_Testimonials & Reviews
_Comments from some of the kids from Billanook Primary School
“Gives a real-life message - never give up, just keep on trying!” Olivia Year 6
“I like how she used black/white grey for most parts and made other parts stand out in red.” Maddi Year 6
“I liked the illustrations, really creative.” Isabelle Year 5
“Very interesting and creative illustrations.” Kiah Year 5
“I like how she used the little person to control the lights.” Ben Year 5
“I liked the story and that everyone can enjoy it.” Abi Year 6
“Very creative and lots of imagination.” Kellen Year 5
“I think she did a really good job in the drawings. It's amazing she did it all by herself. I thought it was great how Jodi thought of the whole thing when she was 3 and remembered it.” Hannah Year 6
Comments from some of the kids from Essendon North Primary School
"It was fantabulous."
"Great pictures."
"Go Chasing Feathers rules because it was out of the ordinary."
"Great pics and a fantastic book."
"We really admire Yogi’s persistence."
"I think Yogi must have been a genius."
"So different but weird to all."
"I think Mumble from Happy Feet and Yogi are alike in that they want to do something more."
Chasing feathers
from: http://book-unfinished.blogspot.com/2009/03/chasing-feathers.html
Working in a bookshop can have more benefits than you can imagine. Apart from the obvious, a bookshop being the best part-time job for my career path, it also opens your mind and lets you explore stories that you wouldn’t usually notice.
I saw a bookmark with a creature on the front that was utterly charming. On the back it led me to a website (www.liquidmoon.com.au) and there I found the most beautiful children’s book I’d seen in a long time. The story can only be bought online but an extract can be written if you just follow the links.
This is Jodi’s first novel, as she is a Melbourne based artist and usually makes clay-like models of her creatures and even paints occasionally. This is probably why you can only buy the book online, because she wants to make the story a sort of art piece in itself. The illustrations are just gorgeous you must flick through just to see what she creates out of our world.
The story is about a normal city; however, if you look closely creatures are operating everything. For example inside the traffic lights are little traffic controllers operating the lights to change from green to red. This job is Yogi’s job however when he finds himself fired, he realises that he’s been searching for something else. As here is the beginning of his journey to follow his dream.
I will certainly be reading this to my kids when I’m older. Just beautiful!
Jinx xx
I Think It Was When I was 8 ...
from: http://www.joyfuljubilantlearning.com/joyful_jubilant_learning/2008/08/i-think-it-was.html
I think it was when I was 8 that I really discovered the world of books. It was the summer break and my sister must have got sick of me hanging around her looking for attention. So she introduced me to the large and seriously-stacked bookshelf that for some reason I had never realised was important!
The magical door of getting lost in a different world had been opened to me and I've never shut it since. Escapism will always have it's place for me.
Back then I found a myriad of worlds. I rowed in the boat with the Famous Five. I was one of the good girls at St Clare's watching aghast at the antics of the girls who had midnight feasts. I cried with Jo as Little Women and Little Men grew, then sobbed some more at all their lives in Good Wives and Jo's Boys. I discovered What Kate Did and what she did next. I read of the Australian bush in Norah of the Billabong and Seven Little Australians ...
(Please shut me up, I can't stop the memories!)
When I had kids of my own, I started them young and introduced books and reading from babyhood.
By the time I'd had three children my world had been opened up to such delights as Hairy MacLary from Donaldson's Dairy, Where the Wild Things Are, and In the Night Kitchen. They were all frequently on the reading list at bedtime. I could NEVER say no to any of those! I LOVED them too!
At least here the memories might connect with some of my readers here at JJL. I'd bet most of you have never heard of any of my earlier memories! (Please let me know if you have, so I can feel a little less ancient?)
Even now, I'm always on the lookout for quality children's literature. And part of what makes great children's books in any era is the ability of the illustrator.
So when I stumbled on a recently-published children's book Chasing Feathers I knew I'd found another delight Chasing_feathers_coverin another world.
This time, author Jodi Blokkeerus, had me likening her new book to Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are. A little like Sendak, Blokkeerus' quirky little creature Yogi lives in a different world to the one we know.
Deep within the layers of the city there are creatures operating things from below. Inside the traffic lights work traffic controllers, operating the lights to bring order to our roads. Chasing feathers is the story of Yogi, a traffic controller who was searching for something more. But when he gets a chance to follow his dream, he finds it’s not as easy as he first thought.
Exquisite pen and ink drawings with wonderful hints of muted colours showed off this adorable little creature. As someone with little imagination in that direction, I SOOOOOO admire people who can create such visual delights.
And like many books these days there are subtle learnings for children and adults alike in the text of this unique little book.
I asked Jodi to tell me what she saw as some of the lessons.
* If you want to follow your dreams, it's important to stay true to your self, despite what people around you say.
* It can take time to make a difference, but as long as it's something you believe in you should stick with it.
* Try to imagine things from a different perspective so you can walk in someone else's shoes.
* People need to follow their dreams and discover what they love to do.
* Everyone had different values and ideas, so it can be hard to stay true to your self.
* If you are open and looking you'll find opportunities and ideas everywhere.
I do believe that all of those are themes we explore regularly here on JJL and in most adult personal development and business development books around the current marketplace.
So these days, our children don't need to wait till they're 8 to discover the important life lessons or even get a touch of escapism. Your children can get both in this beautiful book. But, that's enough from me, just go to Jodi's website and buy a copy of this book for your favourite child. I'm going to.
“Gives a real-life message - never give up, just keep on trying!” Olivia Year 6
“I like how she used black/white grey for most parts and made other parts stand out in red.” Maddi Year 6
“I liked the illustrations, really creative.” Isabelle Year 5
“Very interesting and creative illustrations.” Kiah Year 5
“I like how she used the little person to control the lights.” Ben Year 5
“I liked the story and that everyone can enjoy it.” Abi Year 6
“Very creative and lots of imagination.” Kellen Year 5
“I think she did a really good job in the drawings. It's amazing she did it all by herself. I thought it was great how Jodi thought of the whole thing when she was 3 and remembered it.” Hannah Year 6
Comments from some of the kids from Essendon North Primary School
"It was fantabulous."
"Great pictures."
"Go Chasing Feathers rules because it was out of the ordinary."
"Great pics and a fantastic book."
"We really admire Yogi’s persistence."
"I think Yogi must have been a genius."
"So different but weird to all."
"I think Mumble from Happy Feet and Yogi are alike in that they want to do something more."
Chasing feathers
from: http://book-unfinished.blogspot.com/2009/03/chasing-feathers.html
Working in a bookshop can have more benefits than you can imagine. Apart from the obvious, a bookshop being the best part-time job for my career path, it also opens your mind and lets you explore stories that you wouldn’t usually notice.
I saw a bookmark with a creature on the front that was utterly charming. On the back it led me to a website (www.liquidmoon.com.au) and there I found the most beautiful children’s book I’d seen in a long time. The story can only be bought online but an extract can be written if you just follow the links.
This is Jodi’s first novel, as she is a Melbourne based artist and usually makes clay-like models of her creatures and even paints occasionally. This is probably why you can only buy the book online, because she wants to make the story a sort of art piece in itself. The illustrations are just gorgeous you must flick through just to see what she creates out of our world.
The story is about a normal city; however, if you look closely creatures are operating everything. For example inside the traffic lights are little traffic controllers operating the lights to change from green to red. This job is Yogi’s job however when he finds himself fired, he realises that he’s been searching for something else. As here is the beginning of his journey to follow his dream.
I will certainly be reading this to my kids when I’m older. Just beautiful!
Jinx xx
I Think It Was When I was 8 ...
from: http://www.joyfuljubilantlearning.com/joyful_jubilant_learning/2008/08/i-think-it-was.html
I think it was when I was 8 that I really discovered the world of books. It was the summer break and my sister must have got sick of me hanging around her looking for attention. So she introduced me to the large and seriously-stacked bookshelf that for some reason I had never realised was important!
The magical door of getting lost in a different world had been opened to me and I've never shut it since. Escapism will always have it's place for me.
Back then I found a myriad of worlds. I rowed in the boat with the Famous Five. I was one of the good girls at St Clare's watching aghast at the antics of the girls who had midnight feasts. I cried with Jo as Little Women and Little Men grew, then sobbed some more at all their lives in Good Wives and Jo's Boys. I discovered What Kate Did and what she did next. I read of the Australian bush in Norah of the Billabong and Seven Little Australians ...
(Please shut me up, I can't stop the memories!)
When I had kids of my own, I started them young and introduced books and reading from babyhood.
By the time I'd had three children my world had been opened up to such delights as Hairy MacLary from Donaldson's Dairy, Where the Wild Things Are, and In the Night Kitchen. They were all frequently on the reading list at bedtime. I could NEVER say no to any of those! I LOVED them too!
At least here the memories might connect with some of my readers here at JJL. I'd bet most of you have never heard of any of my earlier memories! (Please let me know if you have, so I can feel a little less ancient?)
Even now, I'm always on the lookout for quality children's literature. And part of what makes great children's books in any era is the ability of the illustrator.
So when I stumbled on a recently-published children's book Chasing Feathers I knew I'd found another delight Chasing_feathers_coverin another world.
This time, author Jodi Blokkeerus, had me likening her new book to Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are. A little like Sendak, Blokkeerus' quirky little creature Yogi lives in a different world to the one we know.
Deep within the layers of the city there are creatures operating things from below. Inside the traffic lights work traffic controllers, operating the lights to bring order to our roads. Chasing feathers is the story of Yogi, a traffic controller who was searching for something more. But when he gets a chance to follow his dream, he finds it’s not as easy as he first thought.
Exquisite pen and ink drawings with wonderful hints of muted colours showed off this adorable little creature. As someone with little imagination in that direction, I SOOOOOO admire people who can create such visual delights.
And like many books these days there are subtle learnings for children and adults alike in the text of this unique little book.
I asked Jodi to tell me what she saw as some of the lessons.
* If you want to follow your dreams, it's important to stay true to your self, despite what people around you say.
* It can take time to make a difference, but as long as it's something you believe in you should stick with it.
* Try to imagine things from a different perspective so you can walk in someone else's shoes.
* People need to follow their dreams and discover what they love to do.
* Everyone had different values and ideas, so it can be hard to stay true to your self.
* If you are open and looking you'll find opportunities and ideas everywhere.
I do believe that all of those are themes we explore regularly here on JJL and in most adult personal development and business development books around the current marketplace.
So these days, our children don't need to wait till they're 8 to discover the important life lessons or even get a touch of escapism. Your children can get both in this beautiful book. But, that's enough from me, just go to Jodi's website and buy a copy of this book for your favourite child. I'm going to.
