Five Fun Facts About Emus

With my book launch almost here, for both "Emma the Eager Emu" and "Alien Shenanigans" meaning double the fun with double the books launched! I thought it was time to have a fun look at a few fascinating facts about emus. 

My very first memory of an encounter with an actual live emu was when I was ten years old and I visited Symbio or what it was then called, Helensburgh Zoo, nestled in a quiet little town in the middle of Sydney's Royal National Park. We were having a picnic lunch, (as you do) and I was happily eating my sandwhich, (most likely vegemite) when I turned away to look at a friendly hairy nose wombat that came wobbling towards me. Next thing I knew, an emu had snuck up from behind and stretched out its long neck and snatched my sandwhich from my grasp.

This leads me to fun fact no 1.

1. Emus love to steal food from unsuspecting picnicers and campers. If Emus are around when you are eating, keep an eye on your food at all times!

2. Emus have rather long necks and very sharp beaks which they can use to their advantage when sneaking up to steal your food.

3. Emus have big beady eyes, (all the better to see your food with). These eyes have two different eyelids. One is used for blinking just like you and me, the other is used to keep out the dust, and it gets very dusty in the Australian Outback.

4. An emus egg is enormous! They are very thick shelled, dark green and weigh about 1/2kg or 1lb. After the mother lays 7 or 8 eggs, it is actually the daddy who sits on them to keep them warm until they hatch.  The illustrated emu egg pictured here has been hand painted by an Indigenous Australian, beside it lays a chicken egg for you to compare their size.

5. The emu is the tallest bird in Australia, second only in the world to the Ostrich. An emu stands up to 2m tall or almost 6.5 feet, so her legs are very, very long! In fact she can run so fast, she has been said to "run the pants off a kangaroo!"

Below is the link to the Wiggles performing the classic song "Old Man Emu" who can "Run the pants off a kangaroo!" Love It hope you do too! :)

Old Man Emu by the Wiggles.

Don't forget the book launches.

1. Paperchain Manuka (Canberra) 11:00 am Saturday 16th May 15

2. Shine Gifts Cullen Bay (Darwin) 5-9 pm, Friday 22nd May 15

Join us at the Fair!

If you live in Canberra and don't mind a short drive into the country why not join some amazing, friendly people this weekend at the Royalla Roundup Country Living Fair on Sunday 29th March, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The weather promises to be perfect for a day outdoors in the sun.

Come along, join in the fun, meet the locals, pat some animals,  chat to a neighbour or two, and even  meet this resident author. There are plenty of things to do for all the family. Take a walk among the elm grove, delight in the arts/crafts, learn a thing or two about the native plants, purchase garden supplies, admire the farm machinery and shiny cars and so much more.

It will also be your first opportunity to purchase my two new children's books "Alien Shenanigans" and "Emma the Eager Emu." Along with my original short chapter book for early and reluctant readers, "Gingerbread Aliens." I will be their to sign any copies purchased.

Bring fun and laughter to your children's Easter this year as you read aloud the Bradberrie Brothers continued adventure. Science and curiosity collide as mix ups, mischief and mayhem explode. Mrs Witherbottoms returns to get in the way. Principal Penwright is on the war path ..... again and the classroom teacher, Mr Haggardy, is not happy! Who is truly behind all the shenanigans this time?

The following is a Pre-release review kindly written by Leonie MacDonald:

Coordinator Relax Kids Canberra

https://www.facebook.com/CanberraRelaxKidsClasses

Editor Birth Journeys-Positive Stories to Encourage and Inspire

http://www.birthjourneys.com.au/

Emma the Eager Emu is a wonderful story to read aloud to children with vibrant illustrations of the native Australian bird characters.  With plenty of repetition and opportunities for children to predict what is going to

happen next this book is ideal for the classroom and shared reading with the young reader. Emma the Eager Emu’s story provides an opportunity to talk with children about how we are all different and we have different strengths, how we can encourage each other and keep trying when something is important to us, and how sometimes we just have to think a little differently to find the solution to our problems. Emma the eager emu shows children that they don’t have to be like everyone else to be happy and achieve their dreams. There are so many positive messages packed into this story.

 Aiden (age 5): My favourite part was Rosie Rosella because of her rainbow feathers.

“what is the story about?” If you run really fast it can feel like you’re flying.

 Review by Leonie MacDonald

Come join us at the Fair!

I hope to see you there! :)

Emma the Eager Emu Cover Reveal and Reviews

My brand new picture book "Emma the Eager Emu" should arrive by the end of this week! I'm feeling so excited I can't wait to finally see her in print.  It's time to reveal to you the amazing front cover that my wonderful friend an illustrator, Dianna Budd produced from my ramblings. I am so proud to introduce to you Emma the Eager Emu in all her glory as she so well deserves. :)

Emma won her first award as a children's story in an online competition back in 2012 and has been eagerly awaiting to come to life in illustrated form ever since. I am so glad I was fortunate to meet Dianna at another author's book launch about twelve months ago. I sent her the manuscript which she instantly adored. We started talking about options and Emma's journey to illustrated birth began. Below are a few of the reviews Emma received at the time of winning the competition.

REVIEWS.

This story has a wonderfully, well-written allegory that focuses on differences between people (birds) and which teaches us to appreciate those differences. The moral is subtle, and although probably written for a younger audience, it has such a crisp charm that older readers cannot help but to admire the tale.

Each line seemed to flow seamlessly into the next, and I know that is not as easy as it seems. It requires practice and a fair measure of God-given skill to produce.

The writing was quite beautiful in its clarity and simplicity:

"Rosella screeched. Yellow Crested Cockatoo squawked and Pink Galah squealed."

The above is a prime example of what I mean. It is fresh, descriptive and economical and yet when read, it seems full-bodied and charming. The the moral is only a simple one, it is the form and style of your writing that elevates this tale to a high place.

Ah, if we were all as successful as Emma at rationalizing our shortcomings. There are at least a couple ways to approach your tale. To some readers, they will see her "flight" as championing her strengths, while readers that are more cynical, will see it as her glossing over her failures. Not that any of that matters here, for it is the writing itself that is the highlight of this story and that is exceptional.  - Tiggy

Cute story. It teaches to never give up, just keep trying and you'll succeed. I love children's stories. I am going to read your story to my granddaughter. She'll love it!  - Jeannie

Such a cute tale! I loved reading this! It's a great children's story as it teaches a lesson in a fun way. I like the repetition too. A really great children's story. I really liked the variety of birds you've included in the story. It makes it rather educational for children, I think. I truly enjoyed reading it.   - Spidey

What a delightful story - excellent use of personality names and characters in the four different bird varieties.

Excellent repetition of phrasing. Especially in a children's story.

• "One, two, three, look at me, I can fly!"
• "Rosella screeched. Yellow Crested Cockatoo squawked and Pink Galah squealed."

I really like the emphasis placed on all their differences, including appearances, and the persistence to keep trying. Well done and hope to see this beautifully illustrated in the children's department of my local bookstore soon.  - Glenda, Country Granny.

It's been a few years, but Glenda might just get her wish yet! "Emma the Eager Emu" will be available for purchase in the next week or two from this website and hopefully a few local bookstores soon too!

"Emma the Eager Emu" is a beautifully illustrated picture book suitable for ages 3 and beyond. Although as an advocate of reading from as early an age as possible (even birth) why not start reading Emma to your little ones as early as possible. Not only will they love it, you will too!

Emma finally has a face.

It's only a draft front cover at the moment, but after several long years in the dark, thanks to Dianna Budd, (my wonderful Illustrator and friend) Emma the Eager Emu finally has a face she can show the world. :)

Emma is an Emu eager to learn to fly just like all her other bird friends at Flying School. but no matter how hard she tries or what strategies she employs, Emma does not fit it. Along her journey Emma enlists the help of her friends, (other Australian birds) Rosie Rosella, Patsy the Pink Galah, Cathy Cockatoo and Kelly the Kookaburra who all suggest strategies to help Emma learn to fly. Emma embarks on a quest of self discovery where she must learn to accept that even though she is a bird just like her friends, they all have differences and can celebrate their uniqueness and individualism. It is a subtle lesson but nonetheless one worth teaching to all young children of pre-school and early school age.

I wrote Emma a few years ago and entered her into a children's story writing contest as "Emma the Emo Emu." At the time I not only won the competition but received rave reviews and many responses requesting to see her in picture book form.

After collaborating with Dianna we decided to slightly change her name even though she is still a very sad and emotional emu, we thought perhaps young children might struggle with the concept of "emo." As Emma is eager to learn to fly and be the same as all the other birds at flying school, eager is a more suitable way to represent her feelings.

The wait is nearly over, "Emma the Eager Emu" is coming soon as a beautiful new children's picture book. For further updates on her release follow me here on my blog or on Facebook.