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The Cleo Stories #1
The Necklace and the Present
Cleo desperately wants a necklace. Her parents say special presents are only for birthdays...but Cleo doesn't want to wait. In the second story, it's her mum's birthday and Cleo doesn't know what to give her - until she has the best idea of all. Delightful, warm and irresistible, these stories show how a little girl with a big imagination can always find a way to have fun.
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Libby Gleeson
65 books40 followers"I was born in Young, a small town in south western NSW in 1950. After a few years we moved to Glen Innes, on the northern tablelands and then when I was ten we moved out west to Dubbo. We moved because my father was a schoolteacher and each change meant a promotion for him.
There were six children in the family. I was number three and there wasn't a lot of money. We didn't have television and of course there was no such thing as a computer.
Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night.
When I finished High School I studied at the University of Sydney. I had a great time studying mainly history but also getting involved in lots of things happening at the University and the city. It was the time of the anti-Vietnam war protests and the rise of the Women's Movement.
I taught for two years in a small town, Picton, which is just outside of Sydney. I really enjoyed that time but I wanted to travel and in 1976 I headed off for five years. I based myself first in Italy where I taught English and then in London where I started writing my first novel, Eleanor, Elizabeth. I attended a creative writing group where the other students pushed me to write a better book. In London I also met my husband. We came back to Sydney in 1980. We've got three daughters.
When we first came back I taught at the University of NSW but now I write full-time. I've written thirty books and I've also taught occasional courses in creative writing and I've visited lots of schools to talk about my work.
I write picture books, novels for young kids and also novels for slightly older readers. I've done a book about writing and also a small amount of writing for television: Bananas in Pyjamas and Magic Mountain.
The writer's life is pretty good. It's a job where you work for yourself, in your daggy track suit, at times that suit you. What more could you ask for?"
from: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/biogra...
There were six children in the family. I was number three and there wasn't a lot of money. We didn't have television and of course there was no such thing as a computer.
Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night.
When I finished High School I studied at the University of Sydney. I had a great time studying mainly history but also getting involved in lots of things happening at the University and the city. It was the time of the anti-Vietnam war protests and the rise of the Women's Movement.
I taught for two years in a small town, Picton, which is just outside of Sydney. I really enjoyed that time but I wanted to travel and in 1976 I headed off for five years. I based myself first in Italy where I taught English and then in London where I started writing my first novel, Eleanor, Elizabeth. I attended a creative writing group where the other students pushed me to write a better book. In London I also met my husband. We came back to Sydney in 1980. We've got three daughters.
When we first came back I taught at the University of NSW but now I write full-time. I've written thirty books and I've also taught occasional courses in creative writing and I've visited lots of schools to talk about my work.
I write picture books, novels for young kids and also novels for slightly older readers. I've done a book about writing and also a small amount of writing for television: Bananas in Pyjamas and Magic Mountain.
The writer's life is pretty good. It's a job where you work for yourself, in your daggy track suit, at times that suit you. What more could you ask for?"
from: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/biogra...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 28, 2014
The Cleo Stories contain two individual tales about a creative and independent young girl named Cleo. Both these stories are simple, sweet and reflect the thinking and behaviours of an inventive young girl. Much time could be spent examining Freya Blackwood’s illustrations as they really bring the story to life. The look on Cleo’s face when she has both her hands glued inside the bowl will really make you giggle.
In the first story, The Necklace, Cleo attends a friend’s 6th birthday party. While there, she is talking to some friends about special gifts they received for Christmas. Three of the girls had been given necklaces and Cleo decides that she must have a necklace too. After her mum and dad suggest the necklace as a gift for her next birthday Cleo takes matters into her own hands and solves her problem in a very colourful way!
The Present is about the lead-up to Cleo’s mother’s birthday. Cleo has decided that she would like to get something special that she knows that her mum would love. Despite being told that she herself is the best gift her mother could ask for, Cleo uses her creativity to surprise her mum with a very personal present.
In the first story, The Necklace, Cleo attends a friend’s 6th birthday party. While there, she is talking to some friends about special gifts they received for Christmas. Three of the girls had been given necklaces and Cleo decides that she must have a necklace too. After her mum and dad suggest the necklace as a gift for her next birthday Cleo takes matters into her own hands and solves her problem in a very colourful way!
The Present is about the lead-up to Cleo’s mother’s birthday. Cleo has decided that she would like to get something special that she knows that her mum would love. Despite being told that she herself is the best gift her mother could ask for, Cleo uses her creativity to surprise her mum with a very personal present.
October 9, 2014
An illustrated book with two stories for children (especially girls) aged 6+
Cleo is very creative little girl who solves life's problems (not having a necklace unlike her friends and giving Mum a birthday present) with determination and love. Another wonder-filled collaboration between two of Australia's
Cleo is very creative little girl who solves life's problems (not having a necklace unlike her friends and giving Mum a birthday present) with determination and love. Another wonder-filled collaboration between two of Australia's
March 11, 2016
There is nothing this pair of book creators can do wrong! We have completely fallen in love with Cleo in our household. She is so real, and such a unique sweetheart. Her stories are very relatable for my girls. And I love that these books have an Australian setting.
March 28, 2015
Sweet.
August 14, 2015
Such a sweet book of two short stories. The illustrations are divine and was definitely my favourite element of the book. Well suited for younger readers.
September 2, 2015
Bit too easy and a white washed view of life.
December 13, 2014
I think I prefer funny children's books.
June 20, 2020
First of all, how great are Freya Blackwood's illustrations? I absolutely adore her work and am especially fond of The Runaway Hug and My Two Blankets. In this, the pictures are so whimsical and dreamy and so perfectly capture the magic of Gleeson's prose.
This book has two stories for the price of one, which is certainly a winning idea. Although each story is short, I felt completely immersed in Cleo's world and was utterly charmed by her.
This book has two stories for the price of one, which is certainly a winning idea. Although each story is short, I felt completely immersed in Cleo's world and was utterly charmed by her.
September 7, 2018
I liked the gentle tone of these stories. Cleo is an independent and creative little girl, you don't find characters like this in children's books often enough.
March 11, 2018
The illustrations for this story are beautiful and have so much detail, my daughter spends a long time looking at each page. Cleo is endearing and relatable, and the story is written at a lovely pace making it a joy to read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews