FAST KOALA FACTS
The scientific name for the koala is Phascolarctos cinereus.
Koalas are marsupials, related to kangaroos. Koalas and most other marsupials live in Australia and neighboring islands. The word koala may come from an Aboriginal word meaning no drink. Although koalas do drink when necessary, they obtain most of the moisture they need from leaves.
Most marsupials have pouches where the tiny newborns develop. A koala mother usually gives birth to one joey at a time.
A female koala is pregnant for only 35 days before giving birth; most of the joey's growth and development takes place in the mother's pouch.
Once a newborn koala latches onto a nipple in its mother's pouch, the nipple swells in its mouth so the joey can't be separated from its food source.
Koalas have thick woolly fur that protects them from both heat and cold. It also acts like a raincoat.
Koalas have thick, grayish fur, with white on their chests, inner arms, and ears. They have large furry ears and leathery noses. Mature males have brown scent glands in the center of their white chests. They rub these on their home trees to mark their territory.
Koalas live in trees, sometimes coming down to the ground to seek shade or another tree. They occasionally jump from one tree to the next. In an ideal habitat in the wild, male koalas live about 10 years, while females may live a few years longer.
Koalas are found in the wild only in the forests of eastern Australia.
Koalas live in bushland with other koalas. Each has its own home trees which are generally not visited by other koalas except in mating season.
Koalas have their own built-in cushion! The fur on a koala's bottom is extra thick so that the koala can comfortably rest in trees.
Koalas spend as many as 18-20 hours a day napping and resting.
Though koalas look like teddy bears and are sometimes even referred to as koala bears, they are not bears.
Koalas smell like cough drops because of their diet of here are many kinds of eucalyptus trees. Koalas will eat from only a few of these; a koala can eat 2 1/2 pounds of eucalyptus leaves a day.
A koala’s territory is up to 100 trees.
Fossils of 12 different extinct species of koala have been found. These extinct koalas were much larger than the ones today. They were like giant koalas!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Reviews are in! 5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!, Go Go Sadie by Bonnie Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable!, December 8, 2011
By
Candace Robinson "Candace"
This review is from: Go Go Sadie (Hardcover)
This was an adorable book with some fun quirkiness and adorable illustrations. The story starts with telling us a bit about Sadie and how she's a sloth and what she does. Then it tells us just a bit about Costa Rica and some of the animals that live there. It then moves on to the story about Sadie who is going to run a marathon. She gets some new running shoes {funny and cute for the kids} and my children {6 &2} loved pointing out the running shoes on all the animals. Sadie runs the race even though she's really slow but her friends help and she completes the race even though she knows she's last. The end of the book includes coloring pages as well {kids loved that!}.
This is a medium length book that didn't take me long to read to my children. They enjoyed pointing out different things and I felt like they 'got' the message. The illustrations are full spreads and very colorful. I felt like I got a 'feel' for Costa Rica and the scenery as well as the animals that live there.
The whole family enjoyed this book and the kids are always eager for me to pick it up and read it to them again.
By
Candace Robinson "Candace"
This review is from: Go Go Sadie (Hardcover)
This was an adorable book with some fun quirkiness and adorable illustrations. The story starts with telling us a bit about Sadie and how she's a sloth and what she does. Then it tells us just a bit about Costa Rica and some of the animals that live there. It then moves on to the story about Sadie who is going to run a marathon. She gets some new running shoes {funny and cute for the kids} and my children {6 &2} loved pointing out the running shoes on all the animals. Sadie runs the race even though she's really slow but her friends help and she completes the race even though she knows she's last. The end of the book includes coloring pages as well {kids loved that!}.
This is a medium length book that didn't take me long to read to my children. They enjoyed pointing out different things and I felt like they 'got' the message. The illustrations are full spreads and very colorful. I felt like I got a 'feel' for Costa Rica and the scenery as well as the animals that live there.
The whole family enjoyed this book and the kids are always eager for me to pick it up and read it to them again.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Why We Love the National Wildlife Federation!
Partial Proceeds of all Bonnie Lee Books support the National Wildlife Federation. This great organization works to protect the worlds most at-risk animals and habitats. We support this organization and their campaign to stop the attack on wildlife.
Join us in stopping the attack on wildlife by purchasing a Bonnie Lee Book today. Your purchase will help educate a child about wildlife as well as be a donation o the National Wildlife Federation.
Why do you love the National Wildlife Federation? Please share your stories with us in our comment section below.
Join us in stopping the attack on wildlife by purchasing a Bonnie Lee Book today. Your purchase will help educate a child about wildlife as well as be a donation o the National Wildlife Federation.
Why do you love the National Wildlife Federation? Please share your stories with us in our comment section below.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
How to Pick a Children's Book Illustrator
Illustration in your children’s book can make or break your chances of getting published. Right now, the market is flooded with illustrators, some good, some bad, some horrible. Do you know how to pick an illustrator and how to decipher between the good and the bad? Read on to learn about what I look for in illustrators:
1) Find someone you can work with. What I mean by this is, find some that you can have a successful, professional relationship with. They may be the best illustrator in town, but if they are overbearing, too opinionated, arrogant, or non-collaborative, they will not work out. You will be meeting with this person often, giving feedback and trying to make the best illustrations for your children’s book. You want to make sure that your relationship with them will be successful and not tumultuous.
2) Get an experienced children’s book illustrator. Too many children’s books authors make the mistake of going to a friend who occasionally draws or is a graphic designer for an unrelated field. Though these friends are very talented, they don’t understand the field of children’s book illustrations: what captivates kid’s attention, what illustrations will complement your writing, how to create characters that you can brand. It may be tempting to give a friend a gig or a chance at publicity, however then don’t expect to see large successes with your book.
3) It’s not all about them, and it’s not all about you. This should truly be a partnership. This is a risk for the illustrator just as much as it is for you. Listen to them, hear their feedback, and make sure that you can actually work with each other. Refer to #1 if you feel that they’re starting to feel that they aren’t listening to your concerns or making it all about them.
I hope these tips provide some insight to the extremely competitive world of choosing a children’s book illustrator. Lastly, I’d like to recommend illustrator Erin Taylor who created the illustrations for http://www.bonnieleebooks.com/html/popular_children_s_books___mom.html. She was extremely creative, professional, and fun to work with! Here is her website with contact information: http://erintaylorillustrator.com/ If you have additional suggestions or recommendations of great children’s book illustrators, please add them to the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
1) Find someone you can work with. What I mean by this is, find some that you can have a successful, professional relationship with. They may be the best illustrator in town, but if they are overbearing, too opinionated, arrogant, or non-collaborative, they will not work out. You will be meeting with this person often, giving feedback and trying to make the best illustrations for your children’s book. You want to make sure that your relationship with them will be successful and not tumultuous.
2) Get an experienced children’s book illustrator. Too many children’s books authors make the mistake of going to a friend who occasionally draws or is a graphic designer for an unrelated field. Though these friends are very talented, they don’t understand the field of children’s book illustrations: what captivates kid’s attention, what illustrations will complement your writing, how to create characters that you can brand. It may be tempting to give a friend a gig or a chance at publicity, however then don’t expect to see large successes with your book.
3) It’s not all about them, and it’s not all about you. This should truly be a partnership. This is a risk for the illustrator just as much as it is for you. Listen to them, hear their feedback, and make sure that you can actually work with each other. Refer to #1 if you feel that they’re starting to feel that they aren’t listening to your concerns or making it all about them.
I hope these tips provide some insight to the extremely competitive world of choosing a children’s book illustrator. Lastly, I’d like to recommend illustrator Erin Taylor who created the illustrations for http://www.bonnieleebooks.com/html/popular_children_s_books___mom.html. She was extremely creative, professional, and fun to work with! Here is her website with contact information: http://erintaylorillustrator.com/ If you have additional suggestions or recommendations of great children’s book illustrators, please add them to the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Friday, October 28, 2011
How To Write a Great Children's Book Review
Right now we’re running an amazing promotion where if you write an Amazon review on Go Go Sadie, Bonnie Lee Books will send you a FREE Go Go Sadie magnet! In honor of this great promotion, I wanted to share my own tips for writing the perfect children’s book review.
How to write a book review:
1) Make sure to include the books title, author, ISBN, price, copyright info, and genre. Though this information may seem basic, you’d be surprised how many book reviews lack this essential information.
2) Offer a brief summary of the content but be sure not to reveal any major plot twists or story endings. For most children’s books, you should be able to summarize the story in two sentences or less.
3) For children’s books, it’s important to comment on the illustrations. Were they exciting? Colorful? Boring? How did they support they story? Illustrations make up a large part of children’s books so it’s important to acknowledge how they supported the story.
4) Include your opinion. Did you like the story? If so, why or why not? Would you recommend this children’s book to others? What reservations would you have in recommending it? Sometimes it’s helpful to take notes while you are reading in order to pinpoint your thoughts and opinions on the story.
5) Lastly, be sure to include any other relevant information. Do book proceeds benefit a nonprofit or promote a certain cause? Where can this book be purchased? Does the author have a website? For Bonnie Lee Books, you can download free coloring book pages online. This information would be helpful to a parent or teacher that is looking to read a book that has a corresponding activity.
What tips do you have for those looking to write book reviews on children’s books? Please share your tips below in the comment section!
How to write a book review:
1) Make sure to include the books title, author, ISBN, price, copyright info, and genre. Though this information may seem basic, you’d be surprised how many book reviews lack this essential information.
2) Offer a brief summary of the content but be sure not to reveal any major plot twists or story endings. For most children’s books, you should be able to summarize the story in two sentences or less.
3) For children’s books, it’s important to comment on the illustrations. Were they exciting? Colorful? Boring? How did they support they story? Illustrations make up a large part of children’s books so it’s important to acknowledge how they supported the story.
4) Include your opinion. Did you like the story? If so, why or why not? Would you recommend this children’s book to others? What reservations would you have in recommending it? Sometimes it’s helpful to take notes while you are reading in order to pinpoint your thoughts and opinions on the story.
5) Lastly, be sure to include any other relevant information. Do book proceeds benefit a nonprofit or promote a certain cause? Where can this book be purchased? Does the author have a website? For Bonnie Lee Books, you can download free coloring book pages online. This information would be helpful to a parent or teacher that is looking to read a book that has a corresponding activity.
What tips do you have for those looking to write book reviews on children’s books? Please share your tips below in the comment section!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Books that Fight Hunger
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the number of households that did not have sufficient food raised by 30% from 2007-2010. The recession has cause 12 million more people to go hungry. Are you doing everything you can to help these individuals?
In times of economic crisis, organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank are more necessary than ever. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in California is “one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month.” They help connect families, seniors, and children to healthy food sources and resources in their counties. In addition to having a food pantry, they also offer programs such as Brown Bag which provides meals to low-income seniors, Partners in Need which provides food to low-income volunteers at the organization, and Produce Mobile which distributes fruits and vegetables to communities with limited access to fresh markets.
Partial proceeds of my children’s books (Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten, Momo Come Home, and Go Go Sadie) benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Do your part today by purchasing a Bonnie Lee book and visiting the Second Harvest Food Bank to drop off a canned food donation. To learn more about Second Harvest Food Banks, visit there website: www.shfb.org.
In times of economic crisis, organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank are more necessary than ever. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in California is “one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month.” They help connect families, seniors, and children to healthy food sources and resources in their counties. In addition to having a food pantry, they also offer programs such as Brown Bag which provides meals to low-income seniors, Partners in Need which provides food to low-income volunteers at the organization, and Produce Mobile which distributes fruits and vegetables to communities with limited access to fresh markets.
Partial proceeds of my children’s books (Bonita the Fruit Bat Counts to Ten, Momo Come Home, and Go Go Sadie) benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Do your part today by purchasing a Bonnie Lee book and visiting the Second Harvest Food Bank to drop off a canned food donation. To learn more about Second Harvest Food Banks, visit there website: www.shfb.org.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Win FREE Children's Books and MORE!
Hello fans!
October is a busy month here as we are running two fabulous promotions and giving away lots of free stuff!
Right now we are running a lovely children’s book promotion where you can win a free Bonnie Lee children’s book- I’ll even autograph the copy! In order to win, please “LIKE” our Facebook page. Once there, interact with us by commenting on our posts or sharing our links for an increased chance of winning. We’ll be announcing the winner on our Facebook on November 4th.
If that’s not enough to wow you, I’m also offering free “Go Go Sadie” magnets to those who write a review on Amazon on “Go Go Sadie.” Once you write the review online, post a comment on my Facebook page and I will contact you about getting your address and mailing the free magnet.
Go online today for your chance to win! Good Luck!
Regards,
Bonnie
October is a busy month here as we are running two fabulous promotions and giving away lots of free stuff!
Right now we are running a lovely children’s book promotion where you can win a free Bonnie Lee children’s book- I’ll even autograph the copy! In order to win, please “LIKE” our Facebook page. Once there, interact with us by commenting on our posts or sharing our links for an increased chance of winning. We’ll be announcing the winner on our Facebook on November 4th.
If that’s not enough to wow you, I’m also offering free “Go Go Sadie” magnets to those who write a review on Amazon on “Go Go Sadie.” Once you write the review online, post a comment on my Facebook page and I will contact you about getting your address and mailing the free magnet.
Go online today for your chance to win! Good Luck!
Regards,
Bonnie
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