Twice I went up to Boston this year for robotics events. At the Robotics Summit & Expo in May, I met Spot, the robot on the cover of Robo-Motion! At the end of September, I drove back to Boston for the RoboBoston Block Party, which is free to the public. If you love robots, it's an awesome place to see them. The highlight of that trip was the Festo booth because there are several Festo robots in Robo-Motion.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Teacher Resources
Robo-Motion
These flashcards can be used in the lesson (top). None of these animals are in the book.
Minecraft
use the elements of story in Minecraft to write a story
https://www.patriciamnewman.com/litlinks-surprise-video-game-story-elements-improve-student-writing/
Minecraft Redstone - coding
Logic Gates
Loops
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
My Books
Discover animals and the robots that were built to mimic their motion in this photographic nonfiction picture book.
Reviews
Kirkus: Delightful, motivating, and thought-provoking—a winner for any bookshelf.
review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/linda-zajac/robo-motion/
The Horn Book: Recommended
review:https://www.hornbookguide.com/site/www.hornbookguide.com/site/?reviewList=book-bundles-natures-designs
What people are saying
I wanted to let you know how much the kids love your book. I was with them yesterday and not only read this to Addie at least 3 times, but much of our play time was centered around 'surgery.' Her octopus arms had to search around and find what was wrong with me!
~ Kathy T.
Wow, what a beautiful well written book. Beautiful large pictures of the animals, and matching "robots." Beautiful colored pages. Great descriptive language which is easy to understand. She even included a glossary! Definitely has all the features of a great nonfiction text used in the classroom! Very well done!
~Eileen T.
With an endless supply of blocks, you can design and build all kinds of things. Learn the basics about creative mode in this book for grades 3–6. Includes STEM and coding sidebars.
Increase your power by enchanting tools and armor. For grades 3–6. Includes STEM(physics) and coding sidebars.
By mapping your world, you can find resources and reduce your chance of getting lost. For grades 3–6. Includes STEM and coding sidebars.
With mods, you can add features that aren't in the game. This introduction to modding has information about some popular mods. For grades 3–6. Includes STEM and coding sidebars.
With redstone, gamers can make traps and contraptions that use logical operators. For grades 3–6. All sidebars are coding related.
If you're new to the game, this book for grades 3–6 provides an overview of how to survive the first night. Includes STEM and coding sidebars.
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Coming in September of 2021! Like so many other books, my picture book release date was postponed a year.
I made a few Minecraft videos about redstone rollercoasters (fun!), loops, and logic gates. You can find them on my YouTube channel.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
I've been working hard on this 4-book Minecraft series for Lerner Books. I even took work with me when I went on vacation in November. The books are for 8–12 year olds. My personal favorite is the creative mode book. However, redstone is a lot of fun too, especially the railroad tracks. I'm hoping to take a video of the roller coaster I built and include it on my blog (once I figure out how to do that). The neatest thing about redstone is that it's easy to build rollercoasters and you can click on a mine cart and go for a ride. What a thrill!
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Conference-Vacation Packing Tips
Aiguille du Midi, French Alps |
This year, I traveled to two conferences and extended the dates of my stay, making them vacations too. Since I don't waste time and money checking bags, packing was a huge challenge. To make things more difficult (of course), I brought my laptop. I love typing and rearranging my notes on the spot, but the device adds weight to my bag. For one trip, I also needed clothes for temperatures that ranged from below freezing to 107°F. Talk about challenges.
This is the afternoon temp. |
I needed that warm jacket. |
1. Pants - Convertible pants (roll-up or zip-offs) do double duty as pants and capris. (Prana Halle).
2. Shirts - Nicer sleeveless shirts work under a blazer and also with shorts.
3. Packable down coat - lightweight and doesn't take up much space (Patagonia Nano Puff) - I tested this jacket out beforehand. It's warm, but on a windy day, you need a windbreaker over it, so I brought one.
4. Lightweight travel blazer (Uniqulo jersey blazer)
5. Underwear - ExOfficio -2-3 pair for a 2 1/2 week vacation
6. Downy Wrinkle Releaser - 3 oz. This stuff works great, but it's a liquid so it does take up valuable space in your one quart bag.
7. Makeup - Rather than bring a heavy glass container, I put it in a plastic contact lens case.
8. Toothbrush - I cracked off the handle and threw out the toothbrush before returning home.
Sénanque Abbey in Gordes, France - It was over 100°F that day. |
Instead of dealing with laundry, I washed out my things in the sink with shampoo and body wash. After rolling them in a towel, I hung them up to dry. Despite all of my efforts, my backpack was still pretty heavy, but I had everything I needed.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
critique tips
The conference was excellent. Admission included a fifteen-minute critique, which brings me to the subject of this post. I have some advice for my fellow critiquers:
1. Have a pen and paper handy. The editor was speaking as I rifled through my laptop bag for the thin notepad that I had tucked inside it. My laptop bag has so many compartments, I couldn't find it. Flustered, I grabbed a piece of paper, flipped it over and started taking notes on the backside. I wish I had the pen and notepad in my hand when I sat down.
2. Bring extra manuscripts with you. This probably isn't necessary for a fifteen-minute critique, but I've had twenty-five minute critiques that ended early. One editor at the Falling Leaves Retreat asked me if I had anything else she wanted me to look at.
3. Prepare your pitches. For longer critiques, you might have some time to pitch additional manuscripts. At the Falling Leaves Retreat, someone told me they pitched one. She said you could use the critique time however you wished.
4. You might be able to tape it. Someone at the Beachside Retreat in Florida told me she asked the editor if she could tape the critique session. The answer was yes.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Work-for-hire deadlines
This juvenile barred owl was sitting on my next-door neighbor's deck. |
For two books in a 4-book series:
Length = 1600-1800 words
January 3 - received guidelines, compensation information, and deadlines
January 17 - sent outline to editor
January 23 - received editor's comments about outlines
April 2 - due date for book 2 (the harder one)
April 16 - due date for book 1
May 23 - received edits for book 2 and the text for the frontrunner* in the series
May 24 - received edits for book 1
May 31 - sent revisions for book 2 to editor (they typically give author's a week for revisions)
June 7 - sent revisions for book 1 to editor
June 13 - received photo wish list for book 1
June 23 - received photo wish list for book 2
July 1 - I uploaded most of the photos (I had to wait on a few)
July 30 - received book layouts for review
January 2019 - publication date
When they're begging for food, juveniles have unusual calls. |
*The first edited text in a series is referred to as the "frontrunner."
As you can see, these books kept me busy the first half of the year. If I had to do it over again, I'd ask more questions at the start to confirm that what I was thinking matched what they were looking for. The photo portion of the project was a lot of fun and there were no deadlines. I delivered the photos via a steady stream of Dropbox uploads. Since I had planned a vacation in early April, I lost a week of work time, so that added to my stress level, but I made all my deadlines. Even though the deadline for book 2 was shorter, I worked on and handed in book 1 first. Logically, it made sense to do it this way.
The nice thing about the process is that a published book is produced in a relatively short period of time.
The owl has spotted me hiding behind my neighbor's garage. It's ready to fly. |
Thursday, April 19, 2018
The TransCatalina Trail goes up and down some mighty steep mountains. |
The University of Southern California's Wrigley Marine Science Center was below this hill on Two Harbors, Catalina. |
Emerald Bay, Catalina |
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Shade Swamp Sanctuary
I signed a contract to write my first two books for Lerner! So, I've been hard at work on them. My goal is to get one first draft done by the end of this week. One more chapter and some sidebars and I'll meet that deadline.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Shade Swamp Sanctuary in Farmington, Connecticut. It's unusual because it's the site of an abandoned zoo. I wouldn't want to do this hike when mosquitoes are buzzing about, but during the spring it might be a great place to view wetland birds.
The zoo started out as a sanctuary for injured birds and other animals. |
I believe these are bobcat tracks cutting across the frozen swamp. |
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Agent-Editor Day
Ragged Mountain - Metacomet Trail |
Love this hike! |
Rock climbers scale this cliff. |
- Bring your best work, the stuff you think is ready to submit. You might be surprised.
- Bring two different manuscripts. The folks that brought the same manuscript to the morning and afternoon sessions got the same advice.
- Pick out which manuscripts you want to bring before you register.
- Decide who you want to sit with before you register and have a backup person ready too. You will be at your assigned tables most of the day, so there isn't much opportunity to network with the other agents and editors.
- If you have questions about your manuscript, you can ask those after the agent/editor is done critiquing.
- It was helpful for me to take notes while the agent/editor was speaking about my work.
- You can also learn by listening to the critique advice given to others.
Friday, September 29, 2017
A blue-and-yellow macaw at the Southwick Zoo |
Earlier this month, I attended Encore in the Student Union at Rhode Island College. My writing friends had raved about this one-day event, but I had never gone. Instead, I chose longer retreats and conferences, like Falling Leaves and the 21st Century Nonfiction Conference.
a rare white Bengal tiger |
Turkey |
Two-toed sloth |
Monday, August 14, 2017
One thing I did this summer that has boosted my productivity and organization skills was to switch from a freebie Hallmark calendar to a planner that spans one and a half years. Now, I have plenty of room to jot down multiple tasks. I have found that when I write it down, it gets done. It was well worth the few dollars I paid for it. At the end of every day, I look at my list and smile at all the things I've accomplished. It has also reduced those writing ruts--the kind that used to swallow me up and leave me wondering why I bother.
Last week, I took a day off and went to the Southwick Zoo. It's fascinating to watch the animals.
Last week, I took a day off and went to the Southwick Zoo. It's fascinating to watch the animals.
chimp |
I stopped by the tiger and lion cages numerous times because they were sleeping. Finally, the Bengal tiger woke up. |
A grad student told me this young male and his dad were play fighting |
A parakeet landed on my hand! |
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Picacho Peak, Arizona
Picacho Peak (taken from the car while on the highway) |
The cables got progressively more challenging. |
It's getting a little steeper. Gloves are recommended for this hike. |
This was insane! I was trembling a little bit here. |
On the way down, a gust of wind swept my new sunhat off my head. I ventured beyond the cable to retrieve it (scary). |
What a gorgeous view! |
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Grand Canyon - South Rim
South Kaibab Trail head |
Beyond the ice, the trail looked like this. |
This area had a steep drop-off, so I hugged the rock wall and gave the mules the precipitous edge. |
Lunch with a view of the river. Phantom Ranch is on the right. |
Across the river, the trail goes left to the ranch. |
I wore shorts on the 10-mile uphill hike. It energized me in temperatures that hovered around 50°F. On the first mile or so, the Bright Angel Trail was sandy and followed the river. Eventually, the trail wound its way uphill inside a canyon. Slick ice greeted me at the top.
suspension bridge on the Bright Angel Trail |
As I crossed the Colorado River, morning sunlight gave the canyon a golden glow. |
The top of the Bright Angel Trail was a bit hazardous. |
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