When Duty Called: Even Grandma Had to Go

By Dianah Kwiatkowski as told to Sandra Warren

In the fall of 1990, Dianah Kwiatkowski, a 47-year old intensive care nurse, wife, mother and grandmother, enlisted in the Army Reserve, not only to serve her country but to avail herself of the educational benefits offered by the military. Three months later she was deployed to serve in what became the Persian Gulf War.

In this compelling account, Dianah shares her extraordinary journey from middle-class America to service in a tented field hospital in the middle of the desert and the events that changed her life forever.


ISBN #1-92876734-6
Silk Label Inc./Royal Fireworks Press

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How To Publish Those GREAT Classroom Ideas

Not just for educators, this book details the bare-bones basic process of taking your great ideas from concept to published book. Discussion follows manuscript preparation, finding a publisher, submitting manuscripts and what happens after acceptance. Self-publishing, epublishing and getting children published is also discussed. Loaded with helpful tips in workshop style, this book is the result of the very popular workshop of the same title.

Arlie Enterprises
ISBN #1-880175-00-2

TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE  - CURRENTLY BEING REVISED

Enhancing Creativity Through Open Ended Missing Parts Stories

Use open-ended stories, missing parts stories and brain teasers to surprise and inspire at all levels, but especially high-ability students, in this practical, no-nonsense guide. Based on the highly successful open-ended story books, If I Were A Road, If I Were A Table, The Great Bridge Lowering and Arlie the Alligator, by the author, this comprehensive guide features in-depth discussion of 4-types of open-ended stories, examples, multiple story starters and classroom activities.


A book full of ideas and guidance for teachers to stimulate creative thought and divergent thinking in the classroom.


Adaptable for K-12 students
Great for those home schooled

ISBN #978-89824-675-9
Royal Fireworks Press

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Hidden Casualties: Battles On The Home Front

AN ADULT BIOGRAPHY

When single parent, Army Reserve Sergeant Sara Raye was deployed to serve in the Persian Gulf, she thought her biggest battles would be on foreign soil. But while she was away, her ex-husband manipulated the court system in a different state and stole custody of her three children. When she returned home, seventeen lawyers told her she had lost her children and there was nothing she could do about it. It wasn't until she went public with her story that the military, in two unprecedented moves, stepped in to right a wrong.

This compeling story tells of a mother's love and determination to fight for her children no matter the odds has been optioned for a movie-of-the-week.

Sergeant Raye told her story to Sandra Warren

ISBN #1-928767-35-4
Silk Label, Inc/Royal Fireworks Press

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Being Gifted: Because You're Special From The Rest

Profound! Amazing! Delightful! Thought Provoking!

This collection of poems from gifted children ages 7-17 will astound you! Children learn what it means to be gifted through their own poetry. An EXCELLENT TOOL to turn all students, not just the gifted, onto poetry writing.

Through the poems, gifted children learn that they are not better, smarter or brighter than others. They learn that they have minds that work differently than the norm and that they are not alone.

"Sandra Warren's books help to provide useful and timely suggestions to help the gifted child reach his full potential. At this time when funding to gifted education is in jeopardy, these small books are gems tht may serve as a lifeline to those seeking answers." Janet Carlson, Ohioana Quarterly, Ohioana Library Association.


ISBN #0-89824-173-1
Royal Fireworks Press

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To Order Autographed Copy from Author

Teacher's Guide to Parents of the Gifted/Parents of the Gifted's Guide to Teachers

This handy flip-book, done in a walk-in-my-shoes style with hilarious cartooons, presents the different yet important roles parents and teachers play in the lives of gifted children. With humor, both sides are challenged to work together in positive ways for the sake of gifted learners. The books covers myths, needs, problems and solutions. The premise of the book is that knowledge promotes understanding and cooperation.

"Sandra Warren's books help to provide useful and timely suggestions to help the gifted child reach his full potential. At this time when funding to gifted education is in jeopardy, these small books are gems tht may serve as a lifeline to those seeking answers."  Janet Carlson, Ohioana Quarterly, Ohioana Library Association.

Although published in the late 1990's, this important book has wisdom about gifted children that spans all ages and times.

ISBN #89824-507-9
Royal Fireworks Press

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To Order Autographed Copy from Author

Arlie the Alligator Communication Activity Guide

The definitive guide that brings the story-song picture book, Arlie the Alligator, to life in the classroom. The guide includes the full theatrical script with production suggestions, sheet music, a full Reader's Theatre script and multiple communication activities keyed to students in grades K-6th plus.

Kids of any age, even into their eighties, can enjoy putting on the production of that loveable, curious alligator who wasn't satisfied floating in the swamp.

Communication theme that can be expanded in multiple ways for all ages to enjoy!

ISBN #0-9623835-9-7
Pieces Of Learning


To Order Autographed Copy from Author

The Great Bridge Lowering

The Great Bridge Lowering is the third book in the popular open-ended If I Were...series designed to enhance creative thinking. When an earthquake divides a town, the Mayor challenges readers to "Help! Save the bridge!" Mulitple activities follow that enhance creative problem solving skills and encourage creative thinking.


"The most important standards and the most difficult to teach deal with critical thinking. The Great Bridge Lowering as well as the other books in the series, are effective teaching tools that provide a starting point for developing bettert thinking habits in students while at the same time, fulfilling several state standards."  Nancy Johnson Farris, Educational Consultant, Marion IL.

Used in classrooms K-6+                          A classroom favorite for over 30 years!
Great resouce for homeschoolers

ISBN  #0-89824-175-8
Royal Fireworks Press

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To Order Autographed Copy from Author

If I Were A Table

"As an education consultant, it has been my pleasure to use and recommend Sandra Warren's books. The two titles that are consistent favorites are, If I Were A Road and If I Were A Table. There is always a need for quality literature that motivates children to think. The words and illustrations in both books combine to challenge young readers to think creatively about tow seemingly ordinary things, a road and a table. They stimulate questions and a sense of wonder. In today's classrooms, teachers must teach to state standards. The most important standards and the most difficult to teach deal with critical thinking. If I Were A Road and If I Were A Table are effective teaching tools that provide a starting point for developing better thinking habits in students while, at the same time, fulfilling several state standards. That makes both books very "Teacher Friendly." Of course, the kids who read the books would just say they are really different and fun!"                                             Nancy Johnson Farris, Educational Consultant, Marion, IL

If I Were A Table, is an open-ended story book designed to teach creative thinking. Read about four tables, each with a physical description, a job to do and a feeling about that job. Story models for the reader how to think like an inanimate object. Multiple activities follow the story.

Used in Classrooms K-6+ A classroom favorite for over 30 years!
Great resource for those homeschooled

ISBN #0-89824-177-4
Royal Fireworks Press rfwp.com

To Order from Publisher     
Order Autographed Copy from Author

If I Were A Road

"As an education consultant, it has been my pleasure to use and recommend Sandra Warren's books. The two titles that are consistent favorites are, If I Were A Road and If I Were A Table. There is always a need for quality literature that motivates children to think. The words and illustrations in both books combine to challenge young readers to think creatively about tow seemingly ordinary things, a road and a table. They stimulate questions and a sense of wonder. In today's classrooms, teachers must teach to state standards. The most important standards and the most difficult to teach deal with critical thinking. If I Were A Road and If I Were A Table are effective teaching tools that provide a starting point for developing better thinking habits in students while, at the same time, fulfilling several state standards. That makes both books very "Teacher Friendly." Of course, the kids who read the books would just say they are really different and fun!"
Nancy Johnson Farris, Educational Consultant, Marion, IL

If I Were A Road, is an open-ended story book designed to teach creative thinking. Read about four roads, each with a physical description, a job to do and a feeling about that job. Story models for the reader how to think like an inanimate object. Multiple activities follow the story.

Used in Classrooms K-6+                     A classroom favorite for over 30 years!
Great resource for those homeschooled

ISBN #0-89824-176-6
Royal Fireworks Press    rfwp.com

To Order from Publisher
Order Autographed Copy from Author

Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul

Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul
"Edna Mae: First Lesson in Prejudice"
Page 46
Written by Sandra Warren

Edna Mae invited her entire class to her six-year old birthday party. But when the time came, only one friend showed up. That day, the author learned a valuable lesson about prejudice.

ISBN# 1-55874-609-9
Health Communications


To order:  http://www.amazon.com/

Arlie the Alligator

"Arlie the Alligator is a source of pure delight and immediacy of appeal to children, parents and teachers. All can share in the adventures of this warm and affectionate character who reaches out to embrace the reader and hugs the child in all of us. The book and CD are a MUST READ/LISTEN for everyone who cherishes children and who shares the best with them."  Joan Smutny, Director, The Center for Gifted, National-Louis University, Evanston, IL.

Unique! Creative! Educational! Enjoyable! All describe the delightful tale of "Arlie the Alligator," told in mini-musical style through story and song.

Arlie is a very curious, loveable, postive thinking alligator who wants to do what no other alligator has done before, communicate with the creatures (children) at the beach. Everything familiar becomes strange when told from an alligator's point-of-view. Children ages 2 to 9 enjoy thinking their way through this open-ended story while enhancing their creativity and their vocabulary.

• Read, sing and follow along  in word-for-word format with Arlie
• Four delightful, catchy tunes
• Open-ended to enhance creative thinking
• Communication theme
• Enlarges vocabulary
• Enhances reading, listen and creative thinking skills
• Great for ALL ages when presented as a theatrical performance
• CD fully produced with actors, sound effects and music
• DVD follows book in a non-animated Reading Rainbow style

Story-book/CD/DVD: Great for Pre-K through 9 years of age
Great for ALL ages when used as a theatrical production.
See Arlie the Alligator Communication Activity Guide.

"Aside from the thoughtful story and the contagious music, Arlie the Alligator was a catalyst for some very interesting classroom discussions. What better way to address the issues of determination and indivigual differences than through this delightful work!"

"Arlie the Alligator lent itself very easily to a staged musical performance. We made the inviting beach scenery as a class art project and everyone loved the "Arlie hats." The songs practically taught themselves."  Laura Joss, Music Teacher, Drake Elementary School, Strongsville, OH

ISBN #1-880175-13-4  Story book (HB)
ISBN #1-880-175-15-0 CD

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