Susan Chodakiewitz

Susan Chodakiewitz

About

I am a writer, composer and founder of Booksicals - Encouraging a Love of Reading Through the Arts.  The Booksicals Repertory Company performs Too Many Visitors for One Little House in schools, libraries, and at children's literacy events. Booksicals has also released the Too Many Visitors For One Little House Musical DVD and the Snoozle Dance Video for kids.  Using the music, theater, dance and crafts to inspire a love of books is our goal. Preview the musical DVDs, Dance Video and CRAFT ideas at www.booksicals.com.  About me: I live in Angeles with my husband. I am the proud mom of 3 wonderful sons and love my finicky Dalmatian. My family is a big source of inspiration for my children's books.  

The Magic Word

The Magic Word

0.0
0 ratings

Description

<p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;">Elisabeth was rude and selfish and demanding, and therefore had very few friends.<span>  </span>When she sent out invitations to her birthday party, no one accepted.<span>  </span>Her mother warned her that she needed to improve her manners and to try to get along with people.<span>  </span>She told Elisabeth that she needed to use the magic word “Please”.<span>  </span>So when Elisabeth went to school the next day, she thought of her mother’s advice, “What is the magic word?” and she started saying “Please” and also “Thank You”.<span>  </span>She tried to become more thoughtful of others, and discovered that she was a much happier person.<span>  </span>Imagine her pleasure when she returned home to find out that her new friends were all coming to her birthday party!</span><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:Arial, 'sans-serif';font-size:10pt;"></span></p><p></p>

Story Behind The Book

<b><i>Too Many Visitors for One Little House</i></b> is based on the wild and crazy summer that my family moved into our new house in Beverly Hills and all these visitors came to stay. First my sister drove in from Miami in a GIANT camper with her husband, four kids, and housekeeper. For a surprise they brought my parents and uncle from Russia. Then I got a call from my sister-in-law in Houston. She was getting a divorce and was moving to LA. She and the 3 kids needed a place to stay until she found a new house. She arrived with 3 children and a housekeeper. Soon after that my mother-in-law got out of the hospital. She moved in -- together with her nurse. All together 23 people lived in our house that summer. Every evening the invaders oops, sorry visitors -- would congregate on the front lawn. On occasion my uncle from Russia led the group in a Russian folk song. On some nights my dad joined in with Klezmer on the clarinet. Our formerly quiet little neighborhood buzzed with music, noise from children at play, and the barking of a scraggly dog -- who adopted our family that summer too. Our not-so-quiet little house began to bust at the seams. On various occasions the neighbors summoned the police to check out the suspicious activity at the house of the new family on the block! I always thought I would write this story as a screen play or musical yet sixteen years later it finally manifested itself as the childrens picture book.

Reviews

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" align="right" width="0"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100%"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Great fun!</strong>, May 3, 2009</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">By </td> <td>Librarian <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AFVIJD03AKNNA/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="#003399">Elise <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Daniel<img class="custPopRight" style="border-right:medium none;border-top:medium none;border-left:medium none;border-bottom:medium none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/carrot._V47081519_.gif" /></span></font></span></a> (Durham, NH United States)     </td></tr></tbody></table></div>As a librarian, this book has all the elements for a good read! The tone is fun and upbeat, the characters varied, and the connection with childrens' busy and hectic lives real. The lively illustrations perfectly complement the &quot;Too many visitors for one little house&quot; refrain, which is a line I expect young children will be repeating as they read or listen to the book. Bravo to the author and illustrator for this whimsical, charming book! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" align="right" width="0"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100%"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Too Much Fun!</strong>, April 28, 2009</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">By </td> <td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1V7I67MI5RUFV/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="#003399">Nancy I. <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Sanders<img class="custPopRight" style="border-right:medium none;border-top:medium none;border-left:medium none;border-bottom:medium none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/carrot._V47081519_.gif" /></span></font></span></a> (CA USA)     </td></tr></tbody></table></div>This beautiful picture book tells a delightful tale of grumpy neighbors being won over by too many delightful visitors in one small house. Veronica Walsh's engaging illustrations bring to life the personalities and quirks of each visitor who arrives in this rollicking story about family, fun, and neighborhoods. (I can't decide whether my favorite is the tail-wagging dog or the ever-prepared grandparents!) <br />_____________________________________________________ <br /><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" align="right" width="0"></td> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100%"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0"><span>5.0 out of 5 stars</span></span> </span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Brings a smile to your face!</strong>, May 6, 2009</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top">By </td> <td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2GNS2XTSGYO6I/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><font color="#003399">Steve <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Abramowitz<img class="custPopRight" style="border-right:medium none;border-top:medium none;border-left:medium none;border-bottom:medium none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/carrot._V47081519_.gif" /></span></font></span></a> (Morganville, NJ)</td></tr></tbody></table></div>This heartwarming story and colorful illustrations will make any reader, young and old, smile. We can all relate to family gatherings and sharing good food and good times together. The smell of the apple strudel and the sound of the dog barking jump of the pages and puts you into the house with all of the relatives and neighbors. My wife who is a kindergarten teacher can't wait to share this story with her class! </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>