I promise that this is not an April Fool’s joke.

So, I have not been blogging lately due to sickness most of February and March but nevertheless, my mind is still whirling around with stories. I was supposed to go to a book festival but that did not happen. While I was in the emergency room, as you know you must wait a long time, I wrote some future stories and finished another half of a future story I plan on doing with another children’s book author. Why not! The hours just seemed to be forever, but I tried to make use of the time.
 
The cool thing about this trip that I could not go on due to sickness was that the coordinator, Tony Dalhous, which was nice enough to order my book for the event. This was amazing since it was only two days before the event so I was not sure the coordinator would get the book in time. This book that I was supposed to read there was “Nicoli Picoli”. The book did show up and the coordinator had an intern read my book at my normal designated time to be a reader.
 
After being sick for some time, I did have some good news. My video from Facebook from Read Across America is downloadable for me since Facebook is deleting videos after 60 days.
 
Then, I registered for an upcoming Oklahoma Writers Federation Inc Conference where I submitted all the books I have written, the stories in the anthologies I submitted, and a personal blog. This was for the Famous Author Presentation. Another part of the conference is the Writing Contest in which I entered a published book and some unpublished manuscripts for review and possible award. I just will not know until May banquet which is on the second night of the conference. I was so excited that I won a “one day conference " scholarship. I just had to pay for a second day. https://www.owfi.org/
 
Another turn of events, I did not win in the national portion of the National VA Creative Arts Festival. Only three winners won in Oklahoma City but not in Creative Arts. There were over 6,000 entries I think from Veteran’s Administration Clinics and Hospitals. The results came during late January.
 
Next, I put my book “Nicoli Picoli” in the Oklahoma Book Award through the Oklahoma Center for the Book. This was very competitive since only 38 out of 177 entries were nominated.
 
My philosophy is that I still enter contests. Of course, it is nice to win. However, If I did not, that is okay too. At least, I tried my best.
 
During this past week, I have been interviewed by Diana Kathryn Penn, a Michigan Author. The interview just came out on Facebook. The questions were fun to respond to. I really appreciate this opportunity given to me.
 
My next couple of months will be busy besides my appearances at different venues, I will be doing an Indie Read Aloud of “Eli’s Shenanigans” on YouTube, will appear in a magazine spread for kids, and was approved to be interviewed in June on a podcast by Quill Hawk Publishing. I think I have another one scheduled in August this year with a different podcast.
 
In the meantime, I am working on two children’s books with two different illustrators. One book is in the works now which is a fourth-fifth grade book through my illustrator of “It Happens”! and “Nicoli Picoli!”, Iris Davydenko. I should get some sketches back this week.
 
Then, my next book is a second-grade book which will be illustrated by Allison Vandenbosch (artful allie on Tik Tok). I hope to have both books done during the fall. For the fall, I will be hopefully working with a publisher to publish my third military story for children.
 
If it all works out, my fourth book to work on this year will be collaborated on with another children’s book author. My creative juices are still flowing since I have some other stories, I wrote that will be hot off the press between January-March 2026.
  
So, I am back in the saddle for more fun adventures and venues this year. Stay tuned for more!

 I have been contemplating the issue of literacy rates in elementary schools. There is concern that there are students who are behind in their reading levels. This is overly concerning in that literacy is important in childhood as it is in adulthood.
 
I love it when I hear or read a story about how literacy rates are doubling. This week, I just saw an article for this. It is wonderful that the school district near me has increased while in fact doubling last year’s reading scores in testing.
 
Increased awareness of this issue is the key. Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, teachers, special guest readers, book friends, and any other person who is reading with either their child, another child, or children, or relative, I say “kudos to you.” 
 
Encouraging children to read while actively participating with them will only increase their knowledge and reading levels in the future.
 
I am deeply fascinated by all the resources the library has to offer. Recently, I was at my local library realizing that there was so much information and resources that are being put out to help readers. The librarians do an amazing job of staying on top of literacy.
 
You can check out read along with the book devices, books on audio, e-books, and other neat resources. I even saw at one library, theme related plastic containers for activities that can be checked out. Check your library for kits with different themes.
 
Stopping by your local library weekly can help your child to explore the world of books. Find out what his or her reading interests are. Let the child explore so many different subjects to read about like space, mystery, history, sports, and other types of books.
 
As an author, I do send some of my books to the library. The other day, I saw several of my books in the Metro Library in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
 
When I have been to Florida in my old hometown, I did pop in to see my books in the library where I was staying during the week of the Books by the Bay Festival in Pensacola, Florida. Many of my books in the library are also e-books that can be checked out. I do not have all my books in the library, but I do plan to send in requests to put more of my books in the library. These three libraries have some of my books. So, check them out.

Encouraging your child to not always read the same books over and over so as not to memorize them is a good start. Choosing a variety of books and resources is much better.
 
Experiences at home to encourage literacy are a good start as well. For instance, have your child read a recipe card with you, game instructions, looking at a list, or even asking your child to look at an ad in the paper to see if your child can tell you some key details like “What is the phone number to contact?” Where is the business located? What kind of ad is this?
 
Another idea is to have your child, look up movie times online to find out when a particular movie is showing at a theater. Having your child look at shopping lists or any kind of lists will help with their literacy skills. Real world experiences are the best.
 
Find an old phone book or address book for your child to locate an address for a business and phone number or a friend’s number and address in your address book.
 
When you go to the library, use the online library catalog to find a subject, then have your child write down the Dewey Decimal information and locate the book on the shelf.
 
If you are working on sight words, there are so many activities that can increase your child in knowing the sight words. Usually, a school will choose the Dolch List or the Fry List.
 
Children will have fun with activities that help them with these words rather than just memorizing. For example, you could buy a sight word bingo game, flashcards, scrabble game using the list to make words, drawing the word in the sand activity, sight word games online, and picking a few sight words and perusing through a book to several pages to look for those sight words.
 
In addition, try highlighting with sticky notes every sight word you see on one page while noticing duplicates of the word. There are so many other activities that the teacher has, or the internet has. In the past, I have used Teachers Pay: www.teacherspayteachers.com. Sometimes, I do buy resources from here too. 

​Being a former elementary education teacher, I am sharing this information so that it will help you with encouraging literacy and learning. Then, you will leave a lasting legacy that will last a long time and be generational.
 
So, what is going on with literacy and me as an author? I have participated this year with the OKCPS Book Bus and Facebook Live Read Across American Read-A-Thon.
 
I have also been busy working on a new book with my illustrator to hopefully be out by April or May, and coordinating reading events at venues, schools, daycares, and bookstore. I also had to take a sickness respite so I was not able to do some of what I would have liked to.
 
Remember, my mantra is “literacy, learning, and legacy.” I will continue to reach out to children to share my books, themes, and encourage the children to read more.

Metro Library: Oklahoma
https://catalog.metrolibrary.org/Union/Search?view=list&lookfor=Mark%20McCraw

Okaloosa County Library System, Florida
https://readokaloosa.org/Union/Search?view=list&lookfor=Mark+McCraw&searchIndex=Keyword&searchSource=local
  
Santa Rosa County Library System, Florida
https://santarosa.insigniails.com/Library/SearchResult?l_input=All%20Libraries&l=All&t_input=Keywords&t=Keywords&k=Mark%20McCraw&ck_input=&ck=&action=simple

I also went to read for Storytime at Knights Nook Bookstore in Yukon, Oklahoma. This was a fun time of reading to several children my books, “It Happens” and “Eli’s Shenanigans. I got right down on the floor at the children’s level so that I could read to them. Each child was sitting on a pillow. I passed out stickers to the children and greeted all of them that attended. 

​My final joy this week was the delivery of my story in “Visions” which is number 3 of 3 anthologies that my stories are located in. The other two anthologies are “The Quire,” and "Flights of Fantasy- Bedtime Stories."

​There is something about getting a book in the mail that has your name in it or on it. I am overjoyed to be part of this journey thanks to Diana Kathryn Penn (www.pagespromotions.com ). She is an amazing author, mentor, and teacher of the art of Indie Publishing. She has wonderful resources on marketing and other topics that help you become a better writer and successful Indie published author.

​My next adventure this week is to volunteer at a local elementary school on the Book Bus for Oklahoma City Public Schools and be a guest speaker for the Oklahoma City Christian Writers. I am looking forward to these great opportunities.

 had the great opportunity to volunteer my time to babysit my grandchild who has a tremendous amount of energy. I need to get some of his energy. It makes me reminisce of the days when I was a daycare teacher. I have been caring for infants, toddlers, school age children, and teaching college students.  This is why I write children’s books to make a difference in the lives of children.
 
  This week, I volunteered work a booth at Golden Corral for the Disabled American Veteran (D.A.V.) local chapter who works prior to and during the November 11th Veteran event where Golden Corral serves Veterans free meal. So, I worked many days working the afternoon shift. I like being a part of this great Veterans group. Currently, I am the 1st Junior Vice Commander of the post serving several terms in office.
 
 The D.A.V. helps Veterans with disability claims, transportation, job fairs, advocating legislation, and advocating for disabled Veterans (https://www.dav.org ). Our chapter also has an office day once a week for Veterans and widows to come and file disability claims and other Veterans claims. The chapter is also highly involved with the communities around them and Veteran events around the area.

​ In addition, I am also a member of a local American Legion serving as the local Boys State Recruiter for several high schools in the area for the last four years. Juniors in high school are recommended and nominated by their teachers and counselors to attend a week long event at a university to learn about how government works, being a part of a government in action run by the youth, participate in competitions such as athletic and oratorical, and participate if they want to in a band and talent show .  Usually, the week-long event will have a local representative or state representative come to speak to the youth. Also, the National Guard and State Troopers will also attend. However, the American Legion has more than just Boys State as a focus.
 
The four pillars of the American Legion focus on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Americanism, Children/Youth, and National Security. American Legion actively supports distinct groups and programs ( https://www.legion.org/).

Author on the Move!
 
On the 8th and 9th of November, I switched gears as a volunteer to get back to working as a Children’s Book Author. I set up a booth at the local military base with all eleven books available. I usually set up a booth several times a year and at other military bases when available to do so. I was so happy to show off my newest book, (Book 11-Eli’s Shenanigans which just came out October 21, 2024, with the print copy showing up prior to the event. This book is available on this site for ordering.

In conclusion, the week has been remarkably busy, but this is the life of a military Veteran who loves serving his community as well as being an Air Force Veteran/Children’s Book Author. It gives me purpose in life and serves as a passion for me.