Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

In 2000, Sheri launched her freelance writing career, building on the public relations, marketing, and communications experience she gained in the workforce. Since then she has penned numerous articles and profiles for businesses, websites, and publications including American Profile, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, and The Washington Post. In 2005 she began to co-write books, including a Ripley’s book of “zany” facts and a NASCAR travel guide. Her just-published picture book, about a tooth fairy with LOTS of attitude, is her first work of fiction, and her third children’s book in print. Her first middle-grade novel, about a klutzy boy who lives on a junk lot, is with her agent.

Though Sheri was born in Bryan, Texas (Texas A&M country), she earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas. She now lives in Buffalo, New York. With its proximity to Niagara Falls, it was the country’s first electrified city—and once home to more millionaires than anywhere else in the U.S. Sheri has no pets, but she does have a very messy husband (he likes to demolish stuff) and a huge collection of children’s picture books. She wishes she had the talent to illustrate her own books, but she’s very happy that the talented illustrator David Slonim helped to bring her tooth fairy to life. She’s especially tickled that David made “Tooth” a redhead!

When not writing (or rewriting!), Sheri can be found watching movies, cooking, acting in her signature role as “Gracie” with her church’s children’s drama team, or reading great books. She still can’t get over that a recent Associated Press poll (August 21, 2007) found that one in four adults read NO books in the past year! How is that possible when books are so entertaining, engrossing, and life-changing?!

You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (Author), David Slonim (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 16, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0811854604 ISBN-13: 978-0811854603.

12,000+ copies sold. Awards: First Place, Children's Books - Fiction, Delaware Press Association 2008 Communications Contest; First Place, Children's Books - Fiction, National Federation of Press Women 2008 Communications Contest

Amazing Maya Inventions You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself series) by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (Author) Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Nomad Press (January 1, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0977129462 ISBN-13: 978-0977129461

Awards:
First Place, Children's Books - Non-Fiction, Delaware Press Association 2008 Communications Contest;
First Place, Children's Books - Non-Fiction, National Federation of Press Women 2008 Communications Contest

Did you know the ancient Maya were really smart? Yup! This activity book shows you that the Maya were the FIRST people on earth to use the zero in mathematical equations, that they could chart the planets and stars with just their eyes, and build towering pyramids without the help of metal tools, pack animals or wheeled carts! I've also included lots of juicy details on their human sacrifices, war raids, and strict class system. Slaves were painted black and white! Learn it all as you make a Ceremonial Death Mask, Cornhusk Hat, Soap Glyph Carving, War Banner, Ruin Map of the Maya Homeland, Pyramid Model, Maya Counting Flash Cards and much more!

Editorial Reviews
"A fascinating exploration of the ancient Maya people . . . packed with colorful details." —The Buffalo News

"A first-hand look at the daily lives of Central America's most advanced ancient civilization . . . a helpful tool for educators." —Curriculum Review

Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself series) by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (Author) Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Nomad Press (July 1, 2006) GreatWWII.jpg (52950 bytes)

ISBN-10: 0977129411 ISBN-13: 978-0977129416

If you're a history buff, or just curious about life around the world and in America during World War II, this activity book is for you. You'll learn lots about war-time technology and weapons, but you'll also come to understand how tough Americans were -- on the battle front and back home. Talk about teamwork and sacrifice! Step back in time as you make your own Papier-mch Bank, Tabletop Victory Garden, Victory Pin, Silly Putty, Animation Flip Book, Footprint Mold, Peace Wish Wheel Mobile, Code Grill, Signal Light, Ration Kit, Soldier Care Package, Secret Message Deck and Recruitment Poster!

Editorial Reviews
"A unique, educational book." —Travel World International

"In straightforward, highly readable prose, it provides a thorough overview of the events." —Children's Literature

"You get a feel for what it would have been like during the war. . . . This is a great source." —The Old Schoolhouse: The Magazine of Homeschool Families

*Option A: On the home front: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)

A discussion of American home life between December 1941 (bombing of Pearl Harbor) and August 1945 (Japanese surrender). Author to highlight the contributions that kids made in recycle and war bond drives, and gardening and canning. Author to also highlight the hard sacrifices made by kids, including rationing of toys, paper, food, clothing, shoes, gasoline, and separation from family members fighting in the war. Discussion can also include patriotism, propaganda, the black market, and entertainment during the war years. Purpose of presentation is to highlight how Americans were willing to “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” in order to win the war--and still had fun.

Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Window victory banner OR Silly putty
Middle school: Victory pin OR Victory banner OR Animation flip book

*Option B: Difficult Choices During War: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)

A discussion of the difficult choices made by the U.S. government between December 1941 (bombing of Pearl Harbor) and August 1945 (Japanese surrender). Author to talk about America's outrage at the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the resulting strong reaction against Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. Author to discuss the forced internment of Japanese Americans, as well as the pros/cons of the use of nuclear bombs on Japan to end the war. Author to also highlight story of Anne Frank to discuss Nazi annihilation of European Jews and our government's reluctance to give Jews safe haven within our borders. Presentation to stress that war wastes human life, time, and resources, and the importance of peaceful resolution to conflict.

Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Peace wish wheel mobile
Middle school: Peace wish wheel mobile OR Demonstration of Soldier Care Package students can put together and send to military troops currently serving in combat

*Option C: American Ingenuity During World War II:
(all or part of this, based on teacher preference)

A fun discussion highlighting American ingenuity during the war, including milkweed plants for life jackets, Comanche code talkers, M&M candies, the Slinky, and cool spy tools such as secret messages hidden in decks of playing cards.

Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Code grill
Middle school: Code grill OR Secret message deck

*Option A: Daily life of the Maya: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)

Discussion of farming and hunting practices, including how the Maya made chewing gum from chicle and harvested cacao beans to make the frothy chocolate drink loved by Maya kings. Talk about differences in home construction, fashions, and daily duties of commoners, slaves, merchants, and the royals. Discussion of Maya warring practices--and the factors that eventually led to the downfall of the once-great Maya cities. Comparison of contemporary Maya life with that of their illustrious ancestors.

Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Frothy chocolate drink OR Soap glyph carving
Middle school: Cornhusk hat or Pacal war banner

*Option B: How the Maya Worshipped: (all or part of this, based on teacher preference)

Discussion of Maya religious beliefs, including that their gods made the first Maya from corn. To include sacrifice practices (treatment of sacrifice victims as well as the royals' practice of self-mutilation), and the popularity of large musical processions during community-wide sacrifices. Discussion of differences in roles of shaman and priests. Highlight of important coming-of-age rituals for boys and girls, which signaled their readiness for marriage. Mention of Maya underworld, tree of life, the most important gods, and Maya burial practices. Discussion of the Spanish conquest of the Maya that led to the hybrid Maya/Christian religion the Maya follow today--and how the actions of one Spanish priest led to the destruction of centuries of carefully preserved Maya history and knowledge.

Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Musical gourd OR Pyramid model
Middle school: Clay god fetish OR Replica of royal burial mask or ceremonial necklace

*Option C: Maya Advances in Language, Math, Stargazing and Pottery
(all or part of this, based on teacher preference)

An overview of all the amazing advancements used by the ancient Maya, including their base-20 counting system, their use of the zero as a place holder in mathematical equations, their highly advanced written language, their process for making paper, books, and pottery, and their tracking of the cosmos--without the wealth of technology we rely on today.

Suggested activity component:
Elementary school: Maya counting flash cards OR Sand art picture of the cosmos
Middle school: Maya counting flash cards OR Pottery bowl OR Soap glyph carving

You think it's easy being the tooth fairy? Think again--of stormy nights, dangerous pets, pearly whites hidden in pajama pockets or wrapped in dirty tissues, to say nothing of all those thousands of teeth falling out all over the world every single day. The tooth fairy's nights are long and hard. But she's up for it. She never misses a tooth. How does she do it? For the first time ever, she reveals everything right here!

Suggested activity component:
Preschool: Coloring of Tooth Fairy Picture; Taking the Tooth Fairy's Do/Don't Pledge
Elementary school: Tooth Fairy Concentration Game OR Craft Project: Wall Hanging of the Tooth Fairy's Dos and Don'ts; Taking the Tooth Fairy's Do/Don't Pledge

Unlike some animals, humans grow only two sets of teeth. The first set appears when we're babies, the second forms when we're six to 12 years old. These 20 new teeth replace our baby teeth. They'll last us a lifetime--if we keep them in good shape with good brushings and flossings. Discussion of foods that are good for our teeth, those that are really bad--and how cavities form. Lastly, some healthy dental tips, such as not brushing teeth for a half hour after eating sugary foods. Sugar softens tooth enamel, which can be damaged by brushing too soon.

*Add on: The ABCs of Creating a Picture Book
Understanding the picture book process. Older elementary and middle school students.

Just how does a picture book get published, anyway? Author will share how she came up with the idea for her tooth fairy book, how she finalized the text with her editor, and how the illustrator decided on the final images. Author will also educate students on basic picture book format before walking students through the development of their own picture book in class. Appropriate for older elementary school grades as well as middle school and high school students.

REMINDER! When's the best time to schedule author visits about the tooth fairy? Throughout the school year, of course! But keep in mind that February is National Children's Dental Health Month!

*Option A: The ABCs of Creating a Picture Book
Understanding the picture book process. Older elementary and middle school students.

*Option B: Earning Your Way as a Freelance Writer
Older elementary, middle school and high school students.

In this session, Sheri shares her personal experiences in growing her career as a freelance writer of newspaper, print and online articles and later as a book author. She talks about the business side, the “mind” side (self confidence is paramount!), and the mechanics of finding work, building a platform, developing industry relationships, and the importance of networking. Sheri even dishes up tips on what to do/not to do—and how to find your way to the money via the quickest route.