The Dinosaur Romp through the Holiday Season Begins

As the end of the school year approaches and the Christmas holidays begin, you might be thinking about reading material that will keep your kids engaged, entertained and learning. Fossil Frenzy, the Adamson Adventures 3 makes the perfect gift for all readers who love dinosaurs, adventure, thrills and spills.

This year has been one of the most difficult years we have all ever experienced. Travel has been virtually non-existent and seeing family and friends, somewhat challenging. Reading is the perfect opportunity to share dreams of travel locations while restrictions still remain in place. A story like Fossil Frenzy will take the family on a thrilling adventure while staying safely in the comfort of your own home. By the time the family finishes reading the epic adventure your dinosaur fanatics will be planning their holiday to Winton in Queensland, the Age of Dinosaurs Museum and Lark Quarry, or perhaps a slightly easier road trip to visit the dinosaurs in Canberra at the National Dinosaur Museum.

Celebrating Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures 3 at the National Dinosaur Museum

Young readers will develop a greater vocabulary and understanding of concepts they may not have previously considered. It will invite conversations around the dinner table on topics like climate change, sibling rivalry, resilience, survival, caring for animals and time-travel.

Fossil Frenzy was released at the beginning of November and is receiving much praise. It all started with a roaring big celebration and continued throughout the month and continues into December.

To say I have been overwhelmed with the reception Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures3 is receiving is an understatement.

I held a book launch here at home with a handful of friends while we recorded it live via my Author Facebook page. This was followed by a couple of games, pin the tail on the dinosaur and dinosaur hopscotch. We completed the celebrating with a morning tea that included dinosaur cookies and fossil cheese toasties.

If you haven’t seen the video and would like to watch it, the link is here - https://www.facebook.com/GingerbreadAliens/videos/1062373037568241

Since then, I have had fun visiting books shops around Canberra who have been eager to stock copies. It was a real honour to have the National Library of Australia Bookshop accept it, Book Face Gungahlin, and POP Canberra.

Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures 3 in stock at the National Library of Australia

Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures 3 in stock at POP Canberra

I was also fortunate to hold a small book signing at my local independent book shop, Paperchain Manuka, who I am very grateful to.

Book signing at Paperchain Bookstore, Manuka

The best and most exciting news was the reception both myself and the book received by the National Dinosaur Museum. I am so appreciative that not only are they stocking Fossil Frenzy, but asked to host a launch on 19th December at 11:00 am. It is going to be e very special day.

Fossil Frenzy now in stock and launching at the National Dinosaur Museum in time for Christmas 2020

The enthusiasm continues with a national book tour held on-line and hosted thanks to Romi Sharp of Books On Tour PR & Marketing. To see some of the roarsome reviews and interviews please see the following links.

Fossil Frenzy comes roaring onto the scene with its exciting mystery and Cretaceous fun facts! - Romi Sharp Check out the dino-mite videos Romi made - http://www.justkidslit.com/its-roarsome-to-meet-sandra-bennett-on-the-fossil-frenzy-tour/?fbclid=IwAR2AG0jM2ThbnzOu1vnstnrjfSAIiqRbCME9kaSqXcZeKpAYAGunLhVHsaQ

A fun and riveting read for younger readers. - Ashiegh Meikle For her full review see here - https://ashleighmeikle.com.au/2020/11/25/fossil-frenzy-the-adamson-adventures-3-by-sandra-bennett/?fbclid=IwAR2ezFDVj7PYHcOwxL7zEhgZoXBTU13XVwyQA99w-BZAn_GyY6MU2GnY4-0

Interview by the amazing Robert Vescio https://www.robertvescio.com/blog/present-and-past-collide-in-fossil-frenzy-with-sandra-bennett?fbclid=IwAR1um1IQXNDmPybCNc53LAX-70T2ydW0MVJmO4bvpmDOEuoF1JyyfI0hG2o

My Book Birthday Celebration with Michelle Worthington https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ERYNuOD2Q4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1C0A2nTj9h3lcTyZBZ3m0pU1hBCxwBEzucpjv4Y_Ng9M0u1RTMzjlyuSY&ab_channel=MichelleWor

My interview with Megan Higginson as her first guest on Megan Meets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLzUBAxrKbI&ab_channel=MeganHigginson&fbclid=IwAR0AOP9d8GSEMVvbWtHYwnoFT0gzF9vIk4IA1p87bKxeCmop8eKjMd7P2Qc

Are you fascinated by dinosaurs? Which dinosaur is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.

You will find many strange and unique dinosaurs buried within the pages of Fossil Frenzy the Adamson Adventures 3. There’s still time to grab a copy before Christmas or as a roarsome fun read over the Summer holidays.

Highlights and Lessons on the Bumpy Road to Writing in 2018.

What an amazing year 2018 has been. I’ve had some major milestone events during quite a roller coaster ride with some pretty big hills to climb and hurtle down at full speed. Has it been much the same for you or has 2018 brought you smooth sailing?

As the end of the year fast approaches, my writerly pals and I are remembering the happy moments as well as lessons we learned from challenges this past year in our blog hop: The Ups, Downs and In Betweens on the 2018 Writing Road. Check out our personal reveals, then visit the other #Gr8Blogs linked at the end of the post for more shared recollections and lessons learned along the way. We hope you'll be inspired to dive into your own special memories of 2018!

So what important life lesson did I learn this past year? You'll have to wait and see at the end of this blog. In the meantime, I'm fortunate that I had a lot of reasons to celebrate this past year. Here are four of them..

1. The birth of my first grandson.

   Ok, I can hear you now, ‘that has nothing to do with your writing journey.’

   Sorry about that, but it was a major milestone event that I would be remiss to mention. Lachlan Edward Bennett arrived in this world on 5th January 2018, a pretty fabulous start to our New Year. In a way you could say his birth is part of my writing journey because he inspires me every day to keep writing and reading more picture books. I admit I am besotted. Love my little man.

My gorgeous first grandson on his day of birth, 5th January 2018.

End of November 2018, almost 11 months old, I can’t believe it!

2. Writing Workshops and Festivals.

This year was the year I was determined to stop hiding behind my computer screen and become more involved with fellow authors in the real world. I began in January with joining other members of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writing & Illustrating) ACT and beyond in a fabulous day out at a writing workshop presented by none other than my all time favourite picture book author, Jackie French. I had such an incredible fun day of learning and inspiration, I became more determined to continue along this writing road.

I then followed through by attending the first Creative Kids Tales Writer’s Festival in March. Again I met and mingled with more inspirational authors, gained an abundance of knowledge and took away with me a fabulous and worthwhile manuscript assessment. I continued to attend SCBWI ACT development evenings and even attended my first CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) ‘Romancing the Stars’ evening. It’s been a year packed full of learning for writing and marketing.

Taking in all I can from the amazing Jackie French.

A few CKT members at the festival.

3. My First Traditional Publishing Contract.

After many years of editing and revising and then having such a helpful manuscript assessment by the very talented children’s author, Sue Whiting, (who I shall be forever thankful to), I finally found the courage to submit my chapter book to trade publishers. Probably the biggest milestone this year, (after Lachie’s birth) was an offer of publication by Elephant Tree Publishing in June. I could hardly contain my excitement. To think that my writing had reached a level where I would receive such an offer blew me away, and the offer includes a series. An author can’t ask for a bigger dream to come true.

Secrets Hidden Below was launched at the beginning of Children’s Book Week in August at both a public launch in Paperchain Book store in Manuka and at a school launch at Curtin Primary. After these I have done more school visits and writing workshops here in Canberra, (Telopea Park School and Forrest Primary) and overseas in Papua New Guinea at the Ela Murray International School, I even did a book signing at Harry Hartog Woden., thanks James Reddin for your incredible support of local authors. The wonderful feedback I am receiving is that kids are loving my story. That fills my heart with joy, after all. kids reading for enjoyment and increasing their literacy skills is what being a children’s author is all about.

Secrets Hidden Below will take you on an intriguing mystical adventure around Bali. With a guardian snake, rotten-egg gas and a volcano spirit you don’t want to anger, it has plenty of mystery for every adventurer in the family. A perfect holiday read together.

You can purchase a copy of Secrets Hidden Below here via my website or at any bookstore throughout Australia. If they don’t have it in stock, just ask and they will order it for you. It is now even available in Bali!

The book launch of Secrets Hidden Below at Paperchain.

4. Meeting Other Authors.
As part of this writerly life we as authors are destined to be alone, writing away in isolation. That is why it is so important to connect with other authors, whether that is virtual or in person. Like-minded people with knowledge and interests that are similar to your own that you can learn from. After getting to know members of SCBWI ACT I took their advice and joined The Duck Pond, an online writer’s group of amazing friendly children’s authors.. A few months later as my confidence grew paddling in the pond, and I splashed around, I waded in a little further and extended myself by also joining ‘Scribbles'.’ An online children’s writing course run by Jen Storer, Queen Duckie herself. It has been a fabulous experience, my learning continues and the support is immeasurable. Along with making all these lovely new author friends means I am able to help support them in person too. Book launches are a wonderful opportunity to get together and celebrate each others success.

A bunch of amazing authors celebrating the launch of Sue Whiting’s latest PB, all holding their own recent releases.

So what have I learned from all this years highlights?

1. Breaking out of your comfort zone and spreading your wings can lead to amazing opportunities.

2. Developing new friendships builds support and encouragement for yourself and others.

3. No matter how much you think you know, you never truly stop learning, there is always so much more to learn.

4. I am braver than I think, I can do this. Each small step takes me further towards my life goal - More kids reading, writing and learning.

Thanks for stopping by! How was your year? What was your biggest accomplishment/event? Most powerful thing you learned the past 12 months? Please share in the comment section. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas season and wish everyone a happy, safe and wonderful 2019.

For more inspirational recollections and lessons learned, visit more #Gr8blogs below.

And if you blog and want to join us on this hop, just add the family-friendly link to your blog post in the comment section. We’ll visit and give you some blog love-:D

Rosie Russell - https://booksbyrose.com/index.php/kidlit-blog-by-rosie/

Julie Gorges: - http://babyboomerbliss.net/a-baby-boomers-ups-downs-and-in-betweens-in-2018/

Rebecca Lyndsey - https://rebeccalyndsey.blogspot.com/2018/12/rockin-around2018.html

Cat Michaels - http://bit.ly/2G17SQf_IndieAuthor2018 2018 closes on a high note after turmoil from rightsizing and writer’s block

Carmela Dutra - http://carmeladutra.com/blog-post/the-ups-downs-and-in-betweens-of-2018/

Auden Johnson https://www.audenjohnson.com/2018/12/blog-hop-2018-my-ups-downs-and-in.html

Corrina Holyoake https://corrinaholyoake.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-ups-downs-and-in-betweens-on-2018.html

Book Launch!

The time has finally arrived!

It's time to celebrate the release of not one but two new books!

Alien Shenanigans and Emma the Eager Emu

With that comes not one but two fantastic book launches!

As most of my readers know I am living a bit of a nomadic life these days living between two homes in two beautiful cities of our magnificent country. Therefore I am lucky to be able to have a book launch in both cities.

The first will be held in Canberra for those of you down south. It will be held at the same gorgeous book store that supported me so welcomingly by holding my first book launch for Gingerbread Aliens.

Saturday 16th May 2015 11:00 am Paperchain Book store 34 Franklin St Manuka ACT.

The second book launch will be held in Darwin for those of you living in the Top End. This one will be held by the fabulously supportive friends at Shine Gifts Cullen Bay and the Waterfront during their fantastic Friday night champagne shopping.

Friday 22nd May 2015 5-9 pm, Shine Gifts 63 Marina Blvd Cullen Bay NT.  http://shinegifts.com.au/

Parents, Grandparents, teachers, Aunts and Uncles come along join in the fun and listen to me read from both these delightful new books.

Emma the Eager Emu is a wonderfully illustrated picture book. I hope to have its illustrator Dianna Budd, join me in Canberra. This book is ideal for pre-school and the early years of school. There is so much that can be discussed from reading this story as children learn all about patience, persistence and never giving up.

Here's what one happy mum had to say about the book -Helen Jones Hazlewood Emma and I read Emma the Eager Emu last night and we loved it! The illustrations are stunning, the story is simple and appealing, with us quickly both saying "one, two, three look at me..." together each time. I loved that it has a great messsge too - it prompted a good discussion about how we all have our talents and things we aren't so great at, and that's OK. Thanks for another wonderful book!

Alien Shenanigans is the long awaited part two of the Bradberrie brothers adventure with aliens. If you enjoyed all the mayhem and mix-ups in Gingerbread Aliens, you will find more explosions and mischief in this one. There are more science experiments for the classroom as well. Teaching opportunities arise with the simple to read text allowing for easy comprehension activities for early and reluctant readers. Fun and laughter abounds assuring even the most reluctant reader will want to continue all the way to the end.

If you can't make it to either of the book launches, both books are available from this website, as well as both above mentioned bookstores, and Harry Hartog Woden. Emma the Eager Emu is also available from the National Botanic Gardens, Canberra and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.