#children's fiction

[zippocreed501]

AUTHOR EXTRAORDINAIRE

'Fantasy for me as a kid was real, and I had a fantasy about what life was, whether it was sort of wicked and dire, or wholly normal, or whatever. Anything really close to home is not, it seems to me, what a good book should be about.'

'If you take myth and folklore, and these things that speak in symbols, they can be interpreted in so many ways that although the actual image is clear enough, the interpretation is infinitely blurred, a sort of enormous rainbow of every possible colour you could imagine.'

'Things we are accustomed to regard as myth or fairy story are very much present in people’s lives. Nice people behave like wicked stepmothers. Every day.'

'It does seem that a fantasy, working out in its own terms, stretching you beyond the normal concerns of your own life, gains you a peculiar charge of energy which inexplicably enriches you. At least, this is my ideal of a fantasy, and I am always trying to write it.'

Author Extraordinaire Diane Wynne Jones

[annelisreadingroom]

I went to the park this morning before heading to the airport. It was so nice and sunny and the park was full of flowers. It's still a bit cold, though. Most days it's around 8°C-12°C. How is the weather where you live and do you like to take outdoor pictures of your books?

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2023: Day 2

And it's day 2 of NaNoWriMo! Today, we have Stick Insect and Sea Monkeys by Kate Jackson, a fun Children's Fiction novel. This novel cover was designed by the amazing returning artist, Holly Aguilar!

(For those of you who don’t know, 30C30D stands for 30 Covers, 30 Days in which 17 Wrimos and 5 YWP Participants get the chance to win a professionally designed cover! The rest of the days are being filled by community features. We’ll be posting a cover a day throughout November, so make sure to check them out!)

Stick Insect and Sea Monkeys

Bella is devastated she can’t own any pets but suddenly finds herself petmother to a gigantic stick insect and pack of sea monkeys. Pet ownership turns into a bigger adventure than she could ever have imagine as she and her pet family find themselves faced with a mystery that could change their world forever.

About the Author

Kate Jackson is a lifelong writer, but recently only of shopping and to do lists. She is interested to see how juggling work, parenting two energetic boys, and trying to write a novel will go. Stick Insects & Sea Monkeys is Kate’s first foray into fantasy writing for elementary school age kids, but nothing like having a captive audience at bedtime! When not writing, Kate is setting up a new house in Boston after recently relocating from London, and trying not to eat too much leftover Halloween candy.

About the Designer

Holly Aguilar is an award-winning designer and illustrator, so if anyone does judge your book by its cover, she’s got you…covered. By day, Holly is a Design Director at Balcom Agency, the largest marketing firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Learn more about her at her company’s website!

[hmvw2015]

A request for @eyedtheallmighty42069

"Would that be considered cannibalism?"

[food4dogs]

These are the only 2 books I have that my grandmother wrote (under a pseudonym). She was a contract writer in the 1960s for popular children's book publishers in Germany, chiefly Schneider Bücher.

Dilbi is another one of hers (cover image found online) - but most of these books were fodder for voracious young readers and have disappeared without much trace.

My grandmother liked to pick what were then considered 'exotic' locations and Dilbi awakened my interest in the beautiful Balearic Islands. So in the late 60s I travelled to Ibiza, which back then was still a sleepy tourist destination.

I remember how as 12-year-olds we went to the local stationery shop regularly to check out new arrivals of our favourite Schneider series. By far the runaway top sellers were (for girls) the Hanni und Nanni books; and for boys the Burg Schreckenstein ones. Both were set in boarding schools, a sure recipe (to this day) for childhood fascination. And yes, you read that right: books were colour-coded and marketed for Girls and Boys!

H & N live on in audio book format. The interesting facet is that these were adaptations (heavily edited and localised) of Enid Blyton's St Clare's series, spun off into its own German version. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Clare's_(series)

[fiction-quotes]

"Child," said the Voice, "I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own."

  —  The Horse and His Boy (C. S. Lewis)

[intothestacks]

Adventures in Librarian-ing

Today I read Same, Same But Different to a class of Kindergarteners (a story about two pen pals, one from the US and one from India, and how their lives look different, but are actually quite similar)

A few pages in when there was a drawing of a rickshaw a little Indian girl who had just returned from visiting family abroad gasped and went "Is that in India?! :D". I told her it was, and she was absolutely thrilled.

Every time I turned to a page about the Indian boy's life she'd ask if it was in India ("Are those peacocks in India? Is that India writing? Is he sleeping on a bed in India?").

[misthare-books]

The redwall books by Brian Jaques. Read and liked these as a kid.

Talking woodland creatures. Usually the otters, mice, squirrels, badgers, hares etc are "the good guys", and snakes, cats, rats, weasels, stoats etc are "the bad guys". This is not a hard rule, but it mostly seems that way for most part.

Its not all rosy, as there tends to be hard fighting and wounds and deaths sometimes.

Most stories revolve around the Redwall abbey and mossflower forest. There tends to be a nice drawn map of the land at the start of book. The maps tend/seem to change with each book, as if the land is changing over time.

[bookcoversaroundtheworld]

This Little Kitty in the Garden - US

Spring is blooming, and what better way for rascally kittens to celebrate than by causing mischief in the garden.

[maniacwatchestheworld]

The more I think about it, the more that I believe that rich, posh, English people really have earned the right to be the go-to villains in media partially or entirely targeted at children. :p

[emological]

Kansas City's Rabbit hOle is an innovative space to explore children's books : The Picture Show https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2024/04/17/1242760712/kansas-city-childrens-museum-books

[denofdreams-writerblr]

hi, so I was wondering if there are any middle-grade adventure fantasy writers here on Tumblr? Like those who love to write (and read) about long lazy summer vacations, mysterious castles and ruins, dragons and treasure maps and things as such?

[kalliedoesart]

Tulip thinks you should order a copy of her book. Don't disappoint Tulip.

Lost on Saturn: A Tulip Goes to Space Adventure is available on Amazon now!

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2023: Day 30

Due to external circumstances, one of our chosen covers was unable to be completed by the original designer. So our Programs Associate, Josie Gepulle, took up the task by doodling some chickens!

Let's wrap things up with Children's Fiction novel Silkie Society by YWP Participant Bailly Collins!

Silkie Society

Connie, Natalie, Sylvia, and Skye are silkie chickens who work as models for Chicken Inc., a company selling all things chickens, secretly run by chickens. Since silkies are smaller than most chickens, the sisters are not always treated like the others. But when the company threatens to close down, the silkies have yet another chance to prove themselves. With the help of some friends and family, they're sure  they can do it. Will they be able to save the company in time? And can they, more importantly, show the other chickens that they are more than meets the eye? Silkie Society is an inspirational story about four chickens, and how there's no such thing as "too little."

About the Author

Bailly Collins is an aspiring author who resides on a picturesque mini-farm in Minnesota. With a passion for storytelling, she has ventured into various genres, including dystopian, children's fiction, and science fiction. With her creative imagination and unique voice, Bailly's writing is both captivating and thought-provoking. When she's not writing, she can be found tending to her animals or exploring the beauty of nature. Bailly is committed to honing her craft and sharing her stories with the world, and she looks forward to bringing her unique perspective to the literary world.

About the Designer

Josie Gepulle is a longtime NaNoWriMo participant! Lately, she's been really into writing food scenes. Maybe it's the unending marathon of baking shows. Outside of fiction, she’ll gladly hand you a media analysis essay. When not writing, she’s a digital artist, stop motion animator, and hamster aficionado.

Cover Design Process:

This year, we gave designers the optional prompt to explain their design process for the cover! Here's Josie's:

Children's Fiction is often accompanied by crayon-like drawings, so I immediately knew how I wanted to draw the chickens! The accessories were added to make them more stylish, it seemed like it would go with their jobs! Maybe I should've gone with something a bit more modern, but I went with the chalkboard backdrop because I can imagine the chickens scratching out their plans on one. Anyway, the overall goal was to draw something whimsical and fun. Hopefully, it comes off as that!

[blueheartbookclub]

"Strings of Imagination: A Masterpiece of illumination"

Carlo Collodi's timeless classic, "The Adventures of Pinocchio," masterfully translated by Carol Della Chiesa, transcends the boundaries of children's literature, enchanting readers of all ages with its whimsical charm and profound allegory.

In this literary odyssey, readers are beckoned into a world where a mischievous puppet, Pinocchio, embarks on a transformative quest, encountering a myriad of characters and challenges that mirror the complexities of human nature. Della Chiesa's translation preserves the vivacity of Collodi's original Italian, allowing readers to savor the nuances of the author's language.

The story, a delightful blend of morality and fantasy, takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions as Pinocchio grapples with the consequences of his choices. From the mischievous antics spurred by his curiosity to the poignant lessons learned from the Blue Fairy and the wise Cricket, the narrative weaves a tapestry of moral insights. Della Chiesa's translation captures the essence of Pinocchio's misadventures, making the tale resonate with readers across generations.

The brilliance of Collodi's storytelling lies in his ability to craft a fable that entertains while conveying profound moral lessons. Pinocchio's journey from a wayward puppet to a compassionate, responsible individual mirrors the universal struggle for self-discovery and personal growth. Della Chiesa's translation elevates the narrative, ensuring that the humor, wit, and moral gravity of Collodi's work are not lost in translation.

Beyond its literary significance, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" remains a cultural touchstone, inspiring adaptations in various art forms. Della Chiesa's translation not only preserves Collodi's original brilliance but also introduces this literary gem to a broader, English-speaking audience.

In conclusion, "Strings of Imagination: A Masterpiece Unveiled" invites readers to relish the whimsy and wisdom of Collodi's classic through the impeccable translation by Carol Della Chiesa. The journey with Pinocchio is not just a delightful escape into fantasy but a profound exploration of the human experience, proving that, like Pinocchio's nose, great literature knows no bounds.

Carlo Collodi's timeless classic, "The Adventures of Pinocchio," is available in Amazon in paperback 10.99$ and hardcover 18.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 228

Language: English

Rating: 10/10            ��                              

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[starryspectre]

A couple of illustrations from a children’s tale I’ve been working on for a while called Understory.

It’s about nature stewardship and family bonds; it follows two sisters who, after the magic Oak at the centre of the forest is cut down, go on a journey to retrieve a number of artifacts that will revive it and stop the forest from dying altogether.