Janet Halfman – Gets Kids To Read

Janet Halfman is wonderful author and she has some insight she would like to share with us.  Her books Fur and Feathers and Goodnight Little Sea Otter are a joy to read.

How do you promote kids and reading?

I do several story times every year in bookstores, libraries, at book festivals, at nature centers, etc. For each of my new books, I create props for the story so the kids in the audience can be involved in the storytelling. For Good Night, Little Sea Otter, I created a kelp forest of long strands of green fleece. The kids hold onto the kelp to keep Little Sea Otter and his mom from drifting away during the night. For Fur and Feathers, the kids take animal roles and help find items for their new coats in a huge sewing basket.

Tell us about your website?

My website address is http://www.janethalfmann.com

I’ve had my website for about a year and a half. It was designed by a professional and now I maintain it. It contains lots of information about all of my books, plus details about me and my writing journey, news about my books and appearances, and contact information.

Will you be doing any school book tours for 2011?

My programs are interactive story times for small groups, so I don’t do many school visits. However, I do many story times throughout the year at other locations, as I mentioned above.

What are your thoughts on the new technology for reading a book?

I haven’t yet tried any of the new children’s book e-readers, but I think they are a wonderful thing, especially now that some of them let the reader see color illustrations. The e-readers provide another way for children to read books. Sylvan Dell Publishing’s e-books have a choice of English or Spanish text and audio, another great benefit. Sylvan Dell’s e-book program for schools recently was voted a District Administration readers Top 100 Product of the year! (link: http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2634)

There are so many great new ways to read books; for example, the new website “Be There Bedtime Stories”: http://www.betherebedtimestories.com/, which allows grandparents, people in the military, etc. to record their voice to read a story to a child who is far away. I’m so happy that my book Fur and Feathers, in both English and Spanish, is available on this site.

What advice do you have for parents on getting their kids reading?

I have a 10-point list on my website: http://www.janethalfmann.com/about-janet. I think it’s especially important for parents and caregivers to start reading to their children when they are very young, and it’s important for the reader to be in the moment and truly enjoy the experience with the child.  Reading a book together before bedtime is a great ritual that builds memories that will last forever. I think it is also important to have books in the house and to visit the local library.

Here are some other links that may be helpful:

Janet’s website: http://www.janethalfmann.com

Laurie’s website: http://www.lauriekleinart.com

Sylvan Dell Publishing’s Fur and Feathers page: http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/bookpage.php?id=FurFeathers

Star Bright Books Good Night, Little Sea Otter page: http://www.starbrightbooks.org/details.php?id=300

If you would like to learn more about Janet please visit Kristi’s Book Nook and The Neophyte Writer. Thanks for sharing with us Janet.