Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "travel"
Notes From a Bed
Many hours on a plane,
and ‘twas the end of a dream,
where we had dutifully explained
the position of the tongue when saying “L”
and “R,”
and punctuation -
the difference in grammar
between a comma,
and an Oxford Comma.
Many hours on a plane,
and we were leaving
behind our fellow teachers -
some bound for The Himalayas -
some going on adventures
round the world.
Some remained in school,
teaching anti-grammar
and colloquialisms-
they were popular,
and sounded cool.
Many hours,
and we touched down -
baggage weighing heavy
as we stood in line
through customs.
Then, I spied a skull,
and crossbones.
“No Drug Traffickers Allowed,”
and we were going through,
with thousands.
Just half an hour or so,
and we alighted
from a cab,
carried our luggage through
into the boulevard.
When the sun rolls down
in the sky,
two weary teacher travelers
line a Singapore hotel mattress
with crisp bank notes,
and dream dreams
of faraway folk,
and manna from the sky.
Copyright Suzy Davies 05/31/2016. All Rights Reserved.
and ‘twas the end of a dream,
where we had dutifully explained
the position of the tongue when saying “L”
and “R,”
and punctuation -
the difference in grammar
between a comma,
and an Oxford Comma.
Many hours on a plane,
and we were leaving
behind our fellow teachers -
some bound for The Himalayas -
some going on adventures
round the world.
Some remained in school,
teaching anti-grammar
and colloquialisms-
they were popular,
and sounded cool.
Many hours,
and we touched down -
baggage weighing heavy
as we stood in line
through customs.
Then, I spied a skull,
and crossbones.
“No Drug Traffickers Allowed,”
and we were going through,
with thousands.
Just half an hour or so,
and we alighted
from a cab,
carried our luggage through
into the boulevard.
When the sun rolls down
in the sky,
two weary teacher travelers
line a Singapore hotel mattress
with crisp bank notes,
and dream dreams
of faraway folk,
and manna from the sky.
Copyright Suzy Davies 05/31/2016. All Rights Reserved.
Wanderlust.
When I was young, and just a girl
I wanted to travel around the world -
Casablanca, Marrakesh,
Rio de Janeiro and Budapest.
The more exotic the sound of the name,
the more I was drawn, like a moth to a flame.
I studied the atlas,
and stuck in pins
to highlight the places
where I would be going.
I planned plane journeys from East to West,
from Korea to Siberia,
and back again.
My aunt had a globe in her living room
and I spun it round and round, in a world of my own.
When it was getting dark, the globe seemed to shine
with continents so vast, and oceans sublime,
each night I imagined the people I would meet,
and how I’d introduce myself,
and what they’d say to greet
this small town girl with big,wide eyes,
that gazed into the distance, as if she was surprised.
Copyright Suzy Davies 01/23/2016. All Rights Reserved.
I wanted to travel around the world -
Casablanca, Marrakesh,
Rio de Janeiro and Budapest.
The more exotic the sound of the name,
the more I was drawn, like a moth to a flame.
I studied the atlas,
and stuck in pins
to highlight the places
where I would be going.
I planned plane journeys from East to West,
from Korea to Siberia,
and back again.
My aunt had a globe in her living room
and I spun it round and round, in a world of my own.
When it was getting dark, the globe seemed to shine
with continents so vast, and oceans sublime,
each night I imagined the people I would meet,
and how I’d introduce myself,
and what they’d say to greet
this small town girl with big,wide eyes,
that gazed into the distance, as if she was surprised.
Copyright Suzy Davies 01/23/2016. All Rights Reserved.
The Value of Children's Books Which Teach Children About Diversity
Many books are educational in different ways, and in my opinion, teaching children about diversity is an important aspect of this.
With societal discrimination still rife - Racism, Sexism and Gender Inequalities, Class Conflict, Ageism, Lookism and so on, the value of a book that educates children about differences and diversity is clear.
What a good book does for children is expand their world, giving them "experiences" of different kinds of people. This raises awareness, and helps them see the value in celebrating differences.
My book, Snugs the Snow Bear, Book One of my "Snugs Series," applauds a male hero who is caring, kind and sensitive, at the same time as being courageous. It celebrates a young girl Carla, who may be shy, and less outgoing than her brother, but is highly intelligent. Mrs Merryweather, the grandmother in the story, drives a car, and is lively! My book challenges gender stereotypes and ageism.
These are just a few examples from my first book in "The Snugs Series," which has a culture and travel theme, so that the experience of reading the book is akin to going on a fantastic adventure! Travel is indeed a great educator, even when it is of the virtual kind.
With societal discrimination still rife - Racism, Sexism and Gender Inequalities, Class Conflict, Ageism, Lookism and so on, the value of a book that educates children about differences and diversity is clear.
What a good book does for children is expand their world, giving them "experiences" of different kinds of people. This raises awareness, and helps them see the value in celebrating differences.
My book, Snugs the Snow Bear, Book One of my "Snugs Series," applauds a male hero who is caring, kind and sensitive, at the same time as being courageous. It celebrates a young girl Carla, who may be shy, and less outgoing than her brother, but is highly intelligent. Mrs Merryweather, the grandmother in the story, drives a car, and is lively! My book challenges gender stereotypes and ageism.
These are just a few examples from my first book in "The Snugs Series," which has a culture and travel theme, so that the experience of reading the book is akin to going on a fantastic adventure! Travel is indeed a great educator, even when it is of the virtual kind.
Smashwords Interview: Suzy Davies, Author of "The Cave," Just Launched!
Interview with Suzy Davies
What's the story behind your latest book?
When I heard about The Wild Boars Football Team trapped in the Thai cave at Tham Luang, I felt I had to follow the story. Very quickly, from my research, a parallel story was unveiled: The Story of The Princess at Sip Song Panna, or the reclining Princess of The Mountain, as she is sometimes known as. Enter a Buddhist monk, thought by some to be the reincarnation of her suitor - a stable boy, and I had a vision of a story below the surface of the text. It was the story of a mysterious underworld of mermaids and the mystical princess guarding the cave and protecting the boys and all those who took part in the dangerous rescue effort.
I followed the story day by day, did my research and wrote day and night! It fascinated me. Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of one True Hero, but he did not die in vain.
My story weaves the mystical tale of mermaids and The Princess into the more factual action elements of the rescue in my book.
I felt energized as I was writing my tale, and of course, as with all my books, it has a happy ending.
What motivated you to become an Indie Author?
This is my first self-published book. My first ever book, "Johari's Window," was published by a hybrid publishing house, SilverWood, the second book was traditionally published by Snow Leopard Publishing, and the third, "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid," by Quizicat Productions.
My decision to self-publish this book was based on the fact that I knew how popular the story would be with people all over the world, and I wanted control over the publishing process to bring you the book quickly, and to ensure that the book was of good quality with everything just as I wanted it to be.
I'm honored to be able to say that world-acclaimed award-winning Artist, Animator, and Educator, Sheila Graber, read this book and decided to do the cover design, which is stunning!
What Charity Are You Helping With "The Cave," and Why?
I'm delighted that 10% of all book profits from my brand new release, “The Cave,” on Smashwords, inspired by the Thai Cave, will go to my favorite swimming charity - SWIMSAFE SHARKS.
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river because I couldn’t swim. My dad saved me! So, it is a passion of mine to ensure that each and every child in Thailand has the opportunity to learn to swim and keep safe in water.
Here’s what SWIMSAFE SHARKS say about their charity:
"The SWIMSAFE SHARKS initiative helps Thai school children learn to swim with the Survival Swimming Curriculum. We work alongside Thai schools training teachers to be instructors and promote water safety in general. Thailand is a country in the epicenter of the world drowning crisis and swimming is generally not taught to children."
What Books Are You Writing Now?
I'm always writing! I've just completed the sequel to "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid." I have another children's story completed - top secret at the moment. I am still writing "The Blue Talisman," an adult novel, with supernatural elements.
Who Did You Write The Cave For?
This book will be of interest to parents, grandparents, life coaches, sports enthusiasts and exercise coaches, motivational coaches, psychologists, counselors, teachers, travel guides, travel agents, movie buffs, and young adults who are interested in things like sport, travel, adventures, films and exciting tales of heroes, and heroines.
What are the Literary Influences for "The Cave"
Writing "The Cave" was a very real challenge for me.
It wasn't just the challenge of getting the story out while the drama of "The Thai Cave," was still fresh in people's imaginations. The biggest challenge was how to weave mystical elements into my Young Adult/Adult Fiction Book, and still maintain the action/adventure drama.
Quite recently, I researched the work of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the major influences on my writing. I was enchanted again on re-reading, "The Little Mermaid," - for which I have a particular fondness, if only because of a road trip I did, many years ago, all across Denmark. I got to see Odense, and the statue of the "Ariel" inspired mermaid of his most famous fairy tale.
In my story, "The Cave," I wanted to honor The True Hero, who delivered supplies of oxygen tanks to the cave, and sadly, lost his life in service to others. I borrowed from Hans Christian Andersen's notion that there is a heaven, and that when we die we become (People) of The Air. Hans Christian Andersen gave me a poetic reference point with which I could describe death - a taboo subject in Western Societies - and soften the blow, without diminishing the heroism of The True Hero, who did not die in vain.
Mermaids feature in my story, "The Cave," and help to convey the enchantment I intended.
Of course, when I researched Thai culture, I decided that Thai Mysticism would be a predominant theme in the book, and Dulong or mermaids have been spotted out to sea, off Thailand's picturesque coastline. I was delighted when I discovered this fact!
When I delved further into Thai Folklore, I uncovered the magical story of The Princess of The Mountain, and the tale of her love for a stable boy, which was forbidden.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales feature princesses and magical helpers who "fly" to castles to spy on them, in order to help suitors, who have to pass a series of tests. These elements in Andersen's tales helped me create Khun Mae - a Shaman Mother figure, who could "communicate" and tune in to what was happening to her son, Lek, from a distance.
Of course, it is well known that The Wild Boars passed their rites of passage because of the effort of International Rescue Experts from all over the world. But what also kept the boys going was communication with loved ones, the thought of "home," significant others, and what that love meant to them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Doing what I love. Being Creative.
Communicating with people. Making people happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm really grateful to have a good fanbase.
Who are your favorite authors?
My long-term adult book favorites are Virginia Woolf, Nabokov, James Joyce, George Eliot, Hardy, Isabel Allende, Daphne Du Maurier. I read avidly and I'm compiling an Indie Author top 10, across all genres, which will be revealed soon!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The sound of computer keys tapping, the smell of coffee.
What's the story behind your latest book?
When I heard about The Wild Boars Football Team trapped in the Thai cave at Tham Luang, I felt I had to follow the story. Very quickly, from my research, a parallel story was unveiled: The Story of The Princess at Sip Song Panna, or the reclining Princess of The Mountain, as she is sometimes known as. Enter a Buddhist monk, thought by some to be the reincarnation of her suitor - a stable boy, and I had a vision of a story below the surface of the text. It was the story of a mysterious underworld of mermaids and the mystical princess guarding the cave and protecting the boys and all those who took part in the dangerous rescue effort.
I followed the story day by day, did my research and wrote day and night! It fascinated me. Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of one True Hero, but he did not die in vain.
My story weaves the mystical tale of mermaids and The Princess into the more factual action elements of the rescue in my book.
I felt energized as I was writing my tale, and of course, as with all my books, it has a happy ending.
What motivated you to become an Indie Author?
This is my first self-published book. My first ever book, "Johari's Window," was published by a hybrid publishing house, SilverWood, the second book was traditionally published by Snow Leopard Publishing, and the third, "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid," by Quizicat Productions.
My decision to self-publish this book was based on the fact that I knew how popular the story would be with people all over the world, and I wanted control over the publishing process to bring you the book quickly, and to ensure that the book was of good quality with everything just as I wanted it to be.
I'm honored to be able to say that world-acclaimed award-winning Artist, Animator, and Educator, Sheila Graber, read this book and decided to do the cover design, which is stunning!
What Charity Are You Helping With "The Cave," and Why?
I'm delighted that 10% of all book profits from my brand new release, “The Cave,” on Smashwords, inspired by the Thai Cave, will go to my favorite swimming charity - SWIMSAFE SHARKS.
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river because I couldn’t swim. My dad saved me! So, it is a passion of mine to ensure that each and every child in Thailand has the opportunity to learn to swim and keep safe in water.
Here’s what SWIMSAFE SHARKS say about their charity:
"The SWIMSAFE SHARKS initiative helps Thai school children learn to swim with the Survival Swimming Curriculum. We work alongside Thai schools training teachers to be instructors and promote water safety in general. Thailand is a country in the epicenter of the world drowning crisis and swimming is generally not taught to children."
What Books Are You Writing Now?
I'm always writing! I've just completed the sequel to "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid." I have another children's story completed - top secret at the moment. I am still writing "The Blue Talisman," an adult novel, with supernatural elements.
Who Did You Write The Cave For?
This book will be of interest to parents, grandparents, life coaches, sports enthusiasts and exercise coaches, motivational coaches, psychologists, counselors, teachers, travel guides, travel agents, movie buffs, and young adults who are interested in things like sport, travel, adventures, films and exciting tales of heroes, and heroines.
What are the Literary Influences for "The Cave"
Writing "The Cave" was a very real challenge for me.
It wasn't just the challenge of getting the story out while the drama of "The Thai Cave," was still fresh in people's imaginations. The biggest challenge was how to weave mystical elements into my Young Adult/Adult Fiction Book, and still maintain the action/adventure drama.
Quite recently, I researched the work of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the major influences on my writing. I was enchanted again on re-reading, "The Little Mermaid," - for which I have a particular fondness, if only because of a road trip I did, many years ago, all across Denmark. I got to see Odense, and the statue of the "Ariel" inspired mermaid of his most famous fairy tale.
In my story, "The Cave," I wanted to honor The True Hero, who delivered supplies of oxygen tanks to the cave, and sadly, lost his life in service to others. I borrowed from Hans Christian Andersen's notion that there is a heaven, and that when we die we become (People) of The Air. Hans Christian Andersen gave me a poetic reference point with which I could describe death - a taboo subject in Western Societies - and soften the blow, without diminishing the heroism of The True Hero, who did not die in vain.
Mermaids feature in my story, "The Cave," and help to convey the enchantment I intended.
Of course, when I researched Thai culture, I decided that Thai Mysticism would be a predominant theme in the book, and Dulong or mermaids have been spotted out to sea, off Thailand's picturesque coastline. I was delighted when I discovered this fact!
When I delved further into Thai Folklore, I uncovered the magical story of The Princess of The Mountain, and the tale of her love for a stable boy, which was forbidden.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales feature princesses and magical helpers who "fly" to castles to spy on them, in order to help suitors, who have to pass a series of tests. These elements in Andersen's tales helped me create Khun Mae - a Shaman Mother figure, who could "communicate" and tune in to what was happening to her son, Lek, from a distance.
Of course, it is well known that The Wild Boars passed their rites of passage because of the effort of International Rescue Experts from all over the world. But what also kept the boys going was communication with loved ones, the thought of "home," significant others, and what that love meant to them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Doing what I love. Being Creative.
Communicating with people. Making people happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm really grateful to have a good fanbase.
Who are your favorite authors?
My long-term adult book favorites are Virginia Woolf, Nabokov, James Joyce, George Eliot, Hardy, Isabel Allende, Daphne Du Maurier. I read avidly and I'm compiling an Indie Author top 10, across all genres, which will be revealed soon!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The sound of computer keys tapping, the smell of coffee.
Amazon Book Review
5-stars for "The Girl in the Red Cape: A Mystical Sled Ride" by Suzy Davies, illustrated by Michele Bourke
Customer Review
Dan Santos
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the secrets of Little Red Riding Hood
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2020
From time to time the child in us revisits the fairy tales which have been there like forever. I don’t know about you, but I often wonder if a particular fairy tale holds meanings we missed as children. The temptation to reread it grows stronger when little details come to haunt us. Such is the case with Little Red Riding Hood.
It fascinated and even scared me the first time I heard it. A precocious (and frankly a little pain in the butt) kid, I began to ask questions. What illness did her grandmother have? Why didn’t an adult accompany her through the dangerous woods? What’s with the cape and the hood? Who was that girl anyway?
It seems I wasn’t alone in my search for answers to my troubling questions. Suzy Davies decided to tackle the revisit and answer many of the questions. As a parent, I could have predicted the first answer: the kid was a teenager. Sometimes that explains a lot of erratic behavior. But the author went further. She had a name: Stella. And she had an interesting story.
Suzy Davies built a modern day children's book around this traditional fairy tale. She has a tremendous imagination and knows how to tell a story. Moreover, she kept it within the realm of eight to ten year olds. So it is safe to share it with your little ones. And, oh yeah, it has illustrations!
So here’s your chance to begin answering all those questions. It’s a perfect early reader, or even a book to read to your kids at night. Do people still do that?
Customer Review
Dan Santos
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the secrets of Little Red Riding Hood
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2020
From time to time the child in us revisits the fairy tales which have been there like forever. I don’t know about you, but I often wonder if a particular fairy tale holds meanings we missed as children. The temptation to reread it grows stronger when little details come to haunt us. Such is the case with Little Red Riding Hood.
It fascinated and even scared me the first time I heard it. A precocious (and frankly a little pain in the butt) kid, I began to ask questions. What illness did her grandmother have? Why didn’t an adult accompany her through the dangerous woods? What’s with the cape and the hood? Who was that girl anyway?
It seems I wasn’t alone in my search for answers to my troubling questions. Suzy Davies decided to tackle the revisit and answer many of the questions. As a parent, I could have predicted the first answer: the kid was a teenager. Sometimes that explains a lot of erratic behavior. But the author went further. She had a name: Stella. And she had an interesting story.
Suzy Davies built a modern day children's book around this traditional fairy tale. She has a tremendous imagination and knows how to tell a story. Moreover, she kept it within the realm of eight to ten year olds. So it is safe to share it with your little ones. And, oh yeah, it has illustrations!
So here’s your chance to begin answering all those questions. It’s a perfect early reader, or even a book to read to your kids at night. Do people still do that?
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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