Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "animation"
A Writer's Eye.
“Snugs The Snow Bear,” Book One of my Children’s Fiction Series, was great fun to write, and it taught me something about the way I see.
I have never been a film buff as such, but studying media and film as part of my first degree in Sociology, gave me a sense of how cinema works, and in particular, the ways in which movies make the eye of the camera, and the movie watcher’s eye, one and the same thing. My kid’s book exploits long shots, close ups, and camera angles, to make the reading experience cinematic.
When writing for kids, you take the leap back to childhood, and try to see things, literally, through a child’s eyes and perspective. Everything suddenly looks bigger than it does to an adult. Children tend to be more in touch with physical sensations, and bodily functions, and are interested in the physicality of things, animals, and people. They live in the now.
Kids are walking dictionaries when it comes to categorization of everything - things which roll, shiny things, yummy things to eat, animals that swim, animals that growl, animals that are soft, birds that are funny, people who are kind, places that are near or far, and so on.
Do you remember, as a young kid, really looking at things, and studying people in minuscule detail and asking questions, and being curious about everything in your world?
Many of us lose that inclination, as the “sameness” of everyday life cultivates an apathy, and tendency not to look at things at all. We lose our sense of wonder.
A children’s book can cultivate this sense of wonder in kids, and tap back into the experience of wonder, in a way that helps adults experience it afresh.
The writer’s eye taps into the natural child in all of us. For me, it is not just an eye that sees - it hears and feels, too.
Suzy Davies, Children's Author, Copyright 08/12/2016. All Rights Reserved.
I have never been a film buff as such, but studying media and film as part of my first degree in Sociology, gave me a sense of how cinema works, and in particular, the ways in which movies make the eye of the camera, and the movie watcher’s eye, one and the same thing. My kid’s book exploits long shots, close ups, and camera angles, to make the reading experience cinematic.
When writing for kids, you take the leap back to childhood, and try to see things, literally, through a child’s eyes and perspective. Everything suddenly looks bigger than it does to an adult. Children tend to be more in touch with physical sensations, and bodily functions, and are interested in the physicality of things, animals, and people. They live in the now.
Kids are walking dictionaries when it comes to categorization of everything - things which roll, shiny things, yummy things to eat, animals that swim, animals that growl, animals that are soft, birds that are funny, people who are kind, places that are near or far, and so on.
Do you remember, as a young kid, really looking at things, and studying people in minuscule detail and asking questions, and being curious about everything in your world?
Many of us lose that inclination, as the “sameness” of everyday life cultivates an apathy, and tendency not to look at things at all. We lose our sense of wonder.
A children’s book can cultivate this sense of wonder in kids, and tap back into the experience of wonder, in a way that helps adults experience it afresh.
The writer’s eye taps into the natural child in all of us. For me, it is not just an eye that sees - it hears and feels, too.
Suzy Davies, Children's Author, Copyright 08/12/2016. All Rights Reserved.
Paddington Bear Animator Takes An Interest in "Snugs The Snow Bear"
"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.
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.
My Christmas Decorations
I've had a lot of fun with the Christmas decorations this year ...there are two snow bears (one is Snugs, and the other is Snowflake, his friend later in The Snugs Series,) two moose, and two penguins - Slip and Slide! I will add to the characters as I find them when I go shopping! I might even make Carla and James, the two children in the series!
You can do the same at home, if you have children, or just want something to take you back to your childhood! Find characters from your favorite book, or even make them "come alive" yourself!
Happy Christmas Everyone!
You can do the same at home, if you have children, or just want something to take you back to your childhood! Find characters from your favorite book, or even make them "come alive" yourself!
Happy Christmas Everyone!
How I Created "Snugs"
Sometimes, when I have read books written by peers, I have delved into their biography in order to gain insights into how they "made" their books. Very often, drawing on the life of an author, and what is meaningful to him/her, helps us understand the process of creativity, and what went into their characters, storylines and scenes. So, how did I create Snugs, and to what extent do I draw on my own life to create my characters, storylines and scenes? This article focuses on just one aspect of the question - what resources did I draw on to create my hero, Snugs?
Those of you who have followed me, and listened to my radio broadcasts, in The U.S and in The U.K, will be familiar with this story about a story. But for those of you who missed my author interviews, here is how The Snugs Series began.
Very often in life, opportunity reveals itself when we least expect it, and in unexpected ways. I had been thinking about writing a children's book, and drawing on the idyllic early childhood I had in Wales to make my kids' story.
One morning, I was taking a walk along Southbourne beach, in the Bournemouth area, in Dorset, England, a walk I had done a few times beforehand, when I noticed something I had never "seen" before.
I remember it was a mild day, the kind of day in which the sun, although cool, lights up everything, as if to greet the spring. And so it was, as I gazed across the ocean, towards The Isle of Wight, near The Needles, and perceived a remarkable optical illusion! It was so lifelike, a polar bear, etched into the chalky cliffs, and so proud! I stood there, almost in disbelief, and wondered why I had never noticed The Bear before.
In that instant, I was transported back decades, to my childhood, and found myself almost skipping along the coastal path, as I imagined writing the story "about" The Isle of Wight Bear.
But as it is when a child first arrives, we have to think of a name for him, before we can begin to help him "write" his story! What would be a suitable name for a majestic, magical bear, who gazed out over the ocean? I pondered, and wondered, and all my imaginings about him seemed to be on hold. The first thing was to think of a name for this Bear!
I began thinking of all kinds of names to do with snow. But any I could think of sounded more feminine than masculine, and The Bear, was a boy!
Then, I started thinking of the qualities of this particular bear that made him unique. And first and foremost, he was loveable, friendly and cuddly. Suddenly, I had it! My maternal grandmother was always known as "Snuggie," and I shortened this name, to make it suitable for a bear boy!
The next thing I did was to draw on people I know to create Snugs' character. It was important that Snugs was at one with Nature, was adaptable, and represented an affinity with his environment. I knew he had a magical quality, that meant wherever he was, he would inspire and encourage people to make a better world.
He also had an intuitive, mysterious side to his personality, and although he was sociable, he liked to have time alone, to commune with the wild. I soon realised that I was describing aspects of my paternal grandmother. The masculinity of Snugs, his love of good food, and his physical bravery, came from my husband, Craig.
At the start of the story, Snugs was a character I thought of as you would a friend you know fairly well. By the middle of the story, he was a close friend, and I was getting to know his strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes, and his idiosyncrasies. I knew what it felt like to be in his company, and could predict how he would react, and behave. As I got deeper into the story, replica toys of Snugs started to appear in my house! They each had different facial expressions, and threw light on the different aspects of Snugs Bear.
The final stage in the creation of Snugs was a touch of method acting. I started to research about how bears move. I started to get "in" the character, and look at the world from his point of view.
I have a confession to make. As time goes on, I have become more and more attached to The Bear, and to me, Snugs is very real. Please don't laugh, until you have read his story.
Those of you who have followed me, and listened to my radio broadcasts, in The U.S and in The U.K, will be familiar with this story about a story. But for those of you who missed my author interviews, here is how The Snugs Series began.
Very often in life, opportunity reveals itself when we least expect it, and in unexpected ways. I had been thinking about writing a children's book, and drawing on the idyllic early childhood I had in Wales to make my kids' story.
One morning, I was taking a walk along Southbourne beach, in the Bournemouth area, in Dorset, England, a walk I had done a few times beforehand, when I noticed something I had never "seen" before.
I remember it was a mild day, the kind of day in which the sun, although cool, lights up everything, as if to greet the spring. And so it was, as I gazed across the ocean, towards The Isle of Wight, near The Needles, and perceived a remarkable optical illusion! It was so lifelike, a polar bear, etched into the chalky cliffs, and so proud! I stood there, almost in disbelief, and wondered why I had never noticed The Bear before.
In that instant, I was transported back decades, to my childhood, and found myself almost skipping along the coastal path, as I imagined writing the story "about" The Isle of Wight Bear.
But as it is when a child first arrives, we have to think of a name for him, before we can begin to help him "write" his story! What would be a suitable name for a majestic, magical bear, who gazed out over the ocean? I pondered, and wondered, and all my imaginings about him seemed to be on hold. The first thing was to think of a name for this Bear!
I began thinking of all kinds of names to do with snow. But any I could think of sounded more feminine than masculine, and The Bear, was a boy!
Then, I started thinking of the qualities of this particular bear that made him unique. And first and foremost, he was loveable, friendly and cuddly. Suddenly, I had it! My maternal grandmother was always known as "Snuggie," and I shortened this name, to make it suitable for a bear boy!
The next thing I did was to draw on people I know to create Snugs' character. It was important that Snugs was at one with Nature, was adaptable, and represented an affinity with his environment. I knew he had a magical quality, that meant wherever he was, he would inspire and encourage people to make a better world.
He also had an intuitive, mysterious side to his personality, and although he was sociable, he liked to have time alone, to commune with the wild. I soon realised that I was describing aspects of my paternal grandmother. The masculinity of Snugs, his love of good food, and his physical bravery, came from my husband, Craig.
At the start of the story, Snugs was a character I thought of as you would a friend you know fairly well. By the middle of the story, he was a close friend, and I was getting to know his strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes, and his idiosyncrasies. I knew what it felt like to be in his company, and could predict how he would react, and behave. As I got deeper into the story, replica toys of Snugs started to appear in my house! They each had different facial expressions, and threw light on the different aspects of Snugs Bear.
The final stage in the creation of Snugs was a touch of method acting. I started to research about how bears move. I started to get "in" the character, and look at the world from his point of view.
I have a confession to make. As time goes on, I have become more and more attached to The Bear, and to me, Snugs is very real. Please don't laugh, until you have read his story.
Sheila Graber, World Animator, Reviews "Snugs The Snow Bear"
Today is a red letter day for me - an endorsement for "Snugs The Snow Bear" from Sheila Graber, World Animator, famed for her animation of "Paddington Bear" and Rudyard Kipling's "Just So Stories" on Amazon.co.uk! I am humbled, and honored.
U.K Talk Radio
Tomorrow I'm chatting with Jonathan Hines of U.K Talk Radio about my new Children's Book, "Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid" which is released on December 9th, 2017. Watch social media for details of tune in times.
A Radio Chat with Jonathan Hines on U.K. Talk Radio and a Day to Remember!
So, I have just recorded an interview with Jonathan Hines about my new Children's Book - A Piggy Fairy Tale with Moonwishes Magic! Watch this space to hear when it'll be broadcast and for tune in times!
Radio Chat Show!
Tune in to U.K Talk Radio - Jonathan Hines approx 11.45 a.m -12.15 G.M.T United Kingdom Time, on Friday 8th December or on Sunday 10th December (times are estimated) to hear Jonathan Hines chat to me about Luna The Moon Pig - my new Children's Book illustrated by Sheila Graber of Paddington Bear fame.
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Books Which Celebrate Earth Day
I would never have dreamed up the idea of "Snugs The Snow Bear," my first Children's Book, without the image of "The Polar Bear on The Isle of Wight" which first inspired me to put pen to paper.
And, once the character of "Snugs" was born, my thoughts turned to something very serious, which has been preoccupying me in recent years.
People in certain areas of the world struggle to survive. They struggle for food. They struggle for water. Every day is a battle.
It seems likely that, in the future, more and more places on earth will become, at best, inhospitable places to live. At worst, they will be places where no human being can survive. I am talking about the phenomenon of Global Warming, a phenomenon that destroys life; it makes the survival of endangered species fragile, and survival of humans in certain areas almost impossible. This is a war - the war against Global Warming. And every day, we ignore the dangers at our peril.
How much more evidence, from the top scientists on this planet, do we need? How many more World Summits will we hold, before we listen, and take action?
The world is hot - too hot. And we need to take measures before it is too late.
We have seen record temperatures across The States, and this is taking its toll on people far and wide across the country.
The idea behind my Snugs Children's Series is to drive home this message in a way that is compelling, engaging, entertaining and inspirational. Colorful illustrations by Peter Hall capture the landscape of The British Coastline and Iceland. It is important that we preserve these landscapes for our children's children to enjoy.
My second Children's Book, "Luna The Moon Pig," illustrated by Sheila Graber of Paddington Bear fame, echoes the environmental concerns in my first book.
Behind a cute story of a little pig, is a message about caring for all animals and about the beauty within us. It speaks of the natural world, of which we, and animals, are a part. Remembering our roots is a metaphorical theme. The story is based on the stunning woodland areas in The Lakes Area of Florida. Captured to perfection in Sheila Graber's stunning illustrations, the book shows Florida animals, flora and fauna.
By showing our children fabulous natural world landscapes in picture books and middle-grade readers, we are bringing into focus one of the most important things in
life; the knowledge that the world is wonderful!
And, once the character of "Snugs" was born, my thoughts turned to something very serious, which has been preoccupying me in recent years.
People in certain areas of the world struggle to survive. They struggle for food. They struggle for water. Every day is a battle.
It seems likely that, in the future, more and more places on earth will become, at best, inhospitable places to live. At worst, they will be places where no human being can survive. I am talking about the phenomenon of Global Warming, a phenomenon that destroys life; it makes the survival of endangered species fragile, and survival of humans in certain areas almost impossible. This is a war - the war against Global Warming. And every day, we ignore the dangers at our peril.
How much more evidence, from the top scientists on this planet, do we need? How many more World Summits will we hold, before we listen, and take action?
The world is hot - too hot. And we need to take measures before it is too late.
We have seen record temperatures across The States, and this is taking its toll on people far and wide across the country.
The idea behind my Snugs Children's Series is to drive home this message in a way that is compelling, engaging, entertaining and inspirational. Colorful illustrations by Peter Hall capture the landscape of The British Coastline and Iceland. It is important that we preserve these landscapes for our children's children to enjoy.
My second Children's Book, "Luna The Moon Pig," illustrated by Sheila Graber of Paddington Bear fame, echoes the environmental concerns in my first book.
Behind a cute story of a little pig, is a message about caring for all animals and about the beauty within us. It speaks of the natural world, of which we, and animals, are a part. Remembering our roots is a metaphorical theme. The story is based on the stunning woodland areas in The Lakes Area of Florida. Captured to perfection in Sheila Graber's stunning illustrations, the book shows Florida animals, flora and fauna.
By showing our children fabulous natural world landscapes in picture books and middle-grade readers, we are bringing into focus one of the most important things in
life; the knowledge that the world is wonderful!
Book News
"The Flamingos Who Painted The Sky," our new picture book is NOW fully available to bring in #Christmas #sunshine, #flamingo #sunsets, and #happiness #worldwide Illustrated by the talented Shirin Mass ...more
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