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New Picture Book Helps Young Ones Ease their Transition to School

12/15/2019

4 Comments

 
The first day of school can be both exciting and scary for young children.  My Lil' First School, the third book in Toby Williams’s Brooke Lynn Adventure Series, addresses this issue and helps you get your child ready to step inside the classroom.
 
Join me on a Cat's Corner Book Spotlight  ....
  • Preview this delightful new picture book
  • Meet the author and illustrator (a dynamic duo!)
  • Enjoy an excerpt
  • Catch my interview with author Toby Williams
  • Find my Catly review of My ‘Lil First School​
Book Spotlight ~ My Lil’ First School ~ catmichaelswriter.com


​About the Book
 
Title: My Lil’ First School | Author: Toby Williams | Illustrator: Corrina Holyoake |  Publication Date: October 2019 | Publisher: Toby A Williams | Pages: 21 | Recommended Ages: 4-8

* Amazon US *

​My Lil’ First School is the third book in Toby Williams's Brooke Lynn Adventure Series.

​The story follows Brook Lynn walking through the big front doors of her new school for the first time.  When she looks for her seat before the teacher comes in, she notices butterflies in her tummy.  After a warm smile from the teacher, being brave, meeting new friends and being kind to others ease her uncomfortable feelings of this new environment.  

​Hurry, there’s the school bell!

 
My backpack was full of goodies,
maybe too much just for me?

I noticed a boy had no lunch,

so I shared my sandwich and tea.
​

Excerpt_My Lil' First School


Q & As
with author Toby Williams
​
Cat:       Is Brooke Lynn based on anybody you know?  
Toby:       My great-niece, Ava, was the main influence of Brooke Lynn’s character development.  I also see a lot of my younger self in Brooke Lynn’s antics and personality.

Cat:       What inspired you to write this book?
Toby:       My great-niece, Ava, had just turned 4 and was already talking about going to school (Pre-K) in the Fall.  When my niece, Jessica, sent a picture of Ava dressed up in her new outfit, backpack donned and looking like she just might keel over, it was exactly how I envisioned Brooke Lynn heading to her first day of school.  My Lil’ First School (Book 3) is dedicated to Ava.
Book Spotlight ~ My Lil’ First School ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Inspiration for Brooke Lynn
Cat:            What will Brooke Lynn be celebrating on December 15th?  
Toby:       This series will have its one-year milestone!  Since my first Brooke Lynn books was published December 15, 2018, a total of three books in my series hav been published to date.

​Cat:           What’s your next project?
Toby:        Ava is growing up quickly, and so is Brooke Lynn.  Being responsible with chores, following through on promises and thinking of others (selfless) will be the focus in the upcoming fourth book in The Brooke Lynn Adventures: When an abandoned puppy is left at the doorstep, will Brooke Lynn be able to keep her? What will it entail to show that Brooke Lynn is ready to care for a new member of the family?
​
Cat:            If you could be a Disney character, who would you be, and why?
Toby:         Cinderella – she not only overcomes adversity but learns to find happiness in the smallest of tasks; her positive attitude throughout shines through as the Prince chooses her genuine, kind nature over pretentious, self-seeking young ladies.  It is the epitome of a fairytale!
 
Cat:            What’s your favorite dessert?
Toby:            Rocky Road; crazy for chocolate, marshmallows & nuts.   
 
Cat:            Favorite book you read as a child?
Toby:           Blueberries for Sal by Robert McClosky.  “Ka-plunk” – the sound of the blueberries hitting the empty bucket; I, like Sal, ate more berries than I brought home.  Growing up in New Hampshire, this book is a New England favorite classic.  And to this day, blueberries are my favorite berry.
Book Spotlight ~ My Lil’ First School ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Toby Williams's childhood fave read
 
Cat:               Favorite genre to read OR last book you finished?
Toby:            I read quite a bit – mostly fiction.  It’s a tie between historical romance such as Rhys Bowen’s The Tuscan Child, and suspenseful thrillers.  I just finished Robert Duggins’ The Eighth Sister, which was an excellent contemporary Russian-conspiracy thriller.         

Cat:              What else might readers like to know about you?
Toby:          As an avid golfer, I enjoy weekly competition with my two women’s golf groups.  The combination of being outside while while walking the golf course with girlfriends adds to the fun-loving competition of the game.  Every Friday, however, is dedicated to my husband as “our golf day” – something we have done together for years. 


​My Review
Picture
My Lil’ First School by Toby Williams is the perfect picture book to help youngsters prepare for their school experience. Using a series of 4-line rhymes opposite charming illustrations by Corrina Holyoake, the book addresses uncertainties youngsters face as they transition to the classroom.

With Brooke Lynn as a role model, children learn how she prepares the night before and wakes early on her big day to catch the bus.  At school, her teacher’s warm smile eases the way, with art class  and making new friends further dissipating her worries.

Comprehension  questions at the end of the book help children process what they read.  Highly recommend My Lil’ First School for early readers, a delightful tale that instills confidence and positive attitudes for those crucial first days of school.

Meet the Illustrator

CORRINA HOLYOAKE is a children’s illustrator and artist based in the seaside resort, Bognor Regis, in the South of England. 
Book Spotlight ~ My Lil’ First School ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Artist/Illustrator Corrina Holyoake
She has had a love for painting and writing from an early age and always wanted to do something creative when she grew up. As a child, she would spend hours drawing her favorite cartoon characters and illustrating her own stories.  Her love of creativity continued into adulthood through many mediums and artistic ventures.

After taking a sabbatical to raise her family and a subsequent difficult loss within her family, Corrina was guided to dust off her paintbrushes. From that day forward, her creativity has unleashed onto a whole new level and she was able to turn what was a hobby into her dream job. She adores bringing other peoples creations to life and works with authors and clients across the globe

​Facebook  |  Instagram   
​

Meet the Author
​

Book Spotlight ~ My Lil’ First School ~ catmichaelswriter.comAuthor Toby A. Williams
TOBY A. WILLIAMS, born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire, currently resides in the San Diego area of Southern California with her best friend, who also happens to be her husband of many years.  They enjoy travel, golf, helping out in the community and of course, reading and writing.  

​Her inspiration to write children’s stories was borne from her mother’s childhood reflections of a kind neighbor in New Hampshire.  This woman had a magical name, Tasha Tudor (1915-2008, American author & illustrator of children’s literature).  Toby’s mother spoke about the uniqueness Tasha Tudor had as a storyteller in capturing children’s imaginations.  Mother would say fondly to Toby, “Look at the cow-cow-moo-caddities.  That’s what Tasha Tudor calls cows!”

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Book Series Page  |  Author Page
​

Your Turn  

Thanks for stopping by Cat's Corner and meeting Toby and Corrina.  I adore both these talented women, who brilliantly work together despite being separated by thousands of miles and living an ocean apart.  

​Brooke Lynn was ready for her first day!  What else helps a child succeed at school?  Please share in the comment section.

Book Spotlight ~ My Lil’ First School ~ catmichaelswriter.com
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My Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road

12/8/2019

18 Comments

 
Was 2019 a bumpy ride for you? Or full of smooth turns and gentle curves?  
 
My #Gr8Blogs writerly pals and I are diving deep into a year-end blog hop, December Dreamin’. I’m looking back at my moments and lessons learned from challenges this past year on the writing road.
 
Check out my personal reveals, meet Critic Cat and Confident Cat, and then visit the #Gr8Blogs linked at the end of this post for more shared recollections and smiles. We hope you'll be inspired to dive into special December Dreams of your own.
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Photo: Unsplash

Bumpy Roads
​

Stalling
The conflict between Critic Cat and Confident Cat was brutal the first half of 2019.  Their arguments spun round in my head and wore me down.
 
I put it down to winter blues on top of moving from our beloved neighborhood of 20 years to our cozy yellow cottage.  While grateful for the new home, I felt overwhelmed and inexplicably sad.  
 
Didn’t post much on my blog or newsletter. 
 
Stalled on my adult fiction novel.  
​
Wanted to quit writing altogether more than once. 
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Early 2019: lots of bumpy roads on the writing journey

​Sigh.  The battle raged …

Critic Cat
​

Hah!  
Quit whining.

Get over it!
Why don't you stop writing? 
Throw in the towel.
Close it down.
Admit you're through.
Confident Cat

Hey, give yourself a break!
You just came through the holidays and huge life changes.
Find ways to nourish your soul, make yourself happy, and go there.
Your writing will follow.
If not, it’s ok to take a different path.


On the Come Up
​
I recognized I was burning out and struggled to shake off my funk.  It wasn't easy, but here’s what got me going:

  • Less is better
    Cut back on social media and authoring from what felt like24/7 at 100mph to half-days, five days a week, and only occasional weekends
  • Move it!
    Sandwiched my work between yoga flow during mornings at the gym and long walks in the afternoons. Added morning laps once the pool opened.  Also loved meeting new friends from the gym and neighborhood pool (especially the 5-yo cutie, who paddled alongside and chatted during my cool-down laps).
  • People who need people
    Stayed in touch with friends and sought new connections in person and cyberspace.  Volunteered more in the community.    
  • Great escapes
    Turned off my brain. Dreamed about my new garden. Downloaded light reads.  Binged two seasons of Outlander. Caught reruns of Downton Abbey (Mercy, how my problems paled compared to what these characters endured, especially Lady Mary dealing with poor Mr. Pamuk and dead Matthew!)
     

Makin' It

Exploring New Ways
Author/Illustrator Rosie Russell and I began collaborating on a new middle-grade book. (We’re up to chapter 22 in our tale about a shy 5th grader who must stand up to a mean girl to keep her friends and reach her dream of entering her horse in the county fair). 
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
map illustration by Rosie Russell
Co-writing is a special challenge when working with someone who lives 1,500 miles away.  But Rosie is a joy to work with, just as her name implies, and being accountable to another author nudged me back to writing.  

​Plus, I finally had drafts to share with my local writers’ support group.  It was way better to share our chapters instead of berating myself when another month went by without having written a jot for our feedback sessions.
  
Taking Chances
By mid-year, Critic Cat still hounded me, but Confident Cat convinced me to enter the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Contest.  Waffling until the the deadline, I submitted
 Sweet T and the Turtle Team.

Six months later ...

Turtle Team scored its third writing award and received a silver medal for children’s books, animal category 
 
PLUS 
 
Turtle Team won the Wind Dancer Films competition!  

That meant my book was being considered for a film or TV movie adaption by a major Hollywood production company.  
 I am still over the moon and goose-bumping! My book adaptation may never come to pass, but I was 99% ahead of other authors, who only dream of getting their books on the silver screen.  

Turtle Team wins film competition
Turtle Team scores Readers' Favorite silver
Celebrating Success
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Cat at Children's Literary Classics Awards
Critic Cat continued to recede as Hub and I attended the Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards in Rapid City, South Dakota.

​Turtle Team had been recognized by CLC with a  gold medal, environment category.

​I was one happy Cat on award's night -:D.

(Hey, catch my photo walk to the American West and  that red carpet weekend HERE)

​As my 2019 roller coaster winds down, Confident Cat has been keeping Critic Cat in the corner.

But I want to be ready when Critic Cat strikes again. That’s the writing road, after all.  Having doubts. Constantly striving to be better. Navigating bumps and curves mingled with smooth rides.  Keeping going when everything feels hard and progress is slow.
 
Here’s to more of Confident Cat and readers like YOU, who keep me company on my writing road. Your support means more than you'll ever know.  Beyond grateful!
​
 
Your Turn
Thanks for stopping by.  What are you dreaming about this December as you look back over your year? Please share in the comment section.

But before you go, find more inspirational recollections from my blogging buddies at these #Gr8blogs, coming to you from California and all the way to New Zealand and in between -:D!
​
​Julie Schooler

James Milton


Julie Gorges



Rebecca Lyndsey
​
Rosie Russell


​Sandra Bennett


​
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    Cat Michaels

    Blogging about books, writing, family life,  travel and  more good stuff.


    Meet Cat
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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
      • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Meet Cat
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Contact Cat