Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Luella Stanley!
It’s a pleasure to introduce a debut picture book author with a background as a registered nurse, Luella Stanley. She’s here to discuss her valuable picture book, that also happens to be a fun adventure – The Dare to Golden Mountain; Finlay the First Aid Bear. A narrative integrated with practical and helpful life saving skills, paired with bright, compelling and powerful illustrations by Dani Mathewson, this first book in the series is bound to be a refreshing and engaging learning experience for young children. Thank you, Luella! 🙂
About the Author
Luella Stanley has been a registered nurse for 19 years, and taught first aid for over 16 years. She owns a First Aid Registered training Organisation called First Aid Action (RTO 31668) in Brisbane.
Luella’s passion is teaching life saving skills to all. Finlay is her way to teach younger children in a fun way.
The Dare to Golden Mountain is Luella’s debut children’s book, featuring Finlay the First Aid Bear. She has teamed up with long-time friend and illustrator, Dani Mathewson, to bring her ideas to life. This is the first book in a series aimed at teaching easily understandable first aid to kids through engaging characters on an epic adventure of discovery.
Visit Luella Stanley at her website: About | FinlayFirstAidBear and on Facebook and Instagram.
Finlay the First Aid Bear can be purchased via Luella’s website.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Luella Stanley is the author and Dani Mathewson is the illustrator. We self published the book with help from Author Services Australia.
WHAT is it about?
The book is an adventure but also educational to teach young children some basic first aid skills. Finlay is a young bear and knows first aid and survival skills. Finlay and his sister Evee go on an adventure to the Golden Mountain on a dare from his friend to find Salmon. Mishaps happen along the way and Finlay has to put his first aid skills to good use. The book has footnotes on first aid. The first adventure to the Golden Mountain will be made into three books with each book introducing new characters and new skills to learn.
What is your favourite part of this book?
The beautiful illustrations and the saying “Call, Say, Wait, Stay” to teach children the basics of calling for an ambulance. We have also had this made into a song that is available now on Spotify.
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
The first edition was started in 2022 and the new version of Book One in 2023.
When is its release / launch date?
The new version was released in November 2023.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
My passion to teach first aid to everyone but especially children.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
It is a fun way to teach first aid.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
Being a fantasy, but educational too.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
The book is available on Amazon and IngramSpark.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
I have also started a book to target the 9-12 year old children to learn about first aid in a fun way. Finlay will be a teenager and not a bear. Book One won’t be released until 2025.
Thanks so much, Luella! We hope Finlay will go far on his adventures! 🙂
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