Our current era has been around for 60 million years and gradually comprised every species including mammals currently living on earth today – regardless of their circumstances or how much they sleep.
What is this Cenozoic Era? A time when Earth’s flora and fauna evolved into those of the present day.
The Cenozoic ‘New Life’ era can also be named ‘Age of Mammals’. Interestingly we humans often don’t care very well for other humans or our animal mammals do we?
My theory: This could be why past civilisations and animal species died out and are still disappearing.
Just could not go past these two new children’s books without buying them! I am sure many younger and older readers will enjoy reading them too. One is fabulous fun with fine furry friends, and the other is an exciting adventure with intrepid young orphans in the big city. Read on…
A truly delightful book from start to finish. In ‘Hazel’s Treehouse’ author Zanni Louise has created adorable characters and oh so wonderful dialogue between a young girl Hazel and her four Australian bush animal friends. The treehouse is a snug place from which stories unfold and adventures begin. There are lovely little kindness explanations from Hazel when things go awry or plans go askew. She is like the older sister with rambunctious siblings, the one who peps things up or calms things down by showing a different way of looking at situations; particularly taming the dark before bedtime. But not always, as in ‘Small Pants Friday’ the rainy-stuck-inside-day when everyone gets a bit grumbly.
Then there’s Kevin, their new neighbour who has a continent-sized smile but a troubling agenda which causes Poky echidna to turn a bothered colour of grey. I’ll let you find out how that turns out. In ‘Hazel’s Treehouse’ the creativity, seasonal indoor and outdoor fun are beautifully rendered by Judy Watson, her joyous illustrations enhance the story and my favourite character is Odette, an active pademelon wallaby. When a little burst of reading happiness is needed, it is well worth having this gem on your kidlit bookshelf. Also suitable for a little bit of inspiration on those long lazy summer holidays. GBW 2024
Totally besotted with this book! I have read and adored previous books by author/illustrator Judith Rossell, featuring intrepid Stella Montgomery, and loved the stories so much I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a hardcover copy of ‘The Midwatch’ featuring unwanted orphan Maggie Fishbone and her adventures in what I think may be a parallel universe; although disconcertingly similar to early twentieth century America.
Maggie is banished to the notorious Midwatch Institute for Orphans and everything happens from there. Immersive, detailed and beautifully illustrated this is so unlike the world I inhabit yet similar at the same time. It is a story of fearless kind brave clever young characters speaking in the vernacular of that time, ready to face airships, scary monsters and villains. What does the ritzy Tiergarten Hotel hold..? A wardrobe but no lion, something far more ferocious. Then humour pops up at unexpected times.
Chapter 14, in the city library, is one of my favourites. “Nell’s eyes were shining. ‘I never knew there were so many books,’ she whispered. ‘Imagine reading them all. You’d know just about everything in the world, wouldn’t you?” As the story evolves, Maggie and her cohort have so much to investigate, a valuable brooch, a kidnapped friend, leading the reader not only with words and deeds, tension and suspense, but through the superb visualisations, and the occasional odd tip like “How to Escape from Quicksand”. I think this book is the bees knees for middle grade school readers looking for something different featuring engaging young adventurers. Good gravy there is even a chocolate cake recipe! GBW 2024
Rich dark chocolate cake baked by Dot Bernet from ‘The Midwatch’ recipe by author/illustrator Judith Rossell 2024
About Me: Reader, Writer, Reviewer, Blogger. My book reviews cover many genres and I don’t believe in writing one side of my reading experience. There are chunks of praise and criticism. Favourite books are Crime, Quirky, Mystery, History but much more.
A few years ago I was part of a creative writers group named the Duck Pond. Its participants, flourishing new authors, are nicknamed Duckies. Yes, I was one of those Duckies and so was Zanni Louise. As is the way of the world, I faded away but Jen Storer’s Duck Pond and independent Zanni are still creating. Naturally I follow them closely although I’m not writing as much in the way of children’s stories these days. Currently I have discovered the fun in limericks and force them upon my unsuspecting friends. But I digress, this blog post is all about Zanni Louise, her soaring literary career and super-exciting writers trip to sun-soaked Tuscany, Italy. My apologies for the small typeface and random display of images (my technical glitch) but you can still read the exciting highlights in Zanni’s personal newsletter below! ❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
“A NEW MONTH, A NEW BOOK… AND COME WRITE WITH ME IN ITALY” SAYS ZANNI
Hi! I’m Zanni Louise, living and writing full-time in Northern NSW, Australia. I’m the author of over thirty-five bestselling and internationally published books for kids. My latest middle-grade book Cora Seen and Heard is out this May with Walker Books. This newsletter takes you behind the scenes of my writing life, and keeps you up-to-date with latest books, retreats and courses. A new month, a new book… and come write with me in Italy. This month, I am excited to launch my new book Cora Seen and Heard. Plus, hear about Deborah Abela’s new book, enter a two-book giveaway and register for our Italian writing retreat in 2025.
My new book Cora Seen and Heard has been launched into the world… image how you felt when you were twelve? A while back, I was reconnecting with twelve-year-old Zanni—phew, there was a lot going on in that little brain. Questions like, How come everyone has it sorted? and How can I unify the person in my head with the person in the world? and Does anyone like me? If so, why?! Are they mad? I kept reams of journals full of questions. It wasn’t until years later, I realised so many people wrestle with these thoughts and feelings. I also realised that being vulnerable and embracing my flaws meant I connected with others. Connections have always been one of the most important things for me. Fast forward to grown-up Zanni, who still doesn’t have it sorted but no longer worries so much about it.
Inspiration:Grown-up Zanni came across a picture of an abandoned ballroom by French photographer Francis Meslet and boy, was I moved by this image! I wanted to set a story here. Twelve-year-old Cora moves to an abandoned theatre in a small country town called Caroline Creek, Tasmania, and the poor thing has to wrestle with the headspace of twelve-year-old Zanni. I started writing Cora Seen and Heard in lockdown 2021. To hold the actual book in my hand years later is the dream. To read the lovely reviews, to sit with film producers at Adaptable this month to talk about it, to know it’s in bookshops as of today.
My friend Deborah Abela asks me if there’s any of Zanni in this book. Well, yes. There’s a lot. My thoughts, feelings, personality, blood, sweat (thankfully no tears) and a whole lotta love. Because every book deserves that, at minimum, and every reader does too. So this is my soul laid bared. I hope you enjoy the ride. Have a read of the first few chapters here. Buy the book at any bookstore you’d like to support. Signed copies are available through Book Room Collective and a special 20% bulk discount + free Zoom visit for book clubs and classrooms is available through Gleebooks. Contact Rachel for details.
Cora Seen and Heard Author Zanni Louise—Junior Fiction SYNOPSIS: Cora Lane gets tongue-tied, is often ignored and would rather hide in the library than step onto a stage. However, when her parents decide to renovate an old theatre in small-town Tasmania, Cora realises this is the perfect opportunity for her to reinvent her personality. Cora quickly slips back into her old ways and once again makes friends with the librarian rather than kids her own age. She feels lost, frustrated she’s not the person she wants to be and she shares her deepest feelings with her imaginary pen pal. The last thing she would expect is for her letters to go missing. And now, the real Cora Lane is about to go public—but is she ready?
Introducing The Kindness Project—This month, Deborah Abela launches her brand new book The Kindness Project which is a verse novel about four kids who are flung together to work on a school project and come to understand the meaning of kindness. It’s one of the bravest, most experimental, most moving books I have read in a long time. If you’re in Queensland, please join Deb and I for a joint launch Wednesday 22 May 2024 at Where The Wild Things Are bookshop in West End, Brisbane. A family ticket will get you a book!
Creative Corner with Deborah Abela. Each month, I invite an author friend to reflect on their creative process. This month, we hear from Deborah Abela.THE KINDNESS PROJECT – The Novel that Demanded to be Verse. ‘It all started with a scene’ says Deborah. A young kid called Nicolette kidnaps her nanna from a nursing home—AKA Alcatraz. I thought it would be a light-hearted novel about the love between a kid and her nanna, in the same way I loved my strong, feisty nanna. But, as with all my novels, I started asking questions and everything changed. Who is this kid? Why are she and Nanna so close? Where’s Grandpop? Why is Nanna in a nursing home and why does Nicolette want to kidnap her? What about her friends? And her mum? And most importantly… what is the story really about? That kidnapping scene became just one part of the story. In fact, it’s the inciting incident that hurtles the novel into the second act, where much bigger dilemmas are faced. I’ve written 30 books, all in prose, but this novel demanded to be written in verse, which I’ve never done before. I’ve always LOVED verse novels, but I kept thinking, ‘I can’t write in verse! I have no idea what I’m doing’. But the novel was insistent, so I tentatively started and soon found it freeing and fun! Not only did I have to tell the story in short, sharp verses, getting to the point of each verse very quickly, I also played with form, fonts, font size and verse length, which together, create the feel and meaning of the story.
Signed Book Giveaway! To help Deb and I celebrate our new books, we’d love to invite you to join our competition where we will be giving away a signed copy of The Kindness Project and Cora Seen and Heard. To enter, share our news with a friend or your community and let me know. Entries close midnight 5th May 2024. Australian addresses only please.
So, how about that Tuscan writing retreat? Yes, it’s happening! Spend three days with me in the Italian countryside next April 2025 alongside two wonderful US literary agents, Lori Kilkelly and Ammi-Joan Paquette, and an exceptionally talented Italian illustrator, Gaia Bordicchia. Lori and Ammi-Joan will offer pitch and first page critiques. Gaia will run a workshop, as will I. The location is beautiful. Honestly. I nearly fall over every time I look at the pictures. Held at picturesque Ancora del Chianti, 30 km from Florence, you can relax in your own room, wander the gardens and enjoy the communal areas. Fresh meals will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarian options available. This could be you! Between workshops and private sessions, you will have ample opportunity to work on your creative projects. We will also facilitate peer-to-peer feedback. The retreat will be held just after the Bologna Book Fair next year, meaning you can travel to Italy for more than one children’s book experience! There are very limited spaces. And honestly, I think this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life. I hope you can join me. Register here.
Thoughts Become Words 