I was happily flicking through the latest issue of The Self Publishing Magazine, when I noticed a book review titled Silly Samuel Square, by Helen Wendy Cooper.
Sure enough, my second Shape Land book has been reviewed!
At first I felt far too nervous to read it, what if it said terrible things about my book! You can’t please everyone, right? What if they hated my illustrations? Had found a mistake? Thought it was over priced or just plain rubbish!
Luckily, I’m extremely chuffed to say, it didn't!
Infact it’s properly the best review I’ve ever had!
The opening line begins with ‘This is a delightful picture book telling us all about Silly Samuel Square’.
It describes my book as educational and a whole lot of fun!
I actually felt emotional when I started to read this review! An unbiased opinion from a complete stranger is so valuable because it is probably the most honest opinion I’ll ever get. My Parents will always tell me my book is fabulous! My Gran will tell me I’m amazing even though she can’t see well any more…
My Brother in Law will say Silly Samuel Square’s tongue looks like a…Well, we won’t go there!
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Friday, 27 November 2009
Shape Land Week
Hello everyone,
I'm chuffed to say Shape Land week was a great success!
I visited six nurseries around Worcestershire, all filled with excited, energetic children! Blowing raspberries with Silly Samuel Square was especially fun...Children love to do this and are so good at doing it... They put my raspberry blowing to shame!
We did some 'Christmas in Shape Land' colouring sheets and sung some shape songs.
I'm proud to say I didn't do anything embarrassing this mini tour! I found all the nurseries using my Tom Tom, didn't set off any fire alarms or break any toilet seats!
Hooray, I'm completely professional now...well until the next book is published anyway!
I'm chuffed to say Shape Land week was a great success!
I visited six nurseries around Worcestershire, all filled with excited, energetic children! Blowing raspberries with Silly Samuel Square was especially fun...Children love to do this and are so good at doing it... They put my raspberry blowing to shame!
We did some 'Christmas in Shape Land' colouring sheets and sung some shape songs.
I'm proud to say I didn't do anything embarrassing this mini tour! I found all the nurseries using my Tom Tom, didn't set off any fire alarms or break any toilet seats!
Hooray, I'm completely professional now...well until the next book is published anyway!
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Hello my fellow blog readers....
Well it's October and I'm so sorry to mention it but...it's going to be Christmas soon!!!
I'm having a special Shape Land week in November because already I'm getting Christmas orders for my Shape Land books, hooray! This is actually a fab time of year for any author/writer out there to get promoting their wonderful works of literature...or in my case, Shape land!
My special week is beginning on the 16th of November and i have a couple of nurseries booked already. There is so much to organise! Anyone fancy some PR work?
Oops,almost forgot that I am so skint I'll have to do everything myself! (Somebody sob please?!)
Well I will keep you posted on any traumatic or unusual experiences I encounter...hopefully I won't set off any alarms in book shops or make a child cry during a story!
I'll be in touch soon...
Well it's October and I'm so sorry to mention it but...it's going to be Christmas soon!!!
I'm having a special Shape Land week in November because already I'm getting Christmas orders for my Shape Land books, hooray! This is actually a fab time of year for any author/writer out there to get promoting their wonderful works of literature...or in my case, Shape land!
My special week is beginning on the 16th of November and i have a couple of nurseries booked already. There is so much to organise! Anyone fancy some PR work?
Oops,almost forgot that I am so skint I'll have to do everything myself! (Somebody sob please?!)
Well I will keep you posted on any traumatic or unusual experiences I encounter...hopefully I won't set off any alarms in book shops or make a child cry during a story!
I'll be in touch soon...
Monday, 31 August 2009
Roald Dahl...
Since childhood I have loved Roald Dahl's books! So, when I visited my Sister in London last weekend, I was not surprised to find myself wondering around The Roald Dahl Museum, in Great Missenden.
Enchanted by giant illustrations by Quentin Blake, I followed a journey of Dahl's life and the inspirational events which helped mould his stories.
Bizarrely, some of his characters remind me of a few individuals who I've encountered during my life. I'm sure we've all had a friendly giant when we were little, my Dad was mine and he's even got sticky out ears! I've also come across a few witches (mentioning no names) and occasionally at work alot of smelly people do come in...and I'm sure I've seen a few things growing in their beards!!!
One of the biggest things I had in common with Roald Dahl (apart from wanting to write), was his passion for sweet things!
As a child, Dahl loved sweets and his favorites were Sherbet Suckers and Licorice Bootlaces.
I loved licorice too, but I'd also crave Curly Wurlys or a Raspberry Ruffle.
So, in honour of Roald's sweet tooth, my sister and I sampled a rather large piece of chocolate cake in the Twit's Cafe...it would have been rude not to!
Here are a few juicy facts I've learnt about Roald Dahl and taken from his book, 'More about boy'...oh, and don't forget to celebrate Roald Dahl Day on the 13th of September!
1- Roald Dahl's parents were Norwegian.
2- Roald Dahl was one of six children, but he lost one of his oldest sister's (Astri) when she was just Seven years old.
3- He had false teeth in his twenties (probably from all the sweets).
4- Roald Dahl was a regular visitor at the Doctors and had six op's on his spine, two hip replacements and appendicitis in 1945.
5- Roald Dahl got to road test some chocolate bars for Cadbury.
6- Roald Dahl liked to smoke when he wrote. The ceiling of his writing hut was stained yellow with nicotine! You can see a replica of his writing hut at the Museum!
The best fact of all is that Roald Dahl never found writing easy! He would re-write, re-write and re-write...until eventually it was just perfect!
Enchanted by giant illustrations by Quentin Blake, I followed a journey of Dahl's life and the inspirational events which helped mould his stories.
Bizarrely, some of his characters remind me of a few individuals who I've encountered during my life. I'm sure we've all had a friendly giant when we were little, my Dad was mine and he's even got sticky out ears! I've also come across a few witches (mentioning no names) and occasionally at work alot of smelly people do come in...and I'm sure I've seen a few things growing in their beards!!!
One of the biggest things I had in common with Roald Dahl (apart from wanting to write), was his passion for sweet things!
As a child, Dahl loved sweets and his favorites were Sherbet Suckers and Licorice Bootlaces.
I loved licorice too, but I'd also crave Curly Wurlys or a Raspberry Ruffle.
So, in honour of Roald's sweet tooth, my sister and I sampled a rather large piece of chocolate cake in the Twit's Cafe...it would have been rude not to!
Here are a few juicy facts I've learnt about Roald Dahl and taken from his book, 'More about boy'...oh, and don't forget to celebrate Roald Dahl Day on the 13th of September!
1- Roald Dahl's parents were Norwegian.
2- Roald Dahl was one of six children, but he lost one of his oldest sister's (Astri) when she was just Seven years old.
3- He had false teeth in his twenties (probably from all the sweets).
4- Roald Dahl was a regular visitor at the Doctors and had six op's on his spine, two hip replacements and appendicitis in 1945.
5- Roald Dahl got to road test some chocolate bars for Cadbury.
6- Roald Dahl liked to smoke when he wrote. The ceiling of his writing hut was stained yellow with nicotine! You can see a replica of his writing hut at the Museum!
The best fact of all is that Roald Dahl never found writing easy! He would re-write, re-write and re-write...until eventually it was just perfect!
Friday, 1 May 2009
Children's advice on writing...
The world through the eyes of a child can be exciting, entertaining and full of surprises.
It can also be really simple and at times, logical. Do we adults just over complicate things?
On my Shape Land workshops, I often chat with the older children (5-7's) about what can help us to write stories.
Here are some of their advice and words of wisdom... I hope they make you smile!
1) Buy a pen!
2) Always eat breakfast, Weetabix is particularly good!
3) Watch T.V for ideas...Bob the builder is great!
4) Have a beginning, middle and an end.
5) Read books, read anything!
6) "Mum says to be a writer you need to be able to spell".
7) When writing, always remember to use paper!
8) Dress up as Spiderman!
9) If you can't write, then you should go dancing.
It can also be really simple and at times, logical. Do we adults just over complicate things?
On my Shape Land workshops, I often chat with the older children (5-7's) about what can help us to write stories.
Here are some of their advice and words of wisdom... I hope they make you smile!
1) Buy a pen!
2) Always eat breakfast, Weetabix is particularly good!
3) Watch T.V for ideas...Bob the builder is great!
4) Have a beginning, middle and an end.
5) Read books, read anything!
6) "Mum says to be a writer you need to be able to spell".
7) When writing, always remember to use paper!
8) Dress up as Spiderman!
9) If you can't write, then you should go dancing.
10) If you don't know what to write, ask someone else!
I hope these tips help you all to get writing, they certainly helped with this months blog.
The children are right!
When I'm fed up and can't write, dancing around the house to music does help!
Fancy dress parties can create lots of ideas and articles, fab photo's etc. Advice from others is
valuable!
Lastly, writing materials are essential! With so many ideas bouncing around our heads, we
couldn't possibly remember them all, you just need to get them down on paper!
As for the tip on spelling...Thank goodness for a spell check!
Sunday, 22 March 2009
World Book Day
March is all about World Book Day…well, maybe if you’re a children’s writer it is.
Lots of fantastic short children’s books are available for just a £1 or FREE with a special World Book Day token.
This year my favourite book on offer has to be, The Selfish Crocodile Counting Book, by Faustin Charles.
To celebrate World Book Day, I’ve promoted my own books amongst a couple of nurseries and schools!
It’s been great fun (as usual) and I’ve met some lovely teachers and nursery nurses…oh and lots of cute little ones!
Unfortunately though I don’t always please everyone…
During one story session, a little girl popped her hand up and said,
“I just don’t like you!”
Ooh…what can you say to that? ‘Never mind dear?’
Luckily, the nursery nurse was fast thinking and said really loudly,
“Oh how lovely, she REALLY likes you!” Humm….nice recovery!
On another day whilst playing in some sand, a child came up to me and said,
“You’ve got a really strange voice!”
Yes, thank you…I know I’m a bit squeaky at times!
Isn’t it great how Kids can be so honest and completely get away with it?
As adults we certainly don’t…although my boyfriend often calls me Squeaky!
Luckily…most children are lovely, give me cuddles, and say the greatest things!
I asked one child where he lived and he replied Shape Land and that he loved Trevor Triangle.
In some 'Question and Answer' sessions, I’ve asked children their favorite author and they’ve replied, “You!” (Even though they’ve only just met me and Shape Land is brand new to them).
My favorite thing that a child’s ever said to me though is…
“You don’t look old enough to be an author!”
I think he’d heard his mother saying it earlier…
Lots of fantastic short children’s books are available for just a £1 or FREE with a special World Book Day token.
This year my favourite book on offer has to be, The Selfish Crocodile Counting Book, by Faustin Charles.
To celebrate World Book Day, I’ve promoted my own books amongst a couple of nurseries and schools!
It’s been great fun (as usual) and I’ve met some lovely teachers and nursery nurses…oh and lots of cute little ones!
Unfortunately though I don’t always please everyone…
During one story session, a little girl popped her hand up and said,
“I just don’t like you!”
Ooh…what can you say to that? ‘Never mind dear?’
Luckily, the nursery nurse was fast thinking and said really loudly,
“Oh how lovely, she REALLY likes you!” Humm….nice recovery!
On another day whilst playing in some sand, a child came up to me and said,
“You’ve got a really strange voice!”
Yes, thank you…I know I’m a bit squeaky at times!
Isn’t it great how Kids can be so honest and completely get away with it?
As adults we certainly don’t…although my boyfriend often calls me Squeaky!
Luckily…most children are lovely, give me cuddles, and say the greatest things!
I asked one child where he lived and he replied Shape Land and that he loved Trevor Triangle.
In some 'Question and Answer' sessions, I’ve asked children their favorite author and they’ve replied, “You!” (Even though they’ve only just met me and Shape Land is brand new to them).
My favorite thing that a child’s ever said to me though is…
“You don’t look old enough to be an author!”
I think he’d heard his mother saying it earlier…
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
The week of 'Britain's Big Freeze'...
In the week of the big freeze, I had to cancel all my visits to schools and nurseries.
It was a huge surprise to me how much snow we had and I got to build my first Snowman in years.
He looked fantastic! Apples for eyes, twigs for spiky hair, celery for a cigar...Not your usual Snowman items, but I didn't want to get my scarf wet!
I had some help from my boyfriend Lloyd and our neighbours, Neil and Claire. Soon there was a Mrs Snowman and baby Snowman - a little snow family!
We had great fun and threw lots of snow balls, getting so competitive that Lloyd actually ripped his trousers (thank goodness he had undies on!).
The world looked stunning and for some children, this is the first snow they've ever seen!
How wonderful for them to touch it, roll in it, eat it ( hopefully avoiding yellow snow) and throw it at their parents.
The best part for me was the daily mugs of soup...if only it would snow every year!
It was a huge surprise to me how much snow we had and I got to build my first Snowman in years.
He looked fantastic! Apples for eyes, twigs for spiky hair, celery for a cigar...Not your usual Snowman items, but I didn't want to get my scarf wet!
I had some help from my boyfriend Lloyd and our neighbours, Neil and Claire. Soon there was a Mrs Snowman and baby Snowman - a little snow family!
We had great fun and threw lots of snow balls, getting so competitive that Lloyd actually ripped his trousers (thank goodness he had undies on!).
The world looked stunning and for some children, this is the first snow they've ever seen!
How wonderful for them to touch it, roll in it, eat it ( hopefully avoiding yellow snow) and throw it at their parents.
The best part for me was the daily mugs of soup...if only it would snow every year!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
2008 was a fantastic year for SHAPE LAND! Trevor Triangle is now international as I sold my first copy of Trevor Triangle Loses the Mail in Seattle U.S, in December.
Christmas was a busy time and I enjoyed selling my books at different fayres and venues.
Mulled wine seemed to help my selling techniques!
The highlight of the month was reading Silly Samuel Square at Shrewsbury Library. I had a great welcoming crowd and all the children joined in shouting the shapes names.
Having been born in Shrewsbury, the library is extra special to me. My ninety three year old Grandad (Shropshire lad) was especially delighted as he took me there when I was a toddler.
Now 2009 is here I'm starting to visit nurseries again, so hopefully I'll have a few more funny stories to share with you soon!
2008 was a fantastic year for SHAPE LAND! Trevor Triangle is now international as I sold my first copy of Trevor Triangle Loses the Mail in Seattle U.S, in December.
Christmas was a busy time and I enjoyed selling my books at different fayres and venues.
Mulled wine seemed to help my selling techniques!
The highlight of the month was reading Silly Samuel Square at Shrewsbury Library. I had a great welcoming crowd and all the children joined in shouting the shapes names.
Having been born in Shrewsbury, the library is extra special to me. My ninety three year old Grandad (Shropshire lad) was especially delighted as he took me there when I was a toddler.
Now 2009 is here I'm starting to visit nurseries again, so hopefully I'll have a few more funny stories to share with you soon!
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