“Take the Dare: Show You Care” Thank you letter from Tulakes

Tulakes Elementary students

Tulakes Elementary students

“As the principal of Tulakes Elementary, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been a tremendous blessing, and words can hardly express what your generosity means to our staff and school.” – Principal Roland

“I am bubbling over with excitement and anticipation because of the generosity you have shown towards Tulakes Elementary. You all are a testament to the greatness of the human race.” – 2nd gr. teacher Kim Hooks

“We at Tulakes are truly overwhelmed with what you have done for our school. You are helping our reading goals become a reality, and the childrens’ love for reading will certainly continue to grow because of your generosity.” – 3rd gr. teacher Michele Parham

Thank You Letter from Tulakes Elementary

Dear contributors and supporters of “Take the Dare: Show You Care”,

Tulakes Elementary would like to extend a warm thank you for supporting our school. You have raised a great deal of money to benefit literacy instruction for our students. To say that we are thrilled with your generous contributions is an understatement. We are so completely overwhelmed by your generosity! We would also like to thank Cynthea for the hard work she put in on our behalf while promoting a new book! What Cynthea has done, along with the help of so many people from the children’s book community, will benefit our students for the rest of their lives.

Statistics show that 80% of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year. Most of our students have an extremely, limited literacy background and get most of their reading time at school. It is our school-wide goal that at least 80% of our students will be reading on grade level. It has been a vision for our school to provide each classroom with leveled classroom libraries. We want to have leveled text available to students at all times. These leveled texts will be available to students during independent reading, learning centers, research time, writing time, reading instruction time, etc. We want our libraries to be supplied with more non-fiction, high interest books, and of course, the great books by all of you great authors.

Because of you, we will be able to accomplish just that. Also, we’ll be able to supply our teachers with additional resources to help strengthen our children’s reading and writing skills. For example our Pre-K can now purchase Handwriting Without Tears, a complete writing curriculum which contains reading and writing materials to get the children started with the process. Our kindergartners can have Take Home Reading Bags which contain a book and literature activities for parents to do at home with their child and return it back to school. In addition to leveled readers, our 1st-3rd Grades’ requests for things like book boxes, books with CDs for listening centers, classroom dictionaries, and Weekly Readers can now be met.

Words cannot express how thankful we are. Without your help, much of this would have never been purchased for our school Tulakes would like to thank you so much for your kindness and willingness to give.

With extreme gratitude,

Michele Parham on behalf of Tulakes Elementary
3rd Grade Teacher
Tulakes Elementary
6600 N. Galaxie
Oklahoma City, Ok 73132

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PB Critique from Project Editor Abigail Samoun, Tricycle Press

The Prize: One critique of your fiction picture book manuscript (max 1000 words.) This auction ends Saturday, 7/25. 11:59PM EASTERN (this website runs on Central time, one hour behind Eastern! So make sure you are bidding based on EASTERN.)

Abigail Samoun

Abigail Samoun

The Darer: Abigail Samoun is a project editor with Tricycle Press in Berkeley, California.  Abigail has edited board books, picture books, and middle-grade fiction. These include the 2003 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Golden Kite winner for best picture book text, George Hogglesberry: Grade School Alien by Sarah Wilson with illustrations by Chad Cameron and the 2004 New York Public Library Ezra Jack Keats award-winner, Yesterday I Had the Blues by Jeron Frame with illustrations by R. Gregory Christie. Abigail also edits the middle grade series Edgar & Ellen published by Simon & Schuster. Some other books Abigail has edited:King & King by Stern Nijland and Linda de Haan, Ten Little Elvi by Duffy Grooms and Laura Henson, illustrated by Dean Gorissen, Finklehopper Frog by Irene Livingston, illustrated by Brian Lies. The “Busy” board book series: Busy Monkeys, Busy Doggies, Busy Kitties, Busy Piggies, Busy Barnyard, and Busy Horsies; Urban Babies Wear Black (board book series).

Favorite recent children’s books: A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson (published by Houghton-Mifflin)DeShawn Days by Tony Medina, illustrated by Greg Christie (Lee and Low Books)Mountain Dance by Thomas Locket (Harcourt)Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch (Kids Can Press)Invisible Enemies: Stories of Infectious Disease by Jeanete Farrell (FSG)Guinea Pig Scientists: Bold Self-Experimenters in Science and Medicine by Leslie Dendy and Mel Boring, with illustrations by C.B. Mordan  (Henry Holt)Freaky Green Eyes, by Joyce Carol Oates (Harper Collins)

“I had a chance to hear Abigail speak at an SCBWI conference this past spring. She is as witty, insightful and a caring cultivator of wonderful books for children.  Seriously, you should hear her stories of looking for the right lines for a picture book text. She’s pitch-perfect and I have no doubt she’ll be able to see right into the heart of your ms!”

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win! *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

*Did you bid on this auction? Don’t forget to enter our drawings for fabulous giveaways.*

Posted in Auction, Picture Book | 4 Comments

07/13/09 Paris Pan Launch Update: Over One Hundred Children’s Book Professionals Raise $15,000 for Title I School in Oklahoma

(Chicago, IL – July 13, 2009) In less than four weeks, the online book launch event “Take the Dare: Show You Care” has raised over $15,000 to support a Title I school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Over a hundred children’s book industry professionals including literary agents from the nation’s top agencies as well as prominent editors from major publishing houses like HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Penguin, and authors from bestselling to those just arriving on the scene have donated manuscript critiques and autographed prizes for the cause. Now Pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms will have new  enrichment resources such as books, book boxes, even LeapFrog systems, to supplement their reading and writing programs . Author Cynthea Liu, whose debut middle grade novel PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE, is ecstatic about the outpouring of support from her colleagues, but she is not surprised. “The children’s and teen book industry is made of people who have the utmost love for children, books, and the power a good story can give to those who need it most.”

The teachers at Tulakes are excited to have their wishlists fulfilled, and students will arrive next fall to classrooms that are more than equipped to foster a love of reading and writing. Cynthea looks forward to visiting  the school in September and seeing the difference “Take the Dare: Show You Care” has made.

In addition to Tulakes Elementary, Ms. Liu has also chosen other Title I schools in her home state of Oklahoma to receive support through DonorsChoose.org.  To learn more about “Take the Dare: Show You Care,” please visit www.cynthealiu.com/showyoucare or contact cynthea@cynthealiu.com.

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07/09/09 Publisher’s Weekly: Author Throws Online Party to Benefit School

Children’s author Cynthea Liu believes in putting her money where her mouth is. And she’s succeeded in encouraging others to put their money down for a good cause. To the tune of $15,000 and counting, in fact.

Liu, a native of Oklahoma and the author of The Great Call of China (Speak, 2009), launched her second book for middle-grade readers, Paris Pan Takes the Dare (Putnam, June), with an online “slumber party,” featuring an auction to benefit Tulakes Elementary, a Title I school in an impoverished and crime-ridden area in Oklahoma City. Read more … http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6669903.html

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Autographed Copy of IN MY BACKYARD by Valarie Giogas, Illustrated by Katherine Zecca

The Giveaway: An autographed copy of picture book IN MY BACKYARD signed by both Valarie Giogas and illustrator Katherine Zecca

In My Backyard

In My Backyard

The Prize: Baby dogs are puppies and they belong to a litter, but what is a baby skunk and what is the name of its group? This clever, rhythmic story tells us just that! Counting from one to ten, familiar backyard animals are introduced by baby and family group name. Each stanza also tells a bit more about each animal by providing clues as to what they eat, how they sound or where they live. The “For Creative Minds” section includes more animal fun facts, information on keeping a nature journal and how to watch for wildlife in your own backyard.

The Author: Learn more about Valarie.

Valarie Giogas

Valarie Giogas

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NEW! Critique #3 from Agent Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Jennifer Laughran

Jennifer Laughran

The Prize: One critique of the first five-pages of your double-spaced manuscript for a middle grade or young adult novel. Please note: Jennifer will request to see the first 20 pages of your manuscript to see if the story engages her further. HOWEVER, your critique will be limited to the first five pages of your manuscript.

The Darer: Jennifer Laughran is an associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She represents authors of Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction. Her favorite writers are offbeat and funny and straddle the line between literary writing and a commercial hook. She’s always on the lookout for great new talent!

Jenn likes funny, sharp, voice-driven YA as well as lush romantic stories that the reader can get lost in (fantasy or realistic), and she loves awesome female heroines!

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win! *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

*Did you bid on this auction? Don’t forget to enter our drawings for fabulous giveaways.*

Receive a reminder before the auction closes.

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Posted in Auction, Middle Grade, Young Adult | 17 Comments

NEW! PB Critique from Author Margaret O’Hair

The Prize: First five-pages double-spaced manuscript critique of any fiction picture book (1000 words max.)

The Darer: Margaret O’Hair is the author of four rhyming picture books, so rhymers get on this one quick! She is the author of STAR BABY (Clarion), TWIN TO TWIN (McElderry/S&S), MY PUP (Cavendish), and MY KITTEN.

“Meg is a good writer friend of mine, and I love her fabulous ability to communicate so much with such little text. Meg knows how to use language and rhyme in a playful way to get those young children bouncing when reading the text! Baby Liu is one of her #1 customers. If you are writing a rhyming picture book, get Meg to help you whip your rhyme into shape. You won’t regret it.” – Cynthea Liu

My Pup

My Pup

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win! *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

*Did you bid on this auction? Don’t forget to enter our drawings for fabulous giveaways.*

Receive a reminder before auction the closes.

Posted in Auction, Going, Going, Gone!, Picture Book, Sneak Attack | 6 Comments

NEW! Critique #4 from Agent Jennifer Rofe, Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Having once been a teacher, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact reading has on teens. Books rule!

jen-rofe-150

Jen Rofe

The Prize: One critique of a fiction picture book (1000 words max, double-spaced) or the first five pages of your fiction middle grade or young adult novel (double-spaced).

The Darer: Jennifer handles children’s fiction projects only, from picture books through young adult, and is particularly interested in literary, multicultural, offbeat, paranormal, and commercial-with-heart material. She enjoys magical-realism and reality-based fantasy; ghost stories (though not gore); stubborn characters who learn lessons the hard way; and unassuming heroes and underdogs.

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win! *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

*Did you bid on this auction? Don’t forget to enter our drawings for fabulous giveaways.*

Receive a reminder before auction the closes.

Posted in Auction, Middle Grade, Picture Book, Young Adult | 6 Comments

NEW! Critique #4 from Agent Jill Corcoran, Herman Agency

Books lift up the mind, and the soul. Every child deserves free access to a variety of books, to a world beyond their own.

The Prize: One critique of the first five double-spaced pages of your fiction middle grade or young adult novel.

Jill Corcoran

Jill Corcoran

The Darer: Jill Corcoran is an Associate Agent at Herman Agency representing Chapter Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult authors. Jill is a huge fan of humor. If you can make her laugh or crack a smile, you are her kind of writer. Even in a serious literary book, there is room for humor. Jill prefers realistic and paranormal to high fantasy. A commercial hook with a literary bent. Some of her favorite books are Frindle, Stargirl, Speak, Stuck in Neutral, How I Live Now, Millicent Min, Good Enough, Seeing Emily, Things Left Unsaid, Flipped and Because of Winn Dixie.

For more about Jill Corcoran please see the Herman Agency website and Jill’s blog.

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win!  Value: Priceless. *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

*Did you bid on this auction? Don’t forget to enter our drawings for fabulous giveaways.*

Receive a reminder before the auction closes.

Posted in Auction, Middle Grade, Young Adult | 14 Comments

NEW! PB Critique #2 from Freelance Editor Summer Dawn Laurie

The Prize: One critique of your fiction picture book (max 1000 words).

summer-laurie

Summer Dawn Laurie

The Darer: Summer began her story in the San Francisco Bay Area, graduating with an English degree from UC Berkeley. After an eye-opening stint as an account executive with an investor relations company, she set her sights on the world of book publishing. She began to gather steam down this path at Chronicle Books where she worked in both the marketing and editorial departments during her three-year tenure in the children’s division there. In 2000 she crossed the bay to join Tricycle Press, the children’s imprint of Ten Speed Press in Berkeley, California. As Senior Editor, Summer worked on over 50 books—picturebooks, board books, novels, activity books, fiction and non-fiction for young people up to age twelve. After seven years she has chosen yet another fork in the road and is now an independent editor, working to strengthen each and every word her clients write. Summer is also a children’s specialist at independent bookseller Books Inc. where she has started the “Wild Girls Mother-Daughter Book Club.” And just for the fun of it, Summer is a co-producer of Kidquake and a member of the board of the NCCBA (Northern California Children’s Booksellers’ Association).

The Dare: Place a minimum bid of $35 by leaving a comment, then outbid the highest bidder until you win!  Value: Priceless. *All winners must take the solemn critiquee oath.*

*Did you bid on this auction? Don’t forget to enter our drawings for fabulous giveaways.*

Receive a reminder before the auction closes.

Posted in Auction, Picture Book, Sneak Attack, Steal Alert | 3 Comments