Gratitude Week

http://gratitudeweek.org/

This caught my attention and since the artist of Seven Hands, Seven Lands lives in the Vancouver area I thought it was a nice post to put out there!!

"When you exercise your freedom to express yourself at the lowest level, you ultimately condemn yourself to live at that level." ...not sure who wrote that but I just saw it and it sure struck a cord!!

We have to think about how it is we approach people. We tell children it is not ok to bully and to stop and talk and communicate but what about when adults don't bother to do so...why is that not ok??

Book Proposal Submissions

Since Roots and Wings Books was featured in the Oakville Beaver recently we have received many wonderful submissions of book proposals. As we mentioned in the Beaver interview we are not at this time in the position to publish the work of others. It is however, a future goal and we will keep all submissions of file for future consideration. Thank you for your submissions and we will be in touch in the future.
Best,
Kim and Lori

Karito Kids

My daughter and I love going on the Karito Kids website. It is fun and interactive and has great lessons for kids of all ages. I like their message that "One small act can begin to change the world" and this tip caught my eye as a fun twist on an old idea....have an "international bake sale: want to help save the world? Make and sell foods from around the world"....you could donate the proceeds to your favorite charity. There are great recipes on each girls page as well.

www.karitokids.com

United Nation's International Literacy Day.

September 8th is the United Nation's International Literacy Day. Celebrate literacy, while teaching about different countries and cultures, with Seven Hands, Seven Lands from Roots and Wings Books!

Roots and Wings in the Oakville Beaver!!

Roots and Wings Books is featured in the Arts section of today's Oakville Beaver!

http://oakvillebeaver.com/arts_and_entertainment/article/277153

New Business!

Kim from Roots and Wings Books has launched a new business! Check it out at http://www.kathyandkimoriginals.com/ and get your eco-friendly aluminum water bottles and stainless steels mugs customized with funky designs, names and more!!

ISLAND CHILD

Heard from the editor of Island Child magazine today and we are excited to hear that they are interested in doing a profile of Seven Hands, Seven Lands in the Fall '09 edition! Check back soon for more details!

Become our Fan!

Become a fan of Roots and Wings Books on facebook today!

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."
— Emilie Buchwald

Lazy Long Weekends!

Just loving this August long weekend! We finally have some beautiful days around here...hope the weather is great where ever you are in the world today and that you are waking up to some smiling faces like I did this morning!

We've been told by the people at Savvy Mom that there are less then 48 days left to vote for the Savvy Mom Entrepreneur of the Year award so tell everyone you know to vote, vote, vote!! Thanks!

http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=320

"Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read."
— Marilyn Jager Adams

Savvy Mom's!

Hoping everyone out there is enjoying these great summer months! We are cruising through summer soaking up fantastic moments with our kids...lots of fun outdoor play and of course reading all the amazing kids books we can get our hands on (and there are so many!)

As you have hopefully heard Roots and Wings Books is up for the Savvy Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award. A win would mean the world to our little publishing business so this is a big focus this summer!! Please take a second to cast a vote for ROOTS AND WINGS BOOKS!

With thanks and all our best wishes....

Kim and Lori

http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=320

Summer Reading...

Picked up this amazing book in a shop downtown Oakville today...the kids and I will be travelling 'Around the World in 80 Tales' over the rest of the summer!

Kim

The Savvy Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award!

Roots and Wings Books is in the running for the Savvy Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award!

Please take a moment to cast your vote for us today!

http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=320

Thanks!
Kim and Lori

Entered Yet?

For everyone of us that succeeds, it's because there's somebody there to show you the way out. The light doesn't always necessarily have to be in your family; for me it was teachers and school. Oprah Winfrey


Entered our contest yet?? Nominate a great teacher you know for a fantastic 'end of year' gift set including a beautiful, hardcover copy of Seven Hands, Seven Lands.

Kids Trends Weekly ... Fantastic "Around the World" issue!!

Did you check out Tot Trends Weekly??

Checked out Tot Trends Weekly yet??

Have you checked out the newest issue of Tot Trends Weekly magazine online now?? Seven Hands, Seven Lands is featured in this fantastic "Around the World" issue...a must read for parents and teachers!

Check it out at: http://www.tottrendsweekly.com/share.php

Entered our Contest Yet??

"A teacher affects eternity; he or she can never tell where their influence stops." - Henry Brooks Adams.

Our "teacher appreciation" contest on now...don't forget to nominate that special teacher in your life!!

Contest Details!!

We are launching our first contest tonight...here is a sneak peak at the contest details! Tell friends and family and enter your fave teacher too!!


Where in the World are all the Great Teachers?

Spring has finally sprung and the school year is quickly coming to a close, we want to celebrate teachers and help you to give the perfect "end of the year" gift.
From coast to coast and around the world there are GREAT teachers EVERYWHERE and Roots and Wings Books want to hear about that special teacher in your life.
Tell us what makes your (or your child's) teacher so amazing!
Simply click on the feedback button (http://www.rootsandwingsbooks.ca/feedback.html) and tell us why you think you are lucky enough to have the greatest teacher in the world!
Be sure to include your teachers name, your school name, your name and valid contact information.
The winning teacher will receive:
· a beautiful hardcover copy of Seven Hands, Seven Lands
· a set of bookmarks
· and a set of "Seven Hands" note cards

Contest closes Friday June 12th, 2009.

Seven Hands is in Tot Trends Weekly also!

Seven Hands, Seven Lands is also featured in this coming weeks issue of Tot Trends Weekly magazine!! Check it out at : http://www.tottrendsweekly.com/share.php

We are launching our first contest tomorrow so check back for exciting details on how you can win a fantastic 'end of the year' gift for a wonderful teacher in your life. Teachers make such an incredible difference in the lives of children and Roots and Wings Books wants to honour one special teacher this June.

Kids Trends Weekly - Around the World Issue!

Roots and Wings Books first release Seven Hands, Seven Lands is featured in this weeks issue of Kids Trends Magazine online! Check us out at : http://www.kidstrendsweekly.com/share.php

We're Tweeting...!

Roots and Wings Books is now on Twitter!

Find us at : http://twitter.com/RootsnWingsBook

SO EXCITED!!

We just got word that "Seven Hands, Seven Lands" is going to be mentioned in Tot Trends Weekly Magazine ... online this week. More details to follow soon. Very exciting....!!

Our First Contest!!!

Roots and Wings Books is getting ready to launch our first contest! Check back soon for details (hint, hint....it involves some of our favourite people...teachers! Whooo Hooo!)

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” Charles W. Eliot

So true!

Hope you take some time to visit with an old friend and enjoy a great book today!

About a month ago we shipped off a hardcover book order of Seven Hands, Seven Lands to a Grandmother who was buying the book as a birthday gift for her 4 year old Granddaughter. We've just heard that the little girl has read the book so often that she's already memorized most of it!! Love that! There's nothing better then finding a book you truly love, no matter how old you are!!

Happy Reading.

And from a Mom of three (ages 7, 6 and one year) we are told...

"Kim and Lori have written a very thoughtful book with an important message, complemented by unique and beautiful illustrations. I bought three copies: one for my kids, and one for each of my nephews. They all love the story and the pictures, and it's been a fun way to teach them more about our world and its many cultures. Comparing their own lives to the lives of children all over the world helps them to realize we're not so different after all. It's books like Seven Hands, Seven Lands that will help our children grow up to be open-minded, caring citizens and build a more tolerant world for everyone."

From a Mother of two boys ages 3 and 7 we hear...

"A wonderfully written book that inspired my children to learn about different cultures and the world around them. Catchy verses and stunning illustrations truly make this a favourite in our household! Hands up!"

Hands down a great review! Thanks so much.

Tell us what you think!

We are always looking for your thoughts and feedback on our website and/or our first release Seven Hands, Seven Lands. Get in touch at contact@rootsandwingsbooks.ca

Check us out on facebook also!

Thanks!

We love the feedback!!

Spring is finally in the air and with that comes the thrill of fantastic feedback from friends who have recently purchased our first book Seven Hands, Seven Lands. One friend who bought a copy for home and one for a gift for her daughter's classroom wrote to us ...

"I am so proud of you guys that when I gave a copy to Julia's teacher, I had tears in my eyes. It is a true accomplishment and I eagerly await the next Roots and Wings publication!!!!"

...Wow! What a wonderful thing to hear in response to receiving our book in the mail!!

Keep your feedback coming, we love to hear what you think of Seven Hands, Seven Lands.

Happy Spring from Roots and Wings Books!

Keep Toronto Reading!

Just days to go until "Keep Toronto Reading" gets kicked off! Spanning the month of April '09 there are amazing activities throughout the city and of special interest to us are the "Keep Toronto Reading for Kids" events....check them out at:

http://www.keeptorontoreading.ca/


Happy Reading Toronto!

O Ambassadors evening in Ottawa

Our recent trip to our nation's capital was truly inspiring. We journeyed back to Ottawa, the place where our roots began as it is where Lori and I first met!! We went to be a part of a local school's O Ambassadors "Arts for Africa" evening. The staff and students at Heritage Public School organized a great event which in the end raised almost $5000!! Way to go!!

We were so honoured to be a part of the evening and it was really exciting to meet the people of the local community and get such enthusiastic feedback about our book Seven Hands, Seven Lands. Highlights of the evening for us were meeting Justin Lawrence a Free the Children Coordinator. Justin spoke passionately about Free the Children's efforts to alleviate extreme poverty around the world and with humour about the trips he has taken with Free the Children to Kenya. His talk was uplifting and inspiring. Thanks Justin!

The Baobab Tree drum and dance society gave an incredible West African performance which even got young members of the audience up on their feet! Their drumming and dancing was a real tribute to the culture of West Africa. More info about the Baobab Tree community can be found at http://www.baobabtree.org/ The evening came to a close with the lovely local singer/songwriter Sue Seguin.

Looking for how you can become a part of the solution in the goal to alleviate extreme poverty around the world? Check out http://www.freethechildren.com/ !

Once again, thanks to Heather and the O Ambassadors of Heritage Public School for including Roots and Wings Books and our first release Seven Hands, Seven Lands in such a wonderful event!

Media Release...

OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Heritage Public School Presents

An O Ambassadors Event

Thursday February 5

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Silent Auction and Guests Speakers

$10/person

January 27 2009, Ottawa, ON – Art for Africa Auction is an evening of music, movement, and merriment hosted by the O Ambassadors Club at Heritage Public School. The event is designed to raise awareness and funds for holistic projects in developing countries.

Art for Africa Auction event will feature unique items to bid on and the Baobab Tree Performers. The Baobab Tree Performers play recreational music from Ghana. It transports the listener to a community in Ghana by celebrating the musical traditions that you would see performed at a variety of social events such as weddings, funerals, wake-keepings, baby-naming ceremonies, and other community events.

In addition to the Baobab Tree Performers, Kim Ramsay-Gorny and Lori Kirk authors of Seven Hands, Seven Lands will be in attendance. The authors of the much loved children’s book wrote the story in hopes of inspiring young minds to find similarities that they share with their world wide global neighbours. Seven Hands, Seven Lands takes readers on a journey around the world through playful verse, educational text, and creative illustrations. The ultimate goal of the book is encourage children to become respectful citizens of the world community - much like the students of Heritage Public School. “We are so excited to be a part of the O Ambassadors program and we’re proud to represent the voices of youth in Navan” said Heather Kirk, Heritage Public School teacher. “There are so many issues in our world that need our attention and we’re ready to show that youth in Navan care and want to make a difference in our world.”

Throughout the year, the Heritage Public School O Ambassadors Club will raise awareness about the importance of a holistic approach to development by focusing on the Millennium Development Goals. Every two months the club will focus on a different theme (poverty, education, health and sustainable development) in Kenya and organize fundraising and awareness-raising events for their school with the help of posters, how-to guides, regional guides and an Educator binder (with curricula).

The funds raised by students at Heritage Public School will go towards holistic development projects in East Africa, West Africa, South Asia, East Asia and Latin America. Clubs have the opportunity to choose the world regions they would like to research and support. These projects provide local children and their families with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty. All projects will be carried out in partnership with local communities.

What: An O Ambassadors Event – Art For Africa Auction

Why: Raise funds to build a new school in Kenya< /div>

How: Silent Auction and Guests Performances -$10/person

When: Thursday February 5^th – 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: Heritage Public School, 1375 Colonial Rd.

Tickets sold in advance only

Navan students work to build a school

by Dan Plouffe

Excitement is building at Heritage Public School for its Arts for Africa night, a fundraising event dedicated to building a school in Africa.

Grade 8 student Arden Streib, a leader of the O Ambassadors Club, and 20 other club members from Grades 4 to 8 have been busy calling local businesses to collect donations for the silent auction. So far, they’ve found about 50 sponsors. Some students have also contributed their own pieces of African art, like beaded bracelets and a tabletop tile mosaic.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s so going to be worth it,” says Streib, whose group expects around 300 guests at the event. “I’m so excited. It’s just going to be so much fun.”

The event will include West African dance performances, a speaker from Free the Children and children’s authors who will explain the importance of culture and diversity.

“We’ve tried very much to stick to the culture with this entire event,” explains Grade 7/8 teacher Heather Kirk. “The arts are so symbolic in the African culture that I thought it would be really nice to have an evening centred around that.”

The chance to explore African culture also provides a contrast to what the group has studied, like education and health conditions, Streib says, although learning about the difficulties in Africa has reinforced her drive to help however she can.

“You don’t really realize how different everybody’s living in the world. We have so much and then we see these little kids standing in front of a mud hut. It’s really sad,” she says. “We really want to help them out, because it’s so not fair for some people to have such a good life and then others not having a good life just because it’s a poor country where they live.”

Arts for Africa takes place Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and there’s free babysitting. There will be a 150 item silent auction to help towards the school’s year-long goal of raising $15,000.

Heritage Public School students display their African artwork.
Photo by Etienne Ranger

source:
http://www.eastottawa.ca/article-297964-Navan-students-work-to-build-a-school.html

Last Chance to Save!!

Today, January 31st, is the last day to purchase the hardcover books at the pre-order discounted price.

http://www.rootsandwingsbooks.ca/shop.html

Thanks to all of you who made your early purchase - your books will be in the mail next week!

How You Can Make a Difference!

On February 5th, Roots and Wings Books will be participating in the Arts for Africa event, hosted by students of the Oprah Ambassadors program.

$1.00 from your purchase of a hardcover book on February 5th and February 6th will be donated to their cause of raising funds to support the building of a school and educational needs in an area of Kenya.

For more information on the event, the cause and the events we are particiapting in, please visit:

http://www.rootsandwingsbooks.ca/events.html.

Literacy Day Events!

Participating in the Guiness Book of World Records attempt for Literacy Day last week was truly an inspiring event. In Oakville the event was kicked off by a reading of Seven Hands, Seven Lands. Read by a seven year old to his grade two classmates it was exciting to see the reception the book received and the enthusiastic conversation about both the story and the artwork which it inspired. Hearing "that was a great book" from several of the grade two students was a real thrill and later hearing feedback from parents that the kids had talked of the reading of 'Seven Hands' at home was fantastic!! It was such fun to read the wonderful Robert Munsch stories to the children in order to participate in the world record attempt and overall it was a fun filled afternoon for adults and children alike...there really is nothing like reading some good books!