We've been following this independently published title for quite some time now, ever since a few panels from the story appeared in our Twitter feed. Thanks to Angela DiBartolomeo, we've now had a chance to take a look at the full version of "Vicki's Wish" and it's a stunning book with a really unique visual style.

The story of Vicki, a little girl drawn into a magical world of wonder when she wishes on a star one night as she's falling asleep.

She wakes up to find a magical fairy has appeared. The fairy needs someone strong and brave to help with a perilous quest and at first Vicki is reluctant. She's not strong and brave, but the fairy convinces her - and soon they're off on a fantastic journey to find out why the moon has lost some of its sheen.

You're instantly drawn into the story, with its gentle lyrical rhymes and of course the astonishing CGI visuals in the story - reminiscent of fantastic movies like those by Pixar or Dreamworks. Such visual richness means that the story really springs to life, children are in awe of the little details in each page spread, and can listen to mum or dad reading aloud (or if you've chosen the app version, have someone expertly read the story to you!)

As Vicki's tale unfolds, Charlotte was drawn to the core theme of the story which helps children deal with anxiety issues, and believe in themselves. Vicki's quest isn't only about restoring the moon's shine, but also digging deep into her own abilities. It's a really uplifting theme to help overcome self-doubt and perhaps seeing Vicki's inner strength shining through will positively inspire children to take a leaf out of Vicki's book.

It's a truly stunning book, but don't take our word for it. Find out more about Vicki's Wish yourself through the following links.

"Vicki's Wish" is now available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vickis-Wish-Angela-M-DiBartolomeo/dp/1493610279

...and you can also obtain it for your iPhone or iPad via the iTunes store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/vickis-wish/id733690838?mt=11

Here's an interview with the creative team behind "Vicki's Wish" on the talk show "Let Them Talk"



Don't forget to drop by the "Clever Mammals" Facebook page to find out more about "Vicki's Wish".

Charlotte's best bit: When the fairy first appears in Vicki's Room

Daddy's Favourite bit: Sumptuously produced, beautifully written and illustrated - Vicki's Wish sets a very high standard for self published titles.

(Kindly sent to us in digital form for review by Angela DiBartolomeo)

Living in Oxfordshire, we're never more than a stone's throw away from the mighty influences of fantasy authors who made the county their home, such as C.S Lewis, J.R.R Tolkien and of course Phillip Pullman.

Fantasy as a genre owes much to the former pair of inklings, and in Steven Loveridge's book "The Palace Library" it's easy to see why several reviewers have drawn comparisons between Lewis and Tolkien's masterworks, and Loveridge's novel.

Putting children firmly at the heart of the story, Loveridge has carved out a fantasy landscape that at first feels very familiar to anyone who has read any of The Chronicles of Narnia but fast establishes itself as feeling more written for today's children, standing on its own feet to show us a glimpse of a fantasy world altogether different to Lewis' imagined kingdom of Narnia.

Three children discover a dusty library in an old house, and this becomes the portal to an adventure that stretches their abilities and imaginations to the limit. Using books, the children embark on a hazardous journey to restore a lost sword to its rightful place - as clues and interwoven plots become unlocked through the power of words.

I loved the fact that the book celebrates libraries, books and the mystical journeys we can all embark on through their pages and children will love the fact that the three in the story (Grace, Eleanor and Harry) are just ordinary everyday kids, much like themselves - but given the chance to live through an extraordinary adventure, segueing perfectly with things they've previously only ever read about.

The mark of a good fantasy novel is its ability to effortlessly draw in the readers' mind a mental picture of how the fantasy world looks, purely through the power of the written word - and at times you can almost smell the heady mix of excitement and adventure in "The Palace Library". It's a very 'visual' book and one that lends itself well to helping the reader imagine the world within living and breathing and assaulting all your senses at once.

For early chapter readers looking to cut their teeth on their first fantasy books, perhaps looking for something shorter and less 'toothy' than the works of Tolkien and Lewis, this is a book that shines as brightly as its golden cover. We really hope there's a sequel on the way soon!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Steven Loveridge)

"Garbage, Monster, Burp" by Tom Watson. A cracking example of a brilliant self-published e-book

For the #ReaditMD2013 campaign week this week, we thought we'd take a dip back into the archives to look at some of the self published and independently published books we've read and loved over the past few years.

There's a quiet and steady revolution going on as more families buy tablet PCs and start to look around at what's available in e-book form. The Amazon Kindle Publishing Service is one route to go down, as well as other e-publishing portals like CreateSpace.

Some folk, such as Hazel Nutt (with the brilliant "Secret Life of Squirrels" trilogy of books), even go as far as offering a complete site with books available in print form.

We've taken a look at Beachy Books in the past too and the message that comes across from self-publishers is that if you've got the passion and drive to put your book out there, and promote it as widely and as far as possible, it can be really rewarding.

We get a steady stream of self-published authors contacting us with books. Some are absolutely amazing and of the highest quality like the recent "Great Reef Race" by Leyland Perree and Stuart McGhee. Books made for the love of sharing stories and great sites like "Stories For My Little Sister" and "Once Upon a Slime" are also well worth a visit for even more booktastic fun. 

Most self-publishers are under no illusion that it's a route to riches but from time to time some books become so popular and sell so well that it gives their authors enough of a raised profile to secure them a deal with a major publisher. Looking outside children's books, the massive book-industry-rebooting "50 Shades of Grey" started out as a piece of fan fiction, so you never know what might happen with your book or collection of stories.

We have a lot of admiration for folk who have the sheer guts to put their work out there into a public forum for others to take a look at. Long may they continue to do so!

Got a great indie or self-published book recommendation? Let us know in the comments below!

It's something we've always wondered. What DO squirrels get up to when we're not looking? One minute they're innocently scrabbling around on the ground for lost acorns or missing cobnuts, the next minute you turn around and they're gone.

One little toddler knows the secret, one Hazel Nutt who is the tiny genius behind a trilogy of excellent little books (helped by her mummy and daddy of course).

Hazel knows that squirrels are very mischievous and also extremely clever.

We find out just how clever in the first book "What Squirrels Do When You're Not Looking"

If you happen to see a swing swinging when there's no breeze, or a strange slidey bald patch in a treetop, you might not give it a second glance - but Hazel knows what's been going on and you can almost guarantee that the squirrels have been around and about, playfully teasing us behind our backs.

With rhyming verse and a hilarious look at how squirrels are extremely good at pulling the wool over our eyes, "What Squirrels Do When You're Not Looking" is available via CreateSpace and Amazon.


Did you also know that Squirrels have their own Olympic Games?
Hazel knows, and in "What Squirrels Do: The Squirrel Olympics" you'll find out how our furry little friends limber up for their own sporting extravaganza. We all know squirrels are fantastic at running and jumping, but I bet you didn't know that they can also limbo under the lowest twigs, or walk precariously between washing poles treading a perilous tightrope. Funny and action packed, it's great to see our squirrely friends taking part in challenging events around the garden and trees.

Here's a link to "What Squirrels Do: The Squirrel Olympics" on Amazon and CreateSpace


Last but by no means least, Hazel shows us behind the squirrely curtain one more time to take a look at "What Squirrels Do: Just For Fun". When our back is turned, and ever so quick, Squirrels are always ready with a cheeky little trick (hey that rhymed!)

Cheering each other on with flower pom-poms while being chased by dogs and cats. Pulling cheeky faces at us (which we'll never see because squirrels are just too quick for us to catch them in the act!)

"What Squirrels Do: Just For Fun" can be purchased at CreateSpace and Amazon

Charlotte really loved reading the adventures of Hazel Nutt and it have given her a whole new way to look at the many Squirrels who live in our locale, and scurry around on the rooftops early in the morning. We know they're not being noisy pests, we now know (thanks to Hazel) that they're up to all sorts of fun activities and anyone who loves nature and animals will definitely find this lovely little collection of stories amusing and fun.

Charlotte's best bit: The squirrel tightrope act in "The Squirrel Olympics"

Daddy's favourite bit: Great engaging artwork, and a whole ton of fun. Fab stuff Hazel, can't wait for more!

(Kindly sent to us for review by the fabulous Hazel Nutt herself!)

The talented Squirrel Whisperer herself!

We were wowed by Debbie Fox's book 'Quiet Kid' with its sumptuous illustrations and weighty themes, so we were honoured when Debbie agreed to an interview with us. We're still novices at the interview game but with two kids (one 44, one 4) scrabbling to think up some interesting questions, we think we came up with some corkers. So over to Debbie..


ReadItDaddy: Here at ReadItDaddy we're interested in how artists work so
describe how your typical 'creative' day gets under way.

Debbie Fox: What a great question! All of my days are creative because I work in an elementary school. Being around kids is inspiring and just so much fun. I have created many handmade books for my work at school- some that even have puppets- and a few of these books have gone on to be published.

I always get my book ideas from interesting classroom conversations about social concerns children face. When I get home, I think about these talks, grab a pencil and sketchbook and just start drawing and scribbling notes. This is how my books get their start.


ReadItDaddy: What do you think you'd describe as your essential 'tools' as an artist?

Debbie Fox: I've been drawing and painting since I was a little kid. I started formal oil painting lessons-three hours long- when I was seven. When I went to art college in Toronto, Canada, I studied experimental painting. I painted large abstract and colorful works. Over the years, I have tried many different art mediums.

I learned that I especially like to work with cut paper collage. I enjoy the challenge of searching for my colors mostly in magazines, but also old letters, postcards, etc. A lot of luck is involved in finding just the right colors. I sort these bits of paper into piles of reds, grays, blues, etc., and store them in a large cabinet with lots of drawers. This is my palette. Besides lots of paper colors, a collage artist needs sharp scissors and very good glue. I have tried many kinds of glues and finally found the one I like best. Recently I have been experimenting with a kind of watercolor called gouache (which rhymes with squash).  Painting the gouache over some of the collage gives it a dreamy kind of feeling. Most of the artwork in Quiet Kid was created this watercolor/collage technique.

Quiet Kid Cover Art

ReadItDaddy: Many writers produce their own art for their children's books, do
you think there's a balance to be kept or do you tend to prefer
writing over illustration or vice versa?

Debbie Fox: Actually, I think it's the other way around- that some artists can find the words that live quite nicely with their pictures. And it's really hard to do both of them well. I never thought as a child that I could be a writer because I have always been such a terrible speller. My teachers certainly reminded me of this every time I turned in a paper- lots of red circles and corrections. But with good editors and spell-checking on computers, this is not really a big problem. I try to let my students know that it is their ideas that matter to me; we'll fix the spelling and grammar details later. For me, the artwork is where I find the heart of my books, but I will always stop and jot down writing ideas while I'm creating the art.



ReadItDaddy: We love the themes of your books, it seems there are very few
writers / illustrators that are 'brave' enough to tackle emotive
issues in Children's Books, why do you think this is?

Debbie Fox: As an educator, I am always looking for books that might spark much-needed conversations. I feel children's picture books should visually reflect the tone of their subject matter. And when the subject is both serious and important, I have a problem with books that use cartoonish imagery and flip language. It just seems sort of insulting and disrespectful.to me. I choose to tackle the serious, important subjects in the way I do because I believe kids don't want to be talked down to. Growing up is tough at times, and kids have a lot on their minds. They are so concerned about being accepted and fitting in. I wish that more children's authors would create books that really speak to what worries kids without making it seem lighthearted. There are plenty of lighthearted books out there already.


ReadItDaddy: We particularly loved "Quiet Kid" as this is definitely something
that both of us identify with (I was a very quiet withdrawn kid and
loved escaping to books. Charlotte is also very quiet and quite shy
but does come out of her shell from time to time). Have you had
contact with any parents / children who have been particularly touched
by Quiet Kid's core themes and ideas?


Debbie Fox: I have been amazed by the number of adults who have read Quiet Kid and discovered that they are in fact introverted and never knew it. They see their childhood selves right there in the pages. I had one mother tell me that she didn't realize her daughter was an introvert because she is always so talkative: at home. Well, that is such an interesting aspect of quiet kids; at home or with a close friend they can talk up a storm, especially if the topic is something very meaningful to them. I have read Quiet Kid aloud in some of my classes, and was both honored and pleased by the overall reaction the book received. And when I get those hugs after class, I know I must be on to something.

ReadItDaddy: Questions from Charlotte: "Do you have a pet? If so what do you have?"

Debbie Fox: Hi, Charlotte! I do not have a pet right now, but am really thinking a lot about getting a cat. I used to have a cat named Ben, a big, gentle fellow who loved to watch me paint. He had gray stripey fur and when he laid down on one side, the patterns in his stripes seemed to spell the word 'WoW'. It might be hard to find another cat like that!.


ReadItDaddy:  Charlotte also asks "What's your favourite place to be?" (A bit of
an ambiguous question but hey, let's go with it!)

Debbie Fox: Another really great question! I think my favorite place of all is in my home, which is very lucky for me. I have a large, rumply stuffed chair in the corner of a room filled with books and a large picture window. This is actually where I sit and dream up my books. I do other things there, too, like cuddle and read with my three year-old granddaughter Olivia, sew and look around on my laptop. I drink my morning coffee there, and it is a great place for an afternoon nap. Sometimes when I'm away from home and very busy, I think about going home to my favorite chair.


ReadItDaddy: We're truly in a golden age of children's picture books at the
moment. What do you think goes towards defining a particular book as
'a classic' these days?

Debbie Fox: I like books that seem timeless. Books that I imagine my grandmother would have liked as a young girl. Books that I imagine my granddaughter's someday-children would also like. Ones that don't make a big, loud fuss. Quiet books.


ReadItDaddy:  Who are your favourite inspirations artist / author wise?

Debbie Fox: Some of the artist/author's I loved as a child include Leo Lionni, Ann and Paul Rand,  Bruno Munari, Arnold Lobel, Mary Blair and Maurice Sendak. Their work was and is still incredibly good. Some contemporary artist/authors whose work I really admire .include Shaun Tan, Barbara Lehman (who creates beautiful wordless books), Lois Ehlert, and discarded-object collage artist Gusti.


ReadItDaddy: Last but not least and this is a question we always ask (for obvious reasons!) - how
important do you think online communities and social networking / bloggers are to your work? Do they help or hinder?

Debbie Fox: I don't spend a lot of time on social networking sites but I am a huge fan of the blogging world- it is a great way for many introverted creative types to find their voice. It's perfect, actually; blogs allow their author the time and space to deeply think through what to say, there's no direct in-your-face interaction, and it's visual. I really believe in the power good blogs have to educate and enlighten. One of the best things about the internet.

Thanks for a great interview and some brilliant answers Debbie. We wish you all the best with Quiet Kid.

Quiet Kid by Debbie Fox is available via Amazon