Brydie Wright's Blog
November 6, 2018
The 'Poo Book' Blog Reviews Australia Remembers - Books On Tour
Wednesday 7 November: Ahead of Remembrance Day, the 'Poo Book' Blog is proud to review Allison Paterson's Australia Remembers, as a part of her Books On Tour promotion.
The Book: Australia Remembers Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials
Category: Junior Non-Fiction (6 - 12 yrs)
Author: Allison Paterson
Published: Oct 2018, Big Sky Publishing
Available at: Big Sky Publishing Online
RRP: $24.99 (Hardback) / $14.99 (Paperback)
The Intro: When I was in primary school, I remember learning more about the Gallipoli campaign and the ANZACs, than any other military effort in Australia’s history. It’s certainly a moment in time etched in my psyche, but I’m not sure I ever really appreciated the sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand forces, until much later in life. You could say it’s because I never lost a relative in the Great War, or you might turn to the resources used by my history teachers, on the importance of Remembrance Day. Probably both played a part, but it’s a contemporary reference book like Allison Paterson’s Australia Remembers, that really hits home. It’s a best practice example of a non-fiction resource for children, that leaves its mark . It cBrydie Wrightonveys the truth of Remembrance Day, and the importance of War Memorials for all modern Australian war efforts.
About the Author: Like many savvy children’s authors, Allison Paterson has the profession of teacher-librarian on her extensive CV. This specialised type of educator is fortunate to have exposure to a wide range of literature, both factual and fictional, leading to a strong vantage point from which to pen their own books for children. With 20-years teaching under her belt, and many years reviewing for Magpies Magazine, Allison turned her skills to writing history and has become a specialist in junior reference materials for Australian military history. With industry recognition for children’s title Anzac Sons: Five Brothers on the Western Front, Paterson has also had Granny’s Place and Shearing Time published, as well as receiving the coveted May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Creative Time Fellowship. Her newly released Australia Remembers, is first in a series of books with the history of war remembrance and the traditions of the Australian defence force at its heart.
About the Book: I read Australia Remembers in one sitting. I was drawn to the content, and the way the stories of the ANZACs, Remembrance Day and War Memorials were presented. I usually dread reading reference books for any other purpose than research, but I can honestly say that Paterson found a way to educate me, while genuinely holding my interest. As alluded to previously, this is the type of non-fiction book that can inspire children. It can engender a true empathy for the people of the past, and those that survive them in the present day.
Divided into manageable themed chapters, each covering a different aspect of the Australian war efforts and memorial traditions, the text is large and broken up into digestible chunks for the young researcher. Usually break-out boxes drive me to distraction as I feel my attention pulled in too many directions, but Paterson and the layout designer have found a way of making them work. The break-out graphics flow with the main text, rather than fighting against it. The sum of all Australia Remembers factual parts, is both readable and meaningful.
I also loved the balance of original source materials (war photos, propaganda posters, and poetry), with quotes and anecdotes from the survivors of war and their relatives. That is the power of this book and its value in keeping a respect for ANZAC alive. Even if you do not have personal experience of war, nor relatives who fought for the cause, you can still walk away from this book more understanding of the true human experience of sacrifice and why so many Australians still commemorate Australian war efforts.
Recommended For: With her background in school libraries, Paterson understands the needs of her audience and pitches perfectly to self-readers from the age of 6 to 12. While older primary students will have a greater depth of understanding of the resource materials contained within the book, and be able to work independently with the materials, there are clever engagement techniques for educating younger students. Examples include Did You Know-style snippets of information, as well as craft and cooking-related activities, to encourage a tangible interest in the red poppy of Remembrance Day, and the biscuits of the ANZACs. While a keen student might choose to read the text in its entirety, it is certainly designed equally, as a well-segmented and indexed reference book for project work. This is, after all, often the first step to a love of history in a curious child. I for one, wish that I had had such a book when I was at school.
The Book: Australia Remembers Anzac Day, Remembrance Day & War Memorials
Category: Junior Non-Fiction (6 - 12 yrs)
Author: Allison Paterson
Published: Oct 2018, Big Sky Publishing
Available at: Big Sky Publishing Online
RRP: $24.99 (Hardback) / $14.99 (Paperback)
The Intro: When I was in primary school, I remember learning more about the Gallipoli campaign and the ANZACs, than any other military effort in Australia’s history. It’s certainly a moment in time etched in my psyche, but I’m not sure I ever really appreciated the sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand forces, until much later in life. You could say it’s because I never lost a relative in the Great War, or you might turn to the resources used by my history teachers, on the importance of Remembrance Day. Probably both played a part, but it’s a contemporary reference book like Allison Paterson’s Australia Remembers, that really hits home. It’s a best practice example of a non-fiction resource for children, that leaves its mark . It cBrydie Wrightonveys the truth of Remembrance Day, and the importance of War Memorials for all modern Australian war efforts.
About the Author: Like many savvy children’s authors, Allison Paterson has the profession of teacher-librarian on her extensive CV. This specialised type of educator is fortunate to have exposure to a wide range of literature, both factual and fictional, leading to a strong vantage point from which to pen their own books for children. With 20-years teaching under her belt, and many years reviewing for Magpies Magazine, Allison turned her skills to writing history and has become a specialist in junior reference materials for Australian military history. With industry recognition for children’s title Anzac Sons: Five Brothers on the Western Front, Paterson has also had Granny’s Place and Shearing Time published, as well as receiving the coveted May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust Creative Time Fellowship. Her newly released Australia Remembers, is first in a series of books with the history of war remembrance and the traditions of the Australian defence force at its heart.
About the Book: I read Australia Remembers in one sitting. I was drawn to the content, and the way the stories of the ANZACs, Remembrance Day and War Memorials were presented. I usually dread reading reference books for any other purpose than research, but I can honestly say that Paterson found a way to educate me, while genuinely holding my interest. As alluded to previously, this is the type of non-fiction book that can inspire children. It can engender a true empathy for the people of the past, and those that survive them in the present day.
Divided into manageable themed chapters, each covering a different aspect of the Australian war efforts and memorial traditions, the text is large and broken up into digestible chunks for the young researcher. Usually break-out boxes drive me to distraction as I feel my attention pulled in too many directions, but Paterson and the layout designer have found a way of making them work. The break-out graphics flow with the main text, rather than fighting against it. The sum of all Australia Remembers factual parts, is both readable and meaningful.
I also loved the balance of original source materials (war photos, propaganda posters, and poetry), with quotes and anecdotes from the survivors of war and their relatives. That is the power of this book and its value in keeping a respect for ANZAC alive. Even if you do not have personal experience of war, nor relatives who fought for the cause, you can still walk away from this book more understanding of the true human experience of sacrifice and why so many Australians still commemorate Australian war efforts.
Recommended For: With her background in school libraries, Paterson understands the needs of her audience and pitches perfectly to self-readers from the age of 6 to 12. While older primary students will have a greater depth of understanding of the resource materials contained within the book, and be able to work independently with the materials, there are clever engagement techniques for educating younger students. Examples include Did You Know-style snippets of information, as well as craft and cooking-related activities, to encourage a tangible interest in the red poppy of Remembrance Day, and the biscuits of the ANZACs. While a keen student might choose to read the text in its entirety, it is certainly designed equally, as a well-segmented and indexed reference book for project work. This is, after all, often the first step to a love of history in a curious child. I for one, wish that I had had such a book when I was at school.
May 31, 2018
The 'Poo Book' Blog Reviews Cloud Conductor for Books On Tour
The Book: Cloud Conductor (picture book)
Author: Kellie Byrnes
Illustrator: Ann-Marie Finn
Published: May 2018 by Wombat Books
The Intro: Welcome to the second stop on the Cloud Conductor #BlogDash for Books on Tour. The ‘Poo Book Blog' is delighted to review this very special picture book, the debut publication for Author and Freelance Writer, Kellie Byrnes.
About the Author: Kellie Byrnes is an exciting new talent in the Australian children’s book landscape. Cloud Conductor is her debut picture book, with another title on the way (Yes! No) in 2019. Byrnes can often be found daydreaming about books, whether penning her next manuscript, or reviewing for the JustKidLit blog. She immerses herself in creativity, whether it be via movies, plays and musicals, or travelling as widely as possible. One to watch!
About the Book: Cloud Conductor took me right back to that magical time in my childhood, when I used to lay on my trampoline, seemingly for hours, gazing at the clouds. I imagined all kinds of shapes and figures in the ever-moving, white, billowy masses. I think the author’s mission was accomplished right then and there. This poignant picture book aims to encourage its readers to be cloud conductors, or purveyors of the imagination, and it achieves this in spades. It relies for its resonance, on the universal premise that we can all make out images in the clouds, whether or not we choose to indulge in this pastime.
Cloud Conductor tells the story of Frankie, a little girl whose active life is affected by an illness, from which she spends most of the book convalescing. The narrative takes us through the seasons of Frankie’s recovery, and her determination not to succumb to melancholy. Like many children searching for escapism, she turns to the world of her imagination. The clouds are the conduit by which she soars and roars through the brightest and darkest of her days. Her interminable spirit provides a gift to her fellow patients - other sick children who can escape their reality, even if just for a little while, by gazing at the clouds.
The sombre palette of the cover bodes a sensitive, or even sad story within, but the reader is soon taken through the full colour spectrum by versatile illustrator Ann-Marie Finn (of Lulu and Eric Finds A Way-fame). Finn conveys the beauty and power of cloudy skies, throughout the seasons. Byrnes’ simple, yet beautifully-crafted text, combines perfectly with Finn’s mixed-media artistic techniques, to contrast the often-confined world of Frankie’s reality, with the boundless world of her adventures in the clouds. Favourite illustrations for me, included the etching of the powerful lion ROARING in the clouds, and the photo realism within the hand-drawing of ‘cloud children’ playing at the beach.
Recommended For: As we read together, my five-year-old (with his own ‘wandering mind’), was both captivated by Frankie’s big imaginings, yet also drawn into the sadness of her real-world experience. My comprehension test for him was, What’s happening with the girl in the story? He replied, She’s sick. This, combined with the fact he kept still and didn’t wriggle once during the reading, indicates to me that the book passes the test for its intended audience. It also aces the impress-the-adult-reader test, with its sensitive themes and clever demonstration of creativity.
Cloud Conductor is recommended for ages 5 to 8, and though we try to avoid talking about gender, I felt this was a book that would appeal equally to boys and girl. It taps into that part of EVERYONE’s psyche, that is fascinated with the clouds. Who doesn't love the idea that we can escape our troubles, if we only just yield to the world of our imagination? This is a perfect book for reading to early primary age, yet also pitched wonderfully to children who enjoy the pleasure of reading picture books to themselves. I can only imagine the comfort a book like this would provide, to a child experiencing illness, or perhaps bullying. If we refuse to stop dreaming, we can find the inner strength to overcome almost anything.
Author: Kellie Byrnes
Illustrator: Ann-Marie Finn
Published: May 2018 by Wombat Books
The Intro: Welcome to the second stop on the Cloud Conductor #BlogDash for Books on Tour. The ‘Poo Book Blog' is delighted to review this very special picture book, the debut publication for Author and Freelance Writer, Kellie Byrnes.
About the Author: Kellie Byrnes is an exciting new talent in the Australian children’s book landscape. Cloud Conductor is her debut picture book, with another title on the way (Yes! No) in 2019. Byrnes can often be found daydreaming about books, whether penning her next manuscript, or reviewing for the JustKidLit blog. She immerses herself in creativity, whether it be via movies, plays and musicals, or travelling as widely as possible. One to watch!
About the Book: Cloud Conductor took me right back to that magical time in my childhood, when I used to lay on my trampoline, seemingly for hours, gazing at the clouds. I imagined all kinds of shapes and figures in the ever-moving, white, billowy masses. I think the author’s mission was accomplished right then and there. This poignant picture book aims to encourage its readers to be cloud conductors, or purveyors of the imagination, and it achieves this in spades. It relies for its resonance, on the universal premise that we can all make out images in the clouds, whether or not we choose to indulge in this pastime.
Cloud Conductor tells the story of Frankie, a little girl whose active life is affected by an illness, from which she spends most of the book convalescing. The narrative takes us through the seasons of Frankie’s recovery, and her determination not to succumb to melancholy. Like many children searching for escapism, she turns to the world of her imagination. The clouds are the conduit by which she soars and roars through the brightest and darkest of her days. Her interminable spirit provides a gift to her fellow patients - other sick children who can escape their reality, even if just for a little while, by gazing at the clouds.
The sombre palette of the cover bodes a sensitive, or even sad story within, but the reader is soon taken through the full colour spectrum by versatile illustrator Ann-Marie Finn (of Lulu and Eric Finds A Way-fame). Finn conveys the beauty and power of cloudy skies, throughout the seasons. Byrnes’ simple, yet beautifully-crafted text, combines perfectly with Finn’s mixed-media artistic techniques, to contrast the often-confined world of Frankie’s reality, with the boundless world of her adventures in the clouds. Favourite illustrations for me, included the etching of the powerful lion ROARING in the clouds, and the photo realism within the hand-drawing of ‘cloud children’ playing at the beach.
Recommended For: As we read together, my five-year-old (with his own ‘wandering mind’), was both captivated by Frankie’s big imaginings, yet also drawn into the sadness of her real-world experience. My comprehension test for him was, What’s happening with the girl in the story? He replied, She’s sick. This, combined with the fact he kept still and didn’t wriggle once during the reading, indicates to me that the book passes the test for its intended audience. It also aces the impress-the-adult-reader test, with its sensitive themes and clever demonstration of creativity.
Cloud Conductor is recommended for ages 5 to 8, and though we try to avoid talking about gender, I felt this was a book that would appeal equally to boys and girl. It taps into that part of EVERYONE’s psyche, that is fascinated with the clouds. Who doesn't love the idea that we can escape our troubles, if we only just yield to the world of our imagination? This is a perfect book for reading to early primary age, yet also pitched wonderfully to children who enjoy the pleasure of reading picture books to themselves. I can only imagine the comfort a book like this would provide, to a child experiencing illness, or perhaps bullying. If we refuse to stop dreaming, we can find the inner strength to overcome almost anything.
April 2, 2018
30. Mar, 2018 The 'Poo Book Blog' Reviews Songlines for Books On Tour
The 'Poo Book' Blog is delighted to introduce Carolyn Denman and The Sentinels of Eden series as a part of her Books On Tour promotion.
The Book: Songlines, The Sentinels of Eden Book One
Author: Carolyn Denman
Published: Aug 2016 by Odyssey Books
Available to purchase Angus & Robertson
Paperback RRP AU$23.95
Follow Carolyn and her books on Facebook
For more information on blog tours at Books On Tour please visit www.justkidslit.com/books-on-tour.
The Intro: Welcome to the first stop on the Sentinels of Eden Series Books On Tour #BlogDash #Day1. The ‘Poo Book’ Blog is delighted to review Songlines, Book One of Carolyn Denman's young adult fantasy series, in advance of her latest release - Sympath (Book Three).
About the Author: Like many authors, Carolyn Denman comes to writing from a diverse background. Her major at University was science and she works as a mortgage-broker. She indulges her creativity by writing fantasy fiction for young adults and also manages to run a hobby farm, raise a family and feed 63 baby axolotls! They say if you want a job done right, give it to a busy person. Carolyn Denman proves this adage with The Sentinels of Eden, a skilfully written, speculative fiction series.
About the Book: In the debut novel of this original series, we are introduced to a world of mixed mythology and supernatural powers, juxtaposed with the everyday realities of teenage coming of age. Songlines seems at first, like any other teen angst drama, magnified by the pressures of graduating high school in a small country town. The story soon takes an interesting turn though, with a tense run-in between heroine Lainie's Aunt Lily, and mining company Kolsom. The corporate power begins exploratory sampling a little too close to Lainie's family's sheep farm, in the Victorian Wimmera region. This opens a pandora's box of family secrets including the revelation that Lainie is in fact a Sentinel of biblical Eden, and she is sworn to protect the hidden entrance to this mythological world, located in the heart of country Victoria.
Like any work of speculative fiction, the key to enjoyment is suspending your disbelief. Fantasy fans will take this as a given, but I must admit the question for me was why Eden? It's a Christian construct. Why not The Dreaming - an Indigenous Australian mythology? After all, Lainie and her best-friend Noah, have indigenous blood in their veins, and one of the senior Sentinels is a local Aboriginal elder. Still, I couldn't deny that with the legend of Eden, Denman has drawn on a familiar Western paradigm to which readers will relate. She has then infused it with the concept of songlines - the indigenous spirit of care-taking for sacred land.
Songlines is readable and relatable. It grounds a fantastical course of events in the realities of an Australian farming community, where livelihoods are hard come by and communities are small, providing a strong sense of belonging, yet also the tensions of feeling trapped. Add to this volatile mix, four teenagers with raging hormones, family skeletons and identity crises, and you've got all the ingredients of great YA drama.
Every teenager (and even some adult readers) will identify with those early turning points where we must make big decisions in life, love and career, knowing that we aren't really ready for it. Will we make the right decision? Will Lainie make the right decision? Learning she is of superhuman origin and that the fate of Eden's safety rests on her shoulders, is an intimidating realisation. This, coupled with the fact that her soulmate is her worst enemy and her long-dead mother might actually be a nymph living in Eden, you just have to feel for this girl and become invested in her story... and her fate.
Book One sets up the series beautifully and leaves the story on a suitable cliff-hanger. Will Lainie give into the temptations of Eden, or will she choose real-life and love over a fantasy world? I am definitely left intrigued to read Book Two - Sanguine - and excited to hear that Odyssey Books have backed this Australian novelist's work with the release of a third in the series - Sympath.
Recommended For: Songlines is promoted as YA Fantasy for readers 12 and over and from a reviewer's perspective, I wouldn't disagree, but I would elaborate with a comparison of a peer-title from the same publisher. Elizabeth Foster's 2017 novel Esme's Wish, is also speculative fiction. It's dosed with realism but whereas I would recommend it for late primary and early YA readers with it's friendship-focus, I would suggest The Sentinels of Eden series is for a high-school teen audience, with mature themes of emerging identity, coming of age, violence and sexual attraction.
Brydie Wright
The Book: Songlines, The Sentinels of Eden Book One
Author: Carolyn Denman
Published: Aug 2016 by Odyssey Books
Available to purchase Angus & Robertson
Paperback RRP AU$23.95
Follow Carolyn and her books on Facebook
For more information on blog tours at Books On Tour please visit www.justkidslit.com/books-on-tour.
The Intro: Welcome to the first stop on the Sentinels of Eden Series Books On Tour #BlogDash #Day1. The ‘Poo Book’ Blog is delighted to review Songlines, Book One of Carolyn Denman's young adult fantasy series, in advance of her latest release - Sympath (Book Three).
About the Author: Like many authors, Carolyn Denman comes to writing from a diverse background. Her major at University was science and she works as a mortgage-broker. She indulges her creativity by writing fantasy fiction for young adults and also manages to run a hobby farm, raise a family and feed 63 baby axolotls! They say if you want a job done right, give it to a busy person. Carolyn Denman proves this adage with The Sentinels of Eden, a skilfully written, speculative fiction series.
About the Book: In the debut novel of this original series, we are introduced to a world of mixed mythology and supernatural powers, juxtaposed with the everyday realities of teenage coming of age. Songlines seems at first, like any other teen angst drama, magnified by the pressures of graduating high school in a small country town. The story soon takes an interesting turn though, with a tense run-in between heroine Lainie's Aunt Lily, and mining company Kolsom. The corporate power begins exploratory sampling a little too close to Lainie's family's sheep farm, in the Victorian Wimmera region. This opens a pandora's box of family secrets including the revelation that Lainie is in fact a Sentinel of biblical Eden, and she is sworn to protect the hidden entrance to this mythological world, located in the heart of country Victoria.
Like any work of speculative fiction, the key to enjoyment is suspending your disbelief. Fantasy fans will take this as a given, but I must admit the question for me was why Eden? It's a Christian construct. Why not The Dreaming - an Indigenous Australian mythology? After all, Lainie and her best-friend Noah, have indigenous blood in their veins, and one of the senior Sentinels is a local Aboriginal elder. Still, I couldn't deny that with the legend of Eden, Denman has drawn on a familiar Western paradigm to which readers will relate. She has then infused it with the concept of songlines - the indigenous spirit of care-taking for sacred land.
Songlines is readable and relatable. It grounds a fantastical course of events in the realities of an Australian farming community, where livelihoods are hard come by and communities are small, providing a strong sense of belonging, yet also the tensions of feeling trapped. Add to this volatile mix, four teenagers with raging hormones, family skeletons and identity crises, and you've got all the ingredients of great YA drama.
Every teenager (and even some adult readers) will identify with those early turning points where we must make big decisions in life, love and career, knowing that we aren't really ready for it. Will we make the right decision? Will Lainie make the right decision? Learning she is of superhuman origin and that the fate of Eden's safety rests on her shoulders, is an intimidating realisation. This, coupled with the fact that her soulmate is her worst enemy and her long-dead mother might actually be a nymph living in Eden, you just have to feel for this girl and become invested in her story... and her fate.
Book One sets up the series beautifully and leaves the story on a suitable cliff-hanger. Will Lainie give into the temptations of Eden, or will she choose real-life and love over a fantasy world? I am definitely left intrigued to read Book Two - Sanguine - and excited to hear that Odyssey Books have backed this Australian novelist's work with the release of a third in the series - Sympath.
Recommended For: Songlines is promoted as YA Fantasy for readers 12 and over and from a reviewer's perspective, I wouldn't disagree, but I would elaborate with a comparison of a peer-title from the same publisher. Elizabeth Foster's 2017 novel Esme's Wish, is also speculative fiction. It's dosed with realism but whereas I would recommend it for late primary and early YA readers with it's friendship-focus, I would suggest The Sentinels of Eden series is for a high-school teen audience, with mature themes of emerging identity, coming of age, violence and sexual attraction.
Brydie Wright
December 5, 2017
The 'Poo Book' Blog Reviews Brave and Strong All Day Long
Thursday 7 December, the 'Poo Book' Blog is delighted to introduce Elizabeth Cummings and her latest picture book from the Verityville series, Brave and Strong All Day Long, as a part of her Books On Tour promotion."
The Book: Brave and Strong All Day Long
Self-published Nov 2017 by Elizabeth Cummings (author)
Illustrated by Johanna Roberts
Available to purchase online at: https://elizabethmarycummings.com/
Paperback AU$9.99
Follow Elizabeth and her books on Facebook
The Intro: Welcome to the next stop on the Brave and Strong All Day Long Books On Tour #BlogDash #Day4. The ‘Poo Book’ Blog is delighted to review Elizabeth Cummings’ new picture book, based on the early life of beach trail-blazer, Fiona Borg.
About the Author: The emerging star of late 2017, is Elizabeth Mary Cummings. With two new books for children released within months of each other (Dinner on the Doorstep and Brave and Strong), and a contribution to the Creative Kids Tales Story Collection (out now), this is one busy full-time writer and self-publisher. With eight books under her belt and more on the horizon, Cummings has worked hard to hone her craft and writing business.
With Brave and Strong, the author is starting to reap the recognition she deserves, with the full support of Randwick City Council behind her publication, celebrating local hero and council lifeguard, Fiona Borg. On 12th November, South Maroubra Surf Club hosted the successful launch of Brave and Strong, accompanied by an informative article on council’s website. Elizabeth has been enjoying the promotional trail for her new, summer ‘book baby’ and storytelling sessions for the book through the Randwick Council Library network.
https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/about...
About the Book: At a time when the children’s picture book market is more crowded than ever, publishers are espousing the attraction of ‘authentic voices’ and are more open to stories from marginalised groups than ever before, particularly in the form of non-fiction narrative.
Brave and Strong identifies an inspirational, real-life protagonist, who represents a minority; a female lifesaver in a male-dominated field. Retelling the story of Fiona Borg’s bravery and lifelong commitment to surf and rescue, Cummings finds that ‘authentic voice’, bringing a little-known story to life in a colourful and relatable book. The moral is staying true to who you are, and overcoming social preconceptions of what girls can and can’t do.
The Plot: This is a wonderfully simple tale for young readers, tracing Fiona’s childhood in the surf, teased for her pink swimsuit and surfboard, to her early rescue successes and her determination to join the surf club. Though her notable efforts, she proves to her community that she is just as brave and strong as any of the boys and commits to a career saving lives in the surf. All this at a time when many of her female peers may have felt put off by the boys’ club culture.
Seeing the idea for this book on Elizabeth’s social media pages made me wonder why there aren’t more of these stories for children, in a culture as beach-obsessed as Australia. Cummings has hit upon a perfect niche here with not only a book containing strong role modelling for young girls but an all-important water safety message for the perils of the surf, including rips and shore dumps.
Johanna Roberts’ clear, colourful and instructional illustrations, are striking against the white background, with effective use of space in the interior pages. It was the cover, however, that instantly drew me to the book, with its use of rich blues for the ocean and the yellows and reds of the beach safety flags; an iconically Australian combination of colours.
Recommended For: Brave and Strong All Day Long is targeted at readers between 3 to 8 years and I can see it filling two purposes, if you look at the unique needs across this age group. With the rise of Nippers culture and beach safety in children of ever younger years, I would recommend this as a read-aloud book for parents of 3 to 5-year-olds. It’s a great discussion starter on surf safety.
For pre-school-aged children and the 6 to 8-year-old (self-reader) bracket, it’s a clever opportunity for parents to ask their kids how they feel about perceptions of what girls can do vs. what boys can do. Brave and Strong shows that girls can do anything they put their minds to. If beach or other sport activities are up their alley, they should pursue them without hesitation.
Teaching Points: Issues of water safety are raised in Cummings’ story and illustrated by Roberts’ diagrams of rips and rescues. Early primary teachers will no doubt find this picture book a useful resource as it encourages an awareness of the power of the surf. This is an ever-important message in a multi-cultural society with easy access to some of the most beautiful but dangerous beaches in the world.
Brydie Wright
The Book: Brave and Strong All Day Long
Self-published Nov 2017 by Elizabeth Cummings (author)
Illustrated by Johanna Roberts
Available to purchase online at: https://elizabethmarycummings.com/
Paperback AU$9.99
Follow Elizabeth and her books on Facebook
The Intro: Welcome to the next stop on the Brave and Strong All Day Long Books On Tour #BlogDash #Day4. The ‘Poo Book’ Blog is delighted to review Elizabeth Cummings’ new picture book, based on the early life of beach trail-blazer, Fiona Borg.
About the Author: The emerging star of late 2017, is Elizabeth Mary Cummings. With two new books for children released within months of each other (Dinner on the Doorstep and Brave and Strong), and a contribution to the Creative Kids Tales Story Collection (out now), this is one busy full-time writer and self-publisher. With eight books under her belt and more on the horizon, Cummings has worked hard to hone her craft and writing business.
With Brave and Strong, the author is starting to reap the recognition she deserves, with the full support of Randwick City Council behind her publication, celebrating local hero and council lifeguard, Fiona Borg. On 12th November, South Maroubra Surf Club hosted the successful launch of Brave and Strong, accompanied by an informative article on council’s website. Elizabeth has been enjoying the promotional trail for her new, summer ‘book baby’ and storytelling sessions for the book through the Randwick Council Library network.
https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/about...
About the Book: At a time when the children’s picture book market is more crowded than ever, publishers are espousing the attraction of ‘authentic voices’ and are more open to stories from marginalised groups than ever before, particularly in the form of non-fiction narrative.
Brave and Strong identifies an inspirational, real-life protagonist, who represents a minority; a female lifesaver in a male-dominated field. Retelling the story of Fiona Borg’s bravery and lifelong commitment to surf and rescue, Cummings finds that ‘authentic voice’, bringing a little-known story to life in a colourful and relatable book. The moral is staying true to who you are, and overcoming social preconceptions of what girls can and can’t do.
The Plot: This is a wonderfully simple tale for young readers, tracing Fiona’s childhood in the surf, teased for her pink swimsuit and surfboard, to her early rescue successes and her determination to join the surf club. Though her notable efforts, she proves to her community that she is just as brave and strong as any of the boys and commits to a career saving lives in the surf. All this at a time when many of her female peers may have felt put off by the boys’ club culture.
Seeing the idea for this book on Elizabeth’s social media pages made me wonder why there aren’t more of these stories for children, in a culture as beach-obsessed as Australia. Cummings has hit upon a perfect niche here with not only a book containing strong role modelling for young girls but an all-important water safety message for the perils of the surf, including rips and shore dumps.
Johanna Roberts’ clear, colourful and instructional illustrations, are striking against the white background, with effective use of space in the interior pages. It was the cover, however, that instantly drew me to the book, with its use of rich blues for the ocean and the yellows and reds of the beach safety flags; an iconically Australian combination of colours.
Recommended For: Brave and Strong All Day Long is targeted at readers between 3 to 8 years and I can see it filling two purposes, if you look at the unique needs across this age group. With the rise of Nippers culture and beach safety in children of ever younger years, I would recommend this as a read-aloud book for parents of 3 to 5-year-olds. It’s a great discussion starter on surf safety.
For pre-school-aged children and the 6 to 8-year-old (self-reader) bracket, it’s a clever opportunity for parents to ask their kids how they feel about perceptions of what girls can do vs. what boys can do. Brave and Strong shows that girls can do anything they put their minds to. If beach or other sport activities are up their alley, they should pursue them without hesitation.
Teaching Points: Issues of water safety are raised in Cummings’ story and illustrated by Roberts’ diagrams of rips and rescues. Early primary teachers will no doubt find this picture book a useful resource as it encourages an awareness of the power of the surf. This is an ever-important message in a multi-cultural society with easy access to some of the most beautiful but dangerous beaches in the world.
Brydie Wright
December 4, 2017
The 'Poo Book' Blog Reviews The Howling Sands
The Book: The Howling Sands
Kalika Magic, Book 4
Self-published, Nov 2017 by Karen Hughes
Available to purchase online at: www.kalikamagic.com
Paperback AU$21.95
The Intro: Welcome to the final stop on the Kalika Magic Books On Tour #Blog Blitz #Day5. The ‘Poo Book’ Blog is keen for its chance to review Karen Hughes’ 4th instalment in the Kalika Magic fantasy series, for middle-grade readers, The Howling Sands.
About the Author: Having started her own community newspaper at the age of ten, Karen Hughes’ early love of writing never dissipated, nor did her entrepreneurial spirit. Ten years ago, she embarked on writing the Kalika fantasy series, which has been likened to The Chronicles of Narnia and Emily Rodda’s Deltora Quest. In 2017, she is self-publishing the fourth book in this popular series and taking her message to the middle-graders of Australia, through school visits and creative writing workshops, which can be booked through her beautifully designed website.
Talk about a fantasy fiction empire in the making! Formerly practicing as a senior lawyer in Canberra, Hughes now enjoys the life of a writer and a professional speaker/facilitator, whilst basing herself and her family in the beautiful environs of the Hunter Valley. It's the perfect place to let her ever-active imagination, run wild.
About the Book: ‘Whirling sand ghosts, secret potions and a furious firebird… The adventure continues in The Howling Sands.’
I’m not sure if you get much better than this for a teaser. It offers the suggestion that you are being drawn into a continuing saga and at Book 4 in the series, this is most certainly the case, with further instalments planned for 2018 and beyond.
I need to preface this review by admitting I would have benefitted from reading Emerald Child, The Shaman’s Secret and The Sorrow of the Waters, before embarking on The Howling Sands. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be read as a stand-alone adventure but there is a great deal of assumed knowledge in Book 4, as with any good fantasy saga. I’d suggest that you either start collecting the books from the beginning, if you know you have a mature and engaged, young reader of fantasy on your hands. Or, dip your toe in the water with Hughes’s latest tome and if your child loves it, they can play an exciting game of catch-up, before Book 5 is released.
When I spoke earlier of books ‘Kalika’ has been likened to, the first thing that came to mind for me, was Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series. This legendary writer and his books, represent what the fantasy genre is all about: - an extraordinary web of characters, the presence of mythical creatures, complex worlds, societies, cultures and languages, the threat of impending battle and good vs. evil.
In just the space of one 360-page book, Hughes employs and manipulates all these classic ‘totems’ of the genre; no mean feat in terms of storytelling. And by all suggestions, the continuing narrative that has come before, establishes the never-ending quest, to no lesser a degree.
The Plot: Though I enjoyed the book, it is not easy for me to sum up the plot of The Howling Sands. As reader, I had the feeling that a lot was happening ‘off camera’ or ‘stage left’, to borrow terms which may help to convey the impression I was left with. The book’s promotional blurb sums it up best…
One hundred years ago, the mysterious Veladin vanished into the earth. Now Kai, Indie, Nima and Jabar must find them, or they’ll never see Shaman Yanti again. The desert sands are shifting. Time is running out. Their only hope is a reckless wind spirit, but even the wind has secrets …
The pace of Kalika Magic stops for no one. Once you embark on this adventure, you’re in for a wild, suspenseful ride and when I say things happen off camera, it means that the author doesn’t spoon-feed her audience. There are parallel streams of events to keep up with and frequent shifts in the narrator’s spotlight. If something important happens to one of the five young heroes (Indie, Jabar, Kai, Nima or Willem), when they are not in the spotlight, we find out in retrospect. There is no dilly-dallying with back story and the characters just get on with it. After all, it is up to them to save the world, before the Maleficent-esque villain Sofia, destroys it.
‘Resilience, self-confidence, and having the courage to follow your heart are major themes in my books,’ Hughes says. This is evidenced on every page of The Howling Sands, with child protagonists who are real and flawed, yet strong, defiant and fiercely loyal. Good role models for the target audience, who will be lapping up every twist and turn.
Recommended For: Karen Hughes’s series is marketed for middle grade readers from 9 years of age and upwards. Following on from earlier impressions in this review, I would take this further and describe it as a dense read, for keen and mature readers, the likes of whom may be devouring the Harry Potter series or classics like The Wizard of Earthsea of 'The Rings' (which inspired the author).
The Howling Sands and its fore-runners are for true-fans of the fantasy genre. It’s an intelligent read and won’t patronise its young audience with over-exposition. You need to concentrate and you need to keep up. For those that do, it’s a gripping and rewarding read, that is likely to foster even more devotees of Hughes’ work.
If your child is an advanced reader at nine and loves alternative worlds, don’t hold back, though I would equally say that Kalika Magic could enter Young Adult territory, or appeal to the adult appreciator of fantasy fiction. Would love to hear your views; please feel free to leave a comment.
For more information on blog tours at Books On Tour please visit www.justkidslit.com/books-on-tour.
Kalika Magic Books On Tour Dates: Mon November 27 - Fri December 1
www.justkidslit.com/blog
Brydie Wright
Kalika Magic, Book 4
Self-published, Nov 2017 by Karen Hughes
Available to purchase online at: www.kalikamagic.com
Paperback AU$21.95
The Intro: Welcome to the final stop on the Kalika Magic Books On Tour #Blog Blitz #Day5. The ‘Poo Book’ Blog is keen for its chance to review Karen Hughes’ 4th instalment in the Kalika Magic fantasy series, for middle-grade readers, The Howling Sands.
About the Author: Having started her own community newspaper at the age of ten, Karen Hughes’ early love of writing never dissipated, nor did her entrepreneurial spirit. Ten years ago, she embarked on writing the Kalika fantasy series, which has been likened to The Chronicles of Narnia and Emily Rodda’s Deltora Quest. In 2017, she is self-publishing the fourth book in this popular series and taking her message to the middle-graders of Australia, through school visits and creative writing workshops, which can be booked through her beautifully designed website.
Talk about a fantasy fiction empire in the making! Formerly practicing as a senior lawyer in Canberra, Hughes now enjoys the life of a writer and a professional speaker/facilitator, whilst basing herself and her family in the beautiful environs of the Hunter Valley. It's the perfect place to let her ever-active imagination, run wild.
About the Book: ‘Whirling sand ghosts, secret potions and a furious firebird… The adventure continues in The Howling Sands.’
I’m not sure if you get much better than this for a teaser. It offers the suggestion that you are being drawn into a continuing saga and at Book 4 in the series, this is most certainly the case, with further instalments planned for 2018 and beyond.
I need to preface this review by admitting I would have benefitted from reading Emerald Child, The Shaman’s Secret and The Sorrow of the Waters, before embarking on The Howling Sands. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be read as a stand-alone adventure but there is a great deal of assumed knowledge in Book 4, as with any good fantasy saga. I’d suggest that you either start collecting the books from the beginning, if you know you have a mature and engaged, young reader of fantasy on your hands. Or, dip your toe in the water with Hughes’s latest tome and if your child loves it, they can play an exciting game of catch-up, before Book 5 is released.
When I spoke earlier of books ‘Kalika’ has been likened to, the first thing that came to mind for me, was Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series. This legendary writer and his books, represent what the fantasy genre is all about: - an extraordinary web of characters, the presence of mythical creatures, complex worlds, societies, cultures and languages, the threat of impending battle and good vs. evil.
In just the space of one 360-page book, Hughes employs and manipulates all these classic ‘totems’ of the genre; no mean feat in terms of storytelling. And by all suggestions, the continuing narrative that has come before, establishes the never-ending quest, to no lesser a degree.
The Plot: Though I enjoyed the book, it is not easy for me to sum up the plot of The Howling Sands. As reader, I had the feeling that a lot was happening ‘off camera’ or ‘stage left’, to borrow terms which may help to convey the impression I was left with. The book’s promotional blurb sums it up best…
One hundred years ago, the mysterious Veladin vanished into the earth. Now Kai, Indie, Nima and Jabar must find them, or they’ll never see Shaman Yanti again. The desert sands are shifting. Time is running out. Their only hope is a reckless wind spirit, but even the wind has secrets …
The pace of Kalika Magic stops for no one. Once you embark on this adventure, you’re in for a wild, suspenseful ride and when I say things happen off camera, it means that the author doesn’t spoon-feed her audience. There are parallel streams of events to keep up with and frequent shifts in the narrator’s spotlight. If something important happens to one of the five young heroes (Indie, Jabar, Kai, Nima or Willem), when they are not in the spotlight, we find out in retrospect. There is no dilly-dallying with back story and the characters just get on with it. After all, it is up to them to save the world, before the Maleficent-esque villain Sofia, destroys it.
‘Resilience, self-confidence, and having the courage to follow your heart are major themes in my books,’ Hughes says. This is evidenced on every page of The Howling Sands, with child protagonists who are real and flawed, yet strong, defiant and fiercely loyal. Good role models for the target audience, who will be lapping up every twist and turn.
Recommended For: Karen Hughes’s series is marketed for middle grade readers from 9 years of age and upwards. Following on from earlier impressions in this review, I would take this further and describe it as a dense read, for keen and mature readers, the likes of whom may be devouring the Harry Potter series or classics like The Wizard of Earthsea of 'The Rings' (which inspired the author).
The Howling Sands and its fore-runners are for true-fans of the fantasy genre. It’s an intelligent read and won’t patronise its young audience with over-exposition. You need to concentrate and you need to keep up. For those that do, it’s a gripping and rewarding read, that is likely to foster even more devotees of Hughes’ work.
If your child is an advanced reader at nine and loves alternative worlds, don’t hold back, though I would equally say that Kalika Magic could enter Young Adult territory, or appeal to the adult appreciator of fantasy fiction. Would love to hear your views; please feel free to leave a comment.
For more information on blog tours at Books On Tour please visit www.justkidslit.com/books-on-tour.
Kalika Magic Books On Tour Dates: Mon November 27 - Fri December 1
www.justkidslit.com/blog
Brydie Wright
November 13, 2017
The 'Poo Book' Blog Reviews Ori's Christmas
Ori's Christmas
Words and Illustrations by Anne Helen Donnelly
Self-published Nov 2017 by Donnelly. Available to purchase online in paperback, via Booktopia for AU$16.50.
If you’ve been following the Just Write For Kids’ Books on Tour page, you might be pleasantly exhausted from the whirlwind that is author Anne Helen Donnelly, and her Ori’s Christmas Blog Tour. Last week was a great, fun launch (online and at Dymocks Sydney CBD), for the second in Donnelly’s Ori the Octopus series. I’m not going to even try to top that with my review but I’m keen to add my voice to the praise for this driven and en-pointe new author, whose self-published books have hit the mark with children’s librarians and bookshop owners. Following an astounding 49 author visits for her first book, Ori the Octopus, Anne is virtually booked out with live storytime activities for her new Christmas book, all over Sydney. See dates and appearances here.
Born in Malta and moving to Sydney in childhood, Anne’s life has been interesting and full. She is a busy mother of two, who has likened her multi-tasking skills to an eight-armed octopus (ala her protagonist Ori). I’m sure many mums can agree with this sentiment! After moving on from a career in the health management, Anne has been inspired by motherhood to write stories and perform for children (as a children’s entertainer) and take her love of illustrating further, by training in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. We have these graphic design skills to thank for Anne’s beautiful fusion of hand-painted and computer drawn pictures, in the Ori books. The colours used and the expressions on the character’s faces are super engaging for adults, so I can only wonder at how children must see them. I know they captured my four-year-old son’s eye.
But what of the book itself? I would sum it up for parents as a smart piece of publishing. If you are looking for a Christmas-themed book to put under the tree, Anne Donnelly’s offering matches it with bigger-named authors on bookstore shelves. It has beautiful production values, with glossy pages and a very cool, pull-out craft mid-section. This colouring and cutting activity comes with easy-to-follow instructions on how to make your own Ori Christmas decorations for your tree. As an author, Donnelly is all about interactivity for kids and her style promotes engagement and learning through play and fun, rather than didacticism.
Ori’s Christmas follows the tale of Ori, a natural giver who invites his ‘under the sea’ friends to celebrate Christmas together. They are all keen but come with stipulations on how they want to celebrate for the day, making it a hard act for their kind friend Ori, to juggle. With so many conflicting demands, it’s easy to imagine Christmas Day might be a disaster but luckily, Ori has gentle powers of persuasion and helps his friends to recognise that compromise is the key to achieving a great outcome for all. The narrative is well-constructed and the learning process for the characters, is an example to little readers in working together for the common good. A nice message wrapped in child-friendly, Christmas fun.
Recommended For
With its bright colours, use of bold shapes, read-aloud and ‘learn as you play’ qualities, Ori’s Christmas is a terrific book for 3 to 5-year olds. It has the pre-school demographic down pat and Donnelly works hard to make sure that she is out there meeting the parents and the kids, through live readings and book signings. The book also provides useful parent and teacher notes to prompt discussion points with your child. The author’s website is an extension of her books, with Ori videos and downloadable colour and craft activities. Very comprehensive Miss Donnelly and a model to other aspiring authors on how to market your children’s books. I will be watching the ‘Ori space’ with interest and look forward to the next instalment in the series in 2018.
Brydie Wright
Words and Illustrations by Anne Helen Donnelly
Self-published Nov 2017 by Donnelly. Available to purchase online in paperback, via Booktopia for AU$16.50.
If you’ve been following the Just Write For Kids’ Books on Tour page, you might be pleasantly exhausted from the whirlwind that is author Anne Helen Donnelly, and her Ori’s Christmas Blog Tour. Last week was a great, fun launch (online and at Dymocks Sydney CBD), for the second in Donnelly’s Ori the Octopus series. I’m not going to even try to top that with my review but I’m keen to add my voice to the praise for this driven and en-pointe new author, whose self-published books have hit the mark with children’s librarians and bookshop owners. Following an astounding 49 author visits for her first book, Ori the Octopus, Anne is virtually booked out with live storytime activities for her new Christmas book, all over Sydney. See dates and appearances here.
Born in Malta and moving to Sydney in childhood, Anne’s life has been interesting and full. She is a busy mother of two, who has likened her multi-tasking skills to an eight-armed octopus (ala her protagonist Ori). I’m sure many mums can agree with this sentiment! After moving on from a career in the health management, Anne has been inspired by motherhood to write stories and perform for children (as a children’s entertainer) and take her love of illustrating further, by training in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. We have these graphic design skills to thank for Anne’s beautiful fusion of hand-painted and computer drawn pictures, in the Ori books. The colours used and the expressions on the character’s faces are super engaging for adults, so I can only wonder at how children must see them. I know they captured my four-year-old son’s eye.
But what of the book itself? I would sum it up for parents as a smart piece of publishing. If you are looking for a Christmas-themed book to put under the tree, Anne Donnelly’s offering matches it with bigger-named authors on bookstore shelves. It has beautiful production values, with glossy pages and a very cool, pull-out craft mid-section. This colouring and cutting activity comes with easy-to-follow instructions on how to make your own Ori Christmas decorations for your tree. As an author, Donnelly is all about interactivity for kids and her style promotes engagement and learning through play and fun, rather than didacticism.
Ori’s Christmas follows the tale of Ori, a natural giver who invites his ‘under the sea’ friends to celebrate Christmas together. They are all keen but come with stipulations on how they want to celebrate for the day, making it a hard act for their kind friend Ori, to juggle. With so many conflicting demands, it’s easy to imagine Christmas Day might be a disaster but luckily, Ori has gentle powers of persuasion and helps his friends to recognise that compromise is the key to achieving a great outcome for all. The narrative is well-constructed and the learning process for the characters, is an example to little readers in working together for the common good. A nice message wrapped in child-friendly, Christmas fun.
Recommended For
With its bright colours, use of bold shapes, read-aloud and ‘learn as you play’ qualities, Ori’s Christmas is a terrific book for 3 to 5-year olds. It has the pre-school demographic down pat and Donnelly works hard to make sure that she is out there meeting the parents and the kids, through live readings and book signings. The book also provides useful parent and teacher notes to prompt discussion points with your child. The author’s website is an extension of her books, with Ori videos and downloadable colour and craft activities. Very comprehensive Miss Donnelly and a model to other aspiring authors on how to market your children’s books. I will be watching the ‘Ori space’ with interest and look forward to the next instalment in the series in 2018.
Brydie Wright
November 6, 2017
The 'Poo Book' Blog Reviews Bubbles and Puddles
Bubbles and Puddles
By Michelle Wanasundera and Thana-one Yazawa
To be Published Nov 2017 by Lilly Pilly Publishing, Hardback (AU$29.95)
The first book for an emerging author is a monumental thing. The build up to launch day is a bundle of excitement and expectation. The recent Facebook posts of debut author Michelle Wanasundera, have been a joy to read, as she primes her beautiful new ‘book baby’ for launch into the world.
This new book bub is Bubbles and Puddles, with poetry by Wanasundera and illustrations by interior designer and children’s book artist Thana-one Yazawa.
Reading Michelle’s bio puts her book into perspective. She lives in the Blue Mountains with her family; the most perfect place to indulge a love of nature and creativity. Career-wise, Michelle has studied psychology, philosophy and children’s meditation. These skills infuse her writing, with insight into how a child’s mind works and an endless appreciation of the calming wonders of the natural world.
Published in glorious hardback, Bubbles and Puddles makes a statement with its visually -leasing balance of rich colour illustrations and white text backgrounds, for its blocks of poetry. The publication’s design is striking and reminds me of those books from childhood that I wanted to retain as keepsakes, to dip in and out of at my reading leisure. The picture books that impacted me as a young girl were often anthologies of poetry, fairy tales, nursery rhymes or Aboriginal legends but publications like this almost seem to represent a dying art. It is therefore wonderful to see this genre making a comeback with books like Bubbles and Puddles and Magic Fish Dreaming by June Perkins, to name just two.
With scope for classroom and library readings and helpful ‘Teacher’s Notes’ for each poem, this dreamy verse collection is grounded in an understanding of child psychology. It deals beautifully with issues like childhood anxiety (Belly Bubbles) processing big emotions (Waterfall), as well as appreciation for giving to others (Rainmaker) and allowing yourself to ‘be’ in the moment (Little Lights). Wanasundera is a talented poet and while she has a good command of rhyme, also employs free verse, which keeps the collection from falling into any sing-songy traps that would undermine the importance of its messages. Every full-page illustration is a celebration of the poetry within and I hope that Wanasundera and Yazawa continue their partnership which is seemingly a match made in heaven.
Recommended For
The Poo Book Blog would heartily recommend this collection of holistic poetry for sensitive and creative girls, of primary school age. Keen readers ages 5-6 will need their parents help and there is a lot of text, so breaking it down to one or two poems before bed, may be the best way to foster appreciation and a love of repeat reads. For middle-primary readers, able to read independently and developing an interest in poetry, this book is the kind I can see them reaching for frequently, depending on their mood and which poem resonates on any given day. The dream-like illustrations (which conjure up fairy tales of yore), are pure escapist joy and will help ensure this book’s long shelf-life, along with the heartfelt verse, which pays tribute to the way the author’s daughter, Amali, views the world.
Congratulations to the Author/Illustrator team on the soon-to-be launch of Bubbles and Puddles and I look forward to seeing the book’s buddy, Hugs and Bugs.
Follow Michelle on Instagram at michellewanasunderaauthor.
Brydie Wright
By Michelle Wanasundera and Thana-one Yazawa
To be Published Nov 2017 by Lilly Pilly Publishing, Hardback (AU$29.95)
The first book for an emerging author is a monumental thing. The build up to launch day is a bundle of excitement and expectation. The recent Facebook posts of debut author Michelle Wanasundera, have been a joy to read, as she primes her beautiful new ‘book baby’ for launch into the world.
This new book bub is Bubbles and Puddles, with poetry by Wanasundera and illustrations by interior designer and children’s book artist Thana-one Yazawa.
Reading Michelle’s bio puts her book into perspective. She lives in the Blue Mountains with her family; the most perfect place to indulge a love of nature and creativity. Career-wise, Michelle has studied psychology, philosophy and children’s meditation. These skills infuse her writing, with insight into how a child’s mind works and an endless appreciation of the calming wonders of the natural world.
Published in glorious hardback, Bubbles and Puddles makes a statement with its visually -leasing balance of rich colour illustrations and white text backgrounds, for its blocks of poetry. The publication’s design is striking and reminds me of those books from childhood that I wanted to retain as keepsakes, to dip in and out of at my reading leisure. The picture books that impacted me as a young girl were often anthologies of poetry, fairy tales, nursery rhymes or Aboriginal legends but publications like this almost seem to represent a dying art. It is therefore wonderful to see this genre making a comeback with books like Bubbles and Puddles and Magic Fish Dreaming by June Perkins, to name just two.
With scope for classroom and library readings and helpful ‘Teacher’s Notes’ for each poem, this dreamy verse collection is grounded in an understanding of child psychology. It deals beautifully with issues like childhood anxiety (Belly Bubbles) processing big emotions (Waterfall), as well as appreciation for giving to others (Rainmaker) and allowing yourself to ‘be’ in the moment (Little Lights). Wanasundera is a talented poet and while she has a good command of rhyme, also employs free verse, which keeps the collection from falling into any sing-songy traps that would undermine the importance of its messages. Every full-page illustration is a celebration of the poetry within and I hope that Wanasundera and Yazawa continue their partnership which is seemingly a match made in heaven.
Recommended For
The Poo Book Blog would heartily recommend this collection of holistic poetry for sensitive and creative girls, of primary school age. Keen readers ages 5-6 will need their parents help and there is a lot of text, so breaking it down to one or two poems before bed, may be the best way to foster appreciation and a love of repeat reads. For middle-primary readers, able to read independently and developing an interest in poetry, this book is the kind I can see them reaching for frequently, depending on their mood and which poem resonates on any given day. The dream-like illustrations (which conjure up fairy tales of yore), are pure escapist joy and will help ensure this book’s long shelf-life, along with the heartfelt verse, which pays tribute to the way the author’s daughter, Amali, views the world.
Congratulations to the Author/Illustrator team on the soon-to-be launch of Bubbles and Puddles and I look forward to seeing the book’s buddy, Hugs and Bugs.
Follow Michelle on Instagram at michellewanasunderaauthor.
Brydie Wright
August 1, 2017
Weird Father's Day Gift Normal Dads Will Love
It’s that time of year again. The time dads in Australia act surprised on Father’s Day, as they open gifts from Bunnings.
I’m an advocate for Father’s and Mother’s Day, so don’t get me wrong. I know it’s highly commercialized but we need to teach kids to show appreciation and to give to others, even if it means putting their hands in their Angry Birds or Trolls wallets.
But this Father’s Day, Sunday 3 September, how about a novelty gift for Dad? He is usually the man who has everything, so how can you make him laugh? Capitalising on sweeping generalisations about Dads might be a good place to start but I’m not suggesting anything tool or gardening related.
David Moye (HuffPost), wrote an article for Father’s Day in the US, titled Weird Father’s Day Gifts That Even A Normal Dad Will Love.
Yes, there are the standard ‘all-dads-love-beer’ gifts but there’s also a book mentioned and only one book made the list!
It’s my debut picture book, Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo. This article gets the “Poo Book”. It pinpoints the tremendous novelty factor in a book that cheeky mums and kids can buy for the dads (or grandads) in their life.
We have all bought books about the love between a Daddy Bear and a Baby Bear for Dad’s first Father’s Day but what about kids who are getting older and becoming attuned to the world around them?
I have great feedback from parents who love reading Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo with their children – both dads and mums alike. It’s the kind of book that ends up on rotation. Four to seven-year olds love this kind of fun, toilet humour and they are more knowing than we like to think, without getting caught up in higher levels of meaning. The latter is for mums and dads who read the book and if your family has a good sense of humour and can cope with a few mentions of poo, you won’t be disappointed. I’d liken it to the kind of novelty longevity enjoyed by My Aussie Dad (Yvonne Morrison and Gus Gordon, Scholastic).
But is there a more serious point to this blog, apart from a book plug?
I’m a children’s book author, so I would advocate giving a book to Dad or Grandad this Father’s Day, especially if your son or daughter need assistance with reading. They might be a reluctant reader and humour could be the hook that reels them in.
Childhood literacy is important and experts acknowledge the power of a male role model reading books to themselves, or to their sons, in particular. It has an incredible influence on young boys, who may naturally favor more physical pursuits.
Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo (Lulu Publishing), is for every family who has ever laughed at a certain someone who sits on the toilet for too long. It’s for a Mum who’s ever wondered where her husband was hiding out for hours on end. It’s for a child who finds poo hilarious and most of all, it’s for a cheeky dad or grandad, who can laugh at himself.
The book is averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars on Goodreads with 16 member reviews and 5 stars on Amazon with 11 customer reviews.
"Daddy and the World's Longest Poo is a wonderfully whimsical book about one of life's greatest mysteries. Both children and adults alike will enjoy the authors wicked sense of humor as she explores where and why dads disappear for such long periods of time. With bright beautiful illustrations that at times reminded me of Dr. Seuss' art style bringing the funny story to life. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy this delightfully entertaining book." – Amazon Customer Review (5 stars).
For Australian shoppers, Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo is available to buy online at Lulu.com (in paperback and eBook). It is also in paperback on Amazon, and all major online book retailers – see here for details.
And if you’re from the Sunshine State, drop in to visit 'Human Bel' and 'Human Jack' at the very cool Little Gnome bookstore and coffee shop in Wynnum. Little Gnome is well stocked with copies of Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo and it’s a great way to avoid postage fees.
Don't miss out for Father's Day - order your copy now.
I’m an advocate for Father’s and Mother’s Day, so don’t get me wrong. I know it’s highly commercialized but we need to teach kids to show appreciation and to give to others, even if it means putting their hands in their Angry Birds or Trolls wallets.
But this Father’s Day, Sunday 3 September, how about a novelty gift for Dad? He is usually the man who has everything, so how can you make him laugh? Capitalising on sweeping generalisations about Dads might be a good place to start but I’m not suggesting anything tool or gardening related.
David Moye (HuffPost), wrote an article for Father’s Day in the US, titled Weird Father’s Day Gifts That Even A Normal Dad Will Love.
Yes, there are the standard ‘all-dads-love-beer’ gifts but there’s also a book mentioned and only one book made the list!
It’s my debut picture book, Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo. This article gets the “Poo Book”. It pinpoints the tremendous novelty factor in a book that cheeky mums and kids can buy for the dads (or grandads) in their life.
We have all bought books about the love between a Daddy Bear and a Baby Bear for Dad’s first Father’s Day but what about kids who are getting older and becoming attuned to the world around them?
I have great feedback from parents who love reading Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo with their children – both dads and mums alike. It’s the kind of book that ends up on rotation. Four to seven-year olds love this kind of fun, toilet humour and they are more knowing than we like to think, without getting caught up in higher levels of meaning. The latter is for mums and dads who read the book and if your family has a good sense of humour and can cope with a few mentions of poo, you won’t be disappointed. I’d liken it to the kind of novelty longevity enjoyed by My Aussie Dad (Yvonne Morrison and Gus Gordon, Scholastic).
But is there a more serious point to this blog, apart from a book plug?
I’m a children’s book author, so I would advocate giving a book to Dad or Grandad this Father’s Day, especially if your son or daughter need assistance with reading. They might be a reluctant reader and humour could be the hook that reels them in.
Childhood literacy is important and experts acknowledge the power of a male role model reading books to themselves, or to their sons, in particular. It has an incredible influence on young boys, who may naturally favor more physical pursuits.
Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo (Lulu Publishing), is for every family who has ever laughed at a certain someone who sits on the toilet for too long. It’s for a Mum who’s ever wondered where her husband was hiding out for hours on end. It’s for a child who finds poo hilarious and most of all, it’s for a cheeky dad or grandad, who can laugh at himself.
The book is averaging 4.6 out of 5 stars on Goodreads with 16 member reviews and 5 stars on Amazon with 11 customer reviews.
"Daddy and the World's Longest Poo is a wonderfully whimsical book about one of life's greatest mysteries. Both children and adults alike will enjoy the authors wicked sense of humor as she explores where and why dads disappear for such long periods of time. With bright beautiful illustrations that at times reminded me of Dr. Seuss' art style bringing the funny story to life. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy this delightfully entertaining book." – Amazon Customer Review (5 stars).
For Australian shoppers, Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo is available to buy online at Lulu.com (in paperback and eBook). It is also in paperback on Amazon, and all major online book retailers – see here for details.
And if you’re from the Sunshine State, drop in to visit 'Human Bel' and 'Human Jack' at the very cool Little Gnome bookstore and coffee shop in Wynnum. Little Gnome is well stocked with copies of Daddy and the World’s Longest Poo and it’s a great way to avoid postage fees.
Don't miss out for Father's Day - order your copy now.
June 27, 2017
To PR or Not to PR? Part 3: Lessons Learned
In this tri-series of blogs on the value of a professional PR campaign, I’ve shared the degrees of failure and success I’ve had with traditional and social media campaigns.
To wrap the series, I'll share the lessons I've learned from the investment I’ve made in a social media PR campaign.
Building an Author Platform
Create your presence online via dedicated professional pages, rather than personal pages. For example, anyone who is interested in your work should be able to 'like' and follow your Facebook Author Page, rather than send you a friend request.
Facebook is a good channel for click-throughs to your Author website, so as minimum presence, I would recommend a website (including a blog page) and an author page on Facebook, for sharing content from your website. Use the two in tandem for cross-promotion, enlisting page likes and website subscribers (if your website is set up for the latter).
Instagram and Pinterest are popular methods for building your community online but they rely on catchy images. Are your marketing messages best told through images/photos, or better conveyed through words, images and web links.
What about Twitter? How many platforms do I need to use?
If your time capacity permits, I would recommend having at least two social media platforms in addition to your website. I would include Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the core group because of their popularity and reach. Each of these platforms rely on different approaches but the key to building engagement on all is commenting and sharing posts from other users, not just ‘liking’.
Google+ and Pinterest are other platforms to consider, if you have capacity. The advantage of Google+ is that it has the best SEO results for your blog posts but it is harder to build a community. And though I have LinkedIn and have for many years, this is a serious professional networking site (an online CV), rather than an informal sharing site, so be aware of this.
What is Goodreads All About?
If you are a writer and presumably a reader first, you should be on Goodreads. It’s a dedicated social media networking site for book nerds. Set up a personal page but if you have a published book, you need to take advantage of the Goodreads Author Dashboard service (your own Author Page) and list your book.
Readers can follow you and rate and review your books here and it is not based on verified and unverified reviews, like Amazon. If you think that Amazon is the only place you need reviews, you are missing a trick. I value the exposure and networks I have accessed on Goodreads far beyond my extremely low-ranking, almost invisible indie author Amazon page.
Having said this, if your book is being sold on Amazon, set up an author page via Author Central, so that people who do visit your page can follow you.
Why have a website AND multiple pages on social media?
The above-mentioned platforms, except a website with a registered domain name, are FREE channels for author exposure. I am not recommending you join more social media platforms than you can handle but I am suggesting that the more channels on which you have a presence, the wider the reach for your content (blogs and book WIPs) and community building. And think of it this way… what if a publisher pulls your book from a slush pile and cares enough to Google you and see what they can find out? Will they find you?
How much time should I spend on social media?
Don’t obsess over rules. Follow sensible and achievable advice and adapt to your life. Only you understand what your time, skill and budget capacities are for driving your author platform.
My PR campaign manager said I did not have to be omnipresent on social media. I breathed a sigh of relief. Her advice was to build a consistent schedule of blogging/posting and interaction every week, whether it be 30mins total, or 30mins on each platform, each day.
The amount of time is not as important as the consistency and the quality of your interaction. Remember, comment and share. Don’t just 'like'. Another trick is to use your scheduled slot to pre-schedule posts on Facebook, so you can post content regularly without having to be online at the time.
Where can I market my book for FREE online?
Remember to class your author pages as FREE promotional channels but don’t just self-promote to your followers. There are an infinite number of FREE targeted marketing opportunities online, as there are an equal number of options for you to invest in commercial book promotion services.
Part of the journey for you is doing your own research on these options and weighing them up for yourself. Many options promise more than they can deliver, so manage your expectations and if you are going to invest money, ask for recommendations and work out what you want to achieve by paying for a service. Beware measuring success only in sales figures as you are likely to be disappointed. Brand awareness for you and your books is the endgame for an emerging author.
My Biggest Gem of Advice
SEIZE targeted opportunities for promotion on social media. Though I have invested money in a PR campaign, I have taken just as many FREE opportunities for promoting my work. You can see them listed on my website in Breaking News and the Links to Press page.
One advantage of devoting consistent slot/s to building your online platform is getting to know other writers and accepting offers of interviews, Facebook page shares, FREE book listings etc.
The golden rule is RECIPROCATE. If someone gives you a free promotional opportunity, don’t take it for granted. Share the mention and tag in the page on which it originated. Thank people and offer to promote them when the opportunity arises.
Build goodwill and strong content and you’ll find yourself with an Author platform. You might then just find yourself with sales.
Daddy and the World's Longest Poo
To wrap the series, I'll share the lessons I've learned from the investment I’ve made in a social media PR campaign.
Building an Author Platform
Create your presence online via dedicated professional pages, rather than personal pages. For example, anyone who is interested in your work should be able to 'like' and follow your Facebook Author Page, rather than send you a friend request.
Facebook is a good channel for click-throughs to your Author website, so as minimum presence, I would recommend a website (including a blog page) and an author page on Facebook, for sharing content from your website. Use the two in tandem for cross-promotion, enlisting page likes and website subscribers (if your website is set up for the latter).
Instagram and Pinterest are popular methods for building your community online but they rely on catchy images. Are your marketing messages best told through images/photos, or better conveyed through words, images and web links.
What about Twitter? How many platforms do I need to use?
If your time capacity permits, I would recommend having at least two social media platforms in addition to your website. I would include Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the core group because of their popularity and reach. Each of these platforms rely on different approaches but the key to building engagement on all is commenting and sharing posts from other users, not just ‘liking’.
Google+ and Pinterest are other platforms to consider, if you have capacity. The advantage of Google+ is that it has the best SEO results for your blog posts but it is harder to build a community. And though I have LinkedIn and have for many years, this is a serious professional networking site (an online CV), rather than an informal sharing site, so be aware of this.
What is Goodreads All About?
If you are a writer and presumably a reader first, you should be on Goodreads. It’s a dedicated social media networking site for book nerds. Set up a personal page but if you have a published book, you need to take advantage of the Goodreads Author Dashboard service (your own Author Page) and list your book.
Readers can follow you and rate and review your books here and it is not based on verified and unverified reviews, like Amazon. If you think that Amazon is the only place you need reviews, you are missing a trick. I value the exposure and networks I have accessed on Goodreads far beyond my extremely low-ranking, almost invisible indie author Amazon page.
Having said this, if your book is being sold on Amazon, set up an author page via Author Central, so that people who do visit your page can follow you.
Why have a website AND multiple pages on social media?
The above-mentioned platforms, except a website with a registered domain name, are FREE channels for author exposure. I am not recommending you join more social media platforms than you can handle but I am suggesting that the more channels on which you have a presence, the wider the reach for your content (blogs and book WIPs) and community building. And think of it this way… what if a publisher pulls your book from a slush pile and cares enough to Google you and see what they can find out? Will they find you?
How much time should I spend on social media?
Don’t obsess over rules. Follow sensible and achievable advice and adapt to your life. Only you understand what your time, skill and budget capacities are for driving your author platform.
My PR campaign manager said I did not have to be omnipresent on social media. I breathed a sigh of relief. Her advice was to build a consistent schedule of blogging/posting and interaction every week, whether it be 30mins total, or 30mins on each platform, each day.
The amount of time is not as important as the consistency and the quality of your interaction. Remember, comment and share. Don’t just 'like'. Another trick is to use your scheduled slot to pre-schedule posts on Facebook, so you can post content regularly without having to be online at the time.
Where can I market my book for FREE online?
Remember to class your author pages as FREE promotional channels but don’t just self-promote to your followers. There are an infinite number of FREE targeted marketing opportunities online, as there are an equal number of options for you to invest in commercial book promotion services.
Part of the journey for you is doing your own research on these options and weighing them up for yourself. Many options promise more than they can deliver, so manage your expectations and if you are going to invest money, ask for recommendations and work out what you want to achieve by paying for a service. Beware measuring success only in sales figures as you are likely to be disappointed. Brand awareness for you and your books is the endgame for an emerging author.
My Biggest Gem of Advice
SEIZE targeted opportunities for promotion on social media. Though I have invested money in a PR campaign, I have taken just as many FREE opportunities for promoting my work. You can see them listed on my website in Breaking News and the Links to Press page.
One advantage of devoting consistent slot/s to building your online platform is getting to know other writers and accepting offers of interviews, Facebook page shares, FREE book listings etc.
The golden rule is RECIPROCATE. If someone gives you a free promotional opportunity, don’t take it for granted. Share the mention and tag in the page on which it originated. Thank people and offer to promote them when the opportunity arises.
Build goodwill and strong content and you’ll find yourself with an Author platform. You might then just find yourself with sales.
Daddy and the World's Longest Poo
June 19, 2017
To PR or Not to PR? Part 2 - Social Media for Self-Publishers
Last week, I shared the limited results of my traditional media PR campaign, for my self-published picture book. The feedback I’ve received from readers, many of whom are independent authors, has been encouraging. This is a topic ‘indies’ want to know more about and not just the success stories.
I’m learning more in this author journey from the obstacles I’ve faced, than the boosts I’ve had along the way. If you hit pay dirt from the outset with self-publishing, kudos but does this mean everyone can replicate your path to success?
What problems do ‘indies’ face with online marketing?
There are themes that arise frequently in discussion threads in Facebook groups for independent authors. Do the sample queries (below) sound familiar?
Hi, I’m just starting out in self-publishing and I have no idea how to market my work. How do I get my book out there on social media? I only use Facebook and I don’t really know how to use Twitter or anything else. Do I have to blog? Advice please.
Hi, I don’t really know how to use social media and I don’t have much time to promote my work. Any recommendation on people who don’t charge much to do your social media for you?
Social Media Public Relations (PR) and Marketing
I paid for a six-week professional social media PR campaign, to run alongside a six-week traditional media campaign.
It. Was. Not. Cheap.
I may never recoup this cost from royalties for the book aligned to the campaign. I realised this going in, though I hoped it might be the catalyst for putting my book ‘on the map’. At the time, I did not have the necessary social media skills, nor a developed author platform, to market the book myself, to a wider audience than Facebook friends and family.
So, if I had my time over again, I would do what the canny self-publishers do and build my online author platform, well in advance of publishing.
What if you don’t have the time or the skills for social media?
You need to somehow make time, i.e. build a manageable weekly schedule for interacting online professionally, whether 30 mins a week, or 30mins a day.
You also need to upskill yourself in the effective usage of some social media platforms, if not all.
Now, here’s the kicker for indies. If you don’t have social media and marketing skills from your day job and you can’t see a way forward, then:
a) you may have to pay for training, and/or
b) you may have to invest in some targeted third-party social media promotions for your book. Examples include a Goodreads giveaway or a boosted/sponsored post on Facebook.
Remember, if you are in business (or a commercial hobby), where you expect to make money off the sale of your work, I’m not sure if you can ever avoid spending money to make money. The degree to which you apply this is entirely up to you.
What can you expect from a social media campaign?
From my own experiences with a book PR campaign, I could have refrained from paying for traditional media approaches and concentrated my efforts (and funds) on social media promotion. The online space offers legitimate, visible channels for marketing and selling your work these days, even if you are an unknown. It is about finding your target audience (and I'm not pretending that is always easy).
To my initial surprise, the PR manager for my social media campaign did not blog, create my Facebook author page, or tweet anything for me.
She advised a schedule of weekly book blog topics and spent one hour each week in a video call, training me in social media platforms, tools and marketing strategies.
In other words, she taught me how to run my own social media campaign in the short-term and strategies for maintaining and building my long-term author presence online.
I asked sheepishly if she would post or blog for me, as part of the service. Response: this was not the firm's policy. There wasn't time or resource to devote to this level of service, within the confines of the package I had purchased.
What this meant in real terms is, you would need to pay more, a lot more, for a professional PR manager to execute your social media presence. Does this answer the question whether there is a cheap option for someone to do your social media for you?
What was the objective of the social media campaign? Was it met?
The point of the social media campaign service was to empower me as a writer and independent publisher, to manage and execute my own schedule of strategic social media interactions. It was also to understand how to blog as a promotional tool.
After all, I’m a writer, so shouldn’t I be able to frame creative posts on social media and put together a regular, coherent blog piece? And who better to know what I want to say to my audience than me?
What I may not understand as a writer, unless I’ve worked in this field, is how to effectively market my product and how to use social media tools, to at least an intermediate level. This is why I sought professional assistance.
After a six-week paid campaign, I have been professionally trained in how to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Hootsuite and Google+. I have also been taught blogging strategies for building audience engagement. This for me, has been worth its weight in gold, though I am not advocating that every indie should pay for a professional PR campaign.
My advice is to acknowledge you need a social media marketing strategy. You need to skill yourself to execute this, within your means, time and budget.
I have broken the first rule of my blogging training (keep it to about 500 words or less), so if you are still reading and caring, thank you.
Next week, I’ll share some specific tips and examples from my campaign, that may provide you with a starting point for planning your own approach.
Have a productive week!
I’m learning more in this author journey from the obstacles I’ve faced, than the boosts I’ve had along the way. If you hit pay dirt from the outset with self-publishing, kudos but does this mean everyone can replicate your path to success?
What problems do ‘indies’ face with online marketing?
There are themes that arise frequently in discussion threads in Facebook groups for independent authors. Do the sample queries (below) sound familiar?
Hi, I’m just starting out in self-publishing and I have no idea how to market my work. How do I get my book out there on social media? I only use Facebook and I don’t really know how to use Twitter or anything else. Do I have to blog? Advice please.
Hi, I don’t really know how to use social media and I don’t have much time to promote my work. Any recommendation on people who don’t charge much to do your social media for you?
Social Media Public Relations (PR) and Marketing
I paid for a six-week professional social media PR campaign, to run alongside a six-week traditional media campaign.
It. Was. Not. Cheap.
I may never recoup this cost from royalties for the book aligned to the campaign. I realised this going in, though I hoped it might be the catalyst for putting my book ‘on the map’. At the time, I did not have the necessary social media skills, nor a developed author platform, to market the book myself, to a wider audience than Facebook friends and family.
So, if I had my time over again, I would do what the canny self-publishers do and build my online author platform, well in advance of publishing.
What if you don’t have the time or the skills for social media?
You need to somehow make time, i.e. build a manageable weekly schedule for interacting online professionally, whether 30 mins a week, or 30mins a day.
You also need to upskill yourself in the effective usage of some social media platforms, if not all.
Now, here’s the kicker for indies. If you don’t have social media and marketing skills from your day job and you can’t see a way forward, then:
a) you may have to pay for training, and/or
b) you may have to invest in some targeted third-party social media promotions for your book. Examples include a Goodreads giveaway or a boosted/sponsored post on Facebook.
Remember, if you are in business (or a commercial hobby), where you expect to make money off the sale of your work, I’m not sure if you can ever avoid spending money to make money. The degree to which you apply this is entirely up to you.
What can you expect from a social media campaign?
From my own experiences with a book PR campaign, I could have refrained from paying for traditional media approaches and concentrated my efforts (and funds) on social media promotion. The online space offers legitimate, visible channels for marketing and selling your work these days, even if you are an unknown. It is about finding your target audience (and I'm not pretending that is always easy).
To my initial surprise, the PR manager for my social media campaign did not blog, create my Facebook author page, or tweet anything for me.
She advised a schedule of weekly book blog topics and spent one hour each week in a video call, training me in social media platforms, tools and marketing strategies.
In other words, she taught me how to run my own social media campaign in the short-term and strategies for maintaining and building my long-term author presence online.
I asked sheepishly if she would post or blog for me, as part of the service. Response: this was not the firm's policy. There wasn't time or resource to devote to this level of service, within the confines of the package I had purchased.
What this meant in real terms is, you would need to pay more, a lot more, for a professional PR manager to execute your social media presence. Does this answer the question whether there is a cheap option for someone to do your social media for you?
What was the objective of the social media campaign? Was it met?
The point of the social media campaign service was to empower me as a writer and independent publisher, to manage and execute my own schedule of strategic social media interactions. It was also to understand how to blog as a promotional tool.
After all, I’m a writer, so shouldn’t I be able to frame creative posts on social media and put together a regular, coherent blog piece? And who better to know what I want to say to my audience than me?
What I may not understand as a writer, unless I’ve worked in this field, is how to effectively market my product and how to use social media tools, to at least an intermediate level. This is why I sought professional assistance.
After a six-week paid campaign, I have been professionally trained in how to use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Hootsuite and Google+. I have also been taught blogging strategies for building audience engagement. This for me, has been worth its weight in gold, though I am not advocating that every indie should pay for a professional PR campaign.
My advice is to acknowledge you need a social media marketing strategy. You need to skill yourself to execute this, within your means, time and budget.
I have broken the first rule of my blogging training (keep it to about 500 words or less), so if you are still reading and caring, thank you.
Next week, I’ll share some specific tips and examples from my campaign, that may provide you with a starting point for planning your own approach.
Have a productive week!
