Posts Tagged ‘Amanda in Alberta’
Back to the Future
Posted January 25, 2019
on:On my recent trip back to my home province of Alberta, I was fortunate to visit two schools where I did presentations, readings, and workshops. I may have mentioned before that doing school presentations is my favourite part of being a writer. These two visits were very special.
I was invited by a school in Airdrie, Alberta to visit as the Grade 4 classes are currently reading Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone. I did four presentations to the grade four classes at Herons Crossing School the day after I landed in Calgary. The students were delightful and devoted Amanda Travels fans. Some had read all the books. They said they enjoyed the use of cliffhangers in the stories. I love that kind of feedback. They were all well behaved and asked very good questions.
A few days later I visited Irvine School, just outside Medicine Hat, where I did a presentation in the library to about 70 grade 3 and 4 students. After the recess, I did a workshop with one of the Grade 4 classes.
This was a double special visit as I went to Irvine School myself many years ago and it is now the school my great-granddaughter attends. It is not the same building I attended as the original school burnt down in 1989 and has been replaced by a modern building. But it was a memorable visit for me. I brought along my old high school sweater and yearbook to show the children that I had once attended that very school.
Considering it was just a couple of days before the Christmas break, the students were very attentive and asked great questions. After sitting on the floor for quite some time, the teacher had them get up and do a few exercises.
Later, I facilitated a workshop on using all the senses in writing. Using a photograph as a prompt, we brainstormed words describing the five senses. Everyone participated. Later they were given ten minutes to hand write something based on a picture, using as many of the senses as possible. Some shared their writing. I was amazed at how eager they were to do the assignment and how they produced such incredible work in a short time. A great example of how children still love to read and write.
My oldest grandson was my driver, helper, and photographer. He was a huge help.
I was so impressed with the school, the teachers and the staff. There was such a positive vibe in the place. Wonderful quotes decorated the hallway walls.
And look what I found on a door in the girl’s washroom!
Talk about positive reinforcement!
I went back to my old school and found that the future is in good hands.
- In: Books
- 25 Comments
It´s been a year since we launched Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone. To celebrate I am a guest on the fabulous blog site Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Guest Post: Amanda in Alberta | Darlene Foster.
Book Description:
Amanda has travelled to some interesting places like the United Arab Emirates, Spain and England. She has always enjoyed herself, in spite of the dangerous situations she has found herself in. This time her BFF, Leah from England, is coming to visit her in Alberta. Will she be able to find enough fun things for them to do? After all it is only Alberta, her home province in Canada.
Read more about the book, a great review and a message from me here. Pop over to the site, make a comment and share if you wish, to help me celebrate.
Thanks so much for the support all of you have given me and Amanda over the past few years.
Cover Wars – I need your vote!
Posted May 18, 2015
on:- In: Awards | Books
- 29 Comments
I have entered a competition called Cover Wars. If I get the most votes, Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone will be featured as Book of The Week. Please vote for Amanda. You can vote once a day until next Sunday, May 24. Thanks heaps!!
http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/
Click here to vote http://authorshout.com/cover-wars/
Spotlight on a Book Series: Darlene Foster and the Amanda Travel Adventure Series…
Posted March 11, 2015
on:- In: Books | Writing
- 9 Comments
I am honoured to be featured on Sharon Ledwith´s blog. I came. I saw. I wrote. She is also offering a give-away of an Amanda e-book if you comment on her post.
Spotlight on a Book Series: Darlene Foster and the Amanda Travel Adventure Series
I want to thank and welcome wonderful (and well-traveled) MG author, Darlene Foster for sharing her personal experiences on writing a book series and showcasing her middle grade adventure series the Amanda Travel Adventure series with us on my blog today.
BONUS: One lucky reader will win an Amanda Travel Adventure ebook of their choice just by leaving a comment! Don’t forget to leave your contact info for a chance to win, and good luck! So let’s get this interview rolling…
Where did you get your idea and inspiration to write the Amanda Travel Adventure series, Darlene?
I was inspired by an amazing trip I took to the United Arab Emirates. While I was there, I felt as excited as a twelve year old. I decided it would be a great setting for a children´s book. I created the character of Amanda, an average girl who wishes for travel and adventure as she blows out the candles on her twelfth birthday. The next day an airplane ticket arrives in the mail for her to visit her aunt and uncle who live in the UAE. What follows is an adventure of a life time. Once Amanda got the travel bug, she had to see more interesting places. I suppose I created Amanda because as a child, I wanted to see the world.
Read the rest of the interview here
Sharon Ledwith is the author of the middle-grade/young adult time travel series, THE LAST TIMEKEEPERS, and is represented by Walden House (Books & Stuff) for her teen psychic series, MYSTERIOUS TALES FROM FAIRY FALLS. When not writing, researching, or revising, she enjoys reading, exercising, anything arcane, and an occasional dram of scotch. Sharon lives a serene, yet busy life in a southern tourist region of Ontario, Canada, with her hubby, one spoiled yellow Labrador and a moody calico cat.
Please pop over and leave a comment. Amanda and I will appreciate it.
- In: Books
- 10 Comments
A wonderful review by one of my favourite kid book reviewers. This made my day.
Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone
By Darlene Foster
156 pages – ages 8+
Published by Central Avenue Publishing on July 11, 2014
Amanda is back in an all-new adventure, but this time, it’s on her turf! Leah (Amanda’s friend) has come all the way from England to visit Amanda in her province of Alberta, Canada. Everything goes well, until a rodeo clown drops a strange stone. Amanda picks it up, and tries to return it to the clown, but she was too late – he was gone. The stone was round and had a marking on it. Suddenly, people seem to be wanting the stone urgently, although their purposes may be unclear – and maybe even dangerous!
This is a marvelous book, one that made me feel like I was there with Amanda and Leah. Ms. Foster really has a way of taking you through the landmarks…
View original post 141 more words
- In: Books | Writing
- 10 Comments
A great review of Amanda in Alberta – The Writing on the Stone on Clarbojahn’s Blog
Clarbojahn Presents: Darlene Foster, Again!.
Have I ever got a treat for you!! One of our own. In this blogging circle. Darlene Foster, Dreamer of dreams and Teller of Tales.
Read more here and see what she has to say.
Clara is the author of two great picture books.