Paws and Ponder

National Eat Your Vegetables Day Launches Kids' Book

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:47:00 +0000

Today is national Eat Your Vegetables Day and the launch of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle print book. Originally published as an interactive picture book on the Apple AppStore, the book is now available in print.

The book app has been downloaded more than 40,000 times AND hit the #1 Spot in Top Free iPad Book Apps during a recent Memorial Day promotion. The print edition of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle hit the Direct-to-Consumer market June 15th. Visit the website www.purplecarrotbooks.com

From the Press Release:

Brought to young readers aged 2 – 8 by the independent publishing partnership of Purple Carrot Books and Possibility Books. For founder/author and wellness coach and blogger Chris Pedersen, creating children’s healthy eating books is all about getting kids to learn good eating habits now so they won’t face the life-altering cancer she fought by changing her diet completely. Says Pedersen, “I have a passion for healthy eating and teaching others how to be healthy. Out of this passion, being a children’s writer and wishing to contribute to the fight against childhood obesity, I wrote The Prisoner of Carrot Castle.”

Have you read The Prisoner of Carrot Castle? Love to hear your reaction.

Through the Fire FREE Download

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 29 May 2013 23:55:00 +0000

Download Through the Fire (First Responders Book #1) by Shawn Grady for FREE from now through the month of June. I posted a review of Through the Fire back when it was released. This book will bring you up close and personal to several fire scenarios. Shawn's skillful storytelling will not disappoint as firefighters search for an elusive arsonist.

Download at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors and Kobo Books.

6 Tips for Parents Who Want Their Kids to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:54:00 +0000

Image courtesy of Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This list is inspired by Richard Peck, an avid proponent of reading and highly respected writer for children.

"I read because one life isn't enough, and in the page of a book I can be anybody."

~Richard Peck

Start early and read aloud to children as often as possible. Some begin reading to their babies before they are born. Continue even after they have learned to read for themselves.
Encourage memorizing short passages of books and poems.
Play word games with your kids to increase their vocabulary and yours.
Model reading to your children. Let them see you reading books, magazines and newspapers.
Avoid saying, "My child just isn't into reading." There are books for every field of interest. Be an encourager not a discourager.
Be wary of labels like "gifted" or "accelerated." They may limit you or your child's outlook. Help your child learn that reading can help them achieve or be whatever they aspire to.

Case Studies
My mother's dad loved words. He would add funny sounds to words and twist them to be non-sensical. It made an impression on us. My mother, although not college educated, respected language and words as a result. She constantly corrected misspoken words, making sure we communicated proper English. That love of words stuck with me.

When our son was small, we read to him at bedtime. He looked forward to it and acquired a love for reading as a result. In high school he went beyond the required reading list and voluntarily read classics, such as Moby Dick, as well as current best-sellers like Michael Crichton's The Lost World. He's still an avid reader at 31.

My brother is a self-taught mechanical engineer. With only a high school diploma, he has become a very successful engineering consultant boasting many clients and patents to his credit. Achieving all this through books he read.

As they say, readers are life-long learners.

What tips can you add for getting kids to read?

Unveiling The Prisoner of Carrot Castle Book at A Day on the Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 04 May 2013 00:23:00 +0000

THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT

A Day on the Farm Learn, Eat & Celebrate! Sunday • May 19 • 10am - 3pm • $5 per person American River Ranch • Next to Hagan Park • Rancho Cordova

$5 per person kids & adults
(2 yrs and under free)
pay at the gate (cash only)

proceeds benefit Soil Born Farms

The Day's Events Include:
Farm Stand Purchase fresh, local, organic vegetables & fruit

Cooking Classes & Workshops
Farm Tours & Nature Walks
Kid's Garden Activities
Face Painting & Photo Booth
Community Education Tables
Local Arts & Crafts
Live Music: Mind X Quartet & More!
Morning Food, Snacks & Lunch

Learn About:
American River's Native Plants
Gardening • Composting
Raising Chickens
Beekeeping • Cooking
Native Edibles • More

Mark your calendars! I will be at A Day on the Farm at Soil Born Farm in Rancho Cordova. Buy a copy of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle and get it signed. Buy carrots and broccoli. Enjoy a salad toss. Juggle veggies. Lots of fun things to see and do.

To celebrate the launch of the book in print, the iPad version is FREE for the first time ever! Hurry! FREE offer is good from May 16-19!

Install The Prisoner of Carrot Castle on your iPad for FREE

(May 16-19)

Tribute To a Dog Named Brandy

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Brandy (2001? - 4/25/2013)

Our hearts are broken. We said good-bye to our sweet girl today.

Brandy came to us through Central California Labrador Retriever Rescue (CCLRR). We fell in love with her when we went to meet her at the home where she hung out with several other foster labs and the foster parents' dogs.

CCLRR rescued her from the Sacramento County pound who picked her up on the streets, wearing a choke chain with no tags and signs she had puppies recently. We adopted her July 25, 2004 and she was a love from the start. She returned a charming smile every time we showered her with pets and tummy rubs. Yes... she actually smiled.

The first book I wrote (not yet published) contains a section on Brandy. From my perspective, it gives a glimpse of how dogs, one of God's finest creations after man, can bring an awareness and understanding of God's love and care for us.

She was my running partner and ever-present furry companion. Brandy will be sorely missed.

What is a Book App and Could YOU Create One?

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:10:00 +0000

Karen Robertson is a pioneer in developing picture books into apps for children. She has added speaker and coach to her roll of children’s book app author through her workshops and ebooks. As a result, Karen has helped many writers fulfill their dream to see their books released as apps to a worldwide audience of children.

Just released and now available FREE for a limited time (through April 13), What is a Book App and Could YOU Create One? How 27 Writers Did! This 5-star rated ebook is essential to any children's writer considering digital publishing for their book.

In this ebook, Karen, explains what is a book app, why it’s such an exciting publishing option, what you need to know about this opportunity, and how it's done so you can decide if it’s right for you to publish your children’s book as an app.

The highlight of the ebook is personal stories of 27 other writers who've turned their books into apps. After reading each account, you’ll see there are lots of ways to make a book app happen in a way that meets your objectives and budget, even if you aren’t technically inclined.

Now for the exciting part! Did you notice I am one of those 27 writers? What is a Book App... tells my story of turning The Prisoner of Carrot Castle into an iPad app. Of course readers to this blog for a while were able to follow my story in the series: Developing an iPad App. Use the search box on the right side of this blog to find the posts for the series.

This ebook is available exclusively on Kindle and FREE to download until April 13. You don't have to have a Kindle reader. Download the free Kindle app from your device's store (e.g., Apple App Store for iPad) that allows you to read books from the Amazon Kindle store on your Apple or Android device. It's super easy and the app is free.

Check back after you've read the book and let me know your thoughts about developing an app of your children's book.

Plastic Polly: Book Review and Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 05:18:00 +0000

Book Launch
Last month Jenny Lundquist's latest middle grade novel, Plastic Polly, was released and I attended her boisterous and fun Barnes and Noble launch party. A corner of the store buzzed with activity as Jenny's fervent fans and groupies, chatted and snapped pictures—all wearing "I < 3 #plasticpolly" dark-blue t-shirts.

What would we do without our groupies? Our family and friends who believe in us and support us throughout our crazy writing journey.

Here's to friends and family!

Book Review
Plastic Polly is the #2 popular girl in middle school at Winston Academy. Most popular is Polly's best friend, Kelsey, who doesn't take to those who would differ with her. Polly is quite comfortable being a follower until she is forced to look at the reality of things. Mending a broken relationship, living up to her mom's expectations and suddenly finding herself as the PlanMaster for the most important event in Maple Oaks presents some challenging character building opportunities.

Jenny Lundquist holds strong to her inner-middle-school persona in this book, her second, for that awkward age-group. With lines like, "My voice is so sugary, I'm probably giving myself cavities," how could you not feel the attitude with angst that surrounds a young girl trying to find her own path.

This book is a must for all girls (or boys who need a clue) who are in or looking towards middle school.

Could You Create a Book App?

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:26:00 +0000

Have you written a Picture Book and wondered if you might want to turn it into an app? Here's a great resource to help you think through the possibilities. Karen Robertson just released her latest eBook "What is a Book App and Could YOU Create One? How 27 Writers Did!"

This eBook is a must read for any children's writer considering digital publishing for their book. You'll learn from children’s book app author, speaker and coach, Karen Robertson:

What is a book app
Why it’s such an exciting publishing option
What you need to know about this opportunity
How it's done, so you can decide if it’s right for you

After reading the stories of 27 writers who've turned their books into book apps, you'll see there are many ways to achieve this publishing dream and deliver your book to a worldwide audience. You're sure to identify a story or two that makes a book app happen in a way that meets your objectives and budget, even if you aren’t technically inclined.

Ah hem! Did you notice that yours truly is on the cover of this awesome eBook? Yes, I am one of the 27 writers featured in this book. Read my story and those of my brave fellow app developers in this valuable eBook.

Download What is a Book App and Could YOU Create One? How 27 Writers Did! for Kindle on Amazon.

If you don't have a Kindle reader, you can download the FREE Kindle app for iPad, iPhone and iTouch and for Android.

If you haven't already, download The Prisoner of Carrot Castle iPad book app.

Go on! Take the leap. Test the waters. Have you ever thought about creating an app of your book?

Celebrating a Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:06:00 +0000

Today marks 1-year since we launched The Prisoner of Carrot Castle on the AppStore and we're gonna celebrate. All week you can download the storybook about Aiden and his imaginative adventures as he tries to escape the clutches of an angry king for $0.99.

"All this happening over carrots and broccoli." ~ Aiden

Hurray for SALES!

Author Interview: Chris Pedersen for The Next Big Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Tag... I'm it! As part of The NEXT Big Thing blog event to bring awareness to authors books, I'll be sharing about my next book release. I received my tag from author Karen Robertson and just as Karen did, at the end of the interview I'll tag a few of my friends so you can see what they have written when they blog NEXT week.

1) What is the working title of your next book?

The Prisoner of Carrot Castle, already an iPad app, is arriving in print January, 2013. In this first book of the Veggie Chronicles series, kids discover that eating vegetables is what heroes do, that is, if they want to eat their way out of a wicked King's clutches. The book is beautifully illustrated by Kate Jeong. With vivid colors and new discoveries at every turn, readers quickly become invested in Aiden's delimma and want to help him along in his adventure.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

A late-in-life discovery found me with cancer from a genetic condition. Believing that my healthy lifestyle had saved me from a more serious prognosis, I radically changed my diet, beat the odds and returned to a healthful state. Now I want to make others aware of healthy eating, especially at this time of alarming childhood obesity trends. I love crafting stories for kids. Out of that love I wrote the first in the adventure series The Veggie Chronicles, called The Prisoner of Carrot Castle.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

A children's picture book AND interactive digital iPad app.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

I think the child actors Gattlin Griffith or Jake Vaughn look a lot like Aiden in the story.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book series?

Aiden's dislike for vegetables takes him on adventures to far away places across the globe and throughout history.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

All future books and apps are being published by Possibility Media Group and their collaborative partners.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I wrote the first draft of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle in about 20 hours over a two-month period.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Here are a few picture books that may inspire healthy eating in kids: Jody's Beans: Read and Wonder by Malachy Doyle, Pickin' Peas by Margaret Read MacDonald, Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White, The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin. Different from these books, The Prisoner of Carrot Castle is the first in a series about Aiden and his imaginative adventures involving vegetables that subliminally encourage kids to eat vegetables.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I desire to teach kids about the life-giving qualities of vegetables and fruits in a fun and engaging way that doesn't feel like teaching. After I wrote the story, my husband and son spurred me on to pursue publication of the book as an interactive iPad app.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

The book will include curriculum for teachers and parents emphasizing aspects of the story as well as the health benefits of the featured vegetables, which are carrots and broccoli in The Prisoner of Carrot Castle.

Now passing it on to the following authors for their Next Big Thing blog post.

Lori Mortensen http://lorimortensen.blogspot.com/
Lance Pyle www.peterblueberry.blogspot.com/
Linda Joy Singleton www.lindajsingleton.livejournal.com/

Dry Run "Find My iPhone"

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:22:00 +0000

Recently we had our iPad stolen. I know... ouch! We left it at an outdoor cafe on a black table camouflaged by its black cover. It was about 30 minutes before we realized we didn't have it. We immediately called the cafe and had them look for it to no avail.

Time to use Find My iPhone. This valuable little app created by Apple locates any of your computing devices from Apple (iPhone, iPad, iPod or Mac). But don't let what happened to us, happen to you.

My husband had not setup his devices on iCloud. If all your devices are automatically syncing up, you know you've set up iCloud. But there are additional steps you need to take to assure you are prepared to find your device once it's missing.

Find iPhone

First, you need to turn on Find My iPhone (iPad, iPod or Mac) for each of your devices.

Second, if you want to locate a missing device from your iPhone, iPad or iPod, you need to install the Find My iPhone Free app from the App Store on each of those devices.

Once you've done those two steps, you're ready to find you device if it's lost or stolen.

Practice Finding Your iPhone

Okay! Now let's practice. Do a dry run of the process so you know what to expect and what to do.

Step 1
Pick a device to use to find your "missing" i-device. Locate the Find My iPhone app on your home screen and tap to open. Note: if you use your Mac to find your device, go to iCloud.com, log in and select Find My iPhone.

Step 2
Enter you Apple ID and password. The Devices screen will display all your devices. Tap one to see your device on a detailed map.

Step 3

On the map, tap the blue circle to display the Info screen. From there you can:

Play a sound on the "missing" device
Send a message
Remote lock
Remote wipe (reset to factory settings)

Step 4

If you don't already have a passcode on your device, Remote Lock allows you to set one. If your device goes missing, you'll want to do this first. It will keep the "finder" from getting to your personal data.

Note: don't test the Remote Wipe function unless you want to reset your device to factory settings.

Step 5

Next, try out the Play Sound or Send Message feature.

Send an alert and a message. You'll hear the Sonar sound, which plays continually until you stop it or the device is powered off. If your device is missing and locked, the "finder" must power off the device to silence it. Note: if your device is powered off, the alert will not sound until the device is restarted.

Congratulations you are now Find My iPhone certified!

How did our story end? By the time we got to use Find My iPhone, more than 90 minutes had passed. Our iPad had come to rest in a four-plex in mid-town Sacramento, twenty miles from the cafe where we left it. We filed a police report and met the police at the location. They hassled the only tenant that came to the door, but got no where.

We sent the alert and a message, however the police were unable to hear it or spot the device from the front door. Without any audio or visual on the device, they had no probable cause to enter and could go no further.

We were at a disadvantage not knowing what the alert sounded like or how loud it was—that's why you need to practice.

In the end, we wiped the iPad and moved on. We included the serial number in the police report in case it shows up. Also we reported the device as stolen to AT&T who now keeps a black list of stolen mobile devices. If someone shows up intending to activate the cellular service for the iPad—they'll get nabbed.

Although our story had a bad ending, we learned a valuable lesson. Be prepared! Time is critical when your device is stolen. Had we been able to locate the iPad in transit from the cafe, we would likely have recovered it.

Back to School Preparedness

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Believe it or not it's Back to School for kids across the nation and the world. Parents are in a frenzy getting kids new clothes and school supplies so they get off on the right foot when they enter the classroom.

This fall the new "kid" in the classroom may well be the iPad. There will be anywhere from 1 to 10 in a classroom with more classrooms adopting a one-to-one program. Research shows that well-integrated technology where kids can interact has a positive impact on student learning outcome.

The kids app developer community backed by Moms With Apps is preparing for a school year where iPads are more common and quickly becoming an integral part of the learning curriculum.

Introducing the launch of AppyMall where all things kids apps can be found. Back2School is the first promotion where oodles of educational apps and books are discounted for the classroom.

AppyMall has Smart Searching so you find what you're looking for. It categorizes apps by appropriate age and category. It will launch with 5 anchor stores or “AppyStores” including: the Preschool AppyStore, Elementary School AppyStore, Middle School AppyStore, Speech and Language AppyStore and Special Needs AppyStore. Each AppyStore will have a comprehensive stock of apps, highlighting select apps chosen by Siva (creator of AppyMall) and his expert team as being exceptional in a category.

Of course The Prisoner of Carrot Castle will be featured on the AppyMall under books for ages 3 - 8 years old. We're excited about the mall where parents will be able to do precise searches to find what they want without all the clutter of adult apps.

Doors Open – August 2, 2012

Visit www.appymall.com

Life is More Important

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:23:00 +0000

As a writer, do you find yourself exhausted and stressed out by the social media push? Many do! Ask yourself, is it worth it?

Stress takes it's toll on the body.

I took a forced hiatus last December to move. I found it refreshing and believe me it was a hectic move. We had little notification and needed to move out in 10 days!

On the many trips to and from the car, I soaked in the sun that shined above. I relished the thoughtfulness of friends who showed up everyday to help. I took the opportunity to pare down some of life's clutter. What a refreshing time. And I built up some pretty good core body strength by the end of the 10 days.

So next time you feel you need to jump on Facebook or tweet 20 times each day by loading up Hoot Suite with a train of tweets or post to your blog site three times a week.

Remember:

Life is more important. Sunshine is good. Touching friends lives in the flesh is better.

How to Do a Book Launch Party

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:13:00 +0000

My writer friend, Keli Gwyn, graduated to author with the release of her first novel this month—A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California. This historic romance takes place in our own backyard. Keli held her book launch and old fashioned ice cream social in Shingle Springs, a rural community mentioned on page one of her novel. Just down the road is the historic town of El Dorado, where the story takes place.

Period Pictures, Games and Companion Book Display

Before opening the door to the event, I heard singing. Inside the hall, people bustled about buying books, entering a drawing for prize-filled baskets (romance movies, candy, candles, musical items, etc.), viewing the other books in the Bride series from Barbour Publishing, waiting in line to have Keli sign their book and building an ice cream sundae.

Ice Cream Sundae Buffet

Keli's husband Carl and Daughter, Audrey, in Victorian Dress

While Keli obliged her fans lined up to get a signed book, a continuous performance of music took place on the stage behind her. The entertainment reached a peak when the Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus performed historic tunes topped off with their version of the Beatles "When I'm 64."

Keli and Fan

Gold Rush Barbershop Chorus with Gwyn Victorian Family

Keli wore a stunning purple dress with matching hat. The outfit, similar to the one worn by the heroine Elenora Watkins at the end of the book, was appropriate for evening wear in the Victorian era.

One more thing. Lest you think this book is for wimps and tells stories of limp characters. On page one, the stagecoach carrying Elenora and Tildy, her daughter, are held up at gun point. You'll have to read A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado to find out what happens.

I left thinking Keli really knew how to do a book launch party right.

Have you been to a fun book launch party lately?

Draw the Carrot ~ Chance to Win iTunes Card

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 22:57:00 +0000

Calling all kids! Draw your best picture of the Super Duper Purple Carrot for a chance to win an iTunes Gift Card. Send your drawing to chris@purplecarrotbooks.com

And that's not all! From now through the 4th of July you can get The Prisoner of Carrot Castle for the iPad for $.99. Kids love the action adventure with Aiden in his imaginary world. This five-star interactive picture book is becoming a classic.

Plus, Dress a Knight of Carrot Castle for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad is always FREE! Kids love the dress-up game for all languages. For giggles and smiles, download Dress a Knight.

Face To Face For The First Time

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:36:00 +0000

I'm typing this blog on the last leg of a trip my husband and I made to Vancouver B.C. via a cruise ship being repositioned from San Francisco to Vancouver.

After working over a year with Kate Jeong, the illustrator for Purple Carrot Books, I was determined to find a way to meet her in person. We had never met face to face. An email from Princess Cruises presented the perfect opportunity—take a cruise for two nights, spend a day with Kate and her family and fly back home.

The Jeong family (Kate, husband Don and their three boisterous boys, Steven, Danny and Harry) met us after we disembarked from the ship at the docks in Vancouver. It was like a reunion with a long-time friend. Up to that point Kate and I had only communicated via email and Skype video conferencing.

They took us to Granville Island where we browsed through the Public Market then had coffee and visited while the boys chased pigeons along the waterfront. Later we found a kids park where the boys played until they collapsed with hunger.

After lunch we checked into our hotel and rested until Don and Harry picked us up to deliver us to their home where Kate and Don put the finishing touches on a traditional Korean dinner with lots of vegetables served on a bed of rice. Delicious!

Today Kate and I spent two and a half hours working on our latest app, Goldilocks and The Three Bears. We worked through the storyboard and added all the animation, interaction and sound notes. Now Kate can begin producing the finished color scenes. Kids are going to love this app.

Have you had a relationship where you didn't meet the person face to face until some time later?

Have you seen The Prisoner of Carrot Castle iPad app with Kate's beautiful illustrations?

Catch A Falling Star

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:56:00 +0000

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.
Never let it fade away.
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.
Save it for a rainy day.

Dateline Sunday, April 22, at approximately 8AM, a meteor exploded over Lotus, California waking some with a boom and pelting rocks on rooftops. By Tuesday morning renowned meteorite hunter Robert Ward arrived and promptly found the first meteor pieces in the parking lot of Lotus Park. Over the next few days several others were found in the vicinity. Soon scads of locals and amateur meteorite hunters combed the area wielding magnets on sticks and metal detectors. Several finders were rewarded with cash offers to buy the black space rocks on the spot.

Among the locals were yours truly and my obsessed... I mean... fascinated husband, Bob. Returning from an appointment on Thursday, he approached me with a familiar slight smile, raised cheeks and starry eyes.

"We gotta go looking for meteor rocks."

I looked up from my laptop, "No, really?"

The thrill of finding a meteorite 15 minutes from our home was too much to ignore. The next morning we ended up in Lotus Park talking with Robert Ward.

Robert Ward, Meteorite Hunter, Showing Meteorites to Excited Young Boys.

We formed an alliance, a la Survivor, to help Ward get onto various properties in the area that fell in the meteor drop zone.

On Tuesday (nine days after the meteor fell), while walking on a 1500-acre property west of the original discovery site, Ward found a very small fragment. He and Bob walked four feet abreast down a dirt road when he called out the finding.

Ward exhibits a childlike passion for the thrill of the hunt and unbridled exuberance when he finds a meteor. Fuel to further the hunt, which requires tenacity and drive. It's a lot of looking between finding anything.

Meteor Fragment (center) Compared to GPS Device

I decided to return to the hunt this morning with Bob. Having heard rumors of someone spotting a fragment in Rescue, we stopped first at the post office there. That's where I found the handful of fragments (photo above and below). We quickly called Ward and he and one of his team met us in the parking lot. I showed him my find to which he quickly said, "No. That's just yard rock." What most know as lava rock.

Okay, more lessons in becoming a trained observer (or should I say hunter) of space rocks.

In case you think anyone would be happy to cooperate in the advancement of science and allow hunters to search their property. Think again. There were a few landowners that weren't too keen on the recent spotlight to their rural, sleepy community. The South Fork of the American River that wends its way through the area has posted quiet zones along residential areas of the river's shores. Just a reminder to the daily armada of rafters that paddle their way through the churning white waters.

The meteor that exploded over Lotus, according to NASA scientists, was the size of a mini-van, weighing over 77 tons. Most meteors seen in the night sky are tiny rocks leaving a visible trial for only seconds. The Lotus meteor exploded with the force of one-third the energy of the bomb dropped over Hiroshima in World War II making it visible in the morning daylight for hundreds of miles.

The thrill of the hunt dies quickly after drudging over acres of land all day and coming up empty handed. I wasn't interested in spending 120 hours per meteorite that one hunter divulged it took him to find some of his collection. I'll be staying home back at my laptop, leaving the meteorite hunting to the experts.

In case you're interested in learning how to hunt for meteorites here are five steps to finding a meteorite.

Have you ever been involved in a hunt for something rare? Shopping doesn't count. :-)

Seeing Cinderella Book Review and Launch

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:11:00 +0000

Book Launch
February was a big month for Jenny Lundquist whose debut Middle Grade novel, Seeing Cinderella was released. I attended her book launch this past weekend at Barnes & Noble and happily waited in line with quite a few other fans anxious to get a book signed. Jenny is a fellow member of Inspire Christian Writers and there were some of us at the event to cheer her on.

While chatting with Keli Gwyn (whose debut romance novel comes out July 1st), a curious patron asked what the crowd of people was all about. "I'm here to get a gift for an eleven-year-old," she said. "Seeing Cinderella sounds like the perfect present." We steered her to the book signing line.

Being in the same critique group as Jenny, I had the privilege of reading most of Seeing Cinderella. Once I returned home, I settled into my comfy leather chair and read. I couldn't wait to find out how the story turned out.

Book Review
Seeing Cinderella is an entertaining book every middle school student would enjoy reading. It tackles the serious issues that mark the middle school years—namely self-doubt, low self esteem and flawed thinking about what others think. Through a delightful kind of magic in the form of special glasses, Callie (real name Calliope Meadow Anderson) learns to see that things aren't always as they appear and you can't believe everything you hear.

Callie's nickname by some is Polka Dot aptly describing her freckled face, offset by her frizzy hair. So when she adds a hideous pair of thick, dark-rimmed glasses to her look, she continues to assume kids are making fun of her.

Ellen, Callie's best friend going into middle school, signs her up to take drama instead of art—the first of many manipulating scenarios by Ellen. Callie learns as she maneuvers through the fall semester that her magic (aka super freaky) glasses unlock a whole new way of thinking and communicating.

The story culminates with the drama class's production of Cinderella. The frenzied scene has twists and turns that bring meaningful and satisfying changes to each character. At one point in the story, Callie's eye doctor (Dr. Ingram who supplied the super freaky glasses) remarks, "I suppose there are those who see, and those who do not want to see." A fitting lesson for a middle school student to add to their toolbox for life.

Aiden Goes to School and Travels the World

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:35:00 +0000

Great Way to Launch a Book
Reading the newly released Prisoner of Carrot Castle to five classrooms of 1st and 2nd graders at the Arlene Hein Elementary School in Elk Grove, California was a great way to launch a book app. Local authors were invited to read during the school's annual Read-a-thon. The Prisoner of Carrot Castle wowed the kids being the only digital interactive book at the event.

The students and teachers loved it! Most had never seen an iPad storybook app before. Having a passion for storytelling and a heart for children, I enjoyed reading with enthusiasm—getting into each character of the story.

A red cape and an over-sized wooden fork served as a costume for one child to "become" Aiden as I read the story. What a perfect way to enjoy the story of a boy who loved to costume play. Everyone wanted to be Aiden.

At the end of each reading, I allowed the children to play the games included in the app. They really enjoyed the hands-on experience. I explained the “Read to Me” feature and showed the students how to use it.

After school, the authors convened in the multi-purpose room and signed and sold books. I signed and sent home colorful postcards of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle with details on the app and how to order it.

The children had many questions. (These are bright kids with a great future!) They wanted to know: How long does it take to build an app? How did you come up with the story? Is it a regular book, too? Are you making other story apps? Can I dress the knight next?

Aiden Travels to More Countries

Aiden's been busy showing up in more countries around the world. Add Ireland, France, Norway and Indonesia to the countries enjoying The Prisoner of Carrot Castle.

Would you like The Prisoner of Carrot Castle read at your school?

The World Enjoys The Prisoner of Carrot Castle

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:07:00 +0000

Great Zooks! The Prisoner of Carrot Castle is being purchased throughout the world. The world is so big, it boggles my mind. See all those little Aiden's dotting the world map?

In case you can't see all those countries where Aiden's adventure is being read to boys and girls, here's a list:

United States
Canada
Brazil
United Kingdom
Spain
Netherlands
Switzerland
Italy
Romania
Greece
Russia
Israel
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Australia
New Zealand

Who do you know in another country that might want The Prisoner of Carrot Castle for their iPad?

The Prisoner of Carrot Castle on the App Store

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:25:00 +0000

The Prisoner of Carrot Castle is now available for the iPad on the App Store for only $2.99.

Grab your cape and join the fun! Aiden is just an ordinary kid—loves costume play, watching clouds pass by, seeing castles in the sky… and he doesn’t like vegetables.

In The Prisoner of Carrot Castle Aiden’s imagination transports him to a far away place where he finds himself a prisoner in a cell made of carrots. What will he do? Must he face the angry King? Will his hate for vegetables get him in trouble? Come along and help Aiden as he tries to escape from Carrot Castle.

When Aiden gets stuck, kids play a role in helping him move ahead in his adventure. The story comes alive as the text is read. Find silly animations and sound effects as the action unfolds.

Through creative storytelling, kids learn that eating vegetables is good—it can actually help them.

The Prisoner of Carrot Castle is an original story written and illustrated for the iPad. Targeted for kids 3 to 8-years-old, the story’s interaction and games help them develop fine motor skills.

Download your copy of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle, please tell your friends, rate it and write a review.

Fun Stuff at Purple Carrot Books

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:00:00 +0000

The Purple Carrot Books website now has Fun Stuff for kids to do—coloring sheets to print and color. Plus finger puppets of your favorite characters from The Prisoner of Carrot Castle kids iPad app.

Click on a coloring page at Fun Stuff. Then print it, get your color pencils or crayons and make the picture come alive! Don't miss the Finger Puppets of your soon to be favorite characters from The Prisoner of Carrot Castle. Color them, then cut them out and tape them around a finger. Create your own stories about the imaginative adventures of Aiden in The Prisoner of Carrot Castle.

Sign up to receive email updates on the app release. Start talking about The Prisoner of Carrot Castle on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Developing an iPad App: Step Nine

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:56:00 +0000

You might be thinking by now that the steps to developing an iPad app never end. Well... it sometimes feels like that to us too. Since none of us have ever done an iPad app before, there's been a roller coaster learning curve and unforeseen setbacks in the schedule. Each of us on the team (Kate, Nur and myself) moved. Kate moved completely across the country last summer and I moved over Christmas.

Step Nine:

A. Beta Test
Now we're back on track and actually in beta. For those who think I'm referring to a vitamin, a beta test is when your product moves (look at that.. even the app moved) from in-house testing to actual user testing. I have volunteers with young children using the app to see if they encounter bugs or any speed/performance issues needing to be addressed before we go to launch.

Preliminary input from our testers look good on the bug front—no crashes or obvious errors. I few tweaks have been suggested to make the user experience more satisfying.

B. Fix and Upload to App Store
Based on input from our beta testers, we'll fix any problems that came up, adjust a few details in the presentation and tweak a few activities (I have a list). Then we upload it to the App Store for approval and launch.

C. Tell the World
Then I get to work contacting reviewers, telling everyone on Twitter, Facebook and Google+, notifying newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and alerting my writer's network to spread the word to their contacts and on their blogs.

You can help by going to Purple Carrot Books and signing up to get an email when the launch happens.

Do you have experience at spreading the word about a good product?

What's your best technique to get something out there for the "world" to know about?

Presenting: Purple Carrot Books Website

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:31:00 +0000

Drum roll please! Announcing the website for Purple Carrot Books. The e-publisher for The Prisoner of Carrot Castle is on the web. Please go there and sign up for the email service so you can be notified when we launch and when we add more to the site, especially fun stuff.

Features and information on the website include:

Buttons at the top to follow Purple Carrot Books on Twitter and Like it on Facebook.
Plays the Book Trailer of The Prisoner of Carrot Castle.
Sign up to be notified by email when the launch happens and anything new is posted.
Post Purple Carrot Books to your Twitter feed.
Like Purple Carrot Books on Facebook.
Read about the app.
Read the mission statement.
Contact us with your comments and questions.
Download a press release, logo, screen shots, and author headshot individually or the whole package as a zipped file.

Go to Purple Carrot Books and help us spread the word about The Prisoner of Carrot Castle by tweeting Purple Carrot Books on Twitter and Liking us on Facebook.

The Prisoner of Carrot Castle Book Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Chris) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:07:00 +0000

Grab your cape and watch the excitement grow. I'm thrilled to present the book trailer for The Prisoner of Carrot Castle. The team is working diligently to finish the app.

Please share the video with your friends, colleagues and anyone owning an iPad. Follow @prplcarrotbooks on Twitter and watch for the website launch at www.purplecarrotbooks.com. LIKE us on Facebook at Purple Carrot Books fan page.