Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "magic"
Part 8 - "What Makes A Good Children's Book?" By Suzy Davies - Magic!
Magic is not just for films! Good children's books invent extraordinary new worlds from the mundane. Add a sprinkle of fairy-dust, and a good book will engage young minds to suspend disbelief, and enter the enchanted world of the book.
The attention-grabbing escapism a good book allows, comforts and relaxes a child. Good books also help them to develop good concentration, and use their imaginations, as well! Good books make learning fun!
If a book stirs the natural wonder in a child, that book is a success.
Copyright Suzy Davies 09/22/2016. All Rights Reserved. No Copying.
The attention-grabbing escapism a good book allows, comforts and relaxes a child. Good books also help them to develop good concentration, and use their imaginations, as well! Good books make learning fun!
If a book stirs the natural wonder in a child, that book is a success.
Copyright Suzy Davies 09/22/2016. All Rights Reserved. No Copying.
Life Imitates Art!
In Florida, it is rare to have a cold snap, but, in anticipation of a couple of days or so of chilly weather, I went out and bought some jazzy socks!
Imagine my surprise, when, on the underside of the sock feet, I discovered little "grip" pads sewn in, just like the papillae on Snugs' feet, which help him get a good footing on the slippery ice. Everything to do with Snugs has a touch of magic!
Imagine my surprise, when, on the underside of the sock feet, I discovered little "grip" pads sewn in, just like the papillae on Snugs' feet, which help him get a good footing on the slippery ice. Everything to do with Snugs has a touch of magic!
There's Something About Snow!
Today, it is snowing in New York! Pictures are all over social media, snapped on camera phones; the excitement is tangible.
So what is it about snow, that moves us into a frenetic state? Why does snow move the emotions? I can hear the pragmatists say because it makes the daily commute difficult, and to clear train lines, roads, and paths is a grind. Some might even say they hate snow, for the inconvenience it creates, and for the misery of being outdoors in the cold.
But then, think about when you first saw snow? How old were you? Who were you with? How did it make you feel?
My earliest memory of snow is a particularly wintry one, when I was a child. Snow was car-roof high, and my late dad and I were shovelling snow off the roof of the car. We were snowed in, in Slough, where my aunt and uncle lived! Oh, the joy of it, and the adventure. In those days we played snowball, and made a snowman, but no-one had thought of snow-angels. Every day, I looked out of the window, delighted at the prospect of another day, playing outdoors during the winter vacation, in the chill of ice and snow, safe in the knowledge that the warmth of indoors and hot soup and bread and butter awaited me.
One thing disappoints me, though. I wish my memory of snow was better! I can't remember the first time I saw snow falling on the ground. Yet, I have a vicarious memory of this.
I was teaching some young students from Gujerat, who were new to England. I can remember the joy on their faces, the first time they saw snowfall, and they danced and jumped in the air with joy in the parking lot! You could hear the music of laughter!
Yes, they were young, and I wondered what their memories of snow would be when they were older.
I think that there are reasons that snow moves our emotions when we are adults. Snow symbolizes purity and innocence, play, fun, and laughter. Seeing snow transports us back to our childhood.
And even with its drawbacks, and the responsibilities of adulthood, snow brings us together, creates opportunities for sharing experiences, and for team effort.
Snow makes everywhere look magical. The blanket of snow on the ground is a great equalizer. Even ugly places are transformed. There is a freshness and cleanliness about it. And when snow first falls, you can stand quite still, in wonder; listen to the silence.
Copyright, Suzy Davies, 09/02/2017. No Copying.
So what is it about snow, that moves us into a frenetic state? Why does snow move the emotions? I can hear the pragmatists say because it makes the daily commute difficult, and to clear train lines, roads, and paths is a grind. Some might even say they hate snow, for the inconvenience it creates, and for the misery of being outdoors in the cold.
But then, think about when you first saw snow? How old were you? Who were you with? How did it make you feel?
My earliest memory of snow is a particularly wintry one, when I was a child. Snow was car-roof high, and my late dad and I were shovelling snow off the roof of the car. We were snowed in, in Slough, where my aunt and uncle lived! Oh, the joy of it, and the adventure. In those days we played snowball, and made a snowman, but no-one had thought of snow-angels. Every day, I looked out of the window, delighted at the prospect of another day, playing outdoors during the winter vacation, in the chill of ice and snow, safe in the knowledge that the warmth of indoors and hot soup and bread and butter awaited me.
One thing disappoints me, though. I wish my memory of snow was better! I can't remember the first time I saw snow falling on the ground. Yet, I have a vicarious memory of this.
I was teaching some young students from Gujerat, who were new to England. I can remember the joy on their faces, the first time they saw snowfall, and they danced and jumped in the air with joy in the parking lot! You could hear the music of laughter!
Yes, they were young, and I wondered what their memories of snow would be when they were older.
I think that there are reasons that snow moves our emotions when we are adults. Snow symbolizes purity and innocence, play, fun, and laughter. Seeing snow transports us back to our childhood.
And even with its drawbacks, and the responsibilities of adulthood, snow brings us together, creates opportunities for sharing experiences, and for team effort.
Snow makes everywhere look magical. The blanket of snow on the ground is a great equalizer. Even ugly places are transformed. There is a freshness and cleanliness about it. And when snow first falls, you can stand quite still, in wonder; listen to the silence.
Copyright, Suzy Davies, 09/02/2017. No Copying.
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!
A Magical Collaboration
Happy to announce that Sheila Graber and I publish our Children's Picture Book, "Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid" on 9th December 2017!
Sheila has created a movie book trailer which is now on my LinkedIn Profile, and on Twitter @ birdwriter7
Sheila has created a movie book trailer which is now on my LinkedIn Profile, and on Twitter @ birdwriter7
Christmas Launch on 9th December 2017 - " Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid" - A Fairy Tale of MUD, Mystery, Moonwishes Magic , and the power of Self-Belief!
Abracadabra - A Fairy Tale is about to Be Born:
“Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid” - Written By Suzy Davies, Illustrated By Sheila Graber.
Luna Moon Pig is the cutest of pigs, with a moon face, chocolate-drop eyes, and the wiggliest of tails. The Millers adopt her, and give her to their daughter, Maria. But Moon Pig longs for her freedom, and she soon escapes! A friendly cardinal, and a wise owl accompany her on her adventure - a magical journey to a wild wood, and beyond. When Luna returns to her surrogate family, something is different! How has she changed? Who did she meet? She has made a discovery, and has a new philosophy about life! What she knows now will change her life, for good! This is a fairy tale about a kind of magic - the magic of self-belief!
Luna The Moon Pig - a fairy-tale that came from real life!
One day, author Suzy Davies was standing on the back porch step in the back yard of her house in Florida, taking in the evening sunset, when she saw a little black animal creep out from under the bushes! At first, Suzy thought it was one of the cats who lived in the neighborhood. But this animal did not move like a cat. It kept its nose to the ground, and rustled through leaves. It didn’t sound like a cat, either. It made a squeaking sound!
Suzy slowly approached the small animal, and to her surprise, it was a piggy! Sure enough, this little piggy was very shy, and when she saw Suzy, off she trotted!
That same evening, Suzy put out lettuce and water for the her. She tried to make sure the piggy was fed and watered. The piggy was sighted for several days and nights. Suzy took notes as she observed her antics from the back window. Very quickly, Suzy came to realize that this cute shy piggy was a nocturnal animal. She liked to hide away from people, under the cover of the dark. Little did the piggy know how visible she was under the light of the Harvest Moon! At last, the runaway piggy was captured by a neighbour and returned to her owners to make a real life fairy-tale ending. Suzy could never forget the little piggy. “Ah, Luna,….” Suzy thought, and the name fitted the lovable piggy very well.
Suzy knew she had the seed of an idea for a children’s book, and she set to work. When the first draft of her story was complete, she wondered who might be the best illustrator for her Luna piggy tale.
Abracadabra!
One person - and one person only - came to mind, Sheila Graber, the award-winning world-acclaimed animator for “Paddington Bear” and animator/illustrator for Kipling’s “Just So” stories, who Suzy knew had an empathy for animals and animal tales. Suzy sent off an email to Sheila just to ask Sheila what she thought of her story. Suzy hoped Sheila would enjoy it, and enjoy it - Sheila did!
Author and illustrator decided to collaborate on Luna’s story “just for fun” and fully immersed themselves, day by day, in the creation of a book. Sheila enlisted the help of a real family to act as models for The Millers in her stunning rotoscoped cartoon-style drawings based on reality, which range from Whimsical to Wonderful!
Sheila also dreamed up a special name - Moonwishes Magic - for Suzy’s notion of making wishes under the light of a glowing moon. This magic seemed to touch everything the two collaborators did together, with text and images falling into place to make this enchanting tale a dream come true!
Sheila read Luna The Moon Pig aloud to 6 year old Henry, who enjoyed the book so much that Sheila and Suzy decided this piggy tale was a tale to be shared. And here it is for everyone - children and adults - to enjoy! On Amazon Worldwide on December 9th, 2017!
“Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid” - Written By Suzy Davies, Illustrated By Sheila Graber.
Luna Moon Pig is the cutest of pigs, with a moon face, chocolate-drop eyes, and the wiggliest of tails. The Millers adopt her, and give her to their daughter, Maria. But Moon Pig longs for her freedom, and she soon escapes! A friendly cardinal, and a wise owl accompany her on her adventure - a magical journey to a wild wood, and beyond. When Luna returns to her surrogate family, something is different! How has she changed? Who did she meet? She has made a discovery, and has a new philosophy about life! What she knows now will change her life, for good! This is a fairy tale about a kind of magic - the magic of self-belief!
Luna The Moon Pig - a fairy-tale that came from real life!
One day, author Suzy Davies was standing on the back porch step in the back yard of her house in Florida, taking in the evening sunset, when she saw a little black animal creep out from under the bushes! At first, Suzy thought it was one of the cats who lived in the neighborhood. But this animal did not move like a cat. It kept its nose to the ground, and rustled through leaves. It didn’t sound like a cat, either. It made a squeaking sound!
Suzy slowly approached the small animal, and to her surprise, it was a piggy! Sure enough, this little piggy was very shy, and when she saw Suzy, off she trotted!
That same evening, Suzy put out lettuce and water for the her. She tried to make sure the piggy was fed and watered. The piggy was sighted for several days and nights. Suzy took notes as she observed her antics from the back window. Very quickly, Suzy came to realize that this cute shy piggy was a nocturnal animal. She liked to hide away from people, under the cover of the dark. Little did the piggy know how visible she was under the light of the Harvest Moon! At last, the runaway piggy was captured by a neighbour and returned to her owners to make a real life fairy-tale ending. Suzy could never forget the little piggy. “Ah, Luna,….” Suzy thought, and the name fitted the lovable piggy very well.
Suzy knew she had the seed of an idea for a children’s book, and she set to work. When the first draft of her story was complete, she wondered who might be the best illustrator for her Luna piggy tale.
Abracadabra!
One person - and one person only - came to mind, Sheila Graber, the award-winning world-acclaimed animator for “Paddington Bear” and animator/illustrator for Kipling’s “Just So” stories, who Suzy knew had an empathy for animals and animal tales. Suzy sent off an email to Sheila just to ask Sheila what she thought of her story. Suzy hoped Sheila would enjoy it, and enjoy it - Sheila did!
Author and illustrator decided to collaborate on Luna’s story “just for fun” and fully immersed themselves, day by day, in the creation of a book. Sheila enlisted the help of a real family to act as models for The Millers in her stunning rotoscoped cartoon-style drawings based on reality, which range from Whimsical to Wonderful!
Sheila also dreamed up a special name - Moonwishes Magic - for Suzy’s notion of making wishes under the light of a glowing moon. This magic seemed to touch everything the two collaborators did together, with text and images falling into place to make this enchanting tale a dream come true!
Sheila read Luna The Moon Pig aloud to 6 year old Henry, who enjoyed the book so much that Sheila and Suzy decided this piggy tale was a tale to be shared. And here it is for everyone - children and adults - to enjoy! On Amazon Worldwide on December 9th, 2017!
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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A RED LETTER DAY!
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!
And now our book is available on Amazon Worldwide today.......
Luna is here!
"The Cave," by Suzy Davies - Heroes and Heroines!
It is well-known that the name of the author of “Harry Potter” books - J. K. Rowling - is such because Rowling wanted her name to appeal to boys who would read her books. Her publisher decided that to appeal to a young male audience, (as well as females,) who might be put off by the notion of a woman writing “their” books, it was better to use the initial “J” and add the “K,” perhaps for extra authority - Rowling did not have a middle name.
Any author of Young Adult Books has to make their own choices with regard to their pen name, if any.
But I have chosen to stick with “Suzy Davies” for my new release on Smashwords, “The Cave,” because if I am the only woman to write about the Thai Cave, (among a proliferation of male authors,) so be it.
My version of the Thai Cave story has all the so-called “masculine” elements of an action adventure story interwoven with a thread of mysticism and the supernatural.
In “The Cave” I bring bonds of family love, which the boys themselves acknowledge helped them through their challenges, to the foreground.
My book balances fact and fiction, thought and feeling, mind and body, the private sphere and public sphere, and questions gender stereotypes.
I have Hans Christian Andersen to thank for giving me the idea that mermaids helped the Navy Seals in their Heroic mission. The film, “Bend it Like Beckham” inspired me to create industrious Jintara, the heroine seamstress/artist in the story, who plays football as well as any boy hero. And little Lec, Jintara’s brother, and the hero of the tale, is strong and sensitive.
The Thai Cave could easily be reduced to a cliche - an epic tale of The Heroic - without acknowledging the women heroines whose power to love and to nurture brought those Wild Boars home.
Suzy Davies, Author, “The Cave” Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved.
Any author of Young Adult Books has to make their own choices with regard to their pen name, if any.
But I have chosen to stick with “Suzy Davies” for my new release on Smashwords, “The Cave,” because if I am the only woman to write about the Thai Cave, (among a proliferation of male authors,) so be it.
My version of the Thai Cave story has all the so-called “masculine” elements of an action adventure story interwoven with a thread of mysticism and the supernatural.
In “The Cave” I bring bonds of family love, which the boys themselves acknowledge helped them through their challenges, to the foreground.
My book balances fact and fiction, thought and feeling, mind and body, the private sphere and public sphere, and questions gender stereotypes.
I have Hans Christian Andersen to thank for giving me the idea that mermaids helped the Navy Seals in their Heroic mission. The film, “Bend it Like Beckham” inspired me to create industrious Jintara, the heroine seamstress/artist in the story, who plays football as well as any boy hero. And little Lec, Jintara’s brother, and the hero of the tale, is strong and sensitive.
The Thai Cave could easily be reduced to a cliche - an epic tale of The Heroic - without acknowledging the women heroines whose power to love and to nurture brought those Wild Boars home.
Suzy Davies, Author, “The Cave” Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved.
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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