tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16412250358768010462023-11-16T11:13:45.734+00:00Caryl Hart, Children's AuthorCaryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-4004765744981489352022-08-23T13:24:00.002+01:002022-08-23T13:31:48.664+01:00Teach Early Years Award Shortlist for The Girl who Planted Trees <span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1gKG3Qpkgt4CCHlBYIuHIDUkHGBhqq5XdyYWq9D8XvFQDjNZ0rIHGG1DXl0N6fkYafEOJ2gIUDhV-kvg9z2Gvvgdl9PG_dkcqehnJy9IeYRiCkN7FuDGxFYPINJSVNtQDy5qC8lWGusNaZ1NCEKz2F_p_YaGKGJeCcGSSKXLuvk5YezsuArGNPKt/s551/Teach%20Early%20Years%20Awards%202022_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="551" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1gKG3Qpkgt4CCHlBYIuHIDUkHGBhqq5XdyYWq9D8XvFQDjNZ0rIHGG1DXl0N6fkYafEOJ2gIUDhV-kvg9z2Gvvgdl9PG_dkcqehnJy9IeYRiCkN7FuDGxFYPINJSVNtQDy5qC8lWGusNaZ1NCEKz2F_p_YaGKGJeCcGSSKXLuvk5YezsuArGNPKt/s320/Teach%20Early%20Years%20Awards%202022_jpg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'm delighted to announce that <i>The Girl who Planted Trees</i> has been shortlisted for the Teach Early Years Award, 2022!</span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Teach Early Years describe the shortlists as, "a wide variety of innovative resources - from STEM sets and literacy resources to CPD packages and picture books, and much more..."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Teach Early Years is a leading professional publication for early years teachers across the UK and features expert guidance, resources and training for the education sector.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Having our book shortlisted is a real achievement and I'm super-excited to hear the results in November. Fingers crossed!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">To check out the other shortlisted books and resources, visit the <a href="https://www.teachearlyyears.com/learning-and-development/view/teach-early-years-awards-2022-shortlist" target="_blank">Teach Early Years</a> website.</span></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-49362583870497801732022-02-02T17:46:00.002+00:002022-02-02T17:53:13.455+00:00Gaining Social Media Skillz<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDw8m17cNSdVC8WsPp2OYgYEl3de_J3mdgnkqlXEqFSwBMCsFUePHcCjcJghv7wdrTr7aKLj3iUzFlNtKvmnqdYnQI_lJe00030AHZZTOg4yTJ-zhq3FZDPTTAZQBKwKJRAHn47oW6Uq98I-7ts2NIQ4DWvRfugdhVQJm1PS3ZlQxLyFLqPEhkTLNF=s447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDw8m17cNSdVC8WsPp2OYgYEl3de_J3mdgnkqlXEqFSwBMCsFUePHcCjcJghv7wdrTr7aKLj3iUzFlNtKvmnqdYnQI_lJe00030AHZZTOg4yTJ-zhq3FZDPTTAZQBKwKJRAHn47oW6Uq98I-7ts2NIQ4DWvRfugdhVQJm1PS3ZlQxLyFLqPEhkTLNF=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These past two weeks I have been working on my social media skills, kick-started by some great training with the fabulous <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maritaoury/?hl=en">Marita Oury Media</a>, who is SO clued-up on what's hot and also happens to be a personal friend of many years.</div></div><p></p><p>For a long time I resisted splashing out on training, thinking I was doing perfectly well on my own, but more recently I've been feeling increasingly out of my depth and overwhelmed with all the jazzy content that is now expected.</p><p>Anyway, training done, apps downloaded and a LOT of mistakes made, I feel I'm now much more confident and am actually enjoying creating content rather than dreading it!</p><p>Do head over to my instagram and see what I've been up to... a few likes and shares would really give me a boost - it's been a massive challenge so I need all the encouragement I can get!</p><p>Also, watch out for more, fun content coming soon, as I build up to the publication of THREE NEW BOOKS!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carylhart/">Head over to my instagram here.</a></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-41961218315662562552021-07-20T14:44:00.003+01:002021-08-19T09:58:35.483+01:00Starting School with When a Dragon Goes to School<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLfu3KM6Cnakj_YttpFjsdVnhvCMG38EIg8ABqX0lMuEneJsaenPgS9Q31n_4OG_GilEAuKiZWjcI5vx07VNWyb8RXdnFK1X_3oHZjB6u0Vqy7OqNy0F65UyudCpKZIq3Gg98I2S16j8/s1536/WhenADragonSchool_blog-1536x864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1536" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLfu3KM6Cnakj_YttpFjsdVnhvCMG38EIg8ABqX0lMuEneJsaenPgS9Q31n_4OG_GilEAuKiZWjcI5vx07VNWyb8RXdnFK1X_3oHZjB6u0Vqy7OqNy0F65UyudCpKZIq3Gg98I2S16j8/w400-h225/WhenADragonSchool_blog-1536x864.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;">The lovely people at <a href="https://www.maginationpressfamily.org/mindfulness-kids-teens/">Magination Press</a> asked me how When a Dragon Goes to School can help support families with children about to start school and those already in early years education. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: normal;">Head over to Magination Press to read <a href="https://www.maginationpressfamily.org/mindfulness-kids-teens/when-a-dragon-goes-to-school-interview-with-the-author/">the original article</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and also another interview I did about </span><a href="https://www.maginationpressfamily.org/mindfulness-kids-teens/when-a-dragon-comes-to-stay-interview-with-the-author/">When a Dragon Comes to Stay <br /></a></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Here's a copy of the interview:</span></span></p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVw8vvCRNPAM1baREs7adRbnlb-1Ahhq14w0aosZt1DoM9cK3rgC2KJcLz2pkJKp2sgL5PDBxH3P5xJ9Sv7bCpGMCr-UcljOpp7kXR0m1FDE7mm4SjBOUzbTb5BNX6GqB3ilE7vXAh9w/s403/When+a+Dragon+Goes+to+School_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVw8vvCRNPAM1baREs7adRbnlb-1Ahhq14w0aosZt1DoM9cK3rgC2KJcLz2pkJKp2sgL5PDBxH3P5xJ9Sv7bCpGMCr-UcljOpp7kXR0m1FDE7mm4SjBOUzbTb5BNX6GqB3ilE7vXAh9w/s320/When+a+Dragon+Goes+to+School_400.jpg" /></a></div><br /></b></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: small;">Starting school is a big milestone. Knowing what to expect can help ease that transition. Caryl Hart’s new book, </span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon Goes to School, </i></b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">follows a dragon as it explores the routines and manners that children, will experience in preschool. Magination Press asked the author about creating this delightful new picture book, which is a companion to </b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/when-a-dragon-comes-to-stay" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: color, background-color, border-color; transition-timing-function: linear;">When a Dragon Comes Stay</a>. </i></b></span></span></span></p></h3><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Magination Press: What inspired you to write </b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon Goes to School</i></b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">?</b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Caryl Hart:</b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> The first book in the series, </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon Comes to Stay</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">, was so popular that my publisher, Nosy Crow, asked if I’d like to write a second book where the little dragon starts school. Of course I said yes straight away! </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I remember only too well how difficult it was to settle my own children into school when they were small – we had lots of tears and leg-clinging, which was hugely upsetting at the time. Little did I know that, while I felt terrible for the rest of the day, my girls skipped off to have fun as soon as I was out of sight!</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Starting school is such a huge milestone for young children and creating fun, reassuring books is a great way to help prepare them. Our story includes common routines like hanging your coat and bag on a peg, entering the classroom, sitting in your special place, listening to the teacher and being kind to your new friends – all things that most children will experience during their first days at school.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Children who are already familiar with the school environment can sometimes struggle to talk about their experiences and might not know how to tell their grownups when things don’t go quite right. Reading books like </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon Goes to Schoo</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">l can help open up this dialogue and give children the tools they need to process difficult, exciting, or new experiences, ultimately helping them feel happy and safe.</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvEosD2RsxVQKeq5sRM7lgcUxoS56S5ccxXkdK4Z7scTYKDT96aSkrJDdsFxUMJGhzFJZ9OQCZ4fesXbAH_9olFcWr-LABmfryOR97WEduLZxxzjvoCGGHqMUsVT5Te90oV_DqiOGPPk/s400/dragon+school+p+4_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvEosD2RsxVQKeq5sRM7lgcUxoS56S5ccxXkdK4Z7scTYKDT96aSkrJDdsFxUMJGhzFJZ9OQCZ4fesXbAH_9olFcWr-LABmfryOR97WEduLZxxzjvoCGGHqMUsVT5Te90oV_DqiOGPPk/w400-h200/dragon+school+p+4_400.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">MP: Why are manners in school so important?</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">CH: </b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Young children are often used to being the sole focus of attention at home, so learning to get along with others can be quite a challenge. Understanding school routines and learning to consider other people’s feelings help the school day run smoothly, which ultimately makes the experience a pleasant and rewarding one for everyone!</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Most children do actually want to behave in a way that will please the adults in their lives, and modeling appropriate behavior in picture books can help them work out what is expected of them. Demonstrating funny scenarios of what would </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">never </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">do is a funny and endearing way to discuss the behaviors they are aiming for. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">MP: Can you recall a teacher that you had in school who helped you learn good etiquette?</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">CH: </b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">I can’t remember anyone at school specifically teaching me about manners – my parents were pretty good at that! I think learning good manners is just part and parcel of the fabric of school life. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We raise our hands when we want to speak, we share our toys and equipment, we cooperate in our role play, we look at the teacher when they are talking…I’ve met many, many very patient teachers who reinforce this good behavior constantly throughout the day. And many, many fabulous children who know what is expected and delight in helping to create a positive atmosphere in their classrooms.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My favourite teacher at primary school was a lady called Mrs. Jack. She could play the guitar, and sing, and was great fun. We used to think she lived at school and I remember being very surprised when I saw her in the street once!</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kTodNU29PCF_aJmSMV7BADYd_obB7Yhe3J7WeAxe_qNUIt48rIxIdYOIv8ZIun7evSkUO2FClNUiICrk0-mex21_VwojZFV5ZcDs2rrGvzUpR1qwraL7a-YkpT9XfnFsPmN2r2JiHuM/s400/Dragon+School+page+5_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kTodNU29PCF_aJmSMV7BADYd_obB7Yhe3J7WeAxe_qNUIt48rIxIdYOIv8ZIun7evSkUO2FClNUiICrk0-mex21_VwojZFV5ZcDs2rrGvzUpR1qwraL7a-YkpT9XfnFsPmN2r2JiHuM/w400-h200/Dragon+School+page+5_400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">MP: Can you tell us a little bit about writing in verse? What is that process like?</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">CH: </b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Writing in verse is different for every book. Sometimes I just start and see where the rhyme takes me, and other times, as for the </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> series, I start with a pretty clear page plan, so I know what I’m going to talk about on every spread. </span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Then it’s a case of teasing out the words and experimenting with different combinations with the hope that I end up with a verse that tells the desired part of the story. Of course, it needs to rhyme, and also the rhythm, or scansion, has to match the pattern I’ve established for the book or series as a whole. </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Getting the scansion right can be tricky, especially as people pronounce words differently. For example, do you say </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Prin</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">cess or Prin</span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">cess</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">? How you stress different syllables affects the way you read the story and therefore how it scans.</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The most challenging part, however, is when my editor asks for tweaks or changes. It’s almost impossible to change just one word in a rhyming verse so any minor changes often require a total rewrite of the verse in question. I will often spend a whole day creating a single verse, so it can sometimes be difficult to go back and rewrite it – but I know that the end result will be better so I just have to take a deep breath and go for it!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdYgvBFk4gLwveTh2nKqGl_NMUx4xCl_mcudGUYqIsryEsMBaFCzys-QtS3NEfs2W4LMJ7N9CLOU34rD7xI2SNUlWT2fIZCIrMD7Dags3xNfPoKHOd4kujkcpd8QOIXVFeYEUk4NOGko/s400/Dragon+School+p6_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdYgvBFk4gLwveTh2nKqGl_NMUx4xCl_mcudGUYqIsryEsMBaFCzys-QtS3NEfs2W4LMJ7N9CLOU34rD7xI2SNUlWT2fIZCIrMD7Dags3xNfPoKHOd4kujkcpd8QOIXVFeYEUk4NOGko/w400-h200/Dragon+School+p6_400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><br /></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">MP: Why did you choose a question-and-answer format for your Dragon books?</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">CH: </b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">This concept actually came from Nosy Crow – they came up with the idea of putting a Little Dragon into a home setting in the first book, </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon Comes to Stay</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">, to see what she would do. The refrain, “Why no! Dragon’s don’t do that!” was also their concept. All I had to do was create a story to fit!</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">I actually think this format works brilliantly as it gives young children a chance to think about how </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">they </i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">might behave in certain situations. Or perhaps how their friends or siblings might behave. Children love to take the moral high ground and the </span><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> books give little ones a perfect opportunity to identify the right way to go about things. It also gives us, as creators, an opportunity to inject a great deal of humor into the story and to show that, just like the little dragon, we are all still learning!</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">MP: What was the most fun part of creating </b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">When a Dragon Goes to School?</i></b><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"> What was the most challenging part?</b></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">CH: I hesitate to use the term “naughty” because I think it’s rather judgmental and negative, but the best bit about writing the book was thinking up some cheeky things that our little dragon might do when she started school. I wanted to choose things that young children would find funny and endearing without making our little character seem mean or unkind. I hope we succeeded!</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With thanks to Magination Press for their support.</span></span></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-38661953757395649342021-06-29T14:32:00.007+01:002021-06-29T14:35:50.331+01:00Author Interview - Ivy's Library - A day in the life of an author<div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaqCHRq6JWLugGWFyo9iEg4YU47M2KsjtRis6SjXZ1D4EHRo3O4WJnN_1qkzLS6MvWqTKPQ42NTT3VYyEnR5t6T_7kzHlMd0fSKzjMD4tqG_zECuBznC1zjaEBCosUKDrkxARbx8mNzw/s400/ivy_logo_rgb-2020-1-e1593866019702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaqCHRq6JWLugGWFyo9iEg4YU47M2KsjtRis6SjXZ1D4EHRo3O4WJnN_1qkzLS6MvWqTKPQ42NTT3VYyEnR5t6T_7kzHlMd0fSKzjMD4tqG_zECuBznC1zjaEBCosUKDrkxARbx8mNzw/s320/ivy_logo_rgb-2020-1-e1593866019702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">This year I've been overwhelmed with the amazing support from book enthusiasts and bloggers on social media. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been on Twitter for years but last May my journey into the book community on Instagram began. And what a journey!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've found the bookstagram community to be hugely supportive and tirelessly enthusiastic about all children's books, including mine!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1hEZCkcyAzHBkQvfa6x605rMxJn_v0ImExqHSnYs9OwqX9sGRZNXreYH3UWHz7_FzBNH05s3-F3q2nX5Hya9jUCyULD7Xe1pdeKAGxo9s894fu8w8Cd4X-6LxpWu0A_OFQwG_XadPL4/s1024/Caryl-Portrait-2019_edited-1-1-768x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1hEZCkcyAzHBkQvfa6x605rMxJn_v0ImExqHSnYs9OwqX9sGRZNXreYH3UWHz7_FzBNH05s3-F3q2nX5Hya9jUCyULD7Xe1pdeKAGxo9s894fu8w8Cd4X-6LxpWu0A_OFQwG_XadPL4/w154-h205/Caryl-Portrait-2019_edited-1-1-768x1024.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I was delighted when Shelly from Ivy's Library asked me if I'd be up for an interview. She asked me to tell her fans about a typical day in an author's life. But life these days is far from typical so instead, I detailed some of the things I was doing over the course of a week including:</span><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">running my fourth book promotion blog tour</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">creating wildlife poems for my role as Author in Residence for Nottinghamshire Libraries' umbrella organisation Inspire Culture</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">speaking with my agent and publishers about existing and new project</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">grappling with my accounts!</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can </span><a href="https://ivyslibrary.com/indexphp/2021/06/06/a-day-in-the-life-of-caryl-hart-childrens-author/" style="font-family: verdana;">read the full interview here</a></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With HUGE thanks to Ivy's Library for all your help with my recent book launches!</span></p><p><a href="https://ivyslibrary.com/"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Ivy's Library Book Review Blog</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-34877014702833594562021-04-14T13:22:00.000+01:002021-04-14T13:22:03.538+01:00Sonny Says MINE!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8-rcEzP0lIQauxbuYczyr4f6MV2BsbiJSkC6kNKycqSTG4cFMF6xf8-_GqP2B_uUmGhOuQG8rjj0rUqt5YZUTu5hEWX-RSwf2aYHNkt5FzAFEEody0LAGBwJZYisXTZmV7trJT_xmnc/s2048/Sonny+Says+Mine+-+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8-rcEzP0lIQauxbuYczyr4f6MV2BsbiJSkC6kNKycqSTG4cFMF6xf8-_GqP2B_uUmGhOuQG8rjj0rUqt5YZUTu5hEWX-RSwf2aYHNkt5FzAFEEody0LAGBwJZYisXTZmV7trJT_xmnc/s320/Sonny+Says+Mine+-+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I am delighted to announce the publication of my new book with the superb illustrative talent that is Zachariah OHora.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meet Sonny, Honey, Meemo and Boo and discover a pre-school world full of emotion and fun! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawPbY61eha-zwi8WXvF8erDIQH1Qg_QZHzDa5FULu73GqhCGBwMl7o0kVQOtF7AWrNqNTBa94hMfbofR0kjcB7zT8saxfuQbUv6SKQdmRJ27kAulnlkctg-FBwbwAaODRHdJpo4eJLww/s2508/Sonny+Says+spread+1_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawPbY61eha-zwi8WXvF8erDIQH1Qg_QZHzDa5FULu73GqhCGBwMl7o0kVQOtF7AWrNqNTBa94hMfbofR0kjcB7zT8saxfuQbUv6SKQdmRJ27kAulnlkctg-FBwbwAaODRHdJpo4eJLww/w400-h200/Sonny+Says+spread+1_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">When you're small, learning to play together can be tricky and understanding other people's emotions can be a real challenge. Young children often upset each other without meaning to - it's just part of growing up and it's how children learn to develop empathy and understanding of others. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9uBEXh7HjQ23wbLzcdzEcTJ63gQmWCN7Q2VfLETd9Zq1GJUQzxWBThM4A8hEehmd5MV8vO6yjenKO98LPdyW6EblPOoxUSsWr66R9Nzc0LMQcewV_ObGpCJ9dIpfztgq71nLcIVcqKg/s2508/Sonny+Says+Spread+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9uBEXh7HjQ23wbLzcdzEcTJ63gQmWCN7Q2VfLETd9Zq1GJUQzxWBThM4A8hEehmd5MV8vO6yjenKO98LPdyW6EblPOoxUSsWr66R9Nzc0LMQcewV_ObGpCJ9dIpfztgq71nLcIVcqKg/w400-h200/Sonny+Says+Spread+2_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Sonny Says MINE</i>! is the first in a brand new series for pre-school and younger children. This first book looks at the importance of sharing, and telling the truth - and helps children understand that being kind and considerate of others makes for happier friendships.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz1sP4VmahSX1uZX-roHq2Vx7a0boQfju-dtuAq8-gS-ht11qLdj4hoKQKFOVV8SOgT3GBR4SsRscUjRnBV3uwXvKb4zVOf3gWWrpgApwunifoinINk369vxEsecwFNfZ8COVtu4IGNE/s2508/Sunny+Says+Spread+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz1sP4VmahSX1uZX-roHq2Vx7a0boQfju-dtuAq8-gS-ht11qLdj4hoKQKFOVV8SOgT3GBR4SsRscUjRnBV3uwXvKb4zVOf3gWWrpgApwunifoinINk369vxEsecwFNfZ8COVtu4IGNE/w400-h200/Sunny+Says+Spread+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sonny, Honey and Boo are all having fun in the playground when... Oooh! Sonny finds an adorable pink bunny. Sonny says, "MINE!" He calls it Bun-Bun and has a wonderful time playing with his new toy. But then Boo arrives. She is crying because she's lost <i>her </i>favourite pink bunny Suki. Oh dear.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqXanS_bstOaJTdJLejLb54CVSPdEOMYXJDWl5hEeUchisFO81tWcbsEUBSVeqUSkQV5aIjb33e-X93C1QQzM50CHGuYri5Vk9bnuqHQacgPf7lQ6FH59_NaAJOD0ayIfuJCzvI4vz3U/s2508/Sonny+Says+spread+9_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqXanS_bstOaJTdJLejLb54CVSPdEOMYXJDWl5hEeUchisFO81tWcbsEUBSVeqUSkQV5aIjb33e-X93C1QQzM50CHGuYri5Vk9bnuqHQacgPf7lQ6FH59_NaAJOD0ayIfuJCzvI4vz3U/w400-h200/Sonny+Says+spread+9_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Will Sonny give Boo's bunny back?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zachariah OHora's loveable illustrations are bright, bold and utterly adorable, so I'm delighted to be working with him on this series!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm excited to have an army of amazing book bloggers and reviewers helping me to launch Sonny Says MINE this week and next. Head over to my accounts on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carylhart/">Instagram </a>or <a href="https://twitter.com/carylhart1">Twitter </a>to find out more!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuyguZR2FT5F4lC7d1SbCEndmtR0eec_iet-J6IAOBm3K7Uk2AGYdPwSr7eBz5eVr3zttEw0ohgGA9_g3LeOzPuQy5S3yGy1FZ8vHtd31a6j5PJMR1nBY18vlU0VzPkAqIdii4v4zM-o/s688/Sonny+Says+Instagram+Blog+Tour+Week+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuyguZR2FT5F4lC7d1SbCEndmtR0eec_iet-J6IAOBm3K7Uk2AGYdPwSr7eBz5eVr3zttEw0ohgGA9_g3LeOzPuQy5S3yGy1FZ8vHtd31a6j5PJMR1nBY18vlU0VzPkAqIdii4v4zM-o/w320-h320/Sonny+Says+Instagram+Blog+Tour+Week+1.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqK3uT970fx1qYQe3TA0mPVRs8NLXT2_Rmj8HV4c_C3f9iOPVGA0hq4l3bNeZybF2a-kLDrOKm-oPO9pxwhMkwXGhZzOhtMbgZg-WBYEe49CIPIBwLjBoK5JA5FdnvM1U3X9sL1NLaEE/s688/Sonny+Says+Instagram+Blog+Tour+Week+2_NEW_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqK3uT970fx1qYQe3TA0mPVRs8NLXT2_Rmj8HV4c_C3f9iOPVGA0hq4l3bNeZybF2a-kLDrOKm-oPO9pxwhMkwXGhZzOhtMbgZg-WBYEe49CIPIBwLjBoK5JA5FdnvM1U3X9sL1NLaEE/s320/Sonny+Says+Instagram+Blog+Tour+Week+2_NEW_edited-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you would like a personally signed copy of Sonny Says MINE! Head over to my <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/sonny-says/sonny-says-mine">online shop</a>!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Sonny Says MINE!</i> is published by Bloomsbury, 15 April 2021</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-7754962990639851982021-04-08T17:09:00.003+01:002021-04-08T17:09:47.544+01:00Imagining History - How to Find Egyptian Treasure<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghuful2LNX_ttUpkuJeuJsAJaok_YXAfF9WYBcZoeteNZREwQwfiBElXn_K3A21wakze1Yjvwzvlhk-LyrkCGcRpMm2dtWokKtRovyB5P9OMOwCvufas77F8u-AHBxahbtTi1zjXiiSM/s542/Imagining+History+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghuful2LNX_ttUpkuJeuJsAJaok_YXAfF9WYBcZoeteNZREwQwfiBElXn_K3A21wakze1Yjvwzvlhk-LyrkCGcRpMm2dtWokKtRovyB5P9OMOwCvufas77F8u-AHBxahbtTi1zjXiiSM/s320/Imagining+History+Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Imagining History provides award-winning, educational, history workshops for primary schools. Their interactive sessions combine role-play, storytelling, demonstrations and drama and performance to bring history to life for your students. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was recently approached by co-owner Adrian Burrows who told me how much they love the Albie stories, and in particular the new titles, How to Find Egyptian Treasure and How to Drive a Roman Chariot. Adrian asked if I'd write a blog post for him about how I wrote and researched the stories.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can <a href="https://www.imagininghistory.co.uk/post/imagining-history-recommends-caryl-hart-children-s-author">read the post on Imagining History</a> here.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here it is reproduced for you below:</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p class="font_8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; pointer-events: auto; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7p1j0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What was the inspiration behind the creation of Albie and his wonderfully varied stories?</span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4jvqv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When my children were young, we often went to the supermarket together, and I started to wonder how much more fun it might be to buy animals instead of cornflakes and washing powder. The result was <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Supermarket Zoo</em>. The story was picked up by Simon and Schuster and published as a stand-alone title in 2009.
</span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ek70h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A year later, I was walking to our allotment with my friend Phoebe who was 2 years old. Phoebe asked me what I was going to grow, and I said carrots. When I asked Phoebe what SHE was going to grow, she said CHICKENS! It got me wondering what it would be like if you really could grow a chicken from a seed. Or, if you could grow something even more exciting! It was then I wrote <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Grow a Dinosaur</em>! Initially I wasn't planning for this to be Albie's second adventure, but when my editor at Simon and Schuster read it, we all agreed that this would be the perfect story for Albie. Since then, Ed Eaves and I have created around one book every year, with book 11 due out this summer.</span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aqc-U9XmtTpJqfwY5DtsQ0q6Ss5AreWeM5GClejQ0NNJM8tG08iGp7Qbpyj3ebI7MO_smb3hcTElGXRfwWqBZi9yY7aFFUaTHaS1mYCPdTazEB6kg4P8xuLF5tx8COC7OTuLcXuVlzo//" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="618" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aqc-U9XmtTpJqfwY5DtsQ0q6Ss5AreWeM5GClejQ0NNJM8tG08iGp7Qbpyj3ebI7MO_smb3hcTElGXRfwWqBZi9yY7aFFUaTHaS1mYCPdTazEB6kg4P8xuLF5tx8COC7OTuLcXuVlzo/w640-h480/8dcf0f_7d01e8d93e6c47949e1f81a3237228c7_mv2.webp" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ti5u" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What do you love most about writing stories for children?</span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-td01" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The best bit about creating picture books is seeing the stories come to life. It often takes me weeks or months and many, many rewrites to create a finished first draft. This is then laid out by a designer, then the illustrator, Ed Eaves in this case, will create some rough drawings to fill the pages. </span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-483bn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once these are all agreed by everyone, including me, the illustrator will create full colour images and the book is eventually printed. It's so exciting seeing the stories go from ideas in a notebook through all the various stages, to become a solid, beautiful book that you can hold in your hand! </span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-81aet" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ln30" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The other amazing thing is when people tell me how much they love my stories. It's a deeply satisfying feeling for sure! </span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-15pfo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You deliver loads of brilliant school visits, both virtual and in-person, could you tell us a little more about these? </span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-dpcio" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When we're not stuck at home because of covid, I visit schools around the UK, telling stories and helping children develop a love of books, reading and writing. I am often approached by teachers at the end of the day who tell me how much the children have loved my visit and how particular children have suddenly become motivated to write. </span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fmbab" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c2g08" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many of the children I work with are from deprived backgrounds and may not have any books at home. Many live in communities with high unemployment and low aspirations. One of the things I try to do during my visits is to give children confidence that their own ideas are good ones and to show them that writing need not be an arduous task to be endured, but a joyful and exciting activity to share.</span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6nA0wtzTfWmLrNZvJyr04wCDgh9kayRPHHb-t_TmDZeTSLkfRjpMn-GJYu8pbfuuaF0v-pQbZ12V8rl-WiSWQs3v-KIUwHpKl2J_Ez1NKsWf9GQpFacebUuVgyDu97lpvn_kVmRuCxo/s461/Albie_Roman_400_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6nA0wtzTfWmLrNZvJyr04wCDgh9kayRPHHb-t_TmDZeTSLkfRjpMn-GJYu8pbfuuaF0v-pQbZ12V8rl-WiSWQs3v-KIUwHpKl2J_Ez1NKsWf9GQpFacebUuVgyDu97lpvn_kVmRuCxo/s320/Albie_Roman_400_edited-1.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eejdt" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We've particularly enjoyed Albie's recent adventures in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome. What were some of the most interesting things you learnt about history from your research?</span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-61qaq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, did you know that there are around 120 pyramids in Egypt? I thought there were only four or five, so that was a big surprise! I also discovered that the ancient Egyptians farmed geese and oxen and used ploughs and sickles for growing and harvesting crops, which included leeks, salad, beans, figs and pomegranates. </span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-90vrh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9nt4g" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As for the Ancient Romans, did you know that many girls were not allowed to go to school? Some had tutors at home but many were expected to learn only about housekeeping. I'm glad I didn't live in ancient Rome that's for sure!</span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4dqa6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY6lF_XyFcAICW8nKU9Ax9MIkt26n81xPUthS51vI8j_NDqWuxF6XTmrGJ-U0FOxOePzF82O73L3DMBdYuUIUpitSLGhfle8xoyvLrHAJ7dtr1RIj2I78MSOqw7D9JIH0IHLhlWRB4XY/s464/Albie+Egypt_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdY6lF_XyFcAICW8nKU9Ax9MIkt26n81xPUthS51vI8j_NDqWuxF6XTmrGJ-U0FOxOePzF82O73L3DMBdYuUIUpitSLGhfle8xoyvLrHAJ7dtr1RIj2I78MSOqw7D9JIH0IHLhlWRB4XY/s320/Albie+Egypt_400.jpg" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bd82e" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bek3c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Find Egyptian Treasure </em>is a really fun story, but it's also got loads of historical detail in it. There's the inclusion of the Sphinx, hieroglyphics to decode and even a teeny tiny Horus to find - was it tricky to balance the entertainment with the educational content in this or any other of your stories? What's the sweet spot?</span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6nm05" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most of the historic content you talk about is shown in the illustrations. The text of the story doesn't mention many of these features by name. Ed Eaves has done a fabulous job of slipping all these details in without making too big a deal of it! We didn't want the stories to feel educational, we wanted them to be fun so that children might be motivated to find out more about what they see. </span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eu13j" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We wanted to fire up children's imaginations and help them picture how life might be for them if they lived in ancient times. Personally, I sometimes find fact books difficult to digest and the information hard to read about and remember. </span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5031h" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-657bh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For me, it's the human interaction that is the interesting bit. I like to focus on what it was like to live and play in those times, what people ate, what they did in their spare time, what they were afraid of and what they looked forward to. When you look at history in this way, you realise that the people from thousands of years ago were really just like us. </span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-a25ak" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eusvk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone wants to love and be loved, to be entertained and challenged. Everyone wants to feel they are important and that they have a contribution to make in the world. By creating stories about ordinary people in different settings we can develop greater empathy and understanding for the real people around us, both within our communities and in the wider world.</span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm1uJlztJz5gmraRP4F4n4W2yb4o-JerhKat6cqksY2CAH95w8ev9E5hKZpVnpsuZV3640ljPpRhA7xEdbYB5ZEzVR3jgOuEKwLkRka0awX0cN_JSWPvmoC2cE7CWjM4Pnuecs_GJbwI/s1784/How+to+Track+a+Sabre+Toothed+Tiger+Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1784" data-original-width="1529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm1uJlztJz5gmraRP4F4n4W2yb4o-JerhKat6cqksY2CAH95w8ev9E5hKZpVnpsuZV3640ljPpRhA7xEdbYB5ZEzVR3jgOuEKwLkRka0awX0cN_JSWPvmoC2cE7CWjM4Pnuecs_GJbwI/s320/How+to+Track+a+Sabre+Toothed+Tiger+Front+Cover.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4j108" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We've noticed that the next book in the series takes Albie to the Stone Age - can you give us a sneaky preview of what's in store for Albie and the gang?</span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-520sc" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I noticed on your website that you feature a stone age flute. Well, we also have a flute hidden in our story! There are also cave paintings like the ones archaeologists have found in Lascaux and LOTS of amazing prehistoric animals</span></span></p><div class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eo8u6" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3ha7v" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In <em style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How to Track a Sabre Toothed Tiger, </em>Albie finds a little striped kitten in his garden. He soon discovers that it belongs to a girl called Thorn. When the kitten runs away, Albie and Thorn search for tracks in the mud. Will they find the kitten or something a little larger?!
<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Albie has recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary. Are there any other eras of history you are considering including in a future book? We'd love to see Albie on a Viking longship at some point!</span></span></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="XzvDs _208Ie ljrnk blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color _2QAo- _25MYV _1Fao9 ljrnk public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9gcdj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gosh, there are so many possibilities! I'd also love to write a Viking story, or one based on the Great Wall of China perhaps! The great thing about the Albie stories is that they all follow a similar pattern, so once you've read a few, you can have a go at writing your own! Perhaps your readers would like to try their hand at creating a brand new adventure of their own! </span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><span class="vkIF2 public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.imagininghistory.co.uk/">Find out more about Imagining History Here.</a></span></span></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-28701386065260084382021-03-11T08:00:00.001+00:002021-03-11T08:00:05.163+00:00Meet the Oceans COLOURING COMPETITION!<p><span style="color: black;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZM84AK3WQG86l4aPL1vR7bfO5pZG_1MMOs817OFaM6OueJvSHsvmAsoE2OZw2J64BsRL18KMgMv0I0RT17yFbSODtiYBQ60yGATp9Ezk9LBGPOocNY8Z3FxUbIop1mvK_7KolN_whxM/s1024/Oceans+Twitter+Colouring+Comp+Twitter_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZM84AK3WQG86l4aPL1vR7bfO5pZG_1MMOs817OFaM6OueJvSHsvmAsoE2OZw2J64BsRL18KMgMv0I0RT17yFbSODtiYBQ60yGATp9Ezk9LBGPOocNY8Z3FxUbIop1mvK_7KolN_whxM/w640-h320/Oceans+Twitter+Colouring+Comp+Twitter_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fancy winning yourself a SIGNED HARDBACK copy of Meet the Oceans?</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Just download a copy of this FAB colouring in activity created by @BethanWoollvin and post </span></span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">your finished piece to Twitter or Instagram as follows:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><b>Instagram</b></u>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use the following hashtags:</span></div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">#MeettheOceansBookPlay</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">#Oceanbookplay</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tag:</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carylhart/">@carylhart</a> </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">@bethanwoollvin</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">@bloomsburychildrens</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><b>Twitter</b></u>:</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find my PINNED TWEET at the top of my profile</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Add a photo of your entry in the comments below that tweet.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Caryl Hart Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/carylhart1">@carylhart1</a>
<br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITY SHEET HERE: </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.carylhart.com/books/meet-the-world/meet-the-oceans&source=gmail&ust=1615476038933000&usg=AFQjCNFKiJSO3y27TxdRVnXgOrFnN4G9qg" href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/meet-the-world/meet-the-oceans" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.carylhart.com/<wbr></wbr>books/meet-the-world/meet-the-<wbr></wbr>oceans</a>
<br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ENDS Sunday 14 March, 23.59 GMT. UK only.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This competition is in no way associated with Instagram or Twitter.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">BEWARE SCAMMERS! We will NEVER ask you for payment or bank details in connection with this or any other promotion.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">GOOD LUCK!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", Arial, "ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3", "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", メイリオ, Meiryo, "MS Pゴシック", "MS PGothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-13744028981949944302021-03-04T08:00:00.149+00:002021-03-04T15:31:37.952+00:00 Caryl Hart & Bethan Woollvin Interview each other! PLUS an EXCLUSIVE Artwork GIVEAWAY!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNoVcDhRv00KLFF97fAdvvt0M0cUn39eSySvpZBe5hY73GVa5XMwlTuVm68ny5iUkd_82stuWJcNbzNI52WZI2y630NyYAN4x-wATq8xu2BB4IrZ47oWYx8v0he89IuGASySLLUjqtng/s2048/IMG_6211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNoVcDhRv00KLFF97fAdvvt0M0cUn39eSySvpZBe5hY73GVa5XMwlTuVm68ny5iUkd_82stuWJcNbzNI52WZI2y630NyYAN4x-wATq8xu2BB4IrZ47oWYx8v0he89IuGASySLLUjqtng/s320/IMG_6211.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Meet the Oceans </i>by me and Bethan Woollvin publishes TODAY!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">To celebrate, Bethan and have interviewed each other about the creation of this book and our thoughts for the series. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2cy-EYOtO9z25Om08DcrzfJC9SNLfAh74ZRTLyMdMP5TtJoje6_HTVw0S2vAu85vrxlQmdTb_3iPl6vIpCaMNRDCOU1PbkisPqbBGSdSQZijewnv73waLcx0iuwEPTYos-qxQHIm_JI/s640/IMG_9050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="542" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2cy-EYOtO9z25Om08DcrzfJC9SNLfAh74ZRTLyMdMP5TtJoje6_HTVw0S2vAu85vrxlQmdTb_3iPl6vIpCaMNRDCOU1PbkisPqbBGSdSQZijewnv73waLcx0iuwEPTYos-qxQHIm_JI/w169-h200/IMG_9050.jpg" width="169" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOulNHUMtAYcj41AAJ8hdGHJdm1k2QdtntptuotTt16uz608JZFfYst0X6rHKXIyTVfbO0ywrhLbxUiorYrDKdRQaqTMKzYiGozwldcXpDHAPpeuRc0JGoGpm_aIP-hXoy1eiHnKzEZBs/s1143/image0+%25281%2529.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOulNHUMtAYcj41AAJ8hdGHJdm1k2QdtntptuotTt16uz608JZFfYst0X6rHKXIyTVfbO0ywrhLbxUiorYrDKdRQaqTMKzYiGozwldcXpDHAPpeuRc0JGoGpm_aIP-hXoy1eiHnKzEZBs/w175-h200/image0+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="175" /></a> <br /><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #ff00fe; font-family: verdana; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; white-space: normal;">Here's our conversation:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: The </span><i style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet the World </i><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">series (as I like to call it) started life in 2016 after Emma Blackburn, our Editor at Bloomsbury, saw some animated gifs of planets with little faces that you had on your website. She asked if I'd be interested in developing a rhyming book about a journey through space, with a rhyme for each planet, using your illustrations.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hr7EbXv5tpYrsYomvS-6OJmk4ZImYD1gX_z9WbNtXl0uV4iW0Ik1rFqrFcepFHPyV68AyJa06BTPsZAW7xSu9amxxi5t2XnoIq42N0qC0dhrChKIB-HerB-SE6bXWOpKZZ0lOwGptDY/s500/VENUSHANDIN.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hr7EbXv5tpYrsYomvS-6OJmk4ZImYD1gX_z9WbNtXl0uV4iW0Ik1rFqrFcepFHPyV68AyJa06BTPsZAW7xSu9amxxi5t2XnoIq42N0qC0dhrChKIB-HerB-SE6bXWOpKZZ0lOwGptDY/s320/VENUSHANDIN.gif" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3698f228-7fff-5067-3dae-992605b9c3aa"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Q: What inspired you to create these cute little characters?</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>Well, I think I had actually created these little planet characters as part of a project I was working on at university, back in 2015. They started off as small little doodles of planets, and I challenged myself to animate each planet into a small GiF. Animating the solar system, if you will!</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>Q: </span>When you were writing your brilliant rhymes for <i>Meet the Planets</i>, were you thinking about how I might illustrate your story? </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: </span><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew you'd be creating characters of the planets with cute little faces but I had no idea how you were going to present these. I love the way you play with perspective and your scenery, with those zingy neon highlights, looks stunning. Also for some reason, I didn't realise the background of the book would be jet black! The contrast between the colours you use and this very matt, black background really makes this book stand out. </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq-FcOxvElyK6i0-H4SQvk-hzKCLMfQ7KbdOTDQ8w36JlGsIwGXuU-KvR-QPBw5_uBZRK754s8HXQRCAeS1YGfJ_Qmr59WtsiLUVh2d2buv15iXwxMHIpfdjHAUnv9nzvcdnulcbF0iE/s1024/IMG_6947.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq-FcOxvElyK6i0-H4SQvk-hzKCLMfQ7KbdOTDQ8w36JlGsIwGXuU-KvR-QPBw5_uBZRK754s8HXQRCAeS1YGfJ_Qmr59WtsiLUVh2d2buv15iXwxMHIpfdjHAUnv9nzvcdnulcbF0iE/w400-h200/IMG_6947.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: Did you ever imagine that your little planet animations would be the start of this amazing project?</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>A lot of my ideas and projects really begin with me finding an object, creature or person which demands its own character, and that’s really how the creation of my planet illustrations and animations came about. But when I first saw how you had written these rhymes, giving each planet their own personality and characteristics, it really kicked my imagination into overdrive! I had no idea that they would snowball into this fantastic series, but I’m really pleased they did.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLTLyn6MF3tjAWDHk1XRrU5LeEXAEaM4PQY4-zVHUHTdrCSsb0Y12w45E30ctZ1ziJALZ62IJR7eGyv5brv_zvI3TEIyYbOa-_LT8GYsfNcRt3LSs5Cu6uIjRUBrHp_fcNino6GbEjD8/s510/IMG_7020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLTLyn6MF3tjAWDHk1XRrU5LeEXAEaM4PQY4-zVHUHTdrCSsb0Y12w45E30ctZ1ziJALZ62IJR7eGyv5brv_zvI3TEIyYbOa-_LT8GYsfNcRt3LSs5Cu6uIjRUBrHp_fcNino6GbEjD8/s320/IMG_7020.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Q: </span>All the research you put together for <i>Meet the Oceans</i> must have been a lot of hard work! How long did it take you to write the text? </span></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: </span><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">It actually took me several months to come up with the final text. It was a huge challenge deciding which facts to include. I wanted to pick details that could be used to create a personality for each ocean. With only four to eight lines to play with, I had to choose carefully!</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MbakKlmwFYvJD8l9O433MaKni1OTxU3lTpGhvZd64C1Qtryl2dW-E1aJ-Mgi3Nih3lnF75Jqlr_fG82vu8LogKFsQFUu4fdqdr1yycBluiG3TLIA3gglSU9SvszYVNZxtfg8I31B56w/s2048/IMG_6222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MbakKlmwFYvJD8l9O433MaKni1OTxU3lTpGhvZd64C1Qtryl2dW-E1aJ-Mgi3Nih3lnF75Jqlr_fG82vu8LogKFsQFUu4fdqdr1yycBluiG3TLIA3gglSU9SvszYVNZxtfg8I31B56w/s320/IMG_6222.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Q: When you first saw the text for <i>Meet the Oceans</i>, what was your initial reaction?</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4d1ae897-7fff-1411-d1dc-abdc946c79a0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>Sitting down and reading your text for <i>Meet the Oceans</i> for the first time instantly set my brain off, working out exactly how I might bring these oceans to life! Being a visual thinker, I do a lot of designing and planning within my brain alone, and that definitely happened for me the moment I read your text! I think I knew immediately that it was going to be a huge challenge, but I couldn’t wait to get started. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeEedXkzhzXLigN5oX_jUHEjNhJkzLqr6bbBUo9R35a4_VTdBHOrgUSadaxfU01Ufenq5ykTvrjwOzR3h5kym7RBql1x4q6lQ53YvvRgsvRuD9lM8ERK42M9ZdoP2wl_DBMKuMYYJ2NE/s2048/IMG_6220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeEedXkzhzXLigN5oX_jUHEjNhJkzLqr6bbBUo9R35a4_VTdBHOrgUSadaxfU01Ufenq5ykTvrjwOzR3h5kym7RBql1x4q6lQ53YvvRgsvRuD9lM8ERK42M9ZdoP2wl_DBMKuMYYJ2NE/s320/IMG_6220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>Q: </span>Your text for </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet the Oceans </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">was very inspiring, and I had great fun creating the illustrations for the story. When you first saw my illustrations, what did you think?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Me: I had no idea how you were going to illustrate bodies of salt water as characters but you've done an amazing job of giving them all personalities. You've put so much detail into each image, with dozens of cute sea creatures for readers to spot! I love also that not every illustration is just a view of the sea bed. Some include bits of shoreline and the wildlife that lives beside the sea as well as in it. The way you transition from what is above water to what is below, is really clever!</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS27GXx7MReuc99-VEw0hJ-rDk3CLHG6tvxkhSh4KushD-4aRbawsLt8BbFZ3uaYh6XbiMaSYhP2RCG3TCYgHt2i3yalnDvDvpe8rkTnarLSdvACNYDEo8A-EQrihQVNaZjnfvaHDcJs/s2048/IMG_6219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS27GXx7MReuc99-VEw0hJ-rDk3CLHG6tvxkhSh4KushD-4aRbawsLt8BbFZ3uaYh6XbiMaSYhP2RCG3TCYgHt2i3yalnDvDvpe8rkTnarLSdvACNYDEo8A-EQrihQVNaZjnfvaHDcJs/s320/IMG_6219.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: H</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">ow did you come up with this magical approach to the overall design of each illustration?</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-21cb1804-7fff-9b29-2ab3-de1ee2e4bfec"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>It became evident quite early on during the planning stages of the illustrations that the depictions of each ocean and sea would need to be quite visually different to one another in order to keep the story flowing. After quite a lot of brainstorming sessions with our designer, Goldy, we figured out that using things like scale, colour and varying points of view, we could display each ocean and sea in really exciting ways. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are some oceans within the book, for example, where I needed to illustrate both above water and below water, to show creatures diving into the water as well as the sea beds. Now luckily, with my style of illustration, I’m able to break a fair amount of perspective rules, which certainly came in handy!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having a colour palette was also very helpful when creating these illustrations for Meet the Oceans. We had a wider palette, which included colours used across the whole book, but for each spread we picked just a few from that palette, depending on the type of ocean and it’s characteristics. I remember spending a really long time working out what shade of blue or green each ocean *felt* like, which was surprisingly tricky. </span></p><br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: All of your oceans and seas are such fantastic characters, which one was your favourite to write about? </span></span><br /><div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkwJ5H30sX-vHDbqlN7SpNh5I7gVPyXe_8KA2eHN0GpnJr7buZBQ1MdoVYifdrHp_kyJ9wkoO0FX2UO2eFsEX_8lHTdEseMNxGqZh7cvWNB9JZJjh6RKOwAdQAjSUh9tQqcZWYmCol-o/s2048/IMG_6223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2046" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkwJ5H30sX-vHDbqlN7SpNh5I7gVPyXe_8KA2eHN0GpnJr7buZBQ1MdoVYifdrHp_kyJ9wkoO0FX2UO2eFsEX_8lHTdEseMNxGqZh7cvWNB9JZJjh6RKOwAdQAjSUh9tQqcZWYmCol-o/s320/IMG_6223.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span>Q: </span>All of your oceans and seas are such fantastic characters, which one was your favourite to write about? </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: </span><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I think I enjoyed writing the Caribbean Sea rhymes the most, mainly because of the wonderful array of crazy fish names! </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">There were literally so fabulous sounding fish, it was hard to choose, but in the end I went for:</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Trunkfish, Porkfish, Blue Tags and Jawfish... how evocative these names are! </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-RanXaZH7JIEcVsgUg89BxSCFk31DZm0MDFCvj0GD0wG12EqWQjUWN9HEOYUmNdrLs180lsFYLxHGLji-O8Hbbn77hS54cfS_FcvFeEg1oCbb5dEMid5yz_YooVznrBlx6obU8XMh3s/s2048/IMG_6229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-RanXaZH7JIEcVsgUg89BxSCFk31DZm0MDFCvj0GD0wG12EqWQjUWN9HEOYUmNdrLs180lsFYLxHGLji-O8Hbbn77hS54cfS_FcvFeEg1oCbb5dEMid5yz_YooVznrBlx6obU8XMh3s/s320/IMG_6229.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: Which is YOUR favourite ocean or sea, and wh</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">y?</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>I think my favourite sea has to be the Mediterranean Sea. It was a particularly challenging spread, as it featured a tricky perspective of above and below the sea. But I really enjoyed illustrating all of the gorgeous Mediterranean homes on the coast, as well as that hot pink sunset and all the waving creatures. What fun it was to create!</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-672a648a-7fff-f0a0-40e8-c7e1de144377"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Q: Writing can be really challenging, but even more so when you’re making the words rhyme too! Did you have trouble with any of the oceans or seas making the rhymes work? </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: </span><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Honestly, it was <i>really </i>hard! It took me a really long time to get every verse right. It was tricky finding words with the right number of syllables needed to keep the rhythm even and flowing. There was a lot of chopping and changing to get to the point of a first draft. And then lots of re-writing following our editor's and designer's comments. When you write in rhyme, changing one word can often lead to re-writing the whole verse! We were also very keen to ensure each page picked out different aspects of the oceans and seas we were describing without too much repetition. </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1tDrCDSbiUBpfQHT8S0jdfegsCsmIwsLJWqg-Wh3v49Otlh9k0NYigbk5WnIPVDnSy_4MTvS6alNazkd3if7Ea1nxCwTC2ud-FCSr-Nf_UDORtG0y6kXogjJ6SPNfTdjFmLsRgp67II/s2048/IMG_6228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1tDrCDSbiUBpfQHT8S0jdfegsCsmIwsLJWqg-Wh3v49Otlh9k0NYigbk5WnIPVDnSy_4MTvS6alNazkd3if7Ea1nxCwTC2ud-FCSr-Nf_UDORtG0y6kXogjJ6SPNfTdjFmLsRgp67II/s320/IMG_6228.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What was <i>your </i>biggest challenge creating this book?</span></span></p><br /><span id="docs-internal-guid-e38e3192-7fff-98b4-8a48-652eb2b18dcf"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>My biggest challenge for this book was keeping the balance of the characters right, and I used a lot of ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ characters to tackle this - I’ll explain why. As your story personified each of the oceans and seas, it felt really important for them to have big eyes, full of expression. As well as the bodies of water, the little human and dog zooming around in their submarine also need more expressive eyes in order to react and interact with the oceans. But what about all of the creatures you wrote about in your story?! They’re important, too! Well, it quickly became apparent that if every creature in the whole book had that sneaky side eye, you wouldn’t know where to look on each page! It would be full of eyes! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So we decided that we would assign larger eyes to some of the bigger ‘primary’ characters, such as whales, seals and swordfish, and assign small dot eyes to the ‘secondary’ characters, which are mainly fish, crabs and seagulls. But that was certainly very challenging, and took quite a while to figure out. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: Our world has a lot of oceans and seas, so many that we couldn’t fit them all into the book! Were there any bodies of water that you </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nearly</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> included in the book?</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #00a0fe; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #00a0fe; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p></span><div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: </span><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My initial plan for the book was for each page to focus on a different wildlife group. For example, fish, mammals, shoreline wildlife, wildlife in icy waters etc. Once I'd had an initial discussion with our editor, though, we decided that the book would work best as a journey around the world in a little submarine! Some oceans we didn't end up including were the Gulf of Mexico and the </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Philippine</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> sea, but there were loads we could have added that we just didn't have room for!</span></span></div><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXDX-wpenmFoctRFxpKYzYoTu_qLPXuLxUG5p8csQo-lNMnkNfXer2yrh8T1pa2piTc6pWXJscIkfk079-cu1sTc6MN02ASbkVSAxo4eWZgYPG7GgIhI12oocwjfM-ACXTNsq5Lc3JgY/s2048/IMG_6225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXDX-wpenmFoctRFxpKYzYoTu_qLPXuLxUG5p8csQo-lNMnkNfXer2yrh8T1pa2piTc6pWXJscIkfk079-cu1sTc6MN02ASbkVSAxo4eWZgYPG7GgIhI12oocwjfM-ACXTNsq5Lc3JgY/s320/IMG_6225.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">What </span></span><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">about <i>Meet the Oceans</i> </span><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">are you most proud of ?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span>Well, I’m really proud of the project as a whole, because it pushed me to think outside the box and come up with something really fun and unique! But what i’m most proud of is the amount of movement I’ve been able to illustrate in this book. My illustration is very flat and static, and it was a real worry for me at the beginning of the project. How was I going to illustrate the oceans and seas, which are busy and brimming with life and movement?! But I rose to the challenge, and spent a really long time studying videos of water, bubbles, waves, swimming fish, seaweed, currents, coral and much more. This helped me endlessly throughout the book, as I was able to give the oceans much more texture and movement. It was certainly a lot of work, but I couldn’t be more proud of how I have brought the oceans and seas to life with my own drawings! </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a3b5738c-7fff-06a3-7013-bcf3595fedcf"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Q: While writing the text for </span><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Meet the Oceans</span><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, you must have squeezed in your favourite sea creature! What is your favourite sea creature? </span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe; white-space: pre-wrap;">Me: </span><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Like many people, I love whales and dolphins so it's great to see so many in the story. But I think my new favourite is the little puffer fish you've drawn in the Mediterranean Sea. So cute!</span></div><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Q: If you could choose any Meet the.. title to do next, what would it be?</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri,sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethan:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Good question! I think you could do something really fun with pond life, though I think I need a little more time away from drawing bodies of water, it might be the end of me! Aside from pond life, I think the natural wonders would be really fun. Volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls and so on. OR we could go really weird and do a book about time! I’d love to try and personify relativity and wormholes.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-40834057-7fff-7bf6-e867-cdcd0b9e1acd"><br /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Q: I have the same question for you! If you could write any ‘Meet the…’ book next, what would it be? </span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #0056d6; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Me: I'd love to write Meet the Minibeasts! I think insects and bugs are greatly understood and creating a book where we meet each one might really help people to love the smallest of our wild creatures! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINDonWbYkim_ZtWEcg_BmL9-XN3GAf6tJwAOn6AyGZGSwOF_5ASdBV2VMPn62rH4OFS26NnSQ4H7kry6LxlDuXKxaWYks7VWire6HozyVsODC12cxa-xd3AUYg6_N9a5c_4HfESCyH4/s2048/IMG_6213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINDonWbYkim_ZtWEcg_BmL9-XN3GAf6tJwAOn6AyGZGSwOF_5ASdBV2VMPn62rH4OFS26NnSQ4H7kry6LxlDuXKxaWYks7VWire6HozyVsODC12cxa-xd3AUYg6_N9a5c_4HfESCyH4/s320/IMG_6213.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bethan is giving away this STUNNING piece of original artwork to one lucky winner! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">TO ENTER:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><ol><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Create a piece of artwork of a WHALE.</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Post it on Instagram or Twitter</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Tag @BethanWoollvin and @carylhart<br /></li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Mark your entry: #meettheoceansbookplay</li></ol></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carylhart/">Visit Caryl's Instagram</a> : @carylhart1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://twitter.com/carylhart1">Visit Caryl's Twitter</a> : @carylhart</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bethanwoollvin/">Bethan's Instagram</a> : @bethanwoollvin</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://twitter.com/bethanwoollvin">Visit Bethan's Twitter</a> : @bethanwoollvin</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Entries close Sunday 7 March, 23.59 GMT</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The winner will be notified on Monday 8 March.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">UK only.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Note: This giveaway is in no way associated with Instagram or Twitter. Beware of scammers. We will never ask you for any payment in connection with this, or any other giveaway.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Meet the Oceans </i>is published by Bloomsbury Children's Books, 4 March 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To buy a personally-signed copy, <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/about/shop">visit my SHOP</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-65653762420533138862021-02-26T08:00:00.168+00:002021-02-26T08:00:02.922+00:00Meet the Oceans - The Backstory<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7PQyOacdrisIUr7wDPa5XWf7AeIiJvd3WfSjcHpWC6yB9ASHrnX9bYjjrd0vT-M8efY10l148MlSdO68-7qcMGtyJsxFK4VmnAZox5lLmmNShnDyXyKlVFVctlD7Y7jYS9nS_j4uO88/s2048/Meet+the+OceansFront+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7PQyOacdrisIUr7wDPa5XWf7AeIiJvd3WfSjcHpWC6yB9ASHrnX9bYjjrd0vT-M8efY10l148MlSdO68-7qcMGtyJsxFK4VmnAZox5lLmmNShnDyXyKlVFVctlD7Y7jYS9nS_j4uO88/s320/Meet+the+OceansFront+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm delighted to have been asked by the Federation of Children's Book Groups (FCBG) to write a blog post about <i>Meet the Oceans</i>, the second book in my new series illustrated by the super awesome Bethan Woollvin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here's what I told them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Meet the Oceans</i> is a fabulous first look at the wonders of the underwater world for young children. Illustrated by the amazingly talented Bethan Woollvin, it takes readers on an exciting submarine adventure to meet some of our planet's oceans and seas.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG7boxGqpFUmRyud8BwKBuv1r6e2ujokrqwOh83SisSKUADRHHm2Vk57WtbyRYUyeFJVj_YPVpBOGDpJAkssGjbzp1d5FITI_5-bRVxGPFaju_xrkxG0vQDFevm5p1jG_whE3GQxre3g/s2048/Meet+the+Oceans+Spread+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG7boxGqpFUmRyud8BwKBuv1r6e2ujokrqwOh83SisSKUADRHHm2Vk57WtbyRYUyeFJVj_YPVpBOGDpJAkssGjbzp1d5FITI_5-bRVxGPFaju_xrkxG0vQDFevm5p1jG_whE3GQxre3g/w400-h253/Meet+the+Oceans+Spread+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each body of salty water has its own personality and a poem that highlights some of its wonderful wildlife, physical characteristics and human interactions.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So how did this book come about?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Meet the Oceans </i>is the second book in a series which was launched last year with <i>Meet the Planets</i>, which is proving to be a very popular first look into space. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The series started life in September 2016, as some little animated gifs of friendly-faced planets on illustrator Bethan Woollvin's website. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItfNe8_AcI_4MpL4XVIi9aVO2f2l3w0AA6pRE9PkCbTtj5HRM5Y-7RHhDGRkhk-n3_ccEUbgoy5TcmM8C5TsjPOYWPUUkNVjnCvOV2EseOPoN9WJHZ0FUQlrhf7E_PAAQYjCrdcaT70w/s1181/SATURN.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1181" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItfNe8_AcI_4MpL4XVIi9aVO2f2l3w0AA6pRE9PkCbTtj5HRM5Y-7RHhDGRkhk-n3_ccEUbgoy5TcmM8C5TsjPOYWPUUkNVjnCvOV2EseOPoN9WJHZ0FUQlrhf7E_PAAQYjCrdcaT70w/w200-h200/SATURN.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UhPY38WyAw8hudy4fK_ntlvGktVRi2rIyZUE7ppYNazN2gg-dBexilPnbNx-10PMS-luiE-oA9G_JZKKb4a2VWV0vK47JhYoOllplZA_M2u7hkKCAlzBZZt3EiZ0czD9s_DcGZjt8gA/s500/VENUSHANDIN.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UhPY38WyAw8hudy4fK_ntlvGktVRi2rIyZUE7ppYNazN2gg-dBexilPnbNx-10PMS-luiE-oA9G_JZKKb4a2VWV0vK47JhYoOllplZA_M2u7hkKCAlzBZZt3EiZ0czD9s_DcGZjt8gA/w200-h200/VENUSHANDIN.gif" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I was not yet working with Bloomsbury at this point, but had a great relationship with Publishing Director, Emma Blackburn, who had arrived from Simon and Schuster the previous year. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Emma asked me if I'd be interested in writing a book of poems that introduced young children to the planets using Bethan's illustrations. Of course, I said yes straight away! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6332JBX6UwX4bE8RalNCa08nDWAUWZycJcEN8cXdfBY3wyJB3hpx_JmTQIkyLadFxKnOo982EZzMlgBbJcy4XWGqLblAZHXs0dZiRCTisM_38SSsYoBMgpvmIl67ZlI14xDn3XpnnZA/s1024/IMG_6947.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6332JBX6UwX4bE8RalNCa08nDWAUWZycJcEN8cXdfBY3wyJB3hpx_JmTQIkyLadFxKnOo982EZzMlgBbJcy4XWGqLblAZHXs0dZiRCTisM_38SSsYoBMgpvmIl67ZlI14xDn3XpnnZA/w400-h200/IMG_6947.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bloomsbury featured </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Meet the Planets</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> on their stand at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2019 and the book published last year, in 2020.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWzyf7YvnhbZI_QErrm-R6Tp8DyhaLjF3NAg3vi6ur4qU-A1FpmTyzAyTil1jEGYYgnoRc-y5Fhagd5cRI9co5o2UDCxOpSuVVd-Cc6QUzi9a0Wnxo1VwufTg2uon7Wo26CTy_c47DPA/s660/Meet+the+Planets+at+Bologna+2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="660" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWzyf7YvnhbZI_QErrm-R6Tp8DyhaLjF3NAg3vi6ur4qU-A1FpmTyzAyTil1jEGYYgnoRc-y5Fhagd5cRI9co5o2UDCxOpSuVVd-Cc6QUzi9a0Wnxo1VwufTg2uon7Wo26CTy_c47DPA/w400-h216/Meet+the+Planets+at+Bologna+2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Most of the books I write are based purely on made up ideas from inside my own head. But with <i>Meet the Oceans</i> and the rest of this series, I needed to do a lot of research, which was a very different way of working for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I learned so much about the physical geography and wildlife of each ocean and about how humans use and impact on them. Picking out which aspects to focus on for each sea, and distilling all this information into four short lines, as well as deciding which oceans and seas to feature, was quite a challenge! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLk8tlFK_r7LWemzrdKUzTywANtocQIpYtRd19nHmfb-fjsWASjxZpqrT6p-K22qkPcm0l5J0_x_ZluQslwHovengu8cBt4gaR4p99cINTD2tm4RAtzRVdyQRRpShwVE7HRtZgyR0_9s/s2048/Meet+the+Oceans+Carribbean+Sea+Spread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLk8tlFK_r7LWemzrdKUzTywANtocQIpYtRd19nHmfb-fjsWASjxZpqrT6p-K22qkPcm0l5J0_x_ZluQslwHovengu8cBt4gaR4p99cINTD2tm4RAtzRVdyQRRpShwVE7HRtZgyR0_9s/w400-h253/Meet+the+Oceans+Carribbean+Sea+Spread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You might be surprised to discover that my degree was not in literature, but in Biology and I worked in environmental conservation for several years before becoming an author. So getting back to working on a book with an environmental theme was a real joy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Many of environmental books and programmes we see these days focus so much on the damage that humans are doing that our sense of wonder and appreciation are completely overshadowed by the feelings of doom and gloom we are left with. While I absolutely believe that we need to arm our children with the skills, motivations and the will to address these issues, I did not want to use the book to add to his burden. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead, with <i>Meet the Oceans</i>, I was careful to avoid negative messaging, choosing instead to focus on stimulating curiosity and creating feelings of empathy, awe and compassion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iZhVt8YFFiy_GvQ6xZhBY5Rw4RoUmTic5qVXVBk_HiQLasysTV26ukwpXFjqoxOLMZsgaeo3_giEfNMH9Qa5gqBHjV6i7Zq8OkUigfx9HdxceUM9I-ybWZi7_GGokgW4HQB0OXchbNI/s2048/Meet+the+Oceans+Coral+Sea+Spread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iZhVt8YFFiy_GvQ6xZhBY5Rw4RoUmTic5qVXVBk_HiQLasysTV26ukwpXFjqoxOLMZsgaeo3_giEfNMH9Qa5gqBHjV6i7Zq8OkUigfx9HdxceUM9I-ybWZi7_GGokgW4HQB0OXchbNI/w400-h253/Meet+the+Oceans+Coral+Sea+Spread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">young children and their families to fall in love with our marine nature without feeling guilty or anxious about pollution and plastics. I believe love comes first. And once you love a thing, you will take steps to protect and care about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J6vBYrOVgXvKOBfN5ODY1hfMElZPjOCyo_SrClEr0MhnXUDYI9mfx-pHwaeJ9TaynVuvfmv1orRFLliqO6x-R53hXld-XhiwA57gEQ6jgzrR1u0SKUb1h4RqqzGv7z5J-IUKFSgE_Mw/s2048/Southern+Ocean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="2048" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J6vBYrOVgXvKOBfN5ODY1hfMElZPjOCyo_SrClEr0MhnXUDYI9mfx-pHwaeJ9TaynVuvfmv1orRFLliqO6x-R53hXld-XhiwA57gEQ6jgzrR1u0SKUb1h4RqqzGv7z5J-IUKFSgE_Mw/w400-h253/Southern+Ocean.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adding faces onto planets is relatively straightforward, but I had no idea how Bethan Woollvin was going to illustrate the oceans as living characters. I think you'll agree she has </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">done an exceptional job in bringing these watery worlds to life! Her zingy illustrations are packed with detail and by adding friendly eyes and cheeky smiles, she has really drawn out the personalities of each body of water. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I get lots of messages on social media from families telling me how their young children have learned many of the rhymes from <i>Meet the Planets</i> off by heart. Children have been baking planet-themed biscuits and creating their own planet characters using some of the activity sheets we've created for them.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2Au078umbhZ0TILCantgFWcUJJZ_dbZgCL4vYGIluijMuRXfNImrbKx6V2E030NCqn3HMIBKNRDsRjW6pKysb4SNdD-1XlkwJ1Vdg2eibkKImUO2DvQG2dHKTSMwKrzNafky1ZhIoXY/s716/MOAB+Book+Club+Planet+Masks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="649" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2Au078umbhZ0TILCantgFWcUJJZ_dbZgCL4vYGIluijMuRXfNImrbKx6V2E030NCqn3HMIBKNRDsRjW6pKysb4SNdD-1XlkwJ1Vdg2eibkKImUO2DvQG2dHKTSMwKrzNafky1ZhIoXY/w181-h200/MOAB+Book+Club+Planet+Masks.jpg" width="181" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK_gaT1kTc_wS7YyIEkROB4MpN3MAz2IeYd3vrfT66XAZuYkXodh91lNQ5sReVsNCIaKE3Kbct7GoKRQdyT8TLoZsxyonoCNYlAh6sVehw1fzKvVdYF2YdX49vgH0t_s5F1eo7duyWls/s640/IMG_9892.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="640" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK_gaT1kTc_wS7YyIEkROB4MpN3MAz2IeYd3vrfT66XAZuYkXodh91lNQ5sReVsNCIaKE3Kbct7GoKRQdyT8TLoZsxyonoCNYlAh6sVehw1fzKvVdYF2YdX49vgH0t_s5F1eo7duyWls/w200-h195/IMG_9892.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaIXOL30MiL3WkNtd6FmMa9j0qFQG6TtWZknyUBMs5OEOpUh8hDmkE9SZQQpGTSYrmPhPWK2yhnWKhmHqlig9bCTupStIWDgC8B0i620ZiiJMPtjE7x54lx77I7KfIOmfvJkCVlHK5EY/s640/Sam%2527s+planets.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaIXOL30MiL3WkNtd6FmMa9j0qFQG6TtWZknyUBMs5OEOpUh8hDmkE9SZQQpGTSYrmPhPWK2yhnWKhmHqlig9bCTupStIWDgC8B0i620ZiiJMPtjE7x54lx77I7KfIOmfvJkCVlHK5EY/w150-h200/Sam%2527s+planets.JPG" width="150" /></a><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm hoping that our new book will be just as popular!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">We are currently working on book three together and talking about where to take this series next. I can't wait!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Meet the Oceans </i>is published by Bloomsbury and is out on 4 March, 2021</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">ISBN: 978-1526603647</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-40709310037206530182021-01-28T08:00:00.001+00:002021-01-28T08:00:02.856+00:00 How Kind! A Picture Book Created with Families in Tameside<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1XmRNGj0H2TRNcgOqS5zXbeJ4BV7WspX78aHNjttp_ooql3DEi4VMt64udsgFvX8Ec-PrfLZQeALyPB1tNJHviJj5ZBIQQzTOSw4N0pMxKR9-RYZEqt8zW653xWWmt1S3ynJmhYLEPI/s640/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1XmRNGj0H2TRNcgOqS5zXbeJ4BV7WspX78aHNjttp_ooql3DEi4VMt64udsgFvX8Ec-PrfLZQeALyPB1tNJHviJj5ZBIQQzTOSw4N0pMxKR9-RYZEqt8zW653xWWmt1S3ynJmhYLEPI/s320/IMG_1330.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For the past four years, I've been creating picture books with families in Tameside as part of the Storymakers project. </span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Working with illustrator Andy Rowland, we've created some great books that promote community cohesion, empathy and understanding.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqlAFOpdaoHhe_gCJ2kcLPzcnDJMXPtcRiennKgfWuCnrn8RH3Q0h63Xyhhpp420BnsIJFcm9UI7aHLOU_uo03PxW5tbC4Y7FU8IwdC-Jv0lFFo06sBhOBgAyp-0kE9ane8_E1qwpr3Q/s2048/How+Kind+Spread+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqlAFOpdaoHhe_gCJ2kcLPzcnDJMXPtcRiennKgfWuCnrn8RH3Q0h63Xyhhpp420BnsIJFcm9UI7aHLOU_uo03PxW5tbC4Y7FU8IwdC-Jv0lFFo06sBhOBgAyp-0kE9ane8_E1qwpr3Q/w400-h228/How+Kind+Spread+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Aimed at families with preschool children, the Storymakers project has been a huge success, engaging over 500 families each year with books and reading. The project is helping families discover how to get the most from sharing books with their children and has brought hundreds of new families into the fantastic support system that Tameside Libraries have to offer.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This year, our theme is Be Kind and we've come up with a fabulous story about an elephant called Elvis who sets out to rescue a crocodile in distress!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTiEmSg-mobswgRIZCafALJAwPB7mkfSjJ-gqPhipgViuBjr9TNH5sDnby2VY-DvUg6rm-VAaIyf3m9Pd3apRbgfSLM2T3Dm0KXl7CsHePuXBiLyrxxqMJzFHNEw0RtABTynTknob-rM/s2048/Spread+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTiEmSg-mobswgRIZCafALJAwPB7mkfSjJ-gqPhipgViuBjr9TNH5sDnby2VY-DvUg6rm-VAaIyf3m9Pd3apRbgfSLM2T3Dm0KXl7CsHePuXBiLyrxxqMJzFHNEw0RtABTynTknob-rM/w400-h228/Spread+2_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Picture books are usually created by a team that includes author, illustrator, designer, editor and sales & marketing people. Editors are there to help ensure the text is tip-top and a designer will decide what the overall look of the book should be including fonts, text placement and size, and what the images should include.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But for the Storymakers project, Andy and I do all this ourselves!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This year we've worked with families learning at home, and with groups of children attending nursery, all of whom have given us loads of great ideas and suggestions to make this story sing. I am super proud of everyone who's got involved!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQrsuGI7c5Wlegh5Wzx6WBMroSLConyC9tgJj4t8qTJJ6FeOBEtw_GCdpBv2xuB03xzlgU4drw1wPMa0GWxPkM_AX_4gq71RqkF3mL-SgETrFCRgGi1RNqIZ6EHLSvVIDOQSEqD7qiWk/s2048/How+Kind+Spread+3_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQrsuGI7c5Wlegh5Wzx6WBMroSLConyC9tgJj4t8qTJJ6FeOBEtw_GCdpBv2xuB03xzlgU4drw1wPMa0GWxPkM_AX_4gq71RqkF3mL-SgETrFCRgGi1RNqIZ6EHLSvVIDOQSEqD7qiWk/w400-h228/How+Kind+Spread+3_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Everyone involved in the project will get a free copy of the book, which will also be available to borrow from all libraries in Tameside.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Storymakers is generously funded by Community Safety, Tameside.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtw6xyHfcIBgHkXpUQJuXlRkqqEKZLLIQo35DLUFCguscALPZ3unJ68B3CvlpvpsBycarVUfNmnACqEhufiW32H6m3Azlb1VhYL_-r8X1YEqv0JVvjSuUoHmXRV13sEu7zxnHte_vQPI/s2110/J002902+Story+Makers+BE+KIND+-+LOGO1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="2110" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtw6xyHfcIBgHkXpUQJuXlRkqqEKZLLIQo35DLUFCguscALPZ3unJ68B3CvlpvpsBycarVUfNmnACqEhufiW32H6m3Azlb1VhYL_-r8X1YEqv0JVvjSuUoHmXRV13sEu7zxnHte_vQPI/w400-h151/J002902+Story+Makers+BE+KIND+-+LOGO1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RKEFiOrB_f289dC_x4Zh18EuuDiw0PuxTFxf_xt2cjYfYOM7NpnbF83gz2OrxxF__ZsFo8V0Y6OwWoIoXiSBPSy2uN3ZO9sPTk6hVzE8soCfkd8yGOz4NvlncxPwsns7uue92TYCHpk/s1063/Safer+Tameside+Badge+%25282%2529+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1063" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RKEFiOrB_f289dC_x4Zh18EuuDiw0PuxTFxf_xt2cjYfYOM7NpnbF83gz2OrxxF__ZsFo8V0Y6OwWoIoXiSBPSy2uN3ZO9sPTk6hVzE8soCfkd8yGOz4NvlncxPwsns7uue92TYCHpk/w123-h123/Safer+Tameside+Badge+%25282%2529+%25282%2529.png" width="123" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DCyMn1Fa9k4zS6OJUaHbSibrz-LSlgAbjKA_B4mV0P80ytqN2UN_ILLGzcGIYyjGA8kjWeajzzDASxVrl9aC7yxPtDwe3z7p_2iC4SbAYaEX-B1sP76KM7AXh58JjOYeX0h1slq4Xe0/s791/J001423+Tameside+LOVES+Reading+SQLOGO-1COL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="791" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DCyMn1Fa9k4zS6OJUaHbSibrz-LSlgAbjKA_B4mV0P80ytqN2UN_ILLGzcGIYyjGA8kjWeajzzDASxVrl9aC7yxPtDwe3z7p_2iC4SbAYaEX-B1sP76KM7AXh58JjOYeX0h1slq4Xe0/w131-h123/J001423+Tameside+LOVES+Reading+SQLOGO-1COL.png" width="131" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-74835112992820541072021-01-26T17:15:00.000+00:002021-01-26T17:15:24.328+00:00Meet the Mini Monsters - Picture Books about Friendship for Preschool Children<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1nd5ZoBhDzUCQIE026P7OFoNyAwq1L3bmnEoz223nn5Nu4yR_s-HP-vHUw-ldIwfTOK2whXkRL3q5CV8JaDJpARui4Cp5v3OqxIIg9Re52ZSJhIf2CFd148aZXtRoxfrkLxa5zet3RU/s1580/Mini+Monsters+Can+I+Be+Best_Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1nd5ZoBhDzUCQIE026P7OFoNyAwq1L3bmnEoz223nn5Nu4yR_s-HP-vHUw-ldIwfTOK2whXkRL3q5CV8JaDJpARui4Cp5v3OqxIIg9Re52ZSJhIf2CFd148aZXtRoxfrkLxa5zet3RU/s320/Mini+Monsters+Can+I+Be+Best_Front+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">We are the <span class="il">Mini</span> <span class="il">Monsters<br /></span></span><span style="color: black;">We love to laugh and play<br /></span><span style="color: black;">So join in our adventures<br /></span><span style="color: black;">And have some fun. Hooray!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"><b>Pre-School Emotions<br /></b></span><span style="color: black;">Meet the <span class="il">Mini</span> <span class="il">Monsters</span> - four adorable characters who are learning valuable lessons about friendship and how to get along, in a pre-school setting. This new, character led-series is perfect for LITTLE pre-schoolers learning to deal with BIG emotions.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Mini Monsters - Can I be the Best?</b> <br />Published on 21 January, <i>Can I be the Best?</i> is the second book in this colourful new series. </div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /><span style="color: black;">The <span class="il">Mini</span> <span class="il">Monsters</span> LOVE playing games together but as Arthur finds out, sometimes it's very hard to come last. </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;">He loses at snakes and ladders, his sandcastle won't stick together, and he comes last in the running race. Even so, he is quick to congratulate his friends on how good <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">they</i> are.</span></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwbgYECud6-Irf_L5XdNOa2hxEceYjiKvcY7WrK-RFuWwT0_iL7gZjHh_aZg7TfhSbXk5z4Pp0BnVhyoT7uS4SA820jDYrRtoHXi_R1lO7k8_t46zI3YWATcznwmHa0-JB2GM9a4gGu4/s2508/MM_BestFriends_INT_WIP+LR+%25281%2529-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwbgYECud6-Irf_L5XdNOa2hxEceYjiKvcY7WrK-RFuWwT0_iL7gZjHh_aZg7TfhSbXk5z4Pp0BnVhyoT7uS4SA820jDYrRtoHXi_R1lO7k8_t46zI3YWATcznwmHa0-JB2GM9a4gGu4/w400-h200/MM_BestFriends_INT_WIP+LR+%25281%2529-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;">Still, Arthur can't help feeling a little bit sad that he never wins anything. Luckily his friends have noticed something that Arthur is REALLY good at! They all work together on a special surprise that will help Arthur feel great about himself again.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">After all, </span><span style="color: black;">EVERYONE is best at SOMETHING - and that being BEST FRIENDS is the most important thing of all.</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">At a time when children's - and families' - mental health is being challenged, this series is great for helping little ones identify and process their emotions and learn to recognise how their actions affect others around them.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbndkpDwhUBzJ31Mhg1ffmQIUn6wcA9HOKoUeAHMYoIYd8yQN7pnZtYUWeqrP_o-BEy5dkuk-XKyAckGgk6VAqj-_sQWc-1rYMXm3z1rfQvAUsGfaHOsu4SzpleWisxXgvn7LL-9PeFGc/s2508/MM_BestFriends_INT_WIP+LR+%25281%2529-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbndkpDwhUBzJ31Mhg1ffmQIUn6wcA9HOKoUeAHMYoIYd8yQN7pnZtYUWeqrP_o-BEy5dkuk-XKyAckGgk6VAqj-_sQWc-1rYMXm3z1rfQvAUsGfaHOsu4SzpleWisxXgvn7LL-9PeFGc/w400-h200/MM_BestFriends_INT_WIP+LR+%25281%2529-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Reviews</b></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;">We sent out copies to some popular reviewers to see what they thought. Here's what they had to say:</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;"><u>Ivy's Library - Immersive with a Strong Message</u></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;">This is one of my favourite </span><span style="font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;">kinds</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;"> of books - a fun, immersive story with a strong message buried inside.</span></span><span style="font-family: Poppins, sans-serif;">The characters are wonderfully warm and engaging - and we love trying to spot the slightly elusive Tiny!</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;">It's great for opening up conversations about your child's own talents and discussing the importance of kindness and compassion.</span></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/books/mini-monsters-can-i-be-the-best/9781471182693">Read the full review here</a></div><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzGLaUxEmexj5MzK9gPwA9jVbJq-p9s3MLs31gxae8oKPDer-MSvL4qMMzEOuTmNN4OSw7IdgNswzN1prq_Sh7zf91ZE3nIYpjp-2hmksCFZn7FwcwSpSa-hKYxIyd5BOg3dG0A6qiMo/s2508/MM_BestFriends_INT_WIP+LR+%25281%2529-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzGLaUxEmexj5MzK9gPwA9jVbJq-p9s3MLs31gxae8oKPDer-MSvL4qMMzEOuTmNN4OSw7IdgNswzN1prq_Sh7zf91ZE3nIYpjp-2hmksCFZn7FwcwSpSa-hKYxIyd5BOg3dG0A6qiMo/w400-h200/MM_BestFriends_INT_WIP+LR+%25281%2529-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /><u>Little Library Owl - Fun and Uplifting</u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The illustrations are brimming with bright and cheerful colours an the monsters are depicted in such a sweet and relatable way.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">We love the physical design of the book as well, with rounded corners, textured title and shiny cover, perfect for younger little readers.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">A fun and uplifting tale that makes a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers. The series provides a wonderful way to teach children some valuable lessons about friendship and how to get along with others.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKTPvPIn084/">Read the full review</a></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><u>Picture Book Snob - Absolutely Adorable</u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preschool protocol and etiquette can be confusing, especially as we are spending more time than usual at home at the moment. These books are ideal for teaching children how to interact harmoniously at a time when there is a lack of opportunities to learn this in person.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.picturebooksnob.com/post/blog-tour-mini-monsters-can-i-be-the-best">Read the full review and author interview</a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /><br /><u>Books B4 Bedtime - </u></span><span style="color: black;"><u>Bright and Brilliant</u></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Like the first book, this is brilliant at observing the behaviour of little people. Each one of these four Mini Monsters have their own personalities and it's really good to see each one represented in a positive light and all of them are loveable in their own way.<br />Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/booksb4bedtime/">@booksb4bedtime</a> on instagram to read the full review and exclusive interview with questions from five year old Finn.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /><br /><br />Next week we will be launching a fabulous Book Play Photo Competition on Instagram. Do head over and follow me <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carylhart/">@carylhart</a> for more information and the chance to win a fabulous prize.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /><br /><i>Mini Monsters, Can I be the Best</i>? is published by Simon and Schuster, 2021<br /></span><span style="color: black;">Illustrated by Tony Neal.</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br /></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-75986673314043485612020-12-17T11:09:00.005+00:002020-12-17T11:09:49.733+00:00Meet the Oceans by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin - Publishing March 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX6gtxN7LAyB5_msMp8vUZjQ4duOkgie8pDxupWg5gep9XvNcGv3_JMBAOvkPohA2atpNDu_MToUwaVg7z_P2nlQ3sPe_oOShh4mIuckRP08TNQSgv4GDcTCEiAaZrfAGTUIHoVhAwgc/s2048/Meet+the+OceansFront+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX6gtxN7LAyB5_msMp8vUZjQ4duOkgie8pDxupWg5gep9XvNcGv3_JMBAOvkPohA2atpNDu_MToUwaVg7z_P2nlQ3sPe_oOShh4mIuckRP08TNQSgv4GDcTCEiAaZrfAGTUIHoVhAwgc/s320/Meet+the+OceansFront+Cover.jpg" /></a></div>Let's dive through a world full of mystery<br />and go visit the OCEANS and SEAS<span> <br /></span>on a SUBMARINE epic adventure<br />All aboard - take your seats if you please!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I am so excited to announce the upcoming publication of MEET THE OCEANS - my new book with Bethan Woollvin, and published by Bloomsbury next spring!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meet the Oceans is a wonderful underwater journey through some of the world's best known oceans and seas. Told in rhyming verse, the book brings each ocean to life in a friendly, approachable manner that is perfect for pre-schoolers. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each spread is packed with undersea wildlife and seashore landscapes highlighted in zingy neon colours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bethan's illustrations are incredible and I feel so fortunate to be working with her on this series!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Meet the Planets</i> has proved a massive hit with young children and schools, so we hope that <i>Meet the Oceans</i> will follow suit!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you are a book shop or blogger, you can request a downloadable copy on <a href="https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/210223">NetGalley</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meet the Oceans is published by Bloomsbury and will hit the shelves in March 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">SPLOOOSH!!</span></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-57060286141265186442020-11-24T09:49:00.000+00:002020-11-24T09:49:01.285+00:00How to Ride a Polar Bear by Caryl Hart and Ed Eaves<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm4soEksLMzLaHwbyT_-UFLBS0e0bsbjHe49c6KoIAA_-w4WjbZ8Z1zjgwoqy3KukwDx4hRmjnKCNMyuPsdi9ec0tLexyUmF8zi7T6dy-wjw5lR2EFfpCU6R4nX20ZI7yDzrqd-OR28w/s640/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm4soEksLMzLaHwbyT_-UFLBS0e0bsbjHe49c6KoIAA_-w4WjbZ8Z1zjgwoqy3KukwDx4hRmjnKCNMyuPsdi9ec0tLexyUmF8zi7T6dy-wjw5lR2EFfpCU6R4nX20ZI7yDzrqd-OR28w/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Albie is off to the museum and he is not happy! He thinks all he'll see are fusty, dusty, smelly old things!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But when he and mum arrive, Albie is very happy to discover the museum is running an Arctic Exhibition! Cool!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eIuGcEaGncgFy8aOxOG2jZbJIdOCgZsD37QKmHxPI_FAsH5EqpnNCIbhewy9hWxFZ1j81B1_eUgnXbkW7w6BteTd2K7-pprF3oUn2pTaoYguP07dtQCqPlDqaHHa2I-HHMh8qe6rLgA/s640/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eIuGcEaGncgFy8aOxOG2jZbJIdOCgZsD37QKmHxPI_FAsH5EqpnNCIbhewy9hWxFZ1j81B1_eUgnXbkW7w6BteTd2K7-pprF3oUn2pTaoYguP07dtQCqPlDqaHHa2I-HHMh8qe6rLgA/w200-h200/IMG_0636.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNWSCFzN1pZQf_OQd3c8TeQtG-5HZ2N-Q9wOghJzMO-3zMDM1AWIWHxnq5-YPeDXCZKtY8aTRHzNrcQKRret_Xowls3PZozszeQ84vBq6pKFxRn5T4Nxc4qoW8ybSpvaDtldeBT2DOmw/s640/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNWSCFzN1pZQf_OQd3c8TeQtG-5HZ2N-Q9wOghJzMO-3zMDM1AWIWHxnq5-YPeDXCZKtY8aTRHzNrcQKRret_Xowls3PZozszeQ84vBq6pKFxRn5T4Nxc4qoW8ybSpvaDtldeBT2DOmw/w200-h200/IMG_0637.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As he's having fun building an igloo, a snowdrop lands on his nose! Then...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">GRRRRRR!! A polar bear appears out of nowhere!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhMjed2nBIebjS9nm6UAfkeOD6CTv_xEph0p2ZEebNevSffqrDXw9yMRoIEWtkSRedgC8lMyEPsq_L6pps7fHYRJp4jPtbSlmnrTibibRpiCF9ZMswX_HfyGXKoM6B4j7BE1PrG8k2aE/s640/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhMjed2nBIebjS9nm6UAfkeOD6CTv_xEph0p2ZEebNevSffqrDXw9yMRoIEWtkSRedgC8lMyEPsq_L6pps7fHYRJp4jPtbSlmnrTibibRpiCF9ZMswX_HfyGXKoM6B4j7BE1PrG8k2aE/w200-h200/IMG_0639.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F9Kz_n9MgbHPqIQzw6vTZGWp909sLe7L3RnZ-jVbIPypQdktqY6DeZmh2CiDASneMQ2zJ3fYCYPij_OaB-5Kf6GzkKtk2XrPK-V-5fS5tJhDel9LowNcrfDHPRIDhdvfrJk-ktPEbIc/s640/IMG_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F9Kz_n9MgbHPqIQzw6vTZGWp909sLe7L3RnZ-jVbIPypQdktqY6DeZmh2CiDASneMQ2zJ3fYCYPij_OaB-5Kf6GzkKtk2XrPK-V-5fS5tJhDel9LowNcrfDHPRIDhdvfrJk-ktPEbIc/w200-h200/IMG_0640.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Before he knows it, Albie is whisked off into an exciting Arctic adventure with new friends Yura and Tuka the bear. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV_x9-hZLUKNZcesXDgP_e4TRbmhYuQc8wat9GcjllWnyQVWHBw-EY5ZapNew-_nWCHZYSK7kgrgAVyL2ChdJWjaLBaPAq7BuEZR8Y-K6OvnXJWlgOgKdyiMigLtKZ8dNGlPvAR8EG9k/s640/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeV_x9-hZLUKNZcesXDgP_e4TRbmhYuQc8wat9GcjllWnyQVWHBw-EY5ZapNew-_nWCHZYSK7kgrgAVyL2ChdJWjaLBaPAq7BuEZR8Y-K6OvnXJWlgOgKdyiMigLtKZ8dNGlPvAR8EG9k/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Can they get Yura home before the frozen sea ice melts? Albie, Yura and Tuka dodge a blizzard, wolves and an avalanche of giant snowballs. They build a real igloo to sleep in an cook stew over a camp fire.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8VwMq4bOtSbl12h_regbntf0yrN6gUpvf3WEZ1laqrkbWqB9-zPzpTGAZG5mdC27SpaSqlLUEbIqsp030R7xEF_Se_KCdT7BN03Z9g6oHlZrEuQYV_72KXlBdipjPAGfH4QjRqehVO4/s640/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8VwMq4bOtSbl12h_regbntf0yrN6gUpvf3WEZ1laqrkbWqB9-zPzpTGAZG5mdC27SpaSqlLUEbIqsp030R7xEF_Se_KCdT7BN03Z9g6oHlZrEuQYV_72KXlBdipjPAGfH4QjRqehVO4/w200-h200/IMG_0642.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SoXOE7xt6vyZnchyphenhyphenoQwgabr3nJJb1lLkxB5ubtCPj5KJJxmHi7aXkkV0ZS3vtMEIGi1S2klaxFr9_J2H_GfxpScEoHCEHBr_yP4o2F2orvQYHFWmVgln-Q_tbhVs8clZP-NQSySu9aU/s640/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SoXOE7xt6vyZnchyphenhyphenoQwgabr3nJJb1lLkxB5ubtCPj5KJJxmHi7aXkkV0ZS3vtMEIGi1S2klaxFr9_J2H_GfxpScEoHCEHBr_yP4o2F2orvQYHFWmVgln-Q_tbhVs8clZP-NQSySu9aU/w200-h200/IMG_0644.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">They even meet a special friend....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Crammed with Arctic animals and with stunning scenery, this adventure story is perfect for little ones. And there's an gentle environmental message in there too. </span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">"<i>My little boy is a huge fan of these books, he's been looking forward to this new adventure. Again, he loved it.</i>" Luke from Sudbury via Toppsta</span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunYOhk6lMb9-s9kZQopnslLyPDuo6X6X9cUE7EyNbMgTewdwr1jC5VOIyvN16-DkXBlvuBTpKeoewhN0ScHqxaDwt2q4u5u4jFCeUbFJmEy9RfePnmDRaRMEDxrr2jCVmAqRcbPA6C_Q/s640/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunYOhk6lMb9-s9kZQopnslLyPDuo6X6X9cUE7EyNbMgTewdwr1jC5VOIyvN16-DkXBlvuBTpKeoewhN0ScHqxaDwt2q4u5u4jFCeUbFJmEy9RfePnmDRaRMEDxrr2jCVmAqRcbPA6C_Q/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How to Ride a Polar Bear is published by Simon and Schuster, 2018 and is part of the Albie series which is TEN this year! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/albie" style="background-color: transparent;">Find out more</a></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/albie/how-to-ride-a-polar-bear/purchase">Click here to buy a SIGNED copy direct from me.</a></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"> </p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-70848822784509982522020-11-16T08:00:00.002+00:002020-11-16T09:52:08.695+00:00Peter Pan for World Nursery Rhyme Week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9XtoHRPcjgre5M_vgOJA8SUUlGcGicxU156MBd_JPdYhU7BKKwus7JIpiQa5LmBI16oymy5ApLXH0X0fbRAbds2ogmlcd7Cgxlj2HWtGWlXm2nY0a5BesD9ua1lwkHh5h_-e3mVL_08/s640/IMG_0443.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9XtoHRPcjgre5M_vgOJA8SUUlGcGicxU156MBd_JPdYhU7BKKwus7JIpiQa5LmBI16oymy5ApLXH0X0fbRAbds2ogmlcd7Cgxlj2HWtGWlXm2nY0a5BesD9ua1lwkHh5h_-e3mVL_08/s320/IMG_0443.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This week is #WorldNurseryRhymeWeek - otherwise known as #rhymeweek Hooray!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Peter-Pan">BUY a Signed Copy Here</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I love writing in rhyme and have lots of books that are written in verse. Young children love rhyming stories and find them easier to learn by heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In this post, I'm going to tell you about my version of Peter Pan, illustrated by Sarah Warburton and published by Nosy Crow.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-XfdP-jLZsBBDk-Avbe4dN7h5hWtYkhka-mjEB_Z_WZgn34A7mI0FmpJPjBDqk7STpObEVb2-xSMIgdRaRrmO1NgHRpbZnU_7_AJ8MBzE7s1YJ-JJNAQsL4ijE8EQDJMMycHP9G2tX4/s640/IMG_0444.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-XfdP-jLZsBBDk-Avbe4dN7h5hWtYkhka-mjEB_Z_WZgn34A7mI0FmpJPjBDqk7STpObEVb2-xSMIgdRaRrmO1NgHRpbZnU_7_AJ8MBzE7s1YJ-JJNAQsL4ijE8EQDJMMycHP9G2tX4/w200-h200/IMG_0444.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBvQRTWxCnRWPAfz97uCllmfb-Mij0Vq4B5Jc0ZjaB5BcQVyLqLrq_nk_v2uz6RNYWLO3K6c1WII-GXFY19jUE-W7s4GftxD_k0wou0X5w5m-m2XnkQWNYjOnDjs6RMWyic13qR8x5HI/s640/IMG_0445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBvQRTWxCnRWPAfz97uCllmfb-Mij0Vq4B5Jc0ZjaB5BcQVyLqLrq_nk_v2uz6RNYWLO3K6c1WII-GXFY19jUE-W7s4GftxD_k0wou0X5w5m-m2XnkQWNYjOnDjs6RMWyic13qR8x5HI/w200-h200/IMG_0445.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back in 2015, Nosy Crow asked me if I would be up for the challenge of retelling this timeless classic in rhyme. Of course I said, "YES!" even though I had no idea how I would go about such a thing!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I don't know if you've ever read JM Barrie's original story - most of us probably know this tale from the film adaptations rather than from having read the original book. I had never read it, so the first thing I did was to find a copy and dive in. Immediately it was obvious that the book was very much "of its time," and is a very different read to the book we wanted to create.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18V94r8chVE8g6TkDSb-Ki2FgAVKaHURagaLnwku-mVHDwQm6hRQ8l-_VeVkSa1fD3gbPf7oGYi9QCht6N-UwDCZ1K4zmud2Ybxl0WlqG6kqrY2V-C2A7WGIWi1EE_c3deG8z-gz0_fg/s640/IMG_0446.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18V94r8chVE8g6TkDSb-Ki2FgAVKaHURagaLnwku-mVHDwQm6hRQ8l-_VeVkSa1fD3gbPf7oGYi9QCht6N-UwDCZ1K4zmud2Ybxl0WlqG6kqrY2V-C2A7WGIWi1EE_c3deG8z-gz0_fg/w200-h200/IMG_0446.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5PsoXn4DEI5KisKlO6kxM2hVEDbezeJqpCi-OjeAsHhTt2pMoUuNQS6N84r8pRrO-i1032pbb3aXgwF64Q-pCzDPcY8AcVn78hCoJtnGR1LBEW6Z0TY1gJe8nXANx3CgnFvdkUcH8mM/s640/IMG_0447.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5PsoXn4DEI5KisKlO6kxM2hVEDbezeJqpCi-OjeAsHhTt2pMoUuNQS6N84r8pRrO-i1032pbb3aXgwF64Q-pCzDPcY8AcVn78hCoJtnGR1LBEW6Z0TY1gJe8nXANx3CgnFvdkUcH8mM/w200-h200/IMG_0447.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My editor courageously offered to create a plan, highlighting which bits of the novel to include and what to leave out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the next two months I was pretty much chained to my desk, writing and rewriting verses and trying to communicate this magical story in a way that was more in line with modern values without losing the essence of the original. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GedyHmSOKiuMkYWaulD33Onjf4cfxA63AVh5nFtarBXugxGnmVxI7bAQve1GXNK8Wg-WsX1IlLEIknkYYMhNbxSCydHUqBL8ev_QritdObzq1iVtz5fgNcP_C7bkUVOKIQ_mOULBXAE/s640/IMG_0448.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GedyHmSOKiuMkYWaulD33Onjf4cfxA63AVh5nFtarBXugxGnmVxI7bAQve1GXNK8Wg-WsX1IlLEIknkYYMhNbxSCydHUqBL8ev_QritdObzq1iVtz5fgNcP_C7bkUVOKIQ_mOULBXAE/w200-h200/IMG_0448.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYhgwYi-wIkLrMTQD4BnP4AZ_M6P9n6KnON2_7EwpjZyJ5BlTAvKcQRo8RKBbKVjV8kojrQ2g2uxhmomdvlUJgf-ykXmbdqT-dyL2GZ8ndJfsBfDWfeowfnjYpMWd-dt9vIzUxnT-B9E/s640/IMG_0449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYhgwYi-wIkLrMTQD4BnP4AZ_M6P9n6KnON2_7EwpjZyJ5BlTAvKcQRo8RKBbKVjV8kojrQ2g2uxhmomdvlUJgf-ykXmbdqT-dyL2GZ8ndJfsBfDWfeowfnjYpMWd-dt9vIzUxnT-B9E/w200-h200/IMG_0449.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I can't tell you how many revisions there were during editing but it was a LOT! And once Sarah Warburton started creating artwork, there were MORE edits. In fact, this book went through more iterations - both of the text and the artwork, than any other project I've worked on. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJUOQhelPJVsuYoUnZPP_wtRGzsgD2d4IK2_3HieMntBLO8JkdPelFgZWLD2U-8fCuKHEiKNBupotObOiR6EgWDcGEiTtR0t7obXb9nuaT_XjulP8SRb7Kav0OZA3crFGWI86zJ64m2c/s640/IMG_0450.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJUOQhelPJVsuYoUnZPP_wtRGzsgD2d4IK2_3HieMntBLO8JkdPelFgZWLD2U-8fCuKHEiKNBupotObOiR6EgWDcGEiTtR0t7obXb9nuaT_XjulP8SRb7Kav0OZA3crFGWI86zJ64m2c/w200-h200/IMG_0450.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjren9RfqSJ-GtXyhPqifCNxRKq3Rhl7xwA83UR2myBmJOqbsgE2rn_Lb_54dFYxjXX1J2fIj91kmpknScqYEQ-AoZgaFUm9bB4lKyryDaatuHsujWqosmT0dxb7srcChpwhOXK0gKAy2I/s640/IMG_0451.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjren9RfqSJ-GtXyhPqifCNxRKq3Rhl7xwA83UR2myBmJOqbsgE2rn_Lb_54dFYxjXX1J2fIj91kmpknScqYEQ-AoZgaFUm9bB4lKyryDaatuHsujWqosmT0dxb7srcChpwhOXK0gKAy2I/w200-h200/IMG_0451.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In all, editing </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">continued for over three years, which is a crazy long time for a picture book. We had many, many conversations on diversity, gender, politics, historical context and cultural representation. Writing can become a very political activity and this book was even affected by the Trump administration and talk of the Mexican border wall. You'd be amazed how politics can influence the creation of children's literature.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the biggest challenge of my writing career and hey,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> was it worth it! I'm hugely proud of this book, which is twice as long as a normal picture book and printed as a gorgeous hardback with embossed detail and dust cover.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCXsdN05z6XfkyLxuoBHgtVkqv8DVjoyK5AhMERpdbb2n5Zih2-QpJYUIA9Pax_lv64rgLbgMzFeeSyYb3T0L0txdYK4VkiYO9twTEmuH0MMZ0otZSt-iC6F53ObraSyYF3kp0g5-8Nc/s640/IMG_0452.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCXsdN05z6XfkyLxuoBHgtVkqv8DVjoyK5AhMERpdbb2n5Zih2-QpJYUIA9Pax_lv64rgLbgMzFeeSyYb3T0L0txdYK4VkiYO9twTEmuH0MMZ0otZSt-iC6F53ObraSyYF3kp0g5-8Nc/w200-h200/IMG_0452.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmfn3HKHbR3UeAwOBSNTMaIsNAUsWLwpN-jXDh-EvGEZN18FMKS37cheVVGuV__jQneAbHbYqNHPgId3vqXexZT7vzMsQMXeAy9wyplaNSxTPiYdaoY0yfR8WMZOBVmShoVOSzugh9LU/s640/IMG_0453.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmfn3HKHbR3UeAwOBSNTMaIsNAUsWLwpN-jXDh-EvGEZN18FMKS37cheVVGuV__jQneAbHbYqNHPgId3vqXexZT7vzMsQMXeAy9wyplaNSxTPiYdaoY0yfR8WMZOBVmShoVOSzugh9LU/w200-h200/IMG_0453.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sarah's illustrations are incredible and I feel so fortunate to have been able to work with her and the whole Nosy Crow team on this book.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can buy a personally signed copy direct from me, direct from Nosy Crow or from your favourite independent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peter Pan by JM Barrie, retold in rhyme by me, Caryl Hart, is published by Nosy Crow 2019.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Peter-Pan">BUY this book</a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-89844242161199207602020-11-05T12:52:00.003+00:002020-11-05T12:58:44.780+00:00An Engineering Princess - A new STEM take on Christmas<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5c6pJtRIRfHwPnGPTp0Avb_EFGNb94oU318hUm8X3MIQzktxDGvLavv0SBUeq_f-QGM8RDW4GoBWmAkBfi0R8QJ5ah0LIYs68m7v67YxJ0gnR0Ar9RF4rEod3TWFQN1SvdNLnYcDgK0/s640/IMG_0231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5c6pJtRIRfHwPnGPTp0Avb_EFGNb94oU318hUm8X3MIQzktxDGvLavv0SBUeq_f-QGM8RDW4GoBWmAkBfi0R8QJ5ah0LIYs68m7v67YxJ0gnR0Ar9RF4rEod3TWFQN1SvdNLnYcDgK0/s320/IMG_0231.JPG" /></a></div><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Princess Eliza was brainy and bright</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">She kept herself busy from morning till night</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">With wood, lots of string and some pieces of wire</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The princess could make <i>anything </i>you'd desire!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RR7bc5Tc8i_dDsgt7ntatyJitlxk-fuHP7Qz2VfTMBi78W5N0QpdCWiG2R8RZRfSdwKs2Ew2Rx3BNBhyphenhyphenKu8eZN0t1cpzO5WPJ3Fn8A53J5cdmsXkcUWQgBeOKZakxE5X0YLPTCOAWcI/s640/IMG_0232.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RR7bc5Tc8i_dDsgt7ntatyJitlxk-fuHP7Qz2VfTMBi78W5N0QpdCWiG2R8RZRfSdwKs2Ew2Rx3BNBhyphenhyphenKu8eZN0t1cpzO5WPJ3Fn8A53J5cdmsXkcUWQgBeOKZakxE5X0YLPTCOAWcI/w200-h200/IMG_0232.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX_voF7xDkSAj9cXALCB-madwEXCmpJBv9rwgCUK_WdE9ITDeDAl2GAfipWnscGvCDhteYERk7OfRWUJErQbL_rKKdRdOfnYyvuqtRiNAEGmNWFaeaaD8KO8LA3ajiJoopHXR9kc8TQk/s640/IMG_0233.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX_voF7xDkSAj9cXALCB-madwEXCmpJBv9rwgCUK_WdE9ITDeDAl2GAfipWnscGvCDhteYERk7OfRWUJErQbL_rKKdRdOfnYyvuqtRiNAEGmNWFaeaaD8KO8LA3ajiJoopHXR9kc8TQk/w200-h200/IMG_0233.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Princess Eliza lives on top of the world where the icy winds blow, in a beautiful palace carved out of the snow. But the woods are dangerous and wild, full of tigers and bears that might eat a small child.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G96iNFRDX402g6AuINEtsqNIUL414ioQomDJKKouVaSRBJn7Pq9URseYy3p7hngCY0HFYSnZftZegAzHKIQp96_tIgz_bHQtdLpuo5wUMRuOSYagQBHwZ53DD_KQKJTxEiBi86a7UBk/s640/IMG_0234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G96iNFRDX402g6AuINEtsqNIUL414ioQomDJKKouVaSRBJn7Pq9URseYy3p7hngCY0HFYSnZftZegAzHKIQp96_tIgz_bHQtdLpuo5wUMRuOSYagQBHwZ53DD_KQKJTxEiBi86a7UBk/w200-h200/IMG_0234.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmREGZwQqDzRkEqGyEyaYXX52DXerKKXK11at7qM6pgSfVZjc_jMMO6gBNuRJH8_UUTW7_SC0ZjInrQJH7o6LKzat4EnoNNhx1ZZbCKrJsNdaYOVhGaw_k8vwvrnKHi3YHWiFkf1tnhs/s640/IMG_0235.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmREGZwQqDzRkEqGyEyaYXX52DXerKKXK11at7qM6pgSfVZjc_jMMO6gBNuRJH8_UUTW7_SC0ZjInrQJH7o6LKzat4EnoNNhx1ZZbCKrJsNdaYOVhGaw_k8vwvrnKHi3YHWiFkf1tnhs/w200-h200/IMG_0235.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Instead this feisty princess fills her days, and the palace, with fabulous inventions of her own making.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">But she's lonely so, encouraged by her parents, Eliza sets out to make a new friend. But how?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCXNIFyn3CEQDebuKIvEwGMkoJ5SM4Gh_qVCBLXbdE1gZJLWdQa3fkYEK3jLk8ym_b2y0I5yaAWUxl3IgLH_2WNbYIxtPmEidW-Lk07E0jiPy9idHqC87jGodGSZcT_6nIBKq_kkjhz0/s640/IMG_0236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCXNIFyn3CEQDebuKIvEwGMkoJ5SM4Gh_qVCBLXbdE1gZJLWdQa3fkYEK3jLk8ym_b2y0I5yaAWUxl3IgLH_2WNbYIxtPmEidW-Lk07E0jiPy9idHqC87jGodGSZcT_6nIBKq_kkjhz0/w200-h200/IMG_0236.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CU7PTDP1J0ypIVM_M0KproMN8wqN89Iho2FMThrDDaMCbj7wUoNnoYoJEEA3ttLFiGeedFWheH2RT38cuCBB7EmElWp86Wad5sNvQCIu3kT0W6RikzsG72u4TGIspFAAwl3A7TdPdsY/s640/IMG_0237.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CU7PTDP1J0ypIVM_M0KproMN8wqN89Iho2FMThrDDaMCbj7wUoNnoYoJEEA3ttLFiGeedFWheH2RT38cuCBB7EmElWp86Wad5sNvQCIu3kT0W6RikzsG72u4TGIspFAAwl3A7TdPdsY/w200-h200/IMG_0237.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">She tries baking one from gingerbread, but he just jumps off the try and skedaddles away. Kissing a frog doesn't work either and when she tries dangling her long hair from her window, she waits for hours, but nobody comes. So much for the old fairy tale tricks! Eliza needs something much more inventive to get what she needs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELxMqlnggE5Hg-PIkAYmTFGjXDxVnx3evFflPEJ_lEocAP4kwxMbtLSnrcLmymUhfcTPEvJR0ZQhZntGdJBIVE9ph0UOPo4NSsCcISlluqtBRtcyiE6Nxpcc_bkT2HUqsAzvcThNS6lY/s640/IMG_0238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELxMqlnggE5Hg-PIkAYmTFGjXDxVnx3evFflPEJ_lEocAP4kwxMbtLSnrcLmymUhfcTPEvJR0ZQhZntGdJBIVE9ph0UOPo4NSsCcISlluqtBRtcyiE6Nxpcc_bkT2HUqsAzvcThNS6lY/w200-h200/IMG_0238.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr8RFSx69Y4a6rtICxIw0oYhI87Ly6rIi1mP-nMxDrbEBKheP868D_Pmeks_7u_L-VA0xT1h47J4G_DRqiXtVSmOcyANhbAI0SS71DuDgDZyugkaww352y_r6X6klutI6t5znpbk9mn0/s640/IMG_0239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijr8RFSx69Y4a6rtICxIw0oYhI87Ly6rIi1mP-nMxDrbEBKheP868D_Pmeks_7u_L-VA0xT1h47J4G_DRqiXtVSmOcyANhbAI0SS71DuDgDZyugkaww352y_r6X6klutI6t5znpbk9mn0/w200-h200/IMG_0239.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spotting some smoke curling up through the trees, the princess decides to set off to find a friend in the woods. (leaving a note for her mum and dad of course). And she soon happens upon a little house full of elves who are in a terrible tizzy because they have too much work to do and not enough time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO6zjDJPqbilPIMZRHSnF7yfyvBmnpjIlIzxD7T1iaEb4loS1asT3Elbo9G-aroH0EmM9OLKesZXzLp38Qym2Lu1zSHOAQtjouiORwQ88lhU4h_DiuxWe8FZwhShXLrA_CWAMGplHm1k/s640/IMG_0240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuO6zjDJPqbilPIMZRHSnF7yfyvBmnpjIlIzxD7T1iaEb4loS1asT3Elbo9G-aroH0EmM9OLKesZXzLp38Qym2Lu1zSHOAQtjouiORwQ88lhU4h_DiuxWe8FZwhShXLrA_CWAMGplHm1k/w200-h200/IMG_0240.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlGxScxlcgMQNlxEHFWspQVHXFLlxeMKqhOmstEG4CTnMZm2jIUVMuJKKlRFDIeoKI-jnaxE7jYvAE5n96G259KMxYok-ZlRuvTAYH909fRe_8UZ68OaEKm40pBptOYWOx4_MC0xBdCA/s640/IMG_0241.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlGxScxlcgMQNlxEHFWspQVHXFLlxeMKqhOmstEG4CTnMZm2jIUVMuJKKlRFDIeoKI-jnaxE7jYvAE5n96G259KMxYok-ZlRuvTAYH909fRe_8UZ68OaEKm40pBptOYWOx4_MC0xBdCA/w200-h200/IMG_0241.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Luckily Eliza has a few time-saving inventions up her sleeve and secretly helps the elves to get everything ready for the big day. And as Santa arrives, recovered from a bout of the flu, Eliza is on hand to help deliver the presents in a souped-up snow-powered sleigh.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">And does she make friends? You BET!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>The Princess and the Christmas Rescue</i> is lavishly illustrated by Sarah Warburton and published by Nosy Crow. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's the perfect book to read with your children on the run up to Christmas! And the great news is, you can buy personally signed copies direct from me. Why not add one to your Christmas Advent this year?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll include postcards, stickers and a personal message too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">"One of our favourite picture books this Christmas</i>"</span> </b>Waterstones Piccadilly</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">"A joyful story with plenty of sly allusions to other fairy tales, and the illustrations bring a Nordic winter to life brilliantly.</i>"</span> </b>The Scotsman - Best Children's Books for Christmas 2017</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">"This is just perfect with a touch of ‘female engineering’ too! Loved it!</i>"</b></span> Independent Book Reviews</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you would like a copy, send me a direct message or <a href=" https://www.carylhart.com/books/princesses/the-princess-and-the-christmas-rescue">order from my website here</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Happy Holidays!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbN7wM7B1skmkeShFhblVQ7iq-I3DYDN_QQNMmABt7mwkc7Zwgu9SzXAV1X8kuYTRuyipJWL6wJLGGnkxNXKMoY7nsgCALkpqDb1Oi6AvlxKAWuWbyyW4Wfvy5-ztjMLQwqQ_4OFVXbw/s640/IMG_0242.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbN7wM7B1skmkeShFhblVQ7iq-I3DYDN_QQNMmABt7mwkc7Zwgu9SzXAV1X8kuYTRuyipJWL6wJLGGnkxNXKMoY7nsgCALkpqDb1Oi6AvlxKAWuWbyyW4Wfvy5-ztjMLQwqQ_4OFVXbw/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-37278822146893272962020-10-15T16:21:00.002+01:002020-10-15T16:21:12.171+01:00Storymakers 2020 Has Begun!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkeqCGGSfWWUqB3p6LXQG5Hl-9-YMRI6R-PGCb3OeL_XDwXp61-THQRmGnMV09RzdijtAZu4BxYkfFcRAr4926f_ErttTHea0wrJOP4GJKocDwGjZl-8TIiiWlrAm6yYwbUcwf6k7JbA/s2480/Storymakers+Be+Kind+Banner+CH_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="2480" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkeqCGGSfWWUqB3p6LXQG5Hl-9-YMRI6R-PGCb3OeL_XDwXp61-THQRmGnMV09RzdijtAZu4BxYkfFcRAr4926f_ErttTHea0wrJOP4GJKocDwGjZl-8TIiiWlrAm6yYwbUcwf6k7JbA/w640-h162/Storymakers+Be+Kind+Banner+CH_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>I've been working with Tameside Libraries for the past three years on a project called Storymakers, which aims to improve literacy in preschool children and help get them school-ready. The project has been hugely effective in attracting families into the library service and keeping them coming back week after week.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As part of the project, myself and an illustrator work with families to create a picture book on that year's theme. To date we've created SIX books and worked with over 500 families! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This year, we can't run sessions in libraries, so we've gone virtual and have now run our first set of workshops using Zoom. It's been a very different experience and we've so far had far fewer families joining in, but we're hopeful that word will spread and the numbers will grow week on week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our theme this year is BE KIND and we are focussing on all the lovely things that have been going on in communities to support those who are socially isolating, social distancing or shielding. We're going to build on first hand experiences and use those ideas to create a story!</span></p><p><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/special-projects/storymakers2020"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can find out more about the project and watch a video here!</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-58893871990835831932020-10-07T12:26:00.002+01:002020-10-07T12:26:11.902+01:00SPACE WEEK - Meet the Planets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Yo9hCTgVwADI7JiemwhJQKE07vh4RwG3TP8V449shx7ZKjA3N-xnBVitREKatFu_kZaz0BFSEjwqvYyB_1hVS7NGH2TyKvLBH1B9L8Zq4DiTcpt1h7ES05DJy9_cItVj7rJoNnMwuBA/s510/IMG_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Yo9hCTgVwADI7JiemwhJQKE07vh4RwG3TP8V449shx7ZKjA3N-xnBVitREKatFu_kZaz0BFSEjwqvYyB_1hVS7NGH2TyKvLBH1B9L8Zq4DiTcpt1h7ES05DJy9_cItVj7rJoNnMwuBA/s320/IMG_7020.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's SPACE WEEK! And what better way to celebrate all things celestial than spending some time with the planets in our amazing solar system.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meet the Planets is a super-fun and friendly way to get to know our Sun and the planets and moons in our night sky.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello I'm the SUN - nice to meet you!<br />I'm the biggest thing up in the sky<br />I'm friendly but don't get too close now<br />Or I'll frizzle you up to a fry!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiembbSuocze01ODH6D2S-EHyoXLzkYZ849dStF8EdkFmgrOYsTTazV_CNp-wWRIeOiqHRm0Wi5ETlA4ILb2ftAK-53Qb7qzGSSm56ZDG2weKWjboFguZNzllFGCT-6k52-TUqvvAQmWck/s1024/IMG_6947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiembbSuocze01ODH6D2S-EHyoXLzkYZ849dStF8EdkFmgrOYsTTazV_CNp-wWRIeOiqHRm0Wi5ETlA4ILb2ftAK-53Qb7qzGSSm56ZDG2weKWjboFguZNzllFGCT-6k52-TUqvvAQmWck/w400-h200/IMG_6947.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each planet has its own personality and friendly smiling face and I'm told by fans that young children love learning the rhymes and little facts we've included.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bethan Woollvin's distinctive illustrations sing from the page, with zingy dayglow orange to balance the black pages and white text.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdsWdLBIp1isrEvEbDInkFKyzrE2iWnqpX1EnrJ4Te5N_b8Kf8uJ4Duskdc0xUFI_2q8yXaqjk8gDnab4J30tU0nKkAREx_OKo923H9-poiqIxlXYdgqtYYudAS6Outb_qnP4eG66AgQ/s630/IMG_7019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="630" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdsWdLBIp1isrEvEbDInkFKyzrE2iWnqpX1EnrJ4Te5N_b8Kf8uJ4Duskdc0xUFI_2q8yXaqjk8gDnab4J30tU0nKkAREx_OKo923H9-poiqIxlXYdgqtYYudAS6Outb_qnP4eG66AgQ/w400-h200/IMG_7019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Meet-the-Planets">watch me read the story here </a>and demonstrate the relative sizes of the planets using fruit!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are also loads of <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Meet-the-Planets/activities">free facts and activities for you here</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Meet the Planets</i> is published by Bloomsbury, 2019. Watch out for BOOK TWO coming soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0KjdZGKfaake4K7SLsN90A7QaOny41IPLZF_YTKjAvw2RyRAl-NpLHADzQ7YSfhvqEWotZa0Za2lHNSvoehGg_SAaYdqpZt2Lbshh57kX9hPtXJdkkP3eO0ISVCEaZWPAwYff4A5U9U/s2048/Page+1_PLANETS_FACTS_SUN_FLAT_JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0KjdZGKfaake4K7SLsN90A7QaOny41IPLZF_YTKjAvw2RyRAl-NpLHADzQ7YSfhvqEWotZa0Za2lHNSvoehGg_SAaYdqpZt2Lbshh57kX9hPtXJdkkP3eO0ISVCEaZWPAwYff4A5U9U/w141-h200/Page+1_PLANETS_FACTS_SUN_FLAT_JPEG.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXQyCVVES4ZFzqSscZ4I2OxZbUD75rfV1VeCphp94nyZDqLyXKxecdT84KETYK9YXFOctem9mIyw8VCWxgqCdG3NOBtCil_U0Hpy45jDs0zG282sCo5nE3XcRLMwTpCbGjlRlOoLgm_0/s2048/PLANETS_FACTS_REALLY_BIG_NUMBERS_FLAT_JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXQyCVVES4ZFzqSscZ4I2OxZbUD75rfV1VeCphp94nyZDqLyXKxecdT84KETYK9YXFOctem9mIyw8VCWxgqCdG3NOBtCil_U0Hpy45jDs0zG282sCo5nE3XcRLMwTpCbGjlRlOoLgm_0/w141-h200/PLANETS_FACTS_REALLY_BIG_NUMBERS_FLAT_JPEG.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VyiQ29UfjPoVBEPzrSLJNrzMIBBD8ItAr4cWzGpY9aTCC_naB2NX69K_j88sLLBwDrRoCbMsS61mVP2-i1JF9wB3fNZlGiSvRrxMSnsXXf9oHX0YpPLBdoet_Y6ujQDDqet_8k3efhk/s2048/PLANETS_FACTS_SOLAR_SYSTEM_FLAT_JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VyiQ29UfjPoVBEPzrSLJNrzMIBBD8ItAr4cWzGpY9aTCC_naB2NX69K_j88sLLBwDrRoCbMsS61mVP2-i1JF9wB3fNZlGiSvRrxMSnsXXf9oHX0YpPLBdoet_Y6ujQDDqet_8k3efhk/w141-h200/PLANETS_FACTS_SOLAR_SYSTEM_FLAT_JPEG.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-67660990346209417662020-10-05T08:00:00.024+01:002020-10-05T08:00:06.643+01:00Lunch on a Pirate Ship - A Rollicking Rhyming Adventure<p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUvcdaK6UWv_xDF_ymuEYwsWvIn6xdXZ2jdby5O51ZwKHgI2R7slrS47tpMBVYM1Hk5akZPutWntGOLHRlRAtTXJvnlbBfheP4ML-zjClIUfeURoGHo_dx2JuJm66OUt5Xp6VNHVhXkk/s640/IMG_9739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUvcdaK6UWv_xDF_ymuEYwsWvIn6xdXZ2jdby5O51ZwKHgI2R7slrS47tpMBVYM1Hk5akZPutWntGOLHRlRAtTXJvnlbBfheP4ML-zjClIUfeURoGHo_dx2JuJm66OUt5Xp6VNHVhXkk/s320/IMG_9739.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Join Jack in his quest to find the perfect lunch in the rollicking rhyme that takes us on a fantastic food adventure!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jack says:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">"I can't eat that soggy old chip!<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'd rather have lunch on a pirate ship!<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'll sail with the crew far out to sea,<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">They're bound to have lunch for a boy like me!"</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg96pfI8_b09vt0Wsg1ze1DCoBXalQy20WQA9xjO3gocd7hYng4quONtKqICSdtDZW_zknIEb4BOVSpTeRsQgKCtlJs9yM8tvE8rvuDwYFU5vYmpuyaconnen19yc8jLxz8AxmqcrWOI/s640/IMG_9740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg96pfI8_b09vt0Wsg1ze1DCoBXalQy20WQA9xjO3gocd7hYng4quONtKqICSdtDZW_zknIEb4BOVSpTeRsQgKCtlJs9yM8tvE8rvuDwYFU5vYmpuyaconnen19yc8jLxz8AxmqcrWOI/w200-h200/IMG_9740.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCJA_dSbl4ECH_xvOWtancNDdPrkLHmv1z9YwNwAO1aWa8DwKM3Wr6p4BP3OzMy-5JENdFQx7DaPbs1Xwxjeo-Kdfl7Dqu6CzzlOf7_lE37HQCy7cTq7icsBzoS6NitDLvEypDTvDTIk/s640/IMG_9741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.6px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCJA_dSbl4ECH_xvOWtancNDdPrkLHmv1z9YwNwAO1aWa8DwKM3Wr6p4BP3OzMy-5JENdFQx7DaPbs1Xwxjeo-Kdfl7Dqu6CzzlOf7_lE37HQCy7cTq7icsBzoS6NitDLvEypDTvDTIk/w200-h200/IMG_9741.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">So he tripped and he skipped to the bustling docks<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">And there was a pirate ship, tied to the rocks<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Ahoy there lad!" the pirates cried. <br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Climb on board if you'd like a ride!"</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v9E8BE2tT6FuNht4u3KIYO_XYyvExv8hn_kq3g6sg6JodwQdxxQ4RTgOVdBlB4RG9JZFcf6p-KbLc8ZdnXkT1ehdv45nx9avrNZ9_78RSqhcQJcbo1oft3r4vuntX6ulf_tqE_5P6KQ/s640/IMG_9744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v9E8BE2tT6FuNht4u3KIYO_XYyvExv8hn_kq3g6sg6JodwQdxxQ4RTgOVdBlB4RG9JZFcf6p-KbLc8ZdnXkT1ehdv45nx9avrNZ9_78RSqhcQJcbo1oft3r4vuntX6ulf_tqE_5P6KQ/w200-h200/IMG_9744.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DUhP50BhJD_wXwf2w41P5r7kz-F6vxPvm3FeWroJCk61Luvm7kgZEdu3mkXCf9tEUV1RoUaEeR_9E1jsXyN-wMagFfk6HelxfbbwUao3buRP33vVmCjbtQCioAtXPIsCPfaMf5eoKHI/s640/IMG_9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.6px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DUhP50BhJD_wXwf2w41P5r7kz-F6vxPvm3FeWroJCk61Luvm7kgZEdu3mkXCf9tEUV1RoUaEeR_9E1jsXyN-wMagFfk6HelxfbbwUao3buRP33vVmCjbtQCioAtXPIsCPfaMf5eoKHI/w200-h200/IMG_9745.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">But Jack quickly discovers that a pirate's lunch is not quite what he was expecting! </span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin73WgiYy1nyeGfMexy_o1P0wftIPYBPJZOQPGxCgIjYO51969JKFbdNyCFO-Ca8FtHgZWtvCfV_u7YCaA50mJQbs4N7rrDStaNoY9UzptzNT-v0uI7PYs3Z9m_7YZxTQCmGhBd-fddvY/s640/IMG_9746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin73WgiYy1nyeGfMexy_o1P0wftIPYBPJZOQPGxCgIjYO51969JKFbdNyCFO-Ca8FtHgZWtvCfV_u7YCaA50mJQbs4N7rrDStaNoY9UzptzNT-v0uI7PYs3Z9m_7YZxTQCmGhBd-fddvY/s320/IMG_9746.JPG" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">So they SPLASHED and DASHED through a thousand waves<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">To a place were giants live in deep dark caves.</span></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;">But the giant's lunch is even worse!</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9q-re2XRktH5mV3wf8kJvDv3JpScvr49UXcIkcHEiDMOmgBf0krsnrFhSqdMm06V7Kt_iWIelEGHDK-nX45pGpnSjk2vbLepisQcxMXBr8qnjQ78KHvjy5IZ9IKvZh8g_zPUXbLC2j4/s640/IMG_9747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9q-re2XRktH5mV3wf8kJvDv3JpScvr49UXcIkcHEiDMOmgBf0krsnrFhSqdMm06V7Kt_iWIelEGHDK-nX45pGpnSjk2vbLepisQcxMXBr8qnjQ78KHvjy5IZ9IKvZh8g_zPUXbLC2j4/s320/IMG_9747.JPG" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span>Finally the boy and the giant and the pirate crew find something that looks much more appetising, and in true Billy Goats Gruff style they TRIP and TRAP across the bridge... but someone is lurking and ready to pounce!</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CjO9e3V1Ku2E1LYi_c4oVNu5iyChpFBbvRxLWjvVkJooojnn15caaOEVDwdqatMUuIv4ZVaNT5Mt7PslUiCuaSSzwhZaii9YGz-dHziCgW8-O2Tf4WLbSXIoaItKTwaOXQeQ9VLjUzU/s640/IMG_9748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CjO9e3V1Ku2E1LYi_c4oVNu5iyChpFBbvRxLWjvVkJooojnn15caaOEVDwdqatMUuIv4ZVaNT5Mt7PslUiCuaSSzwhZaii9YGz-dHziCgW8-O2Tf4WLbSXIoaItKTwaOXQeQ9VLjUzU/w200-h200/IMG_9748.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdI1qM_hKcv_4Qh1RFCl3FPOOcPmRYn37rBlIWODfU8H3kB5-y1XYn5DFdSuzDiKFYPx6o8frOwIRa6jfm_QcF6z0jTUXEfftf3y4luUbyZJekJTN2ihAB8uZOinAP3rdOkkNs4fZqHE/s640/IMG_9750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.6px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdI1qM_hKcv_4Qh1RFCl3FPOOcPmRYn37rBlIWODfU8H3kB5-y1XYn5DFdSuzDiKFYPx6o8frOwIRa6jfm_QcF6z0jTUXEfftf3y4luUbyZJekJTN2ihAB8uZOinAP3rdOkkNs4fZqHE/w200-h200/IMG_9750.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></span><p></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 17.6px;"><span>Uh OH!</span></span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With fantastical illustrations by the amazing Kristina Stephenson, Lunch on a Pirate Ship is published by Simon and Schuster.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Lunch-on-a-Pirate-Ship">Watch me reading the story, then order your personally signed copy now.</a></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17.6px; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-22228896759659608212020-10-02T15:07:00.000+01:002020-10-02T15:07:33.811+01:00There's a Monster in my Fridge! Perfect for Hallowe'en!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDgxL_YmHBPQGq8ke0NPKgom2zkegibvWiDJ_OdG_t95-C9dmuLuHlLjTAicUEodF7C-BWSUC-S-gZJQ1yCUbaBL4Yt3p-HYmoOjvk_THshKqwHT4ikaayiDwbz7oelJIfpS1lC3WHqA/s640/IMG_9729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDgxL_YmHBPQGq8ke0NPKgom2zkegibvWiDJ_OdG_t95-C9dmuLuHlLjTAicUEodF7C-BWSUC-S-gZJQ1yCUbaBL4Yt3p-HYmoOjvk_THshKqwHT4ikaayiDwbz7oelJIfpS1lC3WHqA/s320/IMG_9729.JPG" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>"Brilliant, original, and a ton of fun. Just how a great monster-halloweeny-squish-fest of a book should be!"</i> Read it Daddy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What's that hiding behind the door?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Its feet have squelched across the floor</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take care, don't look, it's vile and smelly...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">...A monster eating raspberry jelly!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHg7R-g9g6tX2i5cTSw43t75avXE3ooo3uIqUoc1wQmJVyEQT7LJ1Ci1kHrY1WNwGJCV58NVBedGsbOo8TaBSbsSo7p3oygW6X8-nGkedQKn0rHi9fX7VIlJKoLef8r_k21BVdcl77io/s640/IMG_9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHg7R-g9g6tX2i5cTSw43t75avXE3ooo3uIqUoc1wQmJVyEQT7LJ1Ci1kHrY1WNwGJCV58NVBedGsbOo8TaBSbsSo7p3oygW6X8-nGkedQKn0rHi9fX7VIlJKoLef8r_k21BVdcl77io/w200-h200/IMG_9730.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-41Uffsx1WHGhSoND810VQBkKm7zKYSbkwe3_aF2V0Oa3CttX1NFfQbW33HXKZ5Ej8gW9nsYdM7pOfl8M1esQDjb5fhhoAUKD898VMOtQ5OycH-HRLIvsHusBr2Xl87seotP00dnsGIk/s640/IMG_9731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-41Uffsx1WHGhSoND810VQBkKm7zKYSbkwe3_aF2V0Oa3CttX1NFfQbW33HXKZ5Ej8gW9nsYdM7pOfl8M1esQDjb5fhhoAUKD898VMOtQ5OycH-HRLIvsHusBr2Xl87seotP00dnsGIk/w200-h200/IMG_9731.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Stuffed full of friendly monstery illustrations from the fabulous Deborah Allwright, There's a Monster in my Fridge is a fun packed rhyming story for little ones that's perfect for Hallowe'en.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKw_Rw5cShBK2j_PeOgZkeuqsO3cIMnnHbkmB4fwRqrTAnPQDFNxqxvMduF-lCiRmRY2IDunw9GqknJRI71wlT2ebGQCoZJO_L3aD_z6-g6ye304U45TG266QxvTPtCGSRuXv2rhlDNE/s640/IMG_9732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKw_Rw5cShBK2j_PeOgZkeuqsO3cIMnnHbkmB4fwRqrTAnPQDFNxqxvMduF-lCiRmRY2IDunw9GqknJRI71wlT2ebGQCoZJO_L3aD_z6-g6ye304U45TG266QxvTPtCGSRuXv2rhlDNE/w200-h200/IMG_9732.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwVbf1YzMi2soPgsx6zzshdiV-F11XoLZYzrPirDpiTXU-07_I6-by2uX3apug3anNd6J35zJmVNpSIriNatfelVanWITpa6d5AJwnqfsUIAPwx3j4HYmvUYlTSZi9sb2Rzu7pOlRs1Y/s640/IMG_9733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwVbf1YzMi2soPgsx6zzshdiV-F11XoLZYzrPirDpiTXU-07_I6-by2uX3apug3anNd6J35zJmVNpSIriNatfelVanWITpa6d5AJwnqfsUIAPwx3j4HYmvUYlTSZi9sb2Rzu7pOlRs1Y/w200-h200/IMG_9733.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Each scene includes a half-page sized flap that can be opened and closed to reveal all the silly monsters and spooks that are hiding around a haunted house. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Shoes are a-dancing, the witch is getting dressed-up and the vampire is getting ready.. but what are they all preparing for? </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso38Sf6LazB__yfaYZjCFB-GvBI6_ZbwYOR4Cfw7rEVZnr4SyfyPJkA8Bm9DUTaC75igWTv48L5uHvNtCUdlgr_ByycKXXbmdh5ROYLk_a2CWeGUTsfdsJH3G3WKiXG9XAG8wFKOpQAs/s640/IMG_9734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgso38Sf6LazB__yfaYZjCFB-GvBI6_ZbwYOR4Cfw7rEVZnr4SyfyPJkA8Bm9DUTaC75igWTv48L5uHvNtCUdlgr_ByycKXXbmdh5ROYLk_a2CWeGUTsfdsJH3G3WKiXG9XAG8wFKOpQAs/w200-h200/IMG_9734.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCk0wi2wR-KPJOP7iqObeeuuZnHcmb6SOkxntiPBZtQ5daflpPwhQuvMIipy-2weAMUhzDkuGgDn8RuN-DS4t7-D3rpTnd7XvlUiKfa3TtcC19osvmHn1CmUSjGGZkQlV4RjLFaIOhCU/s640/IMG_9735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCk0wi2wR-KPJOP7iqObeeuuZnHcmb6SOkxntiPBZtQ5daflpPwhQuvMIipy-2weAMUhzDkuGgDn8RuN-DS4t7-D3rpTnd7XvlUiKfa3TtcC19osvmHn1CmUSjGGZkQlV4RjLFaIOhCU/w200-h200/IMG_9735.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ayrqL2VHCMR7qJxVwBaq1seoHJv765gfvmWEa6iTVMEtja6aDsbVLI3-XNBGiXQxBjuYz9mlMwaLioTRoq3fBfxlSaty-W5LdXxc9GOQbyCWjdBl1Vmb0rw0EY6198HclG48pmfyZEU/s640/IMG_9736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ayrqL2VHCMR7qJxVwBaq1seoHJv765gfvmWEa6iTVMEtja6aDsbVLI3-XNBGiXQxBjuYz9mlMwaLioTRoq3fBfxlSaty-W5LdXxc9GOQbyCWjdBl1Vmb0rw0EY6198HclG48pmfyZEU/w200-h200/IMG_9736.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdl6wSCA42dUrpABTMAW80nlRbIPfM-kaSlc3Qbi9-Jicng3blLzHWi9INiVolcSQ_l6m1iHdxldfpYwvPK-kMfIcSxefmZlZvLNBsk_fcuch-H089tDTYKMfrmOcqsRhHKt8Ix9YqFk/s640/IMG_9737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdl6wSCA42dUrpABTMAW80nlRbIPfM-kaSlc3Qbi9-Jicng3blLzHWi9INiVolcSQ_l6m1iHdxldfpYwvPK-kMfIcSxefmZlZvLNBsk_fcuch-H089tDTYKMfrmOcqsRhHKt8Ix9YqFk/w200-h200/IMG_9737.JPG" width="200" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Open the final page and you'll find out! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">With a brilliant gatefold at the back and surprise on the last page, this book is sure to delight your youngest spook enthusiasts. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzSby9zdIpBeZCpjGg55TNRi1xeCeCmZKN0_zzZKcYXbzN-kIlXfRi1T8Erg3cOshmnJzn5YCn7_JrAFqIH2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are no scares here, just laughs a-plenty!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There's a Monster in my Fridge is published by Simon and Schuster and brilliantly illustrated by Deborah Allwright.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/theres-a-monster-in-my-fridge/purchase"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Buy your signed copy here</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-14400136781727032722020-09-24T09:44:00.003+01:002020-09-24T09:44:35.272+01:00 Knock Knock Dinosaur illustrated by Nick East<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P8RT36NIZBuq2uVlpWo3USuTbYsmoDE9VWY8wd4vToa2JC1NFwng-aa3dr6cwYeBFnoD5AlZhrKhjmazOVWkzHwHwd2kq_sFu9h0QnBoz4AlKSSnQMUWGQNgu1a2BMU9OPM66LXAlsc/s640/IMG_9603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P8RT36NIZBuq2uVlpWo3USuTbYsmoDE9VWY8wd4vToa2JC1NFwng-aa3dr6cwYeBFnoD5AlZhrKhjmazOVWkzHwHwd2kq_sFu9h0QnBoz4AlKSSnQMUWGQNgu1a2BMU9OPM66LXAlsc/s320/IMG_9603.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">It's fun to find a T-Rex on the doorstep, but when all 54 of his friends arrive, it's time to panic! With awesome illustrations by the hugely talented Nick East, this playful dinosaur counting book is packed full of chaos and silliness!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg3a8Hj0cnmaSuQyT82hoztLCFVUs7lFqQe0C1n2Rit1RR0cUia8GGivGt3gq6aD4UVb1FcnwMTd1g_C8Ve7PSN5S7dgay0yrtAP6MeyE_iT7OL1ubpBkkK3PutW8lP9DbRVcK-rfZUA/s640/IMG_9604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg3a8Hj0cnmaSuQyT82hoztLCFVUs7lFqQe0C1n2Rit1RR0cUia8GGivGt3gq6aD4UVb1FcnwMTd1g_C8Ve7PSN5S7dgay0yrtAP6MeyE_iT7OL1ubpBkkK3PutW8lP9DbRVcK-rfZUA/w200-h200/IMG_9604.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibliATAlPegtH-UDIpjQLWBLglXvY_PYYWpn_JRp8wGyOU7NIwA2jtlIJ2taWnsnjE3yyefR6QRaYpkaVhHdzHCVDQcJG99ARKH7LnCjzUB7Ves6UrvchEwiU6EWBXb3Mp1kyWPsre2ag/s640/IMG_9605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibliATAlPegtH-UDIpjQLWBLglXvY_PYYWpn_JRp8wGyOU7NIwA2jtlIJ2taWnsnjE3yyefR6QRaYpkaVhHdzHCVDQcJG99ARKH7LnCjzUB7Ves6UrvchEwiU6EWBXb3Mp1kyWPsre2ag/w200-h200/IMG_9605.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;">"This is such a bright, colourful, and fun story that it's impossible not to get swept away" Picture Book Challenge</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: black;">"I have already recommended this beautiful book to all the parents I know." My Trending Stories</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQYg3LKViku28SXjWC1pC_NMh6nlFpTr_LZ8R_Y0xmhcfwduoFio62ecd2FayhRSldTDJAicUBlpyeE-mu3wzVFgVjSCMD93MZ8UhIIJdmBfW-C79DDrku8ZzqRPWydrJ2y5LY4lfYIo/s640/IMG_9606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQYg3LKViku28SXjWC1pC_NMh6nlFpTr_LZ8R_Y0xmhcfwduoFio62ecd2FayhRSldTDJAicUBlpyeE-mu3wzVFgVjSCMD93MZ8UhIIJdmBfW-C79DDrku8ZzqRPWydrJ2y5LY4lfYIo/w200-h200/IMG_9606.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreTsDVji6xCbOropzTxkOuZyRhowgOTWamUTa7ZbX7LWyo8n7_jhaKKZuWOuZtVy-Zadozux1IprBsl5XayUeGzotge8SIoKC_J8BpfGRADqm_w82ptz7JyUtCTinMuvzc_pu7v_2j_U/s640/IMG_9607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreTsDVji6xCbOropzTxkOuZyRhowgOTWamUTa7ZbX7LWyo8n7_jhaKKZuWOuZtVy-Zadozux1IprBsl5XayUeGzotge8SIoKC_J8BpfGRADqm_w82ptz7JyUtCTinMuvzc_pu7v_2j_U/w200-h200/IMG_9607.JPG" width="200" /></a></b></div><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">ONE T-Rex sniffs and rubs his tummy<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />He thinks Mum's apple pie smells yummy</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Then something makes a dreadful crash.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />It's TWO Triceratops THUMP BUMP BASH!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">THREE Stegosauruses Clump upstairs<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Oh help! There are dinosaurs EVERYWHERE!!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDyMJeId46kkIowMWsMwV8p9kfPUuhN7OjBOkG1Wzad33HZdUAotnqLUi9tkwQBHV2iJ5i47DUlWTMTCgNSAnpgn807PEo00aFIfZ4KpUksP8vIvF8TxWKpS-dmonNVqVIYe-aOwEtj0/s640/IMG_9610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDyMJeId46kkIowMWsMwV8p9kfPUuhN7OjBOkG1Wzad33HZdUAotnqLUi9tkwQBHV2iJ5i47DUlWTMTCgNSAnpgn807PEo00aFIfZ4KpUksP8vIvF8TxWKpS-dmonNVqVIYe-aOwEtj0/w200-h200/IMG_9610.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp3Ndjn83wB7RqfvHJgnbvlswlStGHO_Z1WhnqiGwE7qaPkX1YxCooN5bTioItqUHWJiqdEPD50AhV2T5qisyplDIqTx1XPozU2CDjLHirzplMavwEi_Azwh8NETTzWCHf0PqlXWKA0M/s640/IMG_9611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp3Ndjn83wB7RqfvHJgnbvlswlStGHO_Z1WhnqiGwE7qaPkX1YxCooN5bTioItqUHWJiqdEPD50AhV2T5qisyplDIqTx1XPozU2CDjLHirzplMavwEi_Azwh8NETTzWCHf0PqlXWKA0M/w200-h200/IMG_9611.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"></b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">This chaotic story is great fun to read aloud and is fantabulously illustrated by the super-talented and oh-so-fresh Nick East, this uber-stylish book is bursting with dinosaur fun on every page.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhFptnFOmi9EZ-yJwrRhk6iu2Y0aaTk-P1mWTnPmsBroBPACCtH_e3TxvgK-6N9goXSja_7t16L41PpIN_mL3i4rozqWZ6akOBJQ_Njql0RI-xTdjNSQOZm5W3df50YvRA6RrFV-u_rI/s640/IMG_9612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhFptnFOmi9EZ-yJwrRhk6iu2Y0aaTk-P1mWTnPmsBroBPACCtH_e3TxvgK-6N9goXSja_7t16L41PpIN_mL3i4rozqWZ6akOBJQ_Njql0RI-xTdjNSQOZm5W3df50YvRA6RrFV-u_rI/s320/IMG_9612.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Knock Knock Dinosaur is illustrated by Nick East and published by Hodder Children's Books.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/knock-knock/knock-knock-dinosaur/activities">Download FREE activities here</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/about/shop">Order your personally signed copy from my shop here</a></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-57854530799112584472020-09-22T14:38:00.005+01:002020-09-22T14:44:35.338+01:00The Princess and the Peas - For Royally Fussy Eaters Everywhere!<p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezVFolwMQD4C4TcAupmbqcRH7anO8bHjl_vH8h1O22GBQFiWh6GD3HrlXZhdQF3_3cCxJvds1DbfHsh_Too1ngzFvzZV8eO9ToZi0ZaJFqZYzGsqIXhQhpEP-KYDdZprRUYQdh9o8u-M/s640/IMG_9565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezVFolwMQD4C4TcAupmbqcRH7anO8bHjl_vH8h1O22GBQFiWh6GD3HrlXZhdQF3_3cCxJvds1DbfHsh_Too1ngzFvzZV8eO9ToZi0ZaJFqZYzGsqIXhQhpEP-KYDdZprRUYQdh9o8u-M/s320/IMG_9565.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lily Rose May lives with her daddy in a beautiful wood. She is kind and polite and is usually good.. until one day her daddy tries feeding her peas. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0H4UdLt2eGyh5QJRgtuw6QUVsbooMKCQ5UXiPuikdoV6Da5QXdMG1E7-kLwWQQ_ntVbhiG77f23KA6A-qONHdeMG8TIiA2IU-lkKerrhkIrgqiZO326xUeeCmqxQjHGH856M8gqbx2s/s640/IMG_9578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0H4UdLt2eGyh5QJRgtuw6QUVsbooMKCQ5UXiPuikdoV6Da5QXdMG1E7-kLwWQQ_ntVbhiG77f23KA6A-qONHdeMG8TIiA2IU-lkKerrhkIrgqiZO326xUeeCmqxQjHGH856M8gqbx2s/w200-h200/IMG_9578.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ISyV9UGXbXIWIovvUedykJrxBrrVS1Qc-lnW6bAtaFq3zb3kugx1t8dCQ_2Y2yAYRJke0Nw0vX2fd0XdcZkNGbS1lBQyEUBWsxMGEvVP374ISK0dh20QrIVOCTIHsy9Jm802ywGMPyU/s640/IMG_9579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ISyV9UGXbXIWIovvUedykJrxBrrVS1Qc-lnW6bAtaFq3zb3kugx1t8dCQ_2Y2yAYRJke0Nw0vX2fd0XdcZkNGbS1lBQyEUBWsxMGEvVP374ISK0dh20QrIVOCTIHsy9Jm802ywGMPyU/w200-h200/IMG_9579.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEES9FH1uhBgByUKJ8v9gMBE9Ucz4AEPppRPq-w4k0Vi8tiAXQO-KK_N3zVnt9bJskTOg4SM3yTuYMjoETavEbkuRDzzRyocz1ZaHaOFSCcgjXzHT70LlSTjFrkYLXFiTQHHVQZ5F4zg/s640/IMG_9581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEES9FH1uhBgByUKJ8v9gMBE9Ucz4AEPppRPq-w4k0Vi8tiAXQO-KK_N3zVnt9bJskTOg4SM3yTuYMjoETavEbkuRDzzRyocz1ZaHaOFSCcgjXzHT70LlSTjFrkYLXFiTQHHVQZ5F4zg/w200-h200/IMG_9581.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Poor Lily Rose May does not like these little green wonder foods. She says they make her feel poorly! Oh dear. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Her worried daddy calls the doctor who announces that if Lily is allergic to peas, she MUST be a princess!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbQ70FrnuyrUIwYKhr_M_U8bcr7TGpynJmQmYbmVmMMwlqu40oOTHsC_DDTolu5j2gXU7G6hNhVkQHnbmN5mRWa9uvXJNEAOrluxdJFiTqm6jerSjBS0CJ1IXwUxXuEb4R_dHtDsnhFA/s640/IMG_9582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbQ70FrnuyrUIwYKhr_M_U8bcr7TGpynJmQmYbmVmMMwlqu40oOTHsC_DDTolu5j2gXU7G6hNhVkQHnbmN5mRWa9uvXJNEAOrluxdJFiTqm6jerSjBS0CJ1IXwUxXuEb4R_dHtDsnhFA/w200-h200/IMG_9582.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1S2BR69dPTmSStK1xMOyEeyCqgg8L4_wDNZboQIfx_4fWUDpgDzD3UULY_SMs3GV3qEv4GCiF49Wj2GAEMmpm0gICnlRhoV_-XSklC19LODtXXTxrykJFESe3SjgrW4vZlwLMCPdPR4/s640/IMG_9583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1S2BR69dPTmSStK1xMOyEeyCqgg8L4_wDNZboQIfx_4fWUDpgDzD3UULY_SMs3GV3qEv4GCiF49Wj2GAEMmpm0gICnlRhoV_-XSklC19LODtXXTxrykJFESe3SjgrW4vZlwLMCPdPR4/w200-h200/IMG_9583.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij01YwlZW7WQh82EjN4bJZfZsCz0ur9YSRg3JIjir3i8wIBtKS8ZmbOpsSUNB-tJ893ZGKsxW2C627mtXQyplLq52TIbuev6Ev8nOlKvqL9Kk2gyr_9HQKYNdVi0c2-LcptKly1b1eDOw/s640/IMG_9585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij01YwlZW7WQh82EjN4bJZfZsCz0ur9YSRg3JIjir3i8wIBtKS8ZmbOpsSUNB-tJ893ZGKsxW2C627mtXQyplLq52TIbuev6Ev8nOlKvqL9Kk2gyr_9HQKYNdVi0c2-LcptKly1b1eDOw/w200-h200/IMG_9585.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Off to the palace goes Lily Rose May, with a promise to write to her dad every day...</span><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div>But life at the palace isn't quite what she expected! Will Lily opt for a life of luxury or learn to eat her peas?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMUMcjKQZUXuT41o77QZiAoyz8nvWRnmdgia0N0TYtLtHoLGPxgJjECIOt2ktlH84GkkqzGiIytBdIz79qgd-KRLr0W_4aF8lEiT27EifoLKpMebjSjZ48AY_Ma9x90lcpV6Z9l65LMY/s640/IMG_9574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMUMcjKQZUXuT41o77QZiAoyz8nvWRnmdgia0N0TYtLtHoLGPxgJjECIOt2ktlH84GkkqzGiIytBdIz79qgd-KRLr0W_4aF8lEiT27EifoLKpMebjSjZ48AY_Ma9x90lcpV6Z9l65LMY/w200-h200/IMG_9574.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKi15vn8XvK8_NRl0t9EkPaod2MpNbo1h6HhXNsLXrGuNm20jExPbcoSjNL1wEEQxmhj_3DNqmoUq8ufN2V-8b_q1WQA9dOrwuqWp4EA0S3DbfCXQhZKSYH9t3dw865LYvfAw7Q-Qkyo/s640/IMG_9575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKi15vn8XvK8_NRl0t9EkPaod2MpNbo1h6HhXNsLXrGuNm20jExPbcoSjNL1wEEQxmhj_3DNqmoUq8ufN2V-8b_q1WQA9dOrwuqWp4EA0S3DbfCXQhZKSYH9t3dw865LYvfAw7Q-Qkyo/w200-h200/IMG_9575.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVRkavvW2oGosuXCGLp-TqhPFNWPpavkonwNq39oPoZJcxzOSoGcul7uzGP5iWfWutClBqxAhDW2MTYf3Q74Bi-pAg_4xSztooyMUG4EsntE0aAZW36R1etKVW8kafg1Kq9nmhfys7YM/s640/IMG_9577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVRkavvW2oGosuXCGLp-TqhPFNWPpavkonwNq39oPoZJcxzOSoGcul7uzGP5iWfWutClBqxAhDW2MTYf3Q74Bi-pAg_4xSztooyMUG4EsntE0aAZW36R1etKVW8kafg1Kq9nmhfys7YM/w200-h200/IMG_9577.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Gloriously illustrated by Sarah Warburton and published by Nosy Crow, this is the first book in our P<a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/Princesses">rincess Series.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>The Princess and the Peas won the 2013 Stockport Brilliant Book Awards AND the Oldham Brilliant Book Awards</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/princesses/the-princess-and-the-peas">Watch me read the story here</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href=" https://www.carylhart.com/about/shop">You can buy a personally signed copy from my shop here</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-36822518168819371232020-09-09T16:31:00.003+01:002020-09-09T16:31:46.495+01:00Prince George Goes to School<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTwTpBrLV3enxkAC06UVfKMNLw588Qm8_DcNEHRQQ26uKGlvTLnXuzkkbAQF7sXfROpDbz0tuoAyKarNr2otvLAXde16Zj7JQoWjqdcCL5v2HyBV_IlC6L8rJxXjezdvwqrYrQbfyY_Y/s640/IMG_9353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTwTpBrLV3enxkAC06UVfKMNLw588Qm8_DcNEHRQQ26uKGlvTLnXuzkkbAQF7sXfROpDbz0tuoAyKarNr2otvLAXde16Zj7JQoWjqdcCL5v2HyBV_IlC6L8rJxXjezdvwqrYrQbfyY_Y/s320/IMG_9353.JPG" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Have you got little ones starting school? Or older ones going back after a looong break? It's a really tricky time at the moment, not just for children starting school, but for parents, carers and teachers too. School will not be quite the familiar place some children are used to. And for others, it'll be their first contact with large groups of other people for months.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zED7kr9Si7qtKc0iTC0cHFLHnXCt__LvqiEcsJeOYghAkVuAaP12imLhHnd8W7ddnVoGyBFw8MJrF9hcl9r2KWbxjH-KCDGysBDiBU4LhY9q2xnXcqsVXZXYCcscgnJiU6L_mYQM8gk/s640/IMG_9354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zED7kr9Si7qtKc0iTC0cHFLHnXCt__LvqiEcsJeOYghAkVuAaP12imLhHnd8W7ddnVoGyBFw8MJrF9hcl9r2KWbxjH-KCDGysBDiBU4LhY9q2xnXcqsVXZXYCcscgnJiU6L_mYQM8gk/w200-h200/IMG_9354.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfq7LPbu_FoA5WRBCcKaKOFVlaKHuXbJQrvTsuwL7VpQhX6hIxqPZn_OLiqN5SCrC6SthJ5VWCm8jSAppjowELsaQ0YbTXC9X3hPK9HgWS_RjqWNCu1LsnULRrKO8QhT1z7H3p_Q2cJJQ/s640/IMG_9355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfq7LPbu_FoA5WRBCcKaKOFVlaKHuXbJQrvTsuwL7VpQhX6hIxqPZn_OLiqN5SCrC6SthJ5VWCm8jSAppjowELsaQ0YbTXC9X3hPK9HgWS_RjqWNCu1LsnULRrKO8QhT1z7H3p_Q2cJJQ/w200-h200/IMG_9355.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But hopefully this funny story will help ease any collywobbles and get your little ones in fine spirits for their next adventures</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="il">Prince</span> George is off on a big adventure to a shiny new kingdom called SCHOOL! But when he arrives, it seems he's forgotten something rather important... his school uniform! </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGd1Wv3rAEOGXtlsQQFkVVCp_g5hzL8kJYI0tJaFNWpCiHT4jFLs8Lb9ir5Ooaefh10s2QWW0HDE6CyXLVJxLtiK0LhK8ozeg-Ve9wSHa5K4OBwgPXh-DaV1ee2Snsbe3TpOEcQxuVu4/s640/IMG_9356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGd1Wv3rAEOGXtlsQQFkVVCp_g5hzL8kJYI0tJaFNWpCiHT4jFLs8Lb9ir5Ooaefh10s2QWW0HDE6CyXLVJxLtiK0LhK8ozeg-Ve9wSHa5K4OBwgPXh-DaV1ee2Snsbe3TpOEcQxuVu4/w200-h200/IMG_9356.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxvzPb42vs6eV452k6AwrfAtkqSJC0In6d0HCwanakvCa5pbDnFRzPfJ7tS3b6LLPxa7rFOui5pvJpoj4IMIZO-7Z-o2ZMCL94l7TSd_t1cBpvGX9OiXwaX9-8L7rc8Hnj8hijB26KcE/s640/IMG_9357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxvzPb42vs6eV452k6AwrfAtkqSJC0In6d0HCwanakvCa5pbDnFRzPfJ7tS3b6LLPxa7rFOui5pvJpoj4IMIZO-7Z-o2ZMCL94l7TSd_t1cBpvGX9OiXwaX9-8L7rc8Hnj8hijB26KcE/w200-h200/IMG_9357.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Luckily Miss Merry has some spares to help out!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When he first enters his class, poor George thinks the Big Chair is for him. But a kind girl called Beatrice is there to look after him and make him feel at home. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj4djPSIN8ggCjRGwxNOIxfjQCbMTf9Nvt-jwRVVk2q5AE5jF_Jr6OUDHKOhOfANrkoEGAMxT7Vr-AR0WJQ5su4DUG5RCLRuvXB-SOsBIrzi69JSntYQwaTQ8hArzapSUWKucKkgYRmw/s640/IMG_9360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj4djPSIN8ggCjRGwxNOIxfjQCbMTf9Nvt-jwRVVk2q5AE5jF_Jr6OUDHKOhOfANrkoEGAMxT7Vr-AR0WJQ5su4DUG5RCLRuvXB-SOsBIrzi69JSntYQwaTQ8hArzapSUWKucKkgYRmw/w200-h200/IMG_9360.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hDSa6BkQgzxa3XBYLe-JjGaCWT__RIMRJyE-QVPastPHSgpjq6Hmlhl_yR1R3MFSvvQVQjM-GEx2vxprReHPq7Fxc8Pq8HzX79DiVFLSScnIVmBVEVXFaGQcAtTGRScQuSJHPda_uaw/s640/IMG_9361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hDSa6BkQgzxa3XBYLe-JjGaCWT__RIMRJyE-QVPastPHSgpjq6Hmlhl_yR1R3MFSvvQVQjM-GEx2vxprReHPq7Fxc8Pq8HzX79DiVFLSScnIVmBVEVXFaGQcAtTGRScQuSJHPda_uaw/w200-h200/IMG_9361.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But what will happen when it's time to paint and later to build a huge castle out of boxes? Can George cope with someone else being King of the Castle? </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbHz6tqDzeFDQdcUK52IUwp5jfZkCnEwQED6JFAXhYez4oail7HD5hYESpgq23q7uH4VJdWni0yP862sJ7gx0rdZvuf8icyNqiemhLzdm7PN1bpxAUg2T-RTtv9WJ8mLaJI873ZuZk9s/s640/IMG_9363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbHz6tqDzeFDQdcUK52IUwp5jfZkCnEwQED6JFAXhYez4oail7HD5hYESpgq23q7uH4VJdWni0yP862sJ7gx0rdZvuf8icyNqiemhLzdm7PN1bpxAUg2T-RTtv9WJ8mLaJI873ZuZk9s/s320/IMG_9363.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the end of the day, George has made lots of new friends and is eager to return for more fun and games.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Prince George Goes to School </i>is illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson and published by Orchard.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/about/shop">Buy a personally signed copy from my shop </a></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-14280097885775035532020-07-13T12:29:00.002+01:002020-07-13T12:35:02.063+01:00Superheroes, Dragons, Bears, Planets and Mini Monsters - New Books for 2020<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QySQ7L5qMdIFrzInJiuNtj_rt6Hp4VVc1bAtf0sC8V_bwDSeu1xysKHTsEbCRk3sJJJif5PukxTlFFh3okWJaFKx2HcCjLCxcJkLu787Gp8nj928d9JFSIavUqZznJ4zeRozaTZ94Ho/s1024/New+Books+Charcters+Graphic_edited-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QySQ7L5qMdIFrzInJiuNtj_rt6Hp4VVc1bAtf0sC8V_bwDSeu1xysKHTsEbCRk3sJJJif5PukxTlFFh3okWJaFKx2HcCjLCxcJkLu787Gp8nj928d9JFSIavUqZznJ4zeRozaTZ94Ho/w640-h320/New+Books+Charcters+Graphic_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><font face="verdana">I am incredibly lucky to have had FIVE picture books published so far this year. Six if you count another picture book that I wrote with families as part of the <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/special-projects/storymakers2018">Storymakers </a>community project.</font><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">And I've been madly promoting them on social media, organising blog tours and giveaways to help get these new titles in the public eye. Promotion online has become hugely important this year, as a many retailers have been closed for several months and are only just beginning to re-open so there have been very few opportunities for families to browse through books and choose the ones they like best.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Here's a bit about each one.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b>Knock Knock Superhero</b></u></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b><br /></b></u></font></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrQ3h35AAoimA76B32kaClwLo7UVP-O3yImHStMy2A4Q2YcoazYXeWzvYnAiRG9tUWantfqGRU2N3t_VmiTcuSwqht4GYs2eEtUWydnUK8aX6kfS0eeJL9Z-4cpj6h6E6ZKXtLk__Igw/s407/KnockKnock_Super_Front_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrQ3h35AAoimA76B32kaClwLo7UVP-O3yImHStMy2A4Q2YcoazYXeWzvYnAiRG9tUWantfqGRU2N3t_VmiTcuSwqht4GYs2eEtUWydnUK8aX6kfS0eeJL9Z-4cpj6h6E6ZKXtLk__Igw/w314-h320/KnockKnock_Super_Front_400.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/knock-knock">Knock Knock Superhero</a> </font><span style="font-family: verdana;">is the fourth book in my Knock Knock Series, fabulously illustrated by <a href="http://www.tallbean.co.uk/illustrators/gallery-nick-east.php">Nick East</a> and published by Hodder, an imprint of <a href="https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/titles/caryl-hart/knock-knock-alien/9781444938753/">Hachette.</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's a hugely diverse, and very silly counting adventure that features 55 whacky superheroes on a crazy quest. When one small child hears a knock on the door, who should it be but Pasta Man! But something's wrong. Pasta Man has run out of pasta-power and naughty Madame Chilli is after him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><font face="verdana">Can the Muscle Mums and Glasses Girls help? Quickly they find a secret trap door in the child's house and get booted and suited with the help of the Gadget Grannies and Brainy Boys. Then it's off to Meatball Mountain to find a cure. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">The thing I love most about this book is that the characters are not your typical superheroes, they come in all shapes, sizes and ages. There are characters with all sorts of skin tones and hair styles and body shapes. We have grandads, and stepdads and body-building mums, we have superhero boys who use mobility aids and superhero sisters and aunties!</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">We hope this book shows children that ANYONE can be a superhero - even them!</font></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b>Meet the Planets</b></u></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b><br /></b></u></font></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKrD8W2PgaQ8uQnhU1sB0FyoDkfQ38VHZijgLYzweY1o2sdAKulLLKuoHhC3kO5xECfjHqx0HSc5zUow9v_SEPlnthBtv7qIFIRLoyC8yoxU6zaeDaRCDO8zmlnghyQEjExJIhjyge5Y/s2048/PLANETS_Final_Cover_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKrD8W2PgaQ8uQnhU1sB0FyoDkfQ38VHZijgLYzweY1o2sdAKulLLKuoHhC3kO5xECfjHqx0HSc5zUow9v_SEPlnthBtv7qIFIRLoyC8yoxU6zaeDaRCDO8zmlnghyQEjExJIhjyge5Y/w254-h320/PLANETS_Final_Cover_400.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Meet-the-Planets">Meet the Planets</a> is the first in a new series illustrated by the truly unique <a href="http://www.bethanwoollvin.com/">Bethan Woollvin</a> and published by Bloomsbury.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I was invited to write this book by my editor at <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/childrens/">Bloomsbury</a>, who had spotted some planet characters that Bethan had posted on her website. Meet the Planets is a rhyming journey through space for very young children. Each planet has its own rhyme, many of which include bite-sized planet facts. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">You might be surprised to know that I did LOADS of research for this book - you'd think writing one four-line verse about each planet would be easy, but it was actually quite a challenge to decide which aspect to draw out for each one. I wanted each character to have their own personality and voice, so what looks like quite a simple book was actually quite tricky to write!</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">As for the illustrations, Bethan creates all the artwork as layers of physical paintings. Normally, layering is done digitally but Bethan's technique much more complex. What results is a truly unique style that is different from any other illustrator I've worked with.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Not wishing to waste all my research, I've created a fact sheet for each planet and a couple of others about Really Big Numbers and The Solar System. You can <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/title/Meet-the-Planets/activities">download them all free here</a>.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Meet the Planets was listed by The Independent in their list of <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/new-books-children-2020-julia-donaldson-the-go-away-bird-the-gruffalo-dogger-a9306081.html#r3z-addoor">Best Books to Read to Your Children in 2020</a>.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Watch out for more books in this series coming soon!</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b>Mini Monsters - Can I Play?</b></u></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b><br /></b></u></font></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtslDNCtkZx5B0X0lmkPQOugCAtCOOC30H_O8nfPv5Fh8u6vXwNF1bzwIZRHXj8WrGoeswt94MT7xK5_VcvWNOZaQMpk_1yiTe7m7k3MkaFT1uN_rWb3zeEJ9bIIj9zNb7LFfBBkJ55U/s402/MM_Can+I+Play_Front_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtslDNCtkZx5B0X0lmkPQOugCAtCOOC30H_O8nfPv5Fh8u6vXwNF1bzwIZRHXj8WrGoeswt94MT7xK5_VcvWNOZaQMpk_1yiTe7m7k3MkaFT1uN_rWb3zeEJ9bIIj9zNb7LFfBBkJ55U/w318-h320/MM_Can+I+Play_Front_400.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/mini-monsters/can-i-play">Can I Play?</a> is the first book in a new series for preschool children illustrated by <a href="http://tonyneal.co.uk/">Tony Neal </a>and published by <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/search/books/Category-Children-s-Young-Adult-Educational-Picture-Books-Activity-Books-Early-Learning-Material/Available-For-Sale-Now/_/N-juftZpgz/Ne-ffk">Simon and Schuster</a>. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">It follows the adventures of four super-cute monster characters in a preschool or nursery setting and deals with the big emotions that our little people experience every day.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">In this story, Sparkle is practising for a magic show with Arthur, but when Scout wants to join in, Sparkle isn't happy. She doesn't want to share her game. Scout becomes very upset and when Arthur goes to comfort him, Sparkle finds that <i>she </i>is the one who feels left out. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">This is such a relatable scenario for so many young (and older!) children that I hope this story can help stimulate discussion on what friendship means and how our actions can affect other people's happiness.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I've been delighted at the hugely positive feedback this book has received. BookTrust say:</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><i>"Caryl Hart and Tony Neal's bright and colourful story about being a good friend (and saying sorry when you've been mean) is perfectly pitched for older toddlers and pre-schoolers." </i>BookTrust</font></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="verdana">You can <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/mini-monsters/can-i-play/reviews">read some of the reviews here</a>.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Book two is out next year! </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="verdana"><b><u>Bears Love Squares</u></b></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><b><u><br /></u></b></font></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi2iPk_5YFDEsumGk4ZmZysGdC-a6lHlrRlCmMkn26IctV4E0NWYDko7-HpzDz1R2reyuNiWnEpKFJOG8XvE37FgrfqBflSlj4yFZmZPPVmB1MNn0LAO1S3MUDsDn1GojqnBxwlNKmVs/s401/Bears+Love+Squares+Low+res.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi2iPk_5YFDEsumGk4ZmZysGdC-a6lHlrRlCmMkn26IctV4E0NWYDko7-HpzDz1R2reyuNiWnEpKFJOG8XvE37FgrfqBflSlj4yFZmZPPVmB1MNn0LAO1S3MUDsDn1GojqnBxwlNKmVs/w318-h320/Bears+Love+Squares+Low+res.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Shapes are all around us, we see them everywhere, but bears are very choosy. Bears love squares!</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/cat-mouse-bear/bears-love-squares">Bears Love Squares</a> is the third book in a series illustrated by Edward Underwood and also published by <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/childrens/">Bloomsbury</a>. It is a cute story about the joys of shapes. Bear is very determined that squares are the only shapes for him. But can Raccoon persuade Bear that other shapes can be fun too?</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I didn't realise until I read a review of <i>Big Box Little Box</i>, the first book in this series, that the rhymes are somewhat influenced by the Dr Seuss books. It's funny how everything we read infuses into our work - by a sort of literary osmosis, influencing how we write and how we create our characters.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">In my mind the bear in this story likes his world to be predictable and just-so.. something many families will experience with one or more of their children. It can be easy to form arbitrary preferences for any number of things in our lives - food, clothing, television shows, walking routes. But if you doggedly stick to the same set of things, it's much harder to grow and develop as a person. That's why friends are so great. They can</font><span style="font-family: verdana;"> introduce us to new things and bring us joy in discovery.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bears Love Squares is a colourful celebration of shapes with adorable characters that I hope you will love as much as I do.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>"A really fun and colourful story that my 3 year old loved. I've read it 5 times today and every time she has shouted BEARS LOVE SQUARES at the right moment."</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span>Wormmcd42 via Toppsta.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><font face="verdana"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/cat-mouse-bear/bears-love-squares/reviews">Click here for more reviews</a></font></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b>When a Dragon Goes to School</b></u></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b><br /></b></u></font></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcBgufsw5WCexBnbwD355kB2N12gLgXAEZoIkdyypPlsNlpbsnFT09GK_eesgt3lv4oW99DxTJsXXnqE0JUH-hUokLyS5hse09MJProylG5gDHg6fGX1D84Ls4ULUduprkAVlhgJNZxE/s403/When+a+Dragon+Goes+to+School_400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcBgufsw5WCexBnbwD355kB2N12gLgXAEZoIkdyypPlsNlpbsnFT09GK_eesgt3lv4oW99DxTJsXXnqE0JUH-hUokLyS5hse09MJProylG5gDHg6fGX1D84Ls4ULUduprkAVlhgJNZxE/w318-h320/When+a+Dragon+Goes+to+School_400.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">The second book in the Little Dragon series, adorably illustrated by <a href="http://www.rosalindbeardshaw.com/">Rosalind Beardshaw</a> and published by Nosy Crow, is a lovely little story about going to school or preschool. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">When a dragon hears us say, </font></div><div><font face="verdana">Hooray! We're off to school today!" </font></div><div><font face="verdana">Does she refuse to come inside </font></div><div><font face="verdana">Or try to run away and hide? </font></div><div><font face="verdana">Why no! Dragon's don't do that!"</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">How many parents have experienced the clinging, weeping anxiety of a young child who is worried about being left at school or nursery? My own children turned into screaming limpets every single morning and had to be prised out of my arms by understanding teachers. Many a morning, I would wobble away, sobbing silently and could spend the rest of the day feeling terrible. Later, I learned to peek back through the window - always to spot my little darlings happily engaged in activity as if it was the most natural thing in the world! </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Starting school can be traumatic for parents and children - so books that help prepare them for what to expect are always helpful. In this story, we acknowledge that behaving is not always easy, and children love to see the chaos that the Little Dragon <i>could </i>create... but does not! </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">We've created some lovely activities for your own Little Dragons to accompany the book. You can <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/when-a-dragon/when-a-dragon-goes-to-school/activities">download them free here.</a></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">We are currently working on a third book in this series and it's looking even more adorable than the first two!</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><u><b>Thank You!</b></u></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">I'd love to say a HUGE Thank you to all the amazing illustrators, editors, designers and publicity & marketing teams who have helped create and promote these amazing books. Publishing is a massive team effort and none of these projects would be possible without everyone involved being 100% dedicated to making each and every book the best it can possibly be.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Thank you, too, to all the book shops, book bloggers and lovely people on social media who have helped us promote these new titles - you've all been amazing.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Finally, and most importantly, to all the families, teachers, teaching assistants, librarians and children who keep our industry going. Thank you for buying our books and reading them! </font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-69763821947430544922020-05-15T17:35:00.001+01:002020-05-15T17:39:57.635+01:00Meet the Mini Monsters - New Preschool Series Launching 11 June!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT5aoKj4aHBh8hoIy7vdaYc3st9-8rghnWuQG_2TT6NSf3LnOYFBIBJf6pZgxZ69qZoJMyy9nt4Cs_06DWfkw4itxG0YpW-Nd3h7wTzfLtfpwzsat0Xsfz3Dy1PDZYblwMIrz0CJorP8/s1600/MM_Can+I+Play_Front_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKT5aoKj4aHBh8hoIy7vdaYc3st9-8rghnWuQG_2TT6NSf3LnOYFBIBJf6pZgxZ69qZoJMyy9nt4Cs_06DWfkw4itxG0YpW-Nd3h7wTzfLtfpwzsat0Xsfz3Dy1PDZYblwMIrz0CJorP8/s320/MM_Can+I+Play_Front_400.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Meet the Mini Monsters</u></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Mini Monsters are four adorable characters who are
learning valuable lessons about friendship and how to get along, in a
pre-school setting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This brand-new character led-series is perfect for LITTLE
pre-schoolers learning to deal with BIG emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first book,<i> Can I Play? </i> publishes in the UK on 11 June.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this story, Sparkle is putting on a magic show with
Arthur, but when Scout wants to join in, Sparkle is not happy. After some
heartache, Sparkle soon learns that playing together is much more fun.
Hooray! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.carylhart.com/books/mini-monsters/can-i-play" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find out more here</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAaPcZW5ody4x2nRPPt7qIV1Mz4ZtEmBlqRparK3sWnTS9ViKkKzhJfc3d8YkHE2qOJxKijXPn1RM56L_nq-SuaUxqYcbi_NemepOUgjP4yixELPvl5oGEDnEvfevuMUC8YVIUKz6-b4/s1600/MM-Blog-tour_400.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAaPcZW5ody4x2nRPPt7qIV1Mz4ZtEmBlqRparK3sWnTS9ViKkKzhJfc3d8YkHE2qOJxKijXPn1RM56L_nq-SuaUxqYcbi_NemepOUgjP4yixELPvl5oGEDnEvfevuMUC8YVIUKz6-b4/s320/MM-Blog-tour_400.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>BIG Blog Tour</u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To mark the occasion, I'm doing a BIG blog tour and will be broadcasting storytime videos for BookTrust, Seven Stories Story Centre and Picture Book Author Events Online.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bloggers will be running giveaways and publishing interviews and exclusive Q&As so do visit the blogs and get involved. Here's the timetable:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSopBz47zAJoapud7dwFUzOwN0gDwI1u31z-ByKIg5zlOMXFKrFwIyEsN53WY7W4GfY18y3LibJ-95xl0Y-qw0z50tBCkoC1xrNgviMb5LVT5A2AhpBg3o1v56p1jIo7pALycQulDdUk/s1600/Sparkle+Coutout_330.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSopBz47zAJoapud7dwFUzOwN0gDwI1u31z-ByKIg5zlOMXFKrFwIyEsN53WY7W4GfY18y3LibJ-95xl0Y-qw0z50tBCkoC1xrNgviMb5LVT5A2AhpBg3o1v56p1jIo7pALycQulDdUk/s200/Sparkle+Coutout_330.png" width="161" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday 8 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/">Mini Monsters on Booktrust Storytime</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @booktrust</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday 9 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://ivyslibrary.com/indexphp/2020/04/27/ivys-guest-book">Ivy’s Library</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @ivyslibrary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday 10 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://storysnug.com/">Story Snug</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @cjfriess<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI_2WwOb2tsarEyJ8lO8aDdGCu5a6vJsQrt2MA7LLGBuELa57pYUC-MTIPZgUneKzTYRYjWZGwjmffPOnYzAa1n6bcOgITGsRFXAjysQn4bI_pJd-FIysk-0EU97ru1IrcXObRJ9Z6yc/s1600/Scout+Cutout_330.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI_2WwOb2tsarEyJ8lO8aDdGCu5a6vJsQrt2MA7LLGBuELa57pYUC-MTIPZgUneKzTYRYjWZGwjmffPOnYzAa1n6bcOgITGsRFXAjysQn4bI_pJd-FIysk-0EU97ru1IrcXObRJ9Z6yc/s200/Scout+Cutout_330.png" width="161" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday 11 June -
Launch Day</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.sevenstories.org.uk/blog">Seven Stories StoryCentre</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Twitter: @7StoriesBooks</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Friday 12 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://liveotherwise.co.uk/makingitup/">Live Otherwise</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @liveotherwise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Saturday 13 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.createsheffield.co.uk/pages/parents-carers">Create Sheffield </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @CreateSheff<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhTOsb3VRZozEkrTci51RJ-VlX7kanUoB2yE31Y6CNmgP1fu2GZS9ZlxGqvecw_NGuL7_5GUzvLlCEYufzZCl3Qe-coI2_UDJlj7X9iPbLYzFBp-8WVhfnJhGPqwQke6524yzrQKOfV0/s1600/Arthur+Cutout_330.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhTOsb3VRZozEkrTci51RJ-VlX7kanUoB2yE31Y6CNmgP1fu2GZS9ZlxGqvecw_NGuL7_5GUzvLlCEYufzZCl3Qe-coI2_UDJlj7X9iPbLYzFBp-8WVhfnJhGPqwQke6524yzrQKOfV0/s200/Arthur+Cutout_330.png" width="161" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 14 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://annasadventuresinbookland.blogspot.com/">Adventures inBookland</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @scout finch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Monday 15 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://acornbooksblog.wordpress.com/">Acorn Books</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @Acornbooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday 16 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.booksfortopics.com/give-me-5">Books for Topics -Give Me 5</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @booksfortopics</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKrM0JFdVa33Zc63Rz8vu0uBYCjSk8lbQVulBgqU8v5imbLvivsw8Ql9qPvA2j_2rb8d6DFWqUP933e_htNPwrXfNDyb0ee7WZwyCVgo663QghzWZ900Lzc0al-16j-DKEv1FRnqfyOc/s1600/Tiny+Cutout_330.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKrM0JFdVa33Zc63Rz8vu0uBYCjSk8lbQVulBgqU8v5imbLvivsw8Ql9qPvA2j_2rb8d6DFWqUP933e_htNPwrXfNDyb0ee7WZwyCVgo663QghzWZ900Lzc0al-16j-DKEv1FRnqfyOc/s200/Tiny+Cutout_330.png" width="161" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday 17 Jun</b>e<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thereadingrealm.co.uk/">The Reading Realm</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter: @MrEagletonIan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Thursday 18 June</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://bearhuntbooks.co.uk/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Bear Hunt Books</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Twitter @ bearhuntbooks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Weekend of 20/21 June tbc</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seven Stories </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Live Facebook Event</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check for Tickets Here</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641225035876801046.post-23358787792732925082020-04-30T18:12:00.002+01:002020-04-30T18:12:09.889+01:00Picture Book Author Events Online<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the beginning of March, a week before lockdown, I've been working with Author <a href="https://www.scribblestreet.co.uk/">Jonathan Emmett</a> to create and run a project called <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/special-projects/author-events">Picture Book Author Events Online</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a one-stop-shop to bring together and showcase a huge range of free book resources, together with story time and draw-along videos from some of the best loved picture book creators.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's how the project came about and why myself and Jonathan have given up weeks of our time to help make it a success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Creating Storytime Videos for Children at Home</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the 13th March, I read a tweet by author Sarah Crossan saying she was planning to do some live Instagram posts to encourage young people to get writing and to chat about books during self-isolation.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU50KpzNf3sE0PRyoS2DHO97eg-LqKvwTfz6AvBpUePKzD6N82UP0wwO_NcjXPwlzo8-_T-Gp6wj84kysLBZQEhdvoKQDgS8b19mE92UZPJJIdtfXI2vZe4PZAe6J-MXgtNn7bA2q6lE/s1600/Sarah+Crossan+Tweet_130320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="666" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU50KpzNf3sE0PRyoS2DHO97eg-LqKvwTfz6AvBpUePKzD6N82UP0wwO_NcjXPwlzo8-_T-Gp6wj84kysLBZQEhdvoKQDgS8b19mE92UZPJJIdtfXI2vZe4PZAe6J-MXgtNn7bA2q6lE/s320/Sarah+Crossan+Tweet_130320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought this was a great idea and decided to post some videos of my own based on my picture books</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Call to Action</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later that day, I put out a call to other authors and illustrators to see if anyone wanted to join me as I felt this was something I could do to help families who were stuck at home with young children.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Authors Holly Webb and Gill Lewis got back to me straight away and by the end of the following day I’d had messages of support from Steve Antony, Fred Blunt, Jonathan Emmett and Sarah MacIntyre.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah alerted me to the hashtag #FreeBookResources that she and some other creatives were using to enable families and teachers to find downloadables and printables easily by searching on social media.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hit the Ground Running</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By 15th March, Holly Webb had broadcast our very first video and I’d created a web page that listed timings of live broadcasts that our little group was planning to do. I was sending out dozens of tweets and retweets to help highlight the resources that authors and illustrators were making available. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZsbozKlkrstEcCgyRY-rpNuh4zgaRpQF0EEprBrw146G5wO609GJNppapvD_Vk_GLw9Lq8kil00Kmjf7Vu8xHmSPFvB-OmqvDCcZkvC05l3S4eLm7Kl245WXntto95bULmBTzofITDw/s1600/Resources+Composite_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZsbozKlkrstEcCgyRY-rpNuh4zgaRpQF0EEprBrw146G5wO609GJNppapvD_Vk_GLw9Lq8kil00Kmjf7Vu8xHmSPFvB-OmqvDCcZkvC05l3S4eLm7Kl245WXntto95bULmBTzofITDw/s320/Resources+Composite_edited-2.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Free Book Resources for Children and Families at Home</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the same time, I also set up another web page with links to free downloadable book resources for children to access from home. This includes both resources created in response to school closures, and those that predate the outbreak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit the <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/special-projects/free-book-resources">Picture Book Author Event Free Book Resources</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following discussions on the best ways to broadcast live and building on his experiences with another project, Jonathan Emmett suggested we set up a Facebook Page that contributors could broadcast from, where we could also re-post videos shared on other platforms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqgxLQjQEv062GBb3OlmsVHuhwQhMPqmF7gTZbq_F0Y1Dky2TcibE9WgowJic80pYRcNKyJjJShuuvIiRVpIeD3RWCyxMkqA1H4jVd2uI_xscbcjsnCMO-8Lf3RMo_J_kAJdBl_RTZQ4/s1600/Whats+On+Composite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqgxLQjQEv062GBb3OlmsVHuhwQhMPqmF7gTZbq_F0Y1Dky2TcibE9WgowJic80pYRcNKyJjJShuuvIiRVpIeD3RWCyxMkqA1H4jVd2uI_xscbcjsnCMO-8Lf3RMo_J_kAJdBl_RTZQ4/s320/Whats+On+Composite.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Facebook Page for Videos and Broadcasts</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The very next day, 16 March, the Picture Book Author Events Online Facebook page went live. Jonathan was the first to broadcast from this new platform. We subsequently decided to focus the scope of the project on traditionally published picture books, in order to limit the quickly growing administration time needed for the project and ensure the quality of the material being shared</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We now have over 1,000 followers on our Facebook Page and have broadcast and reposted over 250 new videos, all created since 16 March. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/whats-on-2">Visit the What's On Page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The picture book creators shared on the page include : Steve Antony, Catherine Barr, Rob Buddulph, Cerrie Burne, Nathan Bryon, Jill Calder, Jane Clarke, Coo Clayton, Benji Davies, Nicola Davies, Helen Docherty, Elys Dolan, Julia Donaldson, Malachy Doyle, Jonny Duddle, Jonathan Emmett, Charlie Farley, Jane Clarke, Jim Field, Kes Gray, Caryl Hart, Chris Haughton, Timothy Knapman, Steven Lenton, Ben Mantle, James Mayhew, David Melling, Lydia Monks, Sarah McIntyre, Susannah Lloyd, Tom McLaughlin, Guy Parker-Rees, Tom Percival, Jane Porter, Kjartan Poskitt, Joshua Siegal, Zeb Soanes, Robert Starling, Kristina Stephenson, Linda Strachan, Ed Vere, Chris White, Gill White, Mo Willems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEventsOnline/">Visit the Picture Book Author Events Online Facebook Page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Look! We Have a Logo!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two days later, Chris Haughton, who had also started broadcasting his wonderful draw-along storytimes, kindly agreed to create us a logo. Chris’s first video, Shh! We Have a Plan, posted on his own social media and re-posted on Picture Book Author Events Online, had over 2,000 views.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-lVmscAjZkZCLIRgTtgHfC82nwBMi8KD15uLiGlZzu1ZUqQZXG3p1ifKhH7ASiACJZAHOEdvNlsGCP8TlbGkVcldokJ3hUVu50HP4rn4uJgYyhIwrKDAL3-cGm_bs_1UQ3LW42amn3c/s1600/Facebook+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="898" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-lVmscAjZkZCLIRgTtgHfC82nwBMi8KD15uLiGlZzu1ZUqQZXG3p1ifKhH7ASiACJZAHOEdvNlsGCP8TlbGkVcldokJ3hUVu50HP4rn4uJgYyhIwrKDAL3-cGm_bs_1UQ3LW42amn3c/s320/Facebook+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Up and Running in Time for School Closures</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time schools actually closed on 20 March, the project, some great content and our administration systems were already up and running.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Book Trust and Sunday Times Listings</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our resources are listed by<a href="https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/fun-at-home-with-authors-and-illustrators/"> BookTrust </a>and were featured in an article by Nicolette Jones for The Times: </span><a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/culture/your-favourite-childrens-authors-online-for-free-bhhzf5bmf" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your favourite children’s authors online for free </a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEEudKtr70jRWtf7R_upv9GqUcz-AsENCZgbYgACz1N2-HqCybhPvnv6YU6FZg3bcoUs0LGtavJAawdTof7DegvWZRSyncEt92MikWQOqtQ4eOhe7kLGrgCvufhd7Zaa1btL1-t7Z6rA/s1600/Guide+New_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEEudKtr70jRWtf7R_upv9GqUcz-AsENCZgbYgACz1N2-HqCybhPvnv6YU6FZg3bcoUs0LGtavJAawdTof7DegvWZRSyncEt92MikWQOqtQ4eOhe7kLGrgCvufhd7Zaa1btL1-t7Z6rA/s1600/Guide+New_200.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Advice for Authors, Illustrators, Teachers and Librarians</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as creating a one-stop-shop for content, Jonathan and I also provide guidance for authors, illustrators, teachers and librarians wishing to create story videos. This includes information from how to set up your studio, to licensing and copyright permissions. Most publishers have relaxed licensing to allow content to be published online for a limited time period and are, indeed working with us to actively promote our material.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.carylhart.com/special-projects/guide">You can find our guidance here</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKskLaC91KLmG7zrR-cWMCVxO50Y56TVvix0pK5Eah0VR4IHcQF9neqzopwmaVIXxieXQGEr5kCILmk4DPJBTOr6wX2pbFcfPzJ2nuMZWN6sP8xFF_6yHfiEaP2qUk5ceIStLke_zZ70/s1600/Caryl+Bus+Card+_240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="240" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKskLaC91KLmG7zrR-cWMCVxO50Y56TVvix0pK5Eah0VR4IHcQF9neqzopwmaVIXxieXQGEr5kCILmk4DPJBTOr6wX2pbFcfPzJ2nuMZWN6sP8xFF_6yHfiEaP2qUk5ceIStLke_zZ70/s200/Caryl+Bus+Card+_240.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Showcasing Authors’ and Illustrators’ Work</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All but the most famous authors and illustrators rely on their own efforts to promote their books to readers. Those of us lucky enough to have publicists engaged by our publishers do get some help around the launch of a book, but this is generally for a limited time only. So platforms like Picture Book Author Events Online can be a great way for us to showcase our work and highlight all the extra resources we create for our readers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Loss of Income due to School Closures and Event Cancellations</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many children’s authors and illustrators rely on events with schools, libraries and festivals to supplement the income they get from book sales. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For books created as a partnership between an author and illustrator, each contributor typically receives just 5% on a hardcover and 3.75% of the selling price on a paperback. Royalties are paid in two parts. The first is an up-front advance of a few thousand pounds. If a book does well enough to cover this initial advance, contributors may then receive additional payments depending on volume of sales. This works out around 30p a copy for a book that sells at full price, down to less than a penny for books selling at a high discount.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, this second stream of income has vanished overnight. With schools closed and festivals cancelled for at least 6 months, many of us will lose thousands of pounds in cancelled bookings, lack of future bookings and the associated loss of direct book sales these events generate. I personally expect to lose at least £7,000 from my income this year.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tUN94x54P-eql2qZ7ej2alb3EWiIfsOeluCQIyucSZJOZg40oiIP1HLdKH3hNyqPx7yURL15VrPdcyx1byuQuH7nPyalSEhjtB84cQ6hw5uN0gJbzmvqj_Xl27BGFwNhKubRL_n1DM8/s1600/Book+Virtual+Event_2_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tUN94x54P-eql2qZ7ej2alb3EWiIfsOeluCQIyucSZJOZg40oiIP1HLdKH3hNyqPx7yURL15VrPdcyx1byuQuH7nPyalSEhjtB84cQ6hw5uN0gJbzmvqj_Xl27BGFwNhKubRL_n1DM8/s1600/Book+Virtual+Event_2_200.jpg" /></a></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Virtual Author Visits</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am now starting to take bookings for Virtual Author Visits from schools, book shops and libraries via FacebookLive, Skype and Zoom. I've already run a trial with a volunteer school and have put together some guidance on setting up tech and safeguarding children accessing these resources from home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you would like to discuss a Virtual Author Visit, please <a href="https://www.carylhart.com/contact">GET IN TOUCH</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Showcasing Authors and Illustrators</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Picture Book Author Events Online is helping to showcase of the kinds of stories and activities authors and illustrators have to offer, and could become a central point of contact for educators looking to book their favourite creatives for virtual events.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the resources on Picture Book Author Events Online are, and will remain COMPLETELY FREE, because the authors and illustrators involved understand the importance of stories and want to support those caring for children at home. </span>Caryl Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11268564403922986582noreply@blogger.com0