Showing posts with label Kathy Mashburn. Show all posts

Review Showcase: A Birthday Clown for Archer

This week's review showcase is for A Birthday Clown for Archer, which I illustrated for author Kathy Mashburn.

Here's some of the things people have been saying:

5.0 out of 5 stars

Finally, someone addresses this fear May 24, 2013

Format:Paperback

As a professional clown, I often encounter coulrophobia as have every single one of my colleagues over the years. It is often a topic at clown workshops/ conventions and the subject of articles in our trade magazines (the New Calliope and Clowning Around). This is the first book I have seen on the subject, and I believe it will help remove the barriers between clowns and those who are irrationally afraid of them.

As much as some would want to pretend otherwise, Archer knows that clowns are just people. Some are good and some are bad. Use all your senses to determine if one is trustworthy. He wants a clown for his birthday, but his mother is irrationally afraid and cites each piece of the clown's appearance as a reason. Archer swiftly counters with why those things are what he loves about a clown.

This pioneering book is a step in the right direction toward helping the professional clown stay viable in a time when parents often choose a safer but impersonal option for birthdays: Chuck E Cheese, Charlie's Safari, Jumpin' Jack's, etc. That's a benefit to me, but Mashburn's main intention is to help parents and children find a way to work through fear to experience happiness and joy.

If you choose to find a clown for your event, you are effectively inviting a disguised stranger to surprise you. That can make you and your guests feel very alive, and it might not work out if you have members of the party with unaddressed issues of coulrophobia. Let's just say that it could get ugly fast. This book could helpful when deciding whether to hire a clown and when letting guests know a clown will be present.

This is a book I could recommend that clowns bring with them to parties as a way to diffuse the anxiety of those coulrophobics who did not know a clown was coming. At 32 pages and about 300 words, this is the kind of book that could be used to warm up a hesitant audience and could be left as a souvenir to always remind parents and children to be courageous.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Excellent book! June 12, 2013

By Author V. L. Jennings

Format:Paperback

I had seen previews of the illustrated cover from the author and illustrator's social feed but I was totally unprepared for being struck with awe as I opened the book from the mail. The illustrations are cute, bright, vibrant, eye catching, and entertaining! Will certainly captivate young readers! My two year old really enjoyed turning the pages to see the BIG clown feet on one set of pages, Big rainbow hair, and BIG bow. He even giggled seeing the whole clown revealed in the very end.

The story is just as good as the illustrations! A Birthday Clown for Archer is about clownphobia. Archer's mom is really afraid of clowns. Archer with his 5 yr old curiosity asks her question after question trying to understand and help his mom overcome her fear. Will Archer's mom overcome her fear in time for Archer to have a clown for his birthday? Check out the book to find out!

Do you have a child that shows signs of clownphobia? Try reading this book to them to show them how clowns can be silly instead of scary!

I really enjoyed reading this book, I couldn't stop smiling!

5.0 out of 5 stars

Excellent book for young children June 12, 2013

By Jenny

Format:Paperback

What a delightful book for young children!

Archer wants a clown for his birthday but his mother is afraid of clowns and gives several reasons why she doesn't want him to have a clown. For every reason his mother gives him, Archer has a positive response.

Archer's innocence and ability to see the good in people helps his mother overcome her fear instead of her shifting her fear of clowns to him. A beautifully written message about fear that is appropriate for children of all ages.

The illustrations are beautifully done, eye-catching and add much charm to the story.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Very cute book! July 30, 2013

By S. Leatherwood

Format:Paperback

This book is so cute! It really hits home because I have always had some kind of issue with clowns. My daughters, on the other hand, haven't cared one way or the other . This book has really nice pictures that make clowns seem not that bad. We should over come our own fears for our children. My kids love this book!!

5.0 out of 5 stars

Kids loved it! June 21, 2013

By Sharlinda Haight

Format:Paperback

This was a wonderful book! Both of my kids loved the book! My son loves clowns so he particularly enjoyed it. He thought the clown was awesome. They loved the illustrations too. My daughter kept counting the balloons on the cover.

Grab your copy here.

If you've read the book, please take a minute to post your own review to Amazon. Both Kathy and I would love to hear what you think of it.

Featured Friday: Wiggy Wanda by Kathy Mashburn

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

About the book

Title: Wiggy Wanda

Author: Kathy Mashburn

Illustrated by: Mindy Liang

ISBN: 13: 978-1499662863

SYNOPSIS OF WIGGY WANDA:

Keri Fields is only seven years old when she learns the reason for her mother’s sickness. She has seen firsthand how badly her mother feels when she is sick. Keri listens carefully as her mother tells her about a boo-boo called cancer that is causing her to be sick enough to throw up and tired enough to lie down often. To help explain the things that will happen while her mother is being treated by the doctor, Keri’s parents present her with a very special gift. Keri quickly discovers this is no ordinary gift!

Imagine you have been diagnosed with cancer. Now, imagine how you would go about explaining your diagnosis to a young child. Wiggy Wanda is a children’s book that will help open the door for women everywhere to begin to tell their personal stories to the young children in their lives – perhaps even their daughters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Although I enjoy writing across genres, I spend much of my time writing books for children. The stories I write are usually based on an awareness issue like the fear of clowns, or a disability concern like having prosthetic limbs or being blind. Of course, I also enjoy writing stories that are just simply FUNNY! It is my hope the books I write will engage children in a positive way, encouraging them to laugh, learn, and to enhance their imaginations. I enjoy reading, writing, crafting, attending church, and spending time with her family and friends.

AUTHOR WEBSITE: http://www.kathymashburn.com

AUTHOR BLOG: http://www.kathymashburn.blogspot.com

FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/kathy.w.mashburn

TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/kathymashburn

GOODREADS http://www.goodreads.com/Mashburn_Kathy

AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/author/kathymashburn

LINKEDIN http://www.linkedin.com/in/kathymashburn

INTERVIEW:

Please tell me how long you have been writing, and why you decided to become a writer.

I began writing in the fifth grade when my teacher, Mrs. Brannock, gave my classmates and me an assignment to keep a daily journal about something going on in our lives. As she handed me a thin red spiral notebook to use, she could not have known the profound impact it would have on me in years to come. That simple wire-bound notebook became a bible of sorts to me as I captured my every thoughts, ideas, and dreams inside its pages.

It was much later in high school when another teacher, Dr. Peggy Quarles further inspired me to write. She poured fuel on the fire when she instructed my freshmen class and me to maintain daily journals again. By then journaling had become a habit to me, but her renewed assignment caused an even greater appreciation in reading, writing, and storytelling in me. It is because of Dr. Quarles's encouragement and advice to write about anything and everything lurking behind the doors of my imagination, that I continue to keep pen and paper handy every day.

Are you a fulltime or part-time writer?

I am definitely a part-time writer, but I consider myself a writer with a fulltime commitment. I can’t remember a single day I have not written in my journal, or scratched out a new idea or story, or scribbled random thoughts on a napkin while dining. Writing is a part of everything I do. Most days I even set my alarm clock for an hour earlier than when I need to awake to prepare for my full-time paid job. I enjoy writing so much I keep index cards on my nightstand to write down my dreams on the occasion I am lucky to remember them when I awake.

Where do you draw your inspirations from?

Everywhere! Seriously, I am inspired by so many things like people, places, my family, my friends, and news events. I am a good listener, so I pay attention to snatches of conversations around me to get ideas. I consider this unintentional eavesdropping because people everywhere talk openly about their lives, their pets, their jobs, etc., which often turns into a story or an idea for a project. I also practice really looking to see things with a ‘curious eye’. I try to see things differently than others might.

Is this your first published work? What other types of writing are you interested in?

No, it isn’t. I’ve published three different books in three different genres. My first publication was a book titled How to Swap Batches of Cookies and Candy with Others, plus 115 Great Recipes. This book came about for two reasons. The first was to find a way to have fun on a tight budget with my family during Christmas holidays, while the other was to learn all I could about the world of publishing. I had been attending workshops at a local university on writing, so I decided the best way to understand the jargon and business was to get my feet wet by self-publishing a book.

My second publication is a fun story titled Mrs. Baxter Swarms Mount Vernon High School. Mrs. Baxter is an eccentric grandma who takes things into her own hands to get to the bottom of the troubles her grandson, Norman get’s himself into a few days before his graduation. She is a wacky and fun lady that’s sure to have readers laughing out loud.

In addition to the previous books, I have also published three children’s books titled A Birthday Clown for Archer, Feeding Piggy, and Jilly Loves to Pretend.

I enjoy writing in different genres. My current works-in-progress are Living in the Midst of God’s Plan, and A Day in the Life of Beekeeper. Readers can learn more about these projects on my website at http://www.kathymashburn.com.

Why did you decide to self-publish your work instead of pursuing traditional publishing?

For me, it’s all about the control and freedom to make my own decisions. I like being responsible for my work. Once I sent a story to a few publishing houses, which caused me to realize I was not very good at waiting weeks, months, or even years for a their reply, if any. Then I began to read, read, and read again everything I could get my hands on about writing and publishing. After studying other successful authors, I decided to pursue self-publishing. It’s true, we are our biggest asset, so I set out to brand myself and to promote what I love to do, which is to write and tell stories.

This is not to say I would not pursue traditional publishing if an opportunity was presented to me, but in the meanwhile I plan to continue to do all I can to make my own success. I can dream about the big publishing houses, and who knows, one day I might just land one.