Day 7 of the WordCrafter “Visions” Book Blog Tour finds us over on Roberta Writes with a guest post from contributing author Stephanie Kraner and a review of her story by Robbie Cheadle. Join us to learn more about this exceptional multi-genre anthology and don’t forget to comment for more chances to win one of five free copies of Visions.
WordCrafter Press is proud to present Visions, a fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror anthology.
Blurb
Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.
An author’s visions are revealed through their stories. Many authors have strange and unusual stories, indeed. Within these pages, you will find the stories of eighteen different authors, each unique and thought provoking. These are the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.
What happens when:
An inexplicable monster plagues a town for generations, taking people… and souvenirs?
A post-apocalyptic band of travelers finds their salvation in an archaic machine?
The prey turns out to be the predator for a band of human traffickers?
Someone chooses to be happy in a world where emotions are regulated and controlled?
Day 4 of the WordCraafter “Visions” Book Blog Tour finds us over at Robbie’s Inspiration with a guest post by contributing author, C.R. Johannson and a review of er story, “Her Beholder” by
Robbie Cheadle. Come join us and don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free digital copy of the anthology.
WordCrafter Press presents Visions, a fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror anthology.
Giveaway
Five digital copies will be given away in a random drawing at the end of the tour. Each stop visited earns an entry. Let me know you were there by leaving a comment.
Blurb
Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.
An author’s visions are revealed through their stories. Many authors have strange and unusual stories, indeed. Within these pages, you will find the stories of eighteen different authors, each unique and thought provoking. These are the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.
What happens when:
An inexplicable monster plagues a town for generations, taking people… and souvenirs?
A post-apocalyptic band of travelers finds their salvation in an archaic machine?
For Day 3 of the WordCrafter “Visions” Book Blog Tour, we’re over on “The Showers of Blessings” with a guest post from contributing author DL Mullan. Join us to learn more about her story “Reality Hackers”, and about this exceptional new anthology.
It’s my pleasure to host Day 3 of the new anthology Visions, compiled and edited by Kaye Lynne Booth.
Giveaway
Five digital copies will be given away in a random drawing at the end of the tour. Each stop visited earns an entry. Let me know you were there by leaving a comment.
Blurb
An author’s visions are revealed through their stories. Many authors have strange and unusual stories, indeed. Within these pages, you will find the stories of eighteen different authors, each unique and thought-provoking. These are the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and horror stories that will keep you awake long into the night.
What happens when:
An inexplicable monster plagues a town for generations, taking people… and souvenirs?
A post-apocalyptic band of travelers finds their salvation in an archaic machine?
The prey turns out to be the predator for a band of human traffickers?
Today, I am delighted to welcome talented children’s author, illustrator and poet, Judy Mastrangelo, as my Treasuring Poetry guest with her new book of poems for children.
Which of your own poem is your favourite?
SWAN BOAT
by Judy Mastrangelo
A Graceful Swan Boat
glides through quiet waters.
***
Sing to me my little ones of
Lands where Dreams are Born.
***
Sky Dreams, Cloud Dreams,
Castles full of Fairy Tales.
Lands where Elves dwell,
and Fairies dance till morn.
This is a beautiful poem, Judy.
What inspired you to write this poem?
Being an illustrator/artist, plus an author, I often begin a creation with an image that appears in my imagination. I call it a “Mind Painting”. This little poem came to me along with the Fairy image, with its lyrical song-like verse. The rhythm of the words seemed to go along with the gentle rocking of the Fairy Swan Boat as it floated down a magical stream in Fairyland.
What are your plans for your poetry going forward?
I’m now working on some books of original fantasy poems that I’m illustrating with my artwork.
What is your favourite poem?
THE FLY-AWAY HORSE
by Eugene Field
Oh, a wonderful horse is the Fly-Away Horse– Perhaps you have seen him before; Perhaps, while you slept, his shadow has swept Through the moonlight that floats on the floor. For it’s only at night, when the stars twinkle bright, That the Fly-Away Horse, with a neigh And a pull at his rein and a toss of his mane, Is up on his heels and away! The moon in the sky, as he gallopeth by, Cries: “Oh! What a marvelous sight!” And the Stars in dismay hide their faces away In the lap of old Grandmother Night. *** It is yonder, out yonder, the Fly-Away Horse Speedeth ever and ever away– Over meadows and lane, over mountains and plains, Over streamlets that sing at their play; And over the sea like a ghost sweepeth he, While the ships they go sailing below, And he speedeth so fast that the men on the mast Adjudge him some portent of woe. “What ho, there!” they cry, As he flourishes by With a whisk of his beautiful tail; And the fish in the sea Are as scared as can be, From the nautilus up to the whale! *** And the Fly-Away Horse seeks those far-away lands You little folk dream of at night– Where candy-trees grow, and honey-brooks flow, And corn-fields with popcorn are white; And the beasts in the wood are ever so good To children who visit them there– What glory astride of a lion to ride, Or to wrestle around with a bear! The monkeys, they say: “Come on, let us play,” And they frisk in the coconut-trees: While the parrots, that cling To the peanut-vines sing
And fan a cool wind with their wings!
*** Or converse with comparative ease! *** Off! scamper to bed — you shall ride him to-night! For, as soon as you’ve fallen asleep, With a jubilant neigh he shall bear you away Over forest and hillside and deep!
Eugene Field is a new poet to me, but I loved this poem best from your new collection.
Why do you like this poem?
I feel that Eugene Field is one of the most beloved poets who wrote only for children. I feel a connection with him in that respect, among other aspects of his art, since the majority of my books are also geared toward the “Young and Young at heart”.
His poems are beautiful, imaginative, and full of a dreamy quality that children love. He’s known as the “Poet of Childhood”. This poem speaks to me with its childlike fantasy that conjures up some delightful images in my mind, and I thoroughly enjoyed creating paintings to illustrate it.
But tell us, my dear, all you see and you hear In those beautiful lands over there, Where the Fly-Away Horse wings his far-away course With the wee one assigned to his care. Then grandma will cry In amazement: “Oh, my!” And she’ll think it could never be so. And only we two Shall know it is true– You and I, little precious! shall know!
Poems to Dream on by Judy Mastrangelo
What Amazon says
Artist Judy Mastrangelo’s magical and colorful paintings beautifully bring to life this collection of famous and beloved poetry, written by great poets of the past. Here are a few of her favorite poems she has chosen to illustrate for this enchanting anthology:
From Robert Louis Stevenson’s volume “A Child’s Garden of Verses”, you can have fun flying up in the air with “The Swing”, and looking for tiny Garden Fairies in his poem “The Flowers”. Eugene Field, known as “The Poet of Childhood”, recounts a comical “Duel” of the whimsical Gingham Dog and Calico Cat. And his lovely “Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street” takes us to visit her wondrous Land of Dreams. Joyce Kilmer expresses the beauty of “Trees” who wear “a nest of robins in their hair” in his celebrated poem. You will recognize the popular lines “All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small”, in the poem by Cecil Frances Alexander. The funny “Three Little Kittens” will give you a chuckle as they search for their mittens, and you will marvel at the beauty of the “road from earth to sky” in “The Rainbow”, by Christina Rossetti. The poem “Toyland”, written by Glen MacDonough, contains the familiar verse “Toyland, toyland, Little girl and boy land”. Thiswas set to music for the charming operetta “Babes in Toyland” by Victor Herbert.
Judy has also included some of her own original poems that she wrote and illustrated, such as the “Graceful Swan Boat”, in which you can sail away “to lands where dreams are born”. From her series “Garden Gates”, you will enjoy playing with children in the Buttercups, having a Foxglove Tea Party, marching in a Tulip Parade, and making a wish on a Water Lily Pond.
Both Children and Adults of all ages will delight in reading this engaging medley of poetry, as well as looking at Judy’s captivating, detailed, and stunning artwork, which enhances and illustrates it so perfectly. In her “Poems To Dream On”, she has created an endearing and tender book, which will be cherished by readers for many years to come.
My review
Poems to Dream on is a beautiful edition to Judy Mastrangelo’s family of books. She has selected several delightful poems and songs by a variety of poets, including a few contributions she penned herself, and illustrated them with her wonderfully colourful illustrations.
Although I am a great lover of children’s nursery rhymes and poems, several of the poems in this collection are new to me, including The Fly-Away Horse, The Duel, and The Rock-a-By Lady by Eugene Field and The Sandman by Margaret Thomson Janvier.
One particularly gorgeous verse from The Fly-Away Horse is as follows: “And the Fly-Away Horse Seeks those far-away lands You little folk dream of at night. Where candy-trees grow, And honey-brooks flow, And corn-fields with popcorn are white.”
My favourite of Judy’s own poems is Buttercups: “Buttercups are magical. They’re gifts from Heaven above, Which bring us Joy and Happiness In golden cups of Love.”
This book is perfect to introduce children to the magic of poetry and fantasy with Judy’s fantastic illustrations to bring the words to life.
Judy Mastrangelo has written and illustrated several books, which include themes of Poetry, Fairytales, and Fairies. She follows in the tradition of “The Art of the Golden Age of Illustration”. Some of her titles include: a series of four Fairy books: “Portal to the Land of Fae” which include Flower Fairies, Fairy Tale Fairies, Secrets of the Fairies, and Mystical Fairies. Additional books include “What Do Bunnies Do All Day?”, “Enchanted Fairy Tales”, which she illustrated and adapted, “The Star”, illustrating the poem Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and her new fairy tale “The Magic Blanket”. Besides creating books, her artwork has been used in several Inspirational Oracle Card Decks, as well as some that she has also written herself. She licenses her artwork for many products, including Art Prints and Wall Murals. Judy has taught Creative Drama and Dance as well as Painting, to Children and Adults, and has directed her own Community Theater for all ages. As part of her work, she enjoys encouraging people to develop their own Imagination and Artistic Talents.
Robbie Cheadle is a South African children’s author and poet with eleven children’s books and two poetry books.
The eight Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie and Michael have also written Haunted Halloween Holiday, a delightful fantasy story for children aged 5 to 9 about Count Sugular and his family who hire a caravan to attend a Halloween party at the Haunted House in Ghost Valley. This story is beautifully illustrated with Robbie’s fondant and cake art creations.
Robbie has published two books for older children which incorporate recipes that are relevant to the storylines.
Robbie has two adult novels in the paranormal historical and supernatural fantasy genres published under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. She also has short stories, in the horror and paranormal genre, and poems included in several anthologies.
Robbie Cheadle contributes two monthly posts to https://writingtoberead.com, namely, Growing Bookworms, a series providing advice to caregivers on how to encourage children to read and write, and Treasuring Poetry, a series aimed at introducing poetry lovers to new poets and poetry books.
In addition, Roberta Eaton Cheadle contributes one monthly post to https://writingtoberead.com called Dark Origins: African Myths and Legends which shares information about the cultures, myths and legends of the indigenous people of southern Africa.
Want to be sure not to miss any of Robbie’s “Treasuring Poetry” segments? Subscribe to Writing to be Read for e-mail notifications whenever new content is posted or follow WtbR on WordPress. If you found it interesting or entertaining, please share.
The final day of the WordCrafter “Haunted Halloween Holiday” Book Blog Tour finds us over at Annette Rochelle Aben’s blog with one last guest post from author Robbie Cheadle and one last chance to enter the giveaway. Please join us in wrapping up this fabulous tour and send off this unique children’s book.
For Day 4 of the WordCrafter “Haunted Halloween Holiday” Book Blog Tour, we’re over at “Carla Loves to Read” with two more intriguing questions for Robbie and a wonderful review by Carla Johnson-Hicks. Join us.
Day 2 of the WordCrafter “Visions” BookBlog Tour finds us over at The Showers of Blessings with host, Miriam Hurdle. Join us to learn more about this wonderful new children’s book, by Michael and Robbie Cheadle.
I’m delighted to welcome Robbie and Michael Cheadle to my blog today. They have a new book for your trick-or-tricking fun read with delicious recipes for the activities.
Haunted Halloween Holiday WordCrafter Book Blog Tour
Giveaway
For a chance to win one of three US$10 Amazon vouchers or one of three paperback copies of the Haunted Halloween Holiday, just leave a comment to show you were here.
Follow the tour and comment at each stop for more chances to win.
The prizes will be given away in a random drawing.
Robbie has been writing children’s books with her son Michael for years. It’s an admirable project between mother and son for such a long time. I invited Robbie to talk about Michael and their children’s books.
Hi Robbie, how did you begin writing children’s books with Michael?
Thank you for this question, Miriam. Michael and I started writing together…
For the final day of the WordCrafter Refracted Reflections Book Blog Tour, we’re over at Zigler’s News with a guest post by contributing author, Roberta Eaton Cheadle and a review by Victoria Zigler. Join us and be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a free digital copy of the anthology.
We’re over at “Roberta Writers” for Day 4 of the WordCrafter “Refracted Reflections” Book Blog Tour. Join in the fun, with a guest post from contributing author, Valerie B. Williams and a chance to win a free digital copy of the book.
Digital giveaway
For a chance to win a free digital copy of Refracted Reflections, just leave a comment to show you were here. Follow the tour and comment at each stop for more chances to win. Three copies will be given away in a random drawing.
Welcome Valerie B. Williams
Today, I am delighted to welcome author, Valerie B. Williams, for my stop on the WordCrafter Book Blog Tour for Refracted Reflections, Twisted Tales of Duality & Deceptions. Valerie is a contributor to Refracted Reflections: Twisted Tales of Duality & Deceptions, an anthology published by WordCrafter Press in which I also have a short story.
Extract from The Tinker’s Gift by Valerie B. Williams
“The Tinker’s Gift” is a Civil-War era tale of death and hope
I love period pieces, where news and communications are slow or unavailable. I’m also fascinated by itinerant salesmen, and the way they…
