Category Archives: Evonne Blanchard

Famous Constellations: Draco, the Snake-Dragon Constellation

Draco means snake in Greek. Yes, we’re talking about you Malfoy, (Harry Potter nerd here)! Although it does also mean dragon or enormous serpent in Latin.

The Draco constellation is one of the easiest to see in the northern night sky.

And this constellation, like so many, has a great Greek story behind it! The most famous one begins in the garden of Hesperides, where the prized golden apples were guarded by the dragon-snake Ladon. One of the twelve labors of Hercules, (Heracles to the Greeks) was to steal the golden apples. Hercules had to kill Ladon in order to get the apples. The fallen snake- dragon was afterwards set up in the night sky, with its’ head lying at the foot of Hercules.

In other myths, Draco is the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. And there is an even older myth where Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom, defeated Draco during the great, all out world bashing Olympians vs. Titans -and assorted monsters- war!!! You know the one which makes World War I seems like a tea party in comparison. Athena then grabbed Draco’s tail and threw him up into the night sky as a constellation, whereupon he became wrapped around the North Pole.

Draco, unusually for constellations, looks exactly like a snake and literally slithers its’ way across the northern sky. It’s located between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, so it’s easy to spot on a clear night.

The best time to view this constellations is in July, at around 9pm, (latitudes +90 degrees and -15 degrees).  You can either use a sky chart (downloadable on the internet) or an app.  My favorite stargazing app is the Sky Safari app.  It’s an excellent  tool for quickly identifying the constellations, as they rotate through the celestial heavens.

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace,  ‘Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage and Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon.  These are the first three books inAmelia’s Amazing Space Adventures.  The author is currently working on the fourth book in the series, Amelia, the Snapperjacks and the Molten Maze.

Ever wondered if aliens exist?  What if one needed your help?  Would you travel into outer space?  For the adventures…of a lifetime!

Preview Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventure books

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

kindle cover for upload

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” —Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

COVER-ATMATEC low

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well until an asteroid hits their planet.  Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble.  How will they convince the Merballs
of their innocence?  And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

“Adventure, inventiveness, and humor merge in this quirky, appealing tale.”
—Kirkus Reviews. 

“…This third book is even more original, fun and creative! With aliens, different planets, a good dose of humor and excellent storytelling that is age-appropriate, this is one of the best kids series out there. The illustrations are pretty fun too and fit the story well.”
—I Heart Reading  

Aliens…Are they here already?

Where is everybody? That’s the question the Italian scientist Enrico Fermi asked the world almost six decades ago. A question that has remained unanswered to this day, or has it?

But humans, curious creatures that we are, have always wondered…Is there anybody out there? Alien obsession began over two thousand years ago, with…yes you’ve guessed it, the ancient Greeks. They started the debate about the existence of alien life on other planets. But the concept only really took off once Copernicus proved that all the planets rotate around the Sun.

Many famous astronomers, such as Kepler and Galileo discussed finding alien life elsewhere in the solar system. But they also had to be very careful not to upset the church. Later the ‘plurality of worlds,’ became a popular theory in which scientists discussed the idea that the whole universe should be full of intelligent life.

Astronomers discussed many ways of communicating with potential aliens on planets such as Mars and Venus. One idea called for mirrors with flashing lights to send signals into space. But it was not until 1974 that the first alien message was sent. Frank Drake used the 300-metre reflector dish in the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico to send the first CETI, (communication extra terrestrial intelligence) message. Since then many messages have been sent. But unfortunately we’re still waiting – many decades later – for a reply!

Today, radio is thought of as a better way of alien communication. Radio waves are less affected by cosmic dust and there is less of a radio background in outer space.

The idea of aliens has captured the world’s imagination for a long time, with many movies made and science fiction books published, exploring aliens and alien invasions of Earth. On Sunday October 30, 1938, the United States went into mass hysteria, when the radio announced to its’ million listeners that a Martian invasion of our Earth was underway. People were terrified. They fled en masse in their cars, jamming the highways, fleeing the vengeful Martians. Until…Mr. Orson Welles, a director, came on air to tell people that they were actually listening to a play! This play was adapted from H.G. Welles famous novel, ‘War of the Worlds,’ -a great read to this day -a book which describes in detail, a Martian invasion of Earth!

Aliens have also fascinated Hollywood with hundreds of movies made about extra terrestrials, space and alien invasions. Check out any of the Star Wars movies, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Aliens and the classic 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you prefer your aliens on the funnier side, definitely watch the hilarious Mars Attacks, Earth Girls are Easy and Aliens Ate my Homework!

But is there any evidence that real life aliens are actually out there, maybe even walking amongst us here on Earth? Well conspiracy theories are rampant, the most famous being UFO’s (Unidentified Flying Objects), some of which can be explained away as hot air balloons or even birds, but many of which baffle scientists to this day. Then there was the Roswell case, with its famous photograph of a dead alien and whispers of a government coverup. Unfortunately the photograph was later proven to have been taken in a museum and the so-called dead alien turned out to be the mummified remains of a two year boy!

However, recent events must be taken into account. A much anticipated report of UFO’s is due to be released by the Pentagon later this month. Videos have been released, showing UFO’s traveling at tremendous speeds, without any evidence of propulsion. Could it be an optical illusion? Maybe? Or should we point the finger at those naughty Russians or Chinese for these super speedy crafts and wonder what they’re up to? Or could it be, at long last evidence that we are not alone and that aliens have visited us? Of course they may have got such a fright that they turned around and left pretty quickly!

But for now the age old question of where is everybody… remains a question mark. And the waiting for direct human to extra terrestrial contact goes on.

Evonne Blanchard is the author of Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace, Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage and Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon. These are the first three books in Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures, an exciting series of ten books set in outer space; for children ages 6-10.

Ever wondered if aliens exist? What if one needed your help? Would you travel into outer space?

Ever wondered if aliens exist?  What if one needed your help?  Would you travel into outer space?  For the adventures…of a lifetime!

Preview Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventure books

Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

COVER-ATMATEC low

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well until an asteroid hits their planet.  Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble.  How will they convince the Merballs
of their innocence?  And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Amazon.co.uk

“Adventure, inventiveness, and humor merge in this quirky, appealing tale.”
—Kirkus Reviews. 

“…This third book is even more original, fun and creative! With aliens, different planets, a good dose of humor and excellent storytelling that is age-appropriate, this is one of the best kids series out there. The illustrations are pretty fun too and fit the story well.”
—I Heart Reading  

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

kindle cover for upload

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books withKindle Unlimited.

Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” —Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Great Review from Kirkus for, Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon!

                             AMELIA, THE MERBALLS AND THE EMERALD CANNON by Evonne Blanchard

AMELIA, THE MERBALLS AND THE EMERALD CANNON

From the “Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures” series, volume 3
BUY NOW FROM

KIRKUS REVIEW

“Adventure, inventiveness, and humor merge in this quirky, appealing tale.”

A space-traveling girl continues gathering items to help save her alien friend’s sister in this third series outing.

In two previous children’s books, 8-year-old Amelia, a white girl with reddish hair, agreed to help Uglesnoo, a three-armed purple alien from Pluto, cure his ailing sister. A repelling crystal from Neptune will heal her, but that planet’s Queen Neep will barter it only in exchange for a long list of objects from around the solar system. Some the duo has already collected, like five boxes of dandelions from Earth. Next on the list: five pairs of flying shoes from Mercury, inhabited by Merballs. Hostile Venutons of Venus, the twosome’s last stop, try to prevent Amelia and Uglesnoo from trading with the Merballs (“Do not keep these criminals. Bring us the prisoners”). But the Merballs are basically friendly and don’t want trouble. They have problems of their own: They are suffering from asteroid strikes that create a sickening fog of dust, hospitalizing many. After another asteroid hit, Amelia and Uglesnoo come under suspicion and are briefly imprisoned. They fall into an old iron mine, from which they escape. Amelia develops a cunning plan to smash the asteroids with a cannon of her design, using raw materials from the mine. If she’s successful and a grateful Empress Ping rewards them with flying shoes, they’ll be one step closer to curing Uglesnoo’s sister—and maybe Amelia will have a chance to try out Mercury’s inviting slide transportation system. Blanchard (Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage, 2016, etc.) writes a fast-paced tale with a young heroine who’s a quick thinker. Designing and crafting the cannon shows Amelia’s ingenuity and reflects the current interest in maker culture. There’s also plenty of silly fun, such as the green slime floor in the prison cell that almost engulfs Amelia and Uglesnoo, as well as cool tech, like the Plutonian’s multifunctional bed, which plays a role in their escape. Palmisano’s (An Amazing Circus of Phonograms, 2017) illustrations are colorful and three-dimensional, the mix of Earth and alien characters having a family resemblance in their googly eyes.

Adventure, inventiveness, and humor merge in this quirky, appealing tale.

 

Pub Date: June 19th, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-981496-11-2
Page count: 70pp
Publisher: CreateSpace
Program: Kirkus Indie
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14th, 2018

Incredible Video from the Physics and Astronomy Zone

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace, Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage and Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon.  These are the first three books in, Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures, an
exciting series of ten books set in outer space (for children ages 6-10).
Ever wondered if aliens exist? What if one needed your help? Would you travel to outer space?

Now Available!
Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

COVER-ATMATEC low 

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well until an asteroid hits their planet.  Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble.  How will they convince the Merballs
of their innocence?  And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

“Adventure, inventiveness, and humor merge in this quirky, appealing tale.”
Kirkus Reviews-Read Full Review

“…This third book is even more original, fun and creative! With aliens, different planets, a good dose of humor and excellent storytelling that is age-appropriate, this is one of the best kids series out there. The illustrations are pretty fun too and fit the story well.”
I Heart Reading-Read Full Review

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Barnes & Noble

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

kindle cover for upload

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Barnes & Noble

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

 “Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

 

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

A Sneak Peek at the Cover Page of Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon!

COVER-ATMATEC low

Now Out!

Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well until an asteroid hits their planet.  Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble.  How will they convince the Merballs
of their innocence?  And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace, Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage and Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon.  These are the first three books in, Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures, an exciting series of ten books set in outer space (for children ages 6-10).
Ever wondered if aliens exist? What if one needed your help? Would you travel to outer space?

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

kindle cover for upload

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

Or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

 

A Look Inside – Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

ILL3-PG13 copy-2

Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon, the third book in my Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventure Series – set on Mercury – is due out very soon.  I’m sharing a sneak peek with you.  What crazy adventure is about to take place this time?

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, ‘Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace and ‘Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage.  These are the first two books in, ‘Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures,’ an exciting series of ten books set in outer space (for children ages 5-9).

ATMATEC Banner

Ever wondered if aliens exist? What if one needed your help? Would you travel to outer space?

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

kindle cover for upload

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

Or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

 

Fun Space Facts for Children: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet

shutterstock_687236506

Fun Space Facts for Children: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet

Name:   Earth is the only planet not named after a Greek or Roman God or Goddess.  Instead the name simply means the soil beneath us.  It is thought that the word came from both the English and German words, ‘eor(th)e/ertha’ and ‘erde’, which means ground. But who named our planet in the first place?  No-one knows…it remains an earthly mystery!

Diameter:  7,926 miles or 12,756 kilometers

Temperature:  136°F /58°C to -126°F/-88°C

Fun Facts About Earth:
What’s the most amazing thing about our beautiful planet?  The answer to that is easy…it’s the only planet with life on it  And not just in our solar system.  As far as we know it’s the only living planet in our vast universe. But what makes earth even more special is the huge diversity and variety of all the life upon it.

Why do we even have life on Earth? Well our planet has a number of unique features.  The most important is thought to be Earth’s large amounts of water and in just the right amount.   Not too much that it covers everything, but not too little that it becomes a desert, like Mars and Venus, (the closest planets to earth).

Our plate tectonics – the movements of the Earth’s crust- are also thought to be important. Scientists believe they created our mountain ranges and deep oceans.  They also keep our oceans at an even temperature, helping life to flourish.

But why is Earth sometimes called the Goldilocks planet?  Well if you remember the ‘just right’ part of the Goldilocks story, Earth is as choosy as that little blonde girl.  She picked just the right distance from the Sun to have the perfect heat for life to begin and evolve.  Another perfect thing about Earth is its size.  If she was smaller, we wouldn’t be able to hold onto our atmosphere, any larger and she would be too hot for life.

Our moon is also thought to play a role in life on Earth.  She pulls the ocean’s tides and life is thought to have evolved from the oceans.

So are we really alone in this enormous universe? Or might there might be other Earth-like planets harboring aliens like Uglesnoo, the cute friendly alien in my childrens’ books?  Well as you can see from reading this blog, it takes a lot of special features to create a Goldilocks planet.  However the universe is so huge that  scientists believe there should be many planets out there, just like ours.  And where there is another Earth-like planet, there might be life.  Maybe one day…Goldilocks will find her twin.

Earth is also where my story begins in book one of Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures, Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace.  Amelia receives a gift for her birthday.  The present turns out not to be a present at all, but a fun friendly alien called Uglesnoo from Pluto.  Uglesnoo desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should she venture into outer space?

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace, Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage and Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon. These are the first three books in, Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures, an exciting series of ten books set in outer space (for children ages 6-10).

Now Available!
Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

COVER-ATMATEC low

Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well until an asteroid hits their planet.  Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble.  How will they convince the Merballs of their innocence?  And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

To preview and/or buy the book, click below:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

kindle cover for upload

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

Or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

Space Puzzle

Space PuzzleA little space puzzle for you to solve with your child.   Also, exciting news in that the third book in the Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventure Series is coming out very soon!

Watch out for, Book Three: Amelia the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon! For more details about the series, click on the following link:

ameliasamazingspaceadventures.com/the-series/

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, ‘Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace and ‘Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage.  These are the first two books in, ‘Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures,’ an exciting series of ten books set in outer space (for children ages 5-9).

Coming soon! The third book in the series, Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon, is scheduled for publication December 2017.

Ever wondered if aliens exist? What if one needed your help? Would you travel to outer space?

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

kindle cover for upload

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

Or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

 “Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

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Fun Space Facts for Children: Our Star Signs. The Story of Astrology versus Astronomy

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What’s your star sign? You probably already know it depends upon the month you were born.  The star signs rotate through once a year, for a month at a time.  We begin the year with the Water Bearer, Aquarius (January 20- February 18) and end it with Capricorn, the Goat, (Dec 22 – Jan 19).  Right now the zodiac sign is Gemini and will be until June 20.   In the next several posts, I’ll be explaining the fascinating story behind each star sign and how you can look for your star sign – which is also a constellation – in the night sky.  Each star sign has a very interesting history. Do you know that the study of our star signs is called astrology? And did you also know that in ancient times, astrology was considered as important as astronomy is today.  Ancient astrologers mapped the movements of celestial bodies, such as the planets and the constellations.  From this they predicted human events and people’s personality traits; believed to be based on the alignment of the planets and stars at the precise moment of birth.

The Zodiac – which is a name for all twelve star signs – comes from the Latin term Zōdiacus, which in turn comes from the Greek- Zōdiakos Kyklos- meaning  circle of animals: Half of the Zodiac constellations are animals!

Our star signs first came into being thousands of years ago. The ancient Babylonians started to notice how certain constellations rotated around every year.  They started giving names to these constellations. The ancient Hebrews added to this ancient knowledge, as did the Egyptians, then the Greeks and the Romans. The astrologer and astronomer Ptolemy of ancient Egypt was particularly important in laying the foundations of western astrology.  In the middle ages, (roughly 1100 – 1450) astrology and the zodiac signs became very popular.  The star signs even made their way into major works of art like Angers Cathedral in France ,(see the photograph below).

Astronomy is the scientific study of the universe and everything in it; stars, planets, and galaxies.  Nowadays it’s considered the only true science of space, whereas astrology is not taken seriously anymore.  But many people still enjoy reading about their star signs, (or horoscopes, as they are also known) and seeing if the predictions for the coming week will come true!

Angers Cathedral the South Rose Window of Christ (centre) with elders (bottom half) and Zodiac (top half). Mediaeval stained glass by Andre Robin after the fire of 1451. Credit: Wikipedia

Angers

Next Post.  Star Signs: Aquarius, the Water Bearer (Jan 20-February 18).  The Story behind Aquarius and how to spot this Constellation in the Night Sky

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace,  ‘Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage and Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon.  These are the first three books in Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures.  The author is currently working on the fourth book in the series, Amelia, the Snapperjacks and the Molten Maze.

Curious about the series? Find out more!

Ever wondered if aliens exist?  What if one needed your help?  Would you travel into outer space?  For the adventures…of a lifetime!

Coming Soon!

Book Three: Amelia, the Merballs and the Emerald Cannon

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Amelia and Uglesnoo land on Mercury.  They meet the Merballs, the friendly aliens that live there.  All goes well until an asteroid hits their planet.  Amelia and Uglesnoo find themselves in deep trouble.  How will they convince the Merballs
of their innocence?  And how will they manage to collect the flying shoes, escape Mercury and continue their quest to save Uglesnoo’s sister?

 

 Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

“A lively sequel offers a sure-handed blend of fantasy, humor, adventure, and an ingenious heroine.” Kirkus Reviews

5/5 star rating!  “Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage is a wonderful children’s book that will allow your kids to get started in the Sci-Fi genre… The story is intriguing and well thought out. All in all, the author did a great job of creating an engaging story that kept my kids interested. We are definitely looking forward to the next book!”- Examiner.com

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

kindle cover for upload

Click below for a preview:

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Or

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Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

 “Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children

Fun Space Facts for Children:  Why is our Galaxy called the Milky Way? And why was it named after the chocolate bar?

Milky Way Galaxy

When you look up into the night sky, nearly everything that you can see with the naked eye belongs to our galaxy, the Milky Way.  But how did it get named after a chocolate bar?  The answer is, it didn’t!  The Milky Way was named thousands of years ago, by the Romans. The Latin name, Via Lacteal, means milky path.  But in true Roman style, they pinched it from the Greeks, along with the Greek pantheon of Gods! Galaxias Kyklos, meaning milky circle, is the ancient Greek name for the Milky Way.

Many thousands of years later in 1923, a man named Frank C. Mars created the Milky Way chocolate bar.  It was named after a famous malted milkshake, which in turn took its name from Earth’s galaxy!

Extra Fun Fact:  Did you know that there are three types of galaxies; elliptical, spiral and irregular?  The Milky Way is a spiral galaxy and contains billions of stars!

Evonne Blanchard is the author of, ‘Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace,’ and ‘Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage.’ These are the first two books in, ‘Amelia’s Amazing Space Adventures,’ an exciting series of ten books set in outer space, (for children ages 5-9).

Ever wondered if aliens exist?  What if one needed your help?  Would you travel into outer space?  For the adventures…of a lifetime!

New – Book Two: Amelia, the Venutons and the Golden Cage

Amelia the Venutons cover with text

Uglesnoo needs Amelia’s help.  His sister is very sick.  The only cure is a repelling crystal from Neptune.  With his Earthling friend, Amelia, they must continue their quest.  More items are needed to buy the crystal.  But Venus is full of danger and angry aliens.  Are Uglesnoo and Amelia in over their heads?

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

Book One: Amelia, the Moochins and the Sapphire Palace

Amelia the Moochins 8-15

When is a present not a present?  When it’s a friendly purple alien called Uglesnoo, from the planet Pluto!  Uglesnoo needs to leave right away for the Moon.  Uglesnoo also desperately needs Amelia’s help.  Should Amelia venture into outer Space?

Click below for a preview:

Amazon.com

or

Amazon.co.uk

Read this book and over 1 million other books with Kindle Unlimited.

“Appealing Illustrations combine with lots of text to make this a great read for children transitioning from picture books to chapter books.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The story is imaginative and fun…and a perfect book to stretch my oldest in his independent reading with something fun to keep his attention.” —Beautiful Books for Children