It's been a few weeks since I've done a blog post, my apologies! 

What a whirlwind! September was writing classes, critiques and supporting some of my newfound writing friends through mentorship, editing and connecting them to various resources.

I've also been actively connecting with Barbadian author Stokely Murray who will be guest appearing at my book launch next month, and Cherie Riley who will also be doing a guest appearance! Hang onto your hats folks! November 28th, from 7 to 9 pm at Hayman's Market on the main stage! We have puppets, stories, steel pan and Santa! So much more going on and make sure to get your books that evening as well, while the authors are on hand for signing!

In preparation for that, I've been making a painted mess with Karin Mason as we prepare magical fish puppets for the live event November 28th! Very exciting and lots of fun!

Then there's been more school visits and a SECOND trip to Hillaby Turners Hall Primary! Love their Nursery and Reception classes! So enthusiastic about stories!

Combine that with squeezing in some writing time, planning promotions and posts for social media, and fitting in some time to make dinner when it's my turn to cook, and you can imagine why I've had no time to type!

​Rest assured though...I'm not idle. Just working hard to bring you more of what you enjoy!!

It started out like any ordinary day early this year when my writer friend Rick Steinke announced he had won his category in the NYC Big Book Awards.

Then, as I was congratulating him, he suggested I enter for the 2025 awards! Well...I thought about it and I thought, "Which of my books might be erudite enough for the judges of New York City?" After all, the major publishing companies are either there or Chicago, aren't they?

So, I said to myself, "'Cried the Raven' should hit the mark..."

"Cried the Raven", which I released in December of 2024, is a venture into writing for the "older" child. Not a teenager, just that lovely middle grade age group that is so full of possibilities. And, it has some classic literature roots to it, so I submitted the files!

For those who haven't read it, "Cried the Raven" uses the structure and rhyme scheme of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", only without all the dark foreboding bits. At least not many.

In my version, a youngster is out camping and just drifting off to sleep when, to their horror, they hear some hopping and bopping outside the tent. What could it be? What lurks in the woods at night? 

After getting suitably panicky and worked out, they emerge from the tent to discover a Raven who is only a little obsessed with s'mores. What to do? Well, get out the marshmallows because it's going to be a rather long night...

Now there's a bit of language ("Fudge" and "Dagnabbit"), a lot of sticky fingers, some giggles and, at the end of the book, some delightful camping tips from an expert.

Me. I'm the expert. I've been camping hundreds of times and never once been eaten by a bear. True story.

Turns out that the judging panel enjoyed my story! While it didn't win "First Place", it did win a "Distinguished Favourite" which is kind of like second place! I am so proud of this!

Official announcements happen online at their website and you can find the winners lists below and a link to my announcement.

​Get a copy of the book and you won't be disappointed!!

NEXT STOP?? NY Times Bestseller List!! Dream Big!!
​

Below is a press release from Reader's Favorite:

For immediate release:
Author's new book receives a warm literary welcome.


Readers' Favorite announces the review of the Children - Picture Book book "There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras" by Ruth Amanda, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9769733016.


Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.


"Reviewed By Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite
There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras is an informative children's story told in verse by Ruth Amanda. The pigeon wants to take a round-trip ride on the train from St. Pancras to Paris, France. Even though he is only going for a short time, he stuffs his suitcase with necessities and waits on the platform. He boards the train on time and joins other passengers as they travel through the Chunnel, an underwater tunnel from England to France. The pigeon wanders through Paris, discovering art and famous structures, and samples local cuisine from a cafe. He poses for a local artist and receives an abstract work. The pigeon is concerned he won't have enough time to see the Eiffel Tower before he returns to St. Pancras. Readers follow him as he rounds out his excursion in one of the most visited cities in the world.

Ruth Amanda delivers an amusing tale with a fun meter that children will enjoy reading. The author helps children learn the pronunciation of certain words with a guide and rhymes that help readers enunciate the words correctly. Children travel with the pigeon to the "City of Lights" and discover the reason a pigeon - a bird that can fly - would rather take a train than fly to Paris. After the story, children will learn interesting facts about pigeons. I read the story to my younger children, and the pictures and information about pigeons delighted them, causing us to research more about the birds. There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras will motivate a child to study more about pigeons and traveling and inspire them to visit new places, giving them a love for discovery and exploration of the world’s cultures, landscapes, and stories."


You can learn more about Ruth Amanda and "There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras" at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/theres-a-pigeon-in-st-pancras where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
​

Readers' Favorite LLC
Media Relations
Louisville, KY 40202
800-RF-REVIEW
[email protected]
https://readersfavorite.com

You know them. You love them.  The ones who are angling for a spot on your knee and good story. Yep. The Children. 
Reading from an early age is a big part of cognitive development, and a common piece of the history of those who achieve academic success. Do I mean that if your little Einstein can't read his own book at age 3 he will fail in the future? No! I mean that if you sit down with him and read, even as early as the toddler stages, it will have immense future benefits. 
Don't take my word for it, here's a link to one study right here:
doi.org/10.1017/S0033291723001381
A link to an article that references the paper linked above can be found here on the Cambridge University website.
www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/reading-for-pleasure-early-in-childhood-linked-to-better-cognitive-performance-and-mental-wellbeing
So when you finish reading my blog, please check out those links.
Many studies have been done and found the following points to be true as regards reading to small children:

• introduces children to new words and phrases increasing their vocabulary and comprehension
• introduces children to sentence structures and ways of expressing ideas
• develops crucial listening skills, not just limited to paying attention to a story but to the rhythm and flow of language
• cognitive understanding of how stories work (beginning, middle and end)
• even when listening and looking at pictures, the children are beginning to understand letter recognition
• prepares children for learning to read independently and builds a strong foundation for future literacy
• stimulates brain development and strengthens connections between brain cells and supporting cognitive skills like memory and problem solving
• exposes children to new ideas, places and characters, which fosters imagination and creativity
• when reading, prompts to children such as "what do you think happened next?" promotes critical thinking and problem solving
• helps develop an awareness of emotions and perspectives, helping children develop empathy and compassion
• parent with child reading time, helps strengthen bonds between children and parents as it creates focal points for interaction in today's busy world
• parent with child reading time helps to establish the parent as a trusted source of information or confidante and helps establish regular communication channels with your child that will be useful when they hit the terrible teens
• as they age and stories become more complex, children can learn important social skills like communication, cooperation and conflict resolution
• opens channels for curiousity and can develop an excitement for gaining knowledge and learning
• establishes reading as a calming and relaxing activity, which helps children with another coping mechanism to reduce their stress and promote a sense of well-being
• Academic effects are enhanced vocabulary and comprehension, memory and problem solving, critical thinking, communication, conflict resolution and enmity

Bedtime reading has further benefits. Screen time can become problematic. Screens emit blue light. blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that regulates sleep. Turning off screens and focusing on a bedtime reading routine creates a way to unwind and decompress from screen time.
Excessive screen time has also been linked to anxiety, depression and mental health issues, lead to social isolation, impair emotional  comprehension, and may affect attention span, creativity or problem solving skills.
Reading is the communication of story, which for generations has been the teaching tool for elders to pass knowledge to the next generation. Make reading a part of your story and that of your children.

Almost every weekend that I'm in Barbados, I am at the Speightstown branch of the Barbados National Library Service, as a volunteer. I provide reading and related activities to the children.

On weekends when I am not there, other volunteers, graciously organized by the Barbados Virtual Roaring Lions Club, step in. We have had sessions on traditional Bajan kites, culture and history, movement and dance, and ALWAYS we have stories.

And this is about stories. This is about how stories can engage children's minds boosting literacy, curiosity, creativity and a host of other skills. Each week we try to create themes around a book or books--generally reading two stories per week. We then research and locate activity pages or colouring pages that suit the theme. If we do it right we have something for a wide range of ages as we tend to have Story Timers ranging in age from 3 to 14 some weeks.

And some weeks? It's an extra day at the library for a school visit. Or some teenagers who were tasked with bringing a younger cousin or sibling, so we need to find ways to engage them as well.

But stories are how we communicate, learn and grow as humans and as a community. Below you will find some of my tips on reading with your children!

#1: Get Comfortable!
If we have several kids, it's useful to be able to sit on a chair higher than the children which better enables them to all see the pictures. Really large groups we might use chairs instead of the mat, but honestly? The mat creates a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. We are also fortunate that we have some fun stuffed toys and cushions the kids can bring to the mat to get comfortable as seen in the photo on the right where we all stretched out where we could see the book. This works well with slightly smaller groups.
#2: Practice Reading Sideways or Upsidedown!
With a group, you won't always be snuggled in with the person you're reading to as there are too many of them so you will need to develop skills like reading upside down so they can enjoy the pictures. Depending on the resources available, you might be able to put the pictures and story on the TV screen using a smart TV and logging into Kindle or another eReader program so you can sit on the floor with the kids and read the book while looking straight at it.
#3: DO THE VOICES!!!
I shouted this one because, to me, this is the most important. Voice modulation when reading helps engage children whose attention may wander. If the character in the book whispers--lower your voice. If the character in the book cries--add some fake sobbing or sniffles. If the bad guy (or gal) is speaking--create a sinister voice. Play with accents. Practice when the kids aren't around. You'll find story time goes much smoother and gets a broader response from this.
#4: Pick Stories Appropriate for the Age Range
Smaller children like rhyming stories with lots of repetition or sound effects they can add in and join along. Older children may appreciate stories based on history or something they are studying, but in a fun way like a mystery or an adventure. And of course, if it's bedtime and not mid day, pick quieter books that will help settle the little ones down.
#5: Be Prepared for Questions and Don't Discourage Kids
We can remind children to put their hand up or wait for a pause instead of interrupting, but do not ignore a valid question. If it's a doozy and you need time to formulate an answer say, "Let's look that up on Google when we finish the story, okay?" And it's perfectly okay to admit you don't have an answer but will look for one. That's what libraries are for after all!
#6: Enjoy Yourself and Put Yourself in Their Shoes
It may embarrass a Very Patient Dave when I say I identify as a five-year-old, but it comes in very handing when figuring out how the children you are reading to  think.
#7: Extra Activities
It's not hard to find colouring pages to download from various sites like this one (Look under the "Fun Stuff" heading) or sites like https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages and more. Younger kids love the colouring pages, and older kids are often engaged as well, finding it relaxing. 
You can also find alternate activities for older kids like word search puzzles, crossword puzzles, hidden pictures, or fact sheets.

I have been on the hunt recently for other ways I can help young parents connect their children with reading from an early age and I've found some products that I absolutely LOVE and that will help promote these learning goals for your children!

Of course, to be above board, I must disclose that as an Amazon Associate, I will earn from qualifying purchases made through the links attached.

​The important part is your child's success with reading can hinge on you and your involvement with them and the reading process. Playing games is a fun way to learn and to interact with your child. Set aside a game time each day to work on basic skills!

The Spin-and-Read Phonics toy above is a good blend of visual cues and tactile, hands on retention cues. The letter blocks are wooden and it comes with a great little bag to contain it. Pack and go with this easily portable learning game that is certified non-toxic and kid-safe.

This wooden spelling game above has over 50 flashcards and a puzzle style format where vowels and consonants are colour coded. Can be played in numerous ways as your child learns and grows.

As with the Spin-and-Read Phonics toy, this game comes with wooden pieces and a travel bag for ease of packing for learning fun on the go. Multiple ways you can play this one and has separate square pegs for even numbers versus round pegs for odd numbers to help reinforce more abstract math concepts. A great way to start your child with counting and basic addition and subtraction. While not specifically aimed at reading, numeric literacy is important as well and I love the various ways this can be used.

Positively overjoyed with these disappearing ink copy books. Comes with refills of the disappearing ink, so you can reuse again and again. Helps with writing letters, numbers, and also has a "drawing" book to add some fun to the mix when the work is done! Helps reinforce correct formation of letters and numbers by providing clear instructions and some samples to trace. The thick paper is durable for multiple uses as well!

How about using their love of science to get them reading and working on something? For some kids its about finding out, not just enjoying a story. This kit, which is available in a 140 project or 420 project configurations, comes with some detailed tutorials and cards to help them explore circuitry. While advertised as ages 3 to 12, I feel this is most appropriate at the 5 to 9 age range but as all children advance and develop differently, it's never too early to start your budding mad scientist!

For those on a more limited budget, similar activities can easily been produced at home using various materials that you would readily have at hand, as well as simple dollar store finds.

Never underestimate the power of a pair of dice to help with addition and subtraction, as well as counting. Alphabet and number magnets that my mom had on the fridge when I was small were an easy way for mom to juggle various tasks in the kitchen while supervising and correcting spelling or phonics and she passed them on to my kids when they were little.

Other facets of learning that are important include developing fine motor skills. Wooden blocks, Lego, or balancing toys and games are great for developing these sorts of things.

Hand and eye coordination? Recently we ran a coconut shie at the library during reading time. The kids were given targets of recycled bottles, boxes, and containers to knock over using balled up socks. Nothing breakable, lots of fun, and in just a few rounds you could see changes in how each child approached their aiming and throwing of the socks.

Remember, play is a way of learning and should never be underestimated. I encourage you all to get down on the floor with your littles and start learning all over again.
​

Is Hugh MacCoo named for Sir Hugh Munro?
Nope. He's named for a different mountaineer who is no less Scottish and no less accomplished. Wee Hugh MacCoo is named after my father-in-law, Hugh MacAskill Noble, father of my own Very Patient Dave.

With his permission, I shall tell you his story another time but I will say that he can spin a tale like few are able and can take you on a journey through history while out walking the glens.

Wait! You mentioned a legend?
Aye, I did! 

When Wee Hugh MacCoo wakes up in the fog on Ben Macdui, he finds he is not alone...He meets someone that I named Greyman. And Greyman is based on Am Fear Liath Mor also known as the Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui.

The Big Grey Man was first mentioned officially in 1925 when J. Norman Collie gave the first recorded account of his experience hiking alone near the summit of Ben Macdui years before in 1891.

J. Norman Collie was a noted hiker, professor and a member of the Royal Geographical Society and therefore, considered to be a fairly credible source. 

I won't go into the whole legend here, but, since J. Norman Collie's account went public, several other recorded accounts have popped up. No photographs have ever been taken of the Big Grey Man so perhaps my illustrations in the book are the first likenesses? 
​
The button below has a link to Folklore Scotland and a great article about Am Fear Liath Mor.   

To steal a line from Bridgerton--"Dearest gentle reader..."

I have not been ignoring you despite the fact that there hasn't been a blog entry since October. 

OH NO!! In fact, it's the exact opposite! I've been busily interacting with my readers, and holiday shoppers, and awards programs, and creating new ideas!

One of the things that kept me pretty busy in the lead up to Christmas 2024 was the round of Christmas Bazaars and Art Sales going on, not just in Barbados but shipping books to representatives who dealt with sales in Canada for me as well as some bulk shipments to the USA retailers.

The other pre-Christmas time consumer was putting the final touches on Cried the Raven which released in December. There were ink drawings to do, so my older readers could easily segue between picture books and middle school. There were final edits to do. And there was working on preparing some resources for the ending of the book.

January saw some big announcements in our email inboxes here with Short Lists and Finalist announcements for various awards so we raced to keep up with the posts while travelling to Scotland to visit the family of my very patient Dave. This was a pivotal trip in a couple of ways for you, my reader, as I was able to get my books placed in the ever popular Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum and scoped out settings and scenery for something which will be released in the next couple of months! The excitement for that book release has an extra edge to it as the main character has been modelled on my own dear father-in-law who was an intrepid hill climber and mountain climber in his day. He seemed bemused by my story and rough sketches but has given it his blessing so "Hugh MacCoo", his namesake, shall be emerging from the editor and design phase quite soon!

February and March were whirlwinds of sketching, colourisation, working on various art projects and some virtual speaking engagements with a couple of writer groups. I also attended a writing workshop or two as a student and felt my writing batteries recharged as a result. Working with fellow creatives can have this effect.

Then, along came April. A big trip by plane to end up in Washington State in the beautiful Pacific Northwest USA to attend CAC2025 (Chanticleer Author's Conference) and the 2024 CIBA Awards banquet. There was much excitement because I had TWO titles -- Ess-Car-Go! and Island Moon in different categories of the Little Peeps Early Reader Awards.

There was no win for Ess-Car-Go! this year but Island Moon  won First Place in it's category of bedtime books. I was so proud and very patient Dave was there to cheer me on, as was fellow author, competitor and friend Julie Lomax. Her book won it's category ribbon as well. We settled back at our table to cheer on other writers receiving their awards and then Division prizes were announced.

I was flabbergasted to hear them call my name and Island Moon!! No way had I expected that although I'm very proud of the book. I had read most of the competitor's entries and there was some very stiff competition out there with some very well-written and illustrated work. I confess, I blubbed a bit. I can't lie about it because Dave took photos. However, I am still aglow with this news as I sit here a month later trying to process how all my blog posts have gotten away from me!!

A short visit with Canadian family, and Dave and I were headed back to Barbados and work work work....illustrations, edits, noting down book ideas, processing sales paperwork, making connections with local vendors and now preparing for the final stages and another new release! 

I shall endeavour to keep to my promised monthly blog post in future! I have missed you all and look forward to your thoughts and comments.

As always,

​me xx

Apologies to all who actually come online and read my posts! I have been away and being very busy in the background!
I spent the better part of September prepping the final touches on a certain "Pigeon" book that in recent weeks has grown into a monster of an idea!
There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras was initially an idea about a pigeon on an adventure on the train to Paris. This is the idea that became the book.
Enter one Annamaria James, who bravely undertook to create for me a pigeon to represent the newly christened August Pigeon.
She was quite successful in creating this persona and he was ready in time for the book launch on September 24, and to head with me on a month of travelling! 
Enter the beginnings of a monster--only fitting as we approach Halloween! The beginning was the Word on the Street, Toronto 2024, festival which I attended accompanied by a very patient Dave and a very adorable Augustus Pigeon. We had a supporting cast which included good friends Grahame and Evy Joy who not only provided us with a nesting place for the festival but also came with us to hang out and sell books. 
The beginnings of the monster appeared when explaining the premise and inspiration for the book. Everyone followed that up with a question: "Will he travel other places?"
A very patient Dave had already suggested "There's a Pigeon at the Pyramids", which had started developing in my easily distracted brain to involve pigeon hieroglyphics and mummified pigeons. Further suggestions were afoot, or afly, or whatever the appropriate term would be. Prague. Pisa. The Pyrenees.
Word on the Street was quite successful from a number of perspectives (sales, meeting readers, finding some people who had already found one or another of my titles) and at the end of day two we packed up the books and the table dressings. I was then whisked off to the airport as I had agreed to join friends for a two week bus tour of Europe.
A certain Augustus Pigeon stowed away in my carry-on bag, and joined me on the flight to scribble notes about prospective adventures. That is correct. Turns out Augustus is a Passenger Pigeon.
Unhindered by eye rolling as the very patient Dave had embarked on his own travels to visit family...Ruth and Augustus scribbled and giggled into the night!
We viewed all the Paris landmarks from There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras, plus a few more. Ah, but Augustus was having a fine time and did not stay in the luggage or aboard the bus hardly at all!
There was a meeting of multiple relatives, much selfie-taking, and late night sessions scribbling notes of his adventures. Turns out Augustus enjoys keeping a travel journal! That will be handy when the series begins.
Why will a series begin? Because Augustus wants to have many more adventures! And because one can never do too much book research. 
Book Research: to travel continuously enjoying the chocolate of many countries, while taking photos, writing and painting and occasionally remembering to say good morning or thank you in the correct language (apologies to everyone I met after four days in Italy--yes, I am aware that grazie is the Italian way to say thank you and is less effective in Germany and Belgium than one thinks...)
We toured France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and London.
So look forward to multiple feathery adventures with young Augustus and I will do my best to produce them with imagination, fact, silliness and no small amount of paint being slopped everywhere.
Grazie mille for being patient while I was distracted...

"Picture it, Sicily, 1941..." to paraphrase Estelle Getty's character of Sophia from the television show the Golden Girls. But this story begins more recently than that.

Picture it, London, November 2021. A lovely couple have just gotten off the Eurostar from Brussels to London while transiting back to Canada from Europe.

She is still super thrilled to have gone through the famous Chunnel by train, and is bouncing off everything in sight with excitement.

He is rolling his eyes and patiently making sure they have  pulled all the bags off the train. He turns around to see his sweetheart crouched over intently watching a pigeon.

"What are you doing?" He sighs (not truly wanting to know the answer but sure that it will be a doozy...)

"I think this pigeon needs help finding his train..." she responds vacantly.

He rolls his eyes, oh so lovingly, and counts the bags while sharing some pleasantries with a nearby conductor.

But, sure enough, there is a pigeon. It is not an ordinary pigeon. It is not wandering around looking for fallen food or fluttering frantically up to the rafters as the humans pass it by. No.

THIS pigeon is strutting purposefully back on forth on the platform in St. Pancras Station. He appears to be scanning the train cars, looking at the LED screens for the correct train, and glancing up at the large clock on the wall at the end of the station in turn.

THIS pigeon then struts directly up to one of the conductors on the platform and begins to do some form of interpretive dance--pigeon sign language perhaps--before giving up and returning to anxiously scanning the clock and the train cars.

THIS pigeon is clearly planning to take a trip to Paris for the day...

All of this is observed by the woman before her husband reminds her they need to bustle off to the Tube to get to Heathrow and return to the magical land of "home".

Minutes later, comfortably seated on the Tube to Heathrow, the husband smiles tiredly and says, "Now what's this about a pigeon and a train?"

Her eyes sparkle and she recites what she KNOWS is the epic opening for a wonderful book..."There's a pigeon in St. Pancras. He wants to ride the train. He thinks he'll go to Paris, and then come home again." (This is a direct quote, unchanged since that fateful day, and is in fact part of the copyrighted work There's a Pigeon in St. Pancras {2024, Ruth Amanda})

He looks vaguely confused but lifts his eyebrows encouragingly and she describes this wonderful pigeon and its peculiar behaviour--which was clearly missed by the less observant mortals in St. Pancras, but to which she has been a keen observer. 

She begins to imagine what the pigeon might do in Paris...is it a day trip? A weekend off work? A romantic assignation?

He is grateful when they arrive at Heathrow and her more ordinary instincts kick in as she checks them in for their flight and organizes the various boarding passes and things.

Airport security goes smoothly with meticulous organization and he lets her believe she is responsible for this (while he quietly makes sure she's tucked everything safely into the tray and remembered to take off her shoes...).

Once they locate their departure gate, they retire to a cafe in the airport for some hot food knowing they have a couple of hours to unwind a bit.

Conversation returns to the pigeon, and now he is actively engaged. Is this one book or a series? Are there other birds?

Pens come out.

​Napkins are written on. 

They brainstorm together and titles like There's a Buzzard on the Balcony (2023, Friesen Press) and There's a Seagull on my Sailboat (2023, Friesen Press) are bandied about.(You've read those...I won't go into detail on those at this time.)

Conversation rolls onward and becomes increasingly sillier with funny puns and odd rhymes. 

After they finish eating, they move to a lounge area where her trusty notebook comes out and all the silliness is recorded. 

That was November 30, 2021. 

Many story ideas for this pigeon have been drafted and discarded. It has been shelved while other titles rolled off the presses and into stores and bookshelves worldwide. 

Spring of 2024, and the story is really piling up in her head. Especially since she will be travelling to Europe with some friends in the autumn. So she begins to sketch A. Pigeon.

The sketches make her think of a travel itinerary. She scribbles it down.

Silly ideas about what A. Pigeon would pack for a trip to Paris come into play.

Pencils, pens, paint and keyboard magically produce something she loves. Something she's been waiting for since that fateful day so long ago.

Anxiously she watches the calendar and clock for it's public release when her pigeon will finally embark on his epic adventure in Paris. September 2024.

But don't forget those last minute details! Passports, spare underwear...you know the drill...