October: National Bullying Prevention Month and More!

October is shaping up to be a pretty busy month and it’s only just begun!

First of all, it’s National Bully Prevention Month.

I’m planning on spotlighting books and other resources that can help parents and teachers address this issue.

Second, I’ve signed up for 31 in 31, the brainchild of writer/artist Kathy Ellen Davis.  Kathy is encouraging everyone to read a picture book every day in October.

Since this is what I would like to do 365 days a year, I decided to hop aboard.  Usually, for Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, I review the older classics.  For this challenge, I’m going to pursue the best new picture books of 2011 and 2012.  On Fridays, for Perfect Picture Book Friday, I’ll review the best of the seven (as long as it hasn’t appeared on Susanna’s resource list yet) that I’ve read during the week…and give a list of the others.

Third, thanks to children’s author (Annie’s Special Day), fellow 12x12er and PPBF participant Clar Bowman-Jahn (thank you so much, Clar!), I was reminded of the Muse Online Writer’s Conference in time to register last night!

I’m excited to take part in this FREE writer’s conference that is being held October 8-14.  I’ll try to participate as much as possible…there are workshops and seminars and even a possible opportunity to have your work critiqued.

Fourth, Fire Prevention Week is October 7-14.

Some of you might remember the interview during Susanna Hill’s self-publishing mini-series with Patrick Milne, author of The Adventures of Lucy Snigglefritz.  I’ll be spotlighting and reviewing that book during Fire Prevention Week…if you have the book, you’ll know why!

Fifth, as a participant in Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2012, I’m checking in with my completed September picture book draft.

Over 400 people signed up for Julie’s challenge to try to write a picture book draft each month this year.  Personally, I know that I would NOT have nine picture books drafts sitting on my desk (dining room table) if not for Julie and the inspiration I draw from the other members of this amazing kidlit community.  I pitched two of the stories (The Tomato Turner and Confessions of the Tomato Turner) on Susanna’s ‘Would You Read It Wednesday’ post…and I’m busy working on my October picture book draft, the third in this series of books about how a love for tomatoes helped my son learn some important lessons.

Sixth, we have twelve lucky winners in the Show-Me-How School Initiative!

I’ll be notifying each of the twelve people as soon as possible.

1. Erik: L R Appleman Elementary School, Pennsylvania
2. Tracy C: A family who home schools
3. Stacy J: Banning Lewis Ranch Academy, Colorado
4. Milka P: Her son’s preschool, California
5. Jennifer B: Mt. Olive Early Childhood Education Center, Aurora, CO
6. Barbara P: Lyle Creek Elementary School, Conover, NC
7. Laura B: Montgomery City Elementary, Montgomery City, MO
8. Kimberley M: Hollis Elementary, Hollis, Maine
9. Lesley F: Friends for Mental Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

10. Monica D: McKay School, Fitchberg, MA

11. Lisa Winkler: Montessori Netivot, Edison, New Jersey

12. Barbara L: Millstream Elementary, Victoria, BC, Canada

Last, but certainly not least, October means HALLOWEEN!

Do you celebrate Halloween?

Do you buy ready-made costumes or make your own?

Do you go out trick-or-treating with your kids or do you opt for a family or community-run party?

I want to ask all of my readers to do a big favor for me…in return for which I am offering a Halloween prize package…please visit and ‘like’ the new FB page for Show Me How and leave a comment on my wall: http://www.facebook.com/showmehowbuildyourchildsselfesteem

Leave a comment on this post, letting me know you did it…or that you are already a fan of Show Me How…and I will enter your name in a drawing for the prize…it includes a box of cupcake liners and Halloween decorated toothpicks, a fun Halloween board book that uses Cheerios for interactive play…and more!  I’ll announce the winner on October 15…so that I can mail out the package in plenty of time for Halloween!