with printable bookmarks.

If you use the card and you get a Blackout, comment on this post within the next four weeks and you’ll win a 6″ X 8″ digital copy of my fine art illustration called Gary’s Dinner Surprise as well.

Here’s to being creative, and to finding meaningful ways to engage with one another–whether it’s in the virtual realm or in person.

All the best,

Bernice

Posted on

Press Release for Tippy Toe Surprise

For immediate release:

Author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.

Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Children – Grade K-3rd book “Tippy Toe Surprise” by Bernice Seward, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999537830.

Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

“Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

Dylan peeked around the corner and grinned. He wanted to sneak up on his daddy. He crouched down low and snuck down the hall. Tip, tip, tippy toe, and that is how Dylan snuck up on his daddy—always. Each time he tried to sneak up on his daddy, there would be something that made a sound. He remembered that his shoes were squeaky and he went back to the kitchen to remove them. He again snuck down the hall and at that moment dust tickled his nose and he sneezed. Alivia also wanted to sneak with him and they both snuck down the hall. Would they be able to surprise their daddy? 

Tippy Toe Surprise by Bernice Seward is a delightful and charming story that captures the bonding between a parent and a child in a beautiful way. The illustrations are lively and adorable like the story. The author makes the story fun and interactive by giving music notes of the Tippy Toe Surprise Song and including Enrichment Questions, Sentence Tic-Tac-Toe, and Rhyme Boxes—making learning engaging and interesting. It is a perfect book that can be used for classroom activities because its enrichment activities will help students to learn to read through repetition. The bonding of Dylan and Alivia is tangible and there will be many readers who will find them relatable. Stories like this make it easy for parents and elders to help children understand how simple things can make life beautiful and connect them better with their parents and family.”

You can learn more about Bernice Seward and “Tippy Toe Surprise” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/tippy-toe-surprise where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.

Readers’ Favorite LLC 
Media Relations
Louisville, KY 40202 
800-RF-REVIEW 
support@readersfavorite.com
https://readersfavorite.com

Posted on

One Yellow Flower Digital Collage

One Yellow Flower

I’ve been playing around with digital collage this week. This illustration, called One Yellow Flower, is the result of my first attempt at digital mixed media collage.

I started painting my own papers to use in collage illustrations last summer. I’ve been scanning those papers, along with pieces of fabric from some of my favorite sweaters, a pair of jeans that were wearing out, and other materials and photographed elements.

I’ve been learning and having a lot of fun. With the learning curve and the time it takes to “cut out” the different pieces by erasing around the shapes I draw so I can isolate them and add them to my “canvas” piece by piece, it would be faster to use physical paper. But this way I simply hit “undo” if something doesn’t turn out right. AND I can keep an endless supply of my favorite painted papers 🙂

I may eventually prefer one method of created collage artwork more than the other (working with digital elements versus working with physical elements). But, in the meantime, I’m loving every part of the creative process–and the endless options that collage makes possible.

Posted on

Trouble Comes to Myrtle’s Beach

Myrtle’s afternoon plans are ruined when trouble, in the form of Rufus, arrives at her beach. Although Myrtle was hoping for a relaxing afternoon, Rufus is bound to have other ideas!

This illustration was created with pastels on paper, then finished digitally. 

Posted on

Squirrels and Birds and Pride and Prejudice–Oh My!

 I recently filled our squirrel-resistant bird feeder to entice the local overwintering bird population to provide bird-watching opportunities.

I noticed the seed level was going down by a couple of inches a day–too fast for birds, unless huge flocks were constantly ordering take out.

When I let our dog out for a bathroom break one morning, I saw a squirrel hanging upside down on the cage that surrounded the birdfeeder. Either the cage isn’t very squirrel-resistant, or our squirrels are irresistible.

Anyway, the above video my teenaged son and I made captures what went through my mind afterward (although I don’t, indeed, hate squirrels).

No squirrels were harmed (emotionally, physically, or in any other way) during the creation of this video clip.

Posted on

Free Inspirational Coloring Page

 

Happy New Year! Above is a free printable coloring page with an inspirational quote from Albert Einstein. 

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” -Albert Einstein

I hope your coming year is full of learning, living, and hoping!

All the best, Bernice

Posted on

A Christmas Poem

Christmas, an illustrated one-word poem (a poem derived from the letters found in a single word).

I’d like to take this moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope the coming year brings many wonderful things your way!

All the best, Bernice

 

Posted on

Press Release for Ten Swishy Fish

For immediate release:

Author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.

Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Children – Concept book “Ten Swishy Fish” by Bernice Seward, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0999537822.

Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.

“Reviewed By Gail Kamer for Readers’ Favorite

The cover of Ten Swishy Fish (Bite-Size Books for Beginning Readers) by Bernice Seward is a hook in itself with huge-eyeballed fish swishing here and there. No fish on a hook here but certainly the reader is hooked. The rhyme and rhythm of the story encourage the reader and the listener to swish to the right with the fish. Oh, wait. The fish see teeth creeping to the left. Will the little fish become shark dinner? Swish right in to read Ten Swishy Fish to find out. 

I loved Ten Swishy Fish (Bite-Size Books for Beginning Readers) by Bernice Seward. It’s a fun read and the illustrations are beautiful. In addition, Ten Swishy Fish shares the story as a counting rhyme. The ending is so cute and just a bit unexpected. Ten Swishy Fish alone encourages a discussion of prey and predator. Ms. Seward includes enrichment activities at the end of the book which relate to story structure, personal opinion, artwork, body movement and mathematics. 

Ten Swishy Fish has a listening level for very young children and an independent reading level of about kindergarten. Given the beauty of both the written word and the illustrations, older reluctant readers will love reading this book “on their own.” Ms. Seward has included her website URL. On it she provides information for writing using a graphic organizer that children will easily understand. I highly recommend Ten Swishy Fish (Bite-Size Books for Beginning Readers) by Bernice Seward to anyone looking for a fun read.”

You can learn more about Bernice Seward and “Ten Swishy Fish” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/ten-swishy-fish where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.

Readers’ Favorite LLC 
Media Relations
Louisville, KY 40202 
800-RF-REVIEW 
support@readersfavorite.com
https://readersfavorite.com