A Closer Look at the Book: Grasshopper Bubblegum

Grandma and Grandpa lived on a dairy farm just a few miles from home. We were fortunate to spend many days on their farm throughout the 70s and early 80s. Playing on the farm was always an adventure. Working on the farm became a delightful chore.

Grandma was creative. With lots of grandkids running around she had to be on top of things. There was plenty to do to keep busy, but Grandma was a genius for encouraging us to be productive in our play. She had many clever incentives to inspire this productivity and keep us out of her hair!

Some of my favorites?

Climbing to the very top of the tree for the best mulberries. Sometimes we even took a sandwich and a jug or canteen of water up with us, just in case we wanted to gather berries through the lunch hour.

Filling buckets with thistle was a thrill. We got to cross the road (by ourselves) and hike out far from the house. We were sure we were even out of Grandma’s perfect sight! Grandma offered a penny per thistle in the bucket upon our return. No matter how long it took, our buckets were always full.

And of course I will never forget the garden chores as described in Grasshopper Bubblegum.  Filling our jar with grasshoppers. Trading grasshoppers for Grandma’s pennies. And walking into town to purchase bubblegum.

I wonder if she knew the true value of her pennies. I wonder if she knew these seeds she had planted would grow crops of wisdom, ingenuity, work ethic, problem solving, cooperation, patience, sharing…

These were her true gifts. They are priceless. And she shared them with me.

If you would like to know more about Grasshopper Bubblegum visit my website http://www.shellysimoneaustories.com

I would love to hear from you! Until then…

Keep up your good work,

Shelly Simoneau

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A Closer Look at the Book: Snake Tree

Mother and Daddy love to fish on the Neosho River not far from home. Back in the 80s they had quite a story to tell when they returned from a day of fishing . I listened to that story. I soaked up the details. And I remembered it. Now I pass Snake Tree on to others.

Why did I remember this story that Daddy told?

Was it the excitement and thrill of a threatening snake? Or the humor of Mother climbing up into the tree? Maybe it was the suspense of Daddy fending off the snake with his pole, like a sword, as it slithered closer and closer to the boat?

These were all captivating details for me. But it was the hidden meanings, the deeper message, that drew me in.

Stories that carry forward a deeper message have a projective purpose. An impact.

I remembered the story because of its impact.

Connections. Rich lessons. This shared story continued its offering beyond its telling.

Respect of nature.

Importance of attentiveness.

Value of cooperation.

And the big one… There really are ‘snakes’ in this big world trying to get into people’s ‘boats’.

The Snake Tree has become a true place for my family. Like a family landmark. A reference point when we talk about the river.

It’s a landmark we can return to. A landmark we can learn from. It’s like a really good story.

If you would like to learn more about this book visit http://www.shellysimoneaustories.com

You can also find me on Facebook. I would love to hear from you! Until then…

Share Your Stories!

Shelly Simoneau

A Closer Look at the Book: The Cows Came Running and the Horses Did Too!

I’ll be sharing a closer look at all my books over the next couple of weeks, as I prepare for the Kansas Book Festival in Topeka, Kansas. The Cows Came Running and the Horses Did Too! was my very first book, released in 2011. The story is based on a 1970s childhood memory that takes place on our humble family farm in Wilsey, Kansas.

I love this story because of its strong connection to just about everyone! It is a story of a dad who says no. His daughters, however, do not listen.

  

Ouch! It’s true. I disobeyed my father when I was growing up!

Who doesn’t relate to that?

The best part about this memory is what I got to keep from it over all these years. I gained a rich learning experience of honesty, respect, and responsibility.

And let’s not forget about those natural consequences!

Find out more about this story at http://www.shellysimoneaustories.com and then share you own story of how you learned that big lesson as a child.

Always Learning,

Shelly Simoneau

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. – Eph. 6:1

Looking forward, where stories are never left behind!

2013 has been an exciting year for Shelly Simoneau Stories, with 5 published children’s BOOKS and eBooks now available through any online retailer all around the world! My stories have a REACH as far as London, Haiti, and Africa!

Shelly Simoneau Stories loves to CONNECT to EDUCATION. As an educator over the past 20 years, I have developed my stories for enjoyment in the home as well as for use in the classroom setting. Each story is a unique learning experience that kids and adults can easily relate to. I am so thankful to have been able to use my personal stories to promote character education and curriculum connections in Kansas schools in 2013!

Shelly Simoneau Stories loves to TRAVEL and SHARE the stories. I am delighted that I was able to travel over 5,000 miles this year, sharing my books and many other stories at schools, libraries, conventions, and public events across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma! The journey has been amazing, as well as the many people I have encountered along the way.

Shelly Simoneau Stories loves to LEARN about TECHNOLOGY. I skyped 1250 miles across the country this year for Read Across America, connecting Elmont Elementary students in Topeka, KS to Kennedy Elementary students in Roxbury, NJ! What an amazing experience for everyone involved! I also highlighted my current iPad apps at the Logan Elementary Summer Enrichment Program in Topeka, KS this past summer.

So what’s new in 2014?

I’ll be kicking off the New Year with Lowman Hills Elementary in Topeka, KS for a Kansas Day celebration reading night in January. In 2014 I will also be delivering the keynote storytelling presentation at the Barton County Community College Education Fair. Look for more iPad apps, as well as Tinker in the Tanker, my next book focusing on patience and courage, to be published in late fall!

Shelly Simoneau Stories is looking forward, where stories are never left behind!

Thank you for your continued support! I hope to see you in 2014!