Someone (Thank you, writermom!) sent me an email letting me know that Topsy Turvy Land is mentioned in World Magazine. It's an issue highlighting children's books. I'm very flattered to be included!
Here's a link (the cover is in left sidebar):http://www.worldmag.com/articles/12466
Since I don't have a subscription, all I've seen is what's on the website, but even that's exciting! I'm on the same page as Dr. Seuss and Charlotte's Web. Boy, am I intimidated!
A New Review for Topsy Turvy Land
"Imagine a world where snakes chirp, monkeys are green, and goldfish walk on six legs. In Topsy Turvy Land, anything is possible, until you realize that nothing we can imagine is as amazing as the world God created. Kids will love the bold colors and simple yet striking illustrations as well as the silly rhymes about hens that bark and dogs that lay eggs in nests. Each page also has at least one hidden heart, helping to remind young readers that God’s love is everywhere." - Writer and humor columnist Joanne Brokaw
Review for The Lonely Lightning Bug
Good news this morning! The Lonely Lightning Bug, a picture book Kevin Scott Collier and I did, has received a good review! Click HERE to read.
Pumpkin Prank
Hey, kids! Who is that scaring Dotty?
*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.
Color Chizzy for Me!
Hi, kids! Here's a brand new sketch of Chizzy by illustrator, Kevin Scott Collier. Why don't YOU color him? What color eyes does he have? How about his fur? Maybe you like purple or blue! After all - in Topsy Turvy Land, anything goes!
Here's a picture of Kevin and his color drawing of Chizzy. How different is your picture from Kevin's?
Illustrator of Topsy Turvy Land - Kevin Scott Collier
My picture is located in the left-hand column. Have you ever wondered what the illustrator of Topsy Turvy Land looks like? Here's a picture of Kevin Scott Collier drawing pictures at an event. If you'll look, you'll see a copy of Topsy in the center of the table, and a picture beside it that one of the children colored. Didn't that child do a great job?
A New Review for Topsy Turvy Land
Stephanie Reed, author of Across the Wide River, has reviewed Topsy Turvy Land.
***** Color Me Charmed, August 4, 2006
Reviewer: Stephanie Reed (Ohio)
Do you need a gift for a grandchild, niece or nephew? Topsy Turvy Land will delight you and the kids you love. You'll flip for the friendly pink hippo with black polka-dots, or the proud doggie who waits for her eggs to hatch. Don't worry if you've never seen those sights before--you're in Topsy Turvy Land. It's a world of a different color, and those colors are bright! The animals please the eyes and the rhymes are a treat for the ears. Every time the kids coax you to read the story, you'll notice something new. For instance, you can look for the hidden hearts on each page. Maybe you can talk about God's great idea of making cows walk on the ground instead of making them fly over your house--well, that's what they do in Topsy Turvy Land. Donna Shepherd and Kevin Scott Collier make us smile while showing that God loves us, so all's right with the world.
***** Color Me Charmed, August 4, 2006
Reviewer: Stephanie Reed (Ohio)
Do you need a gift for a grandchild, niece or nephew? Topsy Turvy Land will delight you and the kids you love. You'll flip for the friendly pink hippo with black polka-dots, or the proud doggie who waits for her eggs to hatch. Don't worry if you've never seen those sights before--you're in Topsy Turvy Land. It's a world of a different color, and those colors are bright! The animals please the eyes and the rhymes are a treat for the ears. Every time the kids coax you to read the story, you'll notice something new. For instance, you can look for the hidden hearts on each page. Maybe you can talk about God's great idea of making cows walk on the ground instead of making them fly over your house--well, that's what they do in Topsy Turvy Land. Donna Shepherd and Kevin Scott Collier make us smile while showing that God loves us, so all's right with the world.
FREE ePictureBook: Chizzy's Topsy Tale by Donna J. Shepherd
My companion children's picture book to "Topsy Turvy Land", "Chizzy's Topsy Tale" by Donna J. Shepherd and illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier is a FREE download!
Click HERE!
Kid Reviews (my favorite kind!) for Chizzy's Topsy Tale:
I read "Chizzy's Topsy Tale" to 2 yr. old Nathan, and asked him if he liked it. He said, "Again!" So I read it to him again. Then I asked him a second time if he liked it. He said, "Again!" So I read it again. The only thing that stopped a fourth reading was bedtime. Although he didn't say so, I'm thinkin' he liked it! Also, each time he looked for the hidden hearts, he found more...all the way to 13. He was fascinated with the book.Wow!That's great that he's only 2 and found them all! Yay for Nathan! - Donna
--Ellen
Good for you, Clara! - DonnaHi Donna, I just read your story to my 6 year olddaughter, Clara, and here is what she says:
"I really like it. It's really a great storyand I really like the
puzzle. I found 13 hearts in the puzzle. Chizzy learned his lesson -to always stay close to his mom."--Cassandra
And more reviews:
Holiday Crafts for Kids - December 2005
Or order the print book, Topsy Turvy Land, by clicking HERE or HERE or HERE!
Introducing Starlet!
Meet Starlet, one of Chizzy's new friends in Topsy Turvy Land!
After you've colored this picture by Kevin Scott Collier, scan your masterpiece 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.
A New Picture to Color!
Chizzy has gone crazy for bananas, as monkeys all over the world do - even GREEN monkeys in Topsy Turvy Land! Illustration by Kevin Scott Collier.
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.
A FREE Hidden Picture Puzzle for Summer Fun by Liz Ball
"Fishing for Fun!"Just click on the picture, then print out! Your very own Hidden Picture Puzzle courtesy of Liz Ball. Enjoy!
*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.
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, 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
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!
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