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Showing posts from November, 2018

The Magic of Reading Aloud

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About six years ago, I launched my first book, PS Who Stole Santa's Mail? I was a consummate newbie to the book launching game and filled my presentation time (and my audience's ears) with platitudes of gratefulness and incredulity. However, there was one point I did linger on ... the joy of hearing a book read aloud. For me, listening to story time on Play School is still one of the purest joys on earth. To hear another human's voice relay ' the flow of language ', slowly unveiling a story you can't wait to hear the ending for is indescribably soothing and fulfilling. I think this is because from the inception of speech, it is something that we have been conditioned and accustomed to. I'd forgotten how good this made me feel until I was lucky enough to listen to a teacher librarian read a clutch of picture books to a group of children I was conducting the Read Up program with at the time. Again, hearing the rise and fall of a human voice bring the

White Ribbon Day 23 November 2018

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Two BIG days occur in the month of November: White Ribbon Day 23 November and the United Nations UNiTE to End Violence against Women: 25 November . Both aim to create societies where women and children can live in safety free from fear and abuse.  AT THE END OF HOLYROOD LANE is a picture book that dares to address this fear and provide acknowledgement and hope for suffers in abusive situations.  With its soft, supportive illustrations that encapsulate and extend the sensitive, subtle text superbly, and endorsed by a number of agencies concerned about the children caught in the middle of domestic violence such as Act for Kids , RizeUp , Paradise Kids , and Think Equal , this is a conversation starter that may bring a lot of comfort, help and hope to the children in our care.  Barabara Braxton , ReadPlus & The Bottom Shelf   I wrote this picture book because of a plea to create meaningful stories accessible to children suffering or witnessing family violence.

World Kindness Day - Healing the World!

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November 13 is World Kindness Day Comos - WKD floral symbol A day to ' to look beyond ourselves, beyond the boundaries of our country, beyond our culture, our race, our religion; and realise we are citizens of the world. As world citizens we have a commonality, and must realise that if progress is to be made in human relations and endeavours, if we are to achieve the goal of peaceful coexistence, we must focus on what we have in common. When we find likenesses we begin to experience empathy, and in such a state we can fully relate to that person or those people.' For me, it's the supreme power of story that promotes empathy. Stories collected over time, through life experiences, embellished with hope and humour and ultimately shared , like the stories we share with children. The best stories of all. When you read with a child, you share more than just a tale in words (and pictures). You share smiles, distribute joy, radiate love and yes, generate emo

Time to Get Your Tinsel On - SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFER!

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Stuck for gift ideas to stick in your Christmas stockings this year?  Why not fill them with the gift that keeps on giving - BOOKS. Here's one for the kids' that's guaranteed to ignite the flame on their Christmas puddings and keep the spirit and magic of the season aglow.  PS WHO STOLE SANTA'S MAIL ? is a lightly illustrated, action-packed, comical Christmas mystery about disappearing mail, an evil elf, and questionable smells that rips along at the speed of a galloping reindeer.  This junior novel is ideal for independent readers between 7 - 10 years.  A fabulous read with a mystery to solve along the way. Dimity Powell writes with warmth and humour and makes reading a joy. Amazon Review Order your signed copy today and receive it in time for Christmas. Simply contact me now to order or click on the image below.   $15.00 FREE POSTAGE* for orders between now and Christmas. *Offer valid on orders made directly with the author. F