Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "animals"

Woohoo!

There are two more illustrations to be drawn, and then the countdown for "Snugs The Snow Bear" is about to really begin!

Everything is complete, and now the book is being edited! How exciting!

With so many Children's Books on the market, it takes discernment to pick a good one! What makes a good Children's Book? Here is my take on it! In the first part of my article, I will examine the most important aspect of any Children's Book.

Characterization.

In a previous article, I stated that Children's Books help children develop empathy.

Through identification with their favorite character, and the experience of shared reading with parents, caregivers, siblings, and peers, children develop a rapport, which strengthens emotional bonds, and a sense of belonging. Reading is a journey which children and their significant others take together.

Children learn that there are diverse people in the world through their reading, and a good Children's Book will teach children about diversity, in a way that helps them celebrate difference. Children can develop a strong sense of their own identity; they discover how they are similar to a character in the book, and how they are different from them.

Compelling characters are vivid but not over-written, and are always three-dimensional. These characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, invite kids to identify with their hero or heroine, and be curious about them.

Good characterization gives children the opportunity to make strides in their emotional development, so vital to their lives. Children learn about abstract concepts, such as: friendship, tolerance, loyalty, compassion, love, trust, faith, courage, endurance, sacrifice, conflict resolution and problem-solving, patience, teamwork, and so on.

Children love to be shown appealing characters who resolve difficulties, and who are positive, and good role models.

A story which demonstrates the triumph of a character, and a happy resolution to difficulties, will instill self-confidence, and help children rise above their own challenges in life. A good children's book has characters which inspire kids to have a can-do attitude.

In my next article, I will talk about other aspects of the question, "What Makes a Good Children's Book?"

Nose to the grass,
head down,
like a thunderbolt
you run,
fur flying,
ears pricked up.

Object of pursuit
in your
possession,
you return -
fur flying,
ears
like kippers,
in the
smoke shed,
golden yellow -
ragged,
in the rain.

Tail wagging,
jaw slobbering,
you drop the ball.
At my feet a whirling
dervish -
yelps of pleasure
when I stroke you,
paws on hot coals,
that won’t be still.

Copyright Suzy Davies 09/25/2016. All Rights Reserved.

There was a cat, called Marmalade,
he rolled in the sun, and played and played,
he chased bees, and butterflies, in the yard,
climbed trees, and jumped fences,
then got bored.

The house where he lived
was on a slope,
that went down to a beach,
and the ocean, that rolled.
Now, Marmalade
didn’t like water much,
but he fancied a fish,
to have,
for his lunch.

So he tucked himself into a ball,
that rolled, and rolled, and rolled some more,
till Marmalade heard the sound of the waves;
he was on the sand, where children played.

One of them, who was a rascal,
had a bucket and spade,
and made a sandcastle,
and round the castle was a moat,
and on the roof, a flag,
like a fort.

Mr Puss Cat never said a word,
instead he pranced in circles, and purred,
for he didn’t want to dip in the sea,
unless it proved quite necessary.

But Jim, the rascal, had no money,
to get any lunch for the Puss Cat’s tummy -
and Puss Cat had to go elsewhere,
cos the little Jim had,
he wouldn’t share.

At the edge of the water, Puss Cat did wait
when, he saw a seagull - ‘twas getting late,
“Will you go and catch fresh fish for me-
Oh beautiful bird, of the seven seas!”

“Maybe I will,” the seagull said,
“Do you like mackerel, Marmalade?”
And the cat replied, “Whatever you catch,
I’m sure will be a tasty snack!”

So seagull went out, and in one dive,
he caught a tasty fish, alive,
and he and the Puss Cat shared a tea -
of tasty mackerel - from the sea.

’Tis true the cat had the lion’s share,
but seagull didn’t think it unfair,
cos Puss Cat was so much bigger than him,
and the seagull didn’t mind being thin.

But when it was time to go back home,
the cat couldn’t roll - uphill on his own -
so he slept on the beach,
of golden sands,
and waited for his owner,
who came in a van,
to take him straight back home,
for a treat -
a saucer of cream,
and some more to eat!

Copyright Suzy Davies 09/11/2016. All Rights Reserved.

I am delighted to announce that Book One of my magical children's series, "Snugs The Snow Bear," is available today for Pre-Order! Snugs is very happy, too! ;) (me) :0 (Snugs)

People have been asking me where they can get "Snugs The Snow Bear," as a Pre-Order! Snow Leopard Publishing U.S are my publisher, and you can get the book online from them prior to the release date on Amazon. You can order your books to arrive in time for Christmas, and help a charity, too!

After a few days of no availablity on Amazon, Snugs is now available and in stock!

"Snugs the Snow Bear" is beginning to capture the hearts of people in America, and indeed folk all over the world. But, here is a surprise for you, since Snugs is a bear full of secrets and surprises!

I was given courage to go ahead and write even more books to the series than I had originally planned to do, when Sheila Graber, world-famous animator of the original Paddington, and animator of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories," discussed with me the possibility of animating my book, and supported me with her wonderful generous comments. Through email and telephone conversations, she helped me, an unknown writer, have faith in my artistic integrity and ability. Sheila complimented me on the activities of my characters!

People who have followed me will know that I also have another series planned, "Florida Critters" a series of short stories about the animals I meet here in Florida, at home, and on my travels. I shared some of these stories with Sheila, and she seemed to admire the "gentle humour" in them.

So why did Sheila Graber take an interest in my work? Well just read "Snugs The Snow Bear," and find out!

Copyright Suzy Davies, 12/12/2016. All Rights Reserved.

A festive "Hello" to all the Snugs supporters out there, and thank you for spreading the word about my book! Some of you have commented you "can't wait" to see my creation, and I have to say, I couldn't have done it without the artistic genius of Peter Hall, my very accomplished illustrator, and the brillance of the publishing team at Snow Leopard Publishing U.S.

Christmas time is traditionally the busiest time for Children's Books on Amazon, and unknown authors such as myself appreciate your support for our work.

Snugs Book One is an exciting start to my "Snugs Series" and I hope your children will grow with Snugs and develop an enduring friendship with him through the years.