Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "wonder"
"Snugs The Snow Bear," A Bear Who Follows His Very Own Northern Star!
Thank you to The Pale Blue Dot Project for the gift of a star to Snugs! He is delighted!What a great way to celebrate the launch of "Snugs The Snow Bear," Book One of my brand new Children's Fiction Series! How exciting! Be sure to follow Snugs and his adventures!
Tune in to Snugs!
For those of you based in the U.K, some exciting news! Very soon I will be chatting with Radio Solent Presenter, Jonathan Hines, about my brand new Children's Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear" Watch this space for details!
There's Something About Snow!
Today, it is snowing in New York! Pictures are all over social media, snapped on camera phones; the excitement is tangible.
So what is it about snow, that moves us into a frenetic state? Why does snow move the emotions? I can hear the pragmatists say because it makes the daily commute difficult, and to clear train lines, roads, and paths is a grind. Some might even say they hate snow, for the inconvenience it creates, and for the misery of being outdoors in the cold.
But then, think about when you first saw snow? How old were you? Who were you with? How did it make you feel?
My earliest memory of snow is a particularly wintry one, when I was a child. Snow was car-roof high, and my late dad and I were shovelling snow off the roof of the car. We were snowed in, in Slough, where my aunt and uncle lived! Oh, the joy of it, and the adventure. In those days we played snowball, and made a snowman, but no-one had thought of snow-angels. Every day, I looked out of the window, delighted at the prospect of another day, playing outdoors during the winter vacation, in the chill of ice and snow, safe in the knowledge that the warmth of indoors and hot soup and bread and butter awaited me.
One thing disappoints me, though. I wish my memory of snow was better! I can't remember the first time I saw snow falling on the ground. Yet, I have a vicarious memory of this.
I was teaching some young students from Gujerat, who were new to England. I can remember the joy on their faces, the first time they saw snowfall, and they danced and jumped in the air with joy in the parking lot! You could hear the music of laughter!
Yes, they were young, and I wondered what their memories of snow would be when they were older.
I think that there are reasons that snow moves our emotions when we are adults. Snow symbolizes purity and innocence, play, fun, and laughter. Seeing snow transports us back to our childhood.
And even with its drawbacks, and the responsibilities of adulthood, snow brings us together, creates opportunities for sharing experiences, and for team effort.
Snow makes everywhere look magical. The blanket of snow on the ground is a great equalizer. Even ugly places are transformed. There is a freshness and cleanliness about it. And when snow first falls, you can stand quite still, in wonder; listen to the silence.
Copyright, Suzy Davies, 09/02/2017. No Copying.
So what is it about snow, that moves us into a frenetic state? Why does snow move the emotions? I can hear the pragmatists say because it makes the daily commute difficult, and to clear train lines, roads, and paths is a grind. Some might even say they hate snow, for the inconvenience it creates, and for the misery of being outdoors in the cold.
But then, think about when you first saw snow? How old were you? Who were you with? How did it make you feel?
My earliest memory of snow is a particularly wintry one, when I was a child. Snow was car-roof high, and my late dad and I were shovelling snow off the roof of the car. We were snowed in, in Slough, where my aunt and uncle lived! Oh, the joy of it, and the adventure. In those days we played snowball, and made a snowman, but no-one had thought of snow-angels. Every day, I looked out of the window, delighted at the prospect of another day, playing outdoors during the winter vacation, in the chill of ice and snow, safe in the knowledge that the warmth of indoors and hot soup and bread and butter awaited me.
One thing disappoints me, though. I wish my memory of snow was better! I can't remember the first time I saw snow falling on the ground. Yet, I have a vicarious memory of this.
I was teaching some young students from Gujerat, who were new to England. I can remember the joy on their faces, the first time they saw snowfall, and they danced and jumped in the air with joy in the parking lot! You could hear the music of laughter!
Yes, they were young, and I wondered what their memories of snow would be when they were older.
I think that there are reasons that snow moves our emotions when we are adults. Snow symbolizes purity and innocence, play, fun, and laughter. Seeing snow transports us back to our childhood.
And even with its drawbacks, and the responsibilities of adulthood, snow brings us together, creates opportunities for sharing experiences, and for team effort.
Snow makes everywhere look magical. The blanket of snow on the ground is a great equalizer. Even ugly places are transformed. There is a freshness and cleanliness about it. And when snow first falls, you can stand quite still, in wonder; listen to the silence.
Copyright, Suzy Davies, 09/02/2017. No Copying.
Cosy Up with Snugs, and Celebrate International Polar Bear Day
27th February is a very special day for "Snugs The Snow Bear," and, in fact, polar bears everywhere in the world, since it is a day we celebrate these majestic snow bears, and draw attention to the fact that these snow bears face extinction, unless we do something about Climate Change.
"Snugs The Snow Bear," Book One of my Children's Fiction Series, aims to entertain kids, but at the same time to inspire them, and teach them about our carbon footprint, energy conservation, and green issues, that is essential knowledge in our efforts to address man-made global warming.
As Polar Bears International states:
"Using less energy produced by carbon-based fuels reduces our carbon emissions and can slow and even stop global warming, in turn saving our sea ice. Polar bears require sea ice for efficient hunting. Without sea ice, polar bears will decline in range and numbers, making them vulnerable to extinction in the future."
I hope you and your children will have fun reading "Snugs The Snow Bear," and that my book will stimulate children's curiosity about the natural world, and endangered species, providing them with a springboard for their own discussions and projects.
When children are engaged, it makes learning fun!
"Snugs The Snow Bear," Book One of my Children's Fiction Series, aims to entertain kids, but at the same time to inspire them, and teach them about our carbon footprint, energy conservation, and green issues, that is essential knowledge in our efforts to address man-made global warming.
As Polar Bears International states:
"Using less energy produced by carbon-based fuels reduces our carbon emissions and can slow and even stop global warming, in turn saving our sea ice. Polar bears require sea ice for efficient hunting. Without sea ice, polar bears will decline in range and numbers, making them vulnerable to extinction in the future."
I hope you and your children will have fun reading "Snugs The Snow Bear," and that my book will stimulate children's curiosity about the natural world, and endangered species, providing them with a springboard for their own discussions and projects.
When children are engaged, it makes learning fun!
World Environment Day
Today we celebrate World Environment Day!
My newly-released book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," is a tale of friendship, loyalty and belonging, which teaches children about Climate Change, Green Issues, Global Warming and The Environment.
My book would make a meaningful gift for a child today.
There has never been a more appropriate time to celebrate this beautiful earth, and to safeguard the future of our children, and generations to come.
My book is a celebration of this beautiful planet, and all that nature gives to us. I hope you will enjoy family time reading my book with your kids!
My newly-released book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," is a tale of friendship, loyalty and belonging, which teaches children about Climate Change, Green Issues, Global Warming and The Environment.
My book would make a meaningful gift for a child today.
There has never been a more appropriate time to celebrate this beautiful earth, and to safeguard the future of our children, and generations to come.
My book is a celebration of this beautiful planet, and all that nature gives to us. I hope you will enjoy family time reading my book with your kids!
The Mystery
There’s a pattern to everything you see,
a petal, a flower, a fruit, a tree,
what hand, what power, created it all,
from the tiniest insect to canyons’ walls.
When I survey the green of the fields,
majesty of mountains,
power of the sea,
what hand what power maketh me;
this is our mystery.
There’s a rhythm to all we experience,
as suns cast daylight on circumstance.
The moon casts reflections and colors our dreams;
nothing appears as it first may seem.
Animals’ instincts know before,
at one with land or sea or air,
shoe-shod we crawl, while sensing naught,
when earth is free, yet sold or bought.
There’s a pattern to everything you hear,
from the cry of a baby, a bell, tolling near.
This life is ours, and no-one knows
the beginning of days,
the last judgment call.
For Time itself, it holds the keys,
a circle, a spiral, infinity -
and if God made each creature,
why can I not see
who made my God - The Mystery?
Copyright Suzy Davies, 2018. All Rights Reserved.
a petal, a flower, a fruit, a tree,
what hand, what power, created it all,
from the tiniest insect to canyons’ walls.
When I survey the green of the fields,
majesty of mountains,
power of the sea,
what hand what power maketh me;
this is our mystery.
There’s a rhythm to all we experience,
as suns cast daylight on circumstance.
The moon casts reflections and colors our dreams;
nothing appears as it first may seem.
Animals’ instincts know before,
at one with land or sea or air,
shoe-shod we crawl, while sensing naught,
when earth is free, yet sold or bought.
There’s a pattern to everything you hear,
from the cry of a baby, a bell, tolling near.
This life is ours, and no-one knows
the beginning of days,
the last judgment call.
For Time itself, it holds the keys,
a circle, a spiral, infinity -
and if God made each creature,
why can I not see
who made my God - The Mystery?
Copyright Suzy Davies, 2018. All Rights Reserved.
On A Roll - A Poem For Children.
Let's roll the dice
and we'll begin,
to see what rolls and turns and spins -
an apple, falling from a branch,
a carousel where horses prance,
the ocean when it rolls to shore,
a bouncing ball across the floor,
a skipping rope going round in loops,
a brightly painted hula hoop,
the sun that dances in the sky,
our bicycles when they go by,
the world, our planet, circling the sun,
the moon on high, when days are done,
the earth, our planet, revolving in space,
an ancient, living, wondrous place.
Copyright Suzy Davies, 2019. All Rights Reserved.
and we'll begin,
to see what rolls and turns and spins -
an apple, falling from a branch,
a carousel where horses prance,
the ocean when it rolls to shore,
a bouncing ball across the floor,
a skipping rope going round in loops,
a brightly painted hula hoop,
the sun that dances in the sky,
our bicycles when they go by,
the world, our planet, circling the sun,
the moon on high, when days are done,
the earth, our planet, revolving in space,
an ancient, living, wondrous place.
Copyright Suzy Davies, 2019. All Rights Reserved.
On Lifelong Creativity.
I believe that creativity is a kind of potential we all have. It comes out in people in different ways. What develops creativity? Being surrounded by interesting things from an early age. This does not have to be a childhood filled with material things. Experiences create new synapses in our brains, and enhance our ability to think in new and innovative ways. In actual fact, the way children can naturally improvise and “make” their own kind of entertainment using their imaginations demonstrates this.
Of course, unless we continue to experience and learn new things throughout our lives, everything becomes dull and routine. It’s like a car journey. Drive the same way to work every day, and before you know it, you do not pay attention. Meet the same people day in day out, and you may be missing out on fresh ideas and perspectives and new opportunities. Stop learning, and life is not a challenge anymore.
How do we continue to develop those seeds of creativity we had in childhood? Go against the grain. Think laterally. Set ourselves challenges. Be adventurous. Learn something new every year. "Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder," (E.B White.) Maintain that curiosity, spirit of adventure and zest for life you had as a child.
Of course, there are some people who do not have a good start in life. But sometimes adversity - in childhood or in the rough and tumble of lives - can drive us forward to start afresh. If ever you find yourself in a bad place, imagine yourself in a better place, and use your creativity to plan the brilliant future you deserve.
Life continues to teach us. Seniors who are creative and sharp have a positive and curious mindset, and every day is a new adventure.
Of course, unless we continue to experience and learn new things throughout our lives, everything becomes dull and routine. It’s like a car journey. Drive the same way to work every day, and before you know it, you do not pay attention. Meet the same people day in day out, and you may be missing out on fresh ideas and perspectives and new opportunities. Stop learning, and life is not a challenge anymore.
How do we continue to develop those seeds of creativity we had in childhood? Go against the grain. Think laterally. Set ourselves challenges. Be adventurous. Learn something new every year. "Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder," (E.B White.) Maintain that curiosity, spirit of adventure and zest for life you had as a child.
Of course, there are some people who do not have a good start in life. But sometimes adversity - in childhood or in the rough and tumble of lives - can drive us forward to start afresh. If ever you find yourself in a bad place, imagine yourself in a better place, and use your creativity to plan the brilliant future you deserve.
Life continues to teach us. Seniors who are creative and sharp have a positive and curious mindset, and every day is a new adventure.
Grandma.
She stands at the window,
with ledge of grey slate
hours before the world is awake,
tousled head tilted, her eyes on the trees,
in the shadows of garden
a fluttering breeze.
A woodpecker's tapping away at the bark.
Her morning alarm call;
she's up with the lark,
watchful and tranquil
Gran always is
as blissful sun rises,
and clouds it doth kiss.
Soft gentle light
warming her pallid face,
she gazes outwards,
her countenance, grace.
Her hand outstretched,
and yet
still they don't come,
she hears them calling
to the morning sun.
Dance with the light,
bidding shadows away,
a thrush in the undergrowth
begins her day.
Under the eves
gape the hungry mouths
of summer visitors,
travelling South.
Blackbird and sparrow,
with wings of dull brown,
goldfinch and blue tit,
with feathers of down,
jackdaws patrolling
the mossy damp paths,
cackling and squawking
in the long grass.
And then comes her answer,
a spirit alights,
a young painted chaffinch,
a paint-splash of bright,
in perfect balance
it stands on her palm,
patience rewarded
in her place of calm.
Copyright, Suzy Davies, 2019. All Rights Reserved.
with ledge of grey slate
hours before the world is awake,
tousled head tilted, her eyes on the trees,
in the shadows of garden
a fluttering breeze.
A woodpecker's tapping away at the bark.
Her morning alarm call;
she's up with the lark,
watchful and tranquil
Gran always is
as blissful sun rises,
and clouds it doth kiss.
Soft gentle light
warming her pallid face,
she gazes outwards,
her countenance, grace.
Her hand outstretched,
and yet
still they don't come,
she hears them calling
to the morning sun.
Dance with the light,
bidding shadows away,
a thrush in the undergrowth
begins her day.
Under the eves
gape the hungry mouths
of summer visitors,
travelling South.
Blackbird and sparrow,
with wings of dull brown,
goldfinch and blue tit,
with feathers of down,
jackdaws patrolling
the mossy damp paths,
cackling and squawking
in the long grass.
And then comes her answer,
a spirit alights,
a young painted chaffinch,
a paint-splash of bright,
in perfect balance
it stands on her palm,
patience rewarded
in her place of calm.
Copyright, Suzy Davies, 2019. All Rights Reserved.
A Fairytale is about to begin
"The Girl in The Red Cape" is about to launch on Amazon. Hold tight for a magical, mystical ride! The work of Hans Christian Andersen, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes inspired this book for children 8 years plus and their adults. Illustrated by accomplished artist, Michele Bourke, this fiction book is filled with snowy Alaskan scenes which depict Mushers and sled-dogs, wildlife and the beauty of Alaskan star-filled skies. Happy Holidays to all my readers, near and far, and Every Happiness in The New Year!
Book News
"The Flamingos Who Painted The Sky," our new picture book is NOW fully available to bring in #Christmas #sunshine, #flamingo #sunsets, and #happiness #worldwide Illustrated by the talented Shirin Mass ...more
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