PARENTING BLOG
SUSIE E CARON
MOTHER, TEACHER AND PSYCHOLOGIST RETIRED
WELL, MOTHER'S NEVER RETIRE. RIGHT?
SUSIE E CARON
MOTHER, TEACHER AND PSYCHOLOGIST RETIRED
WELL, MOTHER'S NEVER RETIRE. RIGHT?
 I am very excited about my second book, I Am Twee', from my "Between You and Me Series," It launched in October, 2013. The reviews are all 5 stars for both books and they are doing very well. In her second book, my adorable little character, Twee', is growing but not necessarily wiser. She discovers that the apple trees have special features that they offer as 'gifts' to people. Twee' lacks these features, which makes her feel sad, mad and envious. In desperation she cries and wishes she were an apple tree. She even says, "I have no friends." Does this sound like any child you may know? Or perhaps, you know an adult who isn't content to be who they are, or with what they have. Maybe they think they have to be 'just like others' to have any friends? Envy, jealousy and discontent are emotions common to us all. However, rather than look at our differences as deficiencies, we can begin to see them as assets. Every individual is special and unique, with no two identical. Let's learn to treasure what is different about each of us, and especially our children. It is within our differences that we find individual, unique gifts, like Twee' does. Those become the gifts that we can share with each other and our society. Twee' says it this way: "I Am Twee', I don't need to be an apple tree. I am special too you see. Now you can be you and I can be me." (from I Am Twee', by Susie E. Caron, c. 2013) Remember to read aloud with your kids. The benefits can last a lifetime. Please comment or contact me with questions. I love hearing from you. Also please share the love by clicking on the links. Thank you.  Susie Caron’s interview with the author of Secret Santa Squirrels, Hazel Nutt.
Please note: This interview involves talking with a little girl who is “forever two years old.” Please understand and accept the unusual spelling and speech. Susie: Hi Hazel Nutt. Thank you for agreeing to visit me here and to talk about your book: The Secret Santa Squirrels. I know you are only 2 years old, so I promise this chat will be fun. Can you tell me just a little bit about your new book? Hazel: Secret Santa Squirrels is a Christmas picture book revealing the secret of how Santa manages to deliver presents worldwide in such a short space of time, with the help of reindeer poo and squirrels! Susie: Reindeer poo? Hm, that’s interesting. How did a two year old end up writing picture books? Hazel: I dictate to my parents what I want written down and what pictures I’d like drawn, in same way I try to dictate what they do each day, where they have to sit when I’m playing and making them make several lunches, because I ask for something, then refuse to eat it! Although I think they might take some artistic license. Susie: How did the idea for Secret Santa Squirrels come about? Hazel: Well, as my fans will know I absolutely adore squirrels and Secret Santa Squirrels is my fourth picture book featuring squirrels. However, the specific idea for this book came about whilst watching Christmas adverts – I thought where are all the squirrels at Christmas and what do they do, as you don’t see them in any adverts. Secret Santa Squirrels is about what I think squirrels get up to at Christmas (and they might just have told me this joyous secret, as I do like chatting to them). Susie: What makes Secret Santa Squirrels sizzle? Hazel: This is a really imaginative take on how we get our Christmas presents an I don’t think that anyone else will have ever thought of (or about the role) that squirrels play at Christmas, let alone how the reindeer help. Susie: You are only 2 years old so you probably know why kids would love your books. Tell me what they will like. Hazel: As long as picture books are fun, with a bit of silly and can sometimes teach us something, I think us toddlers can be kept quite happy. I think that the adult’s inner child needs to connect with a book as well so that it can be told to us as if we are reading it ourselves. Susie: What advice would you give someone who wants to write a picture book? Hazel: I think that every child and every parent has a picture book in them. You can make a picture book about animal facts, take pictures of a day trip and make that into a picture book, or scan in your 2 year olds paintings – the opportunities and ideas are endless and fun – so in the words of a famous ad – just do it! Susie: What will you be writing next? Hazel: Now I’ve written a few books that are mainly squirrel based (apart from Groovy Owls and Elephants Go Woof Woof!) I think I’d like to try illustrating a book, so some of the pictures I’ve been painting with Mummy and Daddy and at playschool could make up a good story, so look out for that one. Susie: Tell us something funny that has happened to you recently. Hazel: I did three big trumps whilst I was eating my dinner tonight and Mum and Dad had to leave the room, that made me laugh for a long time (and I could hear them sniggering too)! Susie: Where can Mommies and Daddies buy your books? Hazel: All my books are available on Amazon, so Mummy and Daddy tell me. Please feel free to go to: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Santa-Squirrels-Rhyming-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00GJ2G3Y0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384431883&sr=1-1 Susie: Thank you Hazel Nutt. You are a delightful little girl and wonderful guest.  Susie Caron's Review of Children's Picture BookSecret Santa Squirrels
A Fun Rhyming Christmas Picture Book, by Hazel Nutt I thoroughly enjoyed reading Secret Santa Squirrels. The subtitle lets the reader know that it’s a ‘Fun Rhyming Christmas Picture Book,” Then, just like taking a ride with Santa, we are off speedily from there. Children and adults may have wondered over the years: “How does Santa deliver all those presents in such a short amount of time?” The answer is revealed in this well-illustrated picture book. It appears it has something to do with Reindeer poo. That’s correct, I said Reindeer poo. I’ve had the pleasure of years of careers working with children and their adults, and I know and understand children well. That’s why this book made me smile. You see, at certain developmental levels, kids love to talk about poo, any kind of poo. That’s one of the reasons this book is so delightful. Oh, and of course, everyone loves Christmas. But, you may ask, “What does all this have to do with squirrels?” I don’t want to give the story away,which is fun to read aloud. However, I will tell you that all this time I thought squirrels hibernated, like the Easter Bunny. This sweet little book taught me differently. Oh, and lest I forget, this little picture book, Secret Santa Squirrels, also reveals which houses Santa really revisits. (Parents will love this part.) I recommend Hazel Nutt’s picture book, Secret Santa Squirrels, for a good Christmas read with children. I believe it could become a nice tradition to read to children every year. Happy reading! Remember to return here this Thursday to read my interview with the author - Hazel Nutt, who swears she is forever two years old. (That may explain the fascination with poo?) If you enjoyed this review why not share the love. Simply leave a message or click on the links below. Thank you. “Read to your kids. The benefits can last for a life time.” (Susie Caron c.2013)  We need each other, to survive, to grow and to prosper. That's the reason I decided to offer interviews to other authors, whose books, purpose and mission resonate well with mine. This will help to benefit authors, kids and adults by bringing them together.
As you already may know, I began my author career by writing a picture book allegory series: "Between You & Me". As a part of my personal & professional goals, these books are on a mission: "to encourage adults to read aloud to their kids and to talk about feelings." That's why I plan to interview other children's book authors who encourage and entertain, to help kids discover more about themselves, others, and their world. I scheduled my first children's book author for this week! Her name is Hazel Nutt and she is very interesting, because she is, forever, only 2 years old. Hazel wrote a "fun, rhyming picture book" titled Secret Santa Squirrels, and it's one of the four 'squirrel' books she has released.
Please visit again to find out how Santa Clause really makes his gift deliveries every Christmas and how a forever 2 year old author gets her books written. |
Susie E. Caron
These are from my former life with many current memories and helps for parents. I retired from teaching, became a psychotherapist treating children and families and an author. After retiring I became a full time artist. I recently reopened this parenting blog because I believe wisdom is to be shared. Author of Chidren's Books, Christian, Wife, & Mother, I want to help you build parent-child relationships, 1 blog, & books at a time. When I'm not busy creating articles or paintings, you might find me looking for dark chocolate or playing with my Boxer, Josie. Disclaimer
These articles are for educational and self-help purposes only and are not intended as psychotherapy. If you experience unusual symptoms or discomfort please see your medical or mental health practitioner. No patent liability is assumed for use of the information contained. The author disclaims any responsibility for loss or risk for use or application of this material. 
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Sheila Michelle July 13 at 7:17pm · Just wanted to say that I love your posts about the different ways to connect/relate/understand your child. It has given me a new approach towards understanding my daughter and allowing HER to tell me how she feels instead of me suggesting to her how she should feel. Thanks Susie! |
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