Michelle Worthington's Blog, page 13

Illustrator Spotlight: Sophie Blackall

Sophie Blackall has an amazing diversity in her published works. She celebrates the quirky, the forgotten and the achingly beautiful stories with compassion and magic.

She shared on Facebook...“2015 was something of a fraught year for book making. I have been learning from all the discussions and am trying to use what I've learned to feel encouraged and inspired rather than paralyzed. Emphasis on trying.
But the year is young! And there are books to be made!”
Her honesty and openness about how so many of us in the book industry are feeling isrefreshing and inspirational.

Her stories have a voice of their own.

I sometimes think it might be hard living in her head with all those pictures floating around, kind of like being locked inside the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. Too much of a good thing can be hard to handle.

Her work allows children to see themselves and hold a mirror to what makes them so special.

I love how she hasn't limited herself and has a raging desire to tackle every obstacle and is not afraid to be double dared to create something spectacular.

 http://sophieblackall.blogspot.com.au

Sophie Says: "Messages in bottles, smoke signals, letters written in the sand; the modern equivalents are the funny, sad, beautiful, hopeful, hopeless, poetic posts on Missed Connections websites. Every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I'm trying to pin a few of them down."http://missedconnectionsny.blogspot.c...


You can find Sophie by first visiting her website: http://www.sophieblackall.com/books

I cant wait to see what beautiful things are in store for this amazing woman.www.michelleworthington.com

Book Review: Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Brigette Barrager

What little unicorn lover wouldn't fall in love with this book. It really is a story about believing.

Brigette Barrager has created magical illustrations that transport you to a world where unicorns are as real as you and me, and even have the same sort of worries that we do!

This empowering book is perfect for reluctant readers with it's clever storyline and beautiful point of difference. A must have for everyone who needs a reminder that magic happens when you believe in yourself.

Product detailsFormat Hardback | 48 pages Dimensions 203.2 x 294.64 x 10.16mm | 386g Publication date 22 Sep 2014 Publisher Random House USA Inc Imprint Random House Books for Young Readers Publication City/Country New York, United States Language English Illustrations note full colour ISBN10 0385375557 ISBN13 9780385375559 http://www.bookdepository.com/Uni-the...

Book Review: Onesie Mumsie! by Alice Rex and Amanda Francey

 Do you have a little one who has a routine that just cant be broken at bed time? This is the story of
a little girl who refuses to go to bed until she has tried on all of her onesies. A great story for reluctant readers with the most endearing illustrations and a cute story that celebrates the imagination of childhood and the never ending patience of parents. This would make a lovely gift with a snuggly pair of pyjamas or get creative and get your reluctant reader to start designing their own pyjamas!




www.michelleworthington.com

Book Review: Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding by Alex Field and Peter Carnavas

Mr Darcy is a rather reserved, gentle duck that much like the Colin Firth version, you cant help falling in love with.  Alex Field's great love of Jane Austen's Mr Darcy from 'Pride and Prejudice' inspired her to create Mr Darcy. Mr Darcy has all the great qualities of a gentle English aristocrat. Peter Carnavas has created a gorgeous new look for the well-loved and much admired Mr Darcy and his story continues in Mr Darcy and the Christmas Pudding. My kids love reading Christmas stories all year round and this is a great example of why they should not just be put away until December.Reluctant readers will love the Mr Darcy series and they are so much fun to read aloud.


Product detailsFormat Paperback | 32 pages Dimensions 240 x 240mm Publication date 01 Nov 2015 Publisher New Frontier Publishing Publication City/Country Epping, Australia ISBN10 1925059391 ISBN13 9781925059397 https://www.bookdepository.com/Mr-Dar...
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#FicFest Promotional Blog Tour: Aussie Aussie Aussie!

What is #FicFest?
#FicFest is an online writer’s contest which helps put manuscripts in front of literary agents. This contest, unlike most, is open to manuscripts in ALL genres (including those usually excluded such as Paranormal Romance or Erotica) in the categories of Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult.
#FicFest mentors are structured into fifteen (15) teams. Each category that I listed has three teams. Each team is comprised of a team leader, and two (2) team members. Once the submissions open, each team will choose three (3) finalist manuscripts and one (1) alternate manuscript to advance to the agent round. This means that an equal number of manuscripts for each category will move to the agent round, guaranteeing that one category does NOT overpower another when it comes time for the agents.
45 manuscripts total move to the agent round, with 15 manuscripts being held as alternates in case one of the main finalists drops out of the contest for any reason. This is one of the things we stress in promoting #FicFest because most contests are overrun with Young Adult. In many contests, they may advance 40 manuscripts to the agent round, but the problem lies in the fact that 30 of that 40 are all Young Adult. That won’t happen with #FicFest.
Nine manuscripts from each category will make their appearance in the agent round. No more, no less. NINE each. Let me stress this one more time. In the agent round, you will have 9 Picture Books, 9 Middle Grade, 9 Young Adult, 9 New Adult, and 9 Adult. Everyone gets a fair chance.
We are adding more agents every day and while I can’t give you a solid number, I can tell you that we have close to two dozen confirmed to participate in our agent round and we can’t wait!

2016 Time Line

March 20, 2016 @ 12:00 PM EST
Guidelines & Theme Reveal
(Host Blog)

March 27, 2016 @ 7:00 PM EST
Meet the Team Leads & Their Members!
(Team Lead Blogs & Host Blog)

April 3, 2016 @ 6:00 PM EST
Agent List Announced
(Host Blog)

April 17, 2016 @ 7:00 PM EST - 10:00 PM EST
Q & A with Team Leads & Host
(Twitter - Using #FicFest)

April 24, 2016 @ 12:00 AM EST - April 25, 2016 @ 11:59 PM EST
SUBMISSION

April 26, 2016 - May 3, 2016
Teams will chose their finalists/alternate

May 4, 2016 @ 10:00 AM EST
Finalists/Alternate Reveal
(Team Leads Blogs)

May 5, 2016 - June 30, 2016
Revisions

July 8, 2016 @ 12:00 AM EST - July 14, 2014 @ 11:59 PM EST
Agent Round

Say hello to Team Australia! With this team there are three mentors for the Picture Book team.
Elizabeth Rivera is the Team Leader. The team members are Tracey Cox and Holly Lowell.

Meet Elizabeth: 


Bio:
I am a mother, wife, teacher, and writer. I have been writing for over 25 years. I have self published two children’s chapter books and have written a third book that is based on the books of the bible. I am a member of Florida’s Writers Association and many of the writer’s groups on Facebook.
Links:
Website: www.authorelizabethrivera.com
Blog: www.authorelizabethriverablog.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gilmoresadventures
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorerivera
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorelizabethrivera
Wish List:
My wish list for this contest is to be engaged from the beginning of the story. I like unusual characters that don’t always fit in with what the world says. Picture Books with vivid illustrations that can tell the story with or with out words.

Meet Tracey:

BIO:
Tracey M. Cox is a writer of words and a drawer of pictures. She is an advocate for children’s literacy and enjoys spreading her love of the written word around. Tracey is a member of SCBWI (PAL member) and the South Georgia Writer’s Guild. She is a KidLit TV team member. To help promote literacy in her area, Tracey started the biggest little book festival in South Georgia every year called the Books Love and Taters Book Festival.
LINKS:
Website: www.traceymcox.com
Blog: www.traceymcox.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/traceymcox
Facebook: www.facebook.com/traceymcox.author
Instagram: www.instagram.com/traceymcox
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/traceymcox
WISH LIST:
Diversity
Strong, believable characters
Quirky
Humor
Basically anything that pulls me into a story and keeps me there. Make me love your characters and root for them through the situation they face.

Meet Holly:

BIO:

LINKS:
Website: http://www.asignoflife.net
Blog: http://www.tweetbear.com/ASOLFamilyBlog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/asolfamilyblog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hmmoore2

So for some more up to date information you will need to follow the Official Blog of Author & Editor, TIffany Hofmann – Creator of #FicFest 

#FicFest 2017March 12, 2017 - Mentor Reveal
March 19, 2017 - Guidelines & Theme Reveal
March 26, 2017 - Meet the Mentors Blog Hop w/ Wishlists
April 2, 2017 - Agent Reveal
April 9, 2017 - Small Press Reveal
April 16, 2017 - Twitter Q&A
April 23 -24, 2017 - Submissions
May 10, 2017 - Finalist/Alternate Reveal
May 11, 2017 - July 13, 2017 - Mentoring Round
​July 21, 2017 - July 27, 2017 - Agent/Small Press Round
Website – http://www.tiffanyhofmannauthor.com
Blog – http://writersnook87.wordpress.comwww.michelleworthington.com

Book Review: Imagine We Were by Renee Bennett and Claire Richards

This is a beautiful book to use when you want some quiet time with your reluctant reader. Books can be part of playtime but they are most valuable when a connection between reader and child is established. Imagine We Were is a rhyming adventure between mummy and baby exploring the fantasy of animals and the fun times they have. It's a great way to expand a child's understanding of conceptual ideas, with the clouds forming shapes that are easily recognisable. It might take a couple of reads for special needs kids to start understanding the relationship between the illustrations and the words but luckily it's a book they will want to read over and over again anyway. A great tool for not only reluctant readers but kids with Asperger's who struggle with abstract concepts.



Product detailsFormat Hardback | 32 pages Dimensions 236 x 236mm Publication date 01 May 2012 Publisher Wombat Books Publication City/Country Capalaba, Australia ISBN10 1921633638 ISBN13 9781921633638 http://www.bookdepository.com/Imagine...
Product detailsFormat Hardback | 32 pages Dimensions 236 x 236mm Publication date 01 May 2012 Publisher Wombat Books Publication City/Country Capalaba, Australia ISBN10 1921633638 ISBN13 9781921633638 www.michelleworthington.com

Illustrator Spotlight: Jeffrey Brown

What if Darth Vader took an active role in raising his son? What if 'Luke, I am your father' was just a stern admonishment from an annoyed dad? In this hilarious and sweet comic reimagining, Darth Vader is a dad like any other- except with all the baggage of being the Dark Lord of the Sith. Celebrated comic artist Jeffrey Brown
has created delightful comics that give a fresh twist to classic Star Wars TM moments, presenting the trials and joys of parenting through the lens of a galaxy far, far away, including lightsaber baseball practice, using the Force to raid the cookie jar,
and Take Your Child to Work Day on the Death Star.
Inspired by the bestselling book Vader's' Little Princess, there are also full-colour flexi journals featuring Jeffrey Brown's hilarious artwork illustrating the ups and downsof being a father and a Sith Lord in a galaxy far, far away. This sweet and funny collection of postcards is filled with father-and-son moments between Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, and four-year-old Luke. Perfect to send or keep, the cards feature artwork from Darth Vader and Son as well as delightful new illustrations not included in the book.

www.michelleworthington.com

Picture Book Spotlight: Football

Try to take this away from a toddler, and prepare to get tackled!
Beautifully illustrated
The cutest football book ever
Dinosaurs playing football, is there anything cooler? Engaging for boys of any age

www.michelleworthington.com

Book Review: Where Does Thursday Go? by Janeen Brian and Stephen Michael King

Anyone who has ever wished their birthday would go on for ever will love this book. Splodge and his friend Humbug set out to solve one of life's little mysteries: 'Where does Thursday go before Friday comes?' This friendly book is a perfect combination of Janeen Brian's charming story and Stephen Michael King's luminous, whimsical illustrations and will especially appeal to reluctant readers.

Product detailsFormat Paperback | 32 pages Publication date 30 Apr 2001 Publisher Scholastic Australia Publication City/Country Lindfield, Australia ISBN10 187628952X ISBN13 9781876289522 http://www.bookdepository.com/Where-D...

Book Review: The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Today's book review is The Arrival by Shaun Tan. There is nothing reluctant readers like better than a book with no words but a million stories to tell. I found something new every time I read it and it's the perfect tool to encourage them to write their own account of what's happening, because reluctant readers are often reluctant writers.


Stunning illustrations full of emotion and innuendo. Suitable for older children, aged 7 to 700. This book with pictures is not a picture book, it's a portal to another world. I read this book with my heart.


Product detailsFormat Hardback | 128 pages Dimensions 234 x 310 x 16mm | 879.99g Publication date 01 Mar 2008 Publisher Hachette Children's Group Imprint Hodder Children's Books Publication City/Country London, United Kingdom Language English Illustrations note Throughout ISBN10 0340969938 ISBN13 9780340969939https://www.bookdepository.com/Arriva...

www.michelleworthington.com