Fables revisited

There have been a lot of fairy tale retellings over the past few years, but I don’t recall seeing a fable retelling recently and I’m delighted to be invited to review this picture book of the Hare and the Tortoise revived: The Great Race.

The writing has a traditional storyteller feel to it, very similar to the Sussex Folk Takes by Michael O’Leary that I read myself a few years ago where I felt myself sitting around a campfire listening to others sharing tales. Given the volume of text and the writing style, I think this book does lend itself to being read aloud.

There are plenty of learnings woven into the narrative (hares vs rabbits, turtles vs tortoises, solitary animals etc) which is great for sparking discussions, and is done in a fun way.

I was a bit puzzled when I first opened this as there seemed to be random words in different colours and underlined, and I wondered if I’d been sent an unedited proof copy, but then I realised it was a vocab trick highlighting particular words and phrases and then echoing them back in simpler English. Never seen this done before but presumably it’s a tried and tested tool from the authors educator background. So I’m not surprised to see a little test sneak in at the end!

Note: British readers may struggle with some of the phrases – “slowpoke” is used repeatedly, which I googled to double check was the same as “slowcoach” (it is).

Giveaway to Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card and e-copy of The Great Race (Open INT)

The author is running a little competition. You can enter here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494604/?

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Blurb

Get Ready, Set, Go!

Who will win the race? Slow and steady or fast and reckless? 

The Great Race is the first bedtime story in the delightful Return to Fable Land series – modern day fables with magical animal adventures, humorous fantasy action, and whimsical ‘talking’ characters with attitude and smarts, engage the imagination and stimulate the intellect, empowering children to go for a personal best. Ages 5 +

Author Bio

Sun Chara has collaborated with her brother, writing as Joe Happy-Light, on several children’s books for Return to Fable Land series. With the authors’ collective backgrounds in education, entertainment, medicine, and martial arts, combined with their entrepreneurial spirit, The Great Race, the first modern day fable in the series.

Why every teen should read “The Hair Dare”

I stumbled across The Hair Dare as it was part of a collection also featuring one of my books, and I do like to browse the rest of the collection.

The blurb is below for more details, but in a nutshell, the twins are identical except for their hair (one straight, one Afro), so when one enters a shampoo competition for a brand that only uses straight-haired models, the other enters too but is immediately rejected, so then starts a campaign to raise awareness of the discrimination.

I loved the way it introduces big topics in an accessible way: sibling rivalry, recognising true friends, discrimination, and active campaigning. With those themes, this could easily have become a bitter and angry story, but it isn’t. It’s upbeat and positive. Quite an achievement in itself, plus the plot itself is catchy and engaging so the story is not swamped by “issues”. Oh, and I absolutely adore the cover!

Blurb

Are You Hip to Hairism? Camille and Mavis Marconi are identical twins with un-identical hair. Camille wears hers straight while Mavis prefers an Afro, and in 1973 your hairstyle can say a lot about you.

Mavis believes a shampoo company’s model search for straight-haired girls discriminates against Afros so she sets out to prove it by entering the contest. Of course, Camille thinks her sister is tripping, so when Herbal Excellence chooses her as a finalist and not Mavis, the debate of duplicates is on!

The girls disagree on just about everything, including whether Julius Barron, the love of Camille’s life, will notice that she’s alive if she wins. In an effort to prove to Camille that hairstyles can influence how people perceive you, Mavis convinces her twin to switch places in school only to discover that ‘hairism’ not only affects their classmates, but misconceptions based on appearances can have unexpected effects.

Interview with the author

I was so impressed I reached out to the author, Faith Knight, for a quick chat to find out more.

Q: Thanks for stopping by, Faith. Please could you introduce yourself as I suspect most of my readers won’t know you.

A: Hello, my name is Faith Knight and I’m the author of several young adult and middle grade novels, my most recent being The Hair Dare. I started writing as a child, inspired by my cousin and legendary children’s book author the late Virginia Hamilton. I published my first book in 2009. It was a self-help dating book! My second self-help book, The Real Book on How to Cook, won the African American Literary Award for Best Cookbook of 2013. I’m actually changing my author name to FM Knight instead of Faith Knight going forward. You’d be surprised how many Faith Knights there are in the US so my books get lost on the Internet, so I felt I needed a name that would stand out from the crowd. 

Q: That makes sense. So, what inspired you to write The Hair Dare?

A: The reason I wrote The Hair Dare is addressed in a post I did a while ago on my TikTok, The Real Knight Author. Growing up in New Castle, Pennsylvania USA, there were a set of twins who lived up the street and though they were not identical, as in my book, they fussed a lot. So I thought it might be fun to write a book set in that time period (the 1970s) featuring twins who argued all the time. And over the years people have always laughed at my snarky attitude so I wanted to try my hand at a humorous book.

Q: The end of the book seems to indicate this is not the end of Camille and Mavis’ story. Is a sequel coming?

A: Yes! I am plotting book two now but not sure when it will be completed; I hope to get it out next year.

Q: Have you done any school visits? This book would be great for school discussions.

A: No, not yet. The book released this past March so it’s not been out a long time and I have been focused on promotions as well as working on other books, but it’s on my to-do list. I am going to New Castle in August to participate in a discussion of the book at the local library, so I am excited about that.

Q: Thanks! Good luck with the sequel and the library visit. I have to say, personally, I would love to see this used in classrooms as it has scope to spark so many conversations.

About the Author

Author picture of Faith Knight

Faith (FM) Knight is the author of several middle grade and young adult books. Her debut YA,  As Gray As Black & White, was well-received by both readers and industry reviewers. She lives in North Carolina USA with her husband, and when she is not writing she enjoys cooking, sewing and Bible education. You can find her @therealknightauthor on Instagram.

It had to be done

I recently did a list of my fav travel adventure books, including my review of “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats. If you read that blog, you’ll recall I accidentally started to read “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” first. Well with such ridiculously long titles, it’s easy to get confused.

Anyway, back over to Bavaria (and other places). As I said, there is absolutely no need to read the books in order as they are completely standalone. And as it turns out, there is no need to even read them in chapter order as I hopped back and forth happily!

This is a bit like reviewing a second Bill Bryson book. You know exactly what you’re getting: short snappy scenes, funny encounters, and a faintly self-depreciating sense of humour. It worked for “Rio” and it works for “Bavaria” (if you think I’m typing those titles in full again, think again.)

Oh and I think I have a new motto for life: what do I want to be able to say if asked if I would rather a) sit on a bar stool, or b) dance (badly) with the mafia? Show me the dance floor every time.

Enjoy the adventure. I did.

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

Top ten travel adventure books

If I could only read one genre for the rest of my life, it would be travel-adventure. I just devour these. It doesn’t matter where or how, I’ll read it. My favourite recent reads have been “Coffee first, then the world” by Jenny Graham – a record breaking solo lap of the planet by bike (and I don’t even cycle), “Ignore the Fear: one woman’s paddle boarding adventure” by Fiona Quinn – a LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) paddle, “Retirement Rebel” by Siobhan Daniels – moving to van life, “From East to West by saddle is best” by Claire Aldritt – a journey across the Scottish Highlands by Horseback, and “Coasting” by Elise Downing. In fact the only one I did not enjoy was the best-selling “Salt Path” by Gaynor Winn – I cannot approve of anyone who thinks it is acceptable to steal from small campsites and small shops, or who thinks living in a council estate would kill her. That makes my blood boil.

Anyway, back to the travel books. In my book group, someone recently asked about funny travel-adventure, and I could only think of “Around Ireland with a Fridge” by Tony Hawkes, so when I was invited to join the book tour for “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” and “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats, I was keen.

I started with “Rio” (seriously I am not typing that long title again!) and the entire first chapter was admonishing me for not reading book 1 first. Ahaha I thought, setting it aside and picking up “Bavarian nightclub” (ditto). This did not lecture me on reading the books in order so I plunged in. Turns out this is Book 3 in the series. I think. I’m still confused. Perhaps the author doesn’t like typing the titles in full which is why he calls then just Book 1 and Book 2 and Book 3.

So I’ve been asked to review “Rio” first. Which might be Book 2. Thankfully, it turns out there is absolutely no need to read them in order, they are perfectly standalone. And funny. I think travel humour can tread a fine line between being rude/ stereotyping, and this stays on the right side. There’s a super balance of people stories and location insights, perfect for lazy travelling, and after reading so many challenge based travel books recently, I’m definitely in the mood for something a bit lazy!

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

A final thought from me

Oh, and I just remembered laughing at “Twitchhiker” by Paul Smith – a challenge to travel to the other side of the world for free using only the power of Twitter. That makes ten.

Mermaids, monsters, and overcoming fears

I’d originally invited the author, Genna Rowbotham, onto my blog to chat about the inspiration behind her new book, Neptune’s Secret Code, but her circumstances changed. In the meantime, I thought I’d share a quick review since I’m currently on holiday sailing and a nautical themed book seems appropriate!

From the start of the adventure, I loved The Magician’s Nephew (CS Lewis, Narnia prequel) reference with the rock pool being the portal. I often talk about the use of portals during school visits and discuss the change from the very complex rings/ pools in The Magician’s Nephew to the simpler (and way more famous) wardrobe.

Anyway, once through into Neptune’s world, there is a LOT going on: mermaids, monsters, secret codes, and the book fairly races through the events so if your young reader is action-focused this will absolutely tick the box.

As an author, I find myself wondering how I would use book during school visits, and for me, I’d probably pick one of the many themes and explore that. There is obviously a strong underling theme of overcoming fears, in this case of the sea following a scary incident which is revealed as the book progresses. This is such a useful discussion topic for any child, whether it is the sea, the dark, spiders, or in my case being locked in a cupboard (thanks to the daughter of one of my mum’s friends who shall remain nameless!).

Blurb

An Undersea Adventure filled with Magic, Friendship, and Bravery!

When Hannah is sucked into a vicious whirlpool in her effort to rescue kitten Leo, she finds herself entering Neptune’s Undersea Kingdom where she reawakens terrifying sea monsters from the depths of the sea. 

The trouble is… Hannah is unable to return home until she’s overcome her fear of the water, defeated the sea monsters, and solved the code that she broke upon entering Neptune’s Kingdom.

With the help of her new friend, Marcie the Mermaid, will Hannah succeed?

COMPETITION TIME: Giveaway to Win One signed copy of Neptune’s Secret Code  and One signed copy of Lottie the Ladybird’s Adventure  (Open to UK Only)

Enter here, good luck! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494592/

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

About the author

Genna Rowbotham started her career as a secretary and has since founded GR Typing Services, an online secretarial business. Inspired by her children, in 2017, she wrote her first story and is now the author of ten books as well as a short story published in the magazine, Brilliant Brainz. Genna has a passion for writing stories that entertain, educate and inspire young ones so they can escape the seriousness of life and enter a world of magic.

She lives with her husband and lively, imaginative daughters in Derbyshire in a house full of books, magazines and all sorts of artwork from her children (empty cereal boxes are often taken from the recycle bin to reinvent something wonderful like a spy camera or a telescope). When Genna’s not writing, she loves reading, star gazing, movie nights, and exploring the great outdoors with her family. You can find