You Might be a Perfectly Imperfect Mom if...

You might be a perfectly imperfect mom if...

As your daughter gets out of the car at school you discover that, in the morning rush, you forgot to put her shoes on.  But, according to her, it's the best day of Kindergarten so far because you spent the day with her as the class went on a pretend airplane trip, complete with an actual pilot, and your pretend flight attendant skills were great.  Apparently, you're an expert at handing out snacks and filling drink orders and that's all that counts to a five-year-old!

To tease your teenage son, you secretly write a little love note on his lunch bag one day.  You're sure to hear him complain about it as soon as he walks through the door later.  Instead, he gets home from school and tells you that his friends got a huge kick out of it.  So, you write on his lunch bag every day for an entire year of high school and, miraculously, he doesn't hate your guts!

You encourage your child to be the bigger person when another person is being hurtful.  It pains you because he's having a tough time, but you're sure he'll come out the better for it in the end.  When things don't work out quite as you had hoped, you know the exact time to step in and fight for him, even if Mr. Jones looks like the type of guy who, as we always say, "can break you in half!"

Hey, even the most beautiful, perfect diamonds have imperfections, so why can't moms? 

May is a month for celebrating moms and those precious little ones who gave us that honorable title.  One of the ways I'm celebrating is by donating all May proceeds from my three children's books to National Right to Life.  My numbers are small but every penny counts in the fight for each and every precious life.  I hope you'll join me.

To all perfectly imperfect moms, Happy Mother's Day!  And, to moms who have lost their perfect little ones, may you have peace in your heart this Mother's Day.

Martha

Let me share one more.  I hope you'll share some of yours here, too.      

You write "To Pamela Ping" on the invitation envelope to your child's fifth birthday party when the girl you're trying to invite is named Penelope.  You've only been in the United States for two years, have never heard the name, and are afraid to ask because you don't think you'll be understood through your thick Cuban accent.  It makes your daughter happy to see her friend at the party and Penelope thinks her new name is silly!  My mom and I laugh about it still!  I love you Mimi.  Happy Mother's Day to the most perfect mom in the world!

If you are so inclined to join me:

A Reel Cool Summer is available here and here.

Smell My Feet! 10 Seriously Silly and Sweet Short Stories for Squirts is available here.

What About Barnaby? (A Gumshoe Crew Mystery) is available here.

What About Barnaby?

Please help me welcome Barnaby Q. Percival and his friends (old and new, furry and not-so-furry) to my blog! 

The release of my first middle grade fiction book, What About Barnaby? (A Gumshoe Crew Mystery), took place on April 1st.  No, it wasn't an April Fools' joke!  But it was a quiet launch, so I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce you to some of the characters in the book.

Barnaby Q. Percival is a crazy mutt, at least that's how Zeke describes him.  He never goes anywhere without his squeaky toy... well, never until today.  Oh, no, Barnaby has disappeared and he's left his squeaky toy behind!

Zeke is a neighbor of Barnaby's and his owner, Mr. Jensen.  Like most kids, he thinks life in his little town is just plain, old boring.  The mystery of Barnaby's disappearance is just the thing to bring adventure to his little corner of Hedgewood.

Scotty is Zeke's best friend.  He's definitely a "unique individual" and you'll see just how as you read What About Barnaby?  Scotty teams up with Zeke to try to decipher the mystery of the missing mutt.

Then there's Mrs. Peyton, one of Zeke's favorite people.  She's a sweet old lady who bakes the most delicious chocolate chip cookies in the world.  She knows something that will help Zeke and Scotty with their detective work but they don't know it yet... and they'll really be surprised when they find out!

The kids work tirelessly to find Barnaby.  They make some new friends along the way who pitch in to help solve the mystery.  I hope you'll come along on their adventure.  Who knows, they may even ask you to be a member of The Gumshoe Crew!

What About Barnaby? (A Gumshoe Crew Mystery) is available for the Kindle.

Follow Barnaby and the kids on Twitter @TheGumshoeCrew.

Okay, kids, let's have a giveaway!  I'm giving away three (3) copies of What About Barnaby? for the Kindle.  Enter using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

Giveaway ends April 30, 2013.

Good luck and as always... stay cool!

Martha

CONGRATS to Julie, Katie, and Renee!  They've each won a Kindle copy of What About Barnaby.  I hope you enjoy the book!  And thanks to all who entered and helped to spread the word!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

School Visits Revisited

There's nothing like being there--or is that, there's virtually nothing like being there--or better yet, there's nothing like being there "virtually".

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting, via Skype, with the terrific fifth grade students of King's Grant Elementary School in Virginia Beach, VA.  I want to thank the Gifted Resource Teacher, Mrs. Peperak, and fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Jackson, for inviting me to speak with their students.  And I especially want to thank the kiddos for their warm welcome and full participation during our visits.  You made my day twice in one week!

My visit was made possible through a grant that Mrs. Peperak and Mrs. Jackson wrote and funded by Virginia Beach City Public Schools Building Futures Grant.  Their students were preparing to take the SOL (Standards of Learning) writing test, or "THE BIG SOL" as the teachers and students refer to it, and they wanted to invite authors to speak with the students about writing ideas, writing challenges, editing tips, and tips for staying on topic.  Needless to say, I was very excited when I got the call and happily accepted the invitation.

If you've ever Skyped with family or friends you already know that an in-person visit and a virtual visit are two different animals.  At any given moment during a virtual visit there can be connection problems or video and audio delays.  And for me, personally, the warmth of a personal visit just isn't quite there during a virtual visit.  I was a bit worried about there being a disconnect in that regard but, being one who doesn't shy away from technology and one who wouldn't want to disappoint the children, I was all in.

A quick practice-run with Ms. Wuesthoff, the computer geek... I mean, the Computer Resource Specialist at the school, and we were ready to go.  My worries faded and my excitement skyrocketed!

Both visits turned out wonderfully!  The students were prepared with some great questions for me and were very attentive as I told them about where I get ideas for my books and short stories, about my favorite genre and authors, and about being a publisher. 

I enjoyed hearing about their favorite books and the unique ideas they had for writing in their favorite genres.  To top it all off, we completed a MadLib together, because there's always time for silliness!  I challenged them to use the MadLib as a prompt and to continue the story as a way to practice for "THE BIG SOL" and for creative writing in general.

We did experience a few minor glitches during the visits but nothing that would make me shy away from the technology and especially nothing that would keep me from visiting with students.  I wouldn't pass up that opportunity for anything!  And so, I'm in the process of scheduling my next Skype visit, because there really is nothing like being there, even if it is virtually.

Thanks again to everyone at King's Grant Elementary School for your hospitality.  I will always remember my first virtual visit and how it was a success because of you.  I'm sending this virtual (hug) your way. Students please keep reading and writing, and teachers please keep doing what you're doing because your students are awesome! 

As always... stay cool!

Martha

Find out more about author visits on my Skype an AuthorNetwork page.

Kindergarten Crush

The day was finally here.  Not only was it Valentine's Day but it was also field trip day.  Dinosaurs and elephants and whales and mummies awaited us at the museum.  Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten class was like a bee hive, abuzz with excitement.  Every activity had been planned down to the minute, we had been told.  Instructions to get a good night's sleep and to eat a warm breakfast had been given as we left school the day before.

My school was just one block away so Mom walked me every day.  It took a long time to get ready to leave the house, especially on a February morning.  I put on my sweater, coat, mittens, hat, earmuffs, scarf, and boots.  By the time I was in full gear it felt like I was standing on the Sun.  Stepping outside was a relief but it only took a minute before I felt like I was in the North Pole instead.  On that day I didn't care so much about the weather.  I was more concerned with Valentines, planets, and fossils.

I could tell that Mrs. Lee was nervous.  There was a lot to be done before we could load the school bus for our trip.  We sang a few songs, made heart-shaped Valentines for our parents out of paper doilies and red construction paper, and ate paste -- I mean, glued it all together with paste.

Lunch was a 10:30 in the morning.  How could that be?  My cereal was still floating around in my stomach.  Besides, my stomach was in excited knots.  It didn't matter.  We had to eat.  It said so on the schedule and that was that.

So, we ate.  The aromas of tuna, egg salad, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were much more noticeable in our small classroom than they were in the cafeteria.  We ate at our seats; not sitting next to our best friends, but next to boys who thought it was hilarious to show us the half-chewed food in their mouths.  The room felt warm as the radiator blasted out hot air and the sun shone through the dirty windows.  Undigested cereal mixed with ham and cheese and room temperature milk.  This day was quickly losing its appeal and there was still a bus ride ahead.

I was glad to hear the teacher announce that lunch was over.  We were to put away our lunch boxes and take out our Valentine's Day cards.  Like five-year-old mailmen, we went from desk to desk, slipping our cards into the slots on top of the shoeboxes we had uniquely decorated for this special occasion. 

My heart nearly pounded out of my chest as I approached Billy B.'s desk.  Billy R. was nice, but nowhere near as cute or smart as Billy B.  There he was with his black slacks, red plaid shirt, and clip-on tie with hearts on it.  His church shoes, which he only wore to school on special days, were shiny and clean. His hair was neatly combed as usual, except for those few little hairs that stood straight up as they came out of the swirl on the top of his head.

Everything was in slow-motion.  He stood up as he saw me near his desk and I dreamed that he would say hello instead of asking Davie for a cootie shot.  I wasn't holding my breath, though.  Only two more steps and I would be delivering my card to him.

Wait, what is that noise?  Looking at my classmates, it appeared that no one else had noticed the pounding in my head and stomping in my stomach.  The cereal and ham sandwich were having a fight.  Only one could win.  "Stop you guys!" I thought to myself.  But they wouldn't.

My hand was over Billy B.'s box now.  If I could just deliver my card quickly, he would be my Valentine.  I was sure the moon rock at the museum would be happy to hear my great news.

As the card slipped out of my hand and through the slot, it happened.  I couldn't do a thing to stop it.  There it was, all over Billy B. and his desk.  His nicely ironed clothes and tie were destroyed.  His hair would never be the same again.  The pounding in my head stopped and the stomping in my stomach was gone.  The cereal had won and the ham sandwich had been vanquished.

"Eeeeeews" filled the room as the teacher called the janitor.  Billy B. was whisked away.

Minutes later the class lined up and walked out to the school bus.  The boys wanted to sit in the back and the girls in the front.  By the sound of it, the ride to the museum was going to be a noisy one.   The bus driver knew he didn't have a chance against thirty kids so he just put his earmuffs on and closed his eyes as he waited for the signal to drive. 

Suddenly, the talking and laughing stopped and everyone turned their attention to the front of the bus.  There was Billy B. dressed in pants that were too short and a shirt that was too big.  His church shoes had been replaced by two different sneakers because that's all they had in the office.  His hair was sticking straight up, even the swirl had disappeared. 

I noticed he was walking toward me.  I pulled my wool hat over my face and cringed at the thought of what he would say, imagining that they wouldn't be the nicest words I had ever heard.  I would understand if he wanted that cootie shot now. 

He stepped up next to me.  I could hear him breathing.  A tap on my shoulder surprised me and I came out from under my hat. 

He handed me an envelope.  "Happy Valentine's Day," he said.  "Are you feeling better?"

"Um, yeah," I replied.  "Sorry about your clothes."

He sat down next to me as the bus drove away from school.  "That's okay, I hated those clothes anyway," he said.

 

Happy Valentine's Day kiddos!  Until next time... stay cool!

Martha

Copyright 2013 Martha Rodriguez

 

What a treat! A Kindle Fire Giveaway!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!  If you have any extra candy I'll be happy to help you eat it... especially M&Ms! 

I know that, due to Hurricane Sandy, some kids will have to wait until this weekend or next week to go trick-or-treating.  Don't worry.  You'll still have a fun time.  I'm just happy that you are all okay.  My thoughts and prayers are with all the families impacted by the storm. 

Whether you've already stuffed your belly with candy or can't wait to do so, here's something fun you can do today - enter the Kindle Fire Giveaway that my author friend, Crystal Marcos, is having.

To enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire (with special offers version) or $150 Amazon e-gift card please stop by Crystal's website. 

A second place prize will also be awarded!  How cool would it be to win copies of these three eBooks?  I'd say, "Super cool!"

Bellyache: A Delicious Tale by Crystal Marcos (Twitter @crystalmarcos)

Lionel's Grand Adventure (Lionel and theGolden Rule) by Paul Hewlett (Twitter @lionelsnod)

Smell My Feet! 10 Seriously Silly and SweetShort Stories for Squirts by Martha Rodriguez... that's me! (Twitter @SmellMyFeetBook)

Stop by to enter the giveaway today and as always... stay cool!

Martha

Giveaway begins November 1, 2012 and ends December 15, 2012.  Open to the U.S. and Canada.

 

Happy 1st Birthday to A Reel Cool Summer!

Ah, yes.  I remember it well.  June 21, 2011.  You could fry an egg on the sidewalk that extremely hot day just one short year ago.  (You could fry an egg in a pan, too, but that's beside the point.)  There it was, in all its colorful glory, my first picture book.  7x10" and 5.4 ounces.  Labor had been long (about a year or so) but it was worth it.  As soon as it was published I forgot about the pain and concentrated on the delicate little one I held in my hands.

About two minutes later, reality set in.  I had heard the question before but had pushed it back, way back, in my mind, not wanting to deal with it just yet... How are you going to market your book?  "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed, then decided I was being a bit over-dramatic about the whole thing.

Does anyone have a manual for that? Well, sure, they're out there but who has time to read when you have to market your book?  "Now what?" I wondered.  "Just try everything," I told myself.  "It can't be harder than raising three kids, can it?"  Well, actually, it can!  Sort of.  But I got through that so I knew I could get through this, right?  Right?!

Of course I could.  And here we are, one year later and doing just fine.  Enjoying all the marketing (Twitter, Facebook, blog, etc), thoroughly loving the school visits with the little ones, and just watching my little book grow up.  He (or she, I'm not quite sure) has a little sister (or brother?) called Smell My Feet! and we're starting the process all over again and working on a third one.  We're happy to see our little book family expanding.

So, to celebrate this joyous occasion, the first birthday of A Reel Cool Summer, I'd like to give away (U.S. only) five signed paperback copies to get the kids' summer reading off to a wacky start.  Just leave a comment below.  We'll choose the winners on June 28th.  Tell us about your most memorable summer, ask us a question, or just say hello.  Be sure to invite your family and friends to participate.  The more the merrier!  Oh and don't forget to leave (or email us at martha@readtomepublishingllc.com) your Twitter handle or an email address so we can contact you if you win. 

Sincere thanks to all who have purchased a paperback or Kindle copy of A Reel Cool Summer, all who have reviewed it, and all who have supported and encouraged me throughout this past year.  I am truly grateful.

I hope all the kiddos have a fun and relaxing summer filled with lots of good books to read and wonderful memories to last a lifetime!

Until next time... stay cool!

Martha 

P.S.  Don't forget to stop by our website to watch the very wacky booktrailer, read reviews and more!

Congratulations to our winners!! Fun L., MaryAnn K., Courtney W., Teresa K. and J.R. O.  We hope you enjoy A Reel Cool Summer!

Let's Have a Giveaway!

Thank you very much for entering the giveaway of Smell My Feet!  And the winners are...

Morgan Nyberg @MorganNyberg
Crystal Marcos @CrystalMarcos
Jeff Whelan @spaceorville

Congrats to our three winners!  Sorry, nose plugs are not included!


Smell My Feet! 10 Seriously Silly and Sweet Short Stories for Squirts will be released on Friday, May 11, 2012.  (Shhh, don't tell anyone but you can get it on Amazon right now.  What am I saying?!  Tell everyone!)  So what do you say we have ourselves a giveaway?

First, a little bit about the book...

Smell My Feet! is a collection of eight short stories I had written for this blog, and two brand new ones.  Some were inspired by family and friends or true events and others were sparked by writing prompts I found here or there, from this group or that.

The eight stories that were posted here beginning in October 2011 have been viewed a total of over 850 times.  I thought it was time to release them into the wild so that others, who don't yet know about this blog, can enjoy them, too.

An angel, a hero, and a cute dog named Charlie are just a few of the characters in this book of silly and sweet short stories for kids.

Don't be surprised if you recognize yourself, a funny uncle, or a friend in one of the characters.

Boys and girls ages 7-10 will enjoy reading on their own or get everyone together for read-aloud fun!

Smell My Feet! 10 Seriously Silly and Sweet Short Stories for Squirts
     An Angel Without Wings 
     A Hero at the Beach
     The Man on the Bench
     The Purplest Day Ever
     Charlie's Search
     The Disappearing Doughnut Dilemma
     The Puzzling Mystery of Lulu and D
     Leaving
     The Book Party (or, Has Mr. Humbleheart Lost his Mind?)
     Smell My Feet!

I guess we have to have rules:

Three (3) lucky winners will each receive one (1) copy of Smell My Feet! for the Kindle.

Three (3) ways to enter:

1.  Post a comment below.  It would be fun if you described the smelliest smell you have ever smelled (but you don't have to).  Please include your Twitter handle or Facebook page, or end an email with the subject "Smell My Feet! Giveway" to: smellmyfeet@readtomepublishingllc.com.  I will contact the winners by Twitter, Facebook or email.

(NOTE:  This is a family blog.  Comments deemed offensive will be removed and will not be entered into the giveaway.)

2.  Follow @SmellMyFeetBook on Twitter.  If I catch you tweeting or retweeting about the giveaway you'll get an additional entry!  Be sure I catch you by including @SmellMyFeetBook in your tweets! 

3.  "Like" the Read To Me Publishing, LLC Facebook page.  If I catch you sharing a post about the giveaway or tagging the my page, you'll get an additional entry!

Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EDT, Friday, May 18, 2012.

Winners will be announced on this blog and will be notified via email, Twitter or Facebook as soon as possible after the entry deadline. 

Winners must respond to my Twitter, Facebook or email notification with the appropriate information by Friday, May 25th at 11:59 pm EDT in order to receive the Kindle book.  If a response is not received by that time, a new winner will be chosen.

Okay, I think that's it.  Thanks for stopping by and GOOD LUCK!

Until next time... stay cool!

Martha