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Happy Chrismahannukwanzika!

This is us — Peggy, Tod, Zeus, and Venus — on the banks of the Colorado River with the Roan Plateau in the background. This year Peggy wrote a town ordinance and led a successful petition drive designating River Park as an off leash dog park. She is now beloved by all dogs in Silt — and a goddess to Zeus and Venus.

Wishing you joy and laughter in 2008!

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How should I identify myself as a SCBWI member?

I am a member of SCBWI. Sometimes in the Publisher’s Corner section of their Bulletin, editors say they will only accept manuscripts from SCBWI members. Does that mean I should write something like “SCBWI member” on the envelope? Or should I mention it in the cover letter? I read so often that editors want short cover letters.

Do mention it in the cover letter. Don’t write it on the envelope.

In large publishing houses the mail is opened in the mail room, so editors don’t always see the envelopes. I always send a one sheet resume of my publishing credits. The first line says: “Peggy Tibbetts has been a member of SCBWI since 1977.” If you don’t send publishing credits on a separate sheet, then in your cover letter be sure to say, “I am a member of SCBWI”. It doesn’t take up much space but it’s just as important as a publishing credit. For more information about membership benefits, go to the Membership Benefits page at the SCBWI web site.

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Call for Submissions: Imagination-Café.com

According to Editor Rosanne Tolin, Imagination-Café is a fun, safe, edutainment destination for kids ages 7-12. The site features stories on subjects from school to sports, and also a Career-O-Rama department devoted to that question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Interactive content includes quizzes, games, message boards, and writing contests.

PAYMENT: From about $25 for puzzles and briefs, to about $120 for larger feature pieces and more in-depth interviews.
RIGHTS: Buys all electronic and non-exclusive print rights, and prefers material not previously published elsewhereAll rights
SUBMISSIONS: Editorial material to be considered for publication should be sent via email to: editor@imagination-cafe.com. Please include a cover letter, and cut and paste your manuscript into the body of the email.

Go to Imagination-Café Contributor Guidelines for more information.

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Can you recommend children’s holiday books?

I’m looking for good holiday books for my kids. My daughter is 5 and my son is 11, so there’s quite a bit of difference in their reading abilities and interests. Not only that but some of the holiday books that my son liked don’t interest my daughter now. And I thought, what better person to ask than someone like you that knows so much about books.

I have several favorite holiday books, such as The Little Drummer Boy, The Gift of the Magi, A Christmas Carol, The Littlest Angel, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, but those are probably not on your kids’ wish lists.

Rather than recommending specific holiday books, I can show you how to find what you’re looking for. First of all, talk to the children’s librarian at your local library. She will be able to recommend favorite children’s books for the holidays, based on her experience with observing kids’ reading habits.

To find what’s new in children’s holiday books, visit your local bookstore and ask the children’s book department manager for recommendations. Also, you can go to Amazon and click on Books. In the Browse category on the left hand side of the page, click on Children’s Books. In the Search in Children’s Books window, type in “Christmas books”. You’ll find thousands of titles.

To find holiday books for your daughter, check out The Best Christmas Books for Kids, ages 4 to 8. At this web site, you’ll find the lists are divided into four categories: best books, traditional books, new books, and true meaning of Christmas books. Some of the recommendations, such as The Christmas Crocodile by Bonnie Becker, and Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh, you will find more suitable for your daughter. For book choices for your son, you can go to Common Sense Media’s web site for a list of Great Holiday Books for Kids Ages 8+. Another great list of Kids Books for Christmas can be found at Apples4theteacher.com.

Children’s books make great holiday gifts for all ages. Happy shopping!

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