Traveling Through The Words Of Area Author
The hectic holidays are fast approaching. It is time to get out the Christmas decorations, write a letter, and send cards. Yes, I still send cards even though postage rates have skyrocketed. I enjoy reading everyone’s Christmas letter and seeing the cards they pick. In fact, I save them from year to year and sometimes cut out pictures and make thank you notes or package tags for the next year.
What makes a good Christmas gift? Books for young or old always make great gifts. Readers travel through the words of an author to mystical places or experiences. They dream, laugh, cry, and learn. If buying for children, you can start their reading habit with a “book of the month club,” whereby you send them a book each month for a year. Newbery and Caldecott winners or honorable mentions are a good place to begin. Otherwise check out northern Colorado writers. Here are just a few of them and their books to consider.
For youngsters up to third grade, Ellen Javernick’s “The Birthday Pet” is a darling rhyming book with wonderful illustrations. Check her website, www.ellenjavernick.com/ for more of her many books. Natasha Wing’s “Night Before” series covers most holidays and other special events in a child’s life, such as going to camp for the first time. Her website, www.natashawing.com, lists other titles.
For middle grades, Teresa Funke writes true and fictional stories about real people who fought in WWII. Her website www.teresafunke.com offers not only book titles, but ways to keep WWII in the minds of today’s classrooms. Gary Raham makes nature and science come alive in his books. Check his website, www.biostration.com for a list of titles. And of course, I must list my own book, “How the West Was Drawn: Cowboy Charlie’s Art,” which looks at the art of Charles Russell through questions that encourage the reader to see things casual viewers miss. For more information go to www.LindaOsmundson.com. This makes a great teacher gift as well as children or adult gift.
For young adult readers, Laura Resau’s books are multicultural in many cases. Her website, www.lauraresau.com lists her many titles. Maggie Goins writes under the name of Maggie J.D’Amato. Her website, www.maggiegoins.com, gives all kinds of information about her and her writings. Victoria Hanley writes young adult fantasy and on the craft of writing. Buy her books via her website, www.victoriahanley.com, among other places. Amy Kathleen Ryan has several books listed on her website, www.amykathleenryan.com.
Her newest is a science fiction novel called “Glow.”
For adult readers, LeAnn Thieman co-edited many “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books. The latest is on Answered Prayer. Check her website for the titles, www.leannthieman.com, as well as her other books. Laura Pritchett’s website lists her first novel “Sky Bridge,” www.lauraprichett.com.
Cricket McRae writes the “Home Crafting Mysteries.” One example is “Wined and Died.” Other books are listed on her website, www.cricketmcrae.com. Jim Davidson and Kevin Vaughn collaborated to write about Jim’s near death experience climbing Mt. Rainier, in “The Ledge.” The book relates the tragic loss of Jim’s climbing partner and his harrowing escape after they fell through a crevasse. Check his website, www.speakingofadventure.com.
These are but a few northern Colorado authors. Colorado Authors’ League lists members and their publications. Check www.coloradoauthors.org for a list of titles by people who live right here in Colorado.
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