Author Fiesta

More Research Forms Uploaded

Several more research forms have been uploaded in this previous post.  They are All About Manatees, All About Turtles, All About Frogs, and All About Deer. Still working on more. Stay tuned.

"ALL ABOUT" Resources

A Jim Arnosky series we really enjoy is the "ALL ABOUT" books. They are well done with lots of details about the named class of animals in a nice condensed format and of course excellent and engaging illustrations.  As you read along and learn "About" these animals, you can complete a research form for your notebooks. I'll add more forms for the remaining books as they are completed.

All About Deer - Download all_about_deer.pdf
All About Frogs - Download all_about_frogs.pdf 
All About Manatees - Download all_about_manatees.pdf
All About Owls - Download all_about_owls.pdf
All About Rattlesnakes - Download all_about_rattlesnakes.pdf
All About Sharks - Download all_about_sharks.pdf
All About Turkeys - Download all_about_turkeys.pdf
All About Turtles - Download all_about_turtles.pdf

Find Out About Welch Corgi

The Welsh Corgi is associated with Tasha Tudor in many people's minds. She kept many as pets through the years, they are often pictured in her illustrations, and of course are the subject of the Corgiville series of picture books.

• Corgiville Fair
• The Great Corgiville Kidnapping
• Corgiville Christmas

Corgi are a herding dog breed that originated in Wales and is the smallest of the herding group.  There are two breeds of Welsh Corgi with slight variations. Cor gi means "dwarf dog" in Welsh and is thought to be the origin of the name though some say it is from cur gi - "watch dog ." There are many stories and legends that are shared regarding the Corgi and it's origin.  Find out about the cute little Corgi at the sites listed here and fill out the research form to add to your notebook.

EDITED: And thanks to Joanne who found this Corgi coloring page for the younger ones to add to their notebooks. Check out all the great ideas she has for Tasha Tudor study.

About the Corgi, in Tasha Tudor's own words:

"There is no other dog that can compare to a corgi?  They're the epitome of beauty. Apollo can't hold a candle to my Owyn. He has royal blood, the same sire as Queen Elizabeth's corgis, that's why I named him Owyn Tudor after my ancestors. Corgis are Welsh in origin and there are two kinds: Cardigans, which are heavy-headed and have tails that go all the way down, and Pembrokes, like mine, that have no tails and are more refined.

My very first corgi was bought by my son Tom for ten guineas from a Reverend Mr. Jones, a vicar in Pembrokeshire, who shipped him over in a tea chest.  It was love at first sight and I was determined I had to have more.  I've had up to thirteen or fourteen at one time, which causes a lot of commotion underfoot, especially when people come to call.

They're such characters- a mixture of a dog and a cat, I think. They especially don't like to be scolded in public. They talk back; they growl and show their teeth and pretend they're frightfully savage. However, they never criticize. You're always beautiful to them.

I take great pains in feeding them the best. Never canned dog food, I wouldn't dream of it! They always have fresh homemade soup, or goat's meat, and lots of garlic. That's why they don't have fleas.

How could you resist a corgi? Look at their faces. I find them thoroughly adorable, particularly when they're little. And in the winter it's very cozy to sleep with a nice warm corgi in the small of your back to cut the drafts. We always had a medley of doggies when the children were growing up -- collies, wolfhounds, terriers, and then corgis above all.  I find them irresistible.  They are my trademark." 

The Works of Tasha Tudor

Tasha's first story, Pumpkin Moonshine, was published in 1938. Subsequently she illustrated nearly one hundred books, the most recent was The Corgiville Christmas, in 2003.  She received many awards and honors, including  Caldecott Honors for Mother Goose and 1 is One and the Regina Medal in 1971 for her contribution to enriching children's literature.

Here is a bibliography of books written and illustrated by Tasha Tudor during her life. It doesn't include any after 1997. You will need to add The Corgiville Christmas.

As with previous authors you can start here with the Author Research Sheet:  Author Research Sheet  You can find out much about Tasha's life from this article: Lives That Changed Lives: Tasha Tudor.

New Mystery Author: June & July 2008

Our mystery author for the June & July 2008 (yes, we're giving her two solid months...you'll see why as we go along) Author Fiesta study is:

Mem Fox

I don't believe we had a winner this month but that's okay. By the end of July we'll ALL be winners.

Be sure to explore Mem Fox's website: www.memfox.net

To get everyone off and running, here is your Author Research Sheet:  Author Research Sheet

Also, author Mem Fox lives and works in Australia so I thought it'd be nice to start our new author study with a little geography lesson.  Here is a printable geography sheet to research with your child and insert in their Author Fiesta binder: Australia Geography   

Author Research Form

Author Research Form (pdf file)