Tag: fun

Scat the Black Cat returns!

blogs, Children, Uncategorized

After a wobbly start to Scat’s re-launch, thanks to C19, Scat has finally found firm footing for his return. Ready to face his readers with a new cover and a revised version of his book, this wily feline feels confident that more children will enjoy his fabulous tale.

Bullying affects everyone. It’s not easy to overcome the sense of helplessness you feel when you are bullied by someone. Nor is it easy to understand that some bullies have their own terrible tales to tell. Scat follows the path of vengeance against his bully but soon learns that there are consequences to every action.

Watch Scat’s story here and share it with your family and friends.

What would you do if you were Scat?

Order your copy of Scat the Black Cat here.

scat front cover 2020

 

What’s new in 2020?

blogs, Uncategorized

I tell myself every year that I will not make any resolutions so as to avoid the disappointment of not keeping them.

2020 is going to be different.

I have put into place measures that will hopefully achieve some of what I would like to see change in my life, for the future. With this is mind, I need to share them with you…

My dream is to run various writing workshops for children. So far, I have written to all the schools in my local area with the offer of enhancing their literacy programmes by establishing writers’ clubs, author enrichments or any other service they may require. To that end, I wait in hope for them to get back to me so that we can discuss exactly what sort of group or workshop would benefit their school. I know a few parents run home school groups. If you would like a group session on a specific aspect of literacy, contact me. 

The second part of my dream is to continue mentoring novice writers. So far, I have three ladies receiving my support through their virgin journeys into writing their first books. In the new year, I would like to offer my services to more individuals looking to take the plunge into writing but aren’t sure exactly what they want to do. My rates are competitive and I make sure you always have a helpful hand waiting to catch you when you hit those stumbling blocks along the way. If you feel like taking the plunge with me, send me an email and we can chat about achieving your writing goals and making your dreams come true.

The third part of my dream to is find a publisher willing to take me on. I hate marketing; I have no inclination to try fathoming the wonderful world of KDP and insights into book selling market trends. Instead, I want someone willing to fight through the white noise and publish my books, organise the marketing required for the book to sell and just tell me where to go to help sell them. New stories have been created especially for this venture. Once edited and polished, they will be ready to meet prospective publishers. So, if you are a publisher looking for a children’s author who also loves to writes crime fiction and poetry, please contact me. Make my dream come true!

I’m just a girl,

standing in front of the world,

asking it not to crush me.

 

Join me on my journey

into 2020.

 

 

 

 

Blast Off with Space Dust

blogs, Children

Welcome back to Space Dust’s journey across different blogospheres. A big thank you to Cecily for hosting us yesterday.

Today, we have stopped off at my blog so that I could share a bit more about the book with you and, maybe give you a snippet of the next book! Continue reading “Blast Off with Space Dust” →

Book Review of Space Dust

blogs, Children

I’m thrilled to receive a review for my latest children’s book, Space Dust. After receiving a fantastic response from the families that attended the Summer Reading Challenge at the Bracknell Forest Libraries, it is a pleasure to share more of my readers’ points of view of the book.

Here is what Lance Mitchell had to say about Space Dust:

Lance Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 starsAdventure and fun in deep space

15 September 2019

This is a delightful little story with massive appeal to the 4-11 year-old age group. You will enjoy reading the adventures of Big Ox and Little One to your youngsters. As they learn to read, I am sure that they will enjoy reading the story back to you.
The beginning of the story is rather sad. Little One’s mummy has left the house without any explanation or “Goodbye.” Understandably, Little One is upset but Big Ox soon comes up with a scheme to pick them both up. He invites Little One to travel into space in his special canoe which he paddles with is “absolute favourite spoon.”
They visit Venus, calling out to Little One’s mummy along the way. Maybe they’ll find her. Maybe they won’t. But they’ll see lots along the way and much silliness is guaranteed.
The book is beautifully illustrated by the author. I liked the rhythm and the rhyme and the flow. You’ll almost be able to sing your way through the story with your children or grandchildren and I am sure that you will all be as happy as Little One when it’s time for bed.
Having enjoyed Space Dust, I am left excited at the prospect that the story leaves me anticipating the pair’s next adventure. There is much promise of a lot more to come. I can’t wait!
With Space Dust on its way to a blog tour this October, more information will be released about the sequel, the characters and how they were created and so much more! Be sure to keep checking my Facebook page for diary updates on events.
Do send in your pictures and reviews of Space Dust. You never know what prizes may be in store for the best one!
Order your copy of Space Dust here.
space dust cover image

Snotty Norman and Spotty Sally Find Fame

blogs, Children, Uncategorized

Living through the pranks and big personalities at Arden White Primary School was pretty tough but starting secondary school and finding out secrets about your form tutor on your first day can be life threatening! Snotty Normal and Spotty Sally are thrown together as they uncover a secret that could expose the awful things teachers do to naughty students. Who can they trust to help them tell the truth about Evelyn Winsborough Academy?

Here’s a little snippet from my first draft:

The ear-piercing sound of the first period bell resounded across the school, instigating a stampede of footsteps to the next class. The new year 7’s tentatively got up and followed Mrs Whitby to the door. Organised chaos awaited them outside. Shoals of students swam by, blotting out the view of the quad and the fountain. One by one, the year 7’s disappeared into the fray, pushing towards their next class and hoping for a gap in the crowd to actually make it there. Signs pointed each newbie in the right direction and within three minutes, the quad was clear, the corridors empty and an eerie silence replaced the noise of just a few seconds before. Snotty Norman sniffled next to Spotty Sally; both looked confused and afraid. They had missed their chance. All the other students had listened to Mrs Whitby’s boring chat about where to go and what to do next. They had not.

The school looked overwhelmingly big and daunting. Where was Geography Class 7T? Without knowing it, without feeling it, Norman and Sally edged closer to each other, feeling the comfort of having someone else just as daft as the other. What were they going to do?

 

 

 

Who’s Joining the Spoilt Miranda series?

blogs, Children, Uncategorized

It has been the long awaited sequel to Cecil the Bully and Spoilt Miranda. At last, their friends will be getting a chance to tell their own tale of meeting the infamous Ms Crow and her deadly stare.

Without further ado, I present:

Snotty Norman and Spotty Sally Find Fame

Now that the year 6 children of Arden White Primary School have enjoyed their summer holidays and forged new friendships outside the confines of the school grounds, we meet them again as they start their first day at Evelyn Winsborough Academy – a school with a reputation for aggressive behaviour and truancy.

Little do they know that the school has had a major overhaul over the last year. With sparkling new classrooms and hi-tech gear to keep the children occupied (and monitored), Mr Dank, the Head Teacher, expects a high standard of behaviour from the newbies. Unfortunately for him, he doesn’t know what’s coming his way as the notorious Arden White crew start their new year causing chaos down the clean halls and run riot over brittle-backed teachers.

Join the young ruffians as they encounter Ms Crow again in a comical calamity that leaves the teachers huffing and the children puffing to get out of her way!

 

Cecil and Miranda’s Young Reviewers

blogs, Children

img_7378-1Working as a junior school librarian has given me the opportunity to see first-hand, how my books affect their readers. Young readers don’t get an opportunity to write book reviews for titles they’ve enjoyed unless it is in-house, that is, in their classroom or school library. I like to encourage my students to share their views with each other by offering up a suggestion box in our library which is filled with book titles chosen by my young readers. I’m happy to add Spoilt Miranda and Cecil the Bully have made the cut!

img_6534-1When discussing books, I get a lot of feedback from my younger readers that Spoilt Miranda is strange and takes the younger reviewer on a confusing journey of dreams before she resolves her situation. My older customers get it though and enjoy the ride. Sometimes scary, sometimes thrilling, the idea of Spoilt Miranda is controversial and encourages discussion on how her silly behaviour could have been dealt with in a better manner. I like this because it makes the reader think further than just the story.

Cecil, on the other hand, encourages my readers of any age to think of what steps they would take to sort out a bully. From standing up to him or joining his ranks, there are always amusing points of view. The slapstick comedy goes down a treat and adds to the entertainment factor of the book, according to the young reviewers. This is something to consider when I write the next sequel to the Arden White Primary School students.

Give or take the marmite reflections on my books by the young students at my school, I’m pleased to share the news that they are mostly enjoyed and well read. It gives me great pleasure to see this and I do hope more children are enjoying my books around the world.

img_7851-1

Check out my other titles available from these links:

http://amazon.com/author/eloisedesousa

http://lulu.com/spotlight/eloisedesousa

Or give me a shout out on Twitter:

@mello_elo

Thanks for reading and good luck!

Spoilt Miranda

blogs, Children

It is with huge excitement I announce the arrival of Spoilt Miranda in audio format.  The wonderful, talented and incredibly kind Kate Shrewsday has helped me create a version of Miranda that is easy to download and enjoy aspoilt miranda covert bedtimes or on the road – perfect for driving to the Dorset coast where Miranda goes on holiday with her parents and siblings!

After Googling Spoilt Miranda to see how many sites have picked up on her, I discovered a new site called takealot.com which is offering Miranda at R21 in South Africa.  It’s strange to think that someone will be purchasing Spoilt Miranda close to where I came from!  How fantastic is that? The most surprising place I’ve found Miranda is listed on Ebay through a variety of sellers.

A massive thank you to all who have purchased Spoilt Miranda.  Please, don’t forget to leave your review of the book from your point of purchase.  Thank you.

Readers’ Favourite have given Spoilt Miranda 5 stars. Here’s their review of the book:

Book Review
 

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

Spoilt Miranda by Eloise De Sousa revolves around Miranda and her tantrums that are driving her family mad. Miranda is a spoilt and sulky child, unlike her brothers and sisters. Her parents found it embarrassing to take her anywhere with them because she would sulk and pout – she thought no one could touch her, including the policewoman who comes to check on her. The family goes to Aunt Joan’s beach house on the Dorset coast for their summer family holiday. Miranda continues with her usual behavior, but for once Miranda finds herself on the other end of tantrums. She finds it surprising at first, and scowls and pouts to no avail. Will she realize her mistakes and change for the better? Or will she still be the same incorrigible Miranda?

It is a good story that tells kids about the disadvantages of being a problematic child and how one person’s tantrums can spoil everything for the other siblings in the family. The changes that come about in Miranda during their summer vacation are indeed inspirational for kids to rectify their behavior. The illustrations are good and they give a personality to Miranda and the rest of the characters in the story. Miranda’s character is relatable since many parents have kids like Miranda. It is a peppy story that kids will enjoy reading. Miranda and her dreams tell us how kids make a scary place for themselves. The terrible tantrums, summer holidays and the kids make this book a wonderful read.

spoilt miranda cover
Click here to order your copy

cecil coverNext in the series is Cecil The Bully.  Order your copy here.

Cecil The Bully

Children

20160602_110019000_iOSCecil and his friends are the best at playing pranks on others, especially their teacher, Mr Barns. But, after a seriously bad prank involving exploding Easter Eggs, Mrs Palmer, the Head Teacher, decides that Cecil and his minions have gone too far!

The Police are called in and a specialist teacher is sent to the school to teach those badly behaved Year 6’s a lesson they won’t forget. You might remember her: the tall, thin woman with the raven black hair.  Her name is Ms Crow and she has a knack of finding children that don’t behave.

Will she teach Cecil and his gang a lesson, or will their pranks prove to be too much for Ms Crow?

 

cecil cover
Click here for your copy.