The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles) – Vivian French & Nigel Baines - Review

The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles), is a unique and inspired picture book that tackles the matter of reluctance to read head on by carefully and amusingly putting a positive counterargument for many of the common ’justifications’ for not reading.

The books is simple formatted with a character that gives their personal justification for not reading; ‘Reading’s rubbish,’ ‘I don’t have the time to read’, and ‘I can’t find a book I like’, to name a few and then shows other vibrantly visualised characters sharing their solutions to the reason while encouraging the character to reconsider their stance and give reading another chance. 

Having raised two children and helped them on their journey from reluctant readers to avid readers, plus my experiences of bookselling and helping out in schools, I’ve heard each and every one of the justifications for not reading that are addressed in this book, and have myself used the counter points and so I find this book a breath of fresh air. ‘The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles)’, is an accessible and light-hearted way of encouraging children (and adults) to reconsider their preconceptions about reading. The book cleverly highlights many peoples anxieties about reading and shows that reading, when given the chance can be rewarding whilst demonstrating that reading is personal and that each person can experience and enjoy reading in their own way.

Coming from publisher Barrington Stoke, it may be no surprise that ‘The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles)’ also illustrates the plights of people who find reading difficult, and in a nurturing manor shows alternative ways of accessing books, like audio books, and e-books, along with explaining ways that make reading easier like using coloured lenses or filters. But most importantly and reassuringly, it shows in print and pictures that finding reading difficult is not uncommon, and that there are many people who find decoding words and letter challenging. Sometimes knowing you are not alone is all you need to help you persevere.

‘The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles)’, is not only an accessible book that can engage reluctant readers and encourage to them to read, but it also a valuable resource for promoting empathy and understanding to children whom don’t have difficulties accessing the written word, to the challenges of children who do.

In short I would love to see a copy of ‘The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles)’ in every classroom and library, to encourage reluctant and challenged readers to pick up a book, and to help other children to be emphatic and encouraging to their classmates who may find books intimidating. 

Having said that, ‘The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles)’ would be equally placed on a home bookshelf, as it also doubles as manifesto of reader’s rights, mirroring in a child (and parent) friendly way many of the concepts of Daniel Pennac and Quentin Blake’s ‘Rights of the Reader’, by reassuring that it is OK to stop reading a book that you are not enjoying.

Lastly, I must take my hat off to ‘The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles)’ creators; wordsmith Vivian French, illustrator Nigel Baines and publishers Barrington Stoke for tapping into the current zeitgeist and shining a light on an accept of publishing that has long been under represented.

The Covers of my Book are Too Far Apart (and other grumbles) is in short; a brave and engaging book with positive messages which is effectively a love letter reading, but more than that, it is a humorous and charming picture book, which can be enjoyed for its story alone.

Tommy V Cancer - 3D Review - The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom - Tommy Donbavand – Editor Interview with Danny Pearson

Today we are concluding our 3D review of Tommy Donbavand's, The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom with an interview with his editor Danny Pearson.

Danny Pearson is senior editor at Badger Learning. To find out more about Danny and Badger follow
@Danny_D_Pearson  and @BadgerLearning.

What was your favourite children’s book as a child?

I would love to say something romantic like at the age of four I had my head in The Wind in the Willows or War and Peace, which are pretty much the same book, but I can’t. I loved non-fiction books especially a book that may not have been entirely appropriate for me at a young age - The Usborne Guide to the Supernatural World. Worth a look see if you ever get the chance. The images alone are horrific. I don’t know how Usborne thought it was appropriate for anyone under the age of 18! But no complaints from me as they all helped mold me into the human I am today.

What is your favourite children’s book as an adult?

I have become a massive fan of picture books. To tell a story using a very limited amount of words (sometimes now words) is a tricky task. A lot of professional writers struggle when faced with the limits of a low word count. I am a very visual being and I love to see how the illustrator has interpolated the writers words.

It is impossible for me to narrow down all the books I have seen and to say ‘That one... that one there is the best there has ever been!’ But I will say among the best modern picture books I have seen are The Day the Crayons Quit and Oi Frog. Again, worth a look see if you ever get the chance.

What do you think makes children’s books so inspirational?

Passion!!!... and a good marketing team who have a bottomless pot of gold as their budget,

Illustration's by Peter Richardson

What made you want to work in children’s publishing?

I heard it paid well. I can confirm that it does not. Unless you are JK Rowling.

But in all honesty I used to work in a Waterstones store. I was promoted to looking after the entire Children’s department and from there my love of children’s books came flooding back. I wanted to be on the ‘other side’. I wanted the chance to make the books!

What makes The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom stand out?

The plot is great and it grabbed my attention as soon as it arrived onto my desk.

Following her supervillain parents being captured and locked away in jail, Melody Doom is adopted by a family who couldn’t be more different to hers.

Her goody two shoes foster family are a complete nightmare. They sing songs, wear bright colours and, worst of all, play charades every night! Melody knows she needs to escape, but how?

Hatching a plan involving her fluffy pink foster sister as a sidekick, Melody attempts to break into the jail and release her parents. But will the pony-loving princess give the game away?

Find out in The Terrible Tale…

I loved it!

Badger Books Gems are designed for challenged readers. Does this impact how you edit these books?

Massively! Thankfully Tommy is an expert at writing for reluctant/ struggling readers and knows what language we can use. The imagery in these books can say more than what a 100 words can a lot of the time. Tricky, long and hard to decode words are out in most cases. This does make it very difficult for an author to keep the story entertaining but the prized authors I work with make it look easy.

 

Tommy V Cancer was initially started to create moral support for Tommy and his family in the difficult time, but as his battle has gone on, the reality of being a jobbing writer (like any self-employed professional) has reared its ugly head; income. So if after reading this of any you wish to find out more about Tommy’s battle, or how to support him, visit: Tommy V Cancer.

Also Don't forget to check out the other posts in the Tommy V Cancer Blog Tour...

Tommy V Cancer - 3D Review - The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom - Tommy Donbavand – Childs Review

Continuing our 3D review of Tommy Donbavand's The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom, as part of the Tommy V Cancer Blog Tour today, with a review from our child reviewer.

Child Review by Bea aged 12

This is a funny, twisting tale that makes you laugh so much you could squirt Melody’s’ parents have been sent to prison, and she thinks it’s her job to break them out. Though there is one problem in her way: Mr and Mrs Sopper and there ‘adorable’ daughter Rose Petal. These characters are crazy, but won’t let Melody see her parents. Also Melody knows she can’t do this alone but there’s only one person that can help and that’s Rose Petal. Thinking that this is all a game, Rose Petal joins the team. But when Melody arrives at the prison the pink princess has betrayed her, and something more terrifying than her own death awaits Melody with open arms…

 
This book is so funny that you will spit popcorn out your nose (if you are eating it, which i was OUCH!). There is no other book like it, it is very unique. The story is told by Melody’s point of view. The book is written by Tommy Donbavand.


I think this book would be great for anyone who loves a laugh and a bit of trouble!

Tommy V Cancer was initially started to create moral support for Tommy and his family in the difficult time, but as his battle has gone on, the reality of being a jobbing writer (like any self-employed professional) has reared its ugly head; income. So if after reading this of any you wish to find out more about Tommy’s battle, or how to support him, visit:Tommy V Cancer

Tommy V Cancer - 3D Review - The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom - Tommy Donbavand – Adults Review

One of the most special things of the children’s writing/blogging community is of being part is being of group of lovely and empathetic people. Whether it’s a tsunami across the other side of the world or an individual writer in need, the writing community gets together to usher support where it is needed. We Space on the Bookshelf are very humbled to be participating in the Tommy V Cancer Blog Tour along with many other lovely and fantastic writing and children’s literature blogs and bloggers, in support of one such writer, the extremely talented and hardworking Tommy Donbavand who is literally fighting for his life.

Initially, I was worried about what SOTB could contribute to the blog tour, and then it was obvious, we would put together a 3D Review of one of Tommy’s books, to promote his fabulous writing, and hopefully inspire you to go out and buy some of his books. As we at SOTB have a particular interest in books for challenged readers, we picked one of Tommy many reluctant reader titles, The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom.

Over the next three day we will be looking at Tommy’s challenger reader book, The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom, form different perspectives; a adults review, a child review, and an interview with his editor Danny Pearson.

Adults Review

Ask any writer and they’ll tell you that picture books are very difficult to write, as with such a frugal word count, EVERY word counts. So writing a book for reluctant readers who find reading challenging due to having a reading age lower than their actual age, and therefor having to deliver an engaging story within a minuscule word count most is no mean feat. This is exactly what Tommy achieves with The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom.

The story is fun and mischievous, bringing humour and empathy to the character of Melody, the daughter of two incarcerated criminal masterminds, Captain Doom and Dame Dread. With both her parents serving life sentences, Melody is placed in the care of the sickly-sweet Soper family and even worse sharing a room with goody-two-shoes Rose-Petal.

But Melody has a plan to free her parents and return with them to life of dastardly endeavours, she just needs some help to put it into motion, and who better to get doing her dirty work, then naive Rose-Petal? Melody and her unwitting accomplish Rose-Petal initiate the plan, but there is one variable that Melody has considered; that the Soper Family can make anything and everything a game, and Melody finds herself being outwitted.

Tommy’s writing has brought a beautifully plotted charming and funny story with a hilarious twist. The book, a Bagder Gems title, is written with easy digestible vocabulary, but also includes a list of the more challenging words at the front of the book, so that the reader has a head-up and knows to expect them. Another great feature of the book is the questions at the end of the story, which means that the story can be discussed, and therefore engaging the reader and encouraging them to think more deeply about the story thereby helping with their comprehension. To further enhance the story, the book is illustrated throughout with full colour vibrant pictures by Peter Richardson.

The Terrible Tale of Melody Doom is a masterfully constructed story which will appeal to middle-grade and early teen readers, but written in an accessible and inviting way. I would recommend this book to any reluctant reads of this age group, or even competent readers who may enjoy a lighter quicker read. Tommy is a great writer and we hope you join us in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Please come back again tomorrow to read a review by twelve year old Bea.

Tommy V Cancer was initially started to create moral support for Tommy and his family in the difficult time, but as his battle has gone on, the reality of being a jobbing writer (like any self-employed professional) has reared its ugly head; income. So if after reading this of any you wish to find out more about Tommy’s battle, or how to support him, visit: Tommy V Cancer.

Pike - Anthony McGowan - Feature - Author Interview

Back in 2013 we were very luck to have run a 3D review of Anthony McGowan's Barrington Stoke YA novel Brock. As part of the feature we interviewed Anthony [press here to read]. This summer the sequel to Brock, Pike was published, so we have caught up with Anthony again, to ask him about writing sequels.

Do you find it difficult to reprise the voice of a novel when writing a sequel?

I found it pretty easy. I'd come to know Nicky better than almost any other character I've created, and he was very very real to me. He isn't actually much like me (being honourable, courageous, kind, and patient), but I became him while I was writing, and the skin was waiting, ready for me to don it again...

Brock and now Pike are both written in first person from the perspective of Nicky, did you find that Nicky had evolved or grown between writing the first book and the second?

In Brock, Nicky is almost saintly - he hardly ever loses patience with Kenny, and heroically copes with all the problems in his life. In Pike, I wanted to add some complexity, making him a bit more human and flawed, without losing the fundamental decency that makes him special. And in Pike there's a sort of reversal, in that Kenny is more active, and at times behaves like the older brother he is, despite his learning difficulties.

How hard is it fitting back story from the first book, Brock, into the second, with the tight word count of a Barrington Stoke novel?

Rather a lot happens in Pike - as well as the basic treasure hunt plot, there's a lot of family and character development, and it was quite taxing fitting it all in. Luckily Barrington Stoke have given me a few more words than they normal allow. As for the back story, I wanted the book to stand on its own, as well as working as a sequel, and it's always a challenge in that situation to get the balance right, whatever the word-count.

In Pike, you see both Nicky and his brother Kenny develop, and their family story unfold. Will be seeing more of Nicky and Kenny in future novels?

After I finished Brock, I knew that I wanted to revisit Nicky and Kenny and their world. I had a vague idea for the plot almost straight away, and was champing at the bit to tell it. I don't feel quite the same now. I'm certainly not repelled by the idea of going back to them for the third time, but, at the moment, I don't have a 'story' for them to tell. It's probably worth pointing out that the Pike and Brock actually form a sort of loose trilogy with The Fall - the main character in The Fall plays a minor part in Pike, and achieves a kind of redemption in it for his earlier sins.

What is your favourite thing about Pike?

Obviously it's the relationship between Nicky and Kenny, which is perhaps the thing I'm most proud of creating in my career as a writer. But the setting is also very important to me. It's based very closely on the small town/large village where I spent most of my childhood - Sherburn in Elmet in North Yorkshire. It's not a beautiful place, and has taken a battering over the years, but it has character and resilience. And pubs! The Bacon Pond is a real place, as is the little wood where Nicky and Kenny rescue the badger cub in Brock. And the library and librarian are drawn from life.

Pike - Anthony McGowan - Feature - Editor Interview with Mairi Kidd from Barrington Stoke

Back in 2013 we were very luck to have run a 3D review of Anthony McGowan's Barrington Stoke YA novel Brock. As part of the feature we interviewed his editor Mairi Kidd [press here to read]. this summer the sequel to Brock, Pike was published, so we have caught up with Mairi again, to ask her about editing sequels.

Is it any easier or harder to edit a sequel than the first book?

Different books present different challenges and with a sequel, a series or a companion piece, there is a little added challenge in that it's important to ensure continuity across all of the installments. In my experience, though, authors get to know their characters and setting so well in series that the first drafts of second and third installments are often stronger than early drafts of the first book. Perhaps editors of George R R Martin-esque sagas would give you a very different answer, though!

As a children’s book editor / publisher, do you have a time frame in which to publish a sequel for it still to appeal to the readers of the first book?

When it comes to big commercial 'continuities' - like the Twilight series, say - it's a case of the sooner the better. The idea is that you want to catch the readers who loved the first book, and because children grow up so quickly, you really do have to move fast. We publish series such as Tom Palmer's Rugby Academy in this way to create anticipation and excitement - in that case we published installments every six months, and publication dates were linked to rugby seasons.

On the other hand a later sequel can give the original book a new lease of life and introduce it to a new generation of readers. An extreme example of that is To Kill a Mockingbird, sales of which are apparently up 6600% since the publication of the sequel was announced.

Why do you think children/teens like sequels so much?

I think it's human nature to want more of something we love, and that's even more true of children, who are in a learning-heavy phase of development and can really benefit from revisiting familiar content. That's why young children love to return to the same book over and over again. With a series, the first book does the hard work of introducing the characters, setting and so on, and future installments can take the story and the characters further and further. Think Discworld, where Granny Weatherwax starts out as a minor character and becomes a force of nature.

I do think there's a danger that commercial considerations can result in slender ideas being overstretched by sequels that are unnecessary in creative terms. For my money The Hunger Games is an example of a book that didn't really need two sequels, and I don't think she's really in control of the sequels to the same degree. And personally I hate books like Mrs De Winter or Death Comes to Pemberley that take a gorgeous novel and try to weave in a sequel that necessitates untying the ends the novel has neatly tied up. It's like a published version of the sort of online fan-fiction that needs to know what happens in the bedroom between Jane Eyre and Rochester. Although speaking of them, Wide Sargasso Sea is an example of a very good revisiting because it challenges the very fabric of the original. Maybe that's the key to those sort of sequels - you can't love the original too much.

Why did you choose to commission a sequel to Brock?

We didn't actually ask Anthony for one; he offered the idea. In many ways I don't think Pike is a sequel to Brock - they feel to me like stand-alone books featuring the same characters. On some levels I love Pike even more than Brock. There's a moment when Nicky thinks about the fact that he takes the 'big brother' role as Kenny's almost-minder but actually he's the little brother and right there and then he wants his big brother. It broke my heart. In a good way.

What is your favourite thing about Pike?

That scene between Nicky and Kenny is just one of the many in which Anthony - and to a degree Nicky - lets Kenny grow. That, for me, makes the novel fantastically uplifting. And of course a pike bites someone's privates. What's not to like about that?

Review - Pike – Anthony McGowan – Barrington Stoke - Review - Challenged Reader

Anthony Mcgowan and Barrington Stoke have published the much anticipated sequel to 2013 award winning book BROCK, [press here to read our 3D review of Brock]. In Pike, we return to the world of Nicki and his older brother Kenny a year after they saved a badger pup from a grizzly death by baters. The boy’s lives have improved; their dad has a job, a girlfriend, but money is still tight so the brothers enjoy the simple pursuits in life, like fishing in Bacon Pond.

It’s by Bacon Pond where there adventure starts, when their Jack Russell gets into deep water, and Nicki goes into to save her, he sees something lurking under the murky water; a hand, and a watch. The watch is a Rolex, and only one person in the town has the money for one of those, ‘Mick Bowen’. And Mick went missing after Nicki and Kenny’s dad told the police that the stolen goods found in their shed last year belonged to him.

Nicki hatches a plan, to get the Rolex and fence it for cash to help his family. Together the boys build a raft out of a palette, Kenny following Nicki loyally, and all is going well until their endeavours stir up memories from a happier times - feelings which were buried deep. When Nicki confronts his dad about why their mother left, the boys bond fractures.

Nicki continues his plan to plunder the Rolex, and we see the boy’s relationship evolve and reverse as Kenny becomes more of a leader looking out for his younger brother.

Like Brock, Pike is an engaging tale, with its sparse word count it evokes lovely images and explores further the themes of family, secrets, determination and resilience. It’s also a refreshing change to read a book which is about working class children living on the breadline rather than middle class privileged children.

Pike is great read for challenged young adult readers, but also as a quick read for more advanced readers too.

We'll be posting more PIke features in the next couple of days, with both an interview with author Anthony McGowan and Editor Mairi Kidd.

Summer of Children’s Classics - Treasure Island – Skulduggery

This week we’ve been talking pirates, or more specifically the legacy that Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island has left in its wake since it first was published way back in the 1880’s. So now, we look at a more recently published of book inspired by the world and characters of the swashbuckling classic.

Interest Age: 5-8
Reading Age: 6+

Skulduggery is a quirky comic adventure following a boy on his first day at a new school, “Squire Trelawneys School for Young Sea Dogs.’ The enthusiastic ‘sea-pup’ who is dressed in full pirate regalia becomes downhearted to discover that (due to the pressures of the modern education system) that the school is not what he expected, and is just like any other ordinary school.

After a running with two of the school scoundrels ‘Billy Bones’ and ‘Black Dog’, he makes friends with the charming, ‘Short John Silver’ who helps him stash away his treasure chest. Like any good pirate yarn, the treasure disappears and it turns out that John has a sliver tongue and is in fact at pirate captain. As the new sea pup, ‘Ben Gunn’ embarks on an adventure on the high seas to save the school he pounders; can he trust Short John Silver?

Sir Tony Robinson has produced a quirky humorous book for younger readers bringing in the themes and characters of, ‘Robert Louis Stevenson ‘s, Treasure Island. It is a funny age appropriate introduction to the classic for younger readers, which is enhanced by Jamie Smith’s lively illustrations.

Star Struck - Challenged Readers Review - Author Interview with Anita Loughrey

Continuing on our  reluctant reader  Star Struck feature (to read the review press here)we have a lovely interview with the author of the fiction stories within the books, Anita Loughrey.

Anita writes teacher resources, fiction and non-fiction for children of all ages. She also has a column in the national writing magazine Writers’ Forum about authors and their research.

What was your favourite children’s book as a child?

One of my favourite book as a child was The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. That is why my recent trip to the Oxford Story Museum was like a childhood dream come true. They have a wardrobe and you walk through the fur coats into Narnia. Magic!

What is your favourite children’s book as an adult?

One of my favourite books for children as an adult is Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights. When I grew up, I want to write just like him.

What do you think makes children’s books so inspirational?

I think it is the characters in children’s books that make them so inspirational.

How did you get the opportunity to write for the Star Struck series?

Steve contacted me through Facebook and asked if I was interested in doing the project. I thought it sounded exciting so said ok.

I first met Steve Rickard the editor and co-author of the Starstruck series at a Educational Writers’ Group event at the Society of Authors. He was talking about Ransom Publishing and the sorts of books they published. Afterwards, we chatted and exchanged business cards. I served on the Educational Writers’ Group committee for four years and believe that events such as these provide valuable networking opportunities.

Are there any challenges / rewards when writing a book for challenged readers?

When writing a book aimed at fourteen year old with a reading age of seven, you must try and tell the story as succinctly as you possible can. You don’t want to use long descriptions and ambiguous words. I tried to include some dialogue on each page and gave myself a word limit for each page too. On top of this you have to remember that we were aiming the books at a female, teenage market so the stories had to be interesting and relevant to teenage girls. I tried to make all twelve of the books funny and where possible include a little twist at the end.

Jenny Ertle, Steve’s wife and partner at Ransom Publishing, came up with the subject for each of the books. There are some great titles but some of them were a challenge as I did not know anything about Modern Dance, or Street Style for example. But I did a bit of research on the Internet and managed to come up with some ideas for stories. I think the hardest one to write out of both of the Starstruck series was the one on Musical Theatre. I love Musical Theatre and have been to see lots of shows so each time I wrote something it just felt wrong. The story I ended up with was based on a real conversation with my then teenage daughter and it still makes me laugh when I read it.

What is it like being half of Cathy West?

It is fun. I have enjoyed working for Steve Rickard and Jenny Ertle from Ransom Publishing. I think it helps we have a similar sense of humour.

We have some Star Struck books to give away! Just tweet #StarStruck to @BookshelfSpace or e-mail us spaceonthebookshelf@yahoo.com with Star Struck in the subject bar.

Good Luck!