The Lightbulb Library has a new addition.

Title: Ducks Everywhere!

Ages: 2-4

Themes: Counting; ducks; sharing; feelings

Opening: One duck in a crib…

Synopsis: Ducks keep appearing in the strangest places today– in my room, at the table. Some ducks even wear my clothes. They make me feel crowded. I wish they would go away.

A Look Inside the Making of Ducks: I used a four-year-old boy {isn’t he handsome?} and a common rubber duck to create all the characters in this story.

I used photo editing to transform one small duck into a set of giant ducks.

To do this, I took pictures of the rubber duck in a variety of lighting settings.

{Okay, I had more than one duck. I was just checking to see if you were paying attention.}

I took pictures of the boy and superimposed the ducks into the picture afterwards. Like this…

{I often used balloons as place holders for the ducks. They helped me visualize the picture’s final layout.}

Of course, I had to add shadows and reflected light from objects that weren’t there. This shot was particularly tricky because I added the ducks’ reflection into the hardwood floors.

You can watch out for ducks, too. Head on over to the free picture book library and check them out.

School is just around the corner. With that in mind, I have two new books for the free reading library.

The simple and playful texts of these books will help new readers gain confidence. Younger children might read with a parent, while older children can read by themselves.

I hope your school year gets off to a great start, and I hope these books give young readers a boost.

Book #1: I Can!

Summary: Come join Sam as he plays, jumps and learns to read.

Teaching Concept: Verbs. This book centers around seven common verbs: sit, stand, run, look, jump, play, and read. Each verb is used twice and is illustrated.

Possible Discussion Topics: What is a verb? What activities can you do by yourself? What do you need help with?

Sight words: Click here for a flashcard sheet with all the words from I Can!  (pdf)

Classroom Copies: Click here for a condensed printable version of the book (pdf).

Art Project: Have children make an I Can! collage with magazine pictures of activities they like to do.

Suggested Games/Activities: Follow the leader, Have children act out each verb as you read the book.

Book #2: What is it?

Summary: Jacob has hidden a toy. Can you guess what it is?

Teaching Concepts: Nouns and making guesses.

Possible Discussion Topics: What is a noun? How can you come up with a good guess? Is each hidden object a person, place, or thing?

Sight words: Click here for printable flashcards with all the words from What is it!  (pdf)

Classroom Copies: Click here for a printable booklet of What is it! (pdf)

Art Project: Children can make their own What is it? book. Draw a classroom object on each page of the book. Then cover the drawing by gluing a tissue paper flap over the top. Consider having children write clues about each object (its color or shape).

Suggested Games/Activities: 1) I Spy. 2) 20 Questions 3) Bring a blanket to class. Have one child close her eyes while another child picks a small object in the classroom to hide. Cover the object in the blanket. Have the first child try to guess the object by feeling it through the blanket.

If a child is comfortable reading both these books, they might also enjoy reading The Sun Came Out (also in the bookshelf).

It’s been a while since I’ve added anything to the reading library. Sorry about that. Life has been as crazy as two babies dancing on a window ledge.

However, I’m excited to show you my latest addition.

Click the bookshelf and read it now!

In the mean time, I’d love to hear about your favorite spices, and your thoughts on this book.

I’m guest blogging on Julie Hedlund’s blog today. Julie is amazingly talented and one of my first writing friends. If you get a chance, come on over and say hello.

One of Julie’s many projects is leading a group called 12×12 (over 400 writers and illustrators participate). The challenge is to write twelve picture book manuscripts in one year. No previous experience required!

If you missed signing up for 2012, be sure to sign up on her email form for next year. I highly recommend it.

What has 12×12 done for me?

Well, I’ve written six picture book manuscripts this year. That’s six more than last year. None of them are submission worthy, but two have me jumping out of my seat with excitement.

My favorite part of 12×12 is the wonderful network of friends. I’ve connected with so many talented writers from around the world. It may be a bunny eat bunny world in children’s publishing, but you’ll never meet a nicer group of people than the 12x12ers.

If you’d like to meet more 12x12ers, click here.

Happy writing and have a great week!

*** This contest is now closed. Thanks to all who entered! ***

My Mother’s Day post is alllmost ready, but I’m missing one thing. I need a caption for this photo.

Because it’s Mother’s Day, I thought I’d reward myself (with laziness) and you (with cash) by running a contest. If you come up with the best caption for this photo, you get the cash.

Here are the rules:

1. The title of this photo is “Motherhood.” Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to create a description for “Motherhood” in 140 characters or less (including spaces, punctuation, etc., like Twitter).
2. The contest runs from now until midnight (EST), Thursday May 10, 2012.
3. Enter by leaving a comment here or on my Facebook page.
4. You can enter only one caption. If you submit more than one, the first entry will be your official one; extras are just for fun.

What you win:

1. If selected, your name will appear under the final photo caption. You also win $20 in cold hard cash.
2. Each entrant will be automatically entered into an additional $20 sweepstakes drawing.
3. Like my Facebook page, and your name goes into the sweepstakes drawing one additional time.
4. Share the contest and receive one more sweepstakes ticket. (You can share the contest either from my original Facebook page link or by tweeting with the hashtag #lbbContest. If your Twitter handle isn’t the same as your name, please let me know in the comments section.)
5. For those counting, that’s a total of three chances you can have in the sweepstakes (one for entering, one for “liking”, and one for sharing).

The fine print:

1. You must be at least 18 years old to enter (sorry!).
2. I will remove any submissions with profanity or offensive language. Let’s keep it family friendly.
3. The winners will be posted on Saturday, May 12th. You must email your address to me within seven days or forfeit the prize. Please use the “Contact” page on this website.

Now put on those thinking caps, and GOOD LUCK!