Book Review Have You Seen My Egg?

Eddy Emu has lost one of his eggs. Has Lizzie Lizard found it? Has Susie Spider or Connie Crocodile seen it? Join Eddy on his search and meet his friends. 

Have You Seen My Egg? is published by The National Library of Australia and written by

Penny Olsen, author of Our Nest is Best and illustrated by Rhonda N. Garward.

 

This delightful picture book introduces children to different Australian animals and their eggs. Lift the flap, and meet the babies that have just hatched. And, finally, find out what happened to Eddy's egg. With stunning water colour pictures and a Did you know? section, this picture book will provide hours of fun and learning for adults, children and their own families. 

Interview with Children's Author Robert Vescio

I'm delighted to welcome Robert Vescio to Books for Little Hands.

Robert Vescio likes to write picture books, chapter books and short stories for children. His goal as a children’s author is to inspire, encourage and challenge children to dream big. And remember to Believe in yourself!!

 

When did you first know that you wanted to be a children's author?

 

I’ve always enjoyed writing, even way back in high school. I received a number of Literacy Awards in English for story and poem writing and many of my works were published in the school’s yearbooks. I was also actively involved in the production of the school’s newspaper and school magazine. But since leaving high school, I never believed in myself enough to actually continue writing.

It wasn’t until I left fulltime work in 2007, to become a stay-at-home dad, that I began to take writing more seriously. I had a great excuse to spend hours in the children’s section of bookstores. The love of reading books made it all the more easier for me to delve into the world of picture book writing.

What was your process to publication like? Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

 

I started writing children’s stories about five years ago. I think I always knew that someday I would be writing my own books but I just didn’t know when.It took 2 and a half years to get my first picture book accepted by a traditional publisher. I’m living proof that the good old slush pile really does work. I often wondered if I would ever get published. It’s very competitive out there and you can wait a very long time before receiving a reply. So you need lots of patience and perseverance. If you stick it out, it will pay off. Just remember NEVER GIVE UP!

 

I remember that day when I received my first acceptance – my heart skipped a beat! It was a great feeling.

 

Writing picture books isn’t easy as it looks. You have to learn to tell a story with very few words in a short time frame. I write many drafts before I’m happy with how it finally reads and flows.

Tell us about your picture books.

 

I wrote my picture book No Matter Who We’re With (illustrated by Cheri Scholten and published by IP Kidz) released March, 2013 following my separation in 2008. The book is a reassuring story about the lives of two children whose parents are separated. Even though the parents live apart, one thing is certain: they are always loved. 

This story helps children come to terms with the separation of their parents, and shows the unconditional love and security children can feel with each parent, no matter where they live.

My other picture book Marlo Can Fly (illustrated by Sandra Temple and published by Wombat Books) will be released in June, 2013 and is an entertaining story about a magpie who doesn't conform to expectations. Marlo doesn't want to fly and would rather try different ways. However, Marlo proves that she can put aside her wishes when it’s important. A fun children’s book, featuring Australian animals, that encourages children to explore and find their place in

the world.

 

 

What inspires your writing?

 

My children, most definitely. A lot of my creative ideas come from observing them. All I have to do is to observe them and the ideas start rolling in. There is a lot of humour and I enjoy looking for stories from their every day experiences.

 

What's the best part about being an author?

 

Sharing my stories with children of all ages. I love to tell a good yarn. Writing for children is a genre that I really enjoy. I love children’s picture books and the way they express emotions and ideas in simple ways. And I love reading them to my children.

 

 

Do you visit schools and if so, what tips do you have to keeping kids engaged?

 

Yes, I enjoy visiting schools and sharing my stories with the students. There’s nothing more satisfying for an author, than seeing the smiles on children’s faces. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m doing something wonderful for them. The students are curious and eager and ask great questions.

 

Also, I like to use props during my presentation, when possible. Props add an element of fun and enhance the atmosphere of the talk.

 

 

What's next?

 

I have an early reader chapter book Hopscotch Showdown (published by Jelli-Beanz Publishing) due to be released in October, 2013. I’m really excited about this project. It’s been an eventful year and I hope the ride doesn’t stop here.

 

To learn more about Robert’s books and his writing, visit Robert’s website athttp://www.robertvescio.com/ and on facebook: www.facebook.com/RobertVescioAuthor

 

Aussie Animal Opposites Book Review

See the quiet quokka rocking her baby to sleep and the noisy numbat on the drums. Watch the energetic emu winning her race and the lazy lizard lunging in the sun (with his sunscreen on, of course).

This delightful board book Aussie Animal Opposites written by Elizabeth Lee and illustrated by Liz Faul, introduces children to the concept of opposites and will help build a vocabulary in young children in a fun and educational way.

Published by the National Library of Australia, Aussie Animal Opposites features colourful illustrations perfect for young children and will have children interacting, mimicking the animals and looking for opposites in their everyday environment. 

Not just your ordinary opposites book, the end pages include information about Aussie animals using realistic images and snippets of information. This reinforces the educational component and encourages further discussion and interest. I highly recommend Aussie Animal Opposites  as a suitable book for young learners and I'm sure children will  request again and again.

Interview with Author Josie Montano

It's a pleasure to Welcome Author Josie Montano to Books for Little Hands.

When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?

I have wanted to be an author since age 9 when I wrote my own little fiction stories, self-published them to make them look like real books (of course they didn’t!) but I included title page, chapters, illustrations, dedications, copyright etc. Then I shelved these booklets onto the school library shelves.

Did you encounter any obstacles when trying to get published?

At age 13 I sent a manuscript to Golden Press for consideration of a golden book story I had written titled ‘Mother christmas’. I was so excited and confident that they were going to publish it, six months later I received a golden envelope in the mail from the publishers …. With my first rejection letter! I was devastated and I believe this pushed me back into a world of belief that authors didn't exist, I had never met one, and wondered how it all worked. 

The dream of becoming an author was snuffed out, and I went on with 'real' world activities such as getting a stable job in a bank, marrying, and having children. It wasn't until my mid 20's that the hankering to write actually came back and I began to dabble with stories and attend writing workshops. This lead to a lot of praise and encouragement from the teachers to take it seriously as they believed I had talent. So I then went onto university to study creative writing, as I wanted to add a little structure to that talent ... and as they say, the rest is history!

Tell us about your books.

I write all types of genres, from picture books, junior fiction, young adult to non-fiction resources. I have 2 pen names. JOSIE MONTANO is for all my fiction writing – I have 15 books under this name ranging from picture books to YA. I enjoy writing humour and wrote about half a dozen junior fiction novels that were so much fun to pen, some of those are titled Snot Fair, Snot Funny etc.

I find that I tend to use varying degrees of humour and especially if I can discuss a serious topic and incorporate delicate humour ie: my latest YA is titled Sunlight and is about a young girl diagnosed with cancer, it has humour threaded throughout to lighten the darkness.

I’m waiting to write my ‘serious’ novel …..

JOSIE SANTOMAURO is for all the non-fiction resources which are on the topic of Asperger Syndrome. There are 26 resources published for families, educators and professionals.

www.booksbyjosie.com.au

What books did you enjoy reading when you were growing up?

I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton and started a collection of her books at age 9, and am not ashamed to say I still collect some of her classics and unusual genres such as a school reader, stage play etc.

In my secondary years I enjoyed reading series, anything really – I was always known to be the book worm with book in hand and could be found curled up in the library.

What in your opinion, determines a books success?

There are varying reasons, it can range anything from the current trend, the amount of hype created, to the WOW factor. I also believe a successful book is in the eyes of the reader, one book may be a ‘success’ to one person and boring to another. I don’t write for success, I write to share my stories, to entertain people.

Whats your secret for writing interesting book characters?

Everybody loves to hate or love with a passion, eg: latest reality shows there’s always someone the viewer hates (wants them evicted) or loves (gunning for) – and I think that transfers to fiction characters. We always want to relate to the main character, have a rapport, feel like we know that character inside out, we are their best friend – a good character makes you miss them after the last page.

So what’s the secret? It’s a secret! I’m sure every author has their own little added ingredient they add to create their unique character. My secret may be that I like to think of myself as Dr Frankenstein and create a character from varying different persons eg: incorporate a little of me, someone I know, and maybe someone I’ve observed.

Do you have any routine that you follow before writing?

No I’m not a disciplined writer and I envy those who can wake at 5am and have written 1000 words before the chickens wake! I am a ‘mood’ writer, and have to be in the mood to write that story. I can’t force the story to come out. A lot of the times it formulates in my head for a while like a cake mix, then when I’m ready to ‘bake it’ I sit at my computer and it all comes out. Although I have to admit a deadline can get me moving!!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am a volunteer with the State Emergency Services and enjoy the training, team mates and deployments to help the community. Being Italian I love my coffee, but good quality lattes – quite a coffee connoisseur, I like to go on the bean hunt! Enjoy going to the movies and being inspired by a great story. Also enjoy attending the theatre of which I also occasionally tread the amateur boards.

What's next?

Well I have 3 contracts to fullfill,

1. My big Family Pizza – a YA novel of my original Wogaluccis which has been contracted by a US publisher; 
2. The ASD Zoo from Kalamazoo – a picture book/junior fiction for my US publisher of Autism resources;
3. The Hidden Curriculum – Relationships – co-writing a resource for adults with Autism on relationships for US publisher.

I also need to complete my Masters Arts (Speculative Fiction) – I am half way as I have finished the novel, and just need to research the exegesis side of things.

I have also started consulting parents of children/teens with Asperger syndrome, or partners of adults with Asperger....and....I am dabbling with a feature film screen play- a family comedy, and a documentary series on Asperger.

Interview with Children's Author and Illustrator Bryan Langdo

I’m thrilled to begin my '2013 Author Interviews' with Children’s Author and Illustrator, Bryan Langdo.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a children's author and illustrator?

I've always wanted to draw, ever since I was two. In middle school I started taking art lessons from children's author/illustrator Robert J. Blake. He held the class in his studio, so we always got to see firsthand the process of making a picture book. Something just clicked in me when I saw all the possibilities in combining storytelling with drawing.

How did you get started?

I started sending book proposals (manuscript plus two or three illustration samples) to publishers in the fall of 1998. I had a list of about a dozen publishers that I focused on. Each time a manuscript came back rejected (which it almost always did), I would put it in a new envelope and send it to the next publisher on my list. While a proposal was making the rounds, I would pretty much forget about it and start on another book idea, always trying to stay busy. I got lots of rejection letters, but every now and then I would receive some advice or words of encouragement from the editors who'd reviewed my work.

When and where do you write and illustrate most often?

Most of my process takes place in my head, while doing everyday things like driving. Once I've got the big ideas worked out, I'll sit down at my computer and get to typing. I draw in my sketchbook pretty much wherever: the dining room table, in front of the computer (because that's where I listen to music), on the couch. I have a proper studio that I only use when it's time to do final artwork. I can't sketch in there for some reason.

Tell us about your book characters, Hippo and Gorilla. What inspired you to write about them?

Hippo lives life to the fullest and isn't afraid to make mistakes. He's a wonderful friend and always means well, but he doesn't always think things through first. In fact, he almost never does. Gorilla, on the other hand, is quiet and so careful that he sometimes misses out on fun opportunities. Each character helps the other. Hippo gets Gorilla to "live a little" and Gorilla reins Hippo in, keeping him from doing too much damage. They're based (loosely) on my two children, who have very different personalities but are extremely close. 

 

Tell us about the concept for your children's eBooks.

My best friend and I (CJ DeGennaro--he did all the sound, music, and technical stuff with these books) wanted to make eBooks that engage young kids without too much interactivity, which, in our humble opinion, takes away from the simple act of reading/listening to a good story. We both have kids and, while we like a lot of what e-readers have to offer, we don't want reading to become like video game-playing. Our goal with "Hippo and Gorilla" is to create a series that is more like the books-on-tape that we grew up with: narration, limited music, and a few key sound effects.

What do you enjoy about the most about the process?

It's hard to say... Recording the talented Billy Bob Thompson (our narrator) was a lot of fun, but I'd have to say that my favorite part of the process is the writing. Imagining ridiculous scenarios to stick Hippo and Gorilla in is a blast.

Have there been any challenges publishing in eBook format?

I'm used to illustrating for print books, so there were a few things I had to get used to, but not much. Most of the real challenge fell to CJ. He spent a couple months learning how to program the books and navigate the e-publishing world. I had it easy; all I had to to was write and draw silly pictures.   

What advice would you give other author/illustrators?

Edit like crazy. The Hippo and Gorilla stories all started about three times longer than the finished versions. I spent most of my time just cutting words. And don't get too attached to anything. Sometimes a clever sentence that you're really proud of no longer works with the story you've written. Let it go. If you want to write, make the time. If you have two kids and a full-time job, write at night. You'll be happy you did. And if no publisher will publish you, publish yourself. You can do that these days. It's a wonderful thing!

What's are you currently working on?

I'm working on a few things. More Hippo and Gorilla, for one. We also plan to re-release my first picture book, The Dog Who Loved the Good Life, which was originally published by Henry Holt & Co. a while back. I'm working on a chapter book series too. 

Christmas Interview with Author Kerry Brown

It's a pleasure to welcome Gold Coast Children's Author, Kerry Brown to share her Christmas memories and traditions.


How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?

I grew up in Northern Western Australia near the beach so there was lots of swimming, too much food, late afternoon naps and lots of family time. I love Christmas day - it is the one time every one is on board for a lazy, cruisy day surrounded by food, laughter and fun!

Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.

Every Christmas I take my children shopping to buy one new decoration each. (Good quality ones form David Jones or Myer) After Christmas the kids carefully wrap each of their unique decorations up and place them in their own box labelled with the year they bought each of them. When they grow up and leave home they will have their own special supply of tree decorations to place on their very own tree.

Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?

Yes I have in England before. I LOVED the traditional hot luncheon, the snow, the eggnog and the cold for a change.  With the heat and humidity we are having here in Queensland at the moment I'd love to do it again!

What will you be reading over Christmas?

I went to the library last week and got out all the children's picture books and novels I have wanted to read for a very long time. Some are re - reads. I have:

 Shaun Tan's 'The Arrival'

 Michael Gerard Bauer's, 'Eric Vale - Epic Fail'

 Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Wood

 'Maudie and Bear' by Jan Ormerod 

And a book by Andy Stanton called 'Stirling and the Canary'. (I love Andy Stanton - I find him extremely funny and my kids love him too.)

Then I might just try and read an adult novel........... to be different :)

Christmas Interview with Children's Author Caroline Stills

It's a fun and exciting time of year especially fun to learn what authors get up to. My next guest blogger is children's author Caroline Stills.

What does Christmas mean to you? 

Christmas to me is about celebrating family and being thankful for the wonderful life we have.  

How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?

My family lived on a farm in NZ. Before each Christmas, my dad would cut a branch from one of the pine trees that grew nearby so we always had a ‘real’ tree to decorate. I now associate the scent of pine with Christmas. 

I remember the excitement of trying to stay awake on Christmas Eve to hear Father Christmas and his reindeer landing on our roof but I could never manage to keep my eyes open for long enough. My siblings and I usually received a new outfit for Christmas along with some toys. I felt special wearing my new clothes to Christmas Mass where I enjoyed singing Christmas carols. 

Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it. 

To me, having children around is what makes Christmas 

so special. Just like when I was a child, I now make sure my children always have a real tree to decorate on the first weekend in December (though it is now delivered to us by the local scout group).  I love seeing how excited my girls get before Christmas, writing letters to Santa, making cards for their friends, and making and buying gifts for family.  At least one day immediately before Christmas is spent in the kitchen, together, making special treats to share with extended family (who we always catch up with around Christmas) - like chocolate truffles and a gingerbread house.  

On Christmas day itself, it’s fun to get up in the morning to watch my daughters excitedly open their gifts from Santa. Even if the day is hot, the main meal on Christmas day is always roast veggies with ham and turkey, followed by Christmas pudding served with my mum’s special brandy sauce. I am blessed to have such a beautiful healthy loving family and I always reflect on this on Christmas day. 

What will you be reading over Christmas? 

Another tradition with my immediate family (me, hubby, children) is to spend a few days at the beach sometime in January. It’s all about relaxing and spending time together, and there is always time for a good book or two. This holiday I hope to read “World War Z” by Max Brooks (love a good zombie story before the movie comes out next year, and “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn which is on many “best reads” list for 2012. 

A very happy festive season to you, Renee, and to all your blog readers. 

Caroline Stills