It Has Started

"It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish." ~J. R. R. Tolkien


So, I've been thinking about this for a while.  Now I have started it.

I will be publishing, as the mood strikes me, art and vignettes about the Land of Salvania.  I hope you like them.

Eventually, I hope other fantasy artists and writers will come play in my sandbox and start their own Salvania works.

My first two vignettes are here:

~Mick, S.D.G.

In Use, Baby!

Gwinnett County Public Library added two more of my children's books to their collection, so I checked them today...

Space Art Video

I am working on a space art book for the Rocket Team series.  It is suitable for all ages, even adults.  In fact, at least one member of the Russian space agency (Roscosmos) asked for a print of one image.

The art, like the Rocket Team, celebrates international cooperation.  It includes fanciful imagery of many nations exploring the solar system.  The video below is a small taste of the art coming in the book.  It's already over 32 pages.

~Mick, S.D.G.

New Friends Through Art

I am working on a space art book tentatively titled "Ramone's Space Art." As with all Rocket Team books, it illustrates international cooperation and includes artwork that represent many countries.

I shared an advance copy with Roscosmos, the Russian space agency. Oleg Bolashev, a press liaison, shared these words for my young readers:

"Space exploration is one of the greatest tasks for humankind. The International Space Station has become one of the most important international efforts and outposts for humans in Earth’s orbit. I acts as a true symbol of international cooperation.

Space exploration and colonization continues with automatic spacecraft and rovers being sent to various planets of the Solar system. No doubt, the coming years will see world scientists create new ways and methods to send human colonists to extraterrestrial objects – just like the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus set off to discover new continents, or Polish-Russian geographer Nikolay Przhevalsky, a renowned explorer of Central and East Asia.

Today NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe, including 14 member countries – Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland), and CSA (Canada) are acting in the same way to ensure the future of space exploration and presence of humans outside the comfortable Earth environment – and you might become a part of it, or even be among those people pictured in this book. Go for it!"

This is a sample page from "Ramone's Space Art" that I sent to Roscosmos
to show my appreciation for their attention and comments.

~Mick, S.D.G.

Patreon Is Percolating

Things are in motion on the Patreon page.  I have re-configured the pricing tiers, added new rewards, and added/revised my goals.  I tend to dream big, so I added a super-stretch goal with my dearest desire...

​When I reach $300 per month, I'll solicit deserving artists to showcase their space art - for pay - in an upcoming compilation.  This will help them gain recognition and income for their efforts.
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​The compilation will be created once a year, and an electronic copy will be free for patrons at level 2 and above. 
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​A printed copy will be free for patrons at level 4 and above.

More here: https://www.patreon.com/RocketTeam

~Mick, S.D.G.

Reading to Your Child

If you read five books a day to your child, they will enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than other children.

Even reading one book a day, your child will hear about 290,000 more words by age five than others.

Kids who hear more vocabulary words are better prepared to see those words in print when they enter school.

Important: The words children hear in books are going to be more complex, more difficult than ones they hear just talking around home.

For instance, a children's book about astronauts exploring Mars will introduce words and concepts that are unlikely to come up in everyday conversation.

Preschoolers who hear rich explanations of sophisticated words learn significantly more words than children who do not. Studies show compelling evidence for the benefits of teaching sophisticated vocabulary to children in preschool through first grade.

Children who acquire a substantial vocabulary are often able to think more deeply, express themselves better, and learn new things more quickly. They are also very likely to be successful not only learning to read, but also in reading at or above grade level throughout their school years.

We know now that if we boost children's language and literacy experiences early in life, later difficulties can be reduced or avoided.

Children pay attention to, and are interested in, the way adults use words to express precise feelings and reactions.

Find books that contain complex words, and your child will gradually pick up on their meanings and prosper in their future educational endeavors.

Sources…

[1] Ohio State University. "A 'million word gap' for children who aren't read to at home: That's how many fewer words some may hear by kindergarten." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 April 2019.

[2] Spotlight on Young Children: Exploring Language and Literacy, edited by A. Shillady. Copyright © 2014 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

[3] Scholastic Books; "For the Love of Words: Help your child build a rich vocabulary, and in turn, strong reading and writing skills." Susan Canizares; PhD in language and literacy development.

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Mickey Kulp writes and illustrates the The Rocket Team series of children’s picture books. He crafted each book to be fun and educational, and they help introduce a rich, new vocabulary to make your child smarter.

Rocket Team books are available from a number of international outlets including Amazon.com/author/mickeykulp.

DCPL Local Author Expo

FREE EVENT

Meet author/illustrator Mickey Kulp, creator of the Rocket Team!

Dekalb County Pubic Library presents their local author expo...

Saturday, August 17 2019 from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Decatur Recreation Center: 231 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030

Special pricing and free gifts while supplies last!