Ella English's Blog, page 24
November 15, 2022
Book Review: Nana Will Say Yes! by Alice Curran
This sweet and sentimental rhyming book will have children yearning for a time with a grandparent and adults reminiscing about childhood memories of their own. Nana Will Say “Yes” shows the sugary relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother as they spend the day together. If YOU could ask for anything from your Nana, what would it be?
My Review:This adorable book will delight adults and children alike. While I was reading it, I was reminded of the wonderful relationship I had with my grandmother. She was always there to support me, ready to snuggle and say yes to any adventure I could dream up. She was so much fun and I treasure her memory now, even though she has passed.
Children will love the gorgeous illustrations and delightful story about a grandma who is always ready to have fun and bond with her granddaughter, as well as spoil her silly. I highly recommend this book as it celebrates the unique bond between grandmothers and granddaughters.
My Rating:
[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error] /5
Author website: Alisecurran.com
Author twitter: AliseCWrites
Author instagram: alisecurranwrites
Buy the book in paperback and Kindle format here: Amazon
The post Book Review: Nana Will Say Yes! by Alice Curran appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
Book Review: Nana Will Say Yes! by Alice Curran
This sweet and sentimental rhyming book will have children yearning for a time with a grandparent and adults reminiscing about childhood memories of their own. Nana Will Say “Yes” shows the sugary relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother as they spend the day together. If YOU could ask for anything from your Nana, what would it be?
My Review:This adorable book will delight adults and children alike. While I was reading it, I was reminded of the wonderful relationship I had with my grandmother. She was always there to support me, ready to snuggle and say yes to any adventure I could dream up. She was so much fun and I treasure her memory now, even though she has passed.
Children will love the gorgeous illustrations and delightful story about a grandma who is always ready to have fun and bond with her granddaughter, as well as spoil her silly. I highly recommend this book as it celebrates the unique bond between grandmothers and granddaughters.
My Rating:
[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error] /5
Author website: Alisecurran.com
Author twitter: AliseCWrites
Author instagram: alisecurranwrites
Buy the book in paperback and Kindle format here: Amazon
The post Book Review: Nana Will Say Yes! by Alice Curran appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
May 21, 2022
Let Your Kids Pursue Their Passions by Ella English
I am in the latest edition of Baltimore’s Child:
Parents have a natural inclination to want their children to do things they are good at, maybe because it also reflects well on them. Having a child with a talent for art or dance is often something to show off. But I soon realized that it was more important to let my two daughters pursue their passions, even if they were not very good at them, just for the sheer joy of doing something creative and fulfilling. When I noticed that creativity is not necessarily innate, and more of a skill, I did my best to nurture creativity in them. No one wants to be creative doing something they aren’t interested in, however worthwhile you might think it is, so I tried not to denigrate my daughters’ interests.
Read the rest of the article here: https://www.baltimoreschild.com/my-turn-let-your-kids-pursue-their-passions/
BUY MY CHAPTER BOOK KATY ON BROADWAY HERE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944644210/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_Q8FTQRM6H6QZRMZ31VST
The post Let Your Kids Pursue Their Passions by Ella English appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
Let Your Kids Pursue Their Passions by Ella English
I am in the latest edition of Baltimore’s Child:
Parents have a natural inclination to want their children to do things they are good at, maybe because it also reflects well on them. Having a child with a talent for art or dance is often something to show off. But I soon realized that it was more important to let my two daughters pursue their passions, even if they were not very good at them, just for the sheer joy of doing something creative and fulfilling. When I noticed that creativity is not necessarily innate, and more of a skill, I did my best to nurture creativity in them. No one wants to be creative doing something they aren’t interested in, however worthwhile you might think it is, so I tried not to denigrate my daughters’ interests.
Read the rest of the article here: https://www.baltimoreschild.com/my-turn-let-your-kids-pursue-their-passions/
BUY MY CHAPTER BOOK KATY ON BROADWAY HERE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944644210/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_Q8FTQRM6H6QZRMZ31VST
The post Let Your Kids Pursue Their Passions by Ella English appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
February 19, 2022
Blog Tour Book Review: My Animal Family by Michael Botur
Today is my spot on the blog tour for ‘My Animal Family’ by Michael Botur. Thank you to Blackberry Book Tours for my spot on the tour and the E-ARC I received to review.
About the Author:
Author Bio –
Botur is author of four acclaimed indie short story collections and one collection which hardly anybody read. He published the novel Moneyland in 2017 which has had thousands of reads on Wattpad and in 2019 is publishing the novels Crimechurch and Moneyland: Payback.
Botur holds a Masters in Creative Writing degree from AUT University and a Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies from Massey University, as well as degrees in arts and literacy. Botur makes a living from writing as a columnist, corporate communications writer, blogger, advertising writer and journalist.
Botur has published creative writing in most NZ literary journals and has won various prizes for short stories and poems since beginning writing in 2005. He has been making money from creative writing since the age of 21 and was in 2017/18 included in collections put together by University of Otago (Manifesto 101) and University of Canterbury (Bonsai: Small Fictions.)Botur has published journalism in most major NZ newspapers and magazines including New Zealand Herald, Herald on Sunday, Sunday Star-Times, The Spinoff, Noted, Mana and North & South.In 2017 Botur launched the only online ‘gallery’ for NZ short story writers, http://www.NZShortStories.com, where he makes much of his published work free to read and download.
Website: https://nzshortstories.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelBoturFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBoturWriter/
Picture Book, 20 pages.
Illustrated by Emma Weakley and Michael Botur
Book available here: https://www.wheelers.co.nz/books/9780473610494-my-animal-family/?bic=ZSPBNZ&ageRange=0-52&dateAdded=60&page=5
Kids, it’s time to meet distant relatives you never knew were in your family… ‘My Animal Family’ is for every child amazed to learn humans are actually animals. This illustrated children’s book teaches you about your place in the natural world and reminds us we need to give all creatures great and small the same respect as human beings. Your guides to the phylogenetic tree are Abe and Violet Botur – two Homo sapiens siblings with a love of nature. Join two Kiwi kids as they find out how all life is related and meet many of our distant relatives, from Ape to Zyzzyva!
My Review:
I received a review copy of ‘My Animal Family’ by Michael Botur from Blackberry Book Tours in return for my honest review as part of the blog tour.
This book is a quirky launchpad for children who are inquisitive about the natural world around them. They will become fascinated by the sheer number of ways in which humans and animals are related, as well as gain valuable information about the interrelationship of animal families. This book really ignites kids’ imaginations and makes them start to ponder such questions as ‘if I lactate, can I be related to a frog?’
The illustrations are so cute and colorful, and an absolute delight. It is lovely the way Botur’s two children are inside the pages, exploring their natural animal habitat, to find answers among the tall trees about what to look for in an animal and to find out who’s related to who. Children will love all the cute animal illustrations and there is the extra bonus of smaller facts being hidden in among the illustrations, so that I learnt a few new facts about animals.
My Rating:
[image error][image error][image error][image error] 5/5
This tour continues until 24.02.22, so look out for more posts on Twitter and Instagram.
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The post Blog Tour Book Review: My Animal Family by Michael Botur appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
Blog Tour Book Review: My Animal Family by Michael Botur
Today is my spot on the blog tour for ‘My Animal Family’ by Michael Botur. Thank you to Blackberry Book Tours for my spot on the tour and the E-ARC I received to review.
About the Author:
Author Bio –
Botur is author of four acclaimed indie short story collections and one collection which hardly anybody read. He published the novel Moneyland in 2017 which has had thousands of reads on Wattpad and in 2019 is publishing the novels Crimechurch and Moneyland: Payback.
Botur holds a Masters in Creative Writing degree from AUT University and a Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies from Massey University, as well as degrees in arts and literacy. Botur makes a living from writing as a columnist, corporate communications writer, blogger, advertising writer and journalist.
Botur has published creative writing in most NZ literary journals and has won various prizes for short stories and poems since beginning writing in 2005. He has been making money from creative writing since the age of 21 and was in 2017/18 included in collections put together by University of Otago (Manifesto 101) and University of Canterbury (Bonsai: Small Fictions.)Botur has published journalism in most major NZ newspapers and magazines including New Zealand Herald, Herald on Sunday, Sunday Star-Times, The Spinoff, Noted, Mana and North & South.In 2017 Botur launched the only online ‘gallery’ for NZ short story writers, http://www.NZShortStories.com, where he makes much of his published work free to read and download.
Website: https://nzshortstories.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelBoturFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBoturWriter/
Picture Book, 20 pages.
Illustrated by Emma Weakley and Michael Botur
Book available here: https://www.wheelers.co.nz/books/9780473610494-my-animal-family/?bic=ZSPBNZ&ageRange=0-52&dateAdded=60&page=5
Kids, it’s time to meet distant relatives you never knew were in your family… ‘My Animal Family’ is for every child amazed to learn humans are actually animals. This illustrated children’s book teaches you about your place in the natural world and reminds us we need to give all creatures great and small the same respect as human beings. Your guides to the phylogenetic tree are Abe and Violet Botur – two Homo sapiens siblings with a love of nature. Join two Kiwi kids as they find out how all life is related and meet many of our distant relatives, from Ape to Zyzzyva!
My Review:
I received a review copy of ‘My Animal Family’ by Michael Botur from Blackberry Book Tours in return for my honest review as part of the blog tour.
This book is a quirky launchpad for children who are inquisitive about the natural world around them. They will become fascinated by the sheer number of ways in which humans and animals are related, as well as gain valuable information about the interrelationship of animal families. This book really ignites kids’ imaginations and makes them start to ponder such questions as ‘if I lactate, can I be related to a frog?’
The illustrations are so cute and colorful, and an absolute delight. It is lovely the way Botur’s two children are inside the pages, exploring their natural animal habitat, to find answers among the tall trees about what to look for in an animal and to find out who’s related to who. Children will love all the cute animal illustrations and there is the extra bonus of smaller facts being hidden in among the illustrations, so that I learnt a few new facts about animals.
My Rating:
[image error][image error][image error][image error] 5/5
This tour continues until 24.02.22, so look out for more posts on Twitter and Instagram.
[image error]
The post Blog Tour Book Review: My Animal Family by Michael Botur appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
November 29, 2021
Book Review: Imagine That by George Yuhasz
Hi Guys!
I am berry excited to have snagged a spot on a Blackberry Book Tour for the picture book Imagine That by George Yuhasz. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author:
George Yuhasz is a passionate advocate for the protection and preservation of our natural world.
A proud father and grandfather, lifelong learner, and world traveler, he delights in sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for appreciating the joy and wonder of connecting with nature. A B.A. graduate of American University’s Schools of Government and International Service, he also holds an M.A. in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.
George is a former U.S. Government special agent, intelligence officer, and contractor, and has also worked in the private sector as an investigator and security consultant. A special joy in his life was coaching the Allegheny College cross country team for fourteen fall seasons. George lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and is currently working on another children’s book and a suspense novel.
2019 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards
WINNER – Outstanding Children’s Fiction Illustrated Category
FINALIST – Juvenile Fiction Category
2019 Wishing Shelf Book Awards
WINNER/GOLD MEDALIST – Children’s Books Ages 6 – 9
2019 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards
HONORABLE MENTION – Children’s Picture Books Ages 6 and older
2020 Independent Press Book Awards
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE – Children’s Inspirational Category
2020 Book Readers Appreciation Group (BRAG)
INDIE/BRAG MEDALLION HONOREE
2021 Firebird Book Awards
WINNER – Juvenile Fiction Category
WINNER – Children’s Inspirational/Motivational Category
2021 Book Excellence Awards
FINALIST – Children’s Inspirational/Motivational Category
2021 Eric Hoffer Book Awards
FINALIST – Children’s Books Category
Media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgeyuhasz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/George-Yuhasz-Author-346292392664734/
Website: https://www.independentauthornetwork.com/george-yuhasz.html
Amazon Profile: https://www.amazon.com/George-Yuhasz/e/B07QY3X96Z/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-yuhasz-a918a9189
Purchase link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B07RBBY78N
Genre: Picture Book
Print length: 27 Pages
On a night when the sky is full of stars, sometimes there appears light that cannot be explained, even by the smartest astronomers.
We know about comets and asteroids-even shooting stars. We know what these are and they can be explained. But there are flashes of light in the sky for which there is no name or explanation, and to this day they remain a mystery. However, not too long ago a little girl discovered why she was able to see lights in the sky that no one else could see.
My Review:
In this tale that will delight children everywhere, a little girl called Evelyn is fascinated by flashing lights in the night sky that no one in her family can see. Then one night she encounters a woman shrouded in light at the end of her yard, who calls herself a Maiden of Light, a sort of Fairy Godmother clad in a shimmering blue robe who wants to talk to Evelyn. No one else can see the beautiful Fairy who explains that the light around her is special and that she only reveals herself to certain people. She tells Evelyn that the flashes of light she has been seeing mean that something special is about to happen. But before she can find out more about this mysterious Fairy, Evelyn is called to go to bed.
The next time she meets the Fairy Godmother, she is hidden in the trees, glowing from within the branches. She explains that she is no particular age, and that she comes from a place behind the stars that is full of happiness, magic, and wonder. The Fairy explains that in this place you can dream and be whatever you would like to be and that if you harness your thoughts you can achieve your ambitions. She tells Evelyn that the greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of imagination. When Evelyn concentrates on her dream of becoming a teacher a burst of light explodes around her. The Fairy teaches her to visualize her dream of being a teacher so she thinks of herself in the classroom teaching the kids. In this way, the Fairy teaches Evelyn to make her own magic.
Even when the Fairy disappears from her life, back to her home behind the stars, Evelyn wakes up to find a healing crystal in her room, which she knows must be a gift from the Fairy. Evelyn has learned a lot from the Fairy and will continue to practice her magic, exercising her imagination so she can experience the world with great joy.
This beautifully illustrated picture book makes a wonderful bedtime story. It is an uplifting and joyful book that teaches children to tap into their inner magic. It shows how if you really believe in something and wish hard for it to happen, your passion will grow wings combined with your imagination. Kids will be drawn into this mystical, magical story that is sprinkled with fairy dust. This book teaches children that if they harness the power of their imaginations they can learn to soar!
My Rating:
[image error][image error][image error][image error] /5
This Blog tour continues until 2nd December, so keep an eye out for more reviews to come on Twitter and Instagram.
The post Book Review: Imagine That by George Yuhasz appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
Book Review: Imagine That by George Yuhasz
Hi Guys!
I am berry excited to have snagged a spot on a Blackberry Book Tour for the picture book Imagine That by George Yuhasz. I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author:
George Yuhasz is a passionate advocate for the protection and preservation of our natural world.
A proud father and grandfather, lifelong learner, and world traveler, he delights in sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for appreciating the joy and wonder of connecting with nature. A B.A. graduate of American University’s Schools of Government and International Service, he also holds an M.A. in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.
George is a former U.S. Government special agent, intelligence officer, and contractor, and has also worked in the private sector as an investigator and security consultant. A special joy in his life was coaching the Allegheny College cross country team for fourteen fall seasons. George lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and is currently working on another children’s book and a suspense novel.
2019 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards
WINNER – Outstanding Children’s Fiction Illustrated Category
FINALIST – Juvenile Fiction Category
2019 Wishing Shelf Book Awards
WINNER/GOLD MEDALIST – Children’s Books Ages 6 – 9
2019 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards
HONORABLE MENTION – Children’s Picture Books Ages 6 and older
2020 Independent Press Book Awards
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE – Children’s Inspirational Category
2020 Book Readers Appreciation Group (BRAG)
INDIE/BRAG MEDALLION HONOREE
2021 Firebird Book Awards
WINNER – Juvenile Fiction Category
WINNER – Children’s Inspirational/Motivational Category
2021 Book Excellence Awards
FINALIST – Children’s Inspirational/Motivational Category
2021 Eric Hoffer Book Awards
FINALIST – Children’s Books Category
Media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/georgeyuhasz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/George-Yuhasz-Author-346292392664734/
Website: https://www.independentauthornetwork.com/george-yuhasz.html
Amazon Profile: https://www.amazon.com/George-Yuhasz/e/B07QY3X96Z/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-yuhasz-a918a9189
Purchase link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B07RBBY78N
Genre: Picture Book
Print length: 27 Pages
On a night when the sky is full of stars, sometimes there appears light that cannot be explained, even by the smartest astronomers.
We know about comets and asteroids-even shooting stars. We know what these are and they can be explained. But there are flashes of light in the sky for which there is no name or explanation, and to this day they remain a mystery. However, not too long ago a little girl discovered why she was able to see lights in the sky that no one else could see.
My Review:
In this tale that will delight children everywhere, a little girl called Evelyn is fascinated by flashing lights in the night sky that no one in her family can see. Then one night she encounters a woman shrouded in light at the end of her yard, who calls herself a Maiden of Light, a sort of Fairy Godmother clad in a shimmering blue robe who wants to talk to Evelyn. No one else can see the beautiful Fairy who explains that the light around her is special and that she only reveals herself to certain people. She tells Evelyn that the flashes of light she has been seeing mean that something special is about to happen. But before she can find out more about this mysterious Fairy, Evelyn is called to go to bed.
The next time she meets the Fairy Godmother, she is hidden in the trees, glowing from within the branches. She explains that she is no particular age, and that she comes from a place behind the stars that is full of happiness, magic, and wonder. The Fairy explains that in this place you can dream and be whatever you would like to be and that if you harness your thoughts you can achieve your ambitions. She tells Evelyn that the greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of imagination. When Evelyn concentrates on her dream of becoming a teacher a burst of light explodes around her. The Fairy teaches her to visualize her dream of being a teacher so she thinks of herself in the classroom teaching the kids. In this way, the Fairy teaches Evelyn to make her own magic.
Even when the Fairy disappears from her life, back to her home behind the stars, Evelyn wakes up to find a healing crystal in her room, which she knows must be a gift from the Fairy. Evelyn has learned a lot from the Fairy and will continue to practice her magic, exercising her imagination so she can experience the world with great joy.
This beautifully illustrated picture book makes a wonderful bedtime story. It is an uplifting and joyful book that teaches children to tap into their inner magic. It shows how if you really believe in something and wish hard for it to happen, your passion will grow wings combined with your imagination. Kids will be drawn into this mystical, magical story that is sprinkled with fairy dust. This book teaches children that if they harness the power of their imaginations they can learn to soar!
My Rating:
[image error][image error][image error][image error] /5
This Blog tour continues until 2nd December, so keep an eye out for more reviews to come on Twitter and Instagram.
The post Book Review: Imagine That by George Yuhasz appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
October 23, 2021
KATY ON BROADWAY IS READY FOR TAKE OFF!
The inspiration for the book came from my very vocal and theatrical cat Mouse, a black tuxedo cat who I’ve had for two years now, who loves to catch leaves instead of mice. She’s always singing and prancing about and wanting lots of attention.
I’m very excited about the publication of this chapter book, which will launch on 25 May 2022, but you can pre-order the book by clicking here:
crimsondragonpublishing.com Here’s a sneak peek of how I work. This is a speed painting of Katy Cat embarking on her magical journey on the busy streets of NYC.https://ellaenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/VID_23750818_225647_398.mp4
For more videos like this, check out my tiktok account
You can also see the final illustrationThe post KATY ON BROADWAY IS READY FOR TAKE OFF! appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
KATY ON BROADWAY IS READY FOR TAKE OFF!
The inspiration for the book came from my very vocal and theatrical cat Mouse, a black tuxedo cat who I’ve had for two years now, who loves to catch leaves instead of mice. She’s always singing and prancing about and wanting lots of attention.
I’m very excited about the publication of this chapter book, which will launch on 25 May 2022, but you can pre-order the book by clicking here:
crimsondragonpublishing.com Here’s a sneak peek of how I work. This is a speed painting of Katy Cat embarking on her magical journey on the busy streets of NYC.https://ellaenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/VID_23750818_225647_398.mp4
For more videos like this, check out my tiktok account
You can also see the final illustrationThe post KATY ON BROADWAY IS READY FOR TAKE OFF! appeared first on Ella English Author & Illustrator.
