This is a fantastic deal! If you are considering trying out lapbooks, A Journey Through Learning makes great ones in all sorts of different fun topics. I also noticed that if you subscribe to their newsletter, you can receive a free lapbook! How fun!

From today until all 50 U. S. states are spoken for, enjoy a “within 72 hours” rebate of 50% of your Wright on Time(R) books order (no matter how large) by sending in a high quality photograph of your child(ren) [faces must be seen] holding at least one of the Wright on Time books Flat kids in your home state. (Outside photographs only. Must be in a place which shows something uniquely your state; e.g. Statue of Liberty, St. Louis arch, saguaro cactus, corn field, particular style of house, volcano, Space Needle, etc.). Please check the list below to see what states haven’t been claimed yet and please send in your photograph(s) before placing your order (so that e-mail addresses can be matched up for the manual rebate–expect this rebate to take up to 3-4 days, unless you’ve been in e-mail contact with Lisa). This offer is valid for all uncrossed out states. Shipping remains full price based on weight.

Offer good for the first person in each state to send in their photograph(s) stating which state they are in (not necessarily where you live) and the first name of the child(ren) in the photograph(s). By sending in a photograph, the sender is granting Wright on Time books (an imprint of Do Life Right, Inc.) permission to publicly display the photograph, the first name of the child(ren), age of the child(ren), and the state photographed in on the Wright on Time books website, promotional materials, and Do Life Right, Inc. Publishing site.

Please contact Lisa for the e-mail address you should send the photographs to.

Kid quotes are welcomed for accompanying the photographs. Flat Aidan and Flat Nadia can be found here.

One lucky kid will have their photograph at the beginning of Wright on Time: South Dakota, Book 4, due out in December 2010!

States left:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Offer may be used in conjunction with the Labor Day weekend “3 for $30″ sale. Buy all three Wright on Time books for ONLY $30 from September 1, 2010 through 11:59PM Monday, September 6, 2010!

Happy Labor Day weekend! Since my oldest daughter, Zoe, was born on Labor Day, I have a special fondness for the holiday. In celebration of her and the release of Wright on Time: Wyoming, Book 3, we’re having a special sale starting today (offer ends at midnight Arizona time on Monday, September 6, 2010). All book packages to be shipped on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

Buy all 3 Wright on Time books for ONLY $30! FREE SHIPPING!

Creative Writing

with Author Lisa Cottrell-Bentley

Enjoy the magical world of fiction writing this fall with customized classes.

Location: Sahuarita Arts Center, 18825 S. La Cañada, Sahuarita, AZ

Mondays:
Homeschoolers’ Creative Writing, ages 6+ or with permission

This class includes how to spot elements of good storytelling, finding voice, dynamics of critiquing, editing basics, deciding on illustrations (and drawing some), grammar and spelling help (if needed), and much more! This class is geared toward children. There will be 12 instructional hours total, with assignments to take home during the off weeks (which will culminate in a completed physical kid’s book at the end of the session). All assignments and instruction will be customized for each child as needed, and can be ongoing for the Spring session.
Dates: September 13, 20, October 25, November 8, 15, 22
Time: 1:30PM-3:30PM, Bring your own snack and drink, if desired. All are invited to bring a laptop if they prefer typing, rather than writing longhand.

Wednesdays: Creative Writing for all

6-10 year olds
Same as above class.
Dates: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, October 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15
Time: 3:30PM-4:30PM, Bring yourself and your imagination!

11+ (including adults) or with permission
This class includes even further in-depth storytelling and editing techniques, learning how to give and take critique advice, how to make a tagline and synopsis, a professional critique of first ~20 pages of a manuscript after the class (valued at $120+), and much more! Those in this class will be able to e-mail Lisa for the rest of 2010 with their writing questions at no additional cost. This class is geared toward those serious about writing.
Dates: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, October 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15
Time: 4:30PM-5:30PM, Bring yourself and your imagination! Laptops are encouraged for those wanting to work digitally, rather than on paper.

Class costs:
$150 per person
Payments of cash, check, or credit card (through PayPal) accepted. Due in full one week before first class. No refunds for missed classes. If Lisa needs to reschedule a class, she’ll work with you on the date and time.

About Lisa:
Lisa is a published author who has lived in Sahuarita 5½ years. Her Wright on Time series of children’s chapter books have been a big hit with children, parents, and teachers all over the world. Lisa is the mother of two, has been a Girl Scout leader for 9 years, and has been winning writing awards since she was 9. To find out more about Lisa and her books, check out: www.WrightOnTimeBooks.com

To sign up or ask for more information send an e-mail to Lisa using the contact form.

The incredible Tanja Bauerle has several of her amazing illustrations from Wright on Time: Arizona, Book 1 showcased at the Tempe public library in Tempe, Arizona. The other featured artists look great, too. I hope to see all of their works in person, as it’s always a completely different experience than seeing art in a book (although that’s fairly awesome, too!). The artwork will be up from now through November 29, 2010. To see more about Tanja, check out her website.

Here is Tanja, in her home studio, next to a draft of the Wright on Time: Wyoming, Book 3 cover painting.

I recently had the chance to ask Tanja a few questions. Here are her answers:

Lisa: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Tanja: I was born in Germany then moved to the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, when I was 11, where I actually learned English. Since I was little I have always loved drawing but never really knew that illustration was a career option. As a result I ended up with a career in Graphic Design. This field is actually a great background for illustration. Learning about composition, color, layout, and type can be directly applied to illustration. Eventually, my love for illustration caused me to leave my job, and work as a freelance designer while working on my illustration portfolio.

I now live near Phoenix, Arizona, with my husband Kevin, my daughters Isabelle and Zoe, and our zoo which is made up of two Golden Retrievers and four cats.

Lisa: Please list all the published books you have worked on.

Tanja: Published books:

2010 – “Wright on Time: Wyoming, Book 3” – Do Life Right, Inc. – Chapter Book Series
2009 – “Wright on Time : Utah, Book 2” – Do Life Right, Inc. – Chapter Book Series
2009 – “Wright on Time: Arizona, Book 1” – Do Life Right, Inc. – Chapter Book Series
2009 – “The Adventures of Salt & Soap in the Grand Canyon” – The Grand Canyon Association – Picture Book
2007 – “There’s a Coqui in My Shoe!” – ChiChi Rodriguez Books – Picture Book

I have also designed the book Jackets for several other books, and have another book due out later this year.

Check out my website to see more!

Lisa: How long have you been an artist?

Tanja: I have been an artist my whole life. I recently found a photo of myself when I was three that showed me holding a pencil and profusely coloring. However, I have been working professionally as an illustrator for the past 7+ years.

Lisa: What is your educational background like?

Tanja: I went to art school in Australia where I focused on Graphic Design. I also have a degree in Computer Animation.

Lisa: Who or what is your biggest artistic influence?

Tanja: There are many artists and illustrators throughout history that I admire greatly. Some of the older illustration masters that inspire are Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac and Anton Piek to name but a few. Some of my more contemporary inspirations are Graeme Base, P.J. Lynch, David Shannon and David Wiesner. Generally I love art and I can find inspiration everywhere.

Lisa: How do you spend your days?

Tanja: My main job other than illustrating is looking after my two girls. Isabelle is 6 and Zoe is 2 and a half. They are not always cooperative when it comes to my working during the day. Throughout the day I drive Izzy to school and pick her up, I drive both of them to swim and dance lessons, I help out at Izzy’s school and present “Art Masterpiece” to her class, and I do many other things. When it comes to my illustration, I mostly work during nap-time, in the evenings and on the weekends. I sketch, revise drawings, paint, ink, reply to emails, speak with my publishers and other clients, get paintings ready for upcoming shows and the Tempe Public Library, organize illustration meetings and events for the AZ chapter of the SCBWI, etc. The bottom line is that every day is different but there are always lots of things going on.

Lisa: What medium do you like to work in the most?

Tanja: I work in a couple of different mediums. I love the versatility of Acrylic paints and so used them quite frequently. I also love working in pen and ink. Watercolor is another fun medium to use and I have recently discovered acrylic gouache. Usually, the project that I am working on will determine which medium I end up using.

Lisa: What have you never illustrated/drawn/painted that you’ve always wanted to?

Tanja: When I was little other than being crazy about horses, I was also in love with fairies. I would love to paint some fairies some time or maybe work on a project about them.

[Lisa's comment: Just wait for "Wright on Time: Iowa, Book 6" to see a cool fairy! There will be horses in at least one future Wright on Time book, too!]

Lisa: What are the books you have coming out soon?

Tanja: I am currently working on two books. Right now I’m am finishing up the artwork for the third “Wright on Time” book [this is now DONE and at the printers]. Also, I am working on a picture book with Raven Tree Press that is scheduled for release in Spring of 2011.

Lisa: Any advice to aspiring artists and illustrators out there?

Tanja: Stick with it and do what you love, but most of all draw, draw, draw. Have a sketch book and draw everything and everyone. The more you draw, the better you get.

visited 3 states (6%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

We find Aidan and Nadia discovering several different alternative energies in this fun and action packed green book. In celebration of this, for all pre-orders made in June and July, and orders in August, we’ll be having a tree planted! That’s right, a tree! Order soon to get in on this special offer.

Here are two that I specially made for the Wright on Time books (each image shows a different side to them).

Want your own? Click on the images below to make them full size (and print them full size). Be sure to print them on heavy cardstock and follow the directions closely. They appear to be time consuming, but once you have the hang of it, you’ll have you kaleidocycles put together in minutes.