Thursday 25 November 2021

Santa's Ex-Head Elf opens up about Allegations from Troll's Tall Tales Tales that he has gone High Tech this Christmas

Monday 25 October 2021

Review Crew Holly: Sass and Traz Save the Library

 

“Sass and Traz Save the Library”



Written by Michelle Worthington

Book review by Holly, 7 years old

 

Holly’s summary:

Sass and Traz are twins, one is a boy and one is a girl. They like reading together in the town library each day. Ms Burns is the librarian and she is so nice to the kids.

But one day when Sass and Traz entered the library, Ms Burns was in tears!

She told them the library was going to be destroyed by the mayor of the town because he wanted to put a carpark there instead!

Sass wanted to help Ms Burns so she went into the library basement to look for boxes.

She accidentally leant on a metal drawer and she said the word “Pirate”.

Suddenly, the drawer opened and a card fell out and then out came three pirates! They said “Ahoy, ahoy!”

Soon after, three brave knights and a king appeared from the drawers!

Ms Burns was so shocked. She nearly fainted when a handsome knight called Sir Lancelot saved her from falling. She kept blushing because she had a huge crush on him!

Some more amazing characters appeared in the library, like a dragon and Albert Einstein.

Albert Einstein tried to save the library when he told the mayor how special the library was to all the people in the town.

But the mayor ignored him!

The best part of the story was when the mayor accidentally made dinosaurs appear! He said that libraries are dinosaurs and then lots of dinosaurs started walking around the library.

One even bit the mayor!

The mayor was so scared that he ran out of the library and decided to not to destroy the library anymore.

Ms Burns and the twins were so happy that the library wouldn’t be destroyed. I think that they might have a big party to celebrate!

 

My favourite parts of the story:

When the dinosaur bit the mayor, I thought it was so hilarious.










But I especially loved the scene when Ms Burns fell in love with Sir Lancelot and she kept blushing.

 






Age recommendation:

I think kids aged 6 and older would love this book!


Holly’s rating:

I give this amazing book 10/10!

 

Final note:

I can’t wait for the next Sass and Traz book to be published! J

Thursday 23 September 2021

Dave Atze's Belly Button Fluff

 


 

Dave Atze, Author of 'Belly Button Fluff'
Campaign Appearances & Interview

The Authors Online Team are delighted to have the opportunity to support Dave Atze as he begins his campaign to promote his debut children's book, Belly Button Fluff

Between 20-24 September, visit https://www.justkidslit.com/blog/ to join in on the Belly Button Fluff fun, along with other online appearances (including my website, michelleworthington.com on Thursday, 23 August. 

 

 

Interview: Meet Dave Atze

Hi, I’m Dave Atze; a professional fun-haver and all-round goofball from a small town in South Australia. I have been illustrating kids books for 7 years and authoring them for no years.

 



I called my first book Belly Button Fluff so I could say awesome stuff like:

“Just hold my Belly Button Fluff in your hands, see how colourful it is? It will make you feel warm and maybe giggle a bit, too.” And “put your kids to bed with Dave’s Belly Button Fluff! They’ll love it!”





















 

What was the first story you ever wrote and has it been published?

Belly Button Fluff and yes indeedy, it has.

What was your first book published?

I self-published a book called Don’t Shut the Door with Melbourne Author Matt Nichols. I illustrated it.
Then a wonderful and beautiful young lady, Michelle Worthington saw “DSTD” and said to her publisher at the time “pwitty pwees can Dave Illustrate my next book The Three-Legged Kangaroo from Uluru?
They said yes and we all lived happily ever after.

What is your favourite part about being an author?

Getting to draw the silly stuff that I write about. Wait... umm, yeah, I’m like 10% Author 90% Illustrator

What is the hardest part about being an author?

Words, grammar, all that technical stuff. I’m not good at that stuff. But I can tell a fun story. I am very lucky these magical creatures called editors exist. Thanks Diane and Allison!!

What do you do for fun?

I draw. I run. I take photos. And most of all spend time with my wife Ashleigh and Daughter Ella. 

How do you test out your stories? Or who do you test them on?

Friends and family, running buddies and my Author/Illustrator colleagues.

What was your favourite children’s book when you were a kid?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

What is your favourite children’s book now?

Little Baa Baa and Quirky Turkey in I love lemonade.

Have you met anyone even more famous than you that was exciting?

I don’t really live anywhere near anyone who would be famous.

What writing genre do you like to do the most?

I like da funny stuff.

What do you consider your biggest achievement?

I think I have 3 as they all feel quite equal and required a lot of dedication.

  1. I ran a 100km race through the bush. It took 15hrs. (30km with baaaad stomach cramps)
  2. I became a second-degree black belt, and the grading was on par with running 100kms. There were black eyes and broken ribs.
  3. Getting that letter from the publisher saying ‘we loved your manuscript, and we would love to publish your book’. Less grueling but still so many hours of dedication.

What is your favourite way/time to read?

Bedtime stories with my daughter are the best!!

What book are you reading right now?

Ella is learning numbers at the moment and is enjoying Spot can count.

You can discover more of Dave's work and follow him on social by visiting:
Daveatze.com
Instagram.com/daveatze
Twitter.com/daveatze
Facebook.com/daveatzeillustration
 

 



 

 

 

 

Meet Michelle




Michelle Worthington is an international award-winning author, screenwriter and business woman. Shortlisted twice for the Children's Book Council of Australia's picture book of the year, two-time winner of the International Book Award and finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, Michelle also received a Gellett Burgess Award and a Silver Moonbeam Award for her contribution to celebrating diversity in literature. Michelle was the recipient of the 2018 AusMumpreneur Gold Award for Business Excellence and the winner of the 2018 Redlands BaR award for Best Start Up Business. 

Michelle is also a real life book fairy. Her magic powers include turning coffee into award-winning books. Anthology Angels and Authors Online, she waves her wand to coach aspiring authors and illustrators all over the world achieve their dreams of publication. Whether she’s a fairy, a mermaid, a pirate or an elf, Michelle celebrates empowering readers and storytellers to dream big.

Find out more about Michelle and her work here.

 

 

 

Monday 7 June 2021

Top Social Media Tips for Aspiring Authors



Reading to Kids Makes Them More Resilient.


Building small humans into healthy, thriving big ones, isn’t about clearing adversity out of their way. Resilience is being able to bounce back from stress, challenge, tragedy, trauma, or adversity. When children are resilient, they’re braver, more curious and adaptable, and more able to extend their reach into the world. Research tells us that it’s not rugged self-reliance, determination, or inner strength that leads kids through adversity, but the reliable presence of at least one supportive relationship. In the context of a loving relationship with a caring adult, children have the opportunity to develop vital coping skills. Just reading with your child for 10 minutes a day from a book they like which touches on subjects like diversity and problem solving, can increase their resilience, help them manage their own behaviour and feelings, and increase their capacity to develop their own coping strategies during tough times.

Wednesday 24 March 2021

Do books need a rating?


Would book censorship stifle the enjoyment and adventure of reading? In the forever metamorphosing environment of book genres, where young adult novels cover every conceivable topic that adult novels do, it makes sense to categorise books to suit reader age, and emotional intellect. But should written content be treated in the same way as visual content, like a movie? As parents, we have a responsibility to monitor what our kids read. A proactive approach to shared regulating what they read allows for open discussion around story topics, values and emotions; something every parent should be fostering. Children grow up so fast. Not permitting them access to a meaty young adult novel at age 12, even though they’re more than capable of reading it, may mean they remain 12 for just a little longer. Most school librarians are successfully implementing their own rating systems. Is it time to implement something nationwide?

Thursday 18 February 2021

Opening Kids Hearts and Minds with Diversity in Picture Books


The best thing about books is that they can take you anywhere. Books offer us a perspective and experience that we may otherwise never know, and that glimpse into someone else’s story can be integral in creating open and accepting minds and hearts. Children’s books are no exception. Not only are diverse children’s books important for children of colour and with special needs - giving them visibility, relatability, and vital moments of representation - they’re important for all children. In a country as multicultural as ours, it’s vital to offer children an opportunity to see realities and experiences different from their own. Reading books with your children that celebrate diversity will help your children recognise that what is seen as outwardly different can just be a slight variation in the broad spectrum of humanity - and that different is not bad, but beautiful.

Thursday 4 February 2021

Why talking to your kids will make them better readers

Vocabulary is extremely important to a child's literacy development, especially if they struggle to communicate. Having a broader range and understanding of what words mean and do can help even the most reluctant reader. Most people make the mistake of thinking that reading to kids and getting them to read aloud is the first place to start, but this is in fact the end goal. It starts with having a conversation with them on a daily basis.

 

When children see the purpose and priority behind where words fit in their day-to-day lives, they are more responsive to engaging with literacy activities that will foster a love of reading.

Sunday 31 January 2021

Understanding the sensory aspect of books for children with ASD

It can be frustrating to get kids engaged in reading and even harder for children on the spectrum. As a children’s author, here’s my best tips: Don’t attempt to read books at bedtime when they’re tired and cranky. Find a time that works best for them. Choose sensory friendly books with lots of white space and engaging stories or subjects they’re familiar with. Getting them to look at the pictures first before reading will foster discussion and interaction. Allow fidgety behaviour and if they can’t sit still, walk around while reading. Let them touch the book before you start and be slow and deliberate when turning pages. Keep your voice low and calm, adding facial expressions and repetitive head movements as you read the same book again the next day. This process may have to be repeated many times but don’t give up. The reward is well worth the effort.

Saturday 30 January 2021

As an Author, How can you overcome excessive thinking?


Creating awareness:

It is natural that excessive thinking makes a person distracted and makes them unaware that they are preoccupied with thinking. Creating awareness involves recognizing negative thinking circles when they occur, and to have deliberate awareness of excessive thinking. You will be able to control and stop thinking excessively when you monitor your thoughts and actions. Make sure you do not judge your thoughts or worry about excessive thinking. Mindset is everything.

Replace negative thoughts:
Another tip to eliminate negative thinking is to replace your negative thinking with positive thinking after interrupting your over-thinking style. Repeat your positive thinking many times aloud or with a voice in your mind. If your thinking is persistent, you should repeat this process as many times as you need. Over time, you will overcome the habit of negative thinking.

Talk to a trusted person:
There is also another solution to eliminate excessive thinking, which is to share your negative thoughts with someone you trust. This person can be a coach, mentor, counselor or friend. Such people can help you determine if you are overstated or not thinking clearly and they can also help you free yourself from negative thoughts. Your problem may not be as bad as you think and all you need is someone who assures you that you are fine.

Self-employment:
Keeping your mind busy keeps you from negative thoughts. Anything that requires attention may help you. This concern may vary between arranging your bookshelf alphabetically, drawing or calculating your annual expenses. This way you will gradually control your thoughts until you reach your desired level of control.


Exercise:

In addition to increasing self-confidence, exercise increases the secretion of the hormone Androfen and Sertonin, which reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. When you concentrate on exercising, it distracts your mind from negative thoughts. When you have a busy mind, do some exercise, bike or walk for half an hour.

Make decisions:
Sometimes excessive thinking comes from inability to make an important decision. The most appropriate solution is to set a time, whether it is half an hour or two, to think about everything about a topic and when the time is close to completion, the decision was to be made without any hesitation.

Blogging:
During excessive thinking, you can not communicate with the present. One way to get rid of excessive thinking is to train your mind on intentional attention. Get to know your negative thoughts and then get rid of them immediately, or blog about it...It makes for great content!

Just do it:
The trick here is to start the project you want to do instead of thinking about it. Focus on your goal and schedule what you want to do so you can solve every problem on time. A step-by-step move will make you spend less time thinking about it.

Stop trying to reach perfection or control everything:
People think about things in exaggerated contexts until they achieve perfect results. You take into account all possibilities to avoid starting...and the possibility of failure. It is important to keep in mind that all people who have accomplished great things have failed at some point. It is impossible to control everything and avoid any kind of error. You are good enough right now, so begin!