Yep I finally got around to posting the second part of this travel story. Sorry it took so long, life intervened for awhile (Mum’s house got flooded, and change of workplace for me), but I am back on track again. Mmm speaking of tracks and muddy ones at that, drive on over to the Travel page and have a laugh. I am sure you will. Don’t forget to comment, I would love to know what you think . Oh! and don’t forget to take a torch with you…..
“Quaky Cat”
Waking early one morning before the birds, Tiger sensed danger and a voice in his head told him to run for his life. He fled out of the house, down the buckling street as a loud thunder sound rolled up from under the ground. He ran up a tree where he found half the cats from the city were hiding. When dawn rose in the morning, Tiger came down the tree and went looking for his young owner through the crumpled city streets and found her in a shelter. Tiger realises, as he snuggles in the arms of his young owner that……
“Home is the giving and helping and sharing, When a city is crumbling then home is the caring.”
New Zealand Author Diana Noonan agonised like many, over what she could do to help after the September 2010 Christchurch earthquake. She wished she was a builder or plumber, even an animal welfare officer, to help the animals. As she points out in the beginning of this beautiful book, wishing isn’t going to help, instead, make use of the skills you do have. So with help of Christchurch illustrator Gavin Bishop, “Quakey Cat” was born. In the back of this musically rhymed story there is a glossary of words and their meanings that Diana thought would help children talk, and understand what happened, and not feel so frightened. Though it bought a great deal of comfort for the children, little did anyone know that 6 months later Christchurch would suffer its worst quake ever. Both the author and illustrator have donated their royalties from this book to different charities in and around Christchurch along with 50% of Scholastic proceeds from the sale of this book also go to helping those in need in Christchurch. Scholastic have also gifted 15,000 of these books to year 1 and 2 children in the affected area.
With over 100 books to her credit, Diana’s stories lean toward teaching, understand and stimulating the minds of the young, and they have won many awards. If you want to find out more about this author there is a write-up about her in the Christchurch Library. This is a very special book.
Ever been within 8 inches of an orangutan with nothing more than air between you..mmm thought not. Now I have your attention, want to find out how I came to be that close to a young red-headed one, well hop over to the Travel insight Page and buckle up, it promises to be a bumpy ride.
Oh and I have had to make this a two-part story, it being so umm “interesting.”
I just thought I would bring to your attention something that is happening here on Friday. I was recently reminded when reading a fellow writing friends blog, (Miss Marples Musings) her extremely thought-provoking post on illiteracy throughout the world. How we could all help in some small way both in our own countries and in others less fortunate than us. While this is not directly pointed at illiteracy as such, it shows how writers can give a little joy to others.
On March 25 famous authors in the wider Auckland area are banding to appear in libraries across the city to read their books in a fundraiser for the quake stricken people of Christchurch. The event is jointly run by Auckland Libraries and the New Zealand Society of Authors. Some writers mentioned are Tessa Duder, Kevin Ireland, Ian Wedde, Emily Perkins Christine Cole Catley, James George, Stephanie Johnson, Elizabeth Nannestad, Tusitala Marsh and Andrea Jutson, and Joanna Orwin from Christchurch. As one author Tessa Duder said “Its a pleasure to do something. Simply making a small gesture towards a city in great need of whatever support we can offer.” She continues “the journalist writers are telling the stories of the quake, often magnificently, but there is also a need for storytelling which tells of others rising to challenges, providing inspiration, hope and healing, particularly for the children.”
Here,here to that… Its being held at 1pm and run by the Auckland Libraries and the New Zealand Society of Authors.
Was I nervous? Oh yes! Not one for turning up to such events on my own, come to think of it, coming to such events, I really had no idea what to expect. Arriving a little early I met Lisa, herself a new member,(although she had attended their very first meeting). I then met the organiser and liason for SCBWI Aust/NZ, Frances Plumpton. I will come back to Frances, as while she encouraged me to read up on Pamela Allen‘s work (the guest speaker) before attending the meeting, which I did, it also pays to read up on the organisers.
The 15 of us, a mixture of published and unpublished writers and illustrators took our seats, and after welcoming us all, Frances intro
duced Pamela Allen. Award winning writer and illustrator of children’s books, New Zealand born Pamela has penned over 30 books since 1980 with the first being “Mr Archimedes Bath.” She was originally only interested in illustrating, but was approached by a publisher to write a story, while spending some time living in Australia. Along with some of the basic principals I have been taught, Pamela spoke of starting out with the tools you have, either as a writer, or illustrator, and are most comfortable with, and go from there. She used illustration, sound and voice first, the rest followed. She explained that with pictures she drew, a story formed. Adding sounds and a voice gave it character and movement. “Always ask a question, the child looks for the answer”, such as “Who Sank the Boat”. A picture book does not come alive until it is read aloud. Pamela read to us a few of her books, including “Fancy That”. Her “Mr McGee” books are rhymed, mainly for younger children. When asked if she ever had writers block and stuck for ideas, she replied, sometimes, but her stories could arise from a small child showing her a mosquito bite ,(Mr McGee and the Biting Flea), to reading news clippings out of the paper. Her words of wisdom – always know who you are writing for, know the age, be there in that moment…. (sound advice I thought). Pamela also brought with her, for us to see, and pass around many of her drawings, which was a real treat to view, first hand. Like many there I felt honoured to have been in renowned company.
After the meeting a couple of us managed to chat to Frances and I was 
surprised to learn after a long career as a children’s librarian in public libraries in Auckland, she has, for the last 5 years been a Literacy Agent for Richards Literacy Agency, working with many well-known clients. Is a founding member of Storylines, Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of NZ, was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 1989 and has a Betty Gilderate Award for Services to Children’s literature. She also attended a couple of SCBWI Conferences in Bologna and Sydney, Australia last year and was heading off back to Bologna again, this year, to promote New Zealand Books.
I was truly in esteemed company and came away with renewed energy and steam for some very hard work ahead, and lots to think about.
What can I say! I feel as though I have been transported back in time. Through gold framed, rich, elaborate, colourful pictures, we follow Sarah Jane, through the forest where she meets all these beautiful fairies.
When they insist that Sarah Jane is needed in Fairyland, she is magically made smaller, and flown to a beautiful island, where she meets the Fairy King and Queen. Sarah Jane discovers that her presence, being mortal, will bring good fortune and a happy marriage, and therefore is invited to their daughter’s wedding.
Author and illustrator Shirley Barber has certainly pulled out all the stops with this beautiful story. Born Shirley Machon and growing up on the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel, she always knew she would follow her parents love of art and in her teens won many prizes. With her husband (Peter Donald Turner) she immigrated to Australia. She also dabbled in all types of art including pottery and figurines and worked as a fabric designer. Shirley also built up a thriving business of paintings mostly depicting fairies, and cute animals. In 1985, 30 years after first attempting, she reworded Martha B Rabbit (picture book) and resubmitted for publishing, eventually receiving special mention in the coveted Crici In Erba Awards throughout Europe. I could go on about this author but I would rather you took time out to wander through her wonderland that is her website, beautifully crafted by one of her sons. Read her life story, check out her art catalogue. There are downloads of how to paint or listen to her read. One can get lost here as you would in one of her exquisite books. This is a website I will visit again, if only to visit the dream-child within me, play a gem game, or try my hand at painting.
Shirley’s website is: www.shirleybarbers.com
“O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree! Your greenest branches Live for me.”
Beautiful new words to an old Christmas Carol. These were made by a small boy with a lame leg. While we are never told of the boy’s name or his parents, we are drawn to the love of a father for his young son and the small tree that has come to mean so much to them. Each year bringing the tree in from the cold, to decorate for Christmas to the delight of his son and friends. Afterwards returning it to the field, to continue its growth. I loved the ending, such spirit of giving and love. The gentle rhythmic words, by author Margaret Wise Brown across full-page soft acrylic-and pencil scenes, courtesy of Jim Lamarche, make this a beautiful read aloud picture book. I can just imagine curling up in front of a warm fire and reading this to my niece if she only lived nearer.
“Bambi“
He is born in the middle of the forest in one of those little hidden glades, a curious little fawn called Bambi. He learns about the beauty and dangers of the world around him, and like any small child questions what is just out of his reach. As he grows into a handsome stag he experiences the joy of summer fun in the paddocks with friends, eventually understanding the dangers of the forest and of man the most feared creature of all, the death of his Mother and the eventual love of his childhood sweetheart. 
This storybook is an adaption of the original written by Felix Salten, published in 1923 in Berlin. The first American edition translated into English, appeared in 1928. Walt Disney created his animated film Bambi in 1942 from Felix Salten’s book and is now a classic. Janet Schulman has created a classic with this read aloud book and with the help of illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher capturing the beauty of the forest, and the animals that live deep within, they have preserved that timeless magic, we all love. Janet Schulman’s note to the reader just inside the cover gives you a glance as to how she came upon the story. As an animal lover I could not pass up a chance to review this treasure.
Thanks to a recent comment made by a fellow Children’s Book Hub member, I thought I would let you in on a little of my writing world, after all this is a writer’s blog, right?
A few years ago I wrote a very rough draft of a novel and not knowing anything about writing, its process, how to go about submitting manuscripts etc.. I emailed a freelance editor who kindly replied, was impressed and critiqued my work, offering tips, and advice. With a lot of rework needed I went back to the drawing boards. After awhile I realised I really needed to have some direction in how to write if I was really serious about it. So I scoured the internet looking for some sort of course where I could do it at home in my own time, without preying eyes and the time restraints of a classroom.
I had been a regular viewer of Emma Walton Hamilton’s Blog for sometime, so when she started up “Just Write for Kids” a Home Study Course in Writing Picture Books, I was interested. Naturally I had questions – as I was reworking a novel , would her picture book course be of any use? I needn’t
have worried. I can only say that while I was more a reserved student, I found it very helpful indeed. Emma’s kind, patient, coaching, and easy to understand step by step processes in bringing a picture book to life, is a must course to take. From themes, plots, styles, to fleshing out characters, using effective dialogues, and editing, Emma leaves no stone unturned in delivering a comprehensive workshop right into your own home. Whether just getting your feet wet, or already a published author needing a refresher, you will find Emma touches on points that could be used across all genres of writing. Her passion shows in her answers to questions and continued encouragement, which has helped immensely to build my confidence in the belief, that I have something
to offer. I was delighted when she went on to set up the Children’s Book Hub, which houses anything from Resources, such as conferences, organisation links, and workshops, to Newsletters, Special Guest Seminars led by Emma and Question and Answer calls with Emma herself. There is also a forum where writers chat about all aspects of writing, sharing what they have discovered, asking for advice and picking up new and interesting ideas. Emma is there to guide and advise as always with her vast knowledge. It is with this new-found confidence I have started a 5Word/Sentence game within the Hub. Think of 5 words and during the course of a week, the other members are coming up with a sentence for each word. A great strategy for writers block, finding a new idea, maybe needing help with editing your work, a sentence or paragraph is alluding you, helping to stretch that creative mind within. What better way to receive some help and have fun all at the same time. I hope you will join us.
Ahhh such is the life of a writer……… and I have only just got my feet wet.
Yes that’s right my 2nd Travel Insight story is up. It was a toss up where to go to from here, but I decided to stay with the winter theme, so cruise on over and check it out. Don’t forget to leave a comment, tell me what you think, love to hear from you………
Writer and Dreamer at work 