Monday, May 13, 2013

Patriotic Response for Memorial Day: Book GIVEAWAY

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK -- GIVEAWAY EXTRA AMAZING!

photo of: Patriotic Bulletin Board in Response to "Red, White and Blue" Picture Book by Debbie Clement

One of the most amazing things about being an author-illustrator of picture books -- is the opportunity to make school visits. One of the most incredible things about school visits is seeing 'student response' to your own work. This past week was superlative in every way! I had 3 on-site school visits in two different states, my first SKYPE author visit -- to the Virgin Islands no less(!) plus an end of the year family concert. Oh happy day! 


photo of: "Red, White and Blue" Bulletin Board by Second Graders at RainbowsWithinReach

This student artwork was created in the second grade classroom of Hilary Lewis, author of the blog "Rockin' Teacher Materials." Her students are responding to my newest picture book, "Red, White and Blue." I created my illustrations from fabric as small quilts. Seeing their classroom collaboration displayed as a quilt was a professional highlight to be sure. 


photo of: Comparing Quilted Picture Book Illustration to Student Artwork at RainbowsWithinReach

These three students are holding the pieced quilt I created for the endpapers of my book. Their construction paper response is truly incredible and seeing the two together in the same picture makes my heart sing! Appreciate the graphic response in their squares. AWESOME!

photo of: Patriotic Quilt Squares in Response to "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement

Meeting my blogging friends in person and spending time 'on location' in their schools is such an honor. To see how they direct their students is both mesmerizing and humbling. To see the finished work that 2nd graders are capable of -- makes me want to learn to do cartwheels. This effort is certainly deserving of cartwheels! I'm shaking my PomPoms for certain! 


photo of: Patriotic Quilt Squares in Response to "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement

The text of my picture book is based on the lyrics of my song by the same name. There is a CD insert included to help with the transition between singing the song and reading the song. I wrote the song immediately in the aftermath of September 11th. In that week I wanted to offer hope. The picture book coming to fruition is the story of perseverance -- my own perseverance in the face of not one but two diagnosis of cancer and its treatment, while in the midst of designing and constructing the sixteen quilts required for a 32 page book. 

photo of: Patriotic Quilt Squares in Response to "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement

So you can imagine how moving it is for me to have the opportunity to see the student work -- with my very own eyes! Patriotism. Hope. Perseverance. Legacy. They are all quilted together into this project. 

photo of: Patriotic Quilt Squares in Response to "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement

My book and song are increasingly being used for honoring our service people, for both Veteran's Day and Memorial Day. Having children join together in a performance of the song is a great way to introduce a sense of patriotism in our youngest. It makes a great group performance and memorable for all. 

photo of: Patriotic Quilt Squares in Response to "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement

As you plan your end-of-the-year festivities, this project would make a perfect contribution. I hope that this student quilt on their classroom bulletin board inspires you, as you direct your own students. 

photo of: Patriotic Quilt Squares in Response to "Red, White and Blue" by Debbie Clement

I now also have this song in a zipped file which includes two Mp3s -- one for the sung version and one for the instrumental. There is also a chart for the sign language to support the song's performance. It is available at our "Early Education Emporium" as well as "Teachers Pay Teachers." 

photo of: Bulletin Board for Memorial Day Patriotism at RainbowsWithinReach

My blog is the storehouse for the response of MANY children to my work. 
Here are some other favorites! 


Carie-the-Kindergarten Teacher of Kindergarten Hugs directed this colossal quilt a couple years back. Her students created the construction paper elements by marble painting. This Herculean effort is chronicled in this tag of articles here.

I just visited her school in Dixon, IL a couple weeks ago and one of the teachers in her building directed this quilt in honor of my arrival. 


These are students of the infamous Denise of Sunny Days fame and their response. I had the opportunity to visit their sunny Florida school and get hugs in person! 



photo of: American Flag Collage of Kindergarten Art Work in Construction Paper

The work above and below was created for my annual end-of-the-year visit to St. Paul Catholic school in Westerville, OH. I will return to them in a couple of weeks. Can't wait to see what they're up to this time! 

photo of: Fireworks Art Project in Celebration of all things Americana by Kindergarten Students

photo of: Preschool Painted Handprint American flag
Small Miracles Preschool, Chicago-land, IL 

photo of: Flag paintings by young children, preschool patriotism

photo of: Patriotic Media Collage by Toddlers at NYC Childcare center
Preschool Quilt, JCC in NYC! 

photo of: Patriotic Art Projects for Elementary School via RainbowsWithinReach
Patriotic Student Weavings, WI 


These Patriotic Hearts were on hand for my Texas-style welcome by Barbara's students of "Corner on Character" blogging fame. 


photo of: Project Based Learning Approach for President's Day via RainbowsWithinReach

The collage of work above and the student book below were created in Hilliard OH in honor of my arrival in their midst during their "Project Based Learning" over weeks of time surrounding Veteran's Day last fall. You simply must take a look at their efforts in the earlier article. 



On September 11th of this school year I was with the students of Southern Door County in WI. These simple collages were constructed that morning following our assembly. 

photo of: Red, White and Blue: Construction Paper Quilts in Honor of 9-11 (in response to "Red, White and Blue" picture book)

Here's a journal writing from a young child in Texas as they prepared for their Veteran's Day assembly. 
This school is connected to one of our military bases. 
They had a slide show during their performance of my song of their parents in uniform. 


photo of: Elementary School Patriotic Music Flag of Guitars for Author Welcome

The musical staff of patriotic guitars was created for my arrival in Clyde OH. 
My two day residency in their midst was in honor of the retirement of their beloved Principal Peggy. 
We started off with quite an amazing assembly in the cafeteria. 

photo of: Elementary School Children Waving the American Flag for Author Visit with Debbie Clement

Now let's shift gears from patriotism to affirmation.
While you're being introduced to my work you might also want to consider my first book, 
"You're Wonderful" 
which is used for ECE graduations across the country. 


photo of: Quilt Welcome to Washington School via RainbowsWithinReach

photo of: Quilts Created for Author-Illustrator School Visit with Debbie Clement

photo of: Kindergarten Bulletin Board for Author Study "You're Wonderful"

photo of: Author Study Bulletin Board for "You're Wonderful" by Debbie Clement


photo of: "You're Wonderful" Bulletin Board with Kindergarten Writing via RainbowsWithinReach

photo of: Kindergarten Bulletin Board Group Collaboration in Preparation of Author-Illustrator School Visit with Debbie Clement

photo of: Third Grade Designs in Response to "You're Wonderful" Picture Book

photo of: Kindergarten Bulletin Boards of Student Art in Response to Picture Books by Debbie Clement

My second book is called "Tall Giraffe." 
So I am occasionally showered with giraffe love as well. 

photo of: Giraffe Bulletin Board for Author Visit (from Bulletin Board RoundUP via RainbowsWithinReach)

photo of: RainbowsWithinReach meets Kindergarten Smorgasboard

photo of: Four Foot Tall Thank You Letter from Kindergarten Students via RainbowsWithinReach
Thank you card: "You are as unique as the spots on a Giraffe."

Here's the Slideshare program I created regarding designing an Author-Illustrator School or Library visit. I'm thrilled to see by their analytics that over 5000 people have watched/read it already! Time to create another Slideshare! 


It is my great, good pleasure to join in the Kid-Lit Giveaway Hop in celebration of
 Children's Book Week! 

photo of: Three Picture Books by Debbie Clement of Rainbows Within Reach

Dozens and dozens of bloggers have joined in this party.
I am giving a set of all three of my picture books. 
Signed and personalized! 
This is my first experiment with Raffelcopter selecting a winner. 
Hopefully I have installed it correctly. 
Time will tell! Seems like there's always more to learn!

kidlit book giveaway hop

The fun is being hosted by: 
and

Check back here in a week to congratulate the lucky winner! 
-- Debbie -- 
Follow Me on Pinterest
I'm now at 120,189 followers!     
Click this link to go there directly! 
Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth - TeachersPayTeachers.com
Now at 313 followers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

17 comments:

  1. Love the artwork! Love your books, too! nikkicitaxo@yahoo.com

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  2. What an amazing journey your music and writing talents have brought your way! I would love to share the set of your books with my kinder-bears in Orlando.

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  3. and, of course, I forgot to add my email address... parenthed1@aol.com Betsy in Orlando

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  4. I hope I win! Love u Debbie C!

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  5. Thank you for the giveawy. I love your blog...you are so very talented. You give me inspirations. Have a great week!

    Stephanie Ann
    Sparkling in Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
  6. ooops...I forgot my email address: s.ann.k1971@gmail.com

    Stephanie Keene
    Sparkling in Kindergarten

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  7. Love all the artwork!

    cheriemae@gmail.com

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  8. Your books look AMAZING! What a great hop!!!

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  9. These books look great! Thanks for the giveaway. I hope I win.
    Megan
    mhorman@north-cedarstu.org

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  10. These books would be awesome! Thanks so much!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

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  11. Love the art work and these books look amazing. I'd be so excited to be your winner. Thanks! awhitehead357@gmail.com

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  12. These look like a lot of fun. Thank you so much for the chance to win them. diannerosmun@yahoo.com

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  13. georgiabeckman@hotmail.com

    Probably the most coveted books in the giveaway for me. Thanks for participating

    ReplyDelete
  14. love all the pictures on this post!! :)

    rafflecopter name nicole krutz

    qtksjkmommy at gmail dot com

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  15. Thank you for offering a great giveaway!

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  16. We so loved having you visit College Wood, Debbie! The kids are still singing, humming, and signing away! I feel so privileged to get to meet you and experience your awesomeness! I highly recommend you to all! Thanks again...we so love your books!

    Hugs!
    Hilary
    Rockin' Teacher Materials

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  17. Wow! Fantastic post - so much creativity and talent involved. Sorry I missed your giveaway - I was popping by to tweet about it (it was supposed to end Sunday night, fyi.) Hope you enjoyed taking part in the Kid Lit Giveaway Hop!

    Be sure to check out our Kid Lit Question of the Day. This week we are talking about the category of books, YA.

    http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/kid-lit-question-of-the-day-what-is-a-young-adult-anyways/

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