https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog daily 0.75 2022-11-14 https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/foster-authenticity-in-children monthly 0.5 2022-11-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/05345fdd-097b-4285-a20b-e60815294b4d/IMG_1093.jpeg Blog - FOSTER AUTHENTICITY IN CHILDREN - DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE? https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/rhrzh8m3wrvpa1t3cvx6lfn1gkxfiw monthly 0.5 2022-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/638c645e-3784-4cb4-88ae-88ac0d077eaf/IMG_0668+2.jpeg Blog - CHILDREN CURIOSITY AND ENGAGEMENT - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/picture-books-are-a-jewel-of-literature monthly 0.5 2022-10-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/4a4932fd-481f-4448-8c01-fa76de69eb34/IMG_0532.jpeg Blog - PICTURE BOOKS ARE A JEWEL OF LITERATURE - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/empathy-in-children monthly 0.5 2022-10-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/00dee6bc-f1c7-432a-823d-80268d1abcb3/9B0A86DA-14BB-4711-8D5A-6F747C0CF5DC_1_201_a.jpeg Blog - EMPATHY IN CHILDREN - Don’t be surprised when your child behaves like a computer in an argument. They will be right and you will be wrong. It’s black and white. There will be no feeling or real emotion in solving problems. Electronic devices dominate our world and obviate the need for children to listen, feel and relate. Being heavily dependent on electric devices does not allow for true emotions. Computerized dolls and other electronic toys do not teach us how to listen and understand . If we want children to understand one another and feel one another, we also have to get off our iPhones and begin hearing and listening. Be empathetic in order to teach empathy.We are responsible for the way the world moves forward. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/8irxj1g16grhqwex6h4suvj2pui4ur monthly 0.5 2022-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/5cae356e-2e49-4018-beb6-1c4d5bdd4543/0-1.jpg Blog - FAIRY TALES LEAD TO TRANSFORMATION - “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”Albert Einstein Children travel in their imagination to fantastical places especially when reading fairy tales aloud. Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast are stories filled with characters such as elves, dwarfs , wicked queens , witches , talking frogs and dragons.In Cinderella, the story leaves no doubt; Cinderella is not where she wants to be. Her crisis ultimately leads to a transformation of circumstance. Children can also transform alongside the characters within each story. The power of fairy tales reaches deep into the subconscious and can provide a hopeful answer in times of crisis. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/3br8iah70py40amuppk4k66vghs2yd monthly 0.5 2022-09-09 https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/kaaypb9oqrrezh8l1k96utvkjzpxx1 monthly 0.5 2022-08-23 https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/jpkbdadj1z9vh96p8a68kmsofml4qw monthly 0.5 2022-08-15 https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/develop-a-strong-family-narrative monthly 0.5 2022-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/68163bf0-bf18-4e87-9fd0-0e278157f6dd/IMG_0851.jpeg Blog - Develop a Strong Family Narrative https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/teach-your-children-through-childrens-picture-books monthly 0.5 2022-07-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/6e0540cc-3a50-4fd9-a4e8-fa8255c0bdef/3466120F-6341-4DA1-A154-809A024C9EAF_1_102_o.jpg Blog - TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THROUGH CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS - In my book, “What’s Beyond My Head?”, Runaround Jack is a dog who sees himself as the only one in this world. Great fun for Jack to chase his tail. He doesn’t look beyond his nose or his coiffed nails. Funny and whimsical, it is easier to relate to an animal character’s selfish behaviour. This behaviour, effectively allows a child to see himself behaving in a similar way. Children remain distant enough to receive the message in a more objective way. What a great way to teach etiquette behaviour and morals? Have you found that to be the case? https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/o0328qd71z1wuogn3zjlb887x96erj monthly 0.5 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/e489b5de-f36a-44c1-b331-c7d103305a2a/IMG_0344.jpeg Blog - Reading Offers the Best Vocabulary for your Children as Opposed to Conversation - Talking with your children is vital for learning structure of sentences, proper grammar and the ability to converse with others. But….It’s not enough.According to research, reading aloud has been proven to offer the better vocabulary. When you speak to your children you respond quickly and your choice of words are reduced. When you read you are taken beyond the easy way of communication..you are more than likely to include words that aren’t the most common in the English language “There is rich language to be found in children’s picture books that will introduce your child to an extensive vocabulary” It’s been proven, reading aloud offers the better vocabulary as opposed to conversation. Talking with your children is vital for learning structure of sentences, proper grammar and the ability to converse with others. But….It’s not enough.According to research, reading aloud has been proven to offer the better vocabulary. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/tenacious-hold-on-the-imagination monthly 0.5 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/976b93bb-90b4-421d-9f3a-ff9c25c43a12/IMG_0724.jpeg Blog - Tenacious Hold on the Imagination - Lars Madsen is an award-winning German artist based in Hamburg, has scooped the Communication Arts 2019 Award of Excellence and was the American Illustration Chosen Winner, too. His work has been recognized by American Illustration, Creative Quarterly, Graphis, 3x3 International Illustration Show, Stellars Intercontinental Poster Competition, and Communication Arts - including Communication Arts’ Award of Excellence. He was picked by Creative Boom Magazine as one of ”20 exciting illustrators to follow in 2020“. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/good-is-an-approximate-term monthly 0.5 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/b7122fbd-1dac-4606-9fb8-70f6a5681b52/IMG_0668.jpeg Blog - Good is an Approximate Term! What Makes a Children’s Book Good ! “Like a piece of art, a good children's book is greater than the sum of its parts. It is honest, has a sense of wonder, and shows respect for the young child. The text and illustrations are integrated to raise the quality of the book.” quoted from the New York Times Characteristics of a Good children’s Book For example A simple, easy-to-follow, and interesting plot. Likeable and identifiable central characters. A clear distinction between “good” and “bad” Interesting and engaging language. Captivating and high-quality illustrations. A teachable lesson. Relatable to a wide range of children. The children’s author Laura Amy Schlitz , in her 2007 Newbery Medal acceptance speech, explained “I must remind myself that ‘good’ is an approximate term.” A second-grader once asked me for ‘a really, really good book’ and I asked him, as librarians do, what he considered a good book. He eyed me with thinly veiled impatience and replied, “Medium-long with poisonous snakes.” https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/babies-belong-at-art-galleries monthly 0.5 2022-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/9f41a6c4-19b5-4319-bbef-110884efa977/IMG_0585.jpeg Blog - Babies Belong at Art Galleries - Inspired by Kate Swanson Do l have to feel guilty for exposing toddlers to the art gallery for five minutes while the remainder of the time is spent chasing them up and down the stairways? My solution is to start them young before they can walk. Art galleries are a feast for a baby’s eyes. Under 12 months, a baby can decipher high-contrast images that stimulates vision and brain activity. Search for large canvases with defined colours as well as portraits. You can observe their reactions. Recommended are contemporary art displays with their intense contrasting colours. I have however had success with the beautiful Canadian landscapes of the Group of Seven. Art Galleries are an enjoyable experience, as well as a stimulating and fun place to visit. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/what-makes-a-childrens-book-good monthly 0.5 2022-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/bc041ce4-6e1c-46ee-9947-db79f356ffbb/IMG_0104.JPG Blog - What Makes a Children’s Book Good! When books are beautifully illustrated, they are a great attraction not only for children but for their parents as well. Beautiful children’s books can be considered as art books. When the two facets of text and art are combined, the combination is powerful and allows the imagination to run wild. Writer and Illustrators travel together. As Lewis Carroll, the author of “Alice in Wonderland”, says “What is the use of a book without pictures?” Illustrations are fun; enhancing children’s imagination and enjoyment along the way. Presently my first book, “What’s Beyond My Head” is being published and illustrated by the international award-winning illustrator Lars Madsen, from Hamburg Germany. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/creative-little-artists monthly 0.5 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/bb15cc9d-2d68-4bd6-883a-2d37d6298fc7/IMG_5746.jpg Blog - Creative Little Artists - “That’s amazing!” “Wow!” “Incredible!” All those wonderful, superlative exclamations we use to describe our children’s art may not be as helpful as you think. They may even have a negative effect on the child’s motivations. Maybe we express those compliment because we can’t think of what else to say? Child development experts tell us that “when we pile on the praise, children may start “performing” for our reactions.” They also begin to associate praise, rather than the activity itself, with accomplishment. This may set a disadvantageous framework for their cognitive thinking as they grow up. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/for-the-love-of-nature monthly 0.5 2022-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/f2e34386-8b4c-4a84-9da7-5d31e73af86b/IMG_0543.jpg Blog - For the Love of Nature - It’s a norm for kids these days to grow up with phones in their hand. Technology has undoubtedly paved the way for society’s progress, making electronic devices ubiquitous. However, they are also a cause for children spending significantly more time indoors. They may have access to endless forms of media, but it is taking away from their real-time world experiences. Parents, if you feel the same, you have a tool right outside your doorstep that can bring about a welcome change. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/childrenspicturebooks-ebooks-versus-books monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/29da0013-0313-437e-85f1-26c7a49f3191/IMG_0531.jpeg Blog - Children’s Picture Books: eBooks versus Books - “Electronic devices obviate the need for children to use their imagination because it does it for them.” So why limit their imaginations? Electronic devices dominate our world and we have become heavily dependent on the content available on our devices. The same holds true when it comes to educating our children. We run to our screens to educate. However when we are considering eBooks versus physical picture books, consider the visceral feelings of reading a handheld book and the pleasurable tactile experience of a real book. But there is more to it. There is the question of educating a child’s imagination. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/why-we-need-to-expand-our-childs-imagination monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/f1e2455e-aa19-433e-9dd7-cbb86225c1e5/Childs+Imagination.png Blog - Why we need to Expand our Child’s Imagination? - In early childhood it is important to expand children’s imagination. What does this mean? Encourage and inspire your children to join in the fun of “pretend play”. Be the character in the picture book you are reading. Suddenly there are no boundaries. Play is open ended and unstructured. You are aiding in the “development of social, emotional, creative, physical, lingual, and problem-solving skills in children.” This is a safe way and an ideal way for children to test boundaries, to learn to control their impulses and experiment with social interaction. And what an opportunity for adults to be silly and uninhibited and play with words... be an exaggerated actor that you might not do at your dinner party. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/whos-reading-kids-books monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/3860f3cd-db64-4b3f-a00a-022b3b35e2b9/Kids+Books.jpg Blog - Who’s reading Kid’s Books? There is no doubt that people have taken to reading since the pandemic. Book stores are starting to wake up and this is a good thing. Much better than addictive social media platform behaviours. Surprisingly, more and more adults are reading children’s books and it isn’t their bedtime story. I’m guessing it’s the simplicity they are after. The visuals are fun and stories relaxing. NO guilt reading children’s books and that includes picture books. What makes you feel good doesn’t depend on anyone else. Read whatever makes you happy! https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/how-did-you-know-that-runaround-jack-was-to-be-your-main-and-only-character-in-the-book monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1652385312789-DRN1QW9LB76UWBFJ8HM2/Whats%2BBeyond%2BMy%2BHead%2B3.jpg Blog - How did you know that Runaround Jack was to be the main and only character in your book? I love animals, so it makes sense that they would find their way into my children’s books. Children have always been delighted in stories where animals are the characters. Kids are enamoured by animals. They either have a pet at home or love their neighbour’s pets or their classroom adopts a pet. Ones themes and concepts can be expressed through animals and can include moral and etiquette lessons. In my book, “What’s Beyond My Head?”, Runaround Jack behaves in a a way that effectively allows a child to see himself behaving in a similar way. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/how-to-create-a-reading-routine-with-your-children monthly 0.5 2022-06-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/fbf984a2-dda0-47a0-860c-bd923ca7ffbb/Reading+Routine.png Blog - How to create a Reading Routine with your children? Persistence is a good trait to have. Create the routine and then persist. There can always be a story before children go to bed or before bath time or winding down after school when they just need to chill. Have the books available so you know where they are. A little book shelf in their room or in every room is great. Don’t force it because you want the atmosphere to feel cozy and loving. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/thankful-authors monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/b204a447-515f-4c00-b8d7-83a7afcd02a4/Thankful+Authors.png Blog - Thankful Authors Authors of children’s books might think they should be thanked for writing their wonderful books. Yes of course! Without the authors and illustrators, how could we read to our children? Authors should be thanking the readers for buying the books, sharing in this wonderful world and for being the catalyst to awaken children’s imaginations, curiosity and sense of humour. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/loving-childrens-picture-books monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/d5ef4a47-3d24-46ae-8b88-3e670e3a39bc/Loving+Picture+Books.jpg Blog - Loving children’s Picture Books Adults love picture books for many reasons. The message can more easily be taught to a child. If an animal character is being selfish, the child could possibly recognize that maybe he or she is behaving just like that character. A child can absorb the message more easily if it isn’t solely directed at him. Example: “Mine Mine Mine” I say, “That sounds like Pig the Pug.” Well if it’s from Aaron Blabey’s Pig the Pug. You can safely ask the question, Is that Pig the Pug or YOU !?! https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/why-is-nature-highlighted-in-my-books monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1652386111812-4T9II296P59574MN69YU/Whats%2BBeyond%2BMy%2BHead%2B2.jpg Blog - Why is Nature highlighted in my books? - Nature helps to establish the theme in my book “What’s Beyond My Head?”. In my book, the main character Runaround Jack is focused on himself. He is a dog. He does have a beautiful tail and he does have exquisite nails. When he looks beyond his head he sees the beautiful world of nature around him. He begins to develop powers of observation and creativity that instills a sense of his being one with the world. Eventually he sees things with new focused eyes that begin to elevate his state of spirit. Nature helps him connect with something else besides himself. Nature is where other animals live. I want children to notice the beauty around them, just as Jack does when he begins to see outside of himself and beyond his head. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/whats-so-inspiring-about-children monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/790cbac4-de91-456a-85a3-c316359c5666/Inspiring+Children.png Blog - What’s so inspiring about Children? - Children have no limitations. They can fly. They can be whatever they want to be... firemen super heroes, pilot, postmen.. What a breath of fresh air. Are we similar?!? I don’t think so. Or maybe we could be. If we remind ourselves that yes it’s possible to explore all the possibilities floating in our minds and manifest them and believe we can then yes we are similar. But we have doubts! How can I possibly manifest this? At my age? My mind isn’t clear enough. I’m getting tired. I have no connections. I can’t remember anything. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/how-best-to-make-connections monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/abd8555a-dad8-439a-9746-c83f4b605d4a/Make+connections.png Blog - Best way to make Connections - In this strange world of today, where separation is now the norm, it’s imperative to make connections. What better way than the closeness of reading a book to your children, grandchildren or in classes. It’s so intimate to sit beside a child and awaken their world to wacky zany characters, talking dinosaurs and fish, adventures in space and adventures in the underwater world. What an opportunity to be silly and uninhibited and play with words...be an exaggerated actor that you might not do at your dinner party. Children love it and crave the intimacy. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/taken-from-the-new-yorker monthly 0.5 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1654123831588-OHHF7LE4004VIPLMI7X1/unsplash-image-L86vy42TB-w.jpg Blog - Taken from ‘The New Yorker’ - The children’s author Laura Amy Schlitz , in her 2007 Newbery Medal acceptance speech, explained “I must remind myself that ‘good’ is an approximate term.” A second-grader once asked me for ‘a really, really good book’ and I asked him, as librarians do, what he considered a good book. He eyed me with thinly veiled impatience and replied, “Medium-long with poisonous snakes.” https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/how-we-learn-from-youth monthly 0.5 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1654123950679-MTLNXVAZHXJKR3WOUVHO/unsplash-image-frq5Q6Ne9k4.jpg Blog - How we learn from the Youth - I love the word audacious. The definition is “will have a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.” In our youth, we didn’t sit down to weigh the pros and cons. Our desires pushed us forward. We did the work, we took the risks and we succeeded. Our expectations were more often than not met with success. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/blog/inspired-by-reading-new-york-times-article-by-pamela-paul monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1623353239872-RTGJ9HP2OST0MAK35HLC/IMG-3239.jpg Blog - Inspired by reading ‘New York Times’ article by Pamela Paul - Picture books are a jewel of literature. Their importance for children cannot, should not be underestimated. We should all become aware of the importance of these picture books. We should fight to read them to kids as long as we can. The combination and partnership of text and art are much more powerful when taken together. Children’s imagination will soar when these two facets are combined. It’s called visual literacy. How does that combination of text and art work? Words can be complicated and at times too sophisticated for kids. Children don’t have to try and read them or even understand them. The pictures are the means to absorb the story. Pictures can express and sometimes be more entertaining than the words being spoken. Imagination runs wild! https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/home daily 1.0 2022-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/0597601e-81c9-4af3-b0ed-6f0a8fa3ee53/Whats+Beyond+My+Head+2.png Home - What’s Beyond My Head? Children’s Picture Book Spinning from head to tail zany dog Runaround Jack hasn’t realized there is a world beyond his nails and his tail, until he looks up. What does he encounter on his journey? That’s for your kids to find out! Author: Natalie Kessler | Illustrator: Lars Madsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1652379605617-J8O2U1V2C4HZ5IKH99NE/Bumping%252BBuddies%252B1.jpg Home - Bumping Buddies Under The Waves Children’s Picture Book Isn’t life more interesting when you share your thrilling experiences with a friend? A whimsical world under the waves awaits exploration by lovable dog Runaround Jack and his friend Puff Puffin. Author: Natalie Kessler | Illustrator : Lars Madsen https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/works daily 0.75 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/0597601e-81c9-4af3-b0ed-6f0a8fa3ee53/Whats+Beyond+My+Head+2.png Works Illustration from children's picture book "What's Beyond My Head", written by Natalie Kessler and illustrated by Lars Madsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1652379605617-J8O2U1V2C4HZ5IKH99NE/Bumping%252BBuddies%252B1.jpg Works Cover page from children's picture book "Bumping Buddies Under The Waves", written by Natalie Kessler and illustrated by Lars Madsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/c33ca10e-e911-4345-b9ae-906f03a912ae/Whats+Beyond+My+Head+3.png Works Illustration from children's picture book "What's Beyond My Head", written by Natalie Kessler and illustrated by Lars Madsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/2cc6d395-4327-45c6-9920-0132f6950c12/Whats+Beyond+My+Head+4.png Works Illustration from children's picture book "What's Beyond My Head", written by Natalie Kessler and illustrated by Lars Madsen https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/a5527204-aa01-4a8c-bff4-f6c607bddc58/Bumping+Buddies+2.jpeg Works Illustration from children's picture book "Bumping Buddies Under The Waves", written by Natalie Kessler and illustrated by Lars Madsen https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/about daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/609b286fb072c77d609a00f6/1621962017577-Z0Y3AUJGJYB2R46VUL5D/Natalie+Kessler About - About Me Natalie Kessler’s infectious mix of rhyme, rhythm and humour are the perfect ingredients for her two books What’s Beyond My Head? and Bumping Buddies Under The Waves. A woman who wears multiple hats! She is an orchestral double bassist, an advanced music specialist at the Royal Conservatory of Music, a power walker and founder of Canadian mustard company Organics and Gold Inc. She is working with the award winning illustrator Lars Madsen for What’s Beyond My Head? and Bumping Buddies Under The Waves. He is an internationally acclaimed artist based in Hamburg, who has been chosen as one of the top 20 exciting illustrators, as well as holds the title of the American Illustration Chosen Winner. Presently, Natalie Kessler writes children’s books from her home in Toronto, Canada. https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/contact daily 0.75 2022-06-02 https://www.nataliekesslerbooks.com/monthly-newsletter-signup daily 0.75 2022-06-03