20 Easy Steps to Knit a Cute and Cuddley Gingerbread Alien

This cute idea follows the pattern based on knitting a Red Cross trauma teddy bear with a few simple little changes along the way. The Australian Red Cross is a wonderful organisation that organises the collection of teddies that are then distributed via the Ambulance service, the Fire Brigade and hospitals to children and others who may have suffered from trauma. These teddies provide a fantastic source of comfort when children are at their most sick and vulnerable. It is a very worthwhile cause.

My hope is that perhaps along with sharing the joy and laughter of my book, a little gingerbread alien teddy may also bring a little light into someone's life also. After all, laughter really is the best medicine. :)

Use 8ply wool (nothing scratchy or itchy like angora or mohair)

Needles: 3.75mm or 3.25mm for looser knitters.

Legs.

Leg 1.

1. Cast on 12 stitches

2. Knit 42 rows

Leave stitches on needle.

Leg 2.

4. Repeat same as leg 1.

Body.

5. Join both legs by knitting across both legs.

6. Knit 32 rows.

Arms.

7. Cast on 12 stitches at the beginning of next two rows.

8. Knit 18 rows.

9. Next cast off 12 stitches (this forms the arms - 24 stitches should remain).

Head.

10. Knit 2 rows.

11. Cast on one stitch every row next 20 rows.

12. Knit 12 more rows.

13. Cast off.

14. Repeat this procedure to make the other side of the gingerbread alien teddy.

To Finish.

15. Crochet a string of chains to sew onto the tummy for the aliens intestines.

16. Knit 2 eyes  (I made diamond shapes, beginning with 1 stitch, cast on one each row for 10 rows, then cast off back to one)

17. Knit 7 sultanas. (cast on one at a time for 6 rows, then cast off)

18. I have tried to sew on both before and after sewing up teddy, the choice is up to you. I find he stretches quite a bit depending on how much stuffing you choose to use, so the effect changes depending on when you decide to sew the face on before or after stuffing teddy.I found it easiest to sew on the intestines before stuffing, but sewing on the face was better after stuffing. I leave that decision up to you.

19. Sew on mouth and nostrils.

20. Sew up teddy and stuff before sewing across the top of the head.

Meet Aviva Gittle, Self-Pub Author with a Mission!

Aviva Gittle is an inspiration to other self=published authors. A prolific children's book author who writes with a partner and avidly shares her experiences in the industry with others. Read this fantastic interview to learn so much more wonderful information about Aviva and her delightful stories.

Meet Julie Krantz - a Teenage Superhero Mastermind!

Welcome this week to our third interview in our Pay it Forward series Meet Julie Krantz who shares her passion for Holden Caulfeild, Nancy Drew and even Great Expectation's Pip as part of her inspiration and motivation for writing.Julie is a kindred spirit in that she believes in the importance of really making kids laugh when they are reading. Read on to learn more about this amazing writer, her journey into the world of self publishing and her wonderful books.

Great Giveaway with Easter on the way!

Easter is just around the corner for yet another year, why not consider the gift of a great children's book the kids will adore along with those usual chocolate easter eggs. Last week David Chuka did me the favour of inteviewing me on his blog, this week I have the opportunity to return the favour by posting the link to his giveaway on Goodreads.

So why not stop on by, read a review or two and enter the contest, who knows, you just might win a fantastic new book and become a fan of this wonderful author who has written quite a few delightful books in this Monster series.

Click on the link below to read all about David Chuka and his Goodreads Giveaway Contest.

Win a Signed Copy of Billy and the Monster who Ate All the Easter Eggs

Emmy Gatrell, a Mother and Author With a Heart for Writing

Emmy Gatrell, a Mother and Author With a Heart for Writing.

Interview with Children's Book Author Sandra Bennett

This week I had the amazing opportunity to be interviewed by Children's Author David Chuka on his blog. Below are my responses to his questions. Read on and learn a little more about my life, my writing and my love of literacy. Interview with Children's Book Author Sandra Bennett.

Emmy Gatrell, a Mother and Author With a Heart for Writing

In our "Second Pay it forward" interview Emmy Gatrell talks about the importance of doing things in life that make you happy. It is important to find and do something you are passionate about and if you can make it your life's work, than even better. My writing for children brings me great joy and if it puts a smile on the face of even one child, then I have been successful. I hope you enjoy reading this interview from this new author, I certianly did. :)

The Awesome Value of Picture Books

When you think of picture books, what are some of the great memories that come to your mind? Snuggling with grandma? Daddy'd tender voice as he read a bedtime story to you?  Perhaps laughing with Mum as she read your favourite story but skipped a page hoping you wouldn't notice, (but of course you did, you knew every word by heart).

Every child has a favourite. One that they want read to them night after night. Kept under their pillow or hidden in reach under their bed.

My all time favourite is "Diary of a Wombat" by Jackie French (I've mentioned it in my blogs before). I've read it over and over to so many children during my teaching career, unfortunately I think I've lost my copy in a classroom somewhere and it was personally autographed by Jackie too!  I do however still have "Christmas Wombat" and  "Baby Wombat's Week" so I am lucky to be able to re-read these whenever I like. As I guess you can see, I rather have a fondness for wombats. They are Australia's unsung heroes, cute and cuddley yet almost forgotten due to the popularity of koalas and kangaroos. Thanks to Jackie French and her wonderful tales wombats are  finally getting the recognition they so rightfully deserve, but I digress.

Picture books are our introduction into the wonderful world of imagination and reading. We learn so much more than you might initially think from them.

From the first time we hold a picture book in our hands we begin the early stages of reading. We immediately learn the correct way to hold a book to be able to read it up the right way and from the front to the back. As we listen to an adult read the few words on each page we see to read from left to right. We see the shape of sentences and listen to the sounds of the written language. We also unknowingly begin to learn the fundamental structure of sentence building as well as the more complicated structure of the spoken language itself as we listen to someone read to us over and over again.

We learn that marvelous stories can be told on the pages of books and that we can explore all sorts of magical and mystical worlds through words and pictures.

We also come to realise that the story can be told through the amazing illustrations making it possible to understand the story without reading the words. This then helps in the following stages of learning to read as we search the pictures for cues to help with words by looking at expressions, body language or other clues that might be in the images. For example in "Christmas Wombat" the text talks about the strange creatures that are eating the wombats carrots, but by looking at the illustrations it is clear the creatures are in fact Santa's reindeer.

Often a joke or a visual hint may be in the illustration that may not be obvious in the written word demonstrating the visual impact the pictures can have on the story. In "Baby Wombat's week" the wombat is searching for a new bigger home, the illustrations show us some of the places he considers, such as the toddlers sandpit, the garbage bin and a washing basket.

Of course the key to successful learning to read is as much in the conversation that develops about what happens in the story in as much as reading the text or looking at the pictures. A picture is after all worth a thousand words, and a good illustration can tell an incredible story in its own right. Picture books can help to stimulate discussions between parents and children where as more complicated text may reduce the need for that dialogue unless the parent is proactive.

Picture books come in all shapes and sizes but some of the best are the biggest, brightest and most colourful. They stimulate the imagination and are family inclusive. Everyone can snuggle behind a big picture book and easily read together. Why not pop on down to your local library today and see what amazing adventures await you and your family amongst the pages of a big picture book.

As always, have fun reading. :)

Dr Seuss to the rescue

I've posted several quotes from Dr Seuss on my facebook page over the years as I believe many of them are quite insightful. Generations of children have now grown up reading this clever dialogue and enjoying the delightful illustrations. Here in one wonderful place is a list of 30 of his best quotes to sit and ponder. They may even take you back to your childhood and entice you to re-read an old favourite to yourself or someone smaller. As always, have fun reading. :)

Meet the Author: Theresa Jenner Garrido

A great first interview to begin our series of "Pay it Forward Author Interviews." Jessica has asked some insightful questions into the life and mind of an accomplished author who has successfully published several stories. Enter into the world of Theresa Jenner Garrido and discover her passion for writing mystery and intrigue.