Books with author Darcy Pattison

The Must-Have Guide for SongwritersWriting Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics in addition to more advanced techniques.Songwriters will discover: • How to use sense-bound imagery to enhance a song's emotional impact on listeners • Techniques for avoiding clichés and creating imaginative metaphors and similes • Ways to use repetition as an asset • How to successfully manipulate meter • Instruction for matching lyrics with music • Ways to build on ideas and generate effective titles • Advice for working with a co-writer • And much moreFeaturing updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from more than 20 chart-toppings songs, Writing Better Lyrics gives you all of the professional and creative insight you need to write powerful lyrics and put your songs in the spotlight where they belong.

Hurrah for Essays! All writing lessons should be this much fun. When cousins Dennis and Mellie decide to get a dog, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Dennis wants a big dog, but Mellie wants tiny. He has no other pets, but she has other pets that a dog must get along with. They consider different dog personalities, family situations, and personal preferences. Dennis writes an opinion essay for his teacher, Mrs. Shirky. But will his essay convince his parents to get the dog of his dreams? This story takes a popular subject—kids getting a pet—and adds dogs of all sizes and shapes: all writing lessons should be this much fun. In the end, it’s cousins and the dogs that keep a reader turning the page. What kind of dog will Dennis choose? Will Mellie want the same kind of dog? This story hits many notes: A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie Information on dog breeds Responsible dog ownership Mentor-text for teaching writing Model opinion essay for elementary students Models the writing process, especially the importance of pre-writing or planning before you write Completes the writing process by showing the results of Dennis’s essay I WANT A DOG almost makes opinion essays look too easy. PRAISE FROM DOG EXPERTS “Darcy Pattison does a remarkable job on several fronts with her wonderful new book I Want A Dog: My Opinion Essay. She introduces the value of the written text at an early age to children. This cannot be emphasized enough in our early classrooms. With this comes an important lesson regarding the responsibility of owning and caring for a dog. As President of the Labrador Retriever Club representing the breed with the largest number of dogs I know how imperative responsible dog ownership is and Darcy does a wonderful job instilling this at an early age. This is a remarkable children’s book that has a lesson.” Fred Kampo, President of the Labrador Retriever Club See other books in THE READ AND WRITE series: I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay (forthcoming)

The Must-Have Guide for SongwritersWriting Better Lyrics has been a staple for songwriters for nearly two decades. Now this revised and updated 2nd Edition provides effective tools for everything from generating ideas, to understanding the form and function of a song, to fine-tuning lyrics.Perfect for new and experienced songwriters alike, this time-tested classic covers the basics in addition to more advanced techniques.Songwriters will discover: • How to use sense-bound imagery to enhance a song's emotional impact on listeners • Techniques for avoiding clichés and creating imaginative metaphors and similes • Ways to use repetition as an asset • How to successfully manipulate meter • Instruction for matching lyrics with music • Ways to build on ideas and generate effective titles • Advice for working with a co-writer • And much moreFeaturing updated and expanded chapters, 50 fun songwriting exercises, and examples from more than 20 chart-toppings songs, Writing Better Lyrics gives you all of the professional and creative insight you need to write powerful lyrics and put your songs in the spotlight where they belong.

YA Coming-of-Age Science FictionIn a break-neck race across the galaxy to the other blue planet, Jake Rose, a half-human and half-alien teen, arrives on the doomed planet Rison in search of a cure for a deadly alien illness. The stakes are higher than every because his girlfriend, Em, is dying. Unless they find a cure, the entire Phoke race may die.Jake finds his foster father just as aloof as ever and unwilling to help. This dangerous whirlwind journey to Rison, the doomed volcanic planet, is a story of survival, power and epic sacrifices. As earthquakes rumble and the planet’s core starts to collapse, Jake must find an elusive starfish. Or all is lost. He’ll never back down, even if it costs him everything.

An Epic Showdown under the SeaWhen the seas are accidentally poisoned by the aliens from Rison, Jake Rose—a teen who is half-human and half-alien—must question everything he’s believed about planet Earth. He tracks his ailing girlfriend, Em, to Edinburgh, Scotland. From a distance, the North Sea looks serene. But underneath lies a shocking secret. This is the second book in the exciting science fiction books, THE BLUE PLANETS WORLD series. When the Risonian world is threatened with implosion, they seek refuge on another blue planet. Will this aquatic alien species be welcome in Earth’s oceans, or will the entire race be lost when their planet self-destructs?This story has everything we love in a coming of age action movie: crazy battles, shocking revelations, and a gentle romance unfolding in the midst of a storm.

Fun at the K-9 Karnival! When the family gathers for Grandma's birthday, they spend the day at the local K-9 Karnival. Cousins Dennis and Mellie get their faces painted, learn how to give a dog a bath, and march in a parade. At home, they write informative essays about the day. Two full mentor essays included. With the homework done, it's time for Grandma's birthday party! This is Book 4 in The Read and Write Series, that feature these cousins, their pets and great essays. WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE READ AND WRITE SERIES Hurrah for Essays! All writing lessons should be this much fun. ". . .fill(s) a niche for teachers. . ." - School Library Journal 5/1/15 " ". . .breezy and engaging introduction to genre writing." " "The model essay can be used across multiple genres (informational and narrative nonfiction in addition to opinion)." " ". . .useful for teachers showing early elementary students the relevancy, power, and importance of effective writing." Booklist 6/17/15 Other Books in THE READ AND WRITE SERIES I WANT A DOG: My Opinion Essay, Book 1 I WANT A CAT: My Opinion Essay, Book 2 MY CRAZY DOG: My Narrative Essay, Book 3

Hurrah for Essays! All writing lessons should be this much fun. When cousins Mellie and Dennis decide to get a cat, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Mellie wants a cat that pounces, but Dennis wants a lazy cat, like his lazy dog, Clark Kent. Mellie wants a lap cat, but Dennis just wants a warm body BESIDE him. They consider different cat personalities, family situations, and personal preferences. Mellie writes an opinion essay for her teacher, Mr. Eagle. But will her essay convince her parents to get the cat of her dreams? This story takes a popular subject—kids getting a pet—and adds cats of all sizes and shapes: all writing lessons should be this much fun. In the end, it’s the cousins and the cats that keep a reader turning the page. What kind of cat will Mellie choose? Will Dennis want the same kind of cat? PRAISE FROM CAT EXPERT “This is an absolutely delightful book intended for children, but actually one that is informative for adults as well, it reinforces the importance of considering various factors when selecting a cat as a pet. The two cousins are exchanging thoughts about their lifestyles and priorities. They each have a vision of their ‘ideal cat.’ Though every cat is an individual, the book expresses the value of predictable personality traits and other characteristics of various pedigreed cat breeds. It is a charming story of the two children each going through the process of finding a cat who best fits their own preferences. The playful illustrations compliment the humorous and educational quality of the book.” Joan Miller, Chair, CFA Outreach and Education, Cat Fancier’s Association This is quite simply as informative a cat book as any text out there. Each selected breed pinpoints the single most important trait to know about it before choosing a cat ‘purrfect’ for you. Although written from a child’s perspective, it makes clear sense to readers of all ages. As a cat lover and Maine Coon Cat breeder and enthusiast, I was thrilled with the spot on description and story of this beloved breed. — Alexis Mitchell, Syracoon/Furensics, Maine Coon Cat Breed Council Secretary, Maine Coon Cat breeders of CFA "I Want a Cat: An Opinion Essay" by Darcy Pattison is a delightful book. Being both a teacher who works with dyslexic students, and a breeder of pedigreed cats, I would highly recommend this book to young writers. The importance of good writing skills are stressed by using a creative and entertaining story. It would be a book that I would recommend to my colleagues who teach younger students. I also like that the book introduces several breeds of pedigreed cats, as well as responsible pet ownership in using criteria to determine what breed of cat is best for suited for their families. It is refreshing to see responsible pet ownership presented to younger children. “ — Julie Keyer, Faculty, The Lewis School of Princeton, CFA Breed Council Secretary, Oriental Cats This story hits many notes: A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie Information on cat breeds Responsible cat ownership Mentor-text for teaching writing Model opinion essay for elementary students Models the writing process, especially the importance of pre-writing or planning before you write Completes the writing process by showing the results of Mellie’s essay I WANT A CAT almost makes opinion essays look too easy. See other books in THE READ AND WRITE series I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay (forthcoming)

CLANG! ERNST CHLADNI'S SOUND EXPERIMENTS Elementary Science - Sound and Sound Waves What if your science experiments were so interesting that even an Emperor wanted to know more? In 1806, scientist Ernst Chladni (KLOD-nee) left Germany for a three-year road trip, entertaining Europeans with his science. He made wires, columns of air, and solids vibrate. He wrote about this in his native German language, but his French scientist friends wanted to read about it in French. How could he get the cash he needed to write his new book? In February, 1809, Chladni's friends took him to the Tuliere Palace. This elementary science picture book dramatizes the exciting meeting between a German scientist and French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Like Bill Nye, the Science Guy today, Chladni popularized science. But during his work as an entertainer, he struggled to find the time and finances do actual research. This story provides a glimpse at the life of Ernst Chladni, the Father of Acoustics. It's an amazing example of how scientists collaborate internationally. The story is based on Chladni's own description of the event.

The whole school is chattering about The Bread Project, a fund-raiser meant to honor Griff Winston, the school nurse, who died that summer from a brain tumor.For Eliot, Griff’s adopted son, the Bread Project intrudes on his grief. He just wants to be left alone to get through sixth grade. Don’t make him talk about his Dad or relive how much Dad had loved to make sourdough bread.No one will listen to Eliot. Not Mrs. Lopez, the PTA President. Not his friends. And especially not his new step-mother, Marj. But she had to listen!Because Marj still must sign his official adoption papers. Somehow, they must figure out how to be a family despite Griff’s absence.In the midst of a variety of breads—pan dolce, ciabatti, ekmek, naan, pretzels, poori, pita, English muffins, raisin bread, cinnamon rolls, Kaiser rolls, potato rolls, and much more—Eliot must learn to fight for his family.

Could there be alien sleeper cells on Earth?A test-tube baby, Jake Rose is half human and half alien; he has both lungs and gills. He's comfortable breathing air—or water.He’s been raised on the “other blue planet,” Rison. However, in a horrifying science-gone-wrong scenario, Rison will soon implode. Jake evacuates to Earth to live with his human father’s parents on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound. His mother, Dayexi Quad-de is Rison’s ambassador to Earth. She’s tasked with finding Risonians a new home in Earth's oceans in a peaceful manner. Jake accidentally discovers that Earth’s elite ELLIS forces are trying to sabotage Mt. Rainier. They plan to force Mt. Rainier to erupt…and then blame it on the Risonian aliens.Working to thwart them, Jake suddenly realizes his mother—the ambassador—is missing. Kidnapped!Sleepers is the first novel in the action-packed science fiction The Blue Planets World series. This classic children's novel of finding your place in society combines with thrilling science fiction that delivers a punch. Perfect for readers in fourth to eighth grade.

In this modern-day Hansel and Gretel Brothers Grimm story, Saucy and Bubba struggle to get along with Krissy, their alcoholic stepmother. One freezing cold night, Krissy locks Saucy out of the house and Saucy must sleep in the barn. In a desperate move, Saucy and Bubba run away to their aunt’s house–except Aunt Vivian isn’t home. Trying to take care of Bubba for several days forces Saucy to take charge of her own life and accept a terrible sacrifice in order to find safety for herself. This is a simple story that weaves through the tangled threads of a family and builds to an ending full of hope.

Have you ever had an impossible dream?This exciting, adventure chapter book for readers ages 10-12 takes you to the amazing lands of your hopes and dreams.They had a simple dream - to sail the Seven Seas.Impossible!Pigs don't sail!But Penelope and Santiago are determined to sail, to follow their dream.They make a friend - Cricket, the mysterious map maker, who hoards certain maps.And find an enemy - the Ice King, Captain Kingsley, who seeks certain maps.A massive polar bear, he rules an empire built on ice. The tall ships, the fastest sailing vessels ever known, deliver New England ice to far flung places like Bombay, India.Come along for the adventure when the ice fleet sails. Feel the wind singing through the mainsails as Penelope and Santiago join the crew of the flagship----and come face to face with the Ice King's shocking secrets.From the fascinating world of tall ships comes this unlikely tale of humble pigs who follow their dream. Come and join the Talberts on their journey.