Meet the Author

Every now and then you read a book that is so well-written and wonderful, that you just can't help but share the recommendation with everyone you know.   "The Count of Monte Cristo," was one of those books for me.  I read an abridged version in high school and adored it.  Then I read the unabridged version as an adult and loved it even more (except for the ending, which was much better in the movie version).   "Atlas Shrugged," was the same.  It was long-winded and painful at times, but so thought provoking that I literally discussed it with anyone who would listen for months afterward. 

This past week I found a book that's even better than those two.  And lucky for me, it wasn't long-winded or painful in the slightest.   It's called, "The Day I Met My Friend." 

Let me introduce you to one of the authors: 

Her name is Ellie and although not even quite 8-years of age, she has outshone the more experienced authors, Rand and Dumas,   and teamed up with her friend Andie (seen below with Ellie) to create a literature masterpiece all about friendship, collaboration, and perseverance. 

Their collaborative writing and artwork proved too tempting for local book publisher, Mommy Inc., and they were immediately commissioned for a first run publishing of four books--one for Ellie's family, one for Andie's, one for the school library, and one for their teacher.  The book is bound using durable  metal staples. 

Let's take a peek inside, taking note of full color artwork which was done in Crayola markers, crayons, and #2 pencils.  You will find both authors' artwork  and writing on every single page layout as they painstakingly created their book one page at a time, taking turns with the writing and illustrating. 

About the Authors: 

Ellie:  "I love books and the beautiful paintings.  I just love all of it.  I met my friend in first grade." 
Andie:  "I love books.  I like to draw pictures.  I like to play with my BEST friend Ellie!" 

Publishers interested in commissioning their own full-color copies of, "How I Met My Friend" are welcome to negotiate with Ellie about renting her copy of the book (for just 10 cents a day) and taking it themselves to the  illustrious local publishing company (aka Staples).   I hear that they are very kind to new authors and will publish  books at the very low rate of 49 cents per page, staples not included.   

Emma's Birthday Autobiography

   For Emma's 12th birthday today, I thought that instead of writing up a blogpost in her honor that I would let Emma do the talking instead.   She loves to write (she takes after her mother in that regard) and loves it when people comment on her writing even more (HINT HINT).    Emma's smile and energetic personality have been lighting up our family for 12 whole years now and we are thrilled with the young woman that she is becoming! 

And here is Emma (in her own words): 

Autobiography

By: Emma G.

PART 1

Chapter One
I was born on October 31st 2000 at 1:40 in the morning. I had orange hair and my mom called me “her little pumpkin baby”. I have two older siblings. My older brother was 5 ½ when I was born and my sister was 3 ½. They thought since I was born they wouldn’t be able to go trick-or-treating, but they still did. When I was about 3-4 weeks old I smiled for the first time, which is something I will never forget how to do.




Chapter Two
15 days before my second birthday my mom had my little brother. I was too young to remember anything, but I know he was cute and he smiled a lot. Also when I was about two years old I would sing a lot. There is a video of me when I was two and in every video with me in it I was trying to have the camera on me and I would be singing.





Chapter Three
When I was three years old I had to get eye muscle surgery. I had gotten glasses when I was two, because I was cross eyed, so they gave me the surgery. When I was four I had to wear a patch due to lazy eye (I didn’t need glasses). When I was in preschool my mom had my little sister.





Chapter Four
When I was finishing preschool and about to go into Kindergarten my mom taught me how to read. My mom taught me out of a big book with many different lessons. I would do one lesson every day. The first few lessons were just about the different sounds each letter made. As the time went on I would read stories with pictures and my mom would cover the picture so I wouldn’t know what the story was about. I remember that I always would try and sneak a look at the picture.



Chapter Five
On Memorial Day 2005 I went to a lake with my family and some family friends. There was a bridge so I walked to it in the water and then I slipped and cut my knee deeply on a sharp rock. I came out of the water and there was a lot of blood. Luckily, one of my parent’s friends was a doctor so he stopped the bleeding. My dad took me to the emergency room and they had to give me four stitches. It hurt. The doctors gave me little teddy bear. I still have a scar from that accident.





Chapter Six
In Fall 2006 I started Kindergarten at Elementary School (which is the school I’ve been at since then). My teachers were Mrs. A and Mrs. S. In Kindergarten I learned many things and skills that have helped me in past grades. In Kindergarten I really loved my teachers and I still do. In first grade I had Ms. Bl. it was in her class that I got my first Paw Power award. In second grade I had Mrs. By. In her class I made some of my best friends. The next year I was accepted into the AAP (Advanced Academics Program) and was in Mr. S's class. He was my first male teacher and a good one too. After that I had Mrs. H. who taught me many things about language arts and social studies. Presently I have Mrs. A (again!) and she is very optimistic and treats everyone well. In fourth grade I became a safety patrol. This was exciting for me, because I got to help the school even though I was on a bus.





Part Two


Chapter Seven
During the summer between fourth grade and fifth grade I did swim team at my pool. I didn’t know I would like it as much as I did. I’m not trying to brag, but I did pretty good in swimming and I really liked it. I had done running and a little bit of soccer, but other than those I didn’t really do competitive sports. I plan on doing swimming again this summer, and currently I’m doing running with the school track team.




Chapter Eight
I started doing a lot of writing in Mrs. A’s class. Almost every day I write something. People have told me my writing is good and I didn’t really know that or think about until this year. Also, I am told I’m a good reader. I like reading and can read books fairly fast (I got that from my mom). I try and think about the author’s words as much as I can. I also, over the years, have gained a better understanding of books that I read or have read.


Chapter Nine
I donated ten inches of my hair to Locks of Love (it makes wigs for people with cancer. My hair was pretty long and although I loved my hair long I wanted to cut it, but my mom was trying to make excuses for me to not cut my hair. This was all before January 10th 2012. That was the day that my older brother went to the hospital, because he was diagnosed with cancer. After that, my mom finally agreed to let me do it (because of my brother). She actually donated her hair too although she likes her hair long.





Chapter Ten
When I was nine and ten years old I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grow up, but now from learning more about the world and global warming I want to be an environmentalist. When I learned more about pollution and global warming and what they are doing to our Earth it made me want to stop it. Many animals’ habitats are different from what they used to be, because pollution causes global warming which is making polar ice caps melt, and other ice. Pollution is forming a giant trash pile (gyre) in the Pacific Ocean. Pollution is also causing animals to die, because animals (mostly birds) mistake plastic for food. Plastic is toxic, but the animals don’t know it so they eat it and then they die. It’s really sad, but if people help it may stop.

Note From the Author
My life may not seem that special, but everybody and everything is different, so my life is special in it’s own way. I believe everyone has a talent even if they don’t know it. I also believe everyone can achieve their goals, long term or short term, and dreams if they really try and work hard to achieve them.






HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY EMMA!
We love you!


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For more of Emma's birthday posts:
7th birthday
8th birthday
9th birthday
10th birthday
11th birthday