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Three Quick Questions: Rebecca Cool #12

Posted on October 17, 2011October 16, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Rebecca Cool, illustrator of Isabella’s Garden and For All Creatures (both written by Glenda Millard).

1. Where do you like to draw/paint/sketch?

My favourite place to paint is of course in my studio and I often sketch out ideas while watching T.V.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor published by Houghton Mifflin is a book I recently bought. Each traditional nursery rhyme is illustrated by stitching onto felt—gorgeous!

Pocketful of Posies by Salley Mavor — Rebecca Cool recommends 'Pocketful of Posies' by Salley Mavor

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have illustrator’s block?

Go for a walk.

Find out more about Rebecca Cool—visit her website and read about her on the Walker Books website.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Rebecca Cool” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when we’ll hear from author Sandy Fussell!)

competitions

3rd Birthday Giveaway Day 1

Posted on October 17, 2011October 16, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

It’s always fun to unwrap a few presents at a birthday party—and since we’re turning three we’ve decided to give away some notebooks and pens to celebrate. All writers need a notebook for jotting down interesting words, snippets of conversation or ideas for the next story or poem. We have one writer’s notebook and pen to giveaway each day for three days (starting today!).

Here’s today’s notebook and pen giveaway. One spiral-bound notebook and a blue pen.

If you’d like to enter today’s notebook-and-pen-giveaway, there are two steps.

1) Leave a comment on this post, saying how you first heard about Alphabet Soup magazine.

2) Send our editor an email quoting a favourite first sentence in a children’s book you have read, and the book it is from. (Children’s book must be suitable for readers under 12.)

Note: this is not a random draw, we will choose the entry with the first sentence that makes us want to read (or re-read) the book in question!

Some fine print:

We are only able to post the prize to Australian addresses. You are welcome to enter if you live overseas but you will need to nominate a lucky friend or relative in Australia to receive the prize.

Competition opens at 3am on Monday 17 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will email the winner asking for an address where we can post the prize. If we do not hear back from the winner by 28 October, we will award the notebook to the runner-up of the competition.

Notebooks and pens were purchased by Alphabet Soup’s editor. We have no affiliation with the brands or stockists and have received no incentives from these companies. (Our editor just went out and bought notebooks with inviting-looking covers.)

No correspondence will be entered into regarding the winner. Our decision is final.

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Posted on October 16, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

3rd birthday biscuits — Thanks to Charmaine, who made Number Three biscuits for our writers to take home - in honour of our 3rd birthday.

On Friday we met an enthusiastic group of young writers at the City of Vincent Library in Leederville (WA). The afternoon was off to a festive start with door prizes to celebrate our third birthday—Riley and the Dancing Lion, a set of the complete Jake series (so far!), a writer’s notebook-and-pen, and Pearlie in Paris. Annette Flexman—one of the magazine’s illustrators—drew a pirate ship for everyone to collage and colour, and also assisted with the folding of origami sailboats (sailing is the theme of our spring issue!). Photos to come!

We had a great time. A big thank you to all our young writers who attended and wrote such brilliant poems and book reviews. (We’ll be sharing some of their book reviews on the blog later this week, so stay tuned.)

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Three Quick Questions: Katrina Germein (#11)

Posted on October 15, 2011October 8, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Katrina Germein, author of Big Rain Coming and My Dad Thinks He’s Funny.

1. Where do you like to write?

I’m not picky. I’ll draft anywhere—on a bus, in a park, beside the sea. I love notebooks with fancy covers and keep a store in my car and my handbag for when I find a few minutes to scribble ideas. When it comes to sustained writing and editing I like to work at a desk with my computer. It doesn’t need to be my desk and it doesn’t need to be very big but it needs to be in a quiet place. I’m not one of those authors who can work with music playing.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

George and Ghost by Catriona Hoy and Cassia Thomas. It’s beautiful. I love all of Catriona Hoy’s picture books. I’d love to have written them myself!

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

‘I was the only one with a key.’

Find out more about Katrina Germein and her books—visit her website and her blog.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Katrina Germein” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here on Monday, when we’ll have the first of our birthday giveaways!)

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Three Quick Questions: Aleesah Darlison (#10)

Posted on October 14, 2011October 8, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Aleesah Darlison, author of many books including the Totally Twins series and new series, Unicorn Riders.

1. Where do you like to write?

I usually write in my study where it’s quiet and cosy and where I can display photos, posters and props, etc about what I’m writing about.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

A book I read recently—The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths. Very funny.

The 13-storey Treehouse (cover) — Aleesah recommends The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Magic.

Find out more about Aleesah Darlison and her books—visit her website.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Aleesah Darlison” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Katrina Germein answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Sheryl Gwyther (#9)

Posted on October 13, 2011October 8, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is author Sheryl Gwyther—her most recent book is Charlie and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper.

1. Where do you like to write?

I have a study to write in, but I can write anywhere (if I’m in the writing mood). Funny thing, though, the place where I write a first draft reminds me of that time whenever I go there—like on our back deck, where I wrote the first draft of Singing the Wires and the words poured out of my head. Luckily, it’s all good memories.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

Just finished John Heffernan’s book Battle Boy—Spying on the Past, written under the name of Charlie Carter. It’s the first in a series of exciting, short adventure books for young readers. Easy to read, gripping and cleverly bringing the past alive when a young boy—Napoleon Augustus Smythe—hurtles back through time and into … the big battles of the past. Lots of techo stuff (and illustrations) to intrigue kids.

Battle Boy (cover) — Sheryl Gwyther recommends Battle Boy by Charlie Carter

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Rather than one word or phrase, I use my ‘Double Trouble Game’—think of two words that are ‘bad roommates’, put them together and ask, ‘What If? I used this method to get the ideas flowing for my story Princess Clown. Also for my work-in-progress, Fangus Fearbottom (fang and banana—yes, bad room mates!)

Find out more about Sheryl Gwyther and her books—visit her website and check out her 4Kids blog, too.

Sheryl’s most recent book, Charlie and the Red Hot Chilli Pepper is available from Pearson Australia.

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Sheryl Gwyther” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Aleesah Darlison answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Cristy Burne (#8)

Posted on October 12, 2011October 8, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Cristy Burne, author of the Takeshita Demons books.

1. Where do you like to write?

In a café, on my laptop, with a chilli hot chocolate somewhere nearby. I like writing in cafés because it usually means I have two or three hours of uninterrupted time.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I usually read action-adventure-fantasy stories, but lately I’ve been trying some different genres. Most recently, I loved Meg McKinlay’s Duck for a Day … it’s quirky and clever and fun. I also loved Warning! Aliens are Invading the School! by Dinah Capparucci—it’s Very Funny!

Duck for a day (cover) — Cristy Burne recommends Duck for a Day by Meg McKinlay

Warning! Aliens are invading the school! (cover) — Cristy also recommends Warning! Aliens are Invading the School! by Dinah Capparucci

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

“headless”

I like to write scary stories about strange monsters and spooky demons, so “headless” is a great start for imagining a new kind of creature. It opens up lots of nice questions: Why is it headless? Does it miss its head? Does it have any extra bits to make up for its missing head? Is it attacking me? Is it making me a cup of tea?

Find out more about Cristy Burne and Takeshita Demons—visit her website and check out her blog.

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Sheryl Gwyther answers our Three Quick Questions.)

Book reviews by Pippa

Book Review – Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper

Posted on October 11, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper, by Maggie Alderson, ill. Claire Fletcher, ISBN 9780670075355, Viking (Penguin Group Australia).

Reviewed by Philippa, age 9 ½ .*

Evangeline the toy elephant lives a life under the bed of her child, who now no longer plays with her. Evangeline only comes out when she is pushed out by the lady who comes to clean and vacuum every week. But when she is transported Upstairs, she experiences a whole new life, meets lots of new friends and is even selected to help the wish keeper directly to grant wishes. One by one, the toys all get selected for a special job helping to keep the hope in wishes, until Evangeline is the only one left. Will Evangeline’s wish be granted?

This is a chapter book. The writer paints the pictures in your head, and when you turn a page to a colourful illustration, they are just right!

Children aged 7 to 12 would love this amazing story.

–

*Philippa is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper was provided by the publisher.

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Three Quick Questions: Mark Wilson (#7)

Posted on October 11, 2011October 8, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Mark Wilson, author and illustrator of many books, including Ben and Gracie’s Art Adventure and The Little Wooden Horse.

1. Where do you like to write/do your artwork?

At the beach or around the coast somewhere. I love rock pools and rocky headlands.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

The Mr. Badger series, by Leigh Hobbs. The most brilliant little pen and ink drawing on page after page!

Mr Badger (cover) — Mark Wilson recommends the Mr Badger series by Leigh Hobbs

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s or illustrator’s block?

Two words … Stay cool.

Find out more about Mark’s books and illustrations on his website!

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author Cristy Burne answers our Three Quick Questions.)

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Three Quick Questions: Tania McCartney (#6)

Posted on October 10, 2011October 8, 2011 by Alphabet Soup

All through October, Alphabet Soup is celebrating turning three. We have heaps of writers and illustrators stopping by to answer THREE QUICK QUESTIONS and today’s visitor is Tania McCartney, author of the ‘Riley the Little Aviator’ series. The latest is the series is Riley and the Grumpy Wombat.

1. Where do you like to write?

In my trackie dacks. All hail the trackie dacks! I write from within these dacks … though of course, I don’t use my legs to type. I suppose I could get little teensy trackie dacks made for my fingers? I also like to write in cafés with my laptop, although I don’t wear my trackie dacks to the café. If you saw my trackie dacks, you’d know why.

2. Can you name a book you’d recommend to our readers?

I read the new Dr Seuss book—The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories—and it wasn’t even published yet, so I felt very special seeing it so early. My heart was thumping out of my chest when I first picked it up. It thumped so hard, I had to give the book a hug to calm my heart down. I know I don’t need to recommend a new Dr Seuss book, because if you’re a reader, you’ll know how good the book will absolutely most certainly be. So I won’t say a thing. Except “read it”!

The Bippolo Seed (cover) — Tania McCartney recommends The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories by Dr Seuss

3. Can you offer a word or phrase that kids could use for inspiration if they have writer’s block?

Onomatopoeia. (That’s all those funny words that sound like something—crash, tinkle, splash, squelch … you can use them to kick-start any sentence.)

Tania’s latest book—Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: a journey around Melbourne—is out now. See more on Tania’s books at www.taniamccartney.com or visit her book character Riley at his own blog—www.rileyaviator.blogspot.com. Make sure you stop by www.kids-bookreview.com for some really cool book reviews and author/illustrator interviews, too!

(Psst … see you back here tomorrow, when author- illustrator Mark Wilson answers our Three Quick Questions.)

Three Quick Questions: Rebecca Cool #12

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Rebecca Cool” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

3rd Birthday Giveaway Day 1

Some fine print:

We are only able to post the prize to Australian addresses. You are welcome to enter if you live overseas but you will need to nominate a lucky friend or relative in Australia to receive the prize.

Competition opens at 3am on Monday 17 October 2011 and ends on Friday 21 October at 11.59pm. (Times as per Perth, Western Australia)

We will email the winner asking for an address where we can post the prize. If we do not hear back from the winner by 28 October, we will award the notebook to the runner-up of the competition.

Notebooks and pens were purchased by Alphabet Soup’s editor. We have no affiliation with the brands or stockists and have received no incentives from these companies. (Our editor just went out and bought notebooks with inviting-looking covers.)

No correspondence will be entered into regarding the winner. Our decision is final.

Three Quick Questions: Katrina Germein (#11)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Katrina Germein” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Three Quick Questions: Aleesah Darlison (#10)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Aleesah Darlison” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Three Quick Questions: Sheryl Gwyther (#9)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Sheryl Gwyther” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Three Quick Questions: Cristy Burne (#8)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Cristy Burne” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Book Review – Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper

Three Quick Questions: Mark Wilson (#7)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Mark Wilson” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)

Three Quick Questions: Tania McCartney (#6)

© October 2011 “Three Quick Questions with Tania McCartney” by Rebecca Newman (Alphabet Soup magazine)