Selfies - Self Published Picture Book reviews

Selfies – more and more, what we once relied on others to do, we now love to attempt ourselves. Book publishing is no exception. The sheer volume of printed (and electronically) produced material out there today is overwhelmingly mind-boggling especially for the discerning parent or caregiver on the hunt for useful literary material to share with children.

Here is a small sample of picture book selfies that came my way. They represent a number of notable similarities; namely, their authors are all driven by an insatiable urge to share their knowledge and past experiences with an audience of children. In most instances, this enthusiasm shows in bucket loads. The topics tackled are often more extreme than themes covered in more mainstream publications reflecting the authors’ culture and life values.

Karen Tyrrell is one such author. Having released two adult memoirs, her attention is now firmly turned to producing books that empower and educate children on a number of mental health issues. Her latest picture book, Harry Helps Grandpa Remember is perhaps the best example of this assertion to date.

More restrained than her previous titles, Harry is written with warmth and genuine understanding. Using child-friendly language, it conveys a young boy’s struggle to retain his special relationship

with his grandfather once he develops the onset of dementia.

Tyrrell playfully weaves in remedies allowing Harry to help improve Grandpa’s memory and thus regain the intimacy they have always shared. By equipping Harry with the power to discover ways to help and implement them himself, readers understand that certain mental health situations may be reversed or at least sufficiently managed to continue living, and enjoying life.

Aaron Pocock’s jolly illustrations bounce with vitality bringing Harry and the characters of his grandparents’ farm to life.

A useful addition to the world of biblio-therapy.

Digital Future Press June 2015

As part of the launch of Karen’s book this month her BlogTour features an exciting Book Giveaway. Check out all the details at the end of this post for your chance to win. 

Can You Keep a Secret by Robin Adolphs and Trevor Salter is more suited to beginner readers. Its high-level repetition is ideal for shared reading with youngsters as young as two years-old as well.

The premise is surprisingly simple; Scram Monster has a secret he is busting to share. However, once he does, the concept of actually keeping a secret is hilariously lost on his monster mates who pass it on and on until finally it circulates back to Scram.

Slater’s’ bold, expressive monster illustrations provide plenty of clues to encourage children to guess the secret before the big reveal. And what is this? Ah, that you’ll have to see for yourself.

As with her previous picture books , Adolphs takes pride in creating story situations that are deceptively simple in appearance but full of lots of lovely ‘extra’ meanings. Funny and smartly paced, each book comes with loads of handy teaching notes and well-conceived free activities too.

Looking forward to her next picture book release, Sylvia's Itch available now.

Butternut Publishing 2014

Although of a slightly different calibre to the former two, Nanna’s Boot Camp, the second 'Nanna' picture book by Vicki Griffin embodies the same self-driven passion to explore cultural diversity and artistic talents and deliver them in a relatable way to young readers.

Nanna’s Boot Camp is an indigenous inspired play on words involving a visit to nanna’s country home by a group of teens. What they encounter and whom they meet there, is set to change their ideas about boot camp, forever. Delivered with sincerity and heart, Nanna's Boot Camp was warmly received by our Australian Children's Laureate, Jackie French.

Available through Gondor Writers' Centre - Morris Publishing Australia  2014

Not all self-published books for children tick every box in terms of what makes a good book great, but then this is an attribute many commercial mainstream produced titles share as well. You be the judge. As Jackie French points out, hunting down self published titles online permits readers to experience tales they might not otherwise have found in bookshops.

With the succession of selfies and hybrid authors (both) on the rise and the puddle of opportunities for new authors to emerge through traditional means rapidly diminishing, these stories are fast becoming distinguishable chips in the chocolate biscuit that is the world of children’s literature. Devour some if you dare.

Harry helps Grandpa Remember Blog Tour Book Giveaway

Simply leave a comment on any of the tour sites below for a chance to win a signed print copy or one of five E-copies of Harry Helps Grandpa Remember. Six copies in total up for grabs.  Winners announced by Karen, 3rd July.

  

23 June: Ali Stegert Interview http://ali-stegert.com/

24 June: Di Bates Buzz Words Review http://diannedibates.blogspot.com.au/

25 June: Robyn Opie Interview www.robynopie.blogspot.com

25 June: Jackie Hosking Review www.jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com

26 June: Charmaine Clancy Author Platform http://charmaineclancy.com/

29 June: Sally Odgers interview http://promotemeplease.blogspot.com.au

30 June: Jill Smith Review https://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com

30 June: June Perkins Interview http://gumbootspearlz.org/

Harry Helps Grandpa Remember   is now on Amazon world-wide as a print Book and as an eBook.

Good Luck.

For another gorgeous and sensitive introduction to the challenges of Alzheimer's Disease in loved ones check out Newspaper Hats by Phil Cummings and Owen Swan, out this month. I'll be featuring this review on Boomerang Books Blog. Not a selfie, but another useful and relevant vehicle with which to expose young readers to life's larger dilemmas.