Teaching kids manners through fun stories is Sherrill Cannon’s forte. An award-winning author, just yesterday she released her new book: Gimme Jimme, which you can learn more about in this video. Below Sherrill tells us more about her books.
By Sherrill S. Cannon
I am a former teacher and grandmother of nine, who has been writing rhyming poetry since I was a small child (which was a long time ago!) My family has accused me of “thinking in rhyme”, which I have to admit is sometimes true. To me, the best part of writing children’s books is reading them to the children. It’s all about the children…
Teaching manners and consideration for others
My books strive to teach manners and consideration for others, disguised as fun stories. It is not just about saying “Please” and “Thank You” for gifts, although this is important. Setting a good example is also essential. But in today’s society full of bullying and self-centered children, I feel it is helpful to teach children the benefits of consideration for others and being polite as early as possible.
Teaching kindergartners about making friends
The Magic Word is a book emphasizing good manners which can be read to toddlers, but is especially appropriate for kindergarteners because they are going to school and learning about making friends and developing good social skills. It is a rhyming story of a little girl who is rude, selfish and demanding – and has few friends because of her lack of consideration for others. Her mother suggests she “think more of others and less about you”, and recommends Elisabeth use "Please" and "Thank You" frequently. When Elisabeth goes to school the next day, she finds that it is important to “try to treat others the way you would like” and discovers that she has made many new friends. It emphasizes the importance of good manners and the use of the "golden rule". The Magic Word has won a 2011 Readers Favorite Gold Medal, a 2011 NABE Pinnacle Achievement Winner, a 2011 Global eBook Finalist Award and has recently won a 2012 Reader Views Second Place Award .
Learning not to whine
Peter and the Whimper-Whineys is another teaching book, and is a fun way to help children stop whining. Read with alternating whining and normal voice, it helps children understand how annoying whining can be! It is about a small rabbit who whines all the time. His mother cautions him that if he keeps on whining and crying, he’ll have to go live with the Whimper-Whineys. One night Peter hops into the dark forest and meets some Whimper-Whineymen. He discovers that not only do the Whimper-Whineys whine all the time, but they are very ill-mannered and rude. He discovers that everything is sour in Whimper-Whineyland and decides his mother was right! If only he can get back home. Peter and the Whimper-Whineys has won a 2011 USA Best Books Finalist Award, and a 2011 Readers Favorite Bronze Medal.
The story of the Nativity
My Christmas book, Santa’s Birthday Gift was written in response to a grandchild’s question, after reading the story of the Nativity. She asked, “But where’s Santa?” This story tells the story of the Nativity and then goes on to tell the story about how when Jesus is born, Santa sees the star at the North Pole and travels to see the Baby. Since he is a toymaker, he brings his bag of toys - and offers them to the Christ Child, and then to all the people of the town. His birthday gift to Jesus is a promise to bring gifts to all good boys and girls each year on the Christ Child's birthday. Santa’s Birthday Gift has won a 2011 Readers Favorite Silver Medal, and 2011 National Indie Excellence Finalist Award.
Just released – Gimme Jimme
I have a new rhyming book which has just been released. Gimme-Jimmy is about a little boy who learns that he cannot continue to bully other children and snatch their toys, for every time he says “Gimme” his hand swells. He discovers that being polite is the solution, and he makes many friends in the process.
And there’s more…
In addition to writing books, I also have written five published, internationally performed plays for elementary school students, which are available at http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk It is so much fun to discover that my plays, most of which are co-written with my daughter who is an elementary school teacher, have been performed not only in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, and Botswana! The plays are all written using popular songs interspersed with rhyming lines, created so that each child has at least one line in the performance. There is an additional play currently under consideration. Briefly, the plays are:
Have You Seen My Little Lamb? Mary has brought her lamb to school and now the lamb is lost. Mary, with the help of Mother Goose, meets many storybook friends as she searches for her lost lamb. (Grades 1-3)
The King’s Spell Something is not right in Mother Goose Land, when Old King Cole casts a spell on the characters. Mother Goose wanders through the kingdom finding everything mixed up until she can prevail upon the King to remove his spell. (Grades 2-4)
When You Wish Upon a Star...fish A little girl (or boy) finds a starfish while she is walking on the boardwalk and throws it back while making a wish that she could see what is under the sea. The play continues with the starfish introducing the little girl to different sea creatures, who each tell her a little about themselves. This play is educational in nature, and can easily be used in connection with a classroom project about undersea life. (Grades 3&4)
The Wonderful World of Weather A bird family starts the play, which continues through the different weather scenarios as they go through the seasons, and the bird family concludes the play returning to their nest at home. This play is educational in nature, and can easily be used in connection with a classroom project about the weather. (Grades 3&4)
ABC December This play is seasonal, and must be performed in December, but it is about the month of December and not just a "holiday" play. It includes many different customs and celebrations. It is more a classroom play, than a full production. (Grades 1&2)
Please check out my website if you have a chance, where I also have a blog, at www.sherrillcannon.com and my Facebook Fan Page is http://tinyurl.com/Author-Sherrill-S-Cannon I would love to hear from any readers, and am always happy to answer questions!
