Title: Bubbles and Puddles
Author: Michelle Wanasundera
Illustrator: Thana-one Yazaw
Publisher: Lilly Pilly Publishing
Genre: Short Story / Poetry Collection
Age Range: 4+
Book Description:
Little ones eyes are full of wonder for their new world – it’s exciting, beautiful and fun but can be a big place full of unknowns!
These 12 rhymes were created to ease my daughter’s sensitive heart, whilst also nurturing her natural ability to love nature, and cherish the moment.
Refer to the ideas section at the back of the book for handy ideas to use the stories to best suit your child’s specific needs and varying challenges as they grow.
I hope the special littles ones in your lives, be it your own, a relative or dear friend enjoy these stories that aim to celebrate the simple things in life, and getting lost in the wonder of the moment.
Dear, Bubbles and Puddles,
It’s an honour to welcome you to our #InterviewByBook questionnaire!
Let’s begin with ‘the plug’! Please tell us a bit about yourself in the most enticing way possible.
Well they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover – but I’m sooo lovely! You must check me out – but I’m more lovely INSIDE. Each story celebrates and nourishes the wonder of being in the moment – of which children are so expert at (and the grown ups seem to love me too as they glimpse memories of being in awe over the simple things – such as beautiful natural light patterns – in ‘Little Lights’).
What makes you so special?
I think I’m extra special not only because my stories are imaginative and fun – of course! Blowing bubbles and jumping in puddles are the best! But I also contain real tips in my stories that really work.
How do you compare to other books in your approach / themes?
I’m a bit different to most other children’s books in that I’m not one story, but twelve! There is an underlying theme of enjoying nature and slowing down, that I love because being too busy is not good! I much prefer to be held on a cosy couch for hours on end.
Who do you think your author is most similar to in terms of writing style? Why?
I can’t think who she is like! She has a rhyming style similar to many popular children’s book writers but many of her stories contain little messages within, similar I suppose to the Buddha at Bedtime series.
What do you think of your illustrations / cover image? Do you have a favourite image? Why?
Oh I LOVE my cover! The bubbles floating over me, the special girl who is on every one of my pages – up high like a happy yellow sun, sitting on swirly clouds.
What kind of effect have you had on your readers so far? What’s the craziest or most heartwarming thing someone has ever said about You?
Well one reader (a baby I must add) loved me so much she tried to eat my corner! Another reader remembered very well my Belly Bubbles story on the way to preschool and very rightly corrected her mum saying she didn’t have butterflies in her tummy, they were bubbles – to pop away! I feel so happy when a reader can use the memory of one of my stories to help her feel better about school. My author told me someone said I was honestly one of the most beautiful books they had ever seen!
Where is the most unusual place you’ve ever visited or been read?
Hmm, not sure about unusual but I have been all the way to a shelf in a library in NZ. That was exciting. A little girl in the Blue Mountains apparently said she would ‘love me forever!’ and fell asleep on me, that made me feel pretty good. I love being read in the hammock where my author lives, swaying back, and forth, overlooking the garden and mini stream – aaah.
Multiple Choice Question: Who would you most like to be in the hands of?
a. Some totally famous author like Dr. Suess, Enid Blyton or Roald Dahl
b. Some totally famous Royal like The Queen, Prince William or the Princess of Pop
c. Some other-worldly creature that can spread the joy of your book across the entire universe
d. Some random kid you sat next to at the bus stop
e. Other. Would love to hear it!
Can I be greedy and say them all?! If I must choose I would say c – a magical postie that would spread my joy – delivering me to children’s letterboxes that really need me at that moment.
The Nitty Gritty:
Where is your home and where can we buy you?
International: https://www.bookdepository.com/Bubbles-and-Puddles-Michelle-Wanasundera/9780648123 804?ref=grid-view&qid=1517791056930&sr=1-1
https://www.facebook.com/BookBubblesandPuddles/
Thanks so much for coming along and spilling all the deets about you. 😊
Michelle Wanasundera was born in Melbourne and now lives in the beautiful Blue Mountains with her husband and daughter and two very sweet finches. She has a love of nature and has studied psychology, philosophy and children’s meditation – all of which naturally infuses her stories.
Michelle Wanasundera has been writing since she was small – letters, diaries and poems. It was only after writing stories for her daughter, Amali, that a real love for writing children’s stories begun. Amali wanted them in a ‘proper book’ to put on her bookshelf, and that’s just what she got in the form of ‘Bubbles and Puddles’ of which she is the star.
Michelle hopes that these stories bring joy and comfort to your children, as they have Amali.
Thana-one Yazawa was born in Bangkok, Thailand. She studied political sciences and has her second bachelor degree in interior design. Now, she is a freelance interior designer and children’s book illustrator. Her passion has always been for illustration, and she loves to work with bright tones and cheerful colours. ‘My work finds true value with the narration of Michelle Wanasundera. Her poetic text matches the imagination of my sketches, and takes the form of this wonderful book. Let’s go on a new journey together in this colourful world.’
#InterviewByBook #BubblesAndPuddles
