Resources for Young Writers!

Places to Submit and Learn More About Writing

Kids, are you wanting to learn to write? Here are some excellent places to check out. Some links have tips. A few have contests to enter! Check them out!

Kids Space
Diary Project - for TEENS 13 and up.
Real Kids - great resource!
Christian County Library - Contests!
ABC’s of Writing
Creative Writing for Teens
Writers Digest Contest for Kids 13 and under
Smartwriters - Excellent information!
ChixLit - Literary ‘Zine for girls 7-17
Guideposts Sweet 16 – for Girls
Landmark Editions - Books created by students.
Scholastic - For grades 7-12.
Stone Soup - for young writers and artists 8-13.

A big thanks to Ev who helped me out with these!

NEW! Thanks to Wendy, here's a link for anyone who has children still in school that may need a little extra practice in math. She has created some worksheets that are free on her site. They include practice in adding, subtracting, etc., and a couple of math games plus two game templates so you can use your own math problems. Also there are a few grammar and history worksheets available.

Click HERE to go to Wendy's ToyTown Treasures!

Coming Soon! "Dotty's Topsy Tale"

A brand new tale in the Topsy Turvy Land series will be released soon - Dotty's Topsy Tale, written by myself and illustrated by the multi-talented Kevin Scott Collier. Watch for details, and here's a sneak peek at the cover!

Another Coloring Page!

Another coloring page drawn by Kevin Scott Collier, featuring a beautiful bird called the Toucan and Dotty - both in Topsy Turvy Land. Have fun!

Click on the word 'Toucan' to see how a real one looks. What's different about the one from Topsy Turvy Land?

After you've colored, scan your picture and send it to me. But remember - ask a parent first!







*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program.

The Lonely Lightning Bug

Something different today! A coloring page featuring The Lonely Lightning Bug!



The Lonely Lightning Bug
by Donna J. Shepherd

A Littlest Angel Children's Book

Order information: Click here!

Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier

Cover by Kevin Scott Collier and Andy Cooke




Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
16 pages
ISBN: 1-933090-30-8
Formats and prices:
Zipped electronic download 5.00
CD 9.95 + 5.95 S&H

PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS BOOK GO TO: StarShine Hospice, the Hospice of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Would you like to order a Lonely Lightning Bug t-shirt? Or stickers or magnets? Order from the new Cafe Press Lonely Bug Store! Click here!

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. If that doesn't work with your printer, right click on the picture, and then 'save picture as...' and then you can print it out using your photo program. Have fun!

A New Review from Luke

Received a precious email. Lukey received TTL last September, so I'm thrilled that this many months later, he likes it more than ever!

Donna,

Hey, hope things are well in your Topsy Turvy world.

Just thought you'd like to know that Luke (our four year old) is now in love again with YOUR BOOK. He's a fickle little guy. But the last three nights I've come up to write and he's been snoring in his bed, either clutching or laying on top of Topsy Turvy (Land). A couple of nights ago he said, "You know why I like it so much?....It has hearts on every page!"

So thanks again for infusing a little more joy into Lukie's world.

God bless you and your work.

M

A Brand New FREE Topsy Turvy Picture to Color!

Here's Dotty enjoying a jungle shower!

As an extra special treat, Kevin Scott Collier, the illustrator of Topsy Turvy Land, has drawn another picture to color! Kids, have your parents print out the picture of Chizzy and Zeb's buddy, Dotty.

If you've read Topsy Turvy Land, you know that Dotty is hot pink with black polka-dots, BUT in Topsy Turvy Land, anything goes! SO - color the picture any way you want.

I'll post the color one Kevin did in a few days. NEW coloring pages will be given away periodically.



*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. Have fun!

Topsy Turvy Land Pictures Sent In!

Jarod's Topsy Turvy Land

I've had two pictures sent to me, and both 'artists' did a beautiful job! Which one is your favorite?


Kristen's Topsy Turvy Picture

Topsy Turvy Picture in Color!

I promised to post the picture in color. Did you color yours the same way Kevin did?

I'll post another new picture to color soon.

(Scroll down to print out the black and white one if you haven't yet!)

Free! A Topsy Turvy Picture to Color!

As an extra special treat, Kevin Scott Collier, the illustrator of Topsy Turvy Land, has drawn a picture to color! Kids, have your parents print out the picture of Chizzy and his buddy, Zeb.

If you've read Topsy Turvy Land, you know that Chizzy is a green chimpanzee, and Zeb is a polka-dotted Zebra, BUT in Topsy Turvy Land, anything goes! SO - color the picture any way you want, then email me to tell me what YOUR picture looks like! (Ask your parents first!)

I'll post the color one Kevin did in a few days. NEW coloring pages will be given away periodically.

To find more pictures, click in the upper lefthand column on the words "Topsy Turvy"!

*Click on the picture, then print! It will print out full size ready to be colored. Have fun!

Itty Bits of Bliss

I'm pleased to announce my inclusion in the book, Itty Bits of Bliss. Compiled by Christine Tricarico, the book contains 38 fully illustrated fun, whimsical poems to inspire children ages 4-ll. $2.00 per book is being donated to Love Our Children USA in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Here a link to purchase information:

Itty Bits of Bliss

Author Chat

Twice each season on his website, Kevin Scott Collier, the illustrator of Topsy Turvy Land, features an interview with a writer or author with whom he has worked. For the end of winter 2006, he chatted with me! We discuss our joint creation of Turvy Turvy Land, Chizzy's Topsy Tale, and The Lonely Lightning Bug, and a few other topics. To read, click here!

FREE Hidden Picture Puzzle by Liz Ball

Just click on the picture, then print out! Your very own Hidden Picture Puzzle courtesy of Liz Ball. Enjoy!

*Prints out full size! :)

Interview in Sisters in the Lord Magazine

It was my honor to be interviewed by Wendy Lynn Decker for Sisters in the Lord Magazine. If you'd like to read the interview, click here.

The Lonely Lightning Bug

The Lonely Lightning Bug
by Donna J. Shepherd

A Littlest Angel Children's Book

Order information: Click here!


Illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier
Cover by Kevin Scott Collier and Andy Cooke




Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing
16 pages
ISBN: 1-933090-30-8
Formats and prices:
Zipped electronic download 5.00
CD 9.95 + 5.95 S&H

PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS BOOK GO TO: StarShine Hospice, the Hospice of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Would you like to order a Lonely Lightning Bug t-shirt? Or stickers or magnets? Order from the new Cafe Press Lonely Bug Store! Click here!

New! Exclusive Designs for Topsy Turvy Land!

Kevin Scott Collier, the illustrator of Topsy Turvy Land by Donna J. Shepherd, has drawn some exclusive designs to promote the book!

Here's a t-shirt with "Chizzy the Chimp" on the front:

Chizzy T-Shirt

And here's a wonderful new design with Chizzy the Chimp and Dotty the Hippo!

Chizzy and Dotty