Writer and Dreamer at work

“Happiness in His Eyes”.

Posted on 03/04/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Right across America and indeed around the world on April 2, awareness of Autism is shining bright blue. While in America and in most parts of the world they are lighting up homes, parks, monuments and buildings in a ray of blue to bring the message home that there is a need for more awareness of this growing health problem. Here in New Zealand and indeed in some other parts they are having their own awareness programs, and colour themes. See here .. http://www.autismnz.org.nz/

I have been made more aware of autism myself since joining a writers hub, where a fellow writer Patricia Tilton, is focusing much of her writing genres, such as Disabilities, Grief, Mental Health, Aspergers, Autism, and many other health issues. Her blog aptly called “Children’s Books Heal“, is full of interesting reviews of books for children and adults on many of these topics. One can find a ray of resources, information, author interviews, and communities to help understand, and encourage those from the very young to be better informed about such issues that are now so prominent in our everyday lives. Visit her blog today, it is lit up Blue for April 2 – Autism Awareness Day.

When looking through the internet I came across a very interesting article of a New Zealand Mum, Louise Inglis who has recently written a book “Happiness in His Eyes” due out on the shelves today, on the first 7 years of bringing up her youngest son Kevin, who has Autism. This is a trailer about the book… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogOHmimmEsA . It is sure to open your eyes to living with someone affected with Autism, a personal story, written with a mothers love for her son, sharing the joys and successes along with the disruptive side and the effect it has on other members of the family. Look for it in your store, coming soon.

Here’s another blog post on the subject… http://thescrapbookhouse.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/light-it-up-blue/

Posted in ideas for writing, Literature | Tagged Asperger syndrome, Autism, Autism spectrum, Patricia Tilton | 10 Comments

“Quotes I came across..”

Posted on 01/04/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Clearing out some of my dining table space where I write I came across some quotes I have “collected” over time and seem to have forgotten to put in my Quotes/Poems etc… page. So I decided to post a few here before I transfer them to my page.

After reading “15 Powerful lessons Learned from Life,” it can do that to you. Here are a few..

“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” – by Allan K Chalmers

“If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.” – by Glenn Clark

“In every person who comes near you, look for what is good and strong; honour that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes.” – John Ruskin

“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance towards the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point.” -by Harold B Melchart

“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations, I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead.” -by Louisa May Alcott.

Posted in Literature | 20 Comments

Perfect Picture Book – Friday

Posted on 31/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Herbert The Brave Sea Dog

A True New Zealand Story

Author/Illustrator: Robyn Belton

First Published : in 2008 by Molly Paul Books.

Ages: 3 – 7

Theme: Faith, belief, devotion, survival, historical fiction,

First Lines: Herbert was a small dog who lived in Nelson by the sea. Everybody liked him, but the person who loved him most was Tim.

Synopsis: Herbert was a small dog who lived in Nelson, New Zealand, by the sea. Everybody liked him, but the person who loved him most was young Tim. One day, an excited Herbert sets off with Tim’s father on a boat, heading for their cottage in the Marlborough Sounds, while the rest of the family travel by land. However, the weather soon turned rough and Herbert was catapulted into the biggest adventure of his life, from which he emerged a hero. Robyn Belton’s heartwarming, beautifully illustrated retelling of a true-life story of a very strong bond and belief, that Herbert will survive is very moving, even in this short story. The fact that Herbert survived swimming for 30 hours is incredible and made headlines around the country. He received the “Iron-Dog” Award and received many gifts and letters from people.

Why I liked it: There are many why one would love this story…. It has that awww feeling. It’s a happy every after story. Children will love this, its real and I loved that at the back there are a newspaper clipping and some letters/telegrams from well wishes. Herbert certainly touched the hearts of many. There is also a pic of his award medal and certificate, also a loving acknowledgement to the people who were involved back then. It’s also hard to believe it happened back in 1986. Had Ellen Degenerus’s show been on, I am sure she would have heard about it and had Herbert on her show…lol. Another thing I liked was when I flicked through the pages a few times the illustrations reminded me of how I loved to draw as a teenager, the wispy pencil lines are a style I love.

Resources/Findings: Here is a website with the author at the celebration of the book with some of the real characters. http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/667390/Brave-dog-Herbert-lives-again-in-book

A great site if you are looking for more boat books or animals on boats…. http://www.boatbooks.co.nz/children’s.html

Here is a cute step by step drawing of a dog for kids… click the next>> button to get the next stroke…… http://www.kidsfront.com/how_to_draw/dog_drawing_7.html Note also other drawings for kids on this website…. Very well done.

This book would be a great discussion book in the classroom… leading into looking at safety at sea. Children could write their own letter to Herbert.

A great resource in teaching kids about safety in and around water…. http://www.rnli.org.uk/shorething/Adults/Projects/Water.aspx

For more books with resources please visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors

Posted in Picture Book Review, Reading Aloud | Tagged New Zealand, Susanna Hill | 25 Comments

Phyllis’s Adventure in Kiwiland.

Posted on 28/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

*Yawn* Arrrr what a brill sleep. Morning Bro, morning Sis!

Had to leave real early this morning, and take Diane’s hubby to work then on to a garage as the car was due for a warrant, so we waited and chatted with people there who are real nice. The owner of the garage and the woman behind the counter thought I was real choice!

We drove into the city to the Auckland Museum, its HUGE and there are some awesome stuff in there. But first I met a very sweet, shy, fury friend who had been waiting ever so patiently for me to arrive…. “Tamie” the Kiwi. We hit it off right away, soon chatting nineteen to the dozen. We ran riot in the gift shop…. until we got caught!

The best part was meeting up with some kids after the Maori concert. We had some laughs, I told them my super April Fool tricks, and they told me some jokes and funny sayings…. Like; If someone throws a goose at you, duck. One plate said to the other, “Dinner’s on me”….hehe. And… When Dumbo’s mother asked if he was listening, he replied, “I’m all ears.”…. lol. It was great having Tamie with me.

Met some really unusual friends inside like this one. TekoTeko designs like these represent ancestors, and with protruding tongue is representing a war dance, like the Haka. Diane tried to show me a Haka…. Just so funny and definitely not fit to be shown…*giggles*. The huge carvings like these again representing ancestors and line of power, are often carved on beams of meeting houses with paua eyes, to ward of evil spirits. After being caught climbing into a waka, totally forbidden in the museum, seeing lots of Maori artware and meeting lots of other huge beasts.

We raced home to pick up Ian and while they were changing, Tamie and I played Tag, up and down the deck, and around the pot plants….hehe. They don’t call me mischief groundhog for nothing!

Back in the city down on the waterfront, we enjoyed a leisurely walk.

At the Sky Tower, the view is amazing, looking straight out at Rangitoto Island, a volcano you can walk over, sitting in the middle of their harbour…. How cool is that! Did you know that Auckland city alone is built on thirteen volcanoes… Diane said we should whisper so as not to awaken them…. I think she was kidding…. I HOPE she was kidding! They even have one viewing platform floor made only of glass….. that was real creepy at first, seeing all those cars down there looking like ants…. I laughed at Tamie trying to peck the glass… he must have been hungry! We had a wonderful meal up here, all you can eat I heard that you can bungy jump off the sky tower and also walk around the outside, we didn’t! But we watched others doing it… Way Cool! Diane was just scared I would slip and fall. Then how would she explain to Susanne what happened to me….Gulp!

It was getting late when we left, but not before we played in a playground and sand box under the Sky Tower. This place is really cool, if we had had more time we could have gone out on the harbour in a sail boat. On the drive home under the bright lights of the city Diane told us of a beautiful mystical place about five hours drive out where there were blue and green lakes, and another the colour and shape of a champagne glass that you could walk over, see steam rising from the ground , cover ourselves in hot mud… (suppose to be good for the complexion) and go white water and black water rafting, and see where the Twin Towers and the Hobbits was made…. Gosh so much to see and no time to do it in…

I asked Diane if she would tell us more about it in her travel stories on her blog and she has promised me she would, soon. We had to say goodbye to Tamie and that was real sad, I so loved him, he’s my bestest, bestest…friend ever! As I crawled into my pretty bed Diane whispered that there would be a surprise for me when I got back home to Susanna. What could that be…… could Tamie ….. be coming to the USA…. *yawns*…. Oh I would love that……. I had such a blast….. *yawns*…. Wish I could stay…… longer….ZZZzzzzzzzzzzz

*********************

Phyllis was having such a great time our here that Forecast Extraordinair forgot to tell you the weather forecast which was exactly as they predicted…. Warm sunny day 22degC and light winds. It is now midnight, tomorrow will be another fine day, and Phyllis comes with me to work where she will say good-bye and head by Express Mail to Nicky in Victoria Australia. I loved having this crazy groundhog visiting with me… so short a time, but loads of fun. Thank you Susanna for allowing me to be a part of Phyllis’s World Tour.

Posted in 12x12in12, Blogs, Folklore / multicultural, ideas for writing, Picture book | Tagged Susanna Hill | 39 Comments

She Made It!!!

Posted on 27/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Yes that cute little traveller finally made it down under yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately I was working so I picked her up late afternoon, and luckily today have time off work to show her around my lovely city. If you haven’t heard of her before let me introduce you to Punxsutawney Phyllis, Weather prophet Extraordinaire and now World Traveller Extraordinaire groundhog. Phyllis lives mainly in New York with Susanna her creator and the wiry little groundhog has decided to flex her muscles and see the world, with a bit of help from some fellow writers. Enough from me here is Phyllis to tell you about her first night here, in Auckland.

Kia ora!

Hi! G’day! … That’s what Kia ora simply means. Yep! I’m already starting to sound like a kiwi and I have only been in the country less than 24 hours. Boy! What a long, long flight that was getting here… I thought I would be all bushy-eyed and raring to go when I got here … well you know me…hehe… But my lovely host suggested taking it easy the first night, and I am sooooo glad she suggested that I do. After she picked me up from the local Post Office I was taken back to her lovely home… see. This is the back looking out towards the city

and this is the front, yep that’s me on the letter box with a little friend who loves to read.

They have just had their house freshly painted this Christmas. I enjoyed wandering around their backyard looking in at all the nooks and crannys, smelling the beautiful flowers, shooing the sparrows, the odd fantail and black birds trying to feed from the little bird house they had nailed to a palm tree.

Diane’s hubby, Ian cooked a scrumptious BBQ served with new potatoes and beans from out of their garden. Followed by the famous Hokey Pokey Icecream…. Yumm !

I am just so hooked on Hokey Pokey Icecream! This one is made in Motueka, NZ. One thing you can guarantee on when you first come to New Zealand, is a real good feed. They sure know how to impress with food. Another thing I soon learned is the friendliness of everyone. Always lots of hugs and everyone calling each other “bro” or “sis” or “cuzzie”… seems we are all one big family.

Diane tried to teach me some Maori words … like “ Kai”… meaning food, or plenty of food, “Whanau”… meaning family, or extended family. She said I was now part of her Whanau…aww, sucks! “Iti”…. Is small, “puku”…. Stomach and “Iwi” .. meaning people, nation, and “aroha”… meaning love, compassion and tenderness. These people sure have a lot of that.

It was getting really late, the weather forecast on tv said expect 22degC tomorrow with sunny skies and light winds, after a low of 9degC, which is pretty cold for them here. They are in the last stages of summer heading into what they call “autumn” (which we call back home “fall”). Daylight saving finishes next week here. It’s midnight Monday here now and 4am in the morning in Los Angeles as I climb slowly the 15 steps to the first landing to my bed, in New York it is 7am Monday morning, as I make my way along MY WING, it is 8pm Monday night in Seoul…. My very OWN BED, so pretty and with friends to snuggle up with. Diane said we have a big day tomorrow, lots to see and do and a special someone waiting to see me….mmm, I wonder who it is…*yawns*… Oh this is so nice ….. *face in the pillow*…. Soooo tired…..night all….ZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Tune in tomorrow for more of Phyllis’s adventures in the big city here in Auckland when she gets a taste of culture, heights and … is there love in the air…. I wonder….lol. See ya tomorrow!

Posted in 12x12in12, Blogs, Picture book | Tagged Punxsutawney Pennsylvania, Susanna Hill | 36 Comments

PERFECT PICTURE BOOK – FRIDAY

Posted on 24/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

TWO LITTLE BUGS

Author: Mark Sommerset

Illustrator: Rowan Sommerset

Published by: Dreamboat Books

Ages: 0 – 12 years.

Theme: Friendship, Lonely, anxiety, believe

First Lines: Two little bugs sitting on a leaf, One on the top…. One underneath.

Synopsis: From the back of the book….. Chomp, chomp, Chew! Little Bug Blue has a wish. Little Bug Red has an appetite. Together they find out that getting what you always wanted is sometimes just the beginning.

Little Bug Blue wants so much to see what’s on the other side of the leaf, to be on the sunny side, to not be so lonely. Little Bug Red wants him to join her, but hes too afraid to make the move, so she does the only thing a Bug can do…. Chomp!

Why I like this: Once again this Choice winner partnership have done it again! Marks’ sparce, clever text hitting the soft spot, tells you so much but leaves plenty of room for the illustrations to give you the real picture. His wife, Rowan’s clever design in cut out pages, delicate illustrations in soft greens, gray and charcoal has you wanting to turn the pages if only to find out whether Little Blue Bug gets his wish. This book will delight children from the very young upward, from the first page with it’s cleverly cut out leaf, to the chomped cut out bits through the pages, as Little Red Bug eats her way through. Simplicity is the key!

Resources/Findings: There are no actual resources for accompanying this book. Other than the Website of Dreamboats ….. http://dreamboatbooks.com/reviews-twolittlebugs.php

Here is a cute song…… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ej8AldnQYw

This book has already won an award and is being showcased in Bologna at the Childrens’ Book Fair. http://dreamboatblog.squarespace.com/

Here’s something I wouldn’t do, but kids will love…. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Insect-Catching-Kit Setting up their own Bug Catcher.

This book would be great in schools, providing a source to introduce discussion on bugs. Kids love going on nature walks…. http://www.stormthecastle.com/nature-walk-ideas-and-projects.htm this provides some ideas and resources.

http://www.childrensnatureinstitute.org/newsite/

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/learning-kids/Pages/children.aspx

Amazing what you find when you start looking for resources…. This is a great website…. http://flourishonline.org/2010/02/three-fun-ideas-for-a-nature-hike-with-kids-or-grownups/

Posted in Picture Book Review, Reading Aloud | Tagged Friendship, Mark Sommerset, Picture book | 28 Comments

Walking the Write Track with Donna

Posted on 21/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Have you ever come across a blog that caught your eye, and fed the inquisitive mind? A Blog that wiped away the wrinkled tension across your brow after a long day of work. One that makes you stop and think about the way you approach your writing and indeed your life. That says it’s okay to take it slow, to enjoy the journey, be yourself, all the while encouraging the best of you, offering advice, tips and order so you can achieve what you set out to do. Best of all it inspires, gives food for thought, and nurtures the seeds of creativity within us all, as writers. . Only a few months old in the world of blogging, this writer is quickly making a name for herself in the cyber world with her delightful, thought-provoking and inspiring posts. Liberally dotted with appropriate thoughtful pictures to amuse, spark creativity, or stand you on your head. I am pleased to be able to invite you to come walk with me on the write track, with Donna Martin.

Donna kindly agreed to answer a few questions and have some fun, first up…

Q1.. You mentioned you hadn’t written anything in over 20 years can you tell us a bit about how you came to start-up again?

A1.. When I say I haven’t written anything in over 20 years, I mean on a personal, creative level. In every one of my jobs, whenever it was discovered that I could “write” I would be put to work writing on a business level…the latest being all the freelance articles I write for my TaeKwonDo school. But about a year ago my son (who is now 23) decided it was time to move out of the nest. Instead of being one of those moms who suffered from the “empty nest syndrome”, I started having dreams of writing children’s books. In fact, my dreams were so detailed and in such color that once I woke up I was forced to write them down quickly just to get them out of my head! After about three weeks of dreaming children’s stories every night I finally decided it was time to return to my writing…and here I am to stay!

Q2.. With a number of works in progress and work, do you have any set times of the day set out for your writing or networking?

A2.. My job at the school is very demanding…I’m usually there from around 9 a.m. in the morning and get home around 9 p.m. each night so I have to be creative with my “spare” time. I set my alarm for 6 a.m. on the weekdays and write/network until I leave the house and then I do the same thing when I get home until about midnight. Saturdays I take my disabled sister on any errands she might need or spend some time with my son but by 5 pm at the latest I am back to writing/networking. On Sunday I try not to have ANY other obligations except to be able to write and network. My life right now may seem “boring” to some people but I have been waiting over 40 YEARS to be able to do this and I am quite happy with the way things are going right now!

Q3.. Your blog is a haven of daily inspiration for aspiring and published writers how and where do you find your inspirational writing for these posts?

A3.. When it comes to my blog, I am a very visual writer. By that I mean if I see something for think up a picture of something then it can spark an idea or theme for a blog post. I read a lot of other blogs and if they have pictures on them I will sometimes come up with a post that way. I also have a file labeled “blog pics” that I store interesting pictures and inspiring sayings that I can pull from if I don’t have an immediate idea ready. Some of them simply come from having lived a life with many challenges and many blessing coming my way that I want to pass on a little bit of the “inspiration” or “wisdom” to others…must be the Mommy in me…;0)

Q4.. How do you relax after a day of work?

A4.. I know this is going to sound corny but I relax by reading! But I also love listening to all kinds of music, or playing with my cat, or going to the mountains ( I live about 30 miles from the Smoky Mountains ), or watching a good movie, or taking a little nap, or window shopping…the list goes on and on. I have discovered that my free time is so precious to me that I prefer the very simple things in life instead of the drama…

Q5.. Like me you’re a perpetual dreamer – do you ever find yourself in them and what’s your most memorable dream?

A5.. Oh, I daydream ALL THE TIME! I am in the middle of writing a YA novel right now (had to put it on hold as I tackle the Madness 2012 poetry challenge and the 12 X 12 challenge) but my daydreams lately have been a particular scene in that story and where my main character is going to go from there. I sometimes become that character and see myself acting in a way different from I would normally do or saying things I wouldn’t normally say and it surprises me. A well written story really does have a life of its own and it fascinates me to think about what my characters will come up with next!

How cool! I often find myself in my dreams, sometimes looking on. Now for a bit of fun….. Finish this story in a couple of sentences telling us where the shoes are…

“Hurry, find your new red shoes” calls Donna’s mother from the kitchen waiting anxiously,

looking out at the waiting school bus.

“I can’t find them” wailed Donna, flinging herself over the bed in her desperate attempt to

try to find them. But alas! they were nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, Donna remembered her little sister, Molly loved the color red.

Racing down the hall to Molly’s room, Donna flung open the door.

Stumbling around in shoes too big for her, Molly looked up at her big sister

and said, “Don’t I look just like Dorothy?”

(Sorry, right now that was the best I could do for an ending…I wanted to come up with something more creative but I think my brain is too tired at the moment…been away since about 4 this morning and it’s almost 4 pm right now…lol)

That’s alright Donna, with long working days that you put in one can understand. The ending was very cute. Thankyou for playing along.

A children’s Festival of Reading is coming to Donna’s hometown on the 19th May and Donna will be there with her own booth showcasing published authors books. So if you have any new books out and want to send some autographed ones along, check out her blog here to read and find out more about it.

In finishing I want to thank Donna so much for coming on to be my guest here today. Also I want to take this opportunity to share with you the lovely huge box of goodies I received the other week from Donna when I was the lucky winner on her blog. It was awesome and I have been reading up large here as you can imagine. Big, Big Thankyou Donna!

Posted in 12x12in12, Interviews | Tagged Donna Martin, Writer, Writers Resources | 16 Comments

Kiwi – SCBWI: 1st Conference 2012

Posted on 20/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

It was lovely meeting everyone again on this our first local SCBWI meeting here in kiwi land.

Francis Plumpton our fearless leader introduced Sandra Morris, author/illustrator and guest, who runs the Sandra Morris Illustration Agency, promoting illustrators, runs workshops, along with sketching and writing her own work.

I thought I would post a couple of links here , her bio, and here , her agency, so you can see and learn for yourself information about this incredible guest. We were privileged to hear of her early works in School Journaling and the Maori Language working with Cliff Whiting. How hard it is getting into Trade publication and the difference between Trade and Educational Publication. Just seeing her beautiful bird sketches up close is quite amazing. Wowing us with her black and white sketches of birds in flight looking like they were literally flying off the page. Photoshop she learned on the job.

It was after a Bologna visit that she decided to start up her own Illustration Publishing Company, showcasing other illustrators. As writer/illustrator she is known for books such as Pohutukawa – a childrens book of animals and birds, The lonely Kakapo and Discovering New Zealand Birds.

Sandra has many future projects waiting in the wings, venturing into Native Journaling for kids. Helping in the discovery of what is above them and what one might find on the ground, in gardens, on a beach walks etc… Sandra believes in an illustration bringing out the emotions, colour and feel that is more than just a picture on a page. She lives in Auckland and teaches childrens book illustration through an Auckland University Programme and runs workshops with fellow illustrator Nina Rycroft at the Auckland museum .

I thoughly enjoyed this insightful conference and it was over all too soon.

Francis is at present in Bologna showcasing some of New Zealands finest authors work at the Book Fair.

Posted in Picture book, published writing, SCBWI | 6 Comments

How could I Forget!

Posted on 18/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

I raced downstairs this morning and popped myself in front of my laptop for an hour of checking and answering emails, visiting blogs and reworking my latest picture book manuscript, before my hubby and I ventured out for our usual Sunday brunch.

Just as I was finishing up he popped an envelope across my keyboard, bent and kissed me and gently said “Happy Anniversary darling”.

OMG!…… I knew it was coming soon, I knew it was this month, I knew because I had mentioned it at work, I knew….. but, somehow it had snuck up on me. Oh! how could I have done the unthinkable!…… I forgot!

My white-faced silence told him everything… and he laughed. So sweet and forgiving. I thought only men did that……. women always remember special dates. Am I showing my age..*buried head in hands* I hope not…..lol.

I have since made amends, I wrote him a little poem, admittedly it’s not my best work, but then I profess to not being much of a poet anyway, but he loved it and that’s the main thing. We are going out tonight for a lovely candle lit dinner for two, and I promise, pinky promise, never to do the unthinkable again!

When you took my Hand

That I should be so lucky,

When you came into my life.

I am the lucky one you chose,

To be your loving wife.

I never thought I would experience,

Such a gentle warm embrace.

As I look into soft eyes,

The sweet smile upon your face.

Watching young kids giggle and laugh,

When games with them you play.

I am grateful you were not taken,

Years ago one terrible day.

I love how friends privileged to know you,

Enjoy your laughter gather round.

Your generous spirit, your jokes,

Along with your dry wit sees no end.

Yes the gentle, warm, and often shy,

Compassionate and loving man.

How could I have forgotten a special day,

Thirty five years ago when you took my hand.

Happy Anniversary Darling!

Posted in Blogs | Tagged Humor | 18 Comments

“PERFECT PICTURE BOOK” – FRIDAY

Posted on 17/03/2012 by Diane Tulloch

Milly, Molly and Betelgeuse

New Zealand Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Ages: 4 – 8 years

Published by: Milly Molly Books / MM House Publishing

Theme: Love, Understanding, Differences, Feelings, Special, questions.

Opening Line: “We may look different, but we feel the same.”

Synopsis: A mother guinea pig loves to tell her young ones each night how special they are and where there names originated from, but she could not remember where Betelgeuse came from. That is until Milly and Molly, two little girls from different ethnic backgrounds, stumble across a shining star. This 32 page book is one of 48 books in the Milly, Molly series, each one giving parents the opportunity to teach their children about everyday questions they may face and how to get along with each other. Encouraging values such as cooperation, respect, forgiveness, trustworthiness, responsibility, loss and grief, and many others, to help them become happy, successful, well-adjusted people.

Why I like this: I love that this is one of a series of books by a New Zealand author that shows that it’s not what we look like or that we may be different in colour but it is what is inside each of us that matters and that really we are all the same.

I reviewed this book previously on my blog back in early February 2011. See the link here. Read the review and then continue back here. I felt it worthy of Perfect Picture Book Listing on Susanna’s Blog, hence a second mention. The list of books in the “Milly, Molly” series has grown since then and now published in 40 languages around the world. I love the simple meaningful message each one has. Teaching children how to handle every day issues, as well as more complex ones. A recent book called Milly, Molly and the Tree Hut actually encourages children to turn the television off and play outside… the moral: the child would rather be ON television than watching it….. you will have to get that book out to figure that one out! Another book called the “Milly, Molly and LilyMay” has been taken up with the NZ Police to help children in their “Child Abuse Prevention Programs”.

Gill Pittar is hands on not only here in New Zealand joining forces with Kids Can Charity but also recently travelling to Tanzania and Uganda with World Vision, distributing the Milly and Molly books, soccer balls and netball. The illustrations by Cris are also wonderful, cheerful and colourful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBNvSB3ZTw4&feature=related

Resources/Findings:

This is the Milly, Molly Website…. http://testlink.co.nz/Home/tabid/38496/Default.aspx there is much to see on this website from their books, their vision, and involvement with NZ’s Kids Can Charity and World Vision in Africa.

I couldn’t help but pick out the author page from the above website, for you to look at and please scroll down and watch the very interesting video interview with Gill. http://testlink.co.nz/AboutUs/TheAuthor/tabid/38529/Default.aspx

Another cute page for you to learn Milly and Molly’s song, again from the above website….. http://testlink.co.nz/KidsZone/tabid/38518/Default.aspx

Here also is a website of the book Milly, Molly and the Tree Hutt on itunes, downloadable for kids to enjoy, even colouring in and making the story come alive. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/milly-molly-and-the-tree-hut-hd/id378232187?mt=8

Milly, Molly’s on Shop Website for you to browse through… http://millymolly.dremus.com/index.php?route=common/home

These books would make a great addition for any school library and prove invaluable tool for discussion, both in the classroom and at home.

Some cute videos for kids to watch….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d8CvtIxBRI&NR=1&feature=endscreen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDXVpFTwHgs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbdbAuZ89-s&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzbgevx2CIY&feature=related I could go on, but if you look on the side bar you will see many more videos for the kids to watch. Enjoy!