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FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Dear Grandpa: We listened to the tape (CD) two times. I love the book so much.
-from two girls (age 10 and 5) living in South Africa
"...we're in the middle of reading the book. My students love the story! Between the talking parrot and the lady with the big long name, they think it's GREAT!"
- 2nd grade teacher in Hanoi, Vietnam WOW, what a book. I noticed your reference to Birds of Australia. What a marvelous effort you have done, the illustrations are so complimentary. WHAT AN EFFORT! Well done; deserves to be a roaring success. When do you start on the next one?
-retired Australian librarian
OUTSIDE WASHINGTON STATE
...thank you for your generous donations to Emergency Food Network's Abundance Auction two years in a row. Before our auction, I took the time to read and fall in love with the story and silly characters in your book. What a fun way to teach children about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. As a mother I look forrward to sharing this book with my children and hopefully someday my grandchildren. Thank you for bringing Mrs. Annathena....into our lives.
-Joanna Rasmussen, Emergency Food Network, Tacoma, WA
"Aloha! We have thoroughly enjoyed your children's book and read it all the time. Jordyn can't get enough of Mrs. Annathena. She loves pronouncing her full name and now goes around giving all of us rhyming names too - mama Wamma, Saigey Raigey, Dada Fada, etc. It has been a literary gem in increasing her vocabulary. The fact that Jordyn just turned 3 years old and can sit all the way through your chapter book and be riveted to every page is a compliment to your skill and talent in creating an interesting and character-building text for children. She insists on listening to the CD anytime we ride in the car."
-The Imig Family, Honolulu October 2011
I truly enjoyed the story. It seems most appropriate for readers who like longer stories and will like the repetition of her name in all her efforts to change it ...they would understand the teasing of young children and also the end conclusion... William Bartholomew is a delightful sidelight and a great sympathetic twist - a great device.
-an Oregon librarian
Hopefully this will be a small, but significant step towards introducing children, their teachers and their parents to your book which, in a fun, yet serious manner, deals with a much-needed topic so prevalent among elementary school-age children. Wishing you the best in getting Mrs. Annathena into the hands and minds of as many children as possible!
-Kay Pearlman, Children's Librarian, Duarte Library, County of Los Angeles Public Library
I thought the story was great on so many levels - entertainment and also had a message - valuable things to learn. I wish you much luck and good will that your books is purchased for many classrooms, homes and libraries.
- Karole Ely, -retired Administrator-Glen Paul School -Eureka, CA Awesome! We can't wait to read it. Please keep us on future mailing lists for any other books you may be writing.
-44 year old mother of a 6 and a 4 year old in Ohio.
a mother with 2 small children loves the book. "She said they love the funny name and the story, and will often joke about going to see the lawyer, or the mayor. She really likes the CD too, as they will put it in the car on drives and trips."
-a soccer mom in Arcata, CA
"… when Emma and Wynona were here last week they went to sleep every night listening to your story. Someone had suggested getting Emma to settle down at night this way, and she wanted your story every night, in fact insisted on having it on all the way in the car from Portland to Salem.".. -from a grandmother in Tigard, OR
I love the book! I haven't read a children's book in a long time.The first thing that impressed me is the contemporary feel of the story line, characters and dialog. Love it! I tried to read a chapter at a time, but that didn't work. I had to keep going! -Oregon phototographer/musician -retired
What a wonderful treasure you have in this CD and book. I will pass this along to the other teachers.
-Charter School Director and teacher - Tigard, OR
My granddaughter, who is 3, can say the entire title without a pause. And she loves saying it! It is so poetic.
Vivian - Honolulu, HI
WASHINGTON STATE
Before our auction, I took the time to read and fall in love with the story and silly characters in your book. What a fun way to teach children about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. As a mother I look forward to sharing this book with my children and hopefully someday my grandchildren. Thank you for ring Mrs. Annathena Gilly Gully into our lives.
-Joanna Rasmussen - Tacoma Emergency Food network
I enjoyed the book and the CD. You did a great job with the various voices and especially the story star, Maurice...Mor-reece!.....it was a minor stroke of genius to include the creature. You and your son have turned out a quality piece."
-Earl Otis - 50 year newspaper & research writer-WSU, WWREC, TNT Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with all the kids at Vacation Church School. They were captured by your every word; the story and the way you read it was so much fun.
- Janice Berntsen, Immanuel Presbyterian Director of Children's Music The group yesterday was just enthralled. I personally was fascinated with your book publishing. As a former teacher, I love the premise and the names of your characters that would be so appealing to children.
-The Golden Classics of Immanuel Lutheran Church
Never have I had so much fun editing a book as when I worked with Author Chellis Jensen on her (catchy-to-pronounce) book about Mrs. Annathena Gilly Gully From Puddle Rumple Tilly Willy. It took me only three weeks of practice to let the name roll off my tongue. I'm sure children do it in much less time. This book is a jewel of a book for kids who love to smile and have fun with words. Jensen is a topnotch wordsmith with the heart and understanding of children of all ages. -Val Dumond, Editor, Author of Grammar For Grownups and Just Words.
My granddaughter and I enjoyed your book and CD! She keeps asking for a replay. The lessons are great and each time we read it there is a new lesson to talk about.
-a grandmother
a well thought out story that is entertaining and has beautiful illustrations. The book was a delight for our granddaughter. - a Bellevue grandparent Enjoyed reading your website...of course I want a copy of your book, authographed! I've worked with children for 20 years in daycare...the "after-school"agers would love your book. I've printed out your webpage to show my mom who is in her 90's.....a note to tell you how much I enjoyed your book and CD...everyone at my workplace wants a time to read it... -grandmother, caregiver, day care staff |
EDUCATORS
I am the librarian at ALPAC and would be happy to read the book to my students as well as post your Letter To A Bully. I feel what you are doing is wonderful and kids really do need to hear this message.
-Brenda Leyda, ALPAC Teacher Librarian
"I really do like your book and plan to share it....glad to hear you are having good reactions to the book---I do understand why!"
-retired Elementary Counselor working with interns The book was amazing. The main character was a hoot. I love the way you dressed the part and the voice that you used. Your expression and tone captured the students attention right away. The lesson of the story was something that the kids relate to. What a treat for all of us. Thank you for coming to our classroom to read to the children.
-Michelle Gibson -2nd grade teacher in Kilauea, Hawaii
I really enjoyed this! The repetition of the name is just right for a children's book. I found myself creating mental illustrations of the places and people as I read.
-writer and elementary teacher
We enjoyed your reading - it is magic! Your parrot hat fits right in....and your sharing of your experiences in writing and publishing and how the content is used in teaching children.
- Pierce Country Retired Teachers (PCSRA) - WA state I love children's books. They are one of my passions! They are such a logical way to reach children. I try to read to my kiddos every day. I love looking out at those beautiful faces and seeing every eye on me, or the pictures. They really listen. They become captives. I am very intrigued by your book. You have hit on such a current topic. And the book sounds so wonderful! I teach second grade at Jefferson Elem., here in Pullman. I would oh so love to purchase a (signed of course), copy of the book and CD from you. Pullman has just as much bullying as any other place on earth, and I would love to share your book with my children, and my faculty. -Margi Larson-Vogel, 2nd greade teacher, Pullman, WA Annathena is an interesting character and I am delighted with the message to the children; kids need to make mistakes to learn. This story lets kids know that adults also struggle with things and are not necessarily angry.
-reading specialist and 4th grade teacher
What an amazing book and website!! I am getting the word out to my faculty, including submitting an announcement of your book to the College of Liberal Arts Communications Office."
-Gail D. Chermak, PhD
Professor & Chair
Speech & Hearing Sciences
Washington State University
I am thrilled to be able to support your creative efforts! I LOVE children's literature and have quite a collection of children's books, myself. Today I drove to Bellevue, so took your CD along to keep me company. I really enjoyed hearing your characters come to life through all your fantastic voices. The story is very entertaining, as well as teaching a valuable lesson. I feel blessed to count it among my precious volumes.
-former director of the Pierce College Head Start Program
My principal loved it and so did the teachers. The children hope you will come back again and read to them. The results were easy to see in the eyes of the children.
-Elementary School Librarian
A delightful story - I loved the concept of no gender, and particularly liked the epilogue. Kids and parents will love it - it's a terrific story. I would not limit it to 2nd and 3rd grade, for your message is far greater.
-a retired elementary teacher I like Maurice! He provides great pictures in my mind as I see him randomly flying around. The kids will appreiate the comic relief.
-full time Teacher's Aid ...there are teachers who would love to have a guest author come and read. I will send out an email at school tomorrow. Whatever book teachers read aloud is the one the kids check out. READING IS MAGIC! -elmentary teacher w/natl board certification in teaching Just finished the book and really enjoyed it. It was creatively written...nice that laughter was able to overcome the teasing. I had a last name I didn't like until I was in the Army and heard my name being called with Captain in front of it...then I began to like it. Also great illustrations by your son - very colorful and dramatic.
-Tacoma All City PTA President
"...drop you a note to tell you how much my Nevada grandkids loved your book....the younger kids (4,5,6) just enjoyed the cadence of the words, but the 12 year old was mesmerized.... He particularly liked the parts about the parrot, because he has his own and could really identify. ... Thanks for the creative juices you put into that book. I found it to be a good investment for my grandkids."
-from a former Tacoma educator
CHILDREN If you do publish the book then you can read that book at every country around the World. Your book was cool!
- second grade student
On July 30th, 2010, you came to the Puyallup Library and gave me a copy of your book! I loved it! So I decided to make a haiku! Hope you like it! ( see Children's poetry page).
Janna Taft, age 10
Puyallup, WA
My favorite character is Annathena Gilly Gully because I wouldn't care if people made fun of me or my name cause what if they had a silly name and everyone laughed at him or her. I wouldn't laugh. I would say to him or her its okay I'm not gonna make fun of you. I want to be your friend and who cares if they make fun of you.
- 3rd grade student
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