A New York Times Bestseller!

Do you believe in fairies?

Geraldine does…

And though her family and friends don’t believe her, Gerry knows for certain that she is one.

In fact, she is a
very
fairy
princess!

From morning to night, Gerry does everything that fairy princesses do: she dresses in royal attire and practices her flying skills, and she is always on the lookout for problems to solve. But it isn’t all pink and proper — as every real-life fairy princess knows, dirty fingernails and scabby knees are the price you pay for a perfect day!

From the bestselling mother-daughter team Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton comes a joyful new story about believing in yourself and sharing your unique inner sparkle.

Illustrated by Christine Davenier.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. May, 2010.

But first – let me ask you a question:

*Have you ever dreamed of writing a children’s book?

*Do you have an idea for a story but don’t know where to start?

*Have you written a book, but don’t know what the next step should be?

*Would you like to join the multi-million dollar children’s book industry, but have no idea how?

Perhaps you know me as the author of many best-selling children’s books written in partnership with my mother, Julie Andrews.

I’m also a writing teacher, Director of the Southampton Children’s Literature Conference, and a freelance editor – as well as being Editorial Director for the Julie Andrews Collection publishing program.

I know first-hand how many aspiring authors dream of breaking in to the children’s book market but are stumped as to how to do so.

I want to help you make your dream of writing children’s books come true!

Introducing…

Just Write for Kids!

A Unique Home-Study Course in Writing Picture Books for Children

Whether you are starting from scratch, have an idea for a book in mind or already have a manuscript in progress, this 8-week course will turn your dream into reality. Each week, you will receive a specific lesson in writing and editing your picture book, with corresponding assignments and worksheets.

In just 8 weeks, you will have a completed manuscript in hand, ready to submit to agents and publishers and all from the comfort of your own home!

Within 8 weeks, you will…

• Learn the fundamental aspects of writing for children, including:
  • How and where to find idea’How to develop characters, map a plot and identify themes
  • How to write engaging narrative, effective dialogue, and successful beginnings, middles and endings
  • How to deal with issues like anthropomorphism, verse vs. prose and word play
  • How to edit your manuscript
• Master the language and understand the standards of today’s children’s book market
• Write a complete, submission-worthy picture-book manuscript,
• Be on your way to submitting your manuscript to agents and and publisher

Learn more at Just Write For Kids.

Joyful reading experiences are among the most important gifts we can give our children – and the children’s book market needs a fresh influx of quality books every year.

Now you can join the rewarding children’s literature business and touch the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Take the first step toward making your dream come true TODAY!

Go to Just Write For Kids!

Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs & Lullabies

My mother and I have always believed that poems, songs, and lullabies have the power to transform into family treasures. Poetry, in particular, is the perfect shared family experience – as a “read-aloud” it can be one of the best ways to introduce young people to the joys of reading. Great poems make children want to read – they give us a vision of beauty and joy in the world, and an awareness of the richness and power of language.

We are therefore very excited about our most recent collaboration, a new treasury entitled “Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies.” Brimming with classics from the likes of Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein, as well as contemporary poetry and even song lyrics from Rodger’s and Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim, this collection includes nearly 150 of our family’s “favorite things,” or treasures. There’s even a few of our own poetic offerings, as well as some by our fathers and grandfathers, and an accompanying CD that features twenty-one of our favorites from the book.

Beautifully illustrated by James McMullan, Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poem, Songs, and Lullabies is a reflection of our belief that poetry can change how we view and interact with our world. Between each of the nine themed sections, we share personal stories that we hope will encourage families to cultivate their own treasured memories through sharing the gifts of poetry.

We need a little gentleness and beauty in this crazy world right now. We’re yearning for peace, for joy, for clarity – and that’s just what poetry offers.  It’s a vacation for the heart, a breath of fresh air in the midst of our multi-media, mad-frantic world. It soothes the soul.  As one of the poems in the book by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers says: “Keep a poem in your pocket… and you’ll never feel lonely.”

Order Your Copy
Also Available in Audio (ISBN 9781600247583)

Julie Andrews Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies is also available as an audiobook published by Hachette Audio! This deluxe audio anthology features unabridged selections on two CD’s, read by  Mom and I and accompanied by original music composed and performed by Ian Fraser.

This guide was written by Emma Walton Hamilton, bestselling author of numerous books including “Raising Bookworms: Get Your Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment”. Emma is passionate about helping parents raise children who love to read and her strategies have been proven to work over and over again.

Here’s what you’ll discover inside the FREE Jumpstart Reading Guide…

1.  WHY is it so important that we raise our kids to be readers?
2.  Emma’s 25 Reasons To Read Checklist
3.  5 Key Strategies to Get Your Kids Reading
4.  Tips and Resources for Reading with Babies, Toddlers, & Elementary Aged Kids
5.  Tips and Resources on Reading for the Middle School and Beyond

Get Your FREE “Jumpstart Your Child’s Love For Reading Guide” simply fill in your first name and primary email address below…

“How can I get my child to turn off the Gameboy (TV, computer etc.) and pick up a book?!”

This is the question that Emma Walton Hamilton, the best-selling children’s book author, educator, and Editorial Director of the Julie Andrews Collection publishing imprint, hears the most often.

Whether on a book tour with her mother and co-author, the legendary actress Julie Andrews, at speaking engagements in schools, libraries and other public arenas, or in casual conversation, this question surfaces again and again, with increasing urgency, from parents, grandparents, educators, librarians and caregivers across the country.

In fact, eighty-two percent of parents wish their kids read more, according to Scholastic’s annual “Kids and Family Reading” report. Parents overwhelmingly view reading as the most important skill a child needs to develop, which should come as nor surprise, since it is a well-documented fact that children who read well do better in all aspects of school and beyond.

Reading skills correspond directly to one’s ability to:

• Be a confident, informed citizen
• Communicate effectively
• Succeed in one’s chosen career, and
• Achieve personal fulfillment.

But… a recent survey by the National Endowment for the Arts based on two decades of census reports states that, for the first time in modern history, less than half the adult population now reads literature for pleasure.

The disturbing facts are that one third of high school graduates and forty-two percent of college graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. This decline in reading literature occurs across all ages, sexes and races. It is most pronounced among the young.

Building on the premise that an appreciation for reading stems from an kinesthetic connection between books and pleasure, Raising Bookworms offers over 150 powerfully effective yet simple strategies to engage even the most reluctant reader, and to build, maintain or restore a love of reading for every age range.

“Raising Bookworms” does something rare—it recognizes that to get a kid reading means lighting an internal fire, not just applying an external push. This book shows you how to make reading a habit they’ll want to form all on their own.” – James Patterson, Bestselling author

Readers will discover…

• Why reading is so essential for success in school and in life
• How to build – or restore – the critical connection between reading and pleasure
• The value of, and techniques for, reading aloud to children of all ages
• How to find the best books for young readers
• Answers to frequently asked questions about developmental issues, the impact of television and the internet, and engaging older children and reluctant readers
• Hundreds of activities, resources, recommendations and tools for building the foundation for a life-long love of reading

“The message of this lovingly written book – packed with recommended reading and activities for parents and children – is simple: children can learn to love reading books. Caring attentive adults can make the difference, and that difference changes lives.” – Leonard Kniffel, Editor in Chief, American Libraries

For BULK ORDERS: Phone: 1-800-BookLog Fax: 1-419-281-6883
E-mail: orders@AtlasBooks.com or visit www.atlasbooksdistribution.com

Click here to download a pdf order form.

Notes:

• 12/08/08 in the category of “Books > Reference > Words & Language > Literacy
• Category: Parenting Activities. See the “News & Events” page for details and press release