Blog Archives
We Each Have Gifts
The Gift follows a lonely young girl that receives a gift from God and shares his gift with other lonely children. What was the inspiration for your story?
This was from a literal dream! I was told I would receive dreams from a preacher in 2019 and I was to take a notebook and pen and write them down. This was my second dream, where I received a gift of my own; a bright mesmerising light. Nine months later I wrote a script for a childrens event based on the dream and the parents and children loved the story and play. So much so they asked for a copy to read. I decided then I would convert the script into a childrens book. The Gift play has been shown in many schools. The gift was produced and published in lockdown.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
To be inspired by the story. For the readers imagination to be captivated. For valuable life lessons to be imbedded or encouraged (sharing, kindness) for children (and adults) and to know that no matter what you face in life we all have a gift of love from God and we are never alone. Also we each have gifts we can use to help others.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Kindness, sharing, being the light to help others see. Challenges of bullying and having to be less selfish. How our lives can be changed with kindness.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
“The House”. Fantasy adventure for ages 7-11. Fabulous colour illustrations and very colourful characters! Valuable message lies hidden within the pages.
Feb – March 2022!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
The Gift is filled with beautifully illustrated colour pictures and is the first in a series of Lizzie Jayne’s books.
Teachable Tales
Doc, Willie, and the Pack: Secrets, Gifts, Family (A Hickory Doc’s Tale) follows a crow that has a secret he’s keeping from his dog pack family and is worried about what will happen when they find out. What was the inspiration for your story?
A friend told his true story to my husband and myself of a crow that befriend his family.
What was your inspiration for the characters and their relationship?
Many days were spent on our twenty acres in Oklahoma watching Patch and our other hunting dogs find birds including crows. The trainer said Patch had “a lot of energy” and would “never stop hunting”. She was a very determined hunting dog.
What are some of your inspirations as a writer?
To present teachable tales to elementary school children on the lives of hunting dogs, other animals in nature, their habitats, and life lessons involving—family, friendships, bravery, diversity, and problem solving.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Desert Friends: Travels with the Pack (Archway Publishing)
It will be available in the Spring of 2022.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Doc and the pack discover that Willie, the crow with bad eyesight, has a big secret. Can Willie convince the pack he is part of their family? Will the pack discover what Willie’s big secret is? How does Zeke accept Willie’s gift? The adventure continues at the Lazy Dog Hacienda with Doc, Willie, and the pack.
Bullying is a Global Problem
Lilbeebye Stings Bully follows a young girl as she uses her secret powers to change the heart of bullies into kind and caring people. What was the inspiration for your story?
I know that bullying is a global problem in today’s world. Especially in the black community, many of those kids come from broken homes. And was never taught how to love one another; what was related to me in my book is that I always tried to bring peace.
What is the one thing you hope children take away from reading this book?
I hope kids can learn from my book the importance of respect, apologies, and loving each other.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book Lilbeebye Goes To A New School will be outs soon. It’s about lilbeebye having an issue with bullies as she tries to meet new friends.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
The Sumatran Trilogy
What’s Troubling Tawny? follows a shy young rhino that has trouble making friends and meets a bird that helps her find her confidence and make friends. What was the inspiration for your story?
I wanted to write a story about the Sumatran rhino because, tragically, there are fewer than 80 of these beautiful creatures left. I thought it would be interesting to have a rhino who lacks confidence and struggles with her own body image and insecurities. I also wanted to get across important messages for children in relation to body positivity and how to overcome shyness, which a lot of children and even adults struggle with.
How did you decide on the location for the backdrop to this story?
All three books in the Sumatran Trilogy are set in the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia. Originally, whilst I was thinking of locations for the books, I wanted it to be in a rainforest. My research led me to Sumatra, which is one of the most important areas of intact rainforest in the world. It is also the last place where tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans still roam together.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from What’s Troubling Tawny?
There are lots of things I would hope readers will take from the story such as the importance of being yourself, being brave and stepping out of your comfort zone, as well as the environmental messages which are equally important. Perhaps the main message is how vital friendship and kindness are because without Tallulah’s encouragement, Tawny would not have approached Rusty.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the final book in the Sumatran Trilogy, Hooray for Heidi!, which is due to be released in June 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Website
The Sweetest Things a Parent Can Do
I Can Do That: A Little Girls’s Day of Big Challenges follows a little girl that, through playing a game with her parents all day, learns some independence and responsibility. What was the inspiration for your story?
Watching my daughter’s journey, with her four young children, reminded me of my bringing up my own three little ones.
Having a busy lifestyle means teaching your children new skills can be frustrating (for both the parent and the child) and time consuming. Sometimes it almost seemed easier to continue doing everything for them, particularly when your child is hesitant or has a fear of failure. Success, however, in imparting those new skills, is rewarding and satisfying. Watching a child glow with pride is one the sweetest things a parent can hope for.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I was a prolific writer and reader in high school. Yes! That was quite a long time ago…but it was my escape and my creative outlet. My English teacher was wonderful, so encouraging and with great critiques that, even as a teenager, made me think more about what I wanted to write and how I wrote it. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout the years.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
With ‘I Can Do That’..I wanted to portray a fun, no pressure way for a child to attempt new tasks. I believe the best inspiration comes from watching others succeed and felt that witnessing Scarlett’s satisfaction and pleasure in her new found independence could just be the gentle persuasion needed. I also wanted to highlight that just trying, and doing tasks in your own way, is enough to be considered a success.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Well, I have four more grandchildren. They all want to join Scarlett in having a book written about them so I am committed to at least four further books. I do have a story idea for the youngest (18 months) to star in, so that will probably come out next. I both write and illustrate (and have a day job) so it’s not a fast process, so I’m hoping within the next 5 months it will be complete.
Author Links: Facebook | Facebook | GoodReads | Instagram | Website
to having everything done for her,
but she is growing up fast.
What happens when she faces a
day of BIG challenges ?
Will she overcome her worries and prove to herself that,
YES! She really CAN do it ?
What’s Troubling Tawny?
Tawny is a Sumatran rhino and is having trouble making friends. She loves playing in the mud, but it is not as much fun without someone to roll around in the muck with. As she feels lonely, she hears a squawk, and it is a rhinoceros hornbill named Tallulah. Tawny loves the look of Tallulah’s horn and asks if she can help her have a colorful shiny horn too. Tallulah helps her, and suddenly Tawny has more confidence. Shortly after, she hears another rhino playing in the mud, and Tallulah encourages her to go and make friends with them. Tawny is very nervous, but Tallulah is there to help her make this big step.
What’s Troubling Tawny? is the second book in Emma Sandford’s Sumatran Trilogy. This remarkable children’s book deals with the challenging topic of making friends and being confident in who you are. Being shy is an emotion that children often face, and it is hard for them to see a way to get past that shyness.
Tawny thinks no one will like her for who she is and that her new rhino friend only likes her because of her shiny horn that is different. This stunning picture book shows children that it is important to find things you both enjoy doing together when making new friends. Making new friends is hard for some children, and this heartwarming story shows how it is ok to be afraid but to take a chance. Together Tawny and Rusty discover all the things they enjoy doing that are the same.
What’s Troubling Tawny? is an engaging and vibrant picture book that children will love and relate to. Parents and teachers will find this through-provoking children’s book a great addition to their library to help kids work through the complex emotions of making friends.
Pages: 30 | ISBN : 1916896812
I Found It Just As Interesting
Ships, Sleighs and Christmas Lights tells the story of how a young boy from Patara grew into the man we now think of as Saint Nicholas. What inspired you to write this story?
There are many wonderful things about gift-giving at Christmas time but for Christians who celebrate the holiday, it can be tricky separating the commercial from the spiritual. I have friends who want to embrace the fun of the season with their children, while making them aware of the historical figures associated with Christmas. I wrote the book with them in mind. Having researched Nikolaos’ life, I found it just as interesting as some of the fantasy stories about Santa Claus.
What were some of the challenges you had moving from being an illustrator to an author and illustrator?
I am used to complimenting an author’s words with illustrations so owning both aspects of picture book storytelling was a new experience for me. An outline of the story came first, then I sketched some of the key scenes. I worked with an editor before I started drawing, so the text was finalised and I knew how much space would be needed in the layout for the illustrations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Nikolaos is recognised as a saint. I wanted to explore ways in which his upbringing shaped his beliefs. Not everyone will relate to him in this way but I’d like to think the book will be of interest to people with different beliefs too. Much of the book is about culture and the ways in which we influence one another (hopefully for the better). Although our clothes and countries of origin may appear to be different, people are always drawn to goodness.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
There were so many legends about Saint Nicholas to draw on and some were only hinted at in Christmas Lights. I am writing a story about three young girls whose father fell on hard times. Nikolaos allegedly provided the family with special gifts but I wanted to tell the story from the girls’ perspective so they have a sense of agency. Most girls work hard but are not given opportunities or rewards. I’d like to think a privileged man like Nikolaos would address such imbalances. I hope to publish it in time for Christmas 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Courage Over Fear
Sticky Icky Vicky: Courage over Fear follows a young girl that must conquer her fear of water in order to attend her best friend’s birthday party. What inspired you to write this picture book?
When we started teaching our children about having a positive mindset and our positive and negative inner voices we came up with this great idea of a character called Sticky Icky Vicky, who must deal with water fear and face her inner voices.
The book is vaguely based on our youngest daughter’s fear of water. At the time Rhea was having great difficulty being introduced to water and learning to swim because she had grommets in her ears, (tiny tubes inserted into the eardrum to treat a build up of fluid in the middle ear and prevent recurrent ear infections), after having repeated ear infections and didn’t like putting her head under water.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Noor Alshalabi?
The art work is fantastic in that it’s vibrant, very imaginative and completely distinctive.
Noor Alshalabi is a Jordan based picture book illustrator while my husband and I are based In Canberra, Australia. All the collaboration for this amazing art work and illustrations for Sticky Icky Vicky: Courage over Fear was done through email, with the occasional phone call or FaceTime. This is all a testament to Noor’s brilliant communication skills and ability to work as part of a team. She is very skilled at reading into our comments and creating something amazing. We are very happy to have her working with us.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The principle message we want to pass across is that – it is okay to have fear, but it is not okay to let the fear stop you from doing what you like, love or need to do.
Courage over Fear offers children an inspirational/loveable heroine who learns some valuable lessons like courage, positive thinking and goal-setting. It is a reading experience that leaves children believing that they, like Vicky, can get past any obstacle in their way.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The second book in the Sticky Icky Vicky series is called “Sticky Icky Vicky: Choosing to Be Myself.”
It follows Vicky and her love for playing in the mud, getting all icky and sticky. But when a school bully starts making fun of her, Vicky’s love for mud play is dashed. That is, until she learns about upcoming International Mud Day. Vicky wants nothing more than to get in on the fun—but first she needs to stop listening to other people’s opinions.
Sticky Icky Vicky: Choosing to Be Myself will be available for purchase from March 2022.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
In Sticky Icky Vicky: Courage over Fear, the first book in the Sticky Icky Vicky™ series, authors Alysia and Michael Ssentamu introduce readers to Vicky, a fun-loving girl who doesn’t mind getting a little sticky and icky. She loves rolling down hills and playing in mud—but when it comes to water, Sticky Icky Vicky’s fear prevents her from joining in the fun. Then Vicky gets an invitation for a waterpark party, and she decides that she really wants to go—even if it means ignoring the Negative Ned voice in her head and getting over her fear.
With vibrant illustrations and catchy rhymes, Sticky Icky Vicky: Courage over Fear offers children an inspirational/loveable heroine who learns some valuable life lessons, such as:
Courage
Positive thinking
Goal-setting
Aimed primarily at readers aged six to ten, Sticky Icky Vicky: Courage over Fear is a reading experience that leaves kids believing that they, like Vicky, can get past any obstacle in their way.
LITERARY TITAN 