My Blog

May already! Where is the year going? I just looked back at my previous blog posts and realised I haven’t posted an update in several years and I must rectify that … NOW. My last update was during 2022. My father had passed away, and my mum and I were left with wondering what to do with our futures. Mum had decided she wanted to stop driving before turning 85. So, we moved. We packed up the family home of 44 years and downsized. I changed job locations, and I started a Ma

Mooshy Crackerjacks Big day is a picture book about mischievous, or rather accident prone, little kitten. This book is written by Suzanne Patterson, illustrated by Maia Batumashvili and published by Starfish Bay Children’s Books. Who loves birthdays? Who loves it when it is their birthday. Mooshy is a kitten who is excited for his birthday. He spends the day going around his house, seeing what his family are doing, hoping to receive some birthday love. But no-one says any

Halloween Hijinks Book Review Halloween Hijinks is a children’s picture book about dogs who go trick or treating with their family. This book is written by Kristin Haynes, illustrated by Anna Thompson and published by Senyah Projects. Who loves to go trick or treating on Halloween? Who loves dressing up? Who loves getting free treats? Hendrix and Rocket are two pups who love doing all that, especially Hendrix. One Halloween Hendrix and rocket accompanied their family as

Little People Big Emotions is a children’s picture book about how the body and mind can behave and how to control these big emotions. Written by Kylie Mort, illustrated by Tiina Morton and published by Serenity Press. This book explores the different ways a person can feel and how they might think when they feel these big emotions. Showing children that no matter how they think, someone will always support them and know how to help them feel safe and loved. When reading this

A quick blog post to let everyone know that I am still here, but I sincerely apologise for my lack of presence this year. The end of 2021 saw my dads health decline and we were sadly forced to put him into a care home. Then the start of 2022, as we all know, was influenced heavily by COVID-19. My mum and I decided to self lockdown, and dads home also went into lockdown with an outbreak through the staff. February saw us gathering as much as possible, taking dad out, making up

The Lolly Shop is about the magic that a lolly shop can create. Written by Lauren Hackney and illustrated by Baxter and Ethan Hackney. This book is self-published through Thorpe-Bowker. Who doesn’t want a bit of magic in their life? Who wouldn’t love to own a lolly shop? What if you could have both? For Baxter and Ethan, they did have both. Their stall at the Manly markets in Brisbane became so popular, they needed a bigger to sell it all, so they opened their very own lolly

Sass and Traz Save the Library is a story about two children who love their library so much, that when the mayor wants to bulldoze it down, they will stop at nothing to save it from demolition. Written by Michelle Worthington, illustrated by Naomi Greaves, and published by Daisy Lane Publishing. Sassafras and Alcatraz are twins who spend Saturday mornings in the library while their Mum coaches the football team on the field below. It is during these hours that the Librarian,

Carly Mills Pioneer Girl, A New World is written by Jane Smith, illustrated by Pat Kan and published by Big Sky Publishing. This adventure story brings history to life with a modern-day element of magic. Carly is staying with family friends in Sydney before she goes to boarding school. Dora was showing her around some historical sites when they decided to explore Customs House. Carly noticed a removal man had dropped some pieces of fabric and when tried to give them back, he

I Wonder is a story about a little wooden boat who is left on the beach to wonder what it is. Written by Allison Paterson and Illustrated by Nancy Bevington. Published by Big Sky Publishing. This is a story of a little wooden toy boat is abandoned on a beach by its owner. It encounters other things that land next to him, a potato chip packet, a takeaway cup, and a plastic bag. They all tell the little wooden that they are a form of rubbish, which leaves the little wooden boat

Home is a children’s picture book about the displacement of a family during World War II. Written by Karen Hendriks, illustrated by Alisa Knatko and published by Daisy Lane Publishing. This story was inspired by the village of Wunshendorf – who was the largest forced refugee movement in the 20th Century. A poignant historical fiction tale of the journey of a family forced from their home and housed in a forest camp, who eventually find freedom in Melbourne. Even though this i

Marlow Brown Magician in the Making is a story about a girl who is inspired to become a magician after meeting Mervin the Magical at the fair. Written by Kesta Fleming and illustrated by Marjory Gardner, published by Celapene Press. Marlow Brown is a school aged child who is inspired to become a magician after Mervin the Magical performed at the local fair. He even let her assist him during his show, and as a thank you, gave Marlow a show bag with tricks and tips to get her s

Rollo's Wet Surprise splashed onto the blogs of fellow authors and book enthusiasts in early July. When I write a story I hope that it will be received well by others and it is always a delight to read what people think of what has been created by yourself (the author) and the illustrator. This blog tour also introduced a new Illustrator, Paul Nash. Interviews, reviews and snapshots appeared on the blog pages of Read For Fun (Melissa Gijsbers), The Book Muse (Ashleigh Meikle

Max Booth is back for a new adventure in the latest instalment in the Max Booth Future Sleuth series. Map Trap is Cameron Macintosh’s 6th book of the series, which is illustrated by Dave Atze. I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment of the adventures of Max Booth and Oscar. A detective duo with an ability to get in and out of mischief and always saving the day. Something ‘like a map’, because maps can be complicated! and can lead us on many journeys and what we discover when we

Is it nearly the end of March already?! Plans I made back in January took a back seat as I had some time out for wisdom teeth surgery. Something I have been terrified of having done since they first moved eleven years ago. I was hoping they would never cause a problem and they would stay put. Unfortunately, one deiced to try and come through, with no room available for that pursuit it became infected. My saving grace is that I only had two wisdom teeth to begin with and now t

2021 has begun and with it there are numerous possibilities. Sure, traveling is limited and social activities are restricted, however we can find other ways to fill our time and our minds. I am planning to continue my postgraduate studies in editing, publishing and creative writing. I have enrolled in a short course in writing chapter books for children and will continue studying a diploma in forensics. In the writing corner I have two children's picture books that I plan to

What a ride! It has only been 5 weeks since Gorkle was published and it has definitely been an adventure so far. I've boosted Facebook posts, sent emails, printed and distributed flyers, sold books to family and friends and pretty much told everyone I can about this charming book that I want to share with everyone. I also experienced my first blog tour last week, which was out of this world as Gorkle toured the blog pages of Read For Fun (Melissa Gijsbers), Tabitha Page – A

It has been twelve months in the making but the end is in sight. Gorkle was first written in September 2019. It has been a busy time with rewrites, completing the illustrations completed with several amendments, then the design process and lastly making sure the cover and interior files were correct. Available from 5th November 2020. Ideal for children aged 5 - 9 years. However, younger and older children will also find it enjoyable. It is a bright and fun story that was crea

Some people may think being a writer is a solo business, where you have no contact with others. Your books will be published and magically appear on bookshelves and be snapped up and the royalties will roll in. Unfortunately this is not the case. As an early writer I shared my work in writing classes and with family and friends, eager to learn from their suggestions. I joined writing groups and became friends with a fellow writer, who has been a wonderful person to bounce ide

Thank you for visiting. I am an author and editor starting on a wonderful new adventure involving words and 'other worlds'. Living and working in Sydney Australia alongside my cat, Theo, I hope to either bring joy to you with my books or help you create the best manuscript you can with my editing services. Words are my passion and I hope they are yours too.