Forgive me if I’m buggin’
and I do a little pluggin’
But I’ve got a bit of news I’d like to share
You see, the inspiration
Came from grandkids fine donation
Of ideas of which they planted I ensnared
I made a little book, you see
of children and diversity
So I posted it without an ounce of qualm
And if you’d like to see it
If only for a wee bit
you can find it now on Amazon.com
Yes, You Can! available on Amazon.com
Not everyone does, you know. Some adults think that those little human “beans” should sprout somewhere else, anywhere but in their close proximity.
Yes, children are loud and can irritate and inflame every nerve to the point where anti-inflamatories don’t work.
Children are curious to a fault – “How come?” “Why do I haf-ta?” “What’s that?” Those questions sometimes makes us grown-ups feel stupid because we don’t always have the internet at hand for research.
But I know that children are magic.
They help us remember what our long-ago years were like.
They remind us of that feeling of satisfaction when the “ah-ha!” moments pop out of nowhere land.
They refill our imagination bucket with all kinds of sweet nuggets of creativity.
Three years ago and four grandchildren later, ribbons of creativity, once hidden in my DNA, have sprouted again. Thanks to those growing “beans,” the product of their influence is now available here.
Although my body has never been flexible (can’t blame age for that one) I like to think I’m flexible in my thinking. But not always.
My opinions on important matters have remained constant – my position on gun safety, on child advocacy, on human rights.
And many things I used to love I have put on a shelf – Bikram Yoga, pilates (well, not too much love for that one), Italian lessons, playing piano, playing a djembe, oil and acrylic painting.
Not writing. I will always write. Now, however, I am focusing on children’s stories instead of novels.
I am learning more about photoshop, embroidery, Netflix.
One thing I know for sure: Change is constant.
And damn, I love that about this world.
Photoshopped for my children’s book, What Happened to Ten, a work in progress.
via Constant
WE CAN ALL GET ALONG
Come in the house, little mouse
I have a muffin just for you
it’s made with chocolate drops
and lollipops
quite yummy once you chew
Come in the house little cat
and be nice to little mouse
get to know her
you’ll adore her
besides, it is MY house
Come in the house, little fox
lick the ice cream I have made
It’s purple pink
and good, I think
It’s served with lemonade
Come in the house, little bunny
don’t be scared of little fox
have good sense
and confidence
and listen when he talks
Now, isn’t this just lovely
how we all can get along?
it doesn’t take
much food to make
to know we all belong.
© C. Dennis-Willingham
Edited version of my WIP children’s book
image by Pixabay
via Permit
(I left out some pictures to tickle your imagination)
Grandma says she visits Mollybird land.
But Grandma is silly.
She plays in the sand.
She hops in a chair,
I see her eyes glisten
She tells me to sit down
and carefully listen.
“There’s a place,” she says, “where
popsicles grow sideways,
where Lollipop trees
sprout only on Sundays.
Where cows milk the garden
The doggy yells, ‘Moo,’
And the carrot pops up
and says, ‘Howdy Do!’
The dragon blows fire
to light up the coals
so miniture rhinos
can climb from their holes.
At lunchtime,
oh, we’re too busy to eat.
We paint with the squirrels
and then take our seats.
We sit by the ocean
and blow seahorse bubbles
Our thoughts disappear
but our vision, it doubles!
If Tina the Tiger finds you,
don’t worry.
She’ll tickle you fast
then run off in a hurry!
Old Peter Parrot
doesn’t like peace and quiet
He prefers to squawk loudly
and dress like a pirate.
Then, when it’s time,
the Queen steps on her chair,
and the bicycling frog
is the first to be there.
Everyone cheers
and why would they not?
She makes them remember
the fun they forgot.
Now, if you don’t believe me,
of course it’s just fine.
But my unicorn’s here
and I must leave on time.
How I get home?
It’s the best thing, no doubt!
Oh, don’t forget.
If you whistle real loud.
My silly hippo
will float down from the clouds.”
I take hold of the whistle.
I blow super hard.
A hippo? Really?
Will land in her yard?
© Carolyn Dennis-Willingham, CDW Creations
Lollipop- daily word prompt
I haven’t worked with photoshop in a long time. Starting over was NOT like riding a bicycle. But I did it, albeit in a slow, Carolyn fashion. As most of you know, I am currently writing my fourth novel set in 1963. As my dad used to say, it’s a booger-bear. So, writing children’s books gives me a breath of fresh air. (Yes, I go to sleep rhyming, then pull out my hair.)
Here’s a sample of my latest. It is a reminder for children to keep their imaginations open and active as they listen to a Grandma tell her granddaughter about a magical place.
I received the printed children’s book I wrote from Mixbook and I’m so happy with it. Mixbook.com does a great job with the printing and they make it easy to create. And, I have a blast finding the art work. Best thing? My granddaughter loves it! 🙂
Here’s the front cover and the first two pages:
The last page:
On to the next one!
I just finished a children’s book. I haven’t written one in a while but when you watch your 14 month old granddaughter for a weekend, you get inspired (AND TIRED!)
Here are a couple of pages:
Now, to spoil the ending. 🙂
Oh, and I made this using Mixbook. Their tools are easy and fun to use.
Carolyn Dennis-Willingham 