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Make Readers Laugh
Nate’s Noisy Nose follows the hilarious and heartwarming journey of a boy whose musical nose disrupts his life until he discovers the power of embracing his unique melody. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I honestly don’t know where this idea came from! It just popped into my head and away it went! I liked the idea of having a noisy book where kids join in to repeat the sound words and I had great fun thinking up the words to accompany the character’s noisy nose.
I like to write stories that are fun. There are so many books out there that want to teach a moral lesson or highlight a particular theme – and although my story does have an underlying message, it’s not the main idea of the book. The main idea is to make readers laugh.
How did you develop the character of Gabby the Geek, and what was her role in shaping the story’s resolution?
My illustrator and I dreamed up Gabby. We wanted a mad-looking techy person who could invent a machine to help Nate. I liked the idea of kids being inspired by Gabby and designing their own machines. Initially, the machine Gabby invented was going to solve Nate’s problem by having a dial on it so he could turn the volume up and down, thereby being noisy when necessary but quiet in school and around town. But we thought it would be much funnier if the machine caused Nate’s nose to ‘explode’ and spew out the instruments! Do I give a spoiler alert here and say what happened next – perhaps not!
The illustrations are incredibly vibrant. Did you work closely with the illustrator, and how did you bring Nate’s world to life visually?
Dotti Colvin is an extremely talented illustrator. She illustrated one of my other picture books, Baby Worries, and I just knew she would be perfect for this story. We had great fun inventing each character and Dotti is an expert at adding hilarious detail to every scene. Her illustrations brought the story to life in a way that many other illustrators could not achieve. Nothing is left to chance with her illustrations – they are expertly planned and beautifully finished.
Can we expect more adventures featuring Nate, Rascal, or Gabby in the future?
I already have plans for future tales involving Nate and Rascal – after all, Rascal does become world famous! I am thinking of creating a chapter book series as a spin-off. There’s so much that these characters could get up to. Will have to wait and see what happens.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Join Nate as he navigates the challenges of a nose that’s a bit too special. With every tuneful toot, he finds himself in a new misadventure, whether it’s at home, at school, or out and about, making him the centre of attention wherever he goes – but not always in a good way!
Amid the chaos, Nate’s longing for peace grows stronger. If only he could find silence and slip under the radar like a regular kid.
But fear not! Nate isn’t alone on his quest. His loyal furry friend, Rascal, is by his side, ready to help him snuffle out solutions. Will Rascal’s devotion be the key to Nate’s noisy problem, or will a team of brilliant doctors and scientists come to the rescue?
This laugh-out-loud gem is perfect for families who love to giggle together. As Nate’s story unfolds, readers are reminded that even the quirkiest traits can lead to the most unexpected outcomes.
This noisy, interactive book is more than just a funny tale of a musical nose; it’s a celebration of friendship, loyalty, creativity, and finding solutions when life gets a little too loud.
Nate’s Noisy Nose
Nate Tyler Jones has a nose like any other—until it starts making music. Not just any music, though. His nose toots, honks, and hums its way through his days, making his friends laugh and even creating impromptu concerts. But the noise doesn’t always hit the right note. It disrupts his classes, annoys his family, and eventually gets him banned from public places. Everything changes when Nate crosses paths with Gabby the Geek, an electronics wizard who might hold the key to his noisy dilemma.
Nate’s Noisy Nose is a delightful and lively children’s book that kids will find endlessly amusing. The whimsical concept of a musical nose is fresh and funny, pulling young readers into Nate’s world of misadventures. The illustrations are a highlight, bursting with color and detail. They don’t just complement the story—they amplify it. Nate’s loyal dog, Rascal, steals the show in many scenes, with expressive drawings that almost leap off the page. It felt like reading a comic book, with action and humor packed into every panel.
What I loved most was the balance between humor and heart. While the story had me laughing at Nate’s noisy escapades, it also offered moments of reflection. Even after finding a way to quiet his nose, Nate doesn’t shy away from being himself. The message is clear: individuality should be celebrated, even when it gets loud. It’s a lesson wrapped in laughter, making it resonate with readers without ever feeling heavy-handed.
This picture book is perfect for young readers who enjoy playful stories and for families looking for a book that sparks conversation. The detailed illustrations provide plenty of opportunities to pause and explore, making it an engaging shared experience. Nate’s Noisy Nose is a reminder to embrace what makes us unique, even when it’s a little unconventional.
Pages: 34 | ISBN: 0646705326
The World of Children’s Literature
Dogs: A Counting & Comparing Book introduces beginning readers to popular dog breeds while teaching them numbers and the skill of making comparisons. Where did the idea for this book come from?
I have always loved dogs, well any animal really! As a child we always had animals around us – dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chickens. My grandfather had a farm – so there were even more animals there. My first picture book was a counting book about Monsters (Monster Counting Book 1 to 20) and it remains a best seller for me – so I thought it would be great to complement this book and create another counting book about my favourite animal – dogs.
How has your experience as a teacher influenced your writing?
My experiences as a teacher have greatly influenced my writing career. Being a teacher enabled me to explore the world of children’s literature and to experience first-hand how children react to stories and what they enjoy most. So when I started writing my own books I wanted to make sure they were educational in some way – but most importantly – that they were fun to read.
The illustrations in your book make me smile. Can you tell us a little about your illustration process?
I am not an illustrator. I wish I was! So I have to rely on finding illustrators that match the vision for my books. I tend to choose illustrators that create funny images. I want the children as well as the adults to get a giggle out of my books.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is a non-fiction book about the smallest animals in the world. It will have information about each featured animal as well as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activity to encourage children to become problem-solvers and creators.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
This book is a delightful parade of comical pooches bounding through a world of numbers; crafted to captivate the eager minds of 2 to 5 year-olds. This is where learning feels like play, and every page turn unfurls a new layer of fun.
Dogs of all breeds and sizes leap from the pages, teaching your child to count from one to ten. But it doesn’t stop there—the loveable canines bring comparisons alive: long versus short, young versus old, tall dogs juxtaposed with short ones, happy pups with sad ones, and energetic dogs sprinting past those drowsy and dozing.
Your challenge? Find all the dog breeds listed at the back of the book!
Whether snuggled up for bedtime stories or learning in early years’ classrooms, this book promises to be a treasure trove of giggles and learning. Prepare to watch your little one’s understanding of numbers and comparisons blossom, hand-in-paw with their newfound four-legged friends. So, ready for the pawfect count-along? Let the tails begin!
Dogs: A Counting & Comparing Book
Dogs: A Counting and Comparing Book, by Frances Mackay, emerges as a delightful and educational experience for children, cleverly intertwining the joy of canine companions with fundamental counting skills. This book transcends the typical format of a counting book and engages young readers in more than just number recognition by bringing an array of dogs to life on each page. From Dachshunds to Pugs and Shar Peis to Terriers, young readers will find Mackay’s book a delight.
Mackay’s approach is far from a mundane enumeration. Instead, each page overflows with vibrant energy as a variety of dog breeds playfully guide children through numbers. The book’s structure, alternating between counting and comparing the different breeds, maintains reader engagement and adds an educational layer, encouraging observations about the dogs’ diverse characteristics. The art style in this book is both friendly and contemporary, resonating well with modern young readers. It successfully captures the essence of classic children’s literature, reminiscent of authors like P.D. Eastman, yet it stands out with its own unique flair. One particularly memorable moment is the depiction of an “extremely long dog” stretching across an entire page, showcasing the book’s creative and humorous side. The book is accessible and enjoyable for early readers and their families, fostering a fun environment for learning.
Dogs, A Counting & Comparing Book is an excellent choice for young readers who have a fondness for dogs and learning. It skillfully blends entertainment with education, making it a noteworthy addition to children’s literature in the genre of counting and comparison.
Pages: 34 | ISBN: 0646890042
I Wonder What Babies Think
Baby Worries is a delightful and humorous picture book that follows a baby’s imaginative journey through family resemblances as he meets his relatives for the first time. What was the inspiration for the idea behind your story?
When my nephew had his first baby and he brought him along to our family gatherings, the baby would always have this very quizzical and serious look on his face when he looked at everyone. It was as if he was thinking ‘Who on earth are you lot? And why am I here?’ It was so funny – it set me thinking – I wonder what babies think when they meet people for the first time.
How did you come up with the unique characteristics of each family member in the book, such as Uncle Max’s bushy eyebrows and Cousin Fern’s wild hair?
I wanted the story to include characters of all different shapes and sizes and different ethnic backgrounds because that’s the way most families are today. I think we all have family members who have unique characteristics – and no matter how weird these characteristics might be – we love them anyway – we don’t care if they have wonky legs or blue hair!
What scene in the book did you have the most fun creating?
I love all the scenes that my amazing illustrator, Dotti Colvin, created, but I think the one that was most fun was the scene where we see the whole family sitting down for lunch and Baby is staring at them all, thinking. It’s the anticipation of what Baby might do next that I enjoy most about this page. Can the reader predict how Baby will react?
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am working on several new books at the moment – two picture books and a middle grade series. But at this point in time I am not sure which one I will move forward with next – it’s a wait and see moment!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Website
This funny, imaginative picture book celebrates the love, humour and banter that ensues when families get together. After all, who can resist the temptation to say, ‘He has your eyes’, or ‘I wonder if he’ll look like me?’
The baby meets his extended family for the first time and starts to imagine what he might look like when he grows up. Will he grow huge, bushy eyebrows like Uncle Max? Perhaps he’ll have the wild, uncontrollable hair of Cousin Fern?
Or maybe he’ll have…well, you get the idea.
This picture book is sure to get everyone, young and old, giggling and laughing together – especially at the end where there is an added twist to the tale!
With its light-hearted approach, it’s the perfect discussion starter for exploring a child’s own feelings and emotions.
This book has the humour of The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee together with the warmth of family love in So Much! by Trish Cooke.
Targeted for children aged 3-8 years.
Kids ages: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Baby Worries
When a baby is born, everyone who visits has thoughts on who the baby looks like and what they will grow up to look like. This humorous picture book is written from the perspective of a new baby as the extended family all come to visit him. With each new visitor, the baby gets a sometimes frightful thought of what he may look like as he gets bigger.
Baby Worries, written by Frances Mackay and illustrated by Dotti Colvin, is a delightful children’s book that imagines what a baby would think when friends and family visit and comment on their looks. With bright colorful images, readers will be entertained as they follow the story along. I loved that the multigenerational family is also inclusive of different cultures.
In addition to providing a funny story to young children, this picture book is a great opener for families and teachers to talk to kids about how to express their feelings, especially the feeling of worry. Learning to talk about their feelings in a way that is not scary is an amazing tool that will help children as they grow.
Baby Worries is a delightful and educational children’s book that any family or classroom would find a wonderful addition to their library. This is definitely a book I can see being read over and over again for entertainment, and don’t forget to look for the ginger cat!
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0BTCFZ94F
LITERARY TITAN 