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*Poetry - Your poem can be of any type, rhyming or free verse, about one bird or the numbers of birds you see around your home or on a trip.

*Nature Story – I often wrote these for children’s magazines.  I researched the characteristics and habits of a bird, trying to find something unique about each one.  Then I wrote about it, trying to make it interesting for others to read.

*Fiction Story – Can you think of a fiction story that involves a bird in the plot.  I wrote one about my daughter, when she was small, trying to help a bird build its nest.  She learned the bird only wanted something it has made, but it would use some of the materials she put out.

What would you and your youngsters like to write about birds?

Post from: Blisstree

Writing Tip – Kids Write About Birds

There are various ways you can do this:

• Simply keep a list of the birds you see.
• List the birds and write something about them.
• Add a sketch to the list and description.
• Write a story or poem about the birds you see.
• Make a papier mache model of a bird…or use other materials for a bird sculpture.
• Make a painting of some of these birds you see and list.

In my anthology, Tales of Adventure and Discovery, you’ll find two poems, The Red-Winged Blackbird and Lord Baltimore Oriole.   I’ve written stories published in magazines about birds.  Some were nature stories and others were fiction.

I became intrigued with sketching birds after seeing a watercolor painting my mom did when she was attending teacher training class.  (I still have this painting she did 80 years ago.  ) So I went on to sketch and paint birds, even doing paintings on commission for customers.

Do you and your children like to keep track of the birds around you?

Post from: Blisstree

Keeping a Bird Watching Journal

With that said, here is your list of stocking stuffers for 2008, complete with our favorites. All of the “Best of” books were published and released in 2008.

The Best Holiday Books, 2008

The Best Non-Fiction Books, 2008

The Best Board Books, 2008

Best Picture Books, 2008 

The Best Books for Middle Readers/Tweens, 2008

Best Books for Young Adults, 2008

Mary Emma’s Favorite Books 

Marcie’s Favorite Books

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Book Buying Guide 2008

Lady Liberty: A Biography

What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution

Nic Bishop Frogs

The Way We Work

Influence

The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide (Twilight Saga)

Paula Deen’s My First Cookbook

We the People: The Story of Our Constitution

Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

Post from: Blisstree

Best Non-Fiction Books, 2008