Snarly Sally...The Official Blog!

Happy Winter!

2012-01-28T05:28:00.001-08:00

Now that some looming deadlines have been met I can get back here to Snarly Sally-which is quite exciting for me for Snarly Sally comes straight from my heart and from what I continue to hear-yours as well.

I woke up this morning to a beautiful snowfall-the kind of snowfall that when you were a kid you'd be out in it before breakfast and stay out there until you were dragged back inside. For those who don't know, I grew up in the country. My cousins and I were always outside playing and pretending.

I've written about our chicken coop clubhouse where we virually lived back in those days. Our parents had filled the vacated coop with the remains of an abandoned one-room schoolhouse-books, chalkboards, and desks included! We had so much fun in what we called our clubhouse. Even in the wintertime we were there despite the fact that the some of the windows didn't fit their frames and the door was crooked allowing the snow to come inside. We didn't care. We were outside all winter long-skating on the creek, sliding, building snow forts-embracing the season every single day!

I hope you are embracing winter-it truly is a magical season!

Funny Fun Fall Poems

2011-10-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Funny little poems are fun all the time. Here are just a few to share with your little one.
Leaves are so much fun to walk through; to rake and make leaf houses; to throw up in the air and to write a little poem about like this one!

LEAVES

Falling--tumbling..drifting down
I love the leaves when they cover the ground.

Falling--tumbling--drifting down
I love the leaves-all around!

Here's another little poem about yummy apples-favorite things to eat in the Fall!

APPLES

Apples are a tasty treat
I love to hear them crunch.
Red and green and yellow ones-
I will have one with my lunch!

So while you and your little Snarly Sally rake some leaves-enjoy an apple-or two!!

"Sunflowers" Poem-and more!

2011-08-03T04:32:00.000-07:00

Snarly Sally is busy writing more summertime fun poems! Snarly Sally loves poems for as she always says, "Poems make me giggle; they make my tongue wiggle!"

Sunflowers
by Snarly Sally

Tall and lanky swaying in the breeze,
Carrying on laughing with the Trees;
Making every day bright-
They are truly a sight;
Always smiling without saying cheese!

Fences
by Snarly Sally

Where is it that fences really go?
Stretching their thin arms in rain or snow;
Keeping things in and out,
So we can go about-
I guess that is all we have to know!

Garden Etiquette
by Snarly Sally

Since cornstalks grow ears
And since potatoes have eyes-
No Garden Secrets!

Pickles Tickle

2011-07-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here's another funtime summer poem from Snarly Sally!

PICKLES

Pickles tickle,
They make your tongue wiggle
Or curl up like a cat
On a mat
After chasing a mouse
Around the house
Hungry no longer
Just a lot stronger
Sort of like-
Pickles that Tickle!

Stories For Children Magazine

2011-07-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce that I've been chosen to join the list of contributing illustrators on the fantastic website for children ages 3-12:
storiesforchildrenmagazine.org.

Check it out! It's a wonderful place for kids offering crafts, coloring pages, recipes, puzzles, activities-and lots of stories; some written by kids themselves! I'll let you know when I get my first assignment. That's when I'll really be up on their list!
Enjoy!

Funtime Vegetable Alphabet Soup

2011-07-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a funtime summer read written by Snarly Sally to share with your little ones!

VEGETABLE ALPHABET SOUP

A-nnie wanted to make vegetable alphabet soup
B-ut Mother was out of vegetables so Annie went to the garden.
C-arrots were pulled.
D-andelions were stepped on.
E-ggplant was picked.
F-armer Jones brought his hoe.
G-iant potato plants were dug up.
H-anging on the vines were lots of potatoes.
I-nto Annie's bag they went.
J-ust then it started to rain.
K-ittens scurried for cover.
L-ucky for Annie she'd brought her raincoat.
M-other hollered for Annie to hurry before it stormed!
N-ext the wind started to howl.
O-nions were grabbed.
P-eas still asleep in their pods were grabbed too.
Q-uickly Annie plucked green beans and radishes.
R-eturning home, Mother cleaned the vegetables & cooked macaroni shaped like letters.
S-lowly she added them to the boiling water on the stove.
T-hen they waited.
U-tensils were used to scoop the soup into bowls.
V-ery soon Annie was eating her vegetable alphabet soup.
"W-ow this is good!" declared Annie.
"X-cellent," laughed Mother.
Z-ip! The vegetable alphabet soup soon disappered!

More Poems from Snarly Sally coming Soon!
Enjoy!

Thank You Borders

2011-07-22T03:06:00.000-07:00

In the words of Snarly Sally as she thinks about all the funtimes Borders bookstores brought to kids everywhere:
Books
by Snarly Sally

Books take me on great magical rides,
To castles far away.
They take me into jungles and zoos,
And barns so stuffed with hay.

They show me kids from around the world.
They make my imagination soar.
It's such fun where my books can take me,
And I don't even go out my door!

We will miss you Borders!
Love,
Snarly Sally

Snarly Sally Funtime Poems to Share!

2011-07-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

Snarly Sally loves to write Poems!
As she explains," Poems make me Giggle! They make my tongue wiggle!"

Here are a few Snarly Sally Summertime Poems to share with little ones. When I go into schools and libraries I make a game out of some of the poems. I ask kids to help me out by shouting the word they think fits the end of the poem.

Example:
"My Favorite Flag"
by Snarly Sally

I love my flags; I really do.
But my favorite flag is red, white, and ----!

Believe me-they all shout BLUE!!
Have fun!!

"Fishies"
by Snarly Sally

Fishies swimming up and down,
Fishies swimming all around.
Back and forth they dance all day,
Playing games that fishies play!

"Flowers"
by Snarly Sally

Dancing in the summer fun,
Flowers brighten every day.
They really look so pretty,
As back and forth they sway.

They always make me happy.
They smell so very sweet.
Their colors are so beautiful,
Growing in the summer heat!

"The Garden"
by Snarly Sally

Plant some seeds and watch them grow.
Pick some weeds and use your hoe.

Gardens are fun-delicious too!
They keep you busy-with so much to do!

"Bunnies"
by Snarly Sally

Bunnies fluffy and so cute,
Hop all about in their cuddly suits.

Going here and going there,
Eating carrots in the summer air.

**A Summer Fun Idea*
After reading the poems maybe your little one could "illustrate" them! Scan the artwork and email to snarlysally@yahoo.com and we'll post on Snarly Sally's website.
Enjoy!
Snarly Sally

Happy Birthday America!

2011-07-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

In the words of Snarly Sally, an avid Flag collector at a very young age:
"I love my flags; I really do,
But my favorite flag-is Red, White, and Blue!"
Happy Birthday America,
Your friend,
Snarly Sally

The Burly Doctor with a Quirky Smile

2011-06-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

I remember watching him; his hands massive; his voice gruff and mannerisms crass thinking how ironic it was that this person examining my child was the opposite of how he was perceived by some in the community-including my mother. There was another pediatrician we could have chosen but there was something about this particular man; part-time artist; part-time writer; overtime doctor-to those of us who looked beyond the obvious. Whenever I saw him handle our children, I knew we'd made the right decision. Every time I needed him, he never let me down. Every time I'd call, this burly doctor with a quirky smile reassured me. When I was pregnant and very sick he was the doctor who came to our house to see me. When it was the week-end or the middle of the night and a child had an earache or rash or upset stomach or was congested he'd answer his phone and tell me to bring "the kid" up to his house. He'd leave the back porch light on for me.

More often than not his advice was simplistic. "The kids's not deaf. He's just lazy!" "There's no pill for the common cold. All that stuff you buy is a waste of money." When our 2nd child repeatedly became ill with the croup he told me to "wrap him up, put him in a sled and walk him around in the snow." My mother spoke up telling me it was too cold to take him out. But I did. Soon he was breathing easier. But one time-the sled thing didn't work. He ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. A few days later he was back home doing much better.

He went to sleep that first night home a little after ten. Around midnight I thought I heard some sort of a semi-truck roaring by. It was odd because trucks never passed through our neighborhood. I got up and looked outside though one window and then another. No trucks anywhere. Then I heard that noise again. It was coming from the baby's room. I found my son purple and gasping for air. The croup was back! Instinct told me no walk in the snow could help this time. As I wrapped him up in a blanket and scrambled for the car keys, the doctor was called. I wasn't surprised to find this pediatrician whom my mother called a quack already there as I rushed into the hospital. Two days later he underwent a tracheotomy. From meeting me at the door to the surgey and aftercare that man who'd become our Dr. Spock and guardian angel all wrapped into one never left our side.

When cancer claimed him years later my mother admitted he'd been a good doctor. I told her he was so much more.

Favorite Blankies

2011-06-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

I never understood my younger cousin's obsession with her blanket when she was a toddler.It'd been a full-size receiving blanket but ended up a mere piece of worn, frazzled cloth she affectionately named Corny. She carried Corny with her all day and took Corny to bed with her every night.

One particular Corny episode stands out in my mind. We'd all gathered outside for a picnic. Relatives were everywhere when my aunt put us on alert. Corny was missing! Abandoning hot dishes cooling and mayonnaise in salads we rushed to help find that sliver of material. Homes were searched; cracks down sofas and chairs explored. Favorite play areas were scoured; my cousin's bed and bedroom torn apart. What seemed forever ended in a squeal of delight when Corny was found by my little cousin herself. Turned out she'd been looking at one of her books and dropped Corny on a page. She then closed the book and went to another. Later on as I ate cold hot dogs and drank warm lemonade I remember thinking what a little brat this cousin of mine was. I'd throw that crappy piece of what was a blanket away if I was her mother.

Turn the clock ahead to when my daughter was a toddler and she and her cousin were staying at my mother's for the night some eighteen miles away. I made sure she had extra clothes, toothbrush, some books and her favorite cereal for the morning. I thought I remembered everything. That is until the phone rang about 2 a.m. My daughter was screaming; in a panic. I forgot to pack her blankie. She loved her Duckies. She carried Duckies with her all day and took Duckies to bed with her every night. I couldn't believe I forgot to make sure her mere piece of worn, frazzled cloth named Duckies went on the overnight too. Without skipping a beat I ran to her room. I found Duckies under her bed. As I raced up the road I remember thinking back to my little cousin and her Corny. It'd come full circle and I was now the mom in a panic.

Truth is we all can use a favorite blanket some times. Do your kids have-or did they have-favorite blankets too?

Pass The Peas-Don't Throw Them-Please!

2011-06-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

When my 2nd child was still in a high chair and "feeding" himself it was a food fight from beginning to end. The fight was not with me or his father. The fight was with this curious toddler trying to get those enticing objects from his plastic plate with puppies staring at him to his mouth. It was a struggle since he preferred playing with them instead of having them disappear forever. Spaghetti curled up like a kitten; cheerios with that hole meant to be worn on litle fingers; peas certainly designed to touch or roll or squish or throw like a miniature ball-all made his meals a smorgasbord to be toyed with, not eaten. I kept telling myself this was just a stage he was going through. My mother kept telling me to punish him. His father kept telling me to do the feeding. His older sister did not find him funny. Annoying would best describe their mood with this funny little guy covered in the same meal the rest of us had on our plates.

I consulted all the advice books written by professionals. Since they varied in their opinions I put the books away and tried feeding him; tried keeping him in his room while we ate; tried letting him eat before we did. Nothing really worked so I cut down on his portions. It somewhat solved the problem. At least it didn't take him that long to eat and play-then play some more.

One night a friend of mine joined us for dinner. She didn't have children so once the zoo began she was horrified especially when a few peas went whizzing past her. It was obvious she was happy to say good-bye. It had to have been at least four years later that I ran into her. By then she had a toddler of her own-a little boy with beautiful curly hair. My toddler-now six and a half and still curious in a tamer sort of way-was with me as was his younger sister. My friend could not believe he was that monster who'd made mush out of his food; the same kid who'd thrown some homeruns with his peas. She asked me if we'd like to go to lunch with them. So we did. And the food fight began. But it wasn't my child. He was content with his happy meal. It was that toddler with the beautiful curls turned monster with his food.

I wanted to tell my friend it was just a stage but I didn't say a thing. She'd find out. We parents always do-for one thing even the experts can agree upon is that one stage leads to another. It's all just part of being a parent.

Creating on a winter's afternoon

2011-06-03T02:57:00.000-07:00

One thing I don't understand is why people have a blog and do not keep it up-like me and this Snarly Sally Blog! I could say I've been busy but that's no excuse. What I can say is that I am back and hope that you will stick with me as I go forward. I realize I have been among the missing-but no more!

Snarly Sally was created one winter's Sunday afternoon in a small upstairs apartment. I was sitting with my two-and-a-half year old daughter at her child-size, red and white table as the wind blew and the snow swirled. We'd just returned from the nearby park where she'd stood atop a nearly frozen in place merry-go-round and took a few runs on a swing. We didn't stay long at the park.

As we sat together thawing out with some hot chocolate she began coloring as I grabbed a pad of paper and started to write. I had a story idea about a little girl who never liked getting her hair brushed-which was actually my very own child sitting across from me intent on filling in every space with a red crayon. As she colored, the story flowed right out of me. I'd been mulling it over for some time. That would be the first version. Later I felt Snarly Sally needed a little friend to go on adventures with her so I gave her a puppy named Tangles. They became the best of friends.

Since that wintry afternoon Snarly Sally has evolved. I first illustrated her wearing a dress; in the 3rd book I put her in jeans and a pink t-shirt. Being the novice that I was I never realized that once I illustrated her-that's how she'd have to look every time after that. Think of Dora-the Peanuts Gang-the Grinch-they look the same whenever you see them but if you research many of the well-known characters, they started out looking a little different. The creative process is never-ending, especially when you give birth to your very own character.

I thought I'd find a publisher right away. Little did I know how long and twisting this journey would be. I finally found a publisher in 2000. She loved Snarly Sally; instantly saw a line of children's picture books and accessories. We signed a contract to begin with two Snarly Sally books. Plans were in place to promote the first title, "The Really, Really Hairy Flight of Snarly Sally." Unfortunately none of that happened. The book's release paralled the horrible timeline of 9/11. After that tragedy, the publisher changed her focus to publishing only home arts and crafts books. The 2nd book, "Snarly Sally's Garden of ABCs" followed the next year as planned but as with the first title, there was no accompanying marketing. I did what I could but I am not Random House!

Long story short, I waited for my contracts to expire and last Christmas I published what I call the first Snarly Sally book, "The Really Hairy Scary Butterfly Rescue". It will soon be up on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. There will soon be funtime pages for kids to download on this site. Sometimes the actual journey is opposite of the plan. Sometimes we have to take a break from that journey to realize how much that journey means to us. Snarly Sally is like a child to me. I look at her and think back to that cold winter's Sunday afternoon when putting a pencil to paper while the original litle Snarly Sally colored, sipping hot chocolate. I'm still writing Snarly Sally's story and I will contiue to write this blog so please stick with me; please tell your friends. In the words of Snarly Sally herself, it's just "so pretty out..so happy out"-and I am happy to be back!

Green Eggs Are Pretty Good

2011-02-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

Putting words together in such a way as to grab the attention of children from one generation to the next is not an easy fete. Theodor Geisel took this one step further-using words that don't really exist except in his imagination. So he not only had to grab the little one's attention, he had to sell his made-up-words as words-or did he? Kids don't have a problem with funny, tongue-twisting made-up words for their imaginations are ripe for exploring storylines that are utterly silly; utterly pure fun. That's why Mr. Geisel-better known as the beloved Dr. Seuss-remains a staple in libraries, schools, homes, and hearts of children and those who once were children. March is the birth month of Horton the Elephant and that Cat in the Hat's creator. Celebrate this master of kids books-try some green eggs and ham. They're actually pretty good-in a house or with a mouse! I am Sam-I am -I am!

Books For Kids!

2011-02-19T18:58:00.000-08:00

Before bedtime when my kids were little, I'd let each of them pick out two books. Then we'd sit on the sofa while I read them their selections. Usually they'd hand me the same worn-torn books with the same looks of anticipation. Some evenings I was so tired I'd try skipping a word or two-maybe even a whole sentence. If I was really tired I'd try skipping an entire page but it never worked. They knew every single word; knew every single pause. They'd laugh at the same funny thing; look scared when the same monster crept off the same page. They'd ask the same questions and after the last word was read they had that same look of satisfaction as the night before and the night before that.

I would suspect they would have gotten to bed a little earlier most of those nights if we hadn't had so much fun looking for Richard Scarry's Lowly Worm or again wait to find that favorite monster at the end of a favorite monster book or read about brave Pierre Bear-the bravest hunter of all the north or go under the fence into the wide, wide world with the roly-poly puppy or visit the city mouse with the country mouse or twist our tongues with that cat in the hat or find out who slept in baby bear's bed or escape the wolf with those three little pigs-to name a few beloved stories!

Favorite books are best friends no matter how old we get. They wrap us up and make us feel happy or sad; scared or brave or silly or hopeful or a bit of everything. They entertain. Just like the lovable roly-poly puppy getting under that fence, they expand our horizons in a big world meant to be discovered. Books are for kids-of all ages!

Check this out!

2010-10-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

Funny Girl Designs-creator of all the fun, bright hair accessories made exclusivly for Snarly Sally-has created a terrific Snarly Sally page on her website. Check it out. Go to www.snarlysally.com and click onto Funny Girl Designs-and watch for Christmas headbands and hair clips coming soon!
After the upcoming third book, "The Really Hairy Scary Butterfly Rescue"is released we'll be working on even more related product for Snarly Sally. We understand what it's like to have a little girl who doesn't like to have her hair brushed!

3rd book going to the printers!

2010-10-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

At last! We are just about ready to send the pages of the 3rd "Snarly Sally" picture book-"The Really Hairy Scary Butterfly Rescue" to the printer.(Snarly Sally is the little girl who doesn't like to have her hair brushed). Problem with being the creator/author/and illustrator of a little character like Snarly Sally is that after awhile that little character-a product of your imagination-becomes very dear to you. You want everything perfect-every word; every illustration. I've modified her look somewhat for this 3rd picture book. When I drew her for the first book I was green-a novice. It never dawned on me that once I drew her a certain way that was how she'd have to look every time I drew her. The first 2 books have her in a dress. This third upcoming book has her in jeans and a pink shirt-much better. Of course her hair is still as messy as ever and in this book-chuck full of butterflies. (To be released for this upcoming Christmas season!)

Hairy Stories!!!

2010-10-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

Talk about Hairy! "Snarly Sally" knows about Hairy! She's "the little girl who doesn't like to have her hair brushed and she'd love to hear your hairy stories at hair-brushing time. Maybe you were a Snarly Sally; maybe you still are! Maybe your daughter or grandaughter is. Visit www.snarlysally.com. Send Snarly Sally your hairiest of hariest hair-brushing experiences and she'll post them-with your permission!

Snarly Sally Hair Clips/Headbands!

2010-09-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

Snarly Sally-"the little girl who doesn't like to have her hair brushed" is so excited! Her collection of sweet little hair clips and headbands are now priced-up on her site and ready to go-just for your little Snarly Sally! Check out www.snarlysally.com. More to come-including the "Snarly Sally Christmas Collection of Hair Accessories" and the 3rd Snarly Sally book-"The Really Hair Scary Butterfly Rescue"-just in time for Christmas!

Who is "Snarly Sally?"

2010-09-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

"Snarly Sally" is my little character created out of desperation when I would try to brush my daughter's hair. She never liked to have her hair brushed so to try to keep her sitting somewhat still I began to make up stories about another little girl who never liked to have her hair brushed-and her name was "Snarly Sally". It worked and from those early years I've discovered there are so many other little Snarly Sallies-and moms who go through what I went through at hair-brushing time. The 3rd Snarly Sally book is due for release this coming Christmas season. I invite you to check out www.snarlysally.com and learn more about me-about Snarly Sally and watch for more exciting products and downloads for your little ones. Send me your nightmare stories at hair-brushing time and I'll include them in my blog. More to come!