Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News, page 17
January 3, 2018
A Huge Thanks and A New Appeal!
Just handed over a box of books to the local Children's Home - some of mine and all the rest authored by lovely generous writers who donated in exchange for my book reviews. They are needed and appreciated! Thanks, so much. Now I want to reach out to any Y.A authors who will send me a print copy of their book(s) in exchange for a review. All books will be donated to the Children's Home for their teenagers in time for Easter! Cheers!
January 2, 2018
December 29, 2017
December 19, 2017
Why Germans Love Piggies Especially to Celebrate The New Year.
"Luna The Moon Pig" is my latest new release in Children's Books - and the story is about one super-cute lucky pig! I feel lucky to have the privilege of working with Great Britain's most celebrated animator - Sheila Graber - and here's more about pigs and how we can share the love and luck pigs bring!
In Germany, pigs are considered lucky, hence the origins of the “piggy bank.” Gifts of marzipan pigs and pig charms are popular to celebrate The New Year. (The marzipan pigs are also popular bringers of luck in Sweden and Norway, where the Christmas porridge dessert has one almond in it and whoever gets the almond wins the lucky pig!) Source: New Miami Times.
“Schwein gehabt” (meaning “got lucky there!” – though literally: “got pig!”) is an oft-used expression in Germany. The beast in question is associated with good luck in German and is now often gifted in the form of a marzipan pig. Swine don’t have a whole to do with Christianity, except when it comes to absorbing cast-out demons. The reason they’re tied in with good fortune is quite simple: to possess plenty of pigs was a sign of wealth and prosperity in the Middle Ages. Their owners would never go hungry. Like a good harvest, successful breeding was reckoned a sign of good fortune. Though no-one knows why cattle, sheep, and chickens never made the grade.” Source: “Dead Lucky: What Germans Consider Lucky Charms” by Tatjana Kerschbaumer, a graduate of the German School of Journalism.Translation: Eric Rosencrantz. ( Goethe Institute)
In Germany, pigs are considered lucky, hence the origins of the “piggy bank.” Gifts of marzipan pigs and pig charms are popular to celebrate The New Year. (The marzipan pigs are also popular bringers of luck in Sweden and Norway, where the Christmas porridge dessert has one almond in it and whoever gets the almond wins the lucky pig!) Source: New Miami Times.
“Schwein gehabt” (meaning “got lucky there!” – though literally: “got pig!”) is an oft-used expression in Germany. The beast in question is associated with good luck in German and is now often gifted in the form of a marzipan pig. Swine don’t have a whole to do with Christianity, except when it comes to absorbing cast-out demons. The reason they’re tied in with good fortune is quite simple: to possess plenty of pigs was a sign of wealth and prosperity in the Middle Ages. Their owners would never go hungry. Like a good harvest, successful breeding was reckoned a sign of good fortune. Though no-one knows why cattle, sheep, and chickens never made the grade.” Source: “Dead Lucky: What Germans Consider Lucky Charms” by Tatjana Kerschbaumer, a graduate of the German School of Journalism.Translation: Eric Rosencrantz. ( Goethe Institute)
December 17, 2017
Book Review
Just received a 5 star Book Review on Amazon Worldwide for my brand new Children's Book "Luna The Moon Pig" - it's made my day!
December 16, 2017
Radio Chat Show Tomorrow!
There's another chance to tune into my chat with Jonathan Hines of U.K Talk Radio tomorrow!
My radio interview is this coming Sunday - 17th December. 11.30 to 1 p.m G.M.T (United Kingdom ) guaranteed approx start time. Tune in to discover more about "Luna The Moon Pig," and my magical collaboration with the legendary Sheila Graber, artist, animator, and illustrator celebrated for her work with Paddington Bear and family, Children's Television and her animation and illustration of Kipling's "Just So" Stories.
My radio interview is this coming Sunday - 17th December. 11.30 to 1 p.m G.M.T (United Kingdom ) guaranteed approx start time. Tune in to discover more about "Luna The Moon Pig," and my magical collaboration with the legendary Sheila Graber, artist, animator, and illustrator celebrated for her work with Paddington Bear and family, Children's Television and her animation and illustration of Kipling's "Just So" Stories.
What Inspired Me to Write A Fairy Tale About A Pig...
The inspiration for the book is a true story. However, the lead character, although based on a real runaway pig, is a creation of our imaginations. The other characters, although they reflect the characteristics of real animals and people, are also completely fictitious, as is this pig fairy story.
I decided to share the beginnings of my story with Sheila Graber, thinking the story might entertain her. It did!
Shortly afterwards, Sheila, the illustrator, and I started to collaborate on the project together, just for fun! The story evolved so that the stunning illustrations and the text were inexorably intertwined to make a satisfying, harmonious whole.
Sheila read Luna’s story to her friend’s grandson, Henry, aged six years. He loved the story, and we both decided that a new children’s classic was about to be born!
Literary influences for the story were the timeless tale of “The Three Little Pigs,” by James Halliwell, “The Tale of Pigling Bland,” by Beatrix Potter, Piglet in A.A Milne’s, “Winnie The Pooh,” and Hans Christian Anderson’s, “The Ugly Duckling,” was a strong literary influence, too.
The idea of “Moonwishes Magic,” the fantastic element in our tale, was inspired by the well-known song, “When You Wish Upon A Star,” in the film classic, “Pinnochio,” and this enchanting element makes the book an appealing gift for Christmas, and in fact for any time of year.
The much-lauded book, “Charlotte’s Webb,” by E.B. White, inspired both nature and animal themes in “Luna The Moon Pig.”
A unique combination of Cartoon Graphics, combined with Rotoscoped Illustrations in “Luna The Moon Pig,” designed by Internationally Acclaimed Award-Winning Animator and Illustrator, Sheila Graber, famed for her work with Paddington Bear and family, Children's Television and her animation and illustration of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So" Stories, work very well to make our book an appealing, modern classic for young and old.
Just as E.B. White drew on his own experiences to write “Charlotte’s Web,” I drew on my own real-life experiences with a runaway pig to write the detail of the every day, transforming it into this magical, timeless fairy tale.
I decided to share the beginnings of my story with Sheila Graber, thinking the story might entertain her. It did!
Shortly afterwards, Sheila, the illustrator, and I started to collaborate on the project together, just for fun! The story evolved so that the stunning illustrations and the text were inexorably intertwined to make a satisfying, harmonious whole.
Sheila read Luna’s story to her friend’s grandson, Henry, aged six years. He loved the story, and we both decided that a new children’s classic was about to be born!
Literary influences for the story were the timeless tale of “The Three Little Pigs,” by James Halliwell, “The Tale of Pigling Bland,” by Beatrix Potter, Piglet in A.A Milne’s, “Winnie The Pooh,” and Hans Christian Anderson’s, “The Ugly Duckling,” was a strong literary influence, too.
The idea of “Moonwishes Magic,” the fantastic element in our tale, was inspired by the well-known song, “When You Wish Upon A Star,” in the film classic, “Pinnochio,” and this enchanting element makes the book an appealing gift for Christmas, and in fact for any time of year.
The much-lauded book, “Charlotte’s Webb,” by E.B. White, inspired both nature and animal themes in “Luna The Moon Pig.”
A unique combination of Cartoon Graphics, combined with Rotoscoped Illustrations in “Luna The Moon Pig,” designed by Internationally Acclaimed Award-Winning Animator and Illustrator, Sheila Graber, famed for her work with Paddington Bear and family, Children's Television and her animation and illustration of Rudyard Kipling's "Just So" Stories, work very well to make our book an appealing, modern classic for young and old.
Just as E.B. White drew on his own experiences to write “Charlotte’s Web,” I drew on my own real-life experiences with a runaway pig to write the detail of the every day, transforming it into this magical, timeless fairy tale.
December 13, 2017
Great Fun On T.V!
Luna The Moon Pig had a great time on A.P.N's Literary T.V show. She would like to thank the team for being such brilliant hosts!
December 12, 2017
Television Interview about Christmas New Release Children's Book!
Tomorrow I record my first ever T.V interview about my favorite pig - the star of my brand new kids' book new on Amazon Dec. 9 in time for Christmas!
The interview will be broadcast worldwide...
Watch this blog for details of broadcast times.
The interview will be broadcast worldwide...
Watch this blog for details of broadcast times.
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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