Children's eBook review and Author/Illustrator Interview: Aunty Arty and the Disquieting Muses, by Rowena Wiseman, Illustrated by Norelda Joy

Illustrations: 5.0 Stars 
Cover: 5.0 Stars
Storyline: 4.0 Stars
Total: 4.5 Stars

My Review: 

Frieda is a quiet girl in a family of ten who she gets to spend the night with her sister Mona at Aunty Arty's house. Aunty Arty is no ordinary Aunt who would take them to the movies or to eat chocolate. Instead, Aunty Art takes Frieda on an adventure custom made for her curious and accepting nature. Whiny, frustrated Mona spends most of the story as bored and still as a statue. But Frieda ends up meeting unusual characters and saving the day for a new friend. 

Illustrations: Colorful, professional, eye-catching. With a story loosely based on one of Giorgio de Chirico's Metaphysical paintings, the illustrations are modern and unusual in a children's book.

Storyline: While I don't like the favoritism Aunty Arty shows Frieda over Mona, I believe this story to be like the fairy tales that awards gifts to the kindest, gentlest character, who Frieda proves herself to be, and "punishments" to the complaining critical character (like Mona). This story will especially appeal to children who feel forgotten or left out, either with friends or in their family dynamics.

Author Interview with Rowena Wiseman

Valerie Harmon: Why did you write a book based on a painting?
Author Rowena Wiseman: I work at an art gallery and I'm always interested in what the story is in a painting. Often the artist doesn't tell us explicitly, so I thought it would be fun
to make up what could happen if we were to meet some characters in a work of art.

VH: Who is your favorite artist?
RW: So many! At the moment I've been researching street artists for a young adult book that I'm writing, so I like artists like Ghost Patrol from Melbourne or New York conceptual artist Barbara Kruger. I’m a big fan of South African artist William Kentridge. I also adore Chinese contemporary art. Yue Minjun is a massive favourite of mine - with his big smiley faces. I just dare people to look at his work and not feel happy!

Author Rowena Wiseman

VH: How did you connect with your illustrator?
RW: I found Narelda Joy on the Illustrators Australia website. I was really impressed with the level of detail and variety of skill in her work. I contacted her and sent her the manuscript for Aunty Arty. I already had a publisher - Jet Black Publishing. Luckily she liked the story and it’s been full steam ahead since then!

VH: Why do you write?
RW: I've always had a natural compulsion to write. Lately I've been sharing my young adult stories on Wattpad and discovered just how much I love connecting with an audience. It makes my day when someone tells me they can relate to one of my characters.

VH: What advice do you have for authors who'd like to write children's books?
RW: Write what the child in you is curious about.

VH: What would you tell children who read your book?
RW: I'd like them to think about a work of art that they would like to enter! What would their story be?

VH: Do you have any funny stories of how you got to where you are?
RW: The idea for the Aunty Arty series came to me while I was changing my son's nappy. I have no idea what that means ...

VH: What are three favorite books?
RW: The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole and A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz.

VH: What are three favorite children's books?
RW: I love, love, love:

Iggy Peck the Architect by Andrea Beaty, such great rhyming text and the illustrations are sublime. It's a book that I genuinely enjoy reading with my kids. 

As a child I loved Enid Blyton. 

Shaun Tan is an amazing storyteller and artist, I have a small collection of his books; The Lost Thing and

The Arrival are my favourites.







VH: Who influences your writing?
RW: I love Tatyana Tolstaya for her creative style of writing, Emile Zola for his insight into human behaviour and Raymond Carver for his well-crafted simplicity.

VH: What do you do if you get writer's block?
RW: I've recently discovered the joy of wholefood cooking. I spend a lot of time on a computer, either at work, or at home in the early mornings or late evenings writing, so I find cooking is a good way to clear my mind! Good thoughts come when I’m least expecting it, like when I’m grating carrots or washing dishes. If I'm at my desk and I've got writer's block, I'll probably start watching some School of Life videos on YouTube. Love this new-age way of exploring meaning in our lives.

For more information on author Rowena Wiseman, check out her author website, Twitter account and Wattpad account, on Facebook, Aunty Arty on Goodreads, and the Aunty Arty website.

Illustrator Interview with Narelda Joy

VH: Narelda, who is your favorite artist?
NJ: Do I have to choose just one artist? There’s Claude Monet, Gustav Kilmt, William Turner, Pierre-August Renoir

VH: How did you get into illustration?
NJ: I have always been artistic and experimented with many creative areas since I was a young girl, however a number of years ago I was feeling unfulfilled in my job, and made the brave decision to leave work and return to full time study. I chose to pursue a career in Design and Illustration and I have never looked back! I have always loved Children’s Books and collect them for my own enjoyment. I can often be found sitting in the children’s section at the local library or bookstore! There is something magical about a book – being transported into another world through words and pictures. It is pure escapism.

VH: What else do you create?
NJ: Apart from my unique textural illustrations and collage, I produce 3D illustrations and bespoke 3D constructions such as scenes, characters, models, theatrical hats and puppets, in textiles, paper and other mediums. I love sculpting anything but I particularly enjoy using textiles. 

VH: What advice do you have for kids who want to be illustrators?
NJ: My advice to aspiring illustrators is to keep practising your art, draw everyday, and pay attention to the wonderful things around you, large and small – inspiration is everywhere. Always carry a sketchbook and camera. Follow your heart and soul and believe in your ability to create. Studying is a great way to meet like minded creative people who will support you on your journey.

VH: What are three favorite books?
NJ: Some of my favorites are:

A Journey of the Imagination by James Christensen,  

Lost and Found by Shaun Tan, 

 

Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Book by Brian Froud and Terry Jones

VH: What are three favorite children's books?
NJ: Three favorites are:

 Her Mother’s Face by Roddy Doyle and Freya Blackwood,

                              Remember Me by Margaret Wild and Dee Huxley

 

and The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravett

VH: What do you do if you aren't feeling creative?

NJ: If I’m not feeling creative then I know I’m too stressed! The cure for this is to meditate, go for a walk surrounded by beautiful nature, visit the dog park which always makes me smile, go for a drive to somewhere new, look through my favourite books in my bookcase, or talk to a creative friend.

For more information on illustrator Narelda Joy, check out her website. 

~written by Valerie Harmon

Children's eBook Review: Sleepy Beach by Scott Harpole

Illustrations: 5.0 Stars
Cover: 5.0 Stars
Storyline: 5.0 Stars
Total: 5.0 Stars

My Review:
On the surface, Sleepy Beach is a simple account of a family playing on a beach. But as you look closely, you see that the illustrations reveal a "giant's" face. Look even closer and you discover that this book is a parent putting their son to sleep by stroking his head and face to follow the tale.

Storyline: So clever! I've never read anything like it. I love the multi-layered story, and can see this becoming a nightly tradition with my youngest. 5 stars.

Illustrations: Beautifully illustrated! And the illustrations reveal their own story as you see parts of a giant human face as the island, water and woods. 5 stars.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

Reviewer Valerie Harmon: How did you come up with the idea of a beach/human head?
Author Scott Harpole: My mom told me stories about a racecar, while she put me to sleep, and she told the story on my head as she told it.

You can find the whole background story here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQcwiTxFkS8

VH: How did you connect with your illustrator?SH: I struggled mightily to find an illustrator. I played around with E-Lance and other web based listings of illustrators, but I knew that I had to have someone amazingly different. One day I just typed in my city name, Terre Haute, and the word Illustrator into Google. A lady's name popped up, without a phone number of course! I traced her down and called her. She has since moved away but I honestly believe that her months of hard work are worth an award. I've actually submitted Sleepy Beach to the Caldecott Award folks and other various award chairs just this week!

VH: Why do you write?
SH: I don't write! I tell. All the time, to random people and everyone in a buckshot blast of my voice! I recently told a lady, at a small group setting, that I'm in all the major children's movies! She really believed me and asked which ones! I told her to watch the movie Up, really closely. When the old guy is in his house and looking at his wife's photographs on the bookcase, you can see for just a flash of a second that there is a reflection of my book Sleepy Beach that is also on his bookcase and it's open to the last pages and you can just barely see my face. It's hard to see, so you have to look really close! I do that all the time, so much that finally, finally after years, my family encouraged me to get some of my crazy and wonderful stories out to the world. Voila ~ Sleepy Beach!

VH: What advice do you have for authors who'd like to write children's books?
SH: My chief advice for authors is...the barricades you are facing are mainly in your mind. For decades I believed that my stories would only be things that would be told my children, since I don't know how to...(and the list is quite long), draw pictures, make a book, publish, format, have the money, and on and on. My wife helped me see that I could just start by recording my stories and giving away audio versions. That is the next key. You have to start. You can't really steer a parked vehicle. Do what you can, with what you have, right now.


VH: What would you tell children who read your book?SH: I tell children that read my book that I am so happy that they enjoy it, and that I want them to have peaceful dreams, and that I hope Sleepy Beach makes them smile and then fall over dead asleep! I also make sure that children understand that they should not operate heavy machinery after they have read my book. Most of the time, they just seriously reassure me that they won't!

VH: Do you have any funny stories of how you got to where you are?
SH: I have so many funny stories, about how I got to where I am, and some of them are true! When I showed up at the illustrator's house after calling her and arranging a meeting (remember I just found her on the internet), I brought along one of my young sons. It turns out that it was a good idea, because she told me later that she had Mace in her pocket!

VH: What are three favorite books?
SH: Three of my favorite books are: The Bible, Streiker's Bride, and Where the Sidewalk Ends...plus a hundred more.

VH: What are three favorite children's books?
SH: My three favorite children's books are:

VH: Who influences your writing?
SH: My influencers are: my Italian family and the way we still tell stories to and about each other and Shel Silverstein (I cannot read his stuff and not be inspired)!

Parents can do a lot of things with this story - ask kids to find the dog, ask them to find the parts of the child's face, listen to the peaceful piano music that I wrote and played (it's on the CD that comes with the book), and have them point out the stars and the moon on several pages.  

Want more of author Scott Harpole? Check out more of his stories here, He also has a special offer: I have a few paperback books of Sleepy Beach left in this shipment, so for a limited time I'm offering signed and personalized copies of Sleepy Beach with a CD for $10 (plus shipping). Just send your order and info to Scott Harpole at:  scott (at) mydadsbedtimestories (dot) com.


~Reviewed by Valerie Harmon

Author Valerie Harmon Judges Storytelling Contest

I had the fun opportunity to judge a storytelling contest!

This contest was called Just Believe, Utah's Biggest Liar Contest, part of the locally famous Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. It was held on April 1st, which was particularly satisfying, considering tall tales were the order of the day.

My daughter joined me

The youth winner. Wow she could storytell!

The adult winner, so fun to listen to!

Note their awards: Golden shovels! Perfect for a tall tale storyteller!

It was a delightful evening, and I couldn't believe the quality of storyteller. I believe the youth winner was only 6 years old! I hope I'm invited back to judge next year.

~Valerie Harmon

Children's eBook Review: Have You Ever by Cotey Gallagher

Illustrations: 5 Stars
Cover: 3.0 Stars
Storyline: 5 Stars
Total: 4.5 Stars

 My Review:
What a silly, hilarious book! There is no main character or storyline, this book breaks the fourth wall by addressing the reader with the question, "Have you ever...?" and filling in the silliest answers that are illustrated in a comical way.

Text: Be prepared for some tongue twisting text like, "Have you ever caught a calico cat carelessly clanking a cowbell?" and "Have you ever encountered an elegant elephant entertaining her entourage?" Not that the children you're reading to care, but Have You Ever has an added benefit of increasing vocabulary--since you can point out in the illustration an explanation of words like "entourage." Very enjoyable to read aloud and children enjoyed how even adults can stumble on the words a couple times before getting it right.

Illustrations: Don't be put off by the cover, the illustrations are professional and add a tremendous amount to the book (see an example below).

Congratulations to Gallagher for winning the Reader's Favorite 5 Star award. See the Reader's Favorite review here.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Author Cotey Gallagher

Reviewer Valerie Harmon: How did you come up with your crazy topic?

Author Cotey Gallagher: I wanted to create a book that was true to myself, something goofy, and a bit tongue-in-cheek. Unfortunately, I have never been much of a story teller, I am more of a "word nerd." I loved playing Mad Libs with my friends as a child (still do with my 10 year old son!) and I wanted to create something fun and educational. What better way to do that than playing with grammar and alliteration?

VH: Why do you write?

CG: Writing is something fairly new to me. I have always enjoyed the arts, and when I was younger, I did write quite a bit of poetry. I would consider myself an eager novice, ready to keep learning and getting better.

VH: What advice do you have for authors who'd like to write children's books? 

CG: I think patience and determination are imperative. Rejection should not be a be-all end-all. Be open to suggestion, people give you honest opinions to help you grow, not cut you down.

VH: What would you tell children who read your book? 

CG: My great satisfaction is to see a smile when someone reads this book. It's funny and challenging, and great for parents too.

VH: How did you got to where you are? 

CG: I have come a long way professionally in the past two years though. I have been a freelance illustrator since I finished college in 2000. I have done a small amount of work in the years that passed, but never pushed myself to stay active. Recently, I was asked by a local author here in Vermont to illustrate a series of books about the 4 seasons of Vermont in which she self published. I have always had a love for children's books, and jumped at the opportunity. I learned so much about the world of self publishing from this experience, and I thought, "I could do this!" 

Now, I can't stop myself! I am already working on my next book, something I have wanted to put together since I was in college. It will be a collection of my favorite idioms, metaphors and euphemisms, all interpreted literally!

VH: What are three of your favorite books? 

CG: As much as I love children's books, when I find myself being absorbed into a book, it usually is something that is historical in nature. Red Azalea by Anchee Min, The Hot Zone by Richard Preston and 1984 by George Orwell all stand out in my mind as affecting me after I read them. A powerful story can change you.

VH: What is one of your favorite illustrations in your book? 

CG: By far, my favorite character in Have You Ever is the Pickle Eating Porcupine. I think I love it so much because I had unintentionally sketched other "P" words into the composition. When I finished the drawing, I said "Hey, not only is the porcupine eating a pickle, but there are pigeons pecking at popcorn too!" That is why I added the pigeon to the front cover, my secret homage to a "happy accident."

VH: Who influences your writing?

CG: My biggest influence right now in my writing is my 10 year old son. I am primarily an illustrator, which lends my work more to picture books for younger readers. I want to create picture books that are still entertaining for 8-12 year olds. That is a tough task! It needs to challenge and entertain them. I think I am mostly interested in books appropriate for that age range because my sense of humor is still stuck in the 4th grade!

VH: Who influences your illustration? 

CG: My influences for my illustrations have always been editorial cartoonists: Bill Plympton, Mort Drucker, and Al Hirshfeld have all inspired my work.

VH: Who is your favorite artist? 

CG: It's a hard decision, but I would have to say Norman Rockwell is my favorite artist. The characters he portrays in The Saturday Evening Post illustrations have so much soul in them. You can almost feel the mischievousness of the children he paints.

VH: What are three of your favorite children's books? 

CG: Picking three children's books as being favorites is so difficult! The Book that Jack Wrote would have to be on that list, because I am so amazed at the artistic ability of Daniel Adel. I followed his editorial work in magazines and was so pleased when I found that he had done a children's book. It gave me hope as an artist to be able to succeed in multiple genres. 

My second choice would be The Frog Prince Continued By Jon Scieszka. I have always enjoyed the traditional fairy tales, and thought that the idea to pose the question, "What happens after the Happily Ever After?" was genius! 

My third would be The Secret Shortcut by Mark Teague. His illustrations are beautifully textural, and the use of perspective in the book adds to the excitement of the story.

VH: If you were an animal, what kind would you be? 

CG: I would have to be a cat... I really like napping.

For more of author Cotey Gallagher, check out her book website, professional website, and her Facebook page (she says, "I like being liked!").

~Reviewed by Valerie Harmon

Children's eBook review: Boe the Great by Joel Feldman

Illustrations: 5 Stars 
Cover: 5 Stars
Storyline: 5 Stars
Total: 5 Stars

It's very rare for one person to successfully both write and illustrate. Most of us, me included, must team up to create a children's picture book. Most unusually, with Boe the Great, Joel Feldman has single-handedly created a children's picture eBook that not only has a fun storyline and great illustrations, but a galloping read-aloud rhythm and steady rhyme. 

Storyline: Boe is so small, he's kicked out of the army by the  Barbarian Chief, who says, "Only warriors are allowed here!" Where can a little guy like Boe find a place to be of use? He attempts all kinds of work, and finally discovers a hidden talent for...You'll have to read the book to find out!

Adult point of view: I enjoyed the theme of "finding your place." We all must search to find out our talents and life mission, and it is beneficial for children to see that figuring out what we're good at takes work. 

Child's point of view: Boe is funny. I like it when he figures out what he's good at, but it's funny when he keeps trying things he is bad at and he wants to just stay in bed. 

Illustrations: The best illustrations add to a story, and these cartoonish medieval-set pictures add humor, setting, and color to the story. I enjoyed the illustration of Boe lying in the snow unable to pick up the hammer, Wise Grandpa, and the wide Barbarian Chief, among almost all the other pages. 

A firm five stars for both storyline and pictures.

Want to see some of the illustrations yourself? Here is a book trailer for Boe the Great:

 

Who is Joel Feldman?

Joel Feldman, born 1984, lives in Jerusalem, Israel. 

After Graduating from Bezalel Academy of Arts (2010), Joel started to work as an Animator, Illustrator and Concept artist. On the endless search for a dream job, Joel illustrated several children's books for famous authors. 

The love for illustrations and writing since early age, led to creating his own books. 










If you'd like to learn more about Joel Feldman, click here for his website, and here for his Twitter feed.

~Valerie Harmon
Children's Picture Book Reviewer, Author and Editor

Reader's Favorite 5 Star Award Given to The T-Rex Who Wanted To Be A Long Neck!

My book The T-Rex Who Wanted To Be A Longneck just received the Reader's Choice 5 Star Award and a fabulous review from Reader's Favorite.

This means my illustrator, Carol Stevens, is in the process of adding this badge....

to the front of this cover.... 

We are thrilled to receive this award!!

If you are an author, we highly recommend checking out Reader's Favorite for reviews. 

For you fellow readers, we recommend you take a peek at the reviews on Reader's Favorite to help you find quality and enjoyable reading material (Reader's Favorite did not solicit this recommendation, it merely stems from my great experience with them).

In fact, I've found the organization so impressive, that I'm applying to become one of their reviewers. Soon I will have this badge added to this site!!

Until then, thanks for sharing in my excitement and best wishes in your own writing and reading endeavors!

~Valerie Harmon

Free Book and Free Book APP: The Chipmunk Who Wanted To Be A Bear, by Valerie Harmon and Carol Stevens

My fifth book in the WantsToBe children's picture eBook series, The Chipmunk Who Wanted To Be A Bear, is FREE from November 3 until midnight November 6.

Pick up your free copy here!

Rated 5 Stars and has hit #1 Best Seller in Category!

This is the fifth fully-illustrated children's book in the Wants To Be series

Book Summary: Chipmunk is so afraid of things that he hates to leave his tree house! When he notices a grizzly bear who doesn't seem scared of anything, Chipmunk gets an idea that shows him to be braver than he thinks. This is not a typical "Be content with who you are" book, but rather "Working hard toward a goal changes you into something more." Which is why in the end (don't spoil the surprise for your child!) after working hard to become a grizzly bear, and conquering his fears in the process, Chipmunk turns into CHIZZLY!  This is a metaphorical example of how we all change after accomplishing hard things.

FREE animated book app version for iPad is available now in the App Store℠. Try it out!

Tapping or swiping the stars within the app can drop an acorn on Bear's nose, catch Chipmunk riding on a fish, or send a hawk soaring in the sky, and much more. The icons on the left release a variety of sounds effects, including a laughing raccoon, gurgling stream or even a grumbling bear. This app teaches children to work hard toward a goal, no matter what, with 61 animations, 28 sound effects, music, and dramatized narration.

Free iPad App version of the book!