<p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk/">http://www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk/</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The theme for National Poetry Day is based on Games, so this poem that was written in collaboration with my grandson, last year, is my contribution.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The poem was one of three published in the anthology: <em>Shambelurkling and Other Stories</em> to raise funds for the National Autisitic Society.&nbsp; Since then, my elder daughter, Nikki, has completed: The Great North Run for the same charity.&nbsp; <br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><span style="color: #3366ff;">A Few of my Favourite Things</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">My name is Jay.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I am big and aged 9.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I have yellow hair and blue eyes</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">and I like watching DVDs.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I like swimming and winning.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I like looking through telescopes to see the sky.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I like to bounce on my trampoline - <em>boing -</em> <em>Boing -BOING!</em></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">and I like watching DVDs.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I like playing football and scoring goals.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I like riding on the train to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">I like doing jigsaws</span></p> <p><span style="color: #3366ff; font-size: medium;">and I like watching DVDs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Sham</span><span style="color: #ff00ff;">be<span style="color: #ff6600;">lu</span></span><span style="color: #ff6600;">r</span><span style="color: #00ff00;">kling</span> <span style="color: #cc99ff;">and</span> <span style="color: #993300;">Other</span> <span style="color: #ffff00;"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Stor</span><span style="color: #99cc00;">ies</span></span></em> is an anthology that has been presented by: <em>The Pages Magazine </em>editor, Marit Meredith; a tireless fundraiser for children's worthy causes.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The anthology is comprised of children's poems and short stories that have been written by freelance writers to raise funds for the (NAS) National Autistic Society.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the moment it is selling like hot cakes!&nbsp; It has a superb front cover and is jam-packed with delightful poems and stories suitable for children aged 8-12, and an adult aged 56!</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span style="color: #0000ff;">Sham</span><span style="color: #ff00ff;">be</span><span style="color: #ff6600;">lur</span><span style="color: #00ff00;">kling</span> <span style="color: #cc99ff;">and</span> <span style="color: #993300;">Other</span> <span style="color: #3366ff;">Stor</span><span style="color: #339966;">ies </span></em>can immediately be downloaded for the small price of &pound;1.99, or it can be ordered in book form for only &pound;3.99.&nbsp; <br /><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/shambelurkling-and-other-stories/13584180?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1">http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/shambelurkling-and-other-stories/13584180?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1</a></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> <span class="mceItemObject" classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui> </span> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Promoting the anthology began in earnest after receiving ten copies of <span style="color: #ff0000;">Sham</span><span style="color: #3366ff;">be</span><span style="color: #ff00ff;">lurk</span><span style="color: #99cc00;">ling </span>and <span style="color: #ff0000;">Oth</span><span style="color: #0000ff;">er</span> <span style="color: #339966;">Sto</span><span style="color: #cc99ff;">ries</span> through the post on Friday.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Unlike the download version, which was printed on A4 white paper, the actual book looks completely different.&nbsp;&nbsp; When un-wrapping the parcel for example, the quality-rich front cover projected a superb, colourful picture that instantly draws the mind's eye into its surreal and evocative depths.&nbsp; The size is quite different too, only a tiny bit bigger than A5 to sit comfortably in either a child or adult hand.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The layout complements the whole beautifully and the contributors have pulled together and submitted a mix of tailor-made stories and poems.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&nbsp;</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Royalties from the sale of the book has been specifically ring-fenced for the (NAS) National Autistic Society's EarlyBird Plus programme. (&pound;1.06 per paperback copy and the same for downloads).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Shambelurkling and Other Stories </em>can immediately be downloaded for the price of &pound;1.99, or it can be ordered in book form for &pound;3.99.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The book currently has 15% off with the coupon code: STOCKING305 until December 15, 2010.&nbsp; </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Comprising of work written by freelance writers, <em>Shambelurkling and Other Stories</em> is a great read (but especially for 8-12 years olds!) and aims to raise funds for the National Autistic Society's EarlyBird Plus Programme.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/shambelurkling-and-other-stories/13584180?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1">http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/shambelurkling-and-other-stories/13584180?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The freelance writers, who contributed, and are listed in no particular order, are:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Maureen Vincent-Northam<br /> Rosa Johnson<br /> T A Belshaw<br /> Myra King<br /> Marilyn Sylvester and Jay<br /> June Gundlack<br /> Ruchira Mandal<br /> Rebecca Emin<br /> Emma Kerry<br /> Ben Sherman<br /> Cynthia Schuerr<br /> Jonathan Pinnock<br /> Christine Lesley Nedahl<br /> Rachel Carter<br /> Sharon Birch<br /> Mandy K James<br /> Mark O' Brien<br /> Marit Meredith<br /> Maria Fullerton.<br /><br /> The front cover illustration is by: Paul Townend.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>