fuonlyknew

MY REVIEW

Sam is a nine year old girl just starting at a new school. Most kids would be nervous, but with her Mom’s encouraging words, she not only isn’t scared, she shines.

I loved how in the beginning, when Sam first meets her classmates, she’s the only one illustrated in color. As the kids become curious about Sam and her obvious excitement to dance, they start joining in and they too are then illustrated in color. And such fun, bold outfits they donned.

A girl after my own heart, I wish I’d known someone like Sam when I was in school. I was insecure and worried what others thought of me and my school years were miserable. It wasn’t until high school that I found my own self and began to shine. Bravo to the author for ‘painting’ her character in courage and passion. I could almost hear the music and the kid’s laughter. I’m sure I’d have been tapping my feet and joining in if I’d been there.

This was a delightful story with an important lesson and I wish every child had their own copy so they could also shine.

5 STARS

MY REVIEW

Charlie is choosy. He has his favorite food and that’s all he eats. His favorite clothes and that’s all he wears. Then he begins to wonder. What if he tries new things. Joins in new activities. Perhaps he’d find new things he’d love.

Charlie Chaloosy Is Often Quite Choosy is such a fun title. Say it out loud. It rolls off the tongue. I did. I read this entire fun, rhyming book out loud. I’d turn each page. Study the delightful illustrations. Then I’d read the page out loud. It made me grin through the entire book. Imagine how much more fun it would be if you were reading it to a young one.

I have the hardcover edition and it’s lovely. Large but not too large so children can hold it and turn the smooth, colorful pages easily. And the illustrations are colorful and filled with so many things to look at. The type is large but not too large and bold so you can read it easily too. And the conclusion to the story includes two pages to write and draw on. An invite from the author to write your own story. So kids, put on those thinking caps. Come up with a fun story of your own. And remember….. you don’t have to be too choosy.

5 STARS

Author Interview with Brad Mason, author of CHARLIE CHALOOSY IS OFTEN QUITE CHOOSY

What do you do when you aren’t writing a children’s book?

I am in my 34th year in education and I serve as a superintendent in a school district in Southern California. Caring for children by overseeing an educational organization is a macro-level way I can care for the needs of children. Writing a children’s book is much more of a micro-level approach to impacting the lives of children, because it makes progress one book and one child at a time.

Where did you find your motivation to become a children’s author?

Writing children’s literature is new to me over the last year. This book is my first foray into the filed of children’s literature. My wife and I have added six grandchildren to our ranks in the last 4-½ years and my time and focus has shifted to loving them and helping build into their little lives. I have been reintroduced to bedtime stories through the eyes and minds of my grandchildren and I saw this as a wonderful way to press in on things I feel are vital for young children. I will tell you, the thought of my writing being an encouragement to a young child is nothing short of inspiring and humbling and it will be the fuel that keeps me writing!

What is your hope for the Charlie Chaloosy series?

I want this book and the whole Charlie Chaloosy series to positively impact children by encouraging them to grow in confidence as they experience success by conquering new endeavors. I think Charlie is an endearing character, but he was stuck on the sidelines due to his anxiety and fears. As I get closer to retirement, I want to take Charlie and the books I have written on the road to schools and do Author Assemblies and Writing Workshops with children in elementary schools. I am a huge proponent of getting children to read. However, I’m even more convinced the key to building better readers is to building young authors and illustrators. I was taught early on in my career that you learn things best when you are responsible for teaching them. Likewise, I believe you build better readers when you teach children to become authors. I want to share my journey and learning as it pertains to Charlie Chaloosy in the hopes of inspiring a whole new generation of children to Write Your Own Story!

My dreams are big for Charlie, so stay tuned!