LET'S CELEBRATE!

BLOG TOUR (9) SNOWY'S CHRISTMAS

What's left to speak of Christmas?

Has it all been said before?

Parties, presents, surprises, greeting cards, celebrations, family, friends, having fun!
Snowy’s Christmas
Written by Sally Murphy
Illustrated by David Murphy
Published by Random House (October, 2009)


But what about Snowy?
He stares at his reflection in the still water of the billabong and, like the Ugly Duckling, Snowy knows he doesn’t fit in - he doesn’t belong. He can’t hide like the others. He can’t jump like the others. He looks different from the others.
. . . Then he meets Ash - a roo as white as Snowy himself and realises he is not so strange after all. Soon he discovers there were many other roos as soft and white as himself! And that it is in being different he finds his own special place in his world.

I sent 'Snowy' off to a local primary school to meet the children in years 3 and 4.
After hearing the story read and exploring the pictures, the children mounted their comments and some of their own drawings on large pin-up sheets (I wish I could have reproduced them here!)
But let me share with you some of what they had to say about Snowy and his friends.

 The story reminded several children of the Six White Boomers:
"I like the story because it’s like two stories stuck together like a new story and The Six White Boomers.  Book + Book = 1." (Darcy); "It is like the Six White Boomers. It is cool." (Braden); "It was like the beginning of Six White Boomers." (Ricky)

The illustrations in the book made a strong impression:
"I like the pictures because they are cute." (Ella); "I like this book because it has animals at the back round wearing Christmas things." (Trish); "I like the cute animals because the animals are active." (Darlene); "I liked how they drew the kangaroos because it looked nice." (Unsigned); "I liked how the animals were dressed in Christmas clothes." (Josh); " liked it when the white roo can fly Santa’s sleigh. I liked in the illustrations how it was done." (Unsigned); "I liked the book because its pictures are good. (Kim). "I like this story because there are nice pictures." (Emmanuel)

And of course the action appealed.
"I like the white roos flying in the sky." (Andy); "My favourite part when Snowy was flying because all the white kangaroos were flying like magic." (Dinh); "I liked the part when the white roos jumped up high." (Jessica); "I liked the part when the white kangaroos were jumping." (Joshua).

The children were really caught up in Snowy’s excitement at finding something he could do and how it feels to be seen as ‘different’
"I love when Santa said, ‘You can ride the sleigh.’"(Claudia); "The story was really good because the moral was clear and the pictures were really colourful." (Jennifer); "I liked the story because it had a good moral." (Wendy); "I like this story because there were great illustrations and the message can relate to a lot of people." (Kevin); "Snowy learnt things about what to do at Christmas." (Zac); "I like this story because if you are different you might be special." (Megan); Linh said, "I think it’s good because the (story) shows if you win all the time, you’ll lose; and, when you’re nice, you’ll get to do something that you want to do."; three children said, "Everyone is different." (Minesh, Jude & unsigned); "Don’t judge things on their looks." (Patricia and Caitlin); "I like this story because it says that if you’re different you’re still useful." (BoBo); "The message: Don’t tease people that are not the same as you." (Xuan); "Never tease people about their personality or looks." (Anthony)

Some children projected feelings of jealousy by the red roos when they see Snowy in his new role.
"I like it when Snowy was flying and all the roos were jealous because it was a little funny."(Unsigned); "I liked the part where the red roos got jealous of Snowy because Snowy was the odd one out." (Sandy)

The children loved that this book was a story about Christmas
"I loved it because it was a lovely story and it was about Christmas. I love Christmas because it is Jesus’ birthday." (unsigned); "I loved it because it was Christmas day and it is Jesus’ birthday." (Dani); "I enjoyed the part when Snowy pulled the sleigh." (Vanessa); "I liked it when Santa put some glitter on the kangaroos." (unsigned); "I enjoyed when Santa went on the sleigh and at the end." (Amber); "I like when Santa comes." (Vy); "I like the part when Snowy was flying and Snowy’s mum was looking at Snowy."(Tommy); "I like it when Snowy was flying in the air and said, ‘Merry Christmas, Mummy’ and flew off." (Ivan)

But I loved the last word that came from Carmen. With a deeply satisfying sigh, she breathed, "I liked the book because it was wonderful."

[My sincere thanks go to teacher-librarian, Mrs Burke, who made this activity happen.]
What’s left to speak of Christmas?
The joy of knowing you belong - that you play a valued part of the greatest celebration in Australia.

To brighten your road to Christmas, retrace the tour sites below


Week One: 4 October
Deescribe Writing Blog http://www.deescribewriting.wordpress.com/
Week Two: 11 October
Write and Read With Dale http://livejournal.com/users/orangedale/
Week three: 18 October
Alphabet Soup Blog http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/
Week Four: 25 October
Let's Have Words http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/
Week Five: 1 November
Sally Murphy's Writing for children Blog
http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/
Week Six: 8 November
Aussiereviews Blog http://aussiereviews.blogspot.com/
Week Seven: 15 November
Samantha Hughes' Blog http://samantha-hughes.blogspot.com/
Week Eight: 22 November
Robyn Opie's Writing Children's Books Blog
http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/
Week Nine: 29 November
Stories are Light http://sandyfussell.blogspot.com/
Week Ten: 6 December
The Aussie Christmas Blog http://aussiechristmas.wordpress.com/
Week Eleven: 13 December
Tales I Tell http://belka37.blogspot.com/ [Right here]

CABBAGES AND FINGS - with apologies to Lewis Carroll

I've been writing stories and poems for as long as I can remember. I have a four-drawer chest full of them, there are more stacked in the shelves of a wardrobe once intended to store skivvies, pullovers and underwear; my writing desk hasn’t seen the light of day in three years.

Along the way I’ve had a few nibbles from publishers and magazine editors (but somehow though several have acknowledged the stories make enjoyable reading - and they wished me luck, it seems the particular story was not what the publisher was looking for at this time or it happened they just accepted something similar only yesterday). I have several stories printed in anthologies; an article or two in professional journals, a self-published a children’s picture book - and this last week my story in verse: Red Riding Hood Rap has actually made it into the summer 2009 edition of Alphabet Soup. But none of this reduces my ‘personal’ slush pile.

In a year or ten I’m going to fall off the perch - and all those words that flowed year after year from my heart and my head will end up in some trash pile …


UNLESS


...   ....   I act now!




So ...

between cleaning my teeth and preparing to  entertain a seniors' group with story, song and riddles a week or two ago I came upon a FREE web programme on the internet http://www.wix.com/

It provides the capacity to upload a story (or anything else for that matter) and allow the reader to turn the pages as in a real book. The programme not only includes clip-art and other quirky elements that can be added to the text, it allows users to upload their own illustrations, photos or tables from their computer. (I even managed to create treble clef  melody line for the song I wanted in one of my stories).


Now I’m just a beginner in all this techno world stuff  but I bravely offer the following  URLS of  my first efforts - done for the entertainment of my great nieces and nephews. I invite you to take a peek and tell me what you think (I think you need ‘Flash’ to make it work!)

So for the moment I'll save my stamps, forget my query letters - and just enjoy playing.

http://www.wix.com/mabelka/Jeb_out_Shoo

http://www.wix.com/mabelka/Naughty_Good_Girl

http://www.wix.com/mabelka/Song_of_Little_B

BLOG TOUR (9) HAS BEGUN. SEE BELOW TO JOIN THE FUN!

SNOWY'S CHRISTMAS

Snowy's Christmas
Written by Sally Murphy
Illustrated by David Murphy
Published by Random House (October, 2009)


Yes! Sally Murphy’s latest book, children’s picture book, ‘Snowy’s Christmas’ rolled into cyber space on Sunday at http://aussiechristmas.wordpress.com/
to introduce Snowy and friends.

Starting 4 October and each Sunday following until 13 December, 2009 they will bounce from blog to blog to brighten the road to Christmas.

Here’s the schedule
Week One: 4 October
Deescribe Writing Blog http://www.deescribewriting.wordpress.com/

Week Two: 11 October

Write and Read With Dale http://livejournal.com/users/orangedale/

Week three: 18 October

Alphabet Soup Blog http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/

Week Four: 25 October

Let's Have Words http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/

Week Five: 1 November

Sally Murphy's Writing for children Blog

http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/

Week Six: 8 November

Aussiereviews Blog http://aussiereviews.blogspot.com/

Week Seven: 15 November

Samantha Hughes' Blog http://samantha-hughes.blogspot.com/

Week Eight: 22 November

Robyn Opie's Writing Children's Books Blog

http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/

Week Nine: 29 November

Stories are Light http://sandyfussell.blogspot.com/

Week Ten: 6 December

The Aussie Christmas Blog http://aussiechristmas.wordpress.com/

Week Eleven: 13 December

Tales I Tell http://belka37.blogspot.com/ [Right here]

*   *   *   *   *

BLOG Tour(8) Alphabet Soup

The spring 2009 issue of Alphabet Soup marks the first birthday of this
Australian magazine for children aged 6 to 12 who love reading and creative writing. The magazine is published four times a year. A free sample of the magazine (issue 1) can be downloaded from the website (www.alphabetsoup.net.au).

Today, I am delighted to introduce you to the magazine’s editor, Rebecca Newman
...Good morning Rebecca! I can feel how excited you are about this first birthday celebration of your magazine. Congratulations! It’s quite an achievement.

Thank you, Mabel! My team and I are thrilled that the spring 2009 issue marking our first birthday is here. The year has certainly gone very quickly.

Rebecca! Our readers are waiting so I’ll get straight into our interview. I would like to focus on what the submission process might mean for both the magazine editor or production team and the contributors.


...For example, do you aim for a similar mix of content – stories, puzzles, book reviews, poetry, author interviews and children’s contributions – in each issue?
Yes, we include the same elements in each issue of the magazine: one traditional tale (folktale/fairytale/myth), one other story, a page of poems, book recommendations, a page of writing tips, a Q&A with an Australian author or illustrator, a crossword/word puzzle, and the ‘Write On’ section (stories, poems, reviews and artwork by children).

How do you determine what you’re looking for and select contributors?
Alphabet Soup is for children aged 6 to 12, and currently the majority of our readers are children aged 9 to 10. I do keep this in mind when I’m reading submissions. It’s very important that submissions keep within the word limits. If a manuscript is too long we can’t use it, even if it’s brilliant – we just don’t have the space!
...We choose stories with strong characters, an original story idea and good use of language. Due to the age range, we don’t use stories that have violence and swearing.
We have received queries from a few writers about serialising longer stories (printing half in one issue and the other half in the next), but we are not going down this path at the moment.
...Although the Curiosity Corner article suggests a theme for each issue, we don’t require stories and poems to adhere to the theme. (It’s a bonus if it does match the theme but we’re looking for good quality stories – and we’re not too worried about whether or not it fits in with a theme.)
...Poems can be free verse or rhyming – if the latter, rhyme should not sound forced.
...We can only use 2 adult-written stories and 1 to 2 poems in each issue – this means we can only accept 8 stories and 4 to 8 poems per year. It’s important to remember this if we don’t accept your submission. While we do need a supply of fresh material, we can’t accept as many manuscripts as we’d like to!

What guidelines do you offer potential contributors in terms of content, style, length and format? Should they have researched the publication? In the first instance do you prefer a query letter or a copy of the manuscript?
Writers can find the guidelines on the magazine’s website (www.alphabetsoup.net.au). It is strongly recommended that you read an issue of Alphabet Soup before you submit work! (You’ll find a free sample of the magazine – issue 1 – on the home page of the website.)

Stories need to be under 500 words, and poems under 250 words. We accept submissions from emerging and established writers.
...We prefer submissions to be made via mail or email, with a copy of the manuscript attached. And it is important to remember that our audience is Australian children of primary school age!

Should contributors include with their manuscript, a cover letter, something about themselves and what makes them an expert in their area or what piqued their interest in the topic they have chosen to write about?
Contact details in a cover letter or email are essential. We also need to know if the piece has been published previously (and where) for copyright purposes, but we don’t need to know if you’ve had other work published. We will consider your submitted manuscript on its own merits.
...If you’re submitting a story that includes scientific or historical facts (even in a piece of fiction), we need to know that the information can be verified, so it would be useful to know if you are an expert in your area.
...We’ll generally contact you within two weeks of a submission.

Do you accept photographs or illustrations from contributors?
As the magazine has two illustrators, we don’t accept photographs or artwork submissions from adults. Children may submit artwork for the Write On section of the magazine.

To what extent do you rely on submissions by invitation and unsolicited manuscripts?
About 40% of the manuscripts we accept are unsolicited. So we do read all stories and poems coming in!

How important is the ‘Write On’ section for contributions from under 12s?
Children will tell you this is the best part of the magazine! We love reading through children’s submissions of stories, poems, reviews, letters, and artwork. (Write On is not a competition – there is a writing competition in another section of the magazine.) We try to include as many pieces as possible in Write On, without it feeling too cluttered. It’s a great opportunity for children to see their work in print alongside adult writing.
...Submissions need to include a permission form signed by a parent and the child. You’ll find the permission form (and the guidelines for submissions) on the website at www.alphabetsoup.net.au or email or ring us, and we’ll post one out to you!
...If you are on our email list, we usually email our subscribers a competition cover sheet, and a Write On permission form after each issue is posted. Children do not have to be subscribers to enter the competitions, or to submit work for Write On.

Well, that’s where we finish for today. Thank you, Rebecca for your insights into the thought and planning that goes into the publication of Alphabet Soup. I wish you all the best as you continue to develop and grow your publication. Enjoy the rest of your blog tour.
I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to share my passion. Thank you, Mabel, for having me here.

Blog tour dates:
1 September Dale Harcombe (Write and Read With Dale) http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale

2 September Sally Murphy (Sally Murphy's Writing for Children Blog) http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com
3 September Claire Saxby (Let's Have Words) http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/
4 September Mabel Kaplan (Tales I Tell) http://belka37.blogspot.com
5 September Dee White (Teachers Writing Helper) www.teacherswritinghelper.wordpress.com
6 September Robyn Opie (Writing Children's Books) http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com
7 September Sandy Fussell (Stories Are Light) www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com

BLOG TOUR (7) SHEEP, GOAT AND THE CREAKING GATE

Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate

Written by Claire Saxby Illustrated by Judith Rossell

Published by Windy Hollow

Today I am talking with Claire Saxby about Picture Books and the role illustrations play. I’ve heard the role of the illustrator described in terms of creating a companion story inspired by the author’s text but reaching beyond what is actually written.

Author and SCBWI President Stephen Mooser, president of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and an author of more than 60 books, defines a picture book as: ‘One in which the pictures and the text play equal roles.’

Welcome Claire!

I'd like to begin by asking you about the integration of text and illustrations in a Picture Book and comment on the extent to which they require a particular style of writing.

Picture books are a category all of their own. The story has to work on its own, but then the illustrations have to add another story. The author has to leave enough 'room' for the illustrator to move. I seldom include any illustration notes unless it's to convey something that's not directly in the text but that is integral to the story. It's a tricky balance to include enough details but not to hog-tie the illustrator.

Could you briefly outline the distinctive roles played by illustrations in a Picture Book compared to a Picture Story Book or early reader?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the distinction between Picture Book and Picture Story Book as I use the terms interchangeably. But if you mean PSB to be a longer story with fewer illustration, then the balance changes between text and illustration. As with early readers, the illustrations then tend to illuminate the text rather that carry their own story.

As an author, although not responsible for the illustrations, do you create a story board or find yourself visualising pictures to accompany the text as you write?

No. I seldom have any idea what my characters look like and only very vague ideas about the appearance of the setting. I look through my characters eyes out into their world, and my focus is on their behaviours and personality. I'm always surprised by how someone interprets my characters...it's one of the magic surprises when I see the first images.

I'm wondering whether you have ever found it difficult to let go of your ideas for the illustration and trust the illustrator and publisher to bring the final product together?

No, for the reasons mentioned above. The only time I've really had a discussion about how something has been illustrated was in 'Deepwater Blues' a chapter book. The main character overcomes a fear of really deep water (and what's in it) when his mate says he should take a look at an octopus he's found. The illustrator drew a 'giant of the deep' octopus, several times bigger than the boy! No swimmer in their right mind WOULDN'T be scared of something that big! I'd imagined a tiny little octopus, looking almost too small to be real. Not only did the illustration remain, the image was reproduced on the front cover!

On looking at some of your picture books, I note you have been matched up with various illustrators. What do you think you have you learned from having a number of different illustrators illustrate your picture books?

What talented people illustrators are! Of course I was already aware of that, but seeing them bring my story to life while bringing their own ideas to the project is awe-inspiring. It's also interesting having the same person work on two projects and seeing how different their work can be.

In creating the text for a picture book one writer suggested it was a matter of deciding what to leave in (plot) and what to leave out (description)! In ‘Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Goat’ can you offer an example or two of what the illustrations tell the reader that the text does not?

Picture book writing is definitely about what to leave out! When you have so few words to play with, there is no room for any word that's not pulling its weight. In my first picture book, 'Ebi's Boat' I met with illustrator Anne Spudvilas and we talked about what to leave out. 'Ebi's Boat' was already short, but when Anne showed me how she could illustrate a certain part without the words, I slashed more, until the final text has just under 300 words. In 'Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate', I had used more description than I usually do, perhaps as a way to explain each animal and their physical relationship to each other. I wanted their movements to be logical. But they didn't belong in the final version and many of them are now gone. Judith Rossell, the illustrator has positioned both Sheep and Goat beautifully.

During workshops and critique groups I have encountered a number of writers who express reluctance to submit a Picture Book manuscript to a publisher because they don’t want to ‘let go’ of their own ideas about the illustrations. What comments/reassurances can you offer?

More, perhaps, than any other writing form, picture books are a collaboration. The writer brings the story, the editor/publisher sees the potential and the place in the market, and the illustrator brings the story off the page. Each brings their own special magic to a project. Sometimes three brains aren't better than one, but in the case of a picture book, they certainly are! I couldn't possibly have the same understanding of all the different aspects of picture book production, and it's wonderful to have professionals on board who are experts in their own field.

There appears to be a popular misconception among beginning children’s writers that Picture Books are easier to write than other forms of children’s books. I am reminded of a quote from Mark Twain “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”
How could I argue with Mark Twain? My mother asked me why I didn't write poems in her birthday cards. I said it was because I'm usually writing the card on the day of her birthday and have no time to draft. To write poetry and picture books, there are so many elements that have to be contained in the few words. Plot, character, setting, all the things that belong in any story. But in picture books, there's no time to drop in little bits here and there that build up over chapters. Everything has to happen in less than 32 pages. That means drafting, redrafting and then redrafting again, until every word is working properly. No waffle, no ambiguity, nothing but distilled story. It's hard, but very rewarding.

And rewarding, Claire has been this visit. I look foward with great interest to joining the rest of your tour as I hope will other readers. So, from me, happy touring!

Thanks Mabel, some very thought-provoking questions!

The Tour Schedule:
Monday 17August: Dee White http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com/
Tuesday 18 August: Rebecca Newman http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/
Wednesday 19 August: Mabel Kaplan: http://belka37.blogspot.com/
Thursday 20 August: Sandy Fussell: http://www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com/
Friday 21 August Dale: Harcombe http://orangedale.livejournal.com/
Saturday 22 August: Sally Murphy http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/
Sunday 23 August: Robyn Opie http://robynopie.blogspot.com/
Monday 24 August: Sally Odgers: http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/

ABOUT PICTURE BOOKS AND BLOG TOURS

Picture books are not just for children! They are one of my favourite kinds of books to browse and enjoy. Each time I come across a new picture book, I rediscover their joy - revisit concepts and topics approached in fresh and unexpected ways - reminding me of the song from Peter Pan: "I won't grow up . . . not me!"
I'd lilke to believe it's the job of children's writers to find the fairy dust magic in the seemingly mundane - to leave children entranced and to keep the rest of us sane.
A recent visit to a bookstore brought me face to face with book after weary book of endless diets and weight watching.
Imagine my delight (and relief) when, upon reaching shelves in the children's section, I came upon Dutch writer, Sylvia Van Ommen’s picture book, The Surprise. Yes! Another book on weight watching - but this time covered in the kind of magic dust that fills me with inner joy.
A sheep finds a way to get rid of too much weight. The book shows the sheep on the scales, looking at herself in a mirror, recording her weight on a chart, visiting a pharmacy and getting rid of her excess weight in a shearing shed, spinning it into skeins and knitting a jumper for a giraffe! (But then, I am a farmer's daughter!)
And there's another reason why I am talking sheep today! Children's writer, Claire Saxby of Victoria begins her blog tour of Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate tomorrow, Monday 17August. She'll be talking with Dee White at http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com/
On Wednesday she’ll be here on TALE I TELL to share with me some of her thoughts on the role of illustrations in picture books and specifically in her soon to be released picture book: Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate. Can’t you hear them already? I can hardly wait to see the way magic dust will spread this time.

The Tour Schedule:
Monday 17August: Dee White http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com/
Tuesday 18 August: Rebecca Newman http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/
Wednesday 19 August: Mabel Kaplan: http://belka37.blogspot.com/
Thursday 20 August: Sandy Fussell: http://www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com/
Friday 21 August Dale: Harcombe http://orangedale.livejournal.com/
Saturday 22 August: Sally Murphy http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/
Sunday 23 August: Robyn Opie http://robynopie.blogspot.com/
Monday 24 August: Sally Odgers: http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/

BLOG TOUR (6) SAMURAI KIDS: MONKEY FIST

Samurai Kids: Monkey Fist

by Sandy Fussell

Illustrated by Rhian Nest James

Published by Walker Books Australia

ISBN: 9781921150913
Release date: 1 August 2009

Background:
Although Monkey Fist is a stand-alone story it is also Sandy Fussell's fourth book in the Series.

In Samurai Kids, Sensei Ki-Yaga, a Samurai Warrior from old Japan collects students that no other Samurai master is willing to train and sets up his Cockroach Ryu Training School. On their own, each student may struggle but together, they discover they are strong. Already they have proved themselves strong enough to win the annual Samurai Training Games and beat the Dragon Ryu who made fun of them. They have developed the ninja skills needed to enter the castle of the Emperor and avert war between the mountain ryus. They have travelled across China to aid the shaolin monks of the White Tiger Temple. In Monkey Fist, they race to the Forbidden City to rescue Kyoko from the evil Secretary of Rites, Lu Zeng.

In preparing questions about the cultural setting and background to Samurai Kids: Monkey Fist, I picked up two the earlier books in the series - White Crane and Owl Ninja hoping to taste something of the flavour of the series and learn about the characters. I found myself immersed in layer upon layer of Japanese culture, mysticism and folklore. The stories read like an enlarged Haiku offering so much more than the words themselves.

I am so delighted that Sandy Fussell can join me today for her blog tour.

Welcome Sandy!

1. As I read your Samurai books I am struck by the underlays of Japanese culture, folklore, mysticism waiting to be uncovered. How did this relationship come about?

I did a project on Japan when I was nine. I thought it was the most beautiful, magical place. And I still do. I’ve never been there and some of my friends say I wrote Samurai Kids in the hope of one day going on a research trip! Oh, I wish. From Japan the Kids travel to China, where Monkey Fist is set. I have been to China but only barely. I did a day trip from Hong Kong which saw the group venture just far enough inside the border to need a visa. China is on my wish list too. I would love to see the Forbidden City where much of the action of Monkey Fist takes place. Later titles will see the Samurai Kids journey into Korea, the Kingdom of Joseon. The culture and history of north-east Asia fascinates me.

2. I am most intrigued by the relationship between the names of the Cockroach Ryu members and their totems. Tell me about them.

To me, the children’s spirit guides were a natural extension of the fact that these were children with special abilities. They draw strength from ‘their spirit’. Niya’s spirit is the White Crane because like him, it stands one-legged, perfectly still and balanced. Like the White Crane, Niya has excellent eyesight and dreams of flying high. Blind Taji’s spirit is the Golden Bat and like the bat he can see life clearly despite the darkness he lives in.

What I didn’t anticipate was how children would love this feature. In truth, I was a little wary as this is the one aspect which does not have a firm footing in Japanese history or culture. It belongs to Sensei’s wisdom and the children’s sense of identity. Now kids often approach me brandishing imaginary swords, saying: “I’m Mikko and my spirit is the Striped Gecko.” 

3. Tell me more about the Samurai - Ninja relationship.

The samurai and the ninja were traditional enemies so it was only natural that eventually the Kids would come in contact with ninja. Plus my youngest son insisted on it. After I read the original manuscript to him he asked: “Where are the ninja?” I was trying to think of a clever-parent answer when he said: “I know, they’re in Book 2”. So when Walker Books later asked me if I had any ideas for a sequel – ninja immediately came to mind. The other thing that fascinated me about the samurai-ninja relationship was the irony - while the proud noble samurai despised the sneaky, deceitful ninja, when he wanted someone assassinated in the middle of the night, he employed a ninja!

4. Can you describe something of the significance of Zen and Tao in the Samurai Kids generally but particularly with reference to Monkey Fist.

The samurai practised Zazen meditation; they believed it was as important to care for the mind and the body. There are many things about Zen which fascinate me. I love the simplicity of its wisdom – that nothing could be the ultimate answer. Zen is everything and Zen is nothing. This is intrinsic to the humour of Samurai Kids where as a Zen Master, Sensei is a Master of NOTHING and the kids spend a lot of time learning about NOTHING. Zen koans are heaps of fun. Like: What is the sound of one hand clapping? Kids are very Zen and have immediate answers. We adults are the one who think too much!


The Tao way was one of going with the flow and of being one with nature. It too was a popular thought in Japan and China in the mid seventeenth century. Sensei’s teachings are mainly based on Zen with a Tao influence. In Samurai Kids the focus is not on the religious ideology but the positive values of these beliefs and their historical context.


5. What part do the almost casual references to Japanese folkloric icons such as Tanuki, fox, shape shifters etc play in the overall telling of the story.

The samurai and people of seventeenth century Japan believed in creatures like the Tanuki. They believed the fox, or Kitsune, was a shapeshifter. They believed in monsters and ghosts. The people of isolated mountain areas were as superstitious as the members of the Imperial Court. What we now call folktales were accepted parts of the samurai kids cultural world. These elements add a historical perspective and an exotic flavour to the storytelling. What kid doesn’t love a good fairytale or ghost story?

6. Sensei is also known as Ki-Yaga. Why? Is a subtle connection to the Russian Baba Yaga intended here or is the name similarity co-incidental?

I don’t exactly know where the name came from. I made it up and it sounded right. In retrospect, not choosing authentic Japanese names is my greatest regret and a mistake I will never repeat. But my initial feedback was no reader would remember seven Japanese names. I have since found that only applies to adults!!! Kids could have easily remembered twenty!!!


Ki-Yaga’s name was originally Ki-Yoda but some felt it was too similar to Jedi Master Yoda (A wise teacher is a wise teacher in any galaxy and yes, I am a Star Wars fan!). Kids often ask me where Ki-Yaga gets his sayings from and I tell them about the one I found in a fortune cookie “Never use a hatchet to remove a fly from the face of a friend.” But when my eldest son read White Crane he said: “It’s you. Sensei talks just like you do.” Hmm….

7. I found the term ‘Monkey Fist’ used to describe a nautical type of knot. How does the term apply to the Samurai?

Monkey Fist has a triple meaning in the book. It is a nautical knot which Kyoko learns when the kids first travel to China by boat. With her six fingers on each hand Kyoko is adept at tying knots. In Imperial China, where a knot is a symbol of longevity, Kyoko’s skill is coveted by the evil Lu-Zeng who kidnaps her. Monkey Fist is also a shaolin fighting skill, one of the Monkey Moves where the fighter imitates the stance of a monkey and uses agility to advantage. When Lu-Zeng forces Kyoko to fight for him, she must rely on her Monkey fighting skills. Which is only natural, as her spirit guide is the rare Japanese macaque or Snow Monkey.

Thank you Sandy. I've enjoyed your visit immensely as I hope have our visitors to this site. To learn more about the Samurai Kids, I hope you will all check in at the other stops on Sandy's blog tour as listed below.

Tour Schedule:

1 Aug  Dee White  http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com/
2 Aug  Dale Harcombe  http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale
3 Aug  Claire Saxby  http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/
4 Aug  Sally Odgrs  http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/
5 Aug  Mabel Kaplan http://belka37.blogspot.com/ [That's right here]
6 Aug  Sally Murphy http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/
7 Aug  Robyn Opie http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/
8 Aug  Rebecca Newman  http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/
9 Aug  Susan Stephenson  http://thebookchook.blogspot.com/
10 Aug Jeffery E Doherty   http://jefferyedoherty.blogspot.com/

ADVANCE NOTICE. SAMURAI KIDS BLOG TOUR

Welcome friends all!

I’ll be chatting with Sandy Fussell about the background and setting of her new book Samurai Kids: Monkey Fist on Wednesday, 5 August as part of her blog tour to celebrate the release of Monkey Fist, the fourth in her Samurai Kids series. [You will find detail of the blog tour schedule at the end of this blog.]

Thinking it prudent to find out something of the ‘who’, ‘where’, ‘what’ issues behind this series, I hurried to my local library and borrowed the first three in the Samurai Kids series - White Crane, Owl Ninja and Shaolin Tiger.

A delighful surprise awaited me! I found myself immersed in the world of Samurai in a refreshing and unexpected way. I sat for a while in the ‘School of Cockroaches ‘(Cockroach Ryu) under the wise tutelege of the Sensei Ki-Yaga.

‘Many years ago,’ he tells them, ‘in the early mists of the mountaim Ryujin, the dragon went walking. A dragon has scales of steel but his feet are soft. It trod on a thorn. The great creature roared in pain. Huge claws could not remove something so small.
‘Wind carried Ryujin’s cries deep into the Earth, but the other animals closed their ears. No-one wanted to help the cruel, boastful dragon. Only Gokiburi, the cockroach came to help. The cockroach was kind and wise “I will help you because no creature is so great it stands alone. Even a proud dragon must sometimes bend to a cockroach,” it said.
‘The dragon bowed and the cockroach removed the thorn.
‘So you see, Little Cockroaches, when the time comes, you will find power over the dragon. Bad breath and big feet are not to be feared.'


Sensei Ki-Yaga is preparing his most unlikely students for a great battle to come. There is one-legged Niya who tells the story; Kyoko, the albino girl; Mikko a one-armed boy; the blind boy, Taji. Yoshi who is doesn’t quite know who he is; and, Nezume, the last one. Not one of them alone can meet the challenges they will face, but as a unit, not only do they discover their strength and learn skills from various martial arts disciplines, they enjoy great adventure. These threads link the books of the series - and yet allow each to stand alone in an inspiring read.

Be sure to join the blog tour of Samurai Kids: Monkey Fist that begins on Saturday August 1, 2009 - and I’ll be back with more right here on Wednesday August 5.



Tour Schedule:

Date Host Location
1 Aug Dee White http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com/
2 Aug Dale Harcombe http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale
3 Aug Claire Saxby http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com/
4 Aug Sally Odgers http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/
5 Aug Mabel Kaplan http://belka37.blogspot.com/ [That's right here]
6 Aug Sally Murphy http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/
7 Aug Robyn Opie http://www.robynopie.blogspot.com/
8 Aug Rebecca Newman http://www.soupblog.wordpress.com/
9 Aug Susan Stephenson http://thebookchook.blogspot.com/