THIS IS NOT YOUR MOTHER’S VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR!
By Kathy Stemke
I hope I don’t offend anyone when I say that many of the virtual book tours I have attended and yes, even hosted myself, have been at best boring. Why, you ask? They tend to ask many of the same questions. For instance, “When did you start writing?” I might want to know the answer to that question once, but not at every stop on the tour. I say, “Let’s jump out of the box.” Some of us are writers, right? We’re creative, right? Why stop our creativity when it comes to our book tours??
Now I have to put up or shut up. I looked at my book, Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep, for the key areas of interest. When Zachary puts on his thick black glasses, he becomes a super hero. This enables him to protect his new baby sister from all kinds of problems. In the process he learns how much he loves her. This action packed book with clever rhymes focuses on teaching consonant blends. The teacher supplement includes comprehension questions, songs, worksheets and activities.
This led me to include a superhero trivia question on each stop. The history of superheroes and the foods they eat pretty much cover the superhero angle.
Sibling rivalry, famous brother sister pairs, poems and quotes deal with the relationship between Zachary and his new sister, Layla. For the academics, I added tips for helping your child prepare and adjust to a new baby.
I couldn’t leave out consonant blends. I have one post about my consonant blends! (Hehehe) and for the teachers I’ve added a language arts guide that corresponds to the book.
Don’t worry. I’m not ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater.’ I still have some excellent reviews and interviews strategically placed on the tour. How else would you find out when I started writing?
I’d love to hear some different approaches to virtual book tours that you’ve experienced.
Kathy Stemke has a passion for writing, the arts and all things creative. She has Bachelor degrees from Southern Connecticut State University and Covenant Life Seminary, as well as graduate coursework from New York Institute of Technology and Columbia University. Hanging her hat in the North Georgia Mountains, she has been a teacher, tutor, and writer for many years.
As a freelance writer and ghostwriter, Kathy has published hundreds of articles in directories, websites and magazines. She is a contributing editor for The National Writing for Children's Center http://writingforchildrencenter.com/ and a reviewer for Sylvan Dell Publishing. As a retired teacher, Kathy has several activities published with Gryphon House Publishing. Kathy is also part of the team at DKV Writing 4 U. http://www.dkvwriting4u.com
Kathy’s first children’s picture book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was published on Lulu. Her next picture book, Sh, Sh, Sh Let the Baby Sleep, was released in May of 2011. Her third picture book, Trouble on Earth Day is scheduled for release in June of 2011.
Mrs.Stemke offers great teaching tips and children’s book reviews as well as a monthly newsletter titled, MOVEMENT AND RHYTHM, on her blog. http://educationtipster.blogspot.com
SUPERHERO TRIVIA QUESTION: DAY 2
What is Supergirl's relationship to Superman?
Come to Karen Cioffi’s blog, June 15th for the answer. http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com
SUPERHERO TRIVIA ANSWER: DAY 1
What is the secret identity of the Green Lantern?
ANSWER: Hal Jordan. Remember what he had to say to recharge his power ring? 'In the darkest day, or the blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light.'
Remember; Every answer or comment you make during this book tour puts your name in the hat for a fantastic prize, which includes amazon gift certificates, books, superhero figurines, and much more.
Sh Sh Sh Let the Baby Sleep can be found:
Guardian Angel Publishing: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/shshsh.htm
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1616331569/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=educationtips20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1616331569&adid=1XFMR3ZA5VFXSN58EAXH&
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sh-sh-sh-let-the-baby-sleep?store=book
