Finding Granny

Welcome to the last stop on the Finding Granny Blog Tour

 by Kate Simpson

 Kate is children's author and podcaster based in Sydney, Australia. Her debut picture book, Finding Granny, will be in bookshops in July 2018.

About The Book

Every two seconds, someone in the world suffers a stroke.

In Finding Granny, that someone is Edie’s beloved grandmother. When Edie comes to the hospital, she is confronted by the physical changes in her grandmother: muddled words, a crooked face, a woman confined to bed. This isn’t the ‘playtime, bedtime, story-time pantomime Granny’ that Edie knows. But when her mother takes Edie to watch one of Granny’s art therapy sessions, Edie starts to understand that the Granny she loves is still there. 

Our Review

 Edie's Granny is loads of fun. She's never one to shy away from the odd bucket of slime and when there's ice cream on offer, Granny is the first to share.

So when something happens to Granny, and she has to go to the hospital, Edie is convinced the lady who can't talk like Granny, or walk like Granny, can't possibly be Granny. 

 

Edie is even a little scared of Granny, until Mama shows her all the wonderful ways Granny is learning to do things again.

In this heartfelt picture book, Kate Simpson touches on a topic which so many young children face. When an illness like a stroke, causes changes in a much loved family member.

With the beautiful water colours by Gwynneth Jones, we watch as Edie and Granny come to find the common ground again.

A place where they understand the world will never quite be the same, but they can navigate the changes with love and compassion.

This book reminded me of when my own Grandpa had a stroke, and the changes I witnessed as a child.

A book like this would have given me such insight into his daily struggle, but also the wonderful blessing of still having Grandpa with us, no matter how different life had become.

I highly recommend this book for any little folks who have family enduring the life changing effects of stroke....

Bravo to Kate and Gwynneth for tackling this difficult subject.

And don't forget to drop by Kate's website, 

 Go Here

And jump back to the other stops on the tour.

Sunday July 1 - Saturday July 7

www.justkidslit.com/blog

Monday July 2

sharingyourstory.com.au

Tuesday July 3

intheirownwrite.wordpress.com

Wednesday July 4

blog.boomerangbooks.com.au

Thursday July 5

readingtime.com.au

Friday July 6

brydiewright.com

Blog Tour: Brave and Strong All Day Long

Hi folks, welcome back.

Today we are happy to be a part of the Just Write For Kids blog tour, for Elizabeth Cummings delightful new picture book.

Description:

Meet Fiona, a lifeguard. She keeps everyone safe on her beach. Discover her resilience and strength and how she came to be brave and strong all day long. This is the fourth title in this series.

Our Review

As a little girl, Fiona loved to surf on her pink surfboard. The boys sometimes teased her, but Fiona didn't care.  One day, she saw a little boy struggling to swim. She didn't hesitate, she helped him back to shore on her pink surfboard.
As Fiona grew, she often helped the lifeguards, until she joined the surf club.
Her love of the waves and her joy in helping people only grew,  until she became a life guard herself.
Rescuing people became part of her everyday, because Fiona is brave and strong all day long.

A lovely message, about a true hero on the shore. I was delighted to share this story with my little girl, showing her that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it, and no matter what others say, stay true to yourself and follow your dreams.

That's what Elizabeth Cummings book imparts. Bravo!

We recommend for children ages 3-8.

About the Series

  Have you wondered about what other people do? The ordinary, everyday people - the people that make our lives the way they are, those who help us, care for us, look after our town and do the little things that make a difference to our lives. Have you ever caught a little glimpse of their little routines or the daily habits? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be them? In "Verityville" there are many amazing folk, all going about their daily business, making the town what it is. Their work and their efforts make "Verityville" a marvellous place to be, full of wonder, friendship and adventure! Come take a trip to "Verityville" and meet some of the wonderful people who live and work there! 

 About the Author

 "Formally a primary school teacher from UK, I now live in Sydney writing for children and adults alike. My works often take a child's perspective to explain the world and to reflect on important life experiences. My poetry is aimed at general audiences and as well as working on some collaborative ventures and YA projects. My work with 'Elephant in the Room' has lead to presenting at an international storytelling conference at Mansfield College in Oxford UK and a distribution contract with Dennis Jones & Associates. I have published four books to date and won last year's SCWC Writer's prize for a poem about gender and identity." - Elizabeth Cummings

For more of Elizabeth's books head to

Book Depository 

"For more information on blog tours at Books On Tour please visit

  www.justkidslit.com/books-on-tour ." 

Monday December 4 - Friday December 8

www.justkidslit.com/blog

PLUS!

Wednesday December 6

Vanessa Ryan - www.educateempower.blog

Thursday December 7

Brydie Wright - www.brydiewright.com

Friday December 8

Georgie Donaghey - www.creativekidstales.com.au 

 

Julie Grasso - www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au

So Wrong 2 by Michael Wagner and Wayne Bryant: Review

Hi folks,
I have another great book review to share with you.

So Wrong 2 

Michael Wagner and Wayne Bryant are back with So Wrong 2 and it appears they’ve learned NOTHING from their previous mistakes. With a fresh cast of inappropriate characters, including:
Nan the Forgetful Nudist,
Warren the One-Legged Wonder Dog,
Steve McSpleen (a real human spleen),
BIG Red Riding Hood
and Tomas the Tank,
there was never really any hope that this book would turn out sensible ... or reasonable ... or even tolerable. And it’s lived up to all expectations.

We loved So Wrong to bits...

If you are interested you can read my Goodreads Review

So Wrong 2 
Did not disappoint.

My six year old had her nose buried in it for quite a few nights, which is a clear sign of a hit. 

Once again we have the ever phonetically verbose Mitey Mikey with his life wisdom. My daughter did announce that she was smarter than Mikey, because he can't spell... he he, how humble they are with their youthly wisdom. 

Our favourite character is Warren the One-Legged Wonder Dog. I won't spoil it for you, but the little guy has guts and, well, only one leg, but his tail makes up for what he lacks in traditional appendages.

Once again Michael has poked fun at some rather illustrious classics with wit and humour that keeps getting better. Our favourite add break was Body Parts R Us, and I am keen to put some So Inappropriate tips into action, so look out at the next wedding, or perhaps hospital visit for some wildly inappropriate behaviour...

Wayne Bryant is a master at hilarious depictions of Michael's words. What a humourforce (I made that word up, if Mitey Mikey can, so can I...) they've become.

The verdict is in! This is going to be another book that reluctant and confident readers will gobble up. 
We can hardly wait for a third installment...
  
About Michael

Michael Wagner is the Melbourne-based author of more than 70 books for children which include the much-loved Maxx Rumble series, six funny and heart-warming stories about a family called The Undys, the best-selling picture book Why I Love Footy, and many more.

Before becoming a children’s author, Michael worked for ten years as radio broadcaster with the ABC, wrote and produced award-winning television animations, and penned everything from advertising copy to songs and comedy. He’s also the founder of Billy Goat Books.

You can find out more about Michael from his fun and revealing website.

Billy Goat Books 

Quick Review: Rusty Buster and Patch Versus The Opera by Adam Wallace, Illustrated by Serena Geddes

Our Review:

Rusty, Buster, and Patch are up to their usual antics like surfing a silver tray in their underwear, and stomping their fathers flower patch.

Mum Marnie has had it, she is going to give them some class.

With the donning of pants and little boy suits and top hats, the boys are off to the OPERA.

Yes, you read that correct, the opera.  Three little boys at the OPERA. Nothing could possibly go wrong!

Complete with a tub of Monkey Business, a jar of cultured yoghurt, not to mention a Tv with Oprah programmed in, even a cake nestled in their jackets, they set of with Mum to make their mark.

And make their mark they certainly do. I better not give away the ending, but there will be hot dog selling and a certain young lad singing the final stanza.

Told in Marx brothers style, this three act catastrophe will have your young-uns giggling in the aisles, and perhaps even singing the odd final note.

My six year old laughed her way through this entire book and had to take it as her book week book. 

Illustrations by Serena Geddes, make this such a fun book.

Another great installment from Adam Wallace, who has firmly planted his feet in our hearts. We suggest for ages 6-9.

About Adam:

Adam Wallace

New York Times Bestselling author. Golfer. Napper. Singer. Collingwoooooood supporter. Right-handed. Right-footed. Left-parted. He also writes, daringly different and super awesome books. Plus, he loves Zombie's. Nuff said

Website

Quick Review: Family Hugs by Michael Wagner

Family Hugs 

by Michael Wagner

and Adam Carruthers

 Description: In this playful, but thoughtful picture book, illustrator Adam Carruthers perfectly captures the sentiments of four Michael Wagner poems about families and how they support and nurture their members. Suitable for pre-schoolers and early primary aged children, Family Hugs both warms the heart and tickles the funnybone, while providing much to reflect upon about how loving families function.

We got this for our boy wizard, aged 2, to add to our rapidly expanding library.

I was delighted Michael Wagner has published a book with Hugs as the theme.  I love the idea of a book about hugs, as my kids can't seem to get enough of them.  There must be something in them. Fuel for the soul I suspect.

 Our Review:

A big family cuddle, a spag bol dinner, a stern family meeting, even an arty family party, Family Hugs has it all. Or if perhaps your having a bad day, this book will chip away at at your despair. With such a motley family tree, Family Hugs will leave you with one monstrous family hug. Written in rhyme so delightful it will have you chortling from beginning to end, and illustrations I wish I could cut out and stick on my walls, we highly recommend this wonderful edition to your little people library. Great for ages 3-6

A little about Michael:

Michael Wagner is the Melbourne-based author of more than 70 books for children which include the much-loved Maxx Rumble series, six funny and heart-warming stories about a family called The Undys, the best-selling picture book Why I Love Footy, and many more.

Before becoming a children’s author, Michael worked for ten years as radio broadcaster with the ABC, wrote and produced award-winning television animations, and penned everything from advertising copy to songs and comedy. He’s also the founder of Billy Goat Books.

You can find out more about Michael from his fun and revealing website.

Billy Goat Books

   

Ruby Lane by R J Simon

Well it's been a little while since I've written a review, and I am delighted to bring to you

Ruby Lane 

by RJ Simon

Description:

Ruby is overexcited again, and her brain is spinning creative ideas so fast it feels like her head could explode! Luckily, it’s school holidays, so she’s allowed to stay up late, reading adventure stories and playing dress-ups with her cat. But when things get out of control, Ruby decides that helping a crazy pirate cat return a malfunctioning book to its rightful owner is the only logical solution…

* Humorous and mysterious, this book is a fantastical adventure for middle-grade readers worldwide!

Our Review:

Ruby is super excited to be visiting her Grandmother for a week.  However on her journey there, she encounters a peculiar little cat, dressed like a pirate, carrying a book. When the cat begins to talk like a pirate, Ruby is suitably astounded.  The pirate cat is on a quest to return the book to the Great Poet Gerry.

Ruby is drawn into the quest, rather unwillingly to start. All Ruby has to do is help the little pirate cat get back to his ship. No worries, easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Oops, I better not give some of the story away, he he.  Everything does not at all go to plan and what follows is a rollicking adventure, full of cat scans, which are not at all what you think.  Picture a cat purring in your ear and claiming to fix all manner of ailments, as well as fairies powered by beans and a dread pirate rotter who is one dastardly villain. 

Ruby has to overcome many fears, face many dangers and put up with one very piratey pirate cat, in order to find his ship and return to the magic book to the Great Poet Gerry.  What could possibly go wrong.

This was a fun read, and my six year old absolutely loved it.  She was gripped from the first page and was adamant that we must read a chapter every night, until it was done.

RJ Simon has woven an entertaining tale, full of quirky characters and action packed adventure. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself talking like a pirate long after the book is through.

The little one gave it 5 stars. Great for ages 7-9.

For more information about the book, head on over to

RJ Simon's Website

 Note:

We received a copy in exchange for an honest review.