Six Strategies for a Successful School Visit.

Last week was Book Week. I visited four schools and did six readings. It is a busy time yet one of my favourite times of the year as I love being invited into schools to read to so many wonderful little children. The delight and excitement on their faces makes every moment so worthwhile. I am happy to visit school anytime throughout the year, it just so happens that Book Week seems to be a particularly special time. This year the theme was Australian Stories, so Emma the Eager Emu and Frazzled Freya were a perfect fit. Here are my six tips or strategies I would like to share that help make a school visit so successful.

1. Be Organised Ahead of Time. Never underestimate little people. If you think you can just go in and read your book, think again! Kids expect to be entertained. You need a plan. A well thought out lesson plan. Teachers and parents like a reason for your visit. They anticipate some kind of learning to be taking place during the session and afterwards too if you can organise it. Teachers always appreciate a good follow up activity. Part of my package is to send them an idea of what I plan to be speaking about as well as a couple of possible follow up activities. The complexity or simplicity of these depend on the level of the students. It can be as simple as a colouring in page, a craft activity or a comprehension page. 
2. Send the school a Pre-Order Form. If you hope to gain a few book sales while you are there, then the best marketing strategy is to forward a pre-order form to the school at least two weeks prior to the visit. This way the school has time to send the form home in the newsletter and parents have time to respond. I always add a note about the benefits of reading at home, reading a book from an author the children have met, books make great presents etc. Include your website so that parents can make an informed decision. I also usually give a discount for an author visit as an encouragement to purchase a signed copy of the book on the day.
3. Have a Poster for the School to Display. You want to advertise your upcoming visit. Don't expect the school to make up a display for you. Schools are very busy places so they will appreciate the effort you make in having a poster ready for them.  It should include a photo of yourself so the students can see who the author is coming. A copy of the cover of any of your books. The date of your visit and your website information. Forward it along with the pre-order form at least two weeks in advance of your visit.
4. Be Prepared to Mix it up a little. When reading your book vary your pitch, tone and expression. Use puppets where you can. Kids love puppets! Ask questions, involve the kids, encourage participation. If there is repetition in your story, (as in Emma The Eager Emu) the kids can join in and help you recite certain lines. Have a discussion at the end. What did they learn from the story? Was there a moral? In my case, my books are about unique Australian animals, so that allows for an opportunity to discuss the nature of these amazing creatures, what makes them special and even what their habitat is. I have a video of a frill-neck lizard in the wild that the children find fascinating and a video about an emu that we can all sing along to. 
5. Be Flexible. Sometimes not all goes to plan and you may have to change things. Kids can get restless. Don't persist if something isn't working, don't stress, move onto something else. This is where another activity can be useful, that video or craft. Sometimes things might be going so well, that they may ask for more! Last week I planned to read and do my lesson around my latest book, Frazzled Freya, each session lasting only half an hour. The children in several groups were listening and responding so well that I was asked to continue. I pulled out my emu puppet and proceeded to read Emma the Eager Emu.
6.  Finish on a high. Sometimes I use the video of the emu song to finish. It's a great way to end a session. The kids are laughing and are happy. Now I have Freya to add to the mix, I remind them of the games they can now go outside and play just like Freya does in her story, (Shadows and Hide and Seek) then we all finish with a special frill neck lizard wave.

Do you have any other ideas that help make a school visit successful? Share them in the comments below.

Book Love Blog Hop- Seven Signs You Are A Bookaholic!

August 9 is officially Book Lovers Day! In honour of this great excuse to pick up a book and read, some of my writerly friends and I are having fun by sharing all the ways we adore reading. Please join me and the other awesome bloggers  (and readers) at the end of this post who also share their libre love. Why not help spread the love a little further by sharing, commenting or adding a link to your own book loving blog below when you've finished reading. This is my first time hopping on board a blog hop, I'm excited to join these awesome fellow authors and looking forward to sharing the love of books.

Seven Signs You Are A Bookaholic!

1. Every room in your house has a bookcase overflowing with books. It would break your heart to throw even one book away. I love reading books, but I have to own and keep every one that I read. Each book becomes a treasure. It is part of a time capsule that represents that time of my life when I read and loved it. They are always on hand ready to be re-read, revisiting precious childhood memories, both mine and my children's. Books share a special part in our lives, a time of coming together and sharing laughter, tears, mystery, intrigue, fantasy and learning of so many fascinating subjects. Books overflow every shelf, in every corner of our house. I have books from my childhood to present day. Including all the series of books I read with my sons. "Harry Potter" will always have a special place on my shelves as will the "Chronicles of Narnia."

2. You can't walk passed a book shop without venturing in, only to exit with an armful of books in anticipation of reading.

Whether I am in my home town or away on holidays somewhere, if I pass by a book store, I find the temptation is too great. I just have to go in and browse. That's what I tell my family anyway, "I'll just have a quick look!" Yeah right! An hour or so later I emerge, arms full of books I couldn't resist. Books of interest, books I always wanted to read, books that might come in handy one day, books to read aloud to young ones. The list and excuses are as huge as the pile of books I carry. I found "Kakadu Sunset," by Annie Seaton in a little book store I wandered passed in the sleepy coastal town of Kiama. We were driving the long way home, down the coast road from Sydney to Bateman's Bay then up across the mountain home to Canberra. We just stopped for coffee and a bite for lunch when I spotted the bookshop. Coffee and lunch had to wait! I had found a new book store to explore. I had wanted to read "Kakadu Sunset" since reading a few online reviews, the book resonated with me after living in Darwin for the last couple of years. It didn't disappoint, the imagery of the spectacular scenery took me back and the story of mining in a protected wilderness area along with a hint of romance intrigued and delighted me.

3. You are up half the night reading "just one more chapter!"

Do you ever wake up in the morning bleary eyed from lack of sleep due to a good book? You find the book still in your lap where it landed when you finally fell asleep. The reading light is still on even though you promised to turn it out after finishing the end of just that one last chapter! I know my husband gets quite frustrated with me for this habit. To me, there is no greater book than one with fantastic cliff hangers that beg you to continue to turn the page. Mystery immerses me into the story every time. I have to try to solve the problem before the main character. A good book is one that keeps me guessing all the way to the very last page. A tale I love to tell is about a book we read to our boys while on holidays one year. Each night we would gather in bed together to read a chapter or two. "Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks was "unputdownable."  The boys would fall asleep, but we had to read on. It was the same with every book in the "Harry Potter" series. Everyone else in the family would fall asleep, but I kept on reading, glued to every page until I too, would eventually fall asleep with the book still in my hands.

4. You should be cooking dinner for the family but you are busy reading instead.

Whether it's cooking a meal for the family, feeding just yourself or doing any type of housework, a good book will always take precedence. My mum says she can't understand how the house cleaning gene didn't seem to get passed on to me, but there are always so many better things to do in life, in particular reading! I love to curl up with a hot cup of tea in front of the fire to read another chapter. Hours later, I'm still there, lost in the adventure, mystery, or romance. My family will ask me "what's for dinner mum?"  My reply will often be, "I don't know, I haven't thought about it yet, I'm reading."

5. You seek knowledge and thrive on exploring new places and ideas.

Books are a fantastic way of expanding your knowledge base and imagination. When you immerse yourself in a book, the pictures develop in your mind. You become more creative and inventive. Books are the buildings blocks of knowledge. You can discover amazing worlds both real and fantasy. My husband is always reading too, but where I like to read many different fiction genres, he enjoys technical books. Things where he can learn about an interest, hobby or expand an understanding of the world around us. He can be reading late into the night beside me, engrossed in something new and fascinating he has to learn. We have planned many holidays around the research he has done of places we find interesting. From haunted castles to climbing rocky peaks and swimming under waterfalls, we have found them all while reading late into the night.

6. You get emotionally involved with your book's characters.

Have you ever had tears running down your face while reading about favourite characters? Felt their joy and their pain? Laughed with them during their greatest achievements and silliest moments or felt despair when they can't solve a problem? Maybe even shock when a twist reveals a plot arc you didn't see coming! "Big Little Lies," by Liane Moriarty did this to me. A wonderful mystery murder set in the Sydney suburbs, This book had me hooked trying to guess "who dunnit?" I couldn't believe it when I reached the climax and inevitable conclusion.

7. You feel a little lost if you are not reading a good book.

Ever felt like you don't know what to do with yourself when you finish a book you have really enjoyed? You have embraced the characters so much that you relish the time you spend in their world. It took a few years to read the entire "Outlander" series by Diana Gabaldon. I found it hard to pick up a new book and introduce myself to new characters. For a few months after completing the series I read autobiographies instead as I couldn't bring myself to replace Clare and Jamie Fraser. No other author could give me characters, a setting and historical romance quite as satisfying.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have I convinced you that you too are a bookaholic? What is it that you love most about books?

For more book love, please visit these awesome book lovin' bloggers next. These blogs will be linked from 5 August 16.

Cat Michaels

Cat's Corner

Auden Johnson

Dark Treasury

Carmela Dutra

A Blog for Your Thoughts

Jd Holiday

JD’s Writers Blog

Julie Gorges

Baby Bloomer Bliss

K. Lamb

Author K. Lamb Blog

Rosie Russell

KidLit Blog by Rosie

Rhonda Paglia

Rhonda Paglia, Children's Author

David Chuka David Chuka - Children's Book Author

If you blog about books and reading, post your family-friendly link about book love in the comment section and we'll give you some blog lovin' too!

The 5 Essentials of How to Choose a Children’s Book Topic

My heart will always belong to Australia, my home, even though I have been fortunate to both live and travel overseas. I have experienced different places and cultures but will always come back to the place that I love the most. In my writing I reflect my passion for this wonderful country, her wildlife, and her striking beauty. Last week I was fortunate to be invited to write a guest blog for Joseph Drumheller on his site. Below is my guest blog post that will explain my thoughts on how to choose a topic for a children’s book that will touch the heart and lives of children everywhere.

1.  Write from Personal Experience. Always lookout for those experiences where you can say “there’s a story in that.” Ideas come from some of the most everyday experiences. I like to use my experiences exploring our beautiful and vast country to write stories that include our amazing wildlife, including my newest release “Frazzled Freya.”

Have you ever been to the Australian Outback? To say it is very hot is an understatement. It is a place of contradiction, where you can see forever. Harsh and dry yet lush and beautiful. I just spent the last two years living in the Top End of the Northern Territory, exploring her wilderness and beauty. The days are long, hot and sticky. At times you are soaked from perspiration the minute you walk out your front door. The sun burns your skin and you feel as though you will melt if you don’t find shade fast. Yet in the midst of all this there are mountains, caves and even waterfalls in magnificent gorges. The colours of which are simply stunning as the light hits the red rock at sunset. I’ve swum in an Outback waterhole and dived under a waterfall. I’ve climbed to the top of an escarpment and watched the sun set over beautiful wetlands that stretch to the end of the earth. I’ve wandered through ancient Aboriginal campsites in caves so high above the heat of the desert floor that there is actually a cool breeze. I’ve been amazed by the incredible rock paintings just waiting to be found within these caves. I’ve even watched an amazing colourful array of water birds take flight across the wetlands and billabongs, all the while keeping an eye out for lurking crocodiles.

2. Write from Your Passion. If you are passionate about a topic, it will come out in your writing. All my experiences blossom into ideas for children’s picture books that help spread an understanding of our unique and massive country. The animal and birdlife that call Australia home share a special place in my heart, one that I hope to share with children from all around the world. The colours that are used in the illustrations depict the harshness and the heat of the landscape, yet portray her beauty as well. As I research the creatures in my stories, I discover interesting and fun facts that I like to include at the end to enable the book to become a learning tool. It becomes a place of discovery and wonder that encourages children to research further and understand a little more about this magnificent country.

3. Find some Interesting or Intriguing Facts. Children thrive on learning unusual facts. Search for fun facts that will intrigue and delight the reader and develop a sense of curiosity. I add a fun fact page on each character at the end of the book for children to springboard into their research. Did you know a frill-neck lizard can only open its frill when its mouth is also opened wide? One fact that even I found hard to believe was that the spinifex hopping mouse is so adaptable to the dryness of the desert that it absorbs all the water it can so much that its urine is actually solid! That’s a pretty clever way to survive when there is a lack of water supply. Goannas lay their eggs in termite mounds and leave them there for incubation, only to return when the time comes to help dig out the little hatchlings. Then there are geckos, amazing little creatures with a sort of suction cap on the souls of their feet that enable them to defy gravity and walk upside down across the ceiling of your house. I’ve lived with these little fellows and they make great visitors to your home. They tend to eat the mosquitoes, which is quite an advantage living in the tropics.

4. Write about Relatable Characters.  Children enjoy characters they can connect with. Characters that have problems or emotions like their own. Freya is the heroine in this story. She is a rather timid frill neck lizard. The idea to choose her as my main character was a simple one. Observing the way frill neck lizards react in the heat of the sun, running for shade, made her the obvious choice. They are harmless little reptiles that don’t stay out in the heat of the sun for very long and in fact if frightened, will stand on their hind legs and runaway as fast and as soon as they can.

5. Include a Moral or Lesson.  It needs to be subtle not obvious or preachy. Children like to feel that they have come to learn the lesson by reading the story, not by being told. With the help of her friends Freya learns to face her fears and realize that not all things are as frightening as they may appear. Through Freya’s plight children discover that it can be good to step outside of their comfort zone to help overcome their own fears.

The sights, colours, smells, experiences, all that encompass the Australian Outback have helped bring “Frazzled Freya” to fruition. My passion for sharing this wonderful country and the unique wildlife contained within her borders, is a topic I have chosen to write children’s books about. What topic would choose?

5 Fun Reptilian Facts

Frazzled Freya and her other quirky Australian reptilian friends had a fantastically fun time sharing unusual facts about themselves during her week long ebook launch party. As so many fabulous people played along with the fact or fiction questions, Freya thought it might be a good idea to share the love in a blog post for those who missed the party but might still be intrigued.  Freya is a frightened and timid little frill neck lizard who is too shy to go out into the heat of the outback sun even though she is desperate to join in the fun and games with her desert friends. Naturally, our first fact had to be about these amazing little creatures.

Frill Neck Lizards : - Are a cute little lizard that has a frill that goes all the way around their neck. When they feel threatened or frightened they will try to make themselves look bigger and scarier by opening their frill as wide as possible. However they can only do this at the same time as opening their mouth really wide too! If this doesn't scare away the predator, the frill neck lizard will stand on its hind legs, turn around and run away (only on those back legs) as fast as possible to climb to the safety of the nearest tree. Frill neck lizards have southern cousins, the Eastern and Western Bearded Dragon, which are so similar in appearance they are often mistaken as frill necks. The bearded dragon's frill however, does not go all around their neck.

Next we met twin velvet geckos, Gabbie and Grace. They scamper all over the desert floor having lots of fun playing games like tag.

Geckos :- Found all over the northern tropical parts of Australia as well as Indonesia and Thailand, geckos are curious little creatures. They will come into homes and share your living space, making themselves very comfortable eating mosquitoes and other small insects. Geckos have unusual sticky pads on the underside of their feet, sort of like suction caps. These enable the little fellows to not only climb vertical walls very easily but to defy gravity and walk upside down along your ceiling as well. For further information on these curious fellows click the link below.

http://www.arkinspace.com/2013/07/gecko-20-interesting-facts-about-worlds.html

Sloan snake is the antagonist in Freya's story. He believes she would be a rather tasty treat to eat. Sloan is a Northern Brown Tree Snake.

Northern Brown Tree Snakes :- Contrary to popular opinion, the Northern brown tree snake is actually not as dangerous as you might think. While its southern cousin, the Eastern or Common Brown snake is considered the second most venomous snake in the world, the Northern brown tree snake has it's fangs so far in the back of its mouth, that it cannot open its mouth wide enough to get a big enough bite on a human. If bitten, you will still need to seek medical treatment but you will survive.

Joanna Goanna is another of Freya's special outback desert friends. She enjoys playing games with Gabbie and Grace and doesn't understand Freya's fear.

Goannas :- The amazing thing about goannas is that they utilize the climate of termite mounds to incubate their eggs. Once the goanna has laid her eggs, she digs holes into the termite mounds and buries her babies to keep them safe and snug until they are ready to hatch. When the time approaches, the mother goanna returns to help her babies dig their way out of the mound.

Last but by no means least, we met Freya's only friend that is not a reptile. Molly is a Spinifex Hopping Mouse who proves to be rather wise. As she is the only mammal in our story, I included a few more extra facts about her.

Spinifex Hopping Mice :- So named because they can be seen hopping on their hind legs just like a kangaroo. They are nocturnal desert dwelling mammals, that can survive on little to no water during the dry season. Because of the lack of water they are omnivores and will eat whatever roots, shoots or insects they can find. They have very effective kidneys that absorb every drop of water from their waste which in turn makes their urine solid instead of liquid.

I'll be discussing these interesting facts during the print book launch of Frazzled Freya this Saturday 9th July 2016 at the Paperchain Book Store in Mnauka at 2:00 pm. Come along and join in the fun if you happen to be in Canberra this weekend.

As a thank you to all who participated and in honour of our cute little heroine, I included this video clip of a frill neck lizard where you can see exactly how they react when they feel frightened. After filming she is let go to run back into the bush. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKMtUOw3Uxw&feature=share

What Age Group is a Picture Book Best Suitable For?

The short answer to this question is 3 to 8 yrs, however I like to say from birth to whatever age you are reading with. Picture books are wonderful for whatever age you want to read aloud and share a moment with. There should never be an age limit for good picture books. Editors of traditional publishing houses will categorize picture books into three main sub-sections.

1. Baby books - lullabies, nursery rhymes, finger plays etc
2. Toddler books - Very simple everyday life stories teaching concepts, eg numbers, colours, shapes, etc.
3. Picture books for 4-8 yrs. -These contain simple stories with plots where a main character evokes emotions and the stories often contain a moral or lesson.

However there are two more sub-sections that may also be considered.

4. Early Picture books - Often focused towards the younger age group with less words. The emphasis is more on the illustrations to help convey the meaning of the story.

5. Easy Readers - Still have pictures on nearly every page but are longer in text length for the beginning "independent" reader.

With my combination of launching "Frazzled Freya" in ebook format last week and print format this coming weekend, I was a guest blogger on A.J. Cosmo's Fellow Friday Blog where I spoke about the significance and importance of picture books as conversation starters for children of all ages. I believe my picture books, along with so many other wonderful picture books are a magical way to inspire children to open up and talk about all manner of topics. Whether they initiate discussions on emotions or learning about writing, authors and illustrators, books are an amazing way to open an unknown world to children no matter how old they are.

If you are in Canberra this weekend, Saturday 9th July 2016, come along to The Paperchain Bookstore in Manuka at 2:00 pm. Listen to me read 'Frazzled Freya." Learn a few fun facts about the quirky creatures that are the characters in the story. The kids can make their own paper craft frill neck lizard and even eat a reptilian treat! Everyone is welcome, I would love to meet you and your children.

ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Frazzled-Freya-Sandra-Bennett-ebook/dp/B01H8WPPMU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1466302516&sr=1-1&keywords=Frazzled+Freya#navbar

Below is a copy of my blog from A. J. Cosmo http://ajcosmo.com/blog/index.php/sandra-bennett/#comment-9

Sandra Bennett, Australian Children’s Author- Fellow Friday

Picture Books Are Wonderful Conversation Starters

Have you ever been afraid of the dark?

Frightened of monsters hidden under your bed or in your wardrobe?

Picture books can be a wonderful way to start a conversation with children about ways of facing those fears or sorting through other emotions.

Why not read a picture book and start a discussion today?

I realized the power of picture books and their potential to start a dialogue when I was teaching a year 5 class one day. It was one of those moments when I needed an impromptu lesson, so I grabbed a picture book out of my trusty resource bag and began to read aloud. The initial class response was stunned silence. What was I thinking reading them something with pictures and very few words! It didn’t take them long to sit back, relax and enjoy the experience. After reading the story, the real work began. A lengthy conversation ensued that lead to some amazing writing of their own. I had re-opened the world of picture books to 10 and 11 year old students.

What was this amazing picture book that enlightened and brought so much wonder to our classroom? One of my favourites, “Diary of a Wombat” by Jackie French. Written so simplistically, yet capturing the character of a wombat so magnificently.

Since then I’ve now written two Australian picture books myself. My goal, is to introduce unusual Australian creatures to children around the world while opening opportunities for conversations with parents and teachers. Through my stories children can learn a little about Australia’s environment, the animals that call it home and something about themselves along the way. Each book finishes with a few fun facts about the characters contained in the story.

My newest release is “Frazzled Freya.” A rather timid frill neck lizard so scared of shadows and unknown monsters she is too frightened to join in all the fun and games with her desert friends. Set in the harsh Australian Outback, the vivid yet earthy colours used by my illustrator, Dianna Budd, depict perfectly the heat of the sun Freya is desperate to avoid.

Parents, teachers and children can read along and discover Freya’s journeyto triumph as she conquers her fear with a little help from a few unusual desert friends. The story provides an excellent opportunity to begin talking to your little ones about facing their fears, trying new experiences and stepping outside of their comfort zone.

“Emma the Eager Emu,” tells the tale of a very unusual bird who can’t understand why she is so different from all her friends at flying school. She is desperate to learn to fly and be just like everyone else. An assortment of colourful yet different species of Australian birds come to Emma’s aid. Through her tenacity to never give up, Emma eventually learns the significance of individualism and discovers her own special way of doing things. This is another wonderful conversation starter as children struggle to fit into peer groups at school and learn to understand and embrace their own unique qualities and differences.

Is there a topic you feel you would like to discuss with your child? I’ll bet you can find a picture book to help lead you into the conversation. So, pick up a picture book today, snuggle with your child tonight, share the book and read aloud together. If you’re a teacher, don’t be afraid to use a picture book in a middle grade classroom. You just might be surprised by the conversation it helps start.

Kilts, Clans and Celtic Heroes.

Have you ever been to Scotland? Have you ever dreamed of visiting Scotland but never quite managed the trip?

Then Rhonda Paglia's new book "A Journey Through Scotland: Highlands and Lowland - Fun Facts, Sights, History", has it all for you.

Take a tour of Scotland with Rhonda and her husband and let her show you amazing sights such as Rosslyn Chapel,  tell fascinating tales like the one about the ghost that haunts Edinburgh Castle, and search for the legendary monster along the banks of Loch Ness.

There is so much to see and learn in the beautiful pages of this non-fiction pictorial journey. Rhonda has provided just enough information on each topic to entice the reader to want to explore further into this wonderful country of history and heritage.

For me, it was like a trip down memory lane. Each page I turned evoked special thoughts of our own wonderful experiences visiting many of the same places as we explored our own cultural ancestry. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, William Wallace Memorial, Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, and so much more, they all came flooding back to life in my mind, producing smiles and laughter.

While I have been lucky enough to have visited Scotland twice, I recognise many people haven't been so fortunate. Rhonda's book is a great place to start. It gives you a glimpse of the people, places, tastes and even language of this magnificent country all mixed with a little touch of humour along the way. If you have always wanted to visit or perhaps just considered a visit to Scotland, once you have immersed yourself in the page of this tour of Scotland, you will be enticed even more!

Kids in middle school would find this book quite helpful for school projects when searching for information on Scotland. While the information is not in depth, it is a fabulous place to start their research. Plenty of gorgeous photographs to demonstrate the character of the country both the cities and countryside. Plus the book includes a map, basic facts about Scotland, an illustration of a man dressed in complete Highland Dress including full labeling as well as a list of Scottish words and sayings to help the wary traveler understand.

I thought it was so good, I wish I had thought of the idea myself!

https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Through-Scotland-Highlands-Lowland-ebook/dp/B01FBJHKPW?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

The Science Behind a Series.

Kids are naturally curious creatures. They want to discover new things, explore new environments and are intrigued by the inner workings of machines. Give them an opportunity to research through hands on experiments and you will have them hooked on learning. Add to the mix a few other key ingredients and they will be hooked on reading too! I learnt this simple idea a long time ago, both as a mother and as a teacher. When my boys were little I was fortunate to be teaching alongside some brilliantly enthusiastic science teachers at the same schools my boys were also attending. The first was an International School in Thailand where the children were all a buzz with excitement from so much inspirational activity. The second was our local neighbourhood school on the Central Coast of NSW where I was fortunate to be introduced to a Primary school teacher that had previously taught high school science. From our experiences at these two schools I arrived at the conclusion that there were several key ingredients to inspiring kids to want to learn to read.

I then set out to write a series of early independent and reluctant reader chapter books to hook boys and girls 6-8 years old into reading.

Ingredients                                                                 

An inquisitive mind

Kitchen science experiments

Classroom science experiments

Imagination

Humour                                                                        

Creativity

Intrigue

Method

Mix all the above ingredients into a series of unimaginable events that have children laughing and guessing all the way to the end.

Book 1. Gingerbread Aliens - Uses kitchen science mixing gingerbread men, bread making and polymers or in layman's terms, 'Goo!" What could possibly go wrong? Add in a snooping next door neighbour,  a fearful School Principal and top it all off with a Scientific Research Team for Asteroids and Meteorites and you have baked together one hilarious tale.

Follow up Activities -

1. Kids get to make and learn all about the properties of slime. 
2. Spend a day in the kitchen cooking gingerbread aliens - yum!
3. Write up the cooking procedure.
4. Research and discover properties of the Solar System, galaxies, universe, planets.
5. Discuss/Write about the possibilities of UFO's and alien life forms.

Book 2. Alien Shenanigans. - Begins with the kids in a year 6 class performing a volcanic eruption experiment that inevitably goes horribly out of control. When I have read the book to classes I have performed the experiment for them. They always applaud with delight. Added also to this in the story are the other science experiments in the classroom science corner, growing crystals, and fungus on bread and oranges, then there is the coke and mentos mint accident! We all know that will not end well. Neither will the accidental spill of washing powder, red food colouring and vinegar. All of these are repeatable outside experiments children can investigate. Top it all off with a mischievous chameleon alien that does not want to be caught and you have a whole lot of shenanigans.

Follow-up Activities

1. Kids love trying out all of the above mentioned science experiments. Write out the procedures.hypothesize what they expect to find. Research. Write up the results.
2.  At some of my readings we have watched videos where the mentos mints and coke experiment is taken to the extreme. It sets their imagination wild! Quite a discussion starter.
3. Model the Solar System or a space ship. This requires a lot of planning, research, drafting.
4.  Solar System Word Search or Crossword.
5.  Creative Writing - Write a story about Outer Space, where did you go/ who did you visit?

Book 3 Alien Milkshakes - Coming Soon.

More kitchen science mixed with classroom science. A backyard rocket ship, crop circles and disgusting looking milkshakes with the most unusual ingredients that no respectable 7 or 8 year old would ever allow pass their lips. Add to this a massive secret that causes more sibling rivalry and Brussels Sprouts muffins before a girl arrives next door to complicate the mischief! What are three brothers (and a little green alien) going to do now?

Follow-up Activities

1. Debate the moral issue of keeping a secret no matter the cost.
2. Write a reflection If you find something, does it mean you can keep it?
3. Try tasting some of the green smoothies in the story or making your own. What makes a healthy and tasty smoothie?
4. Build your own backyard water powered rocket ship. Have a class contest, who can make theirs fly the highest, why?
5. Look at what fuel you need to keep your body working and running efficiently.
6.  Critical and creative thinking - What could have really made crop circles? Design your own.

While I am writing this series I have also embarked on a picture book series incorporating uniquely Australian animals. These books are aimed for 3-8 year old children, although as an advocate of reading from birth aloud even to independent readers, these can be enjoyed no matter the age of the child.

Embodying my belief in using science to teach reading I have included fun facts about each character at the end of each book. Parents and teachers can use these to springboard discussions and other research into these animals if they choose. The books also provide the opportunity to learn a little bit about the environments within Australia.

Emma the Eager Emu teaches a subtle tale of following ones dreams. To have the tenacity try and try again until you find a way to reach your goal. She also shows us that being different is not only OK, but in fact good and that we are all different and special with our own unique qualities. Emma shares her experiences with several other Australian birds, a Rosella, Galah, Cockatoo and Kookaburra.

Frazzled Freya teaches us that we are all a little shy and scared at times and that it is OK to be frightened as long as you are prepared to try to face those fears. Sometime things that frighten us the most are not so frightening after all. Her desert friends that come to her rescue are a pair of twin Velvet Geckos, a Goanna, a Spinifex Hopping Mouse and a Northern Brown Snake.

I invite you to take the science challenge. Read a book today. What scientific fact might you learn or want to research further?

Hold onto your Akubra and take a wild ride around the Top End!

Hold onto your Akubra, (if you don't have one, get one) and take a wild ride around the Top End of the Northern Territory with Annie Seaton in her fantastic adventure/romance novel "Kakadu Sunset." It should come with a warning - Beware of crocodiles and sharks!

There are crocodiles a plenty in the waters around the Wold Heritage listed National Park, but there are also plenty of sharks waiting to bite around the Parliament of Darwin.

If you have ever been to Darwin and Kakadu or ever wanted to explore this wondrous site, Annie Seaton will take you on a wild ride of exploration and discovery to delight,  entice and thrill. She supplies enough suspense, drama, a tinge of romance, complex yet believable characters, as well as a dose of current political viewpoint along with debatable environmental issues. Annie Seaton has obviously researched not only the location thoroughly, but also everything to do with flying helicopters and the disastrous results of mining so close to a world heritage national park.

I found her descriptions of the area took me back with fond memories to my visit of Kakadu and I couldn't help laugh when she even included the phrase "Kakadon't" that I have heard so many times before from people who have visited when it has been far too hot and humid. I also enjoyed her snippets of Darwin after spending two years there myself. It's amazing that a brief mention of a street name or suburb can spark  the flooding of good times shared with new friends in a town that became home for a short while. Yet these descriptions did not distract from the pace of the story telling, for me, they enriched it all the more. The lookout at Ubirr over Arnhem land, Yellow Waters sunset cruises, the Crocodile Hotel and Jabiru, not to mention the suburb of Cullen Bay, Darwin, these are all so familiar to me.

The main character, Ellie Porter, is the local helicopter pilot, raised on a mango plantation next to the national park, but when her father suddenly died, the farm was sold and the family left the Territory, all except Ellie. Her heart belonged to the Territory, she could never leave this pristine area. On a return flight to base after a dramatic rescue, Ellie spots digging near the back of the old property, just near the border to the park. Her curiosity and fear for the possible destruction of her beloved land lead Ellie into all kinds of trouble. Can she learn to trust the new pilot who desperately wants to keep to himself? The romance between the two is an obvious one however the characters are endearing enough to make you want to see them come together. The villains are so nasty you can't wait to see what punishment Annie has in store for them. The inevitable crocodile scene is brilliant! I found myself almost punching the air with delight! "Yes! Got him!" This by no means gives away the ending or what happens to the main antagonist. For that, you will have to read "Kakadu Sunset" yourself.

A compelling story of love, loss, ancient land,  and current political issues. Told among striking scenery and woven around complex characters, "Kakadu Sunset" is a story that will take you on a wild ride through the Australian Outback. If you have ever been to the Northern Territory it will bring back delightful memories. If you have never been, it will only inspire that spark to travel the open road. So hitch up the caravan, put on your hat and shorts, drink a cold beverage and dive into Annie Seaton's "Kakadu Sunset" before the wet season and the storms roll around once more.

http://www.amazon.com.au/Kakadu-Sunset-Annie-Seaton-ebook/dp/B016CQ8DKO

http://www.annieseatonromance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AnnieSeatonAuthor/

Tea for Two or Maybe More.

Kids love any excuse for a tea party. My neighbour's kids think it's wonderful when I invite them over for High Tea. We go all out using my special china and make lots of tiny sandwiches and cakes. I try to make the tea party a memorable treat as if they were at high tea at an exclusive restaurant, something like High Tea at the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney. It's a delight to watch the expressions on the faces of everyone concerned. I don't feel you need a reason to hold a tea party, they are a great idea with kids at any time. However you can use it as a prompt for reading and story writing. There are plenty of children's books on the market that include tea parties in their plots. The most classic one that comes to mind is Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland." A Mad Hatter's tea party is the obvious choice.

That being said, this being the month of March where we turn our thoughts towards St Patrick's Day, Leprechauns and all things green, why not read a few Leprechaun tales and hold a "Green" or "Rainbow" tea party.

http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B007KFXGM2/ref=s9_simh_bw_p351_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ANEGB3WVEVKZB&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=0699PZZET7QNHQK14WJ7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=218163269&pf_rd_i=2496751051

"The Little Leprechaun Who Loved Yellow"  is a perfect choice as a children's picture book to read out loud together at bedtime or in the classroom. Within the pages are plenty of conversation starters for use during your tea party. A few topics for discussion could include being true to yourself, your uniqueness, building self-esteem, feelings and emotions, not to mention all the magnificent colours of the rainbow and where in nature you may find them.

In some ways "The Little Leprechaun Who Loved Yellow" shares a very similar message to my own

picture book "Emma the Eager Emu" who through her tenacity to never give up eventually learns the importance of her very own special and unique qualities.

If you are using the story in the classroom and incorporating it with a tea party, a suggestion is to elicit the help of class buddies. If your school uses the buddy system you know what I mean. An older class of kids are paired with your younger group of kids for various activities. There are two activities I suggest here as ideas towards your classroom resources.

1. After reading the story together, the older group of children can use it as a writing prompt to write a story perhaps that includes inviting a Leprechaun to tea. You might give them a list of words that they must use in their story. eg: Leprechaun, tea party, rainbow, tree, cup cake. The younger group of children can draw a picture that includes the five suggested items above and try to write a one line description/story. Both groups can come together and read aloud to share their stories.
2. Have the buddies help make a tea party invitation for the younger child's mum/dad or significant other. Then you can hold a special morning or afternoon tea party with mums or dads included, I'm sure they would be more than happy to help supply the goodies for the tea party.

Here is the template to make the card. The children can decorate the outside with whatever they like or suggestions from you.  I like to leave this open to allow for creativity and imagination. Inside they can write or you can print "Have a cup of tea on me."  In my class I would then sticky tape a tea bag to the inside cover.

My next book in my 'Bradberrie Brother's Alien Adventure' series will be another great addition to add to your reading list before a tea party. in "Alien Milkshakes" not only are there plenty of laughs to entice the reluctant reader but plenty of interesting edible suggestions and moral dilemmas to discuss over a pot of tea.  "Alien Milkshakes" is coming soon.

Enjoy your tea party, have fun and make lots of memories with your kids.

What book would you read with your kids to encourage a themed tea party?

Big Dreams, Bigger Fears

As children we all had big dreams, and yes most of us admit it, we had even bigger fears. When we are little we are often asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" John Lennon famously replied "Happy." That is the best dream of all, but most children usually answer with familiar and somewhat innocent standards like "a fireman, doctor, teacher, nurse etc." It takes us a lot of our growing years to realise the importance of simply being happy with ourselves for who and what we are. One of our biggest fears is that we may not grow up and reach the full potential of our dreams. Walt Disney was one of the biggest dreamers of us all, but he also had a very big fear. Disneyland was born from his dreams and fears. The dream of building a fantasy world where parents could take their children and escape their everyday life and his fear of never being able to make a second movie as good or better than his original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. While his staff at the studio consistently made animated film after film, Walt Disney fixated on bringing the world his greatest creation, Disneyland. The results speak for themselves, crowds today flock to Disneyland in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Walt Disney is famously quoted as saying :-

"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."

My dream, for as long as I can remember, was to write books for children. Books that will make them laugh, learn and find a love of reading. My biggest fear was that I wasn't good enough and that nobody would take me seriously. After years of teaching and writing I finally tested the waters with my first short chapter book for early and reluctant readers. "Gingerbread Aliens" was received with great enthusiasm and gained many favourable reviews. I was on my way. "Alien Shenanigans" followed and book three, "Alien Milkshakes" will be released in a few months.

Children however have much simpler dreams and fears. Shadows and monsters

under the bed, or in the cupboard are rather familiar ones.

This is why I began writing my picture books using uniquely Australian animals as the characters.

"Emma the Eager Emu" dares to dream big. She dreams of being the same as all the other birds at flying school. Emma dreams of one day being able to fly, just like her friends, Rosie Rosella, Kelly Kookaburra, Patsy the Pink Galah and Cathy the Yellow Crested Cockatoo. This is a subtle tale about learning to strive to reach your goals and finding your own unique qualities to fulfill your dreams in your own individual way.

"Frazzled Freya" is my newest release which is coming soon. Freya is a frill neck lizard who with the help of her desert friends learns to face her fears. Freya is too frightened to go out in the heat of the midday sun. She is happy to sit under a rock and watch while all her friends play and have fun. I teamed up once again with my fantastic illustrator Dianna Budd, to produce this gorgeously illustrated Australian picture book to tell a second subtle tale. This time it is about learning that some of our biggest fears once faced proved to be quite small after all and that the biggest fear of all is fear itself. Freya's Cover will be released within the next week or two. She should have her own link on my wesite and be ready for pre-order then also.

What are your biggest dreams and fears? Does your child have dreams or fears? Leave a comment below, I'd love to hear what they are and if they have been faced. Perhaps my books can help.