Read More »“Once upon a time, although this happens all the time, a tiny star fell to earth”
Review: Little Puggle’s Song
“‘I wish I had my own sound, like all the other animals’, said Puggle. But Puggle knew that echidnas could not sing.”
This is a gorgeous book about finding your voice, and realising that you don’t have to be like everyone else to contribute something important to the world.
Read More »Review: The Girl and The Dinosaur
The Girl and the Dinosaur is a dreamy magical book about a young girl who finds some bones upon the beach.
Read More »Review: Out
Out is a story told from the eyes of a young girl who is looking back on her asylum seeker journey.
Read More »“I feel different. It’s the way people stare. I’m called an asylum seeker, but that’s not my name”
Yearly Wrap Up
This is my first year blogging, and it has been a bloody good one.
This year I had a child under one, started a blog, started back at uni and went back to work 2-3 days a week.
It has been fun, full on and scary. I had plenty of of learning curves, from being a parent to being a blogger and pursuing my dreams of being published one day.
Achievements
I created Ragamuffin Books with the aim of sharing my love of children’s fiction and promoting my favourite books. I also wanted to push my writing abilities and force myself to consume and read and think about children’s books frequently and in ways I hadn’t before.
My main and only goal for the year was to write a review every week, which I can proudly say I have done.
I have written 40 book reviews, interviewed authors, been sent out 10+ books by publishers/authors, had an article posted on Kids Books Reviews, been voted top 11 book blog in Australia by Feedspot, been asked to be an official reviewer for New Frontier Publishing, and acquired a new associate – Books on Tour PR & Marketing.
I have read some incredible books this year and my goal was to read and review as many books I could. I have gained plenty of follows, from 600 on my instagram, to 2,000 on pinterest.
Favourite/most Popular posts
Blog posts – Five Reasons Why Reading to Children is Super Important
Review – Girl On Wire
Goals
I’d like to keep writing a review per week. I also want to try and do more interviews, as I have found them super enjoyable. I also want to:
- Write more blog posts (as opposed to reviews).
- Focus more on Australian books.
- Read more middle grade and YA books.
- Reach my reading goal on the Goodreads Challenge of fifty books.
- WRITE MORE.
- LIKE EVERY DAY.
- (or like at least five days a week)
Things I have to look forward to:
I am looking forward to receiving books from Frontier Publishing and reviewing them.
I am also looking forward to attending Kid Lit Vic, where I may be pitching manuscripts to publishers.
I should also be finishing my masters next year, and once this has been completed, hopefully I will have some more time to write creatively.
All in all, its been a fantastic year and I have learnt plenty about so many different things – bring on next year. I definitely feel as if I am closer to my dream of being published one day.
Happy New Years everyone!
Review: Why Dogs Don’t Bark at Santa
‘Why Dogs Don’t Bark at Santa’ is a Christmas story that the whole family will love. It has lovely illustrations, a wintery Christmas feel and lots of puppies!
Read More »Review: Song Bird – Great Barrier Reef Rescue
Song Bird: Great Barrier Reef Rescue is a super fun book filled to the brim with action and twisty turns that will suit a huge age range of readers – and it has an incredibly important message about the reef.
Read More »Review: The Golden Thread
“The Golden Thread is a thread of pure gold light, connecting you to anyone you love. It can never be lost, cut or broken.”
The Golden Thread is a beautiful book about connecting with loved ones when they have passed away. It is important, emotional and sweet.
Read More »Author Interview: Amelia Donnelly
Amelia Donnelly discusses how ‘The Golden Thread’ is a realistic fiction text based on true events in her life such as the passing of her brother. She also talks about going down the self publishing route, re-mortgaging her house, Buddhist practices and what’s happening for her next year.
Read More »Illustrator Interview: Ester De Boer
‘Raymund and The Fear Monster’ is all about overcoming your fears. It is a brilliant, creepy and inspiring book about a young boy whose town is hassled by a monster at night.
Ester De Boer illustrated ‘Raymund and The Fear Monster’ and was kind enough to answer some of my questions as part of their blog tour with Books on Tour PR and Marketing. See what she has to say below!
Read More »
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