A Touring Author

Review for Silly Samuel Square

2009-12-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

I was happily flicking through the latest issue of The Self Publishing Magazine, when I noticed a book review titled Silly Samuel Square, by Helen Wendy Cooper.

Sure enough, my second Shape Land book has been reviewed!

At first I felt far too nervous to read it, what if it said terrible things about my book! You can’t please everyone, right? What if they hated my illustrations? Had found a mistake? Thought it was over priced or just plain rubbish!

Luckily, I’m extremely chuffed to say, it didn't!

Infact it’s properly the best review I’ve ever had!

The opening line begins with ‘This is a delightful picture book telling us all about Silly Samuel Square’.

It describes my book as educational and a whole lot of fun!

I actually felt emotional when I started to read this review! An unbiased opinion from a complete stranger is so valuable because it is probably the most honest opinion I’ll ever get. My Parents will always tell me my book is fabulous! My Gran will tell me I’m amazing even though she can’t see well any more…
My Brother in Law will say Silly Samuel Square’s tongue looks like a…Well, we won’t go there!

Shape Land Week

2009-11-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

I'm chuffed to say Shape Land week was a great success!

I visited six nurseries around Worcestershire, all filled with excited, energetic children! Blowing raspberries with Silly Samuel Square was especially fun...Children love to do this and are so good at doing it... They put my raspberry blowing to shame!

We did some 'Christmas in Shape Land' colouring sheets and sung some shape songs.

I'm proud to say I didn't do anything embarrassing this mini tour! I found all the nurseries using my Tom Tom, didn't set off any fire alarms or break any toilet seats!

Hooray, I'm completely professional now...well until the next book is published anyway!

2009-10-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hello my fellow blog readers....

Well it's October and I'm so sorry to mention it but...it's going to be Christmas soon!!!

I'm having a special Shape Land week in November because already I'm getting Christmas orders for my Shape Land books, hooray! This is actually a fab time of year for any author/writer out there to get promoting their wonderful works of literature...or in my case, Shape land!

My special week is beginning on the 16th of November and i have a couple of nurseries booked already. There is so much to organise! Anyone fancy some PR work?
Oops,almost forgot that I am so skint I'll have to do everything myself! (Somebody sob please?!)

Well I will keep you posted on any traumatic or unusual experiences I encounter...hopefully I won't set off any alarms in book shops or make a child cry during a story!

I'll be in touch soon...

Roald Dahl...

2009-08-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Since childhood I have loved Roald Dahl's books! So, when I visited my Sister in London last weekend, I was not surprised to find myself wondering around The Roald Dahl Museum, in Great Missenden.

Enchanted by giant illustrations by Quentin Blake, I followed a journey of Dahl's life and the inspirational events which helped mould his stories.

Bizarrely, some of his characters remind me of a few individuals who I've encountered during my life. I'm sure we've all had a friendly giant when we were little, my Dad was mine and he's even got sticky out ears! I've also come across a few witches (mentioning no names) and occasionally at work alot of smelly people do come in...and I'm sure I've seen a few things growing in their beards!!!

One of the biggest things I had in common with Roald Dahl (apart from wanting to write), was his passion for sweet things!
As a child, Dahl loved sweets and his favorites were Sherbet Suckers and Licorice Bootlaces.
I loved licorice too, but I'd also crave Curly Wurlys or a Raspberry Ruffle.
So, in honour of Roald's sweet tooth, my sister and I sampled a rather large piece of chocolate cake in the Twit's Cafe...it would have been rude not to!

Here are a few juicy facts I've learnt about Roald Dahl and taken from his book, 'More about boy'...oh, and don't forget to celebrate Roald Dahl Day on the 13th of September!

1- Roald Dahl's parents were Norwegian.

2- Roald Dahl was one of six children, but he lost one of his oldest sister's (Astri) when she was just Seven years old.

3- He had false teeth in his twenties (probably from all the sweets).

4- Roald Dahl was a regular visitor at the Doctors and had six op's on his spine, two hip replacements and appendicitis in 1945.

5- Roald Dahl got to road test some chocolate bars for Cadbury.

6- Roald Dahl liked to smoke when he wrote. The ceiling of his writing hut was stained yellow with nicotine! You can see a replica of his writing hut at the Museum!

The best fact of all is that Roald Dahl never found writing easy! He would re-write, re-write and re-write...until eventually it was just perfect!

Children's advice on writing...

2009-05-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

The world through the eyes of a child can be exciting, entertaining and full of surprises.

It can also be really simple and at times, logical. Do we adults just over complicate things?

On my Shape Land workshops, I often chat with the older children (5-7's) about what can help us to write stories.

Here are some of their advice and words of wisdom... I hope they make you smile!

1) Buy a pen!

2) Always eat breakfast, Weetabix is particularly good!

3) Watch T.V for ideas...Bob the builder is great!

4) Have a beginning, middle and an end.

5) Read books, read anything!

6) "Mum says to be a writer you need to be able to spell".

7) When writing, always remember to use paper!

8) Dress up as Spiderman!

9) If you can't write, then you should go dancing.

10) If you don't know what to write, ask someone else!

I hope these tips help you all to get writing, they certainly helped with this months blog.

The children are right!

When I'm fed up and can't write, dancing around the house to music does help!

Fancy dress parties can create lots of ideas and articles, fab photo's etc. Advice from others is

valuable!

Lastly, writing materials are essential! With so many ideas bouncing around our heads, we

couldn't possibly remember them all, you just need to get them down on paper!

As for the tip on spelling...Thank goodness for a spell check!

World Book Day

2009-03-22T10:10:00.001-07:00

March is all about World Book Day…well, maybe if you’re a children’s writer it is.
Lots of fantastic short children’s books are available for just a £1 or FREE with a special World Book Day token.

This year my favourite book on offer has to be, The Selfish Crocodile Counting Book, by Faustin Charles.

To celebrate World Book Day, I’ve promoted my own books amongst a couple of nurseries and schools!

It’s been great fun (as usual) and I’ve met some lovely teachers and nursery nurses…oh and lots of cute little ones!
Unfortunately though I don’t always please everyone…

During one story session, a little girl popped her hand up and said,
“I just don’t like you!”
Ooh…what can you say to that? ‘Never mind dear?’
Luckily, the nursery nurse was fast thinking and said really loudly,
“Oh how lovely, she REALLY likes you!” Humm….nice recovery!

On another day whilst playing in some sand, a child came up to me and said,
“You’ve got a really strange voice!”
Yes, thank you…I know I’m a bit squeaky at times!
Isn’t it great how Kids can be so honest and completely get away with it?

As adults we certainly don’t…although my boyfriend often calls me Squeaky!
Luckily…most children are lovely, give me cuddles, and say the greatest things!

I asked one child where he lived and he replied Shape Land and that he loved Trevor Triangle.

In some 'Question and Answer' sessions, I’ve asked children their favorite author and they’ve replied, “You!” (Even though they’ve only just met me and Shape Land is brand new to them).

My favorite thing that a child’s ever said to me though is…
“You don’t look old enough to be an author!”
I think he’d heard his mother saying it earlier…

The week of 'Britain's Big Freeze'...

2009-02-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

In the week of the big freeze, I had to cancel all my visits to schools and nurseries.

It was a huge surprise to me how much snow we had and I got to build my first Snowman in years.

He looked fantastic! Apples for eyes, twigs for spiky hair, celery for a cigar...Not your usual Snowman items, but I didn't want to get my scarf wet!

I had some help from my boyfriend Lloyd and our neighbours, Neil and Claire. Soon there was a Mrs Snowman and baby Snowman - a little snow family!

We had great fun and threw lots of snow balls, getting so competitive that Lloyd actually ripped his trousers (thank goodness he had undies on!).

The world looked stunning and for some children, this is the first snow they've ever seen!

How wonderful for them to touch it, roll in it, eat it ( hopefully avoiding yellow snow) and throw it at their parents.

The best part for me was the daily mugs of soup...if only it would snow every year!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2008 was a fantastic year for SHAPE LAND! Trevor Triangle is now international as I sold my first copy of Trevor Triangle Loses the Mail in Seattle U.S, in December.

Christmas was a busy time and I enjoyed selling my books at different fayres and venues.
Mulled wine seemed to help my selling techniques!

The highlight of the month was reading Silly Samuel Square at Shrewsbury Library. I had a great welcoming crowd and all the children joined in shouting the shapes names.
Having been born in Shrewsbury, the library is extra special to me. My ninety three year old Grandad (Shropshire lad) was especially delighted as he took me there when I was a toddler.

Now 2009 is here I'm starting to visit nurseries again, so hopefully I'll have a few more funny stories to share with you soon!

Children and the love of glue!

2008-10-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love doing creative activities with children!

Whilst touring with Silly Samuel Square, I always combine the reading with a fun, colouring sheet of my main characters.

Recently I thought it would be educational for really young children to stick different shapes onto paper, talking about colours, pointy bits and shape names.

I used this activity during a creative morning the other week, with lots of two year olds who loved glue! Unfortunately hardly any went on the paper!
Children literally lick it, try and eat it, put it in their hair, on their clothes, up their nose etc.
I must have said, “Ooh, don’t do that sweetheart", at least a hundred times. The worst thing was they loved putting it on me too, apparently this was hilarious! One child patted my arm, I turned around – Bang! Straight on my nose with glue stick!

We did manage to stick some shapes on paper though and it was a great way of discussing colours.

Afterwards I went to Sainsbury’s to do my weekly shop, feeling satisfied that I’d had a very rewarding morning. Whilst choosing my Cornflakes I noticed a few shoppers smiling and tittering at me. Feeling curious, I went to the toilet and discovered in the mirror that I had a pink triangle and red circle stuck to my bum! Aren’t Kids just great!

2008-10-01T02:28:00.001-07:00

Blog
Hello everyone,
I’m currently touring Worcestershire with Silly Samuel Square but have
unfortunately picked up an unwanted friend, a throat tickling, nose running
cold!
It was bound to happen whilst visiting so many nurseries and schools. I’ve
been spending time with little ones whom are suffering themselves with
watery eyes and Rudolph noses.
I should change Silly Samuel Square from saying "Phttttttt" to "Tishooo", or in
my case "Wahooo".
It is particularly difficult doing a book signing when one is feeling under the
weather. Trying to find enthusiasm and energy to promote a book to complete
strangers can be exhausting and hard work. Loosing your voice and
constantly blowing your nose doubles the challenge!
In a bookshop last Saturday, people were whizzing past incase I sneezed on
them and those who spoke to me couldn’t understand the croak I was
producing instead of a conversation.
I didn’t win any brownie points with the shop either, as when I went to the
toilet I managed to set off all the alarms in the shop. I honestly pressed the
security button to release the door to return to my stand, but the bells rang
loud and clear on all two floors!
On a positive note, the people who did buy my book were really
complimentary and friendly, saying they’d read about me in the paper or that I
had visited their child’s nursery!
A lot also advised me to have a ‘Lemsip and honey’…I’m convinced that one
man brought a book just out of sympathy for me!
I’m having a week off now from promoting to catch up on some writing but
then I’ll be back, full of life and hopefully without my friend, Mr Sniffle!

2008-09-02T04:48:00.000-07:00

I’ve started a new author tour with Silly Samuel Square around nurseries,

libraries, schools and shops.

It’s very exciting and the reception I’ve had so far has been fantastic.

I visited one of my favourite libraries the other day; it’s very local to me with

friendly staff who are always keen to have authors in.

I had a group of eight children who were two-three years old, with their mums,

and we sat in the reading corner.

They listened beautifully during the story and joined in well with the songs.

Each child was really keen to count the shapes pointy bits, say what

colour they were and repeat the shapes names.

It was my first public reading of Silly Samuel Square and I was so chuffed that

the children were enjoying it and laughing when Samuel rolls his tongue

“phttttttt!”

However, I nearly always get something wrong! We began our colouring

activity and within two minutes I announced,

“I’ve got a lolly for each of you when you finish your colouring.”

Immediately a child said, “I’ve finished!” Then surprise, surprise they all got up

and said they’d finished their pictures. I’m not sure if a couple of them had

even started.

Nethertheless, I had a great time and looking forward to my next outing with

Silly Samuel Square.

Summer Reading Challenge

2008-07-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

Join in the largest ever reading challenge this summer! Over 94% of Libraries are taking part throughout the UK, encouraging children to borrow and read books.

For every book a child reads, a sticker will be given and at the end of the summer, awards and certificates will be handed out to those whom complete the challenge.

There is a special competition for the under fives at Kidderminster Library, still involving borrowing books, and I've been invited to hand out the awards at the beginning of October. I was really chuffed to be asked to attend and will be reading my new book SHAPE LAND Silly Samuel Square, offering a copy as one of the prizes.

So get children involved in the fun and whilst they are reading, parents can relax and enjoy the peace that a good story guarantees!

Next Shape Land book!!!

2008-06-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! I've had the proof for my second book, 'SHAPE LAND Silly Samuel Square' and it's fantastic!

I'm so excited and can now start preparing a launch and release date for the 1st of September.

I've got to organise an author tour (around nurseries, libraries, schools etc), book signings, media packs, book reviews, magazine articles...OH MY GOD! I'm going to be busy, busy, busy...

It'll all be worth it and if you fancy a pre-view before I release it, my publisher has set me up a web page and you can buy it off them now!
Check out www.trafford.com/07-2597

Story Tellers

2008-05-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

There are people in the world who tell stories for a living.

Within seconds, you can be gripped with interest and curiosity as their voices unravel a tale, which you'll remember for years to come.

I've been reading stories to children since I was fourteen years old and having trained as a Nursery Nurse, I'd like to think I'm fairly good at keeping their attention.

However, I've been shown up a couple of times by Librarians who have been fantastic Story Tellers, leaving my book as a lost memory to the children I'd just read too.

Some Story Tellers take matters extremely seriously, dressing up as characters, using props such as hats, swords, puppets etc. I usually love watching these performances, unless it's straight after my story session!

I remember a particularly frustrating morning in a library, where a regular Story Teller had a set time to read to children every week. I was given this slot to do a Shape Land workshop and this obviously upset the Story Teller.

Firstly, when I arrived he offered to read my book for me, which I politely declined causing him to actually huff and puff!
"Well, good luck with this bunch of kids," he stuttered at me and walked off. Completely shocked, I wondered if perhapes he had spent a little too much time with children already...

As it happened, I had a lovely group of children to read to. They listened to the story, joined in the Samuel Square tongue rolls ("Phtttttth!") and tried shouting out the shape's names.

I was chuffed at how well it was going and was about to burst into song, when I had a tap on my shoulder.
"Do you mind if I read the children a story now Helen?" It was the annoying Story Teller!
"Erm...yeah sure," I said, putting my colouring activity away. Librarians often read a short story after mine to fill a bit of time, what harm could it do?

Three stories, a few puppets, one hat and a lot of tired children later...the Story Teller finally decided to finish.

He turned and looked at me with a glance that said, 'That's the way to do it'.

Whilst attempting to give him a death stare, I noticed that all the mothers were leaving!

No colouring activity? No bookmarks? Not even a chance to sing 'Twinkle twinkle little star?' My workshop was over and I hadn't had the chance to do half of it. The mothers were leaving with their tired little ones, saying how wonderful the Story Teller had been.

Pants! Sulkily I began to tidy away my books and equipment, whilst listening to the Story Teller take praise and give 'Goodbyes.'

"Helen...That went well didn't it?" He beamed at me. He then explained that although I was above average at telling stories, I would get better with time.
I considered telling him where he could stick his stories, but all I managed was an intellengent grunt. (Pigs grunt and their mean't to be intellegent, right?)

Luckily this experience hadn't put me off doing workshops and I still have the greatest respect for Story Tellers. Libraries will always be one of my favorite venues for Shape Land!

MY NEW WEBSITE!!!

2008-04-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Check out my new website www.authorsites.co.uk/helenwendycooper which has got updated information, news and photographs - including one of my dog Wispa!

I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think! Email shape_land@hotmail.co.uk

The Touring Author- The Things Children Say!

2008-04-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

For World Book Day I was invited to a couple of schools to give half hour presentations on writing children's books.

I felt really honoured to be asked and it was a great opportunity to promote my book at their book fayre's afterwards.

On the morning of the event, I was a nervous wreck! My stomach was filled with butterflies (which meant regular trips to the toilet) and I couldn't eat a thing.

The problem was that children can be the toughest audience in the world. Children need and deserve to be entertained. Their attention needs to be grabbed immediately and if you can make them laugh...all the better!

Another problem I have is actually finding the schools. I can get lost even with a map, AA route finder or sat nav in the car!

Luckily on World Book Day, I knew exactly where the school was, producing one less drop of sweat on my forehead.

My favorite schools are always the little ones, and this school was great. Set in a beautiful location, with only 50 children and a friendly, creative atmosphere.

The children were all dressed up as story book characters and I used this to begin my talk in the assembly hall. Immediately hands shot up into the air and eager faces were all staring at me.

"Do you who I am?" One shouted.

"I'm a wolf and I'm going to eat Little Miss Riding Hood," another child said (his teacher just happened to be dressed up as Miss Hood) and there were many princesses, witches, action hero's etc...They looked fabulous!

We talked about what factors make a good story, favorite authors, types of stories and I was really impressed with the responses.

I then asked 'What would help me be a good writer?'

A princess said 'You should eat breakfast!' A witch suggested 'Weetabix.'

A little soldier said, 'You should try having a wash!' Could they really smell me from a few feet away?

Then Superman suggested 'Watch telly' and a wizard shouted 'Read books,' Hooray... A truly magical answer!

The most entertaining part was when the children got to ask me questions. Their faces lit up and their eyes sparkled as they asked if I'd written the Mr Men (no), was I famous? (No) Was I rich?(Unfortunately not), why hadn't I written Harry Potter? (I ask myself this every day).

Luckily I don't think they were too disappointed that I was just 'Little Miss Normal' and not some super star author who'd sold billions of books...after all we all have to start somewhere and just in case you are wondering, yes I did have a wash in the morning!

The Touring Author - Mother & Toddler Groups

2008-03-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love visiting mother and toddler groups.

There's a certain village hall which hosts a toddler group that invites me regularly. It provides a warm, friendly environment for children to play safely, do creative activities and a nice cup of tea for the mums.

I'd love to go to this particular mother and toddler group weekly, but unfortunately I am missing one vital element- a toddler!

Writing children's books is a fantastic excuse to attend these social mornings. I'll set up a display of my Shape Land books, do a fun colouring/creative activity with the kids (I am an ex-nursery nurse) and then read my book on some comfortable cushions-bliss!

However, not all m&t groups have welcomed me! One group saw me as a sales woman just trying to get their money in exchange for Trevor Triangle (my book), they couldn't be further from the truth!

On this particular occasion I soon realised the morning wasn't going brilliantly, when the first thing said to me was, "If you've come to clean the toilet, you're late!"

Hands up, I replied, "I'm afraid that's not me, I'm here with my book".

I hoped this would produce a smile (as I was giving up my GMTV time), however, all I got was a big tut and an unenthusiastic guide to a table in the far corner of the room.

As the toilet had already been mentioned, I decided to go before the session started. Unfortunately the lock on the 'one and only' toilet didn't work, and I met some of the mums in rather embarrassing circumstances! I bet JK Rowling has never been caught with her M&S spotty pants around her ankles!

Moving on, I tried to mingle and chat amongst the ladies, even resorting to comments on the weather (they were hard work). Unfortunately they had their little groups and made comments like, "We've no money, so there's no point talking to us".

Feeling rather embarrassed and unwanted, I moved onto the children and started organising the colouring activity. Thank goodness for children! You can always guarantee that at least one child will sit with you for ages, colouring, sticking, cutting etc, and it makes the time fly by.

The worst part of the morning had to be my own story time!

I usually have a group of willing, eager children in a reading corner but this m&t group insisted on putting out chairs for every child and forcing them to give up toys in order to sit and listen.

This can be normal practice in a nursery environment, but not m&t groups.

Not surprisingly a few began to cry, but I was encouraged to read my story anyway. With howling children, gossiping mothers and the odd musical toy going off, I attempted to shout out the story line with great difficulty.

Finally the morning ended and I was able to escape to my car. I drove home and delved into a large piece of chocolate cake to cheer myself up, works every time!

This experience hasn't put me off visiting m&t groups, and I'm looking forward to visiting my favorite one when my second book is released this summer.

I'll make sure I go to the toilet before I get there though!

The Touring Author

2008-03-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've heard many wonderful things about blogs, so I've decided to start my own!

I didn't have a clue what to write about at first, a diary? Food recipes? Tips on writing for children? The list could go on and on, so I've decided to write about a few interesting, true events which have happened to me whilst promoting my first Shape Land book.

I'm calling my blog 'The Touring Author' and I hope you all enjoy reading it.

Take care,
Love Helen xxx