Weezie, the Elephant with Allergies by Maranda Russell

Another children’s book by Maranda Russell which takes a wonderfully simple idea and makes it beautiful. Growing up in a foster home I saw what it was like for children of all ages to wait for the perfect fit, some much longer than others for no reason other than them being themselves.

Weezie, in this case, is the elephant in the room after everyone else has been adopted. He begins to blame himself, his uncontrollable sneezes from allergies, for not being acceptable to any visiting family and convinces himself that he’ll never find a home away from the orphanage.

The only line in this book I stumbled over was “For a moment his eyes filled with hope, but then he remembered the past and shook his head.” Elephants have incredible memories and so I pondered the significance of suddenly remembering the past that had upset him so. Once I got through that I was right back with Weezie, the Elephant with Allergies and rooting that he found a home. He did, of course, find a home and I think this book will easily find a home in your hearts.

I can’t wait for the print edition with more illustrations to be available! Right now you can read this as an ebook through Smashwords.

Thanks Maranda for letting me read this and for sharing with the world the theme of belonging.

And thank you for reading!
Sarah Butland

 

 


The Tiny Caterpillar and the Great Big Tree

Although this book isn’t by a Canadian author I felt it deserved a review on this site anyway.

The Tiny Caterpillar and the Great Big Tree is a children’s book written by author Kelly Moran that is sure to impress parents and children of all ages.

With its colourful illustrations done by Lynn Lorbeske, The Tiny Caterpillar learns about acceptance, forgiveness and adventure while realizing that change and differences are nothing to cower from. Moran has readers follow the tale of the relationship between a tiny caterpillar and the great big world around him through persistence and devotion to friendships already made.

Falling in love with Moran’s collection of short stories and poems in An Insomniac’s Dream: A Collection of Poems and Short Stories I knew I had to get her children’s book for my newest addition. When she offered me a copy for review I couldn’t pass up the amazing offer and will soon be buying my own copy of this fantastic story.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland


Canadian Children’s Book Authors

With my first child on the way I decided to fill my child’s bookshelf with Canadian authors and will post reviews on each book. I’d love to have your help with this.

How to help:

  • Tell me your favourite Canadian children’s book author
  • Share your favourite Canadian children’s book
  • If you’re an author yourself, ask for my address and send me a copy

It doesn’t matter to me the age target, anything will do. I will review them all!

Thanks for your help.


Help Me Make Sending You Sammy #1

Currently my children’s book helping fight childhood obesity is #77 in Children’s Books – Science, Natures & How It Works – Health – Fiction on Amazon.ca. This is such a specific category that is perfect for the first of the Adventures Of Sammy series that I know it won’t take much to put and keep it #1. It may seem like a small accomplishment but it’ll definitely be a start in the right direction.

Once we get it to appear as #1 in this category we’ll take over another until it’s the #1 in the Children’s Books category!!’

INCREDIBLE:  September 16, 2009.  SOOOOO Close. Sending You Sammy will be #1 this week, I just know it. 

#4,282 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#5 in  Books > Children’s Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Fiction
#5 in  Books > Children’s Books > Issues > Personal Hygiene
#21 in  Books > Teens > Literature & Fiction > Adventure & Thrillers

Update: June 24, 2009 it sits at #75 in Children’s Books – Science, Natures & How It Works – Health – Fiction . Up two notches!  Let’s keep up the momentum.

July 25: 71 and climbing!! Keep it going 🙂

July 30: 69!!!

July 31: 68 🙂

WOW!!! 🙂 August 28th shows Sending You Sammy as #6 in Books > Children’s Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Fiction and #10 in Books > Children’s Books > Issues > Personal Hygiene

We’re so close! Let’s keep it going and make this #1 in both of these categories before school starts!!

September 03: It’s slipping and it shouldn’t be. With school starting this is a must have in your child’s classroom.
#29 in Books > Children’s Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Fiction
#58 in Books > Children’s Books > Issues > Personal Hygiene

September 15th – slipped some more:

#74 in  Books > Children’s Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Fiction

Sarah Butland

www.SarahButland.com


Unlaunching the New Site

www.AdventuresOfSammy.com now offers a great deal more than what you’ve previously seen. With Sending You Sammy available in eBook format available for download immediately, a place for me to blog and offer insight, a place for you to comment and share what you think; www.AdventuresOfSammy.com is a celebration of what this children’s book series will become.

Celebrate with me by visiting the site and keeping in touch with me. You never know what I’ll offer next.