Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News, page 24

World Read Aloud Day!

Reading aloud to a child can work wonders to boost their confidence and enhance interaction and enjoyment of a good read!
You can read a free excerpt from my kids' book, "Snugs The Snow Bear" at "The Young Writers Newsletter" February Edition Online!
Make this day memorable for you and your child, snuggle up, and celebrate World Read Aloud Day!

A Big "Thanks" to All My Readers Worldwide - Let's Celebrate Polar Bear Day on 27th February and Join in The Movement to Protect Endangered Species!

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.

Come Join Snugs The Snow Bear in February's Edition of The Young Writers' Newsletter

Once again, thanks to Storm Grayson, Editor of The Young Writers' Newsletter, for this month's stupendous edition!
Young Writers, and indeed the young at heart, may view an excerpt from my brand new children's book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," in the February edition, and there is an "Ask The Author" option for those who would like to know more about the craft.
Romance is in the air with the approach of Valentine's Day, and those of you whose children read the newsletter, may consider celebrating your love for the children in your life with a good children's book!

This Valentine's - Write a Love Letter to An Author!

O.K folks, the title of this post may be tongue in cheek, but the purpose of this post is quite a serious matter.
Authors take a great deal of love and care when they write their books, and it is uplifting for them to know that people are reading their books, and enjoying them!
A big "Thanks" to those readers who leave reviews when they appreciate a writer and his/her books.
If you have recently read a book which gave you pleasure, please communicate this to the author, by posting a review on Goodreads, and on Amazon!
Snugs and I are looking forward to Valentine's Reviews!

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.

Before You Buy Another Soft Toy For Your Grown Up Loved One, or Another Pair of Soft Socks...Consider A Children's Book This Valentines!

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” - C.S Lewis.

Valentine's Day approaches, and so we have all the usual merchandise for grown-ups on display in the stores: perfume, aftershave, soft socks, chocolates, plants, and flowers - lovely, but which do not last. Then, of course, cutsie, cuddle-me soft toys, which appeal to the inner child in all of us!

What we are reluctant to admit is, that, although we have "put away childish things," we all still have that natural, creative child within us, that yearns, with nostalgia, in a childlike way, for the delights of an innocent past, when we could throw our imaginations to the wind.

Oh, for the celebration of feelings! Oh for surprises, and the thrill of looking at the world again with wonder, and through a fresh perspective! Oh, if we were given permission to romp, and roll, and play with language, enter a fantasy world, where we could put our cares aside, and just be ourselves, for once!

And what if a Children's Book gave us new insights on the world, dusted down the dreary cobwebs of our minds, raised our awareness, and gave us new zest to go out and create, in our own small way, a better world for us all?

A good Children's Book will do all of these things, so why not brighten the adult in your life's day, with a fun and meaningful gift, that will last.

Thank You, Aberystwyth Ego Online Newspaper!

"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!

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.

Snugs on The Radio!

Don't miss your second chance TOMORROW to hear about my brand new Children's Fiction Book, suitable for kids aged 4-10 years old, "Snugs The Snow Bear"
On Thursday, 26th January, at 1 p.m, G.M.T, Jonathan Hines, U.K Talk Radio Host and T.V Personality, chats to me about the secrets and surprises behind my characters, and my journey as a writer.

Friendship!

Snugs and I have over 1,650 friends on Goodreads. "Best Wishes," and "Thanks" for your friendship and support. It is greatly appreciated!