Yvonne
I first discovered this author through her publishing company Tannbourne Ltd., who are themselves a small fledgling company, who have Miranda Newboult as their first published author.
Miranda is an author of childrens books and her first novel is ‘Emma’s Stormy Summer’.
I have been invited to read and review this book, by Tannbourne Ltd. and although well past childhood myself, I am really looking forward to seeing how writing for our youngsters has moved on over the years.
—
Synopsis
“Dad thinks I’m a nuisance” It may be sunny but Emma’s perfect world seems to be unravelling in front of her.
First her friend Becca started being horrible to EVERYONE and now Daddy is ignoring her and acting weird.
Emma can’t help but worry that it is all her fault and as the storm clouds gather over her Dad she feels more and more guilty and responsible.
If only she could get everything back to normal. This summer she realises that growing up can be a rollercoaster and maybe, just maybe, she should relax and enjoy the ride.
—
About Miranda Newboult
Miranda Newboult grew up in East Sussex and now lives five miles from where she was born. She spent most of her childhood with her nose in a book but did manage to find time to go to school at Roedean and then do a degree in English and Related Literature at York University. She now works for Canterbury Christ Church University as a Consultant in Leadership and Management Development and spends the rest of her time looking after her young family and an ever-increasing number of animals. Emma’s Stormy Summer is Miranda’s first novel.
Miranda says:
“When I was growing up I read books all the time but never dreamed I would write one myself. Books were my escape rather than my reality. I was a child who enjoyed school and my most inspirational teachers were those that taught English and shared my passion for people who existed both on paper and in the imagination.
I am not a fussy reader, many different genres catch my attention, and when I start a book, I always finish it, totally immersed in the story. When I started to write, I experienced something similar. I was nagged and harassed by the story, only finding peace once I had committed the words to paper – I was being pestered to tell the tale. I hope I continue to be for a long time.”
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
I wish Miranda every success with her writing career, as I passionately believe in anything or anyone, who can capture our childrens attention and encourage them to read.
I rarely read children’s books, but as a grandmother I’m thinking maybe I should familiarize myself more with the genre! (My little guys are 4 and 1 and a half, and although they live far away, I read to them whenever I get the chance.)
I’d love for you to check out a new bloghop I’m hosting, called Bookish Images Monday. Stop by my blog to find out more!
Cindy @ Cindy’s Book Club
Hi Cindy,
I don’t make a habit of reading children’s books or YA. However the opportunity to read this author’s first novel, came about when I was introduced to her publisher, who is also new on the scene. We started chatting on twitter and they asked f I would like to read a copy of their first published book, not an offer that I was going to turn down.
I am interested to see just how the writing of children’s books has evolved over the 40 odd years since I read them!!!
I haven’t started reading the book yet, but even the cover highlights the changes that have obviously taken place. At first glance it would be quite a challenge to set an age group for the book, I have seen adult books where the covers show very little difference in style to this one.
Hi Yvonne,
I enjoyed the interview with the author.
Thanks for including that!
Elspeth
The biography, I should say.
Hi Elspeth,
I am always on the lookout for new authors to highlight, as it is good to see that there is still so much demand for the written word.
As in this case, it corresponded with the launch of a new publisher, it seemed appropriate to give some space to this new pairing.
The fact that I am now reading the first children’s book I have read in many many years is amazing and I am very surprised at just how much the content and phraseology of children’s stories has moved on in that time.
Miranda’s biography was particularly pertinent, as I was able to relate to almost everything she said.
The synopsis sounds like a good story of coming-of-age. And I totally get what the author is talking about!
Hi Laura,
Great to talk with you again, thanks for stopping by.
You have summed the storyline up very well actually, a book which follows a young girl through her coming-of-age traumas and stresses and on her way to teenage years, a much more mature and accepting individual, is a perfect description.
Childrens literature these days seems to deal with the difficult life issues in a no-nonsense and adult fashion, which would have been unheard of back in my childhood reading days.
I have given the whole scenario quite a lot of thought and have come to the conclusion that this approach of honesty, is definitely a vast improvement.
Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Hi Julie,
I love the idea of your ‘Kid Konnection’ spot. Hopefully, as well as giving parents some great ideas about the new books and authors available to their children, it will also encourage the youngsters themselves to put books forward for recommendation and maybe help their parent write the review as well!
My review of Miranda’s book will be available shortly, but as a debut novel it was pretty impressive.