Category: Children’s Activities

May 26 . Issue #155

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date May 26, 2023

Hello all, and welcome to my monthly journal. This is a place for me to share 5 points of interest. This month’s journal includes book festivals, love festivals and artisan markets, book promotions, and more …

1. My promotion for Samba on a Snowy Day, book 1 in the Samba Dog series, has ended. Thank you to all of you for checking out my book and for downloading it. If you liked the book and can leave an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads, that would be most helpful.

I have been writing reports/reviews on shows that I have enjoyed seeing. My most recent was published in That Canadian Magazine under my pseudonym, Paul J. Youngman.

Look at my page, “Writing a Review,” for how to prepare a review if in doubt.

2. Regarding promotions, my new children’s book in the Samba Dog series, Samba in Switzerland, is part of an Amazon Kindle Countdown Deal.

Starting May 24th, the ebook price will be set at $1.99 and run until May 27th, 8:00 AM. The price increases to $2.99 and will run until May 31st, 8:00 AM reverting back to $4.99 after that time.

3. If you are out and about in June, stop into the Newmarket Farmers Market, the WCYR – The Bookshelf is hosting a book festival on June 10th. I will be there with all my books, which are on sale. They will sell for 10% less than online or at your local bookstores.

The next book festival for me, Sunday, June 11th, much more than that actually, is the The New Earth Village Love Festival and Artisan Market, it’s up north Loretto way. Featuring a reading by me of my new book, Samba in Switzerland, all my books will be on sale. There will be a drum circle, some Tai Chi, and a guest appearance by musical maestro Chris Assad and much more. Hope to see you there too.

4. Have you seen these little libraries on residential streets? They’re all the rage in Toronto. Well, I have found some great books in them. My most recent, Blacklist by author Sara Paretsky, is my evening read.

As a way of paying it forward, I have been leaving my book Scratchy the Squirrel: A Time for Friends in the libraries close to where I’m staying when I am in Toronto.

5. I love teaching kids and learning from them. It’s the reason I started writing children’s books. When I returned from Costa Rica this spring, I stopped in at one of my old training grounds, Dynamic Martial Arts. Paul sensei, the head instructor, allowed me to teach the kid’s class.

I enjoyed it so much that I asked if we could make it monthly. So, now it is, and I look forward to my once-a-month visit to Dynamic Martial Arts to share my passion with the students. The featured photo is of one of the students. Photo credit, by Daniela sensei.

Thank you for reading, and if you know someone who would like to read my journal, please share it with others. All of my books are now available at your favorite bookstores; support local bookstores with your online purchases.

Make sure you get out and about, enjoy the beautiful days. Visit an artisan market, a farmers market or a book festival. If you’re looking for a great early reader chapter book get my book Scratchy the Squirrel: A Time for Friends. For the younger ones, my picture books are perfect, Samba in Switzerland, Samba on a Snowy Day or Samba in Brazil.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags Amazon, Dynamic Martial Arts, Goodreads, New Earth Village, That Canadian Magazine, WCYR - The Book Shelf

Autumn Children's Activities Music Reading

September 30 . Issue #145

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date September 30, 2022

“The land is in a constant state of birth,
Giving life to all who live on Earth.
Our carelessness and fears
Have taken a toll over the years.
Her land is parched and scorched
As man continues to light the torch.” Sophia E. Valdez

My monthly journal, this month features end-of-summer events, book 3 in the Samba the Dog series, music and more. My featured photo is of the Rockwood Conservation Area by Nina Yanuziello.

1. New Earth Village and Lovefest in beautiful Adjala is happening this Sunday, October 2nd. Nestled amongst the trees in a beautiful valley and overlooking a pond, you are surrounded by nature.

This will be my third visit. A beautiful way to spend a Sunday. Come out and enjoy, I will be offering a reading of one of my books and I’ll have lots of books available at discount prices.

And that’s not all, you’ll have the opportunity to shop locally and support sustainability in the community on sacred land. Some of the incredible offerings include tallow balms, tarot readings, community acupuncture treatments, pine needle tea, health and wellness products, and so much more — all intentionally charged with love and wellness.

2. My draft version of book 3 in the Samba dog series is coming along. Samba in Switzerland, Samba the Bernese Mountain Dog and his best friend Ariela explore and have fun near Samba’s hometown of Bern, Switzerland.

At our last meeting, illustrator Joshua Miller and I went over the draft sketches, and we tweaked and fine-tuned the visuals. I think it’s looking fantastic. I can’t wait to give you all a glimpse at this wonderful artwork.

3. Some of my end-of-summer adventures have included these events, SweetWater Music Festival in beautiful Owen Sound.

A fantastic festival featuring world-class musicians playing the classics. Outstanding piano, strings, clarinet and french horn.

Elephant Thoughts, the event I had planned to attend was cancelled but I was invited to tour the Riverstone campus. Incredible space and I’m looking forward to contributing in some manner or another.

4. My first writer’s festival, the Eden Mills Writers Festival was a smashing success. I did it large, renting an Airbnb and spending time at the nearby Rockwood Conservation Area. Canoeing, swimming, snorkelling and hiking. So great!

The next day, a tour of Guelph’s Arboretum. A beautiful 400-acre garden and spending time enjoying the sites, the sounds and the food in the University City of Guelph.

Sunday, an early start and off to the festival to set up our table. Meet some other small press authors, meet the book-buying public and generally speaking have a grand time.

5. What I’m listening to this week Donnè Roberts Band. I caught them at the Markham Jazz Festival and then once again a short time later at a private event.

Energy, excitement, spirit, enthusiasm, love, peace, and kindness are some of the words that come to mind in the makeup of this 2 time Juno winner. A part of the band’s performance from the recent Markham Jazz Festival.

Thank you for reading, if you think someone you know would be interested in my newsletter please pass it along.

All of my books are now available at your favourite bookstores, support local bookstores with your online purchases. Make sure you get out and about this summer. Visit a book store, or the library and pick up some books. If you’re looking for a great early reader chapter book get my book Scratchy the Squirrel: A Time for Friends. Or one of my picture books, Samba on a Snowy Day or Samba in Brazil.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags Donné Roberts, Eden Mills, Guelph, Markham Jazz Festival, Rockwood

Art Books Children's Activities Reading

August 26 . Issue #144

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date August 26, 2022

“I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.” Roald Dahl (1916-1990)

Hello and welcome to my Monthly Journal. A place where I share 5 points of interest. Things that kept me busy, piqued my interest or gave me a sense of purpose. This month, a trip to Tobermory, a visit to nearby Bruce Peninsula Park, Symphony in a Barn contributing to a new magazine and more.

My world starts to look more familiar with a time a few years ago when people got together and events were happening all the time. Yes, things are slowly getting back to a new sense of normalcy.

1. This has been a busy month for me. Travelling for adventure, a staycation in Ontario. A visit to beautiful Tobermory, diving for wrecks and exploring the Bruce Peninsula Park and lovely Lake Emmett.

2. As I mentioned in last month’s journal I had purchased tickets to Symphony in a Barn. My report on that adventure was recently published in That Canadian Magazine.

During the Toronto Jazz Festival, I got the chance to interview Emanuel Harrold, the mainstay drummer for the Gregory Porter Band. My interview is featured in That Canadian Magazine.

3. The nearby Town of Collingwood recently had a Sidelaunch Days Events. They featured some local vendors and artisans who set up along the pier in Collingwood harbour. There I met Owen, a young woodworker artisan.

I commissioned Owen of Blue Water Design to make me a custom vertical sword stand. I have three Japanese swords and one is strictly for show. A 1939 Kai Gunto, a Japanese naval officer’s sword, is the featured photo, mounted in my new katana kake (sword stand).

4. The Labour Day Weekend, September 2nd – 4th will host Elephant Thoughts, Labour Day Festival and I have tickets to the Saturday events.

I’m looking forward to seeing my friend Saiku from the African Drums and Crafts store in Toronto and all the other entertainers for this spirited and engaging eco-retreat. A 3-day cultural event for the entire family.

5. Eden Mills Writers Festival is the following weekend, September 11th. Look for me on Publishers Way. I’ll be there with Samba the Bernese Mountain Dog, book 1 and book 2 and Scratchy the Squirrel.

Thank you for reading, if you think someone you know would be interested in my newsletter please pass it along.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags African Drums and Crafts, Blue Water Designs, Eden Mills Writers Festival, Elephant Thoughts, Saiku