Lieve Snellings's Blog, page 5

Groundhog Day is Approaching

If you know which books I have published, it will not surprise you that February 2 is a special day for me. For many Americans, February 2 is Groundhog Day. An old folk tradition says that if Phil the groundhog comes out of hibernation and sees his shadow, he gets frightened and returns quickly to sleep, as he sees this as a sign of bad weather. If the woodchuck does not see its shadow, spring is close at hand!

But now, I have first-hand information by Margot the groundhog, and this is what she thinks about this story.

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Does this mean that Groundhog Day is not reality, but a legend?

I think, today, everyone is convinced that this is just an old legend, probably invented by the first settlers who were eager for spring to begin. In the Old Continent, Europe, February 2 is celebrated as the moment when the days begin to lengthen. It is the day of hope for a new life and rebirth.

But in the United States and Canada, in February there is still snow everywhere where groundhogs live, and woodchucks (another word for groundhogs) will not wake from hibernation until March (even later in the far north). In any case, the legend of groundhog’s day makes a great story for long cold winter evenings.

 

Author-photographer Lieve Snellings

I am Lieve Snellings, a photographer from Belgium, who for more than 11 years, stays about 5 months a year in Quebec. The landscape there is so beautiful, and observing these wonderful, funny little creatures like groundhogs, squirrels, chipmunks, birds … in our backyard, made me became a passionate nature photographer.

This resulted in three children’s books in the series ‘Margot the Groundhog and Her North American Squirrel Family’. The books are written in Dutch (my mother tongue) and translated into English and French. Be aware, some of the photographs are sure to induce giggles.

 

The first one ‘Margot Gets An Unexpected Visit’ is a children’s tale where high-quality nature photography meets up with friendship, diversity, fun, education and ice hockey.

[image error]As all groundhogs, Margot doesn’t like to have others around her. Certainly not humans. But is this also the case when she meets up with two little girls? You’ll find out in this book.

Amazon (ebook & paperback): http://smarturl.it/e7uowx

Universal link (e-book):  https://books2read.com/u/mZ58yJ

 

The second book ‘Groundhog Secrets – Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Woodchucks’  let you discover the secret world of groundhogs (also called woodchucks) through the eyes of Margot the groundhog while gaining a close-up view of wildlife in whimsical [image error]photo illustrations.

Margot reveals all of her secrets. She describes how groundhogs are born, what they look like and who is in their family. She talks about how they fill their tummies in summer and autumn, to store fat for the long winter months. Even medical doctors and scientists study the groundhog hibernation. Find out why in this fascinating illustrated book.

Amazon (e-book & paperback): http://smarturl.it/0psllg

 

 

The third book ‘Time for Margot to Go to Bed’, a bedtime story is published two months ago.

[image error]Margot is sad because she has to start hibernation. That’s very unusual as she normally loves to sleep! Her friends help her find out why she’s in tears. Together they find some solutions, and soon Margot can go to sleep with a smile.

Want to find out more?

Amazon (e-book & paperback): http://smarturl.it/e1mapx 

Universal link (e-book): https://books2read.com/u/47rMkg

Red Clover Reader’s Hangout with children’s Author Lieve Snellings

Lieve Snellings is the author of three award-winning children’s books. She is a professional photographer who, outside of her children’s book series, focuses mostly on documentary and journalistic photography. Though she calls Belgium home, Lieve has spent almost half of each of the past 11 years in Québec. Her time in Canada led to a new passion: photographing North American backyard wildlife.

Lieve has spent countless hours watching and photographing the little (and not so little) creatures that visit her Canadian backyard and nearby parks. Lieve searches out all the information she can find on these amazing creatures to create realistic portrayals of their lives and humorous antics.

Lieve weaves tales of friendship, diversity and even ice hockey with nature photography to create engagingly unique and fun animal tales starring Margot the Groundhog and her North American Squirrel family.

Click below to watch the interview, leave a comment and share with friends and family!

Watch Interview

 

 

Click here to go to my Author Page at Red Clover Reader

Book Launch Party ‘Time for Margot to Go to Bed’

You are welcome to join the Launch Party for Lieve Snellings’ new book ‘Time for Margot to Go to Bed’!

October 26, at 11 am (New York/Quebec) – 4 pm (London) – 5 pm (Brussels) at the Facebook Author Page; FotoBoekLieveSnellings.

At the Margot Launch Party, Lieve will introduce her new book, do a reading and show you some of the photo illustrations in the book, which are in fact her own wildlife close-up photos.

Afterward, we will have we’ll have a visit from amazing, Book Award-winning children’s book authors. They will give you a glimpse of their fantastic work and offer you a chance to win one of their books. So don’t miss your chance to get some of these treasures for free!

The participating authors are Barbara Ann Mojica, Helen Pryke, Wanda Luthman, Ronald Craig, Trisha Kelly, Eugenia Chu, Maxine Sylvester…

Présentation de ‘Margot doit aller dormir’

 

Je suis contente de vous présentez ‘MARGOT DOIT ALLER DORMIR’. C’est mon troisième livre pour enfants dans le collection ‘Margot, la marmotte commune et sa famille d’écureuils de l’Amérique du Nord.

Vous pouvez acheter mon nouveau livre en cliquant sur l’un des liens ci-dessous:

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/marmotte-commune-famille…/…/B07XB88GNZ

France: https://www.amazon.fr/marmotte-commune-famille…/…/B07XB88GNZ

Voorstelling nieuw kinder-natuur-foto verhaal ‘Margot moet gaan slapen’

‘Hoe een onbekend dier sterallures krijgt voor kinderen.’

Relinde Baeten

 

Om dit te vieren zal vandaag en morgen, vrijdag 20 en zaterdag 21 september 2019, zal de e-book versie van het boek GRATIS zijn:

Amazon Duitsland (hier kan je de taal, rechts bovenaan instellen op het Nederlands): https://www.amazon.de/Margot-slapen-bosmarmot-eekhoornfamilie-Noord-Amerika/dp/1089122519 

Amazon France: https://www.amazon.fr/Margot-slapen-bosmarmot-eekhoornfamilie-Noord-Amerika/dp/1089122519 

Amazon Nederland: hier kan je alleen maar e-books kopen, dus geen gedrukte boeken: https://www.amazon.nl/gp/product/B07X9VSX34 

USA en wereldwijd: https://www.amazon.com/Margot-slapen-bosmarmot-eekhoornfamilie-Noord-Amerika-ebook-dp-B07X9VSX34/dp/B07X9VSX34

Meet your next favorite author: Nancy Rose

I first heard of Nancy Rose when an American friend told me that his mother, who was in her eighties, adored two books she always read again and again. Those books were my ‘Groundhog Secrets’ and ‘The Secret Life of Squirrels’ by Nancy Rose. You can imagine I went searching for that book, and yes indeed, I too fell in love with it.

Nancy Rose is, just as Geert Weggen, one of the TOP squirrel photographers in the world who published squirrel books, that every child, big and small ones, would adore seeing and read. They inspire me a lot. I am so thrilled Nancy Rose is my next guest on ‘Meet Your Next Favorite Author’. And I am sure you’ll enjoy it too.

This is the last interview on ‘Meet Your Next Favorite Author’ for a while because I do want to have some more time free for working on my next book. I’ll let you know when we restart again.

But let’s go back to Nancy Rose and give her the floor!

 

Can you introduce yourself, what’s your name, where are you from… ?

Hi, I am Nancy Rose and I live in a small community called Hubley, near Halifax, Nova [image error]Scotia on Canada’s east coast. My husband and I moved 3 years ago after I retired to be closer to our grandsons who we look after a day or two a week. I started photographing squirrels at my old home in Bedford, NS, so when we came looking for a new home I made sure there would be squirrels so I could keep taking photos for my books and calendars.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

. I always liked writing but love taking photos much more, so I was thrilled when I was given a chance to turn my photos into some children’s books. It helps to have a good editor too!

Give 2 things about yourself that you think matter the most?

To me, creativity has always been important, but the family time comes first, so sometimes my creative ideas have to germinate while waiting for the right time to blossom.

Identity Card

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Do you remember the first book you read?

Probably Dick and Jane

What makes you laugh/cry?

Seeing someone else laugh/cry.

In which genre do you write?

Children’s fantasy?

What makes your book special, how is it different from other books in your genre?

My books use real photographs, not illustrations, and the images are not photoshopped.

How do you feel when you write, do you have a special ritual?

Usually I am feeling sleepy..I write mostly when I am ready for bed, or on an airplane, or a passenger in a car….anyplace I HAVE to sit still.

What inspired you to write your first book? 

An agent contacted me and suggested I turn my photos into a book. I submitted an alphabet book but the publisher wanted more of a story so we worked together to create it.[image error]

How did you come up with the title?

I had been making calendars for several years with the same title using my photos showing the “secret” life of squirrels most people never see.

If you could be any famous book character, who would you be and why?

Anne of Green Gables because I envy her vivid imagination, energy, honesty, and immense vocabulary.

Is there a message in your book that you hope the readers will grasp?

It is OK to be “unusual”, and build friendships with like-minded people.

What are your top 3 books of all time?

Sorry, I can’t pick favorites. These days I just read kids books.

How important is marketing and social media for you?

I really like meeting people with the same interests online and facebook is a great way to do this.

Is it important for you to get book reviews? Do you read them?

Reviews mean someone is reading my books! So that is great, and I read the reviews whenever I can.

What advice do you have for other writers?

Try to be unique and do it because you love it.  If you aren’t loving it, go do something else.

Can you give your book information: blurb, link, genre (for children’s book, please tell for what age)

Books

The Secret Life of Squirrels

Blurb: Mr. Peanuts is an unusual squirrel. He likes to grill hot dogs on his tiny grill. He plays the piano beautifully. He likes to read (his favorite books are A Tail of Two Cities and Good Night, Nut ). But once in a while, he feels lonely. One day, he writes a letter to Cousin Squirrel [image error]to invite him to visit, and to his great joy, Cousin Squirrel agrees! It turns out that Cousin Squirrel is an unusual squirrel, too, and Mr. Peanuts realizes that having a friend makes everything twice as fun.

Board book: 20 pages

Publisher: Puffin Canada (Oct. 18 2016)

ISBN-10: 0143191233

ISBN-13: 978-0143191230

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Puffin Canada (Oct. 28 2014)

ISBN-10: 0670068225

ISBN-13: 978-0670068227

Age: 2-6

Merry Christmas, Squirrels!

Blurb: Most squirrels spend their winter days hiding acorns in the snow. Not Mr. Peanuts. He [image error]loves Christmas and he’s very excited when Cousin Squirrel invites him to spend Christmas at his place. After a busy day building snowmen, sledding, snowshoeing, and roasting chestnuts, Mr. Peanuts and Cousin Squirrel settle in to wait for Santa … Christmas is so much better when you have a friend to spend it with.

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Puffin Canada (Oct. 20 2015)

ISBN-10: 0670069922

ISBN-13: 978-0670069927

The Secret Life of Squirrels: A Love Story

Hook: Love is in the air with another irresistible photographic story of wild squirrels in homemade miniature settings — stopping at the bookstore, shopping for groceries, playing on [image error]the playground, and more — delighting readers and animal lovers of all ages.

Blurb: A brand new companion to The Secret Life of Squirrels and Merry Christmas, Squirrels, sure to surprise and enchant readers young and old! Mr. Peanuts spends his days climbing trees and gathering nuts–but he wishes he had another squirrel to share his time with. When he meets a special squirrel friend, he soon finds himself falling in love! They visit the bookstore, go to the park, and have a romantic candlelit dinner. Will Mr. Peanuts get his happily ever after?

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Dec 6, 2016)

ISBN-10: 0316272639

ISBN-13: 978-0316272636

The Secret Life of Squirrels; Back to School!

Hook: Get ready for the first day of school in this fourth book in the popular series featuring photographs of wild squirrels!

[image error]Blurb: Mr. Peanuts’ teacher friend Rosie needs help preparing for the first day of school! The two squirrels go shopping for school supplies, set up the library and music corners, bring all the sports equipment out to the blacktop, and decorate the classroom. Mr. Peanuts even practices driving the school bus! But it’s not easy to be a teacher getting ready for a whole classroom of new faces. Will Mr. Peanuts and Rosie be able to pull together the room before the end of summer?

Nancy Rose brings this back-to-school story to life with her adorable photographs of real wild squirrels in handcrafted, homemade miniature settings.

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (July 17, 2018)

ISBN-10: 0316506214

ISBN-13: 978-0316506212

Website

http://www.secretlifeofsquirrels.com

Social Media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secretlifeofsquirrels

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyroselovessquirrels

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nancyandwayne 

twitter: @nancyrose38 – https://twitter.com/NancyRose38 

 

QUICK  POP-QUIZ. (You can choose one or both, and please feel free to add a very brief comment)

Snow or sun: Both…but these days whichever helps make the best photos of wildlife.

Soccer or (ice) hockey: neither

Dogs or cats: Cats, especially fluffy ones, because they are independent but love to be cuddled now and then.

Ice-cream or fruit: Fresh berries on my ice cream

Fact or fiction: Fact..too many years as a school teacher and guidance counselor

Music or silence: Silence and the sounds of birds and squirrels in my backyard

Sport or reading: ‘Sports’ like walking and biking and gardening… I can’t sit still to read a whole book

Sea or mountains: I could never live far from the ocean but I would love a view of the mountains.

Groundhogs or squirrels: Squirrels for sure!!

Books or movies: Movies, because I am more visual and I like to see the characters

E-book or print: Print for sure, so much more tactile.

Is there anything more you want to tell your readers?

I am currently working with Workman Publishing on book #5, an alphabet story, which is a revision of the first book I wrote. It will be a board book format for little ones to handle easily. Workman Publishing is also producing on a 2021 calendar of some of my favorite images so I am really excited to see both of these projects getting completed! I have been making my own calendar for family and facebook friends but this will get my images to a bigger audience which is wonderful!

Thank you so much Geert, it was such an honor to have you as a guest at Meet Your Next Favorite Author!

Lieve Snellings

Margot Lanceer Team

The English translation of the book will be publish later!

‘Margot moet gaan slapen’, het splinter nieuw prentenboek, geïllustreerd met mijn natuurfoto’s, is onderweg. Ik heb net een Facebook groep gemaakt waarvoor ik jou héél graag wil uitnodigen.

‘Margot moet gaan slapen’, het splinter nieuw prentenboek, geïllustreerd met mijn natuurfoto’s, is onderweg. Hierbij wil ik jou graag uitnodigen om lid te worden van het ‘Margot Lanceer Team. Het zou SUPER tof zijn mocht jij bij het team komen! Klik hier om lid te worden van het ‘Margot Lanceer Team‘. Het zou SUPER tof zijn mocht jij bij het team komen!

 

2019 Readers’ Favorite Finalist in the ‘Children – Animals’ genre!

So happy that my first book ‘Margot gets an unexpected visit’ is a 2019 Readers’ Favorite Finalist in the Children – Animals genre!

To celebrate this: my book is for free today, September 2!

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Meet your next favorite author: Tracy Kushwaha

Today I am happy to present you a courageous young author: Tracy Kushwaha.

As long as she can remember, she wanted to be an author. But then drama hit her and, unfortunately, she got a brain tumor. But she never gave up hope! Three years after her operation, she was able to write again and now has published five children’s books. Her first book has a theme: ‘Never lose hope’.

Can you introduce yourself, what’s your name, where are you from… ?

My name is Tracy Kushwaha. I am a Children’s Book Author from Auxvasse,

Missouri, USA.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

I’m an actress in a local theater. And most of all, I’m just happy to be able to write again. Seven years ago, I had a tumor on my brain stem and spent two weeks in the intensive care unit and months recovering. It took me three years before I was able to write again.

Give 2 things about yourself that you think matter the most?

I’m ambitious and kind.

Identity Card

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Do you remember the first book you read?

Stone soup.

What makes you laugh/cry?

I love to laugh. Silly faces my daughter makes, or watching my mom’s fat basset hounds play makes me laugh. Many things make me cry. Sad movies, or just seeing someone else hurting makes me cry. I just want to fix everything for them. I can’t do that. Only God can, so I pray for them.

In which genre do you write?

Children’s.

What makes your book special, how is it different from other books in your genre?

[image error]Oscar the Octopus is very light-hearted. Oscar is fascinated by the land. Most stories about sea life take place under the sea. Oscar visits the land in a hilarious tale that is sure to leave you laughing. If you are looking for something more sentimental, then ‘ A Nose For Teddy’ is a very touching story about a teddy bear looking for a new nose.  Teddy is very dear to my heart because as a child I was given a gift by my dad – a stuffed bear. That bear was his as a child. Then, it was mine. Now, it belongs to my daughter.

How do you feel when you write, do you have a special ritual?

Yes, I get a fancy glass filled with ice and coke, and a chocolate bar. Then, I settle down some place quiet and start writing.

What inspired you to write your first book? 

My daughter and her love for reading.

How did you come up with the title?

I tried to think of something that would make the reader wanna pick up the book.

If you could be any famous book character, who would you be and why?

Nancey Drew. She is smart and fearless.

Is there a message in your book that you hope the readers will grasp?

For ‘A Nose for Teddy’, it would be simply to never lose hope.

What are your top 3 books of all time?

‘Nancey Drew and the Hidden Staircase’, ‘Hidden among the Stars’ by Melanie Dobson

[image error]How important is marketing and social media for you?

Very important

Is it important for you to get book reviews? Do you read them?

Yes, it’s very important for me to get good reviews. I love to hear from my readers, so I check often to see any new reviews.

What advice do you have for other writers?

Never give up!

Can you give your book information: blurb, link, genre (for children’s book, please tell for what age)

Books:

Oscar The Octopus

[image error]Blurb: Oscar is a curious young Octopus who dreams of a life beyond the sea. The smells and sounds from this strange, almost magical land are alluring to him. What adventures lie beyond the sea?

Asin: B07VQ2R9Q4

ISBN: 9781732968523

Age: 4 – 8 y

A Nose for Teddy

Blurb: Teddy had seen better days.  His fur had gotten thin and his nose gone.  He still [image error]holds on to hope that this Christmas will be different than other Christmases in the past.  This year he will be played with once again and he had a special feeling about it.  Christmas is a time for miracles; even toys know this.

Asin: B07KDQPR65

ISBN: 978-0-9994859-7-2

Age: 4 – 8 y

Hope’s Story

[image error]Hook: Story of a rescue dog told from a dog’s point of view.

Blurb: Hope is a beautiful, fun and loving dog who has been dealt a bad hand. Join her on an adventure as she seeks to find her forever home. This is a heartwarming tale of love and second chances.

Asin: B07FYWJG7P

ISBN paperback: 978-0999485958

ISBN hardcover: 978-0999485927

Age: 4 – 8 y

Harriet the Brave

[image error]Blurb: Harriet is back! She’s still not a fan of vegetables, but don’t mess with her dessert! After she is abducted by giant veggies in her Granny’s garden, Harriet the Brave must face off against Yow Soyucky, the evil Brussel sprout, in the arena. Will she be able to fight her fear of veggies? Or will she be destroyed by it?

Asin: B07QCGX3JM

ISBN: 978-0999485989

Age: 4 – 8 y

 

Harriet and the Spaghetti Snake

[image error]Blurb: Meet Harriet, an adorable little girl with a big imagination. In her kingdom (her bedroom), she is known to her subjects as Harriet the Brave, and she fears nothing; not fire-breathing dragons, or even sharks. Nothing! Except for vegetables. But really! What can be scarier than trying new food? But when Harriet’s mother serves spaghetti for dinner, Harriet discovers that she may have met her match. Will she overcome her fear or will she be doomed to stay at the table until she is old and gray…?

Asin: B072BRR7T8

ISBN: 978-1-5454224-7-2

Age: 4 – 8 y

 

Website: http://www.twogirlsandareadingconer.com

Social Media links:

Instagram  

Facebook 

 

QUICK  POP-QUIZ. (You can choose one or both, and please feel free to add a very brief comment)

Snow or sun: It’s hard to choose. I love how snow looks, but I love how the sun feels on my face.

Soccer or (ice) hockey: Neither

Dogs or cats: Cats

Ice-cream or fruit: Ice-Cream

Fact or fiction: Both

Music or silence: Music

Sport or reading: Reading[image error]

Sea or mountains: Sea

Groundhogs or squirrels: Groundhogs

Books or movies: Movies

E-book or print: Print

Is there anything more you want to tell your readers?

Thank you for all your support.

Thank you so much Tracy, it was an honor to have you as guest at Meet Your Next Favorite Author!

Lieve Snellings

 

What has Margot book 3 to do with witches?

Zou het volgend Margot boek iets met heksen te maken hebben? Of is het alleen deze tijd van het jaar dat belangrijk is voor het verhaal van Margot? Wat denk je?

Could Margot’s next book have anything to do with witches? Or is it only this time of year that is important to Margot’s story? What do you think?

Le prochain livre de Margot pourrait-il avoir quelque chose à voir avec les sorcières? Ou est-ce seulement cette période de l’année qui est importante pour l’histoire de Margot? Qu’est-ce que vous pensez