For centuries theater was the most powerful a way to reach the masses, engage the people, tell a story and even bring political change. A simple stage, a curtain, a set, costumes, make-up, lights and action--- has a power greater than most other medium because of the intimacy of it. That's what excited me so much about theater and why I think children love puppet shows, marionette shows, and theater in general. And that is what inspired me to create a new kind of reading experience... Booksicals are more than books, more than ebooks and more than narrated ebooks with music underscore. Booksicals are ebook musicals. And just like on Broadway the music in a Booksical reveals character, gives back story, moves the story a long and when the emotion is heightened, just like on Broadway, a character breaks into song. With a Booksical-- kids can read , hear ,watch and perform the book --- Reading is no longer passive... but an active sensory mind-body experience. And I am thrilled to share that this year we've just released our books in Spanish. Now a child can read, hear, watch and perform our ebook musicals in both languages. I hope this will serve as a great tool for helping kids learn English or Spanish as a second language.

Many people ask me... where do I get my inspiration for my picture books. "Do you think like a kid?" "Do you write in simple ways for kids to understand?" "Do you have to go back in time and imagine your self as a child? My answer is simple.. I don't write for kids. I write for me. Everything I write about is things I would find funny, inspiring, exciting, silly, magical, philosophical, spiritual, enchanting. If I laugh, cry or sigh, then I imagine a kid will too. The Picture Books I have loved... The picture books I have loved have always ones that are really written for adults. My favorite book of all times The Little Prince, by St. Exupery, is actually a philosophy book. It's about love and friendship, and innocence and honesty. It's a book that I keep in my heart and mind always. Of course there's Dr. Seuss. His deep and witty commentaries on life and philosophical ideas are buried in his fun rhyme. Kids are deep and they get things intuitively. I write for me. I write what I love and what inspires me. I think that people who write picture books have been able to keep alive that little kids in themselves. That is what keeps our vision fresh and helps us see the magic in a moment.

Susie Chodakiewitz, Author at Booksicals

Q: A Journey through the Magic of Tea

My journey into the magic of tea began when I met the tea master David De Candia. It was serendipity... and magic and it all came together. I have been intrigued by tea for a long time and thought about writing a book about it for children. Then I met David de Candia, world re known tea master and discovered he too wanted to write a book about the magic of tea for children. And so began my journey. What is in a cup of tea? Flavors, aromas, exotic places, stories of the gentle hands that pluck it.... Drink a cup of tea and you can almost sea the snow crested mountains that embrace the sky in the tea plantations of the Himalayan mountains. Observe the color of its light liquer... golden, emerald, amber, shades of pink. Tea is a full sensory experience andif your mind and soul align -- you can experience its magic. With David's help I learned to taste and smell the the tea and engage my senses fully... I learned to taste its metaphors. And then came the story... Master Davey and the Magic Tea house was born of my research into tea and the sensory and cultural awakening that comes with its exploration... In collaboration with David DeCandia we developed the story and with artist Kent Yoshimura the magnificent illustrations. I am so excited about this book and hope to introduce children to the wonder and magic of tea and the cultures in which tea is grown. Look forward to your feedback! Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of Too Many Visitors for One Little House, Wobegon and Mildred, Mr. Snoozle's Exquisite Eggs. (available on Amazon.com. She is the founder of Booksicals Books, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts and Sensory Reading (www.booksicals.com/sensory-reading-zone) https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/books

Q: Join Booksicals in The Sweetness of Reading Campaign

[caption id="attachment_2046" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Join the Sweetness of Reading Campaign"] [/caption] Hope your kids are off to a great summer. It was always difficult for me to get my three boys to include READING on their to do list for the summer. I was thinking about how to start off Booksicals summer with an exciting way to encourage summer reading for kids. Then I thought about it....Kids love to shop in summer.... Wouldn't it be great to join forces with children's stores, boutiques and producers of children's products to GIVE AWAY free ibooks? Well that is exactly what Booksicals decided to do. And here it is...The Booksicals Sweetness of Reading Campaign is off and running. We are now joining with corporate partners who will participate in the campaign by giving away our free children's ibooks to their customers. Stay tune to hear WHO joins. Let us know if you want us to contact YOUR favorite stores or kids product lines to distribute our ibooks for free. Happy summer and Happy READING! Susan Chodakiewitz is the founder of Booksicals--Encouraging Reading Through the Arts and the author of Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the soon to be released children's picture book: Wobegon and Mildred, a quirky love and friendship story.

Q: 3/12 - 3/18 Children's Book of the Week: When a Dragon Moves In

When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore illustrated by Howard McWilliam When a little boy and his family go out for a beautiful day at the beach, little do they suspect that a dragon will take up residence in the little boy's very own sand-castle. The boy and the dragon do all the best beachy things - the dragon is a fantastic pet - but soon the boy and the dragon grow bored, and a little annoyed at the grown-ups who don't seem to believe in this fantastic creature. As the boy and his dragon proceed to sabotage (in small and harmless ways) the family's day at the beach, adults will easily see the classic attention-seeking behavior. But kids and grown-ups alike will get a kick out of the boy and the dragon's mischevious tricks, and wonder just how much in the boy's head the dragon really is. Great for ages 5+. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children's picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts. Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Q: 1/2 - 1/8 Children's Book of the Week: Stuck

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers Floyd got his kite stuck in a tree. And he really needs it out, now ! So, he hurls his shoe up into the tree to knock it out. And that doesn't work, so he tries his other shoe. And that doesn't work, so he throws a cat, an orangutan, a front door and anything else he can get his hands on (and a few things he can't) to knock that kite out of the tree - with hilarious results. A whimsically told and wonderfully illustrated story. Great for ages 2 and up, but even grown-ups will find it funny. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts . Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Q: 12/26 - 1/1/2012 Children's book of the Week; King Hugo's Huge Ego

King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen King Hugo is a very small man with a very big problem. He cannot and will not consider the ears and feelings of anyone at the recieving end of his epic boasting. He is so haughty, he doesn't even notice the sorceress he was so discourteous towards casting a very telling little spell on him. Everytime King Hugo boasts, his head literally swells! The king doesn't even notice for the longest time (with some funny consequences), but even the big-headed King Hugo must realize the consequences of his excessive arrogance and insensitivity, and earn himself a valueable ally in becoming a better person. Hilarious story with rich, animated illustrations. Best for ages 3 -7. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts . Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

About Susie Chodakiewitz

Susan Chodakiewitz is an author and frequent presenter at schools, libraries and literacy events. She is the founder of Sensory Reading and co-founder of B4 Literacy Projecct. Susan writes and creates picture books and musical ebooks for Booksicals.com. Susan just launched the Bookscials Picture Book Musicals Theatrical program for schools that gives teachers a "theater in a digital box" way of putting on plays with kids. It features all a drama teacher of classroom teacher needs to bring arts into the classroom and perform short easy to perform plays based on beloved picture books! Check out Susan's newest book release: THE ALPHABET THIEF on amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/Alphabet-Thief-humorous-story-about/dp/1511758023