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BEE A READER

by Angela Muse

Today I had the privilege of being a reader at a local elementary school. I got to read one of my favorite books, The Bee Bully, and talk to the kids about being an author. The energetic kindergartners made me feel very welcome and I really enjoyed spending some time with them. We talked a little bit about what it means to be a bully and how important reading is.

Three reasons why reading is important to young children:

1). Reading exercises our brains. That’s right, our brains need a workout too. Reading strengthens brain connections and can even create new ones so pick up a book and help your brain exercise.

2). Reading improves concentration. Kids have to focus when they read which can sometimes be a difficult task. The more you read the longer you can extend that concentration time which will continue to improve.

3). Reading helps develop imagination. When you read your brain translates what is read to pictures. Did you know you can create a movie in your head while you read? We become engrossed in the story and we can connect with the characters. We can sympathize with how a character feels and reflect on how we would feel in that same situation.

Now go grab a book and BEE A READER!

The Bee Bully

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Author Spotlight on Laura Yirak

by Angela Muse

This week we are featuring another children’s book author, Laura Yirak. Laura grew up in Scotland and moved to the United States when she was eleven. She says, “I had the best childhood, playing my days away in the lowlands. There was always something to get up to, whether it was exploring some old ruins or running down to the sweet shop for a bag of treats, I won’t forget it.”

She spent her first two years in college writing poetry and started publishing in 2011.

Writing is her passion. She is always creating children’s books drawing inspiration from her two little ones.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing in journals as a teen which progressed to poetry when I started my creative writing classes in college. I took them out of curiosity.

Do you have any interesting writing habits or quirks?

I sometimes write in the kitchen. It’s where I create poems and a fancy meal! Or I write by the fire, but as summer approaches, I’ll write outside on my swing bench.

Where do your book ideas come from?

They just randomly pop in my head at random times. I always have to have a pen and paper nearby. It’s not forced or predictable.

What age groups do your books target?

18 months and up. I don’t cap the age. I have had ten year olds email me saying that they enjoyed some of the stories as well as their grandmothers 😉

Who are some of your favorite children’s authors?

Roald Dahl.

What are the elements that you think make a good children’s story?

I prefer sweetness in the story, or just simple fun.

Of all your children’s books which is your favorite and why?

Bumble Babees. Every time I look at the little guy in the sunglasses it makes me smile. He’s too cool! I want to do another story with them.

Do you have any upcoming releases? Tell us about them.

My next release is Puppy Come Here! This is story about a rainy day and the little puppy who does not want to come out of his kennel, so the little boy tries to coax him out. The puppy stories are inspired by my Dad’s dog, Charlie. He is a character—a black dachshund. The actual puppy is the illustrator’s dog, Buddy. That’s probably why I haven’t formally named the dog in the story. The readers can choose.