Flora's Flowers by Debi Gliori

Ok ok I'll admit it, I was leaving for a small getaway, just a couple of weeks in S.A, by the harbour, and was trying to fit in everything including recording and editing my book reading, so far I haven't been rumbled as my grandson hasn't squeaked about missing a new story! 

Anyway, you know murphy's law, anything and everything, from camera not autofocusing , batteries going dead suddenly, tripod missing, only thing that was working was my mike and even then the dog thought it was a game to try catch the cable it was attached to!  I'm just so amazed I even got one story from all that palaver !  

It's all edited to the best of my little sticky fingers, it's a sweet story about gardening and growing things, bit of a sore point with me, after the big move from the Sunny Coast to the City a lot of my plants karked it... I've tried very hard over the years to be the green thumb chick I know that  is deep  (very deep) inside of me, instead of the city chick who squeals at worms (I even touch them without a glove I tell ya... yea look at me go!) so when a plant of mine dies or can't be saved from overnight locust munch downs, it's saddens me.  Perhaps like this story I should try to grow a brick and see what happens... waddaya think?

have a lovely week yall

Dx

How do I put it on?

When I was living in Hong Kong... many many MANY moons ago.. I was in my twenties , I wouldn't try to count back if I were you! he he he., I had and still do an incredibly good friend called Ron, we partied together, travelled together, did family dinners, he was always there for me and I think with his cool calm demeanour (typical of a Lawyer) he was quite amused with my plethora of jobs (I was a DJ, and had two other part time jobs), my choice of boyfriends, my mad girlfriends, my potty mouth, my incessant talk of what I want to do (when I finally grew up) and one day, He presented me with this book. 

 I did take it to heart, I tried to gear down, and walk before I ran, but sometimes I forgot and forged ahead skipping some steps, sometimes I succeeded and sometimes I failed, but he was always there to catch me when I fell.

This is dedicated to you my dearest friend, though we are miles and miles apart, you are always in my heart.

Dx

My Reading of Zog by Julia Donaldson

Did you know there are or were 3 dragons in my family?  Ha Ha! well almost not the fire breathing, flying and roaring kind, though my mother was close! heh hehe, bless her she's probably trying to torch me from above! 

Yes according to Chinese astrology, My mother is a dragon, my son is a dragon and I'm a dragon too (you can all keep yer sarky comments thank you) It is said that two dragons cause conflict so it's lucky to have a third one (I swear I didn't pick the date for my son just so it could be peaceful in the family!). and if you have more than one dragon tattoo, they say do not dot the eyes or there will be clashes... uh I believe spiritually, one never knows, with the high amount of anxiety these days, you don't need two dragon tattoos to go from zero to total panic mode... I digress

Anyway I love these books, it's such a refreshing segue away from the old  tales of being saved by a man thingy.  Really good for kids to believe they can  be what they want to be, be it a doctor or a dragon... (I don't identify as a dragon I believe.. I identify as "mummmmmm". or "Omaaaaa". or "Oi"..

Right e o, that's my little bit bloggity blog for the fortnight, will see you soon.  Till then

ROOOOWWWAAARRRRR!

Dx
 

Where does Thursday Go by Janeen Brian

I know most of us say "where has the day gone?"  or where has the "week gone?"  Time seems to fly, and then some.  My son Chris and I were having a chat and grumbling about the younguns  quoting "time is just a construct! , (he's one to talk he's a millennial!) but really we're beginning to think it is! 

 

How lovely to think you can look for a certain day, do you remember as a child 10 minutes felt like foever?!!  It's enough time for just a deep breath nowadays!

I'll keep reading these Children's books as I feel more children could use some tales with imagination with all the harshness today's reality brings.  Also it's a way for me to reach out to my grandson , something he can watch over and over whenever. 

I do hope we continue to have authors of children's books, that writing does not die out and that the pen is mightier than the sword. 

Have a great week all

Dx 

Oh Dear what can the matter be? by P Crumble (yum ,he he)

You hardly hear that sentence anymore do you?  It's more for the "older' folk"... yikes, I'm swiftly following into the ranks of the silver haired brigade!  Not that I'm complaining, hey I'm still alive and kicking and that is all that counts.

I was a tad disgruntled, as I had wanted to post a different story, but like the slow wearing down of the incumbent two brain cells pinging around in my head, I had forgotten to add the pictures from the book!  Look you all can leave the early onset dementia comments out thank yew!

As it is , with all the tragic news going on in the world , this felt like a light hearted way of lifting the moment,  I do hope you've gathered your kiddies, or grand kiddies and watch the vid with them, such precious moments no?

Anyway, I must be off, if you have any suggestions for other books, drop me a line!

have a lovely weekend! and Happy Mothers Day!

Dx

Betty and the Yeti by Ella Burfoot

 

Reading this tale about Betty on her red Sled brings back memories when I used to live in Switzerland, and how my brothers used to terrorise me down the snowy and ice packed hills we lived on, that was lined by snow laden trees. A memory that also included two sleds,  a precise crash, a dislodgement of my favourite jingly jangly pom pom beanie, a bump on my forehead and lots of snow down my coat and in my hair!  Crawling back home sopping wet, I didn't get the type of sympathy I was looking for from my mum, and all my brothers got was the side eye from my step dad.

They're  gone now, ( my parents that is biological and step)  hopefully yucking it up in heaven and comparing notes on the "wild kids" !  I'd like to think they're keeping an eye out for us still on earth.  

Miss you.

lots of love

Dx

The Boy and the Toy by Sonya Hartnett read by Dx

When my children were younger (yes yes it's going back yeaaarrsss) I had very strict rules on electronic devices and robotics in the house. (though I make a lot of jokes I was very strict with the kiddos)  everyone had to leave the phones either in their rooms or at the side table for mealtimes  and at night time phones had to be docked and there was a cut off time as well for the internet.  Watching the kids, I know for a fact they loved spending time playing lego, jigsaws and monopoly with me when I was around, otherwise it was crash bandicoot or one of the other playstation games.  Many a time I caught my youngest sitting in front of the tv in the middle of the night with the volume turned down low so he wouldn't get caught! (sneaky sneaky!) .  But when it came to friends, nothing beat their buddies knocking on the door with "come and play". or "is it ok for you to come out" and the constant nagging for stayovers!, plus we always had cats and dogs and they loved their pets.  

what do you think of today's society, where they do not have the time to do all these things  or for kids who now have become so isolated due to video and online games that they would prefer to be online instead of outside, which has also become somewhat unsafe.. sigh

I think this book has a subtle prod at that and it's quite refreshing to read .  What are your thoughts on AI, will it benefit our children, grand children?  What are the guardrails for these precious young minds?

This book really made me think , and I hope it does for you.

For all the children of the world and my beloved Idris

Dx

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson

What a week it has been!  I've moved house to the City , so new adventures are afoot!  Not only were there many changes in my life but I think the world is going through a massive shift.  With Chinese Warships close to our waters , Israel not honouring the cease fire agreement, the debacle of the Ukraine and US meeting,  flooding and we're now bracing for a Cyclone!  When it rains, it pours (yes pun intended)

I find reading and uploading these children's tales so much for gratifying than the pointless debates that occur on social media when one posts one's opinion.  What is the world coming to when gaslighting becomes the norm?  

My only wish is to ensure our children and grandchildren have as much of a normal and stable environment to flourish, these incredible beings are our future, they are our little treasures, so for my little Treasure Idris and all the children of the world this is for you. 

Enjoy

Dx

Koala Lou by Mem Fox. A. brilliant Australian tale of the cute lil K...

A few months back the Godmother and I trekked through the wildlife park to spot a Koala who had been roaming around , however the Koala was well tucked away !  I do see lots of Roo's, goanas, all the different types of birds, wallabies , emus and what not though, strolling through the patches of land that have not been cleared for development,  it would be really horrible if Koalas become endangered as it looks like we're heading in that direction.  

In this reading Koala Lou does her best to get her mum to say "Koala Lou, I do love you" amidst the growing members of her family. follow us as we see her through the bush olympics!  

what drives me on is that I get little messages from my grandson (who is starting to read on his own) and his gleeful "Oma!  I love you"!  when I've uploaded a video.  

My love to all the children of this world, where ever you may be, my thoughts are with you, and big hugs to Idris.

Dx

A reading of Room on the Broom

I do hope you have been enjoying these hilarious stories I've been reading for my grandson Idris on my youtube channel.  I've found so much joy in being able to read and record them, as I know he gets to watch it over and over again.

Dedicated to children all over the world , big and small.

Dx