Blog Archives
The Tree House Night
Emma and Oliver are best friends that live next door to each other. They decide they are going to build a treehouse in the backyard between their homes. Oliver is apprehensive, but Emma encourages him to help her make it. At one point, Oliver decides he is uncomfortable with the treehouse and refuses to climb up and leaves Emma to finish the job herself. Once it is finished, she proudly shows her work off to her parents and tells them she wants to spend the night up in the tree. They tell her no, it is not safe. Later, Oliver climbs up the tree to talk to her and tells her he heard what she said and wants to support her plan. That night when Emma sneaks out to stay in the treehouse, Oliver watches over her from his bedroom window.
The Tree House Night, written by Tuula Pere, is another fantastic work by this author. This excellent picture book focuses on friendship. Two friends who do not always agree still find a way to remain friends and focus on what matters, supporting each other in their dreams and goals. Even though Oliver disagrees with Emma’s plan, he supports her in the only way he can, shining light and watching over her as she sleeps in the treehouse. Knowing her best friend is watching over her gives Emma the strength to overcome her fears of the dark and the noises she hears.
So many children’s books on friendship focus on the good times children have. I like that this book showed that friends do not have to always agree on the same things or have the same goals. Even with these differences, they can still support one another and help each other make their dreams come true. This is the beauty of people. They don’t all have to be the same or have the same ideas and goals to be kind and be friends. This excellent picture book shows children they can be friends with people different from themselves and support one another.
The artwork done by Catty Flores is genuinely superb. The characters have so much personality children who can’t read will still be able to feel Oliver’s mood as he is concerned about things happening. But, equally, Emma’s excitement and confidence radiate off the pages as she builds her dream treehouse. The bond they share shines through the pages, and children will relate to the images presented in this captivating story.
The Tree House Night is a beautifully written picture book with an inspirational message about friendship and supporting those you care for. Children, teachers, and parents will all enjoy reading this remarkable story and will be able to relate to the message that the author has presented.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09K6MNF52
Do You See Me at Home
Do You See Me at Home written by Tuula Pere is a picture book that feels like you are looking into the mind of a child. This story is written from the perspective of a child’s thoughts and their parent’s responses to their feelings. All the interactions are everyday occurrences that parents and children can identify happening in their own lives at one point or another. Things like excitement and wanting to share their day, being scared by something they see on the TV or computer, things too loud, or having to stop playing in the middle of an adventure are experiences children have all the time.
My first thought when reading this realistic children’s book was, I have been here with my own children. I could identify with almost every situation the child and parents were experiencing. This would have been a wonderful book to have had to read to my own children when they were in preschool and young elementary kids. I can see how this expressive picture book would allow children to see their feelings are valid and normal.
The illustrations done by Majigsuren Enkhbat are vivid and bold. There are strong colors that work well together, helping to portray the child’s mood from page to page. When the child is scared by something on TV there is a mostly black page with an angry red fire. When the parents are comforting the child it is bright white with a sky blue and yellow that is soothing.
Do You See Me at Home is a beautifully written picture book that teaches children that their feelings and emotions are normal and ok to have. It is ok for big situations to be difficult for small children and parents and family are there to help them through. This is an ideal children’s book for preschoolers and kindergarten-age kids.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09JMDTFRC
Axel Washes the Rug
Axel is a little boy visiting Granny for the afternoon. She decides today’s snack will be blueberries. Axel loves blueberries and can’t wait to eat them. Unfortunately, someone comes to the door, and Granny has to go talk to them. Axel, unable to wait, grabs the bowl of blueberries and spills them on the floor. He tries cleaning up the mess, but they have left blue splashes of color all over Granny’s light-colored rug. Feeling bad, he flips the rug over to hide the mess. During nap time, Axel sneaks to the kitchen and drags the rug into the bathroom to wash. He has the right idea but accidentally puts bleach into the tub with the rug. Now Axel has to tell Granny what happened.
Axel Washes the Rug, written by Tuula Pere and illustrated by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren, is a heartwarming picture book about asking for help, taking responsibility for your actions, and forgiveness. Axel tries to do things on his own but, in the end, needs to ask for help. He tried to hide things when he stained the rug and while trying to fix it accidentally made things worse, so he admitted he had done something wrong to his Granny and feared the worst. However, Granny is more worried about Axel getting hurt with the bleach than her rug.
Children will see when reading this story that it is important to let adults know when there is an accident and let them help fix things. It also shows that just because they make mistakes does not mean they will not be loved. Granny showed compassion and love to Axel even though her rug was ruined. The message that people are more valuable than things comes through with the text and the illustrations.
The illustrations are fun and colorful. The style of the drawings is appealing to children, and the emotions are evident in the pictures. You can follow the story through just the illustrations as the details and expressions match what the author has written.
Axel Washes the Rug is an entertaining and meaningful picture book with important messages presented in a way that preschoolers and kindergarteners will be able to understand. Teachers and parents will love sharing this feel-good story with kids.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B09K49ZVVG
Girls Need Sailing Representation Too
A Big Blue Boat follows a young girl as she sets out for a day of sailing and teaches readers different parts of a boat. What was the inspiration for your story?
My husband and I are ocean sailors and sailed from Australia to Europe between 2013 and 2015 – the story can be found on www.gratisaustralis.com. The idea for the book originally grew from the desire to share our experiences on the sea with our own big blue boat in a fun way with our Grandchildren. I wanted them to experience that feel of being in a boat out on the sea.
As we sailed and met other people in the sailing community, I also learned that although slowly changing, it is still very much a man’s world. We need stories that are going to help promote this change.
From a simple book written for the grandchildren and their parents, A Big Blue Boat rapidly grew into a story that could be enjoyed by all and used as an educational text.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Lesley Cybulka?
Everything to do with A Big Blue Boat has just fallen into place.
I originally asked a friend, whose artwork I loved, whether he would like to join us on the journey by creating the images. Having completed the first image of the sea, Andrew felt he couldn’t do the imagery of the boat and captain full justice and wondered whether I would be happy for his friend, Lesley, to do the illustrations instead.
The partnership with Lesley was something beyond my imagination and a true collaboration.
Initially, I sent a copy of the text with some basic illustration notes and multiple photographs of the boat to Lesley. We had a long conversation via Zoom, where we discussed the manuscript, illustration notes, and mediums to be used, then I left the rest to her.
Neither of us work well when under pressure, so the time factor was left open…
The arrival of what would become the front cover image had me hyper excited. Lesley’s first illustration had taken the artwork beyond my imaginings, and it was so different to what is found in picture books of today. Having never seen her work, I discovered how exceptionally talented Lesley is and she had brought my story to life!
As each set of images were created, Lesley and I would connect to discuss whether readjustments were required. In some cases, illustrations were totally redone.
That moment when Lesley agreed to join me in illustrating A Big Blue Boat, will be one for which I will be forever grateful.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
As I searched to find sailing stories for young children – particularly girls – in the 4 – 8 year age range, I discovered the majority of picture books in the boating genre are about motor boats and the protagonists male. For girls especially, sailing stories are set within the character’s imagination, as a dream, or used as a way of introducing the reader to other cultures. Realistic sailing stories with a female protagonist that are fun for young children, are difficult to find and the female sailing community is crying out for them. Many women have told me of how they change characters from male to female when they read boat books to their young girl/s. A strong female protagonist was of utmost importance. The captain of A Big Blue Boat is based upon the ‘sailing me’ I am learning to be.
As a sport, sailing is perfect for children on many levels. It promotes and develops critical thinking, problem solving, communication and cooperation skills; builds team spirit, fitness, and strength; and shows that clean wind power can be just as much fun as motor boats. It seemed right that the first book should be one that introduced important parts of a sailing boat and the captain.
The sea is also a magical place. There is nothing like the feeling of freedom one experiences out on the water in a sailing boat. Here you are immersed within the elements and can encounter the inconceivable wonders of nature: wind, storms, a dolphin’s birth, albatross soaring, dolphins leaping and whales breaching. It has been an environment that has long called to me personally, as it does for many children, Australians as a whole and people worldwide, and I want to share it with the world.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Two sequels about A Big Blue Boat are completed and currently with Lesley awaiting illustrations. I am not sure which of the two will be first, for I have left that up to Lesley. A Big Blue Boat and the Mighty Storm tells of a storm that blows up in the Australian Bight, whilst A Big Blue Boat is Out on the Brine introduces more of our wondrous ocean creatures and the web of life. Anyone who loves Bill Martin Jr’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear is going to love The Brine.
We are hoping the second will be available for purchase sometime in 2023.
In the meantime, several more sequels and a couple of prequels are well underway.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook Author | Facebook Book | Website
Parents looking for picture books about boats or picture books about sailing will fall in love with A Big Blue Boat. It’s one of the best sailing stories of 2021. Especially, if you’re looking for picture books about sailing for girls. Written for early readers and pre-schoolers, it’ll have them learning to sail in no time.
Children will love joining in with the rhythm and rhyme in this cumulative story about a boat, a girl and the rollicking frolicking sea.
A boat.
A big blue boat.
A big blue boat with billowing sails.
A big blue boat with billowing sails and …
In the tradition of There Once Was A Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, The Big Blue Boat takes readers on an ever-growing rhyming song in this beautiful yarn about boats for early readers.
The Big Blue Boat also features a female captain, making it a great option for those looking for books about sailing for girls as well as picture books about boats. All families interested in sailing and boats will love Susea Spray’s fun-filled adventure. After all, who better to write boat stories for girls, than an author living on a boat?
Beloved by educators, The Big Blue Boat reinforces key early learning skills. “From a teacher’s perspective, and thinking about literacy skills, the repetition is really great, as it helps children access reading of some key words along with the adult reader.” Dr Kathryn Macfarlane (teacher and children’s author)
Buy The Big Blue Boat to set sail on a magical journey today!
Sailing the Milky Way
It is time for bed; the young child asks his parents to tell him the story of Yuri the dragonfly once more before he goes to sleep. Yuri is a dragonfly born of light and love, with a magical destiny ahead of him. This dragonfly goes on exciting adventures and explores the universe. Yuri is limited only by his own imagination and dreams, and these things take him all over; from sailing the oceans, playing in the wind, and even into space and exploring the Milky Way. This is a story of curiosity, courage, imagination, and love.
Sailing the Milky Way: A Passport to the Unimagined is written and illustrated by Eileen Ferriter. This whimsical and magical picture book is a delight for readers of all ages, with brilliantly colored images that pop off the page. Ferriter’s artistic style creates a world where children will aspire to use their imagination and create the visions they see in their minds. I especially loved the use of spirals in all the images; they represent a continuous flow of all things and tie into the title of the Milky Way.
This imaginative children’s book is written to inspire children to dream and create. Yuri shows extraordinary courage as he explores the seas and sky, venturing off into space to see what the Milky Way holds. The way Yuri explores his world is akin to the innocence of a child exploring their new environments, finding all the good and amazing things before them.
Sailing the Milky Way: A Passport to the Unimagined is a remarkable picture book that will mesmerize children with phenomenal artwork and a highly original storyline. Written for young children in preschool to kindergarten, this feel-good story will appeal to adults as much as it does to kids. This would make a great book for classrooms when introducing an art or creative thought lessons.
Pages: 24 | ISBN : 1977247016
I Have a Passion for Rhyme
Wonderful Wishes is an imaginative tale of some of the crazy ideas children have, often when getting ready for bed. What was the inspiration for your story?
I am a very blessed mother of four children and 11 nieces and nephews. Over the years they have all had their little obsessions with certain toys. My oldest son loved trains, the middle one would always gravitate towards the monkey exhibit at the zoo. Knowing what kids love really helped me bring Wonderful Wishes to life.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rosy Sale?
I knew what I wanted I just had to relay that through my own very basic drawings and references. She was spot on in articulating my vision for the book.
What was the hardest part of creating this children’s book for you?
Getting the rhyme to work while not losing the feel and story. Kids are very visual so I wanted the words to work with the characters. I had three editors look through the book before it was finalized.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book is at the printer’s ready to come to life. Hopefully by the start of May 2022. This one is not my usual rhyming work. It’s a tribute to my sister who passed away from cancer as a young mother. It’s about two sisters that go on a magical journey through the sky. They get to sip tea from a cup made out of the golden sun, and have a tea party with a pink fairy. It’s a book I wish I could of read to my kids when we were going through this hard time. I have been so busy writing I also have a third on the way.
Back to my passion for rhyme. The illustrations are coming along perfectly, that one will be out mid-July titled I Just Want Some Cheese On Toast.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
“I hope your children enjoy Wonderful Wishes just as mush as I loved writing it.”
Kelly Louise Jarris
The Lost and Lonely Tumbleweed
The Lost and Lonely Tumbleweed, by T.C. Bartlett, tells the story of a lonely tumbleweed named Spike. All Spike wants is to make a friend and not be alone anymore. He is very open-minded and tries to make friends with everyone he meets, but no one wants to be his friend; they all have a different excuse for why they can not be friends with a tumbleweed. Spike refuses to be discouraged for long and keeps his search going. Even when chased by bees and birds or stuck in a rain shower, Spike rolls along, never giving up. Will he ever find a friend that accepts him as he is?
This creative picture book tells a story about persistence, friendships, and acceptance. Through the whimsical illustrations, also done by T.C. Bartlett, young readers will follow Spike on his journey. Spike has a sense of humor and a strong personality that kids will find entertaining. However, it is not all sweet and happy moments in the story. Instead, this children’s book showcases Spike’s struggles on his quest. None of the obstacles he encounters are scary, but they show kids that it is not easy to achieve your goals sometimes, and you have to work hard to get through the challenges.
The topic of friendship is one that many preschool and kindergarten children face. Making new friends is hard, and Spike shows the reality of it. Not all people are meant to be friends, and you have to choose your friends wisely. The message of finding someone that wants to be your friend for who you are and not what you can do for them or try to change you is important.
The Lost and Lonely Tumbleweed is a heartwarming picture book that tells the story of finding a real friend. It reminds children of the importance of never giving up on achieving your goals and not changing yourself for other people.
Pages: 50 | ISBN : 1733908609
From an Oval
Izzy wants to draw a dog to be his friend and to play with. However, he soon discovers that the oval he drew to start his dog had a different idea about what it will become. When Izzy threw a ball for the oval animal instead of chasing after it, they said Baa Baa and ate a whole in the paper. Izzy became frustrated and told the animal no, you are a dog, but it insisted it was going to be a sheep no matter what Izzy wanted. In the end, Izzy accepts the sheep, and they learn how to have fun together.
From an Oval, written by Najah A. Jabbar, is a creative children’s book that captures the magic of a child’s imagination. The antics of the oval animal as it struggles to be heard is an excellent comparison for children. Kids often want to have some control over their situation, so the sheep is a relatable character. They will understand the animal’s frustration about not being seen for who they are and the desire to be themselves. They will also learn to be accepting of those around them even when they are different from what they anticipate.
Bringing this story to life are the playful illustrations by DeNeal Fletcher. The whimsical images give personality to the oval sheep. The sketch-like drawings are done in a manner that children will be able to see themselves creating, turning their own shapes into new animal best friends.
From an Oval in the From a Shape Izzy Book Series is a magical picture book that preschool and kindergarten children will enjoy and be entertained by. Young kids will see how imagination can lead to creativity and exploring new ideas. This would also be an excellent book for art teachers to use to introduce draw to elementary-age students.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B09SKC2DF2
LITERARY TITAN 