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

I'd like to thank Jonathan Hines, U.K Talk Radio Presenter and Television Personality, for his very professional interview of me about my brand new Children's/Young Adults Fiction Book, "Snugs the Snow Bear" The chat will be broadcast very soon, and I will let you know when to tune in to the show. It was very useful for me to review my progress, too, and to think about "The Snugs Series," and where we will go with it in the future!

I'm thinking about my homeland, Great Britain, and there is a deep sense of nostalgia, as I envision this beautiful land bedecked with snow!
Weekends can be a challenge for parents in the winter months, when the novelty of snowmen and snow angels, and sledding and skating has begun to wear thin, and children just want to get warm indoors, and find something entertaining to do.
I remember my childhood, when, after an adventure in the snow, I would settle down to read a good book in the warmth of home.
Snowy Tales are made to go with snowy weather, and my latest creation, "Snugs The Snow Bear," is a warm and fluffy read, which will teach your children about friendship, loyalty and belonging, as well as providing them with inspiration about wildlife, nature and the environment.
Stay safe and wrap up warm, and Happy Reading with Snugs!

"Snugs The Snow Bear" says a big "Hello" to The Aber Ego, and thank you from me, for introducing Snugs to the lovely folk in Aberystwyth, my early childhood home! Aber will always have a special place in my heart!

I'd like to thank my readers across the globe for buying my book, "Snugs The Snow Bear"
The book is the first one of "The Snugs Series" and I look forward to the launch of Book Two in the future.
For those of you who haven't checked "Snugs The Snow Bear" out yet, it is a fun and inspiring story book for kids aged 4-10. It is superbly illustrated by Peter Hall, and his pictures make my characters come alive on the page!
We are at the run up to a celebration of Polar Bears on 27th February, Polar Bear Day, and these beautiful wild creatures are one of many endangered species in our battle against Climate Change.
I am passionate about caring for the planet and its wildlife so that this generation of children growing up, and generations to come, will inherit a beautiful world to live in.
Many people of note - too many to mention here - are joining a global challenge to protect the environment, and to rally people to champion the fight against man-made Global Warming.
Among these people are Obama, Al Gore, Leonardo Di Caprio, and Bill Gates, who are great communicators, and of course, there are key scientists, and 500 active women scientists amongst them, crucial persuaders and strategists, whose knowledge, activism, and expertise is much needed to counteract Climate Change.
My Children's Fiction Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," aims to teach children about friendship, loyalty, and belonging, as well as helping them understand Green Issues and Climate Change.
I hope that my book will arouse children's natural curiosity about endangered species and the environment, and signpost the way forward for them to find out more about the issues for themselves.

When I decided to write "Snugs The Snow Bear," I wanted to show that Children's Authors write on matters of importance, and the fact that they write Children's Books does not mean that their material is somehow more trivial than books aimed at adults.

In fact, it is my belief, as C.S Lewis famously suggested, that any Children's Book of merit, will appeal to an adult audience as well, and certainly stand the test of time.

So what makes a Children's Book a classic?

Philip Nel, Director of The Program in Children's Literature at Kansas State University, suggests that Children's Classics "speak to those basic concerns that define human beings as a species - love, fear, hope, anger, family, power and the need for acceptance."

"Snugs The Snow Bear" is indeed about human emotion, and Snugs is a polar bear with endearing "human" strengths and weaknesses. His journey illustrates his quest for a sense of home, family, and belonging, and this little bear is a sentient being, who has a need to give, earn his place in the world, and be recognised and accepted for who he is : just a bear, but a bear on a mission to make the world a better place.

Hannah Boyd says that Children's Books are Classics when the author writes about "topics that matter."

As an author, I wholeheartedly agree! This is why "Snugs The Snow Bear" is a Children's Book with a message about Green Issues, Climate Change, and Global Warming, a message that is important to us all, and one which world leaders such as Al Gore and Obama have put at the forefront of Global Politics.

The world our children inherit, and generations after them, will depend on our action to avert man-made Global Warming now.

For me, you can never start to educate your children too early; the younger they are the better, and the more opportunity they will have to make a difference!

Children's Classics speak to the Zeitgeist, or spirit of the age, when a matter of great import captures the collective conscience, and gains a momentum of its own.This is what is happening now worldwide with regard to climate change - women, scientists, and mothers are rallying to make their opinion - one which is rightfully supported across the globe - count.

Children's Classics are indeed, timeless. Who can ever forget the whimsical wisdom of Pooh, the clever humour of "The Cat in The Hat" or Paddington's critical "hard stare." We take what we read in our childhood through to our adulthood; Children's Literature is something which we draw on for comfort, entertainment, and inspiration, as we did when we were young, for the rest of our lives.

I believe that Children's Classics should have uplifting endings, and give kids something to aspire to. The hero or heroine should be a good kind of role model, but three dimensional, with strengths and weaknesses, and appeal to adults and children.

For me, a Children's Classic draws on the traditions of oral storytelling, and upholds them. Children's Classics are written to be shared - at home, in the park, on the beach, and anytime of day, not just before bedtime. Children's Classics teach a love of language, and they are written to be heard.

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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Sheila Graber, famed for her work with Paddington Bear and I have been collaborating on a new children's book, "Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid!"

And now our book is available on Amazon Worldwide today.......

Luna is here!