Children’s Books

The last day of October

| brightblueballoon

It’s the last day of October which means it’s Halloween (and my awesome hubby’s birthday). Great excuse to get up early (this is not out of choice as our boys are early risers) have waffles and light the pumpkins.

The kids get so excited for Halloween. We love to indulge in spooky crafts, stories and baking. So much so that it will probably continue after Halloween.

Thought I would share this illustration from my new children’s book. Which will (fingers crossed) be available soon.

Happy Halloween everyone

And happy page turning!

©️ Lisa Moralee McLardy

Starting the illustration process…

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I have recently published my first picture book entitled A Wonderful Thing to Win. The whole process was exciting and challenging. It felt like everyday I had butterflies in my stomach.

Once the story was written I realised very quickly that a children’s story needs illustrations. When I first challenged myself to illustrate the book I had a very definite starting point – to draw or design Owen and Carson.

This week I have been looking through some of the first illustrations and designs. I used graph paper and pencil to play around with shapes and styles, and boy were there a lot of them!

Here are a few below.

I think Carson got a hold of my pencil and made his own contribution to this drawing

Carson took my pencil and made his own contribution to this drawing.

It was a great feeling to finally settle on a design/ style for Owen & Carson’s Bright Blue Balloon. At this point it felt like the journey had finally begun.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Happy page turning x

©️ Lisa Moralee McLardy

One of our favourite bedtime stories

| brightblueballoon

Nothing beats a good bedtime story. We love reading before bedtime and have a a few favourite titles that never seem to get old.

Goodnight Tractor by Michelle Robinson and illustrated by Nick East is one of our favourites. The pages have been turned and turned. It was a 2nd birthday gift from one of our dear friends (Owen’s first friend in fact) and we have been reading it ever since. Owen (4.5 years old) and Carson (recently turned 2) throughly enjoy Goodnight Tractor. They love to get involved and say the words with us.

“the stars are out, it’s time for bed so say goodnight my sleepy head”

The story helps set the tone for bedtime as we follow a little boy on his night time routiene. Where he says goodnight to his toy farm, including the animals, combine and tractor of course.

“Goodnight donkey. Goodnight duck. Goodnight pig and goodnight sheep…”

The rhyming text is complimented by fantastic illustrations which both transport us into a night time farm setting.

We most definitely recommend reading Goodnight Tractor.

“Goodnight tractor, time to sleep”

Title: Goodnight Tractor

Author: Michelle Robinson

Illustrator: Nick East

Publisher: Puffin Books

Happy page turning x

©️Lisa Moralee McLardy

What did you believe before breakfast?

| brightblueballoon

Since childhood Alice in Wonderland (by Lewis Carroll) has continued to top my list of favourites. I love the whimsical world of imagination. A place where perspectives are turned upside-down to reveal any possibility. I also really love the tea party. (Tea has also topped my list of favourites since childhood – I always wondered why waiters would smile so much when I ordered a pot of tea instead of a soda).

Childhood is a magnificent time, where imagination drives reality, anything really is possible. I love listening to Owen’s (age 4) stories and being apart of his imaginary play. I think to myself but trains don’t fly and I don’t think your teacher was eaten by a dinosaur (this was Owen’s response when I wondered why his teacher had left). I of course play along with his imaginary play and bask in it. How wonderful to believe that anything is possible.

I am not the first to ask the question: when do we stop believing in the impossible? I assume is very subjective and different for everyone.

“Alice laughed: “There’s no use trying,” she said; “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I daresay you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

– Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Sometimes we forget to believe not just what is possible but what is impossible. I have added this quote to our ‘sticky note wall of wisdom‘. A reminder to believe in the impossible.

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Happy page turning and imagining x

Find the Rhyme: Animals!

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Title: Find the Rhyme: Animals!
Author: Books for Little Ones
Published: Printed by Amazon

This bright and colourful book was given to my 4 year old (Owen) for Christmas from my oldest and dearest friend. From the first read to the hundredth it has been a big hit. He enjoys playing the rhyming game over and over and shouting out the answers to the puzzles.

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