Guardian Librarian @ TDSB Learning Commons: Library/Computers - Adam Beck P.S. & Chine Dr. P.S.: May 2012

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Creative Writing - Name Generator

Are you experiencing writers' block? Do you need help to get those creative ideas flowing??
Check out this site! ( and I'm sure there are more out there like this!)

Seventh Sanctum

Creative Generation of names, characters and other interesting story stuff

The Grade 7-8 class came in to the Learning Commons today and we worked on creative short story writing. The students were getting frustrated trying to create names for their evil characters. I jokingly said to the class teacher, "I should buy a copy of Baby Names book for our collection." She looked quizzically at me then said, "Baby names for evil characters? Like Lucifer? Who names their baby Lucifer?"
So that got me thinking... even though I NEVER do this... I confess... I GOOGLED!
and this terrific site came up that actually instantly generates all kind of neat names and even...
character descriptions!

We gave 3 catagories in the Evil Name Generator : Clever/Sneaky, Death affinity and Oozing/slimy

Our request rendered 20 hilariously wicked names for our Hero/Anti-Hero stories:
Coffinghoul
Evilbrood The Interred
Killmuck
Mindsneak The Mouldering
Muckdrip The Cunning
Muckscum
Muckspawn The Slimy
Necrodeath
Necrodrip The Deadly
Necromind The Cadaverous
Oozebone
Oozestealth
Oozewit The Ghoul
Rotsludge The Cunning
Shroudpus The Sly
Slimescum The Clever
Smartsludge The Sly
Sneakbone The Ghoul
Sneakooze
Thiefthought

Then we wanted a Science-Fiction Government Generator:
Commonwealth of Territories, Cosmic Regency of Constellations,
Electorate of Galaxies, Feudal Worlds, Suns' Monarchy

Okay writers... can't wait to read all about it...
Tell us what happens to Muckspawn the Slimy in the Cosmic Regency of Constellations

Forest of Reading 2012 WINNERS & HONOUR BOOKS

My Co-Chair, Helen Kubiw writes a brilliant blog about Canadian Children's Literature.
Last week she wrote up a great post with the WINNERS & HONOUR book titles
from this year's Forest of Reading votes from across Ontario.
Visit her site to get great reviews on Kid's CanLit!!!

http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/2012/05/forest-of-reading-winners-announced.html

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Blue Spruce 10th Anniversary Exhibit

Have you noticed the new look to my blog?? Look closely, those are images from the Blue Spruce nominees over the past 10 years that you see along the sides of the screen!

One item I forgot to mention and depict was the Original Artwork Exhibit of the Blue Spruce 10th Anniversary. It has long been a dream I had to see our wonderful Canadian illustrators of Children's Books show their original artwork in a public Gallery.

OLA has partnered with the Canadian National Exhibition to put 65 artist/illustrators works on exhibit this summer from August 17th to September 3rd in the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Pavalion. This also represents the 100 books that were nominated in the first 10 years. This exhibit had it's first stop at the Festival of Trees at Harbourfront last week. Students, teachers and librarians were excited to see the original work that was used to make the picture books.

The final run will be this summer. Will post more once the show is finalized on the walls and in the booth. For now... you get a glimpse as I have set it as the background for the blog. Enjoy!
gl