Karen Jean Matsko Hood's
Book Blog

Good morning. Today is January 18, 2011, and I am busy planning for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference. This conference takes place in New York City later this month, which I will be attending.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) was founded 1971 by a group of Los Angeles-based children’s writers. It is an international organization based in Los Angeles, California, representing professionals in the field of children’s literature. It is the world’s largest children’s writing organization and the only international organization for people who write, illustrate, or have a professional interest in children’s literature. There are currently more than 22,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regional chapters, writing and illustrating in all genres for young readers from board books to young adult (YA) novels. The SCBWI facilitates communication between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, and others involved in the field.

Membership in this society provides many benefits for writers, including information and support, access to awards and grants, networking, local workshops and get-togethers, inside publications, online resources, manuscript and illustration exchange, member discounts, and more.

The SCBWI sponsors two annual conferences, on the west and east coasts of the United States, usually in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as many regional conferences and events throughout the world. It publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, has an interactive website, and gives out a number of awards and grants. Among these are the annual Golden Kite Award for the best fiction and nonfiction books and the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.

At this year’s winter conference there will be a panel discussion on Creating and Recreating the Picture Book: Three Views. There are also three workshops about What Makes Your Work Publishable: Today’s Market in Children’s Books.

I am looking forward to all the other authors I will meet at this conference, as well as all I will learn from the speakers and workshops.

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Girls Can Do
Activity and Coloring Book

Promoting and developing self-esteem and a “can do” attitude in girls at an early age is of great importance. Girls should know that they can do almost anything that they desire if they are willing to put in the time and effort. This activity and coloring book provides hours of fun through crossword puzzles, mazes, word searches, numbers, counting, word games, connect-the-dots–and much more! In addition, every page features examples of female role models that have followed their dreams to achieve successful careers in all sorts of fields, from aviation, medicine, business, travel and the arts, to engineering, education, physical fitness, sports, law enforcement, and many others. Girls Can Do Activity and Coloring Book provides young girls with self-esteem, assurance, and the knowledge that they are very much needed in today’s busy, ever-changing world. There’s so much more to being a modern girl than traditional education has suggested. Girls Can Do Activity and Coloring Book can be the key to starting your child on the right path today!

8½ x 11, 160 pp., featuring a durable, full-color cover. Whispering Pine Press International, Inc., Your Northwest Book and Gift Company © 2011.

Inside You Will Find:

• Introduction to the Japanese Language
• Math Puzzles
• Mazes
• Puzzles
• Reading Page
• Coloring pages

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Welcome to Karen’s Book Blog where we invite you to discuss the children’s books that Karen has written.  Karen is the Mother of 16 beautiful children who are biological, adopted, and in transition.  Through her education and as a mother and certified teacher, she has become a child advocate expert.  Every child has value and every child has a future.  Please take the time to share your thoughts about her published and upcoming books topics.