Shifty Characters by Shirley Francis-Salley
Just Gotta Write 03/09/2011
 
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Wow, it has been a while hasn’t it? But, I’ve been busy.  I
just finished writing my next book and time sure flies when you’re having fun; having fun is what writing means to me. I love it, love it, love it! In the mean time guess what?  The Shifty Characters have been nominated for the Christian Small Book of the Year Award.  It’s a fun book for kids. They laugh while they learn and it has great illustrations done by Aidana WIllowRaven. The category is Children, ages 4 to 8.  The voting is open until the end of March at www.christianpublishers.net.  Won’t you please take a moment to stop by and vote!

So I’ve got another story in mind. You know what that means? It’s back to the writing board for me; an author’s work is never done! Thank God for that!

See you later…



 
On Being Alone 12/20/2010
 
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  Someone has been commenting on my Shifty Characters blog page titled “Love Never Fails”. Yesterday they said, "Spend some time alone. It gives peace, solitude, and silence."

 This is what I think:  Spending time, not just alone, but alone with God is what gives me peace and solitude.  And… as I keep silent before Him, I listen and I hear!

 Have you ever heard Cece Winans song, “Alone in the Presence of You”? Check it out! It’s beautiful!



 
 
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For some, the past has meant pain and heartache. If we allow our past to make us a victim, then we have not entered into the grace that God has for us; and if we live on memories of past successes and fail to raise our vision for new things, we again are victims of our past.  [Os Hillman]

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave" [Author unknown].

 

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Is. 43:19).


Dream BIG, my friends!



 
 
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The Shifty Characters are traveling to beautiful Puerta Princessa. It is the capital of Palawan, and a premier city in the Philippians with a population of more than 200 million.
 

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They are eager to share their message with the children and parents who are being blessed by the Touching The Nations Ministry that serves them in the Philippians.  If you get the chance, stop by their website. God is doing a mighty work there!   www.touchingthenations.com



... And Jesus said, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”    Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

 
 
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Hello Everyone,  the reviews are in, check out what people are saying about Shifty Characters:


  Shifty Can Be Good!

Generally when the word "Shifty" is included in a title or sentence, one tends to conjure up thoughts of evasiveness, deceit or trickery. But upon reading the cleverly written Shifty Characters, by Shirley Francis-Salley, you immediately see how children can learn, in an entertaining manner, how simply rearranging the order of letters in a word can create another word with an entirely different meaning. This book encourages imagination and creativity in the young mind to explore ways to bring about transition when you give thought to the letters that make up a word.

As my own 11 year old daughter read the book, she began to anticipate how a given word in the book would change to a new one. She, like I, took satisfaction in being correct as to the new word developed as we read through the interesting sentence rhymes that were framework for each word modification. The character qualities/traits that tie into good spiritual thoughts and behavior is a wonderful way to conclude this book on transformation. This is a great exposure to young people new to reading, right up through elementary school.

A.H. Newbold
Fayetteville, GA



  Great Concept!

This book is lots of fun and offers a unique way of explaining a large Biblical idea to kids! I like the idea of letters shifting and transforming into something new. I always associated the word shifty with something shady or underhanded but in this book, shifting is all about change, change for something new and change for the better!

Joseph Louis
Brooklyn, NY

 

Excellent Concept!

I truly enjoyed Shifty Characters. The concept of changing letters around to form new words quickly became a new and exciting game for my grandchildren. The illustrations played a big part of Shifty Characters. It showed different nationalities in the form of letters coming together and working together, as it should be with all of us.

Keep up the good work!

S. Lord
Sharon, SC



  Great Little Book!

This book is a great reading asset for young children. It not only combines letters and words, it has a spiritual connection. I think parents and children alike will absolutely love this book. It will become a favorite and a keeper. The illustrations are also amazing!

E. Dolan
New York, NY

 


A Book with Moral Fiber!

Shifty Characters will immediately captivate the young readers with its bold letters and colors!
I appreciate how the author shifts the child's frame of mind to changing personalities of people in a way that a child will surely relate to.

J. Walton
New York, NY





 
Crowd Pleaser 05/03/2010
 
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Hello, hello Everyone! Guess what?
Due to overwhelming interest and response  to Shifty Characters, the preorder sales price of $15.00 (which includes tax and shipping and handling) has been extended and will end Monday May 17, 2010 at 11:59 P.M.  Don't miss out on these savings!


Later Gators!
Shirley



 
 
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Shifty Characters will be officially available for purchase on Thursday, May 6, 2010.  
However,




Preorders received before Wednesday, May 6,2010 will be autographed and sold at the discounted price of $15.00 each. This includes tax plus shipping and handling.

 

Click on the Bookstore page at www.shiftycharacters.net  to place your orders.  PayPal and all major credit cards accepted.

 

After May 6, 2010 Shifty Characters will be sold on the publisher’s website at www.clayjarspublishing.com , the sales price is $16.99 plus tax and Shipping and handling for a total of $19.50. PayPal and all major credit cards accepted.





 
Any Day Now 04/14/2010
 
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The shifty Characters are about to break out of their shell. The wait is just about over! I’m expecting a shipment of books any day now and you all will have an opportunity to order Shifty Characters and introduce them to your loved ones and friends! Just as soon as they arrive, you’ll be the first to know!


I promise!




 
Now We Wait 03/31/2010
 
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The Shifty Characters are going through their final round of proofing which means they are making sure they have crossed all of their T's and dotted all of their I's. They're watching their P's and Q's in order to pass the fine tooth comb test. I'm sure they will pass because this is the third time they've taken it! And after all, it is an open book test!  Don't laugh, have you ever taken an open book test and failed? Let me tell you, it happens! But the Shifty Characters will prevail!

 Aidana, our trusty illustrator is tightening up the Shifty Characters font and getting it download ready and she's finishing up the letters on the coloring page of this site
(she completed four more this weekend) only a few  left to do! Looks like we'll be crossing the finished line in about two weeks!


So now, we wait!


 
 
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Hi Folks, here it is in a nutshell:

The Shifty Characters left my hands and on the way to their destination they fell into the hands of book bandits who stole their money but could not steal their joy. They were knocked down but not knocked out. So they got up, dusted themselves off and from there God led them to my illustrator’s hands and while they were there, they secured a home in a brand new house called Clay Jars Publishing.

I was invited to come and live there also, and I accepted the invitation. Now, Clay Jars has placed the Shifty Characters in their printer’s hands, where they will be prepared to be placed in children and their parents' hands and all the while, God has had us all in His hands making it all possible.  Like the song says: He’s Got The Whole World In His Hand!


And, I'm so glad He does!!!


See Ya!