Today I welcome Catriona Hoy, author of The Little Dinosaur, to Spinning Pearls.

So - I hear you had a blast at the Little Dinosaur launch? Will you tell us about that?

Hi Sally, thanks for having me over here today. Yes, it has been a hectic couple of weeks but it was great to see everything finally coming together. It was a bit scary a few days beforehand as suddenly the numbers of rsvp’s doubled and it looked like possibly 200 people were coming! I started to panic about whether I had enough food or wine and made a few extra trips to the shops. I did have an awesome cake made by Cecilia, a multi-talented lady who I teach with.

The key to the success of the whole event was the choice of venue. I held it at the Monash Science Centre, where many years ago the whole story began when I interviewed fossil preparator Lesley Kool for a series of articles for Pearson’s magazines. The Science Centre was very supportive and it was just the ideal venue. Dr Pat Vicker-Rich works there and it is her daughter Lleaellyn that the particular dinosaur in the story was named after. Pat welcomed everyone to the Centre and then Lesley Kool spoke about her work. She had everyone enthralled and was just as inspiring as when I first met her many years ago. There were lots of dinosaurs and fossils for both young and old enthusiasts to admire. The science centre were also very helpful with advertising and I can’t praise the entire staff highly enough.

How did the Monash Science Centre get the dinosaurs on display? Did they set out to obtain them, or was it serendipity?

The Science Centre is open to the public and has an educational focus. When I first began chatting to them about holding the launch, they were planning for a new exhibition. It was a bit of serendipity and a lot of hard work over the weekend on the part of the staff but they managed to get some of the display up and running for the weekend. In particular Corrie and Wayne were putting things together all Saturday and Sunday. It worked well for all of us, I got a great launch and they were able to show the centre to people who didn’t know about it. In particular they had a model of a Lleaellynasura.

A lot of people  think of dinosaurs as being HUGE. Why do you think the little ones get so little press?

Much of the books about dinosaurs in the past have been about Northern Hemisphere dinosaurs. That was one of the reasons I wanted to write this book, about Australian dinosaurs. They were generally smaller and had particular features which has led them to be called ‘polar dinosaurs.’ Back in the Cretaceous, what is now Australia was much further south and was joined on to Antartctica. However, because the whole planet was warmer, the area actually supported a wide variety of life. Some of these little dinoaurs had features such as large eye sockets which suggest they could see in the dark. It’s nice to see them get their time in the sun, in a manner of speaking!

In the early days of paleontology,  scientists often put the bones together incorrectly. Do you know any examples of how they eventually got things right?

Sally, it’s not just paleontology…all of science is like that. It’s a constantly changing world where a hypothesis is proposed and tested, accepted and then suddenly some new evidence comes along which challenges everyone’s ideas. Each new discovery teaches and leads us to re-evaluate our world and I think that’s a great thing. So perhaps nothing is ever ..’right’…merely ‘righter?’ When I was interviewing Lesley, she told me a story of a little mammal bone which was found at Inverloch, which caused a lot of controversy because it showed that mammals existed far earlier than scientists had supposed. It surprised me that some dinosaurs had feathers. I know that in the process of working out how bones go together paleontologists look at the sites where tendons and ligaments would join and work out how they would move, compared to animals living today. It’s a fascinating story and made all the more difficult because full skeletons are rare. Often it is only a few bones or parts of bones.

Thank you for having me over to chat today Sally. Some great questions and hopefully your readers will want to find out more. There are some Australian dinosaur facts in the end papers of The Little Dinosaur but lots of great information on websites out there such as the ABC. Some of your readers might like to check out this site. http://www.abc.net.au/science/ozfossil/ageofreptiles/polar/default.htm and there are also teachers notes available on the publishers website. http://www.abc.net.au/science/ozfossil/ageofreptiles/polar/default.htm

 Follow the tour!

The Little Dinosaur Blog Tour Dates

Wednesday June 6, 2012

Robyn Opie Parnell

http://robynopie.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/childrens-author-catriona-hoy-and.html/

Wednesday June 13, 2012

Sheryl Gwyther
http://sherylgwyther.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/dinosaurs-stories-science-and-life-the-little-dinosaur-blog-tour/

Wednesday June 20, 2012 

Tania McCartney
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2012/06/blog-tour-kbr-chats-to-catriona-hoy-and.html/

Wednesday June 27, 2012 

Sally Odgers
http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au/

Wednesday July 4, 2012

Jackie Hosking
http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/

The Little Dinosaur Launch Dates:

Sydney Saturday 30th June, 2012

SCBWI conference
5.30pm Friday29th July

Tasmania Saturday 14th July, 2012
Fullers Bookshop, Launceston
http://www.fullersbookshop.com.au/events/launch-little-dinosaur

Donna Smith's Billy Cart Derby Tour

Today we welcome Donna Smith of Jelli Beanz Publishing for a pit stop on her Billy Cart Derby tour.  Donna is talking about language development.

Language Development in Children.

It is interesting to know that research shows us that children do in fact have an innate biological clock of sorts which triggers the development of language acquisition.

The biological trigger usually appears at around the age of eighteen-twenty months of age. This innate trigger tends to be a universal occurrence. Research studies show that children from various cultures and countries experience the same onset of language speech in children at the same age.

What does  vary however is the rate and depth to which the language develops once the onset has commenced. The onset of language itself begins well before the child needs language skills. Often babies from around six to eight months will begin to babble syllables and single utterances. True language of speech is classed as the stage to which two words are joined together clearly.

This cannot be brought forward by repetition. Language speech development will not emerge before it is programmed to emerge.

Studies show us that this not triggered by external factors. The child will begin to speak regardless of environment. The triggers for development tend to be associated with a growth spurt of the brain. To understand the brain growth spurt, let us look at the brain at birth. The brain contains millions/ maybe billions of cells and weighing around 300 grams. Not all of the cells are connected at birth; this is what makes the brain light in weight. The brain itself does not develop any further cells after birth; however the growth spurt changes are evident in the weight mass. Between birth and two years of age the brain increases from around 300grams to almost 1000grams (1 kilogram). This is the result of the cells interconnecting. It is at this point that studies show, language begins to develop.

A common myth is that parental intervention of direct teaching including expansion and corrections by imitation and repetition, is not only fruitless, but it can also prevent the natural progression of language develop in their child.

Expansions are often done unconsciously by parents/ adults.

For Example:

Child: Want spoon.

Adult: Do you want a spoon?

Child: Want spoon.

Adult: Say, I want a spoon.

This type of corrected speech can hinder the child’s progress. Parental expansions do not teach a child to speak. Studies show the children acquire the utterances and words themselves naturally. Those children in an environmental ‘rich’ situation (meaning exposed to talking, children learn a high percentage of their speech from just listening, and exploration) will progress more quickly with a greater vocabulary. Those children that lack the surrounding stimulus of speech and listening can begin to fall behind to language progression.

Direct teaching with correction and expansions and or repetitions does not kick start language development in children. Research shows that those who try to ‘coach’ their children actually interfere with their natural development.

The best model you can set for your child is to speak to them ‘normally’, in a natural manner. Children will extract the grammar themselves and their speech will develop naturally when they are individually ready. The more stimulation (sensory) that you provide your child, the richer environment your child will have to draw upon. Children reach regular ‘milestones’ at certain ages and innate behaviour will take its natural progressive course.

Helping children develop a love of books and reading:

There are many ways that parents can help children develop a love for reading and books. The most enjoyable way is sharing. Sharing books together and enjoying the journey they take you on is a wonderful way to spend time with your child. Escaping into another world, taking wild balloon rides, walking in space with space animals, being a mighty king of a large castle and kingdom or a beautiful princess who rides in a pumpkin are all wonderfully exciting adventures you can share with your child.

There are many ways you can help your child enjoy reading and books:

1) Show a keen interest in your child’s reading and what they are reading.

2) Let your child choose books that they are interested in.

3) Books, comics, magazines and fliers are materials that children can read.

4) Joining your library is wonderful experience for children. Borrow books regularly; make it a part of your week.

5) Instead of buying lollies for treats, buy your child a book and suitable comic book. Children can never have too many books.

6) Sit with your children when they are reading and prompt them to tell you about the characters in the story and what they enjoyed most about the book.

7) Let your children draw characters and write about their favourite stories. This will also develop their comprehension skills.

8) Get to know the book. Show your child the author and illustrator names, the spine, back blurb and talk about the title of the book. Look at the book’s illustrations and discuss what the story might be about and who the characters are.

These are a few ways that you can share reading with your children and help them to develop a love of books.

           Reading together is a special time you and your child can spend together without any distractions. Make it part of your daily routine and enjoy the experience together.

“my favourite thing about books is that you go on a magical adventure every time you read a story. I like all books thick long ones and thin short ones.”

Jazmine 9 yrs.

  

Jelli-Beanz Publishing

'where imagination comes to life'

 

Website: www.jellibeanzpublishing.net

Blog: www.jellibeanzpublishing.com

Submissions email: jelli_beanzbooks@aol.com

Follow the Tour!

24^th May – Launch www.jellibeanzpublishing.com 

25^th May – Helen Ross www.misshelenwrites.wordpress.com ( The writing process)

26^th May – Billy Cart Derby educational materials www.jellibeanzpublishing.com 

28^th May – George Ivanoff  http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/literary-clutter-blog/  (Character Development)

29^th May – Angela Hall of Blue Dingo www.bluedingonet.wordpress.com  (Fundraising in schools)

30^th May – Library Visit

31^st May – Sally Odgers  http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com  (Importance of Literature for Children)

1^st June – Sylvie Blair www.donnamsmithauthor.wordpress.com  (Cover design and artwork)

1^st June – Donna Smith www.donnamsmithauthor.wordpress.com  (Trailer production)

2^nd June – Library Visit

4^th June – Blog tour close.

Calling Blog Tourers...

Spinning Pearls is happy to host a stop on your blog tour. Just leave a comment to ask for a spot. Best suited to children's books, mainstream fiction and popular non fiction.

Please note; Read and Reviewed blog is open to guest reviewers. However, we do not generally review unsolicited books.

Writing for Children Virtual Course is open only to paid-up course members ($50.00 gets you in)

Affordable Manuscript Assessments is the blog for how-to writing advice and information from the Affordable Manuscript Assessments and Workshops site and service.

Karen Tyrrell Talks Writing and Editing her Memoir

The prize draw will be held at mid-day Monday 21st EST (Australia)  21/05/2012




Today I welcome Karen Tyrrell who is answering some curious questions about writing and editing her memoir Me & Her: A Memoir of Madness..

Writing & Editing Process ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness

1.        How did you go about reconstructing the scenes that took place during one of your later memory blanks?

My husband helped me to remember those traumatic memories which I had suppressed.  With his hot-poker reminders and fish oil supplements, my memory eventually returned.

2.        Did you find it difficult to distance yourself from the material during the editing process?

I wrote about the most traumatic events in my life, first as flashbacks. When I was emotionally ready I was able to disclose those events in detail.  Beta readers, The Society of Editors and editors like you, Sally offered advice and perspective when I was “too close” to my memoir.

3.        How much, if at all, did you change the order or impact of events to make the story work AS a story?

I wrote my memoir over six years, perhaps with a hundred drafts. I changed the order of chapters and events several times. The earliest draft was a chronological biography, and then my husband suggested I start at a pivotal point when the police thumped at my motel door, demanding me to open up.

4.        How did you know when it was time to write a mental “finished!” on the Ms and go for publication?

I thought ME & HER was finished several times. After I received feedback from a publisher I would rewrite again and submit. I did this several times.  Then, I added a present day epilogue and a short introduction to each chapter from the ME, recovered perspective. Finally I sought a professional assessment, editing and a final proof read.

Writing my own personal journey into and out of mental illness was one of the most difficult things to write about. I wanted the reader to understand the two points of view, the normal ME and the manic HER.

ANNOUNCING … ME & HER eBook

ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness launches this week on Amazon as an eBook. To find out more about Karen Tyrrell and where to purchase ME & HER please check out her website,

http://www.karentyrrell.com .Click on BUY BOOK to purchase an eBook!

eBOOK GIVEAWAYS!

Please comment here or ask Karen a question, to be in the draw for a FREE eBook. Two copies to be won!

Follow the Tour!

ME & HER Blog Tour 14^th - 20^th May

14^th May Kaz Delaney- Writing Inspiration http://kazdelaney.wordpress.com/

                Prachi S.Vaish - Psychologist - Interview www.hopenetwork.in

15^th May Tuesday Writing Tips- Writing Memoirs http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com/

            Dr Happy – Happiness after the Gloom http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/blog/

16^th May Sally Odgers - Writing & Editing Process http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au/

17^th May Gabrielle Sheppard, UK - Bipolar Recovery www.bi-polargirl.com/blog

18^th May Natasha Tracy, Canada - Writing for Recovery http://natashatracy.com/

19^th May Jill Smith- Book Review & Interview http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com

           Kids Book Review- Mental Health Books 4 Kids http://www.kids-bookreview.com/

20^th May Ang Hall - ME & HER Book Review- http://bluedingonet.wordpress.com/

A Trip to Fairy Land

This is a story written by a girl named Pat Bonney when she was ten years old. It was published in the newspaper in 1937 and I have just read it for the first time. Why would I be interested in a story three quarters of a century old? Pat was my mum! The accompanying picture shows her as a small child.

"BOTHER homework," sighed Jill as she rubbed her eyes. In a moment she was flying through the air on the back of a green and gold rosella parrot which seemed to be in rather a bad mood, because when Jill asked where they were going, he only grunted.
At last he condescended to mutter, "The Queen of Wattles sent me to bring you to Fairyland for her birth day party."
         Soon they came to a beautiful wattle tree, where the parrot dropped his wings and they floated to earth to a most beautiful gully, with a rippling stream flowing through.
         Jill felt a little shy, but she bowed to the Queen, who was clothed in gold, and surrounded by wattle fairies.
         Suddenly there was a disturbance on the little stream, which proved to be the platypus arriving with the water lily fairies. No sooner had they arriv ed than the kangaroo came bounding along laden with the orchid fairies. There were sun orchids, green hoods, brown beaks, gnats, rabbit ears and butterfly and spider orchids, also many others that Jill did not know.
           Soon after, the wallaby came with the heath fairies in their pink, white and red frocks, while the opossum followed with the gumnut fairies.
           After bowing to the Queen, all the fairies danced merrily round her untilmidnight, when they sat down to a fairy supper served on toadstools.
           Suddenly Jill felt a bump. She thought that the kangaroo had col lided with her, but opened her eyes to find her pen in her hand, and she heard her brother say, "Wake up, sleepy head, you can't do your home work in your sleep."

Do Not Forget Australia

    

      Today, as promised, I welcome Sally Murphy to Spinning Pearls to answer some curious questions about her new picture book.  

  

1. The title of your new book is “Do Not Forget Australia”. Can you name three things you would never forget about Australia if you had to leave?

  

   A. Great question. Three things I wouldn’t forget:

       - Our beautiful landscape – hills, forests, plains and, of course, the beaches. Oh, and the smell of the gumtrees.

  - The light. The sun and sky in Australia have a special white brightness that the rest of the world seems to miss out on.

- Our freedom. Oh, Australia has its problems (like every country) but, in the main, Aussies are free to follow their dreams and beliefs. We are so very lucky.

2. How did you come by the idea of connecting the two boys in your story via an adult character?

   A. From very early on I had the idea of two child characters – one in each country - but it took a while to figure out how to connect them in a way which was feasible to the time. I had thought to have them as penpals, but had trouble with making that authentic. Then, as I thought about the fact that there were Australians stationed there in France, I realised it was quite feasible for an Australian child to have a soldier father there.

3. Had you ever worked with Sonia, your illustrator, before? If so, on what projects?

A. No, I hadn’t worked with Sonia before, though I had seen one of her covers and admired it. And when Walker Books sent me samples of her work and asked me if I thought she was a good match for this story I said an emphatic ‘yes’.

4. “Do Not Forget Australia” was several years in the making, so you must have had definite mind’s eye views of the characters. How did Sonia’s interpretation match your mental pictures?

   

     A. Funnily, I am not really a visual thinker so don’t tend to have very set ideas about how a book should look. The mental images I had were mostly from photos I’d seen whilst researching, and I love the way Sonia has drawn on photo references. Her style is perfect (in my opinion) for the story. I couldn’t have asked for more!

5. Was the story always going to wear this title? How did you arrive at the title?

.        A. Yes, the story had this title right from the beginning. It was the sign bearing the words ‘Do Not Forget Australia’ that inspired me to research and write this story, and I didn’t ever consider any other title. Fortunately, there was never any discussion about changing the title – which is something that does tend to arise with a lot of stories.

Thanks heaps for having me, Sally. It’s great to be out and about talking about the book without even leaving home.

Thank you, Sally! You can follow Sally on her blog tour by visiting the sites below.

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this beautiful book, donated by Walker Books, the publisher. The prize draw will be made on March 14th.

1st March 2012	Let's Have Words	http://letshavewords.blogspot.com.au/
2nd March 2012	Kids Book Capers	http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog/
3rd March 2012	Running With Pens	http://kerrilane.wordpress.com/
4th march 2012	Read and Write with Dale	http://orangedale.livejournal.com/
5th March 2012	Karen Tyrrell	http://karentyrrell.com/
6th March 2012	Writing for Children	http://writing-for-children.blogspot.com.au/
7th March 2012	Spinning Pearls	http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com.au/
8th March 2012	Katwhiskers	http://katswhiskers.wordpress.com/
12th March 2012	Pass It On	http://www.pass-it-on-blog.blogspot.com.au/
12th March 2012	Kids Book Review	http://www.kids-bookreview.com/
13th March 2012	Under the Apple Tree	http://angelasunde.blogspot.com.au/
14th March 2012	Lorraine Marwood. Words into Writing	http://lorrainemarwoodwordsintowriting.blogspot.com.au/