Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Sandra Bennett!
A fear that leads to an imaginative, booming and boisterous night of delight and discovery. Sandra Bennett‘s new picture book will create a thunderous roar amongst its readers as they roll through the storm of wild and wonderful wordplay and visual sensations. Dragons Drumming is a *noisy* rhyming tale that will have toddlers and pre-schoolers clapping for more dragon drama, which in actual fact will help to alleviate any thunderstorm anxieties. With beautiful and energetic illustrations by Maya Bora, this is a book for every occasion – whatever the weather.
Thank you, Sandra, for sharing your magical story with us! 🙂
About the Author
Sandra Bennett has been writing but not always publishing her stories since last century. Some of her stories were for her eyes only, others were written for the kids in her kindergarten – year 2 classes, while still more were written for her three boys and now her three grandchildren.Â
Sandra delights in writing stories that include loads of her experiences in nature, and the ever-changing and often harsh, Australian environment. These include her award-winning chapter book series the Adamson Adventures. Along with the three thrilling and intriguing previous adventures, Book 4, Track in the Mist, will keep kids reading well after lights out with its mystery and will be released in June 2024.
She is pleased and excited to announce the release of Dragons Drumming, a delightfully fun picture book that is perfect for bedtime reading over and over again. It will encourage children to explore using their imaginations to alleviate fears.
Visit Sandra Bennett at her website: Sandra Bennett and on Facebook and Instagram.
Dragons Drumming can be purchased here.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Dragons Drumming is written by Sandra Bennett. Illustrated by Maya Bora and published by Rosella Ridge Books with the help of Tadda Books.
WHAT is it about? What is your favourite part of this book?
A little boy and his best friend, Smudge the dog, are frightened by the loud booming of an ever-increasing thunderstorm. They need to find a way to overcome their fear.
It’s hard to describe my favourite part of the book. There are so many delightful pages where the illustrations reflect and add to my words delightfully. From the fear they both feel while hiding under the bed, to bravely conducting the dragons as they play their percussion instruments.
WHEN did you begin writing this book? When is its release / launch date?
I first began writing the book about two years ago, and after many revisions, manuscript assessments and more editing, it is finally ready for release on 1st February 2024. The book launch was held here in Canberra at the Book Cow-Kingston on 25th February to coincide with the Chinese New Year Celebrations with Chinese Dragons dancing and drumming around Green Square.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
My inspiration came from my grandson and daughter-in-law. My grandson was four years old at the time and was rather scared of a loud rumbling thunderstorm that came through one night. His mum tried to comfort him by saying that there was nothing to fear, that it was only the dragons drumming in the sky. I knew instantly that there was a story waiting to be told with that statement.
WHY is this book meaningful to you? Why would its message resonate with readers?
This summer we have had many severe thunderstorms pass overhead. Each time we hear them, my grandkids all now say, ‘don’t worry, it’s just the dragons drumming.’ They laugh and nod now that their fear has been alleviated.
The sounds of thunderstorms are frightening to many young children and many parents struggle to find ways to comfort them. This story will help ease children’s minds with its gentle imaginative and fun wordplay style.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
The illustrations are absolutely adorable. They convey the mood of the boy and his dog just as I imagined. From the darkness of fear as the storm begins and escalates to the brightness and celebration of excitement as he discovers a way to overcome his fear and enjoy the storm.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
You can find further information about this book on my social media sites, both Facebook and Instagram.
Dragons Drumming can be found on my website, https://sandrabennettauthor.com/
Amazon, Booktopia and Barnes & Noble.
Thanks so much, Sandra! This book brings so much light and love into our hearts! Congratulations! 🙂
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