By Sharon Giltrow Borrow ideas from real life. Talented Aussie Authorstrator Briony Stewart, did when she wrote, WE LOVE YOU, MAGOO. A book about her very funny, furry, family member – Fergus aka Magoo. Funny, furry, Fergus aka Magoo and his family I am very excited to feature WE LOVE YOU, MAGOO this month, and share with you Briony’s follow up book, WHERE ARE YOU MAGOO?
I asked Briony to share two of her favourite, humorous pages from WE LOVE YOU MAGOO and why she chose them. B - I based my whole illustration style for the book on this spread. The energetic lines and the texture help Magoo to represent the unbridled joy and cheekiness of toddler readers, (and paired with the text, also allows them to delight in that age old thing of being able to tell someone else off for being a little bit naughty!) In this spread, Briony has used sound words to ramp up the humour – “squish, squash, wahoooooo!” Such great words for young children to say out loud. B - Look at that little face! I wanted young readers to be able to both sympathise and giggle with Magoo as he learns the rules of the household. I think this also creates a gentle and funny parallel between the character and the parent-and-child readers of the story. Here Briony has used the power of surprise. The reader turns the page, and surprise Magoo is having a bath, and he is not too happy about it. Funny Fact Briony’s dog is actually called Fergus but Magoo is a much funnier and a super silly word to say aloud. When writing funny go for funny sounding words. Fergus not funny (well maybe a little) - Magoo super funny. Well, that’s it from me this month, see you in April, with another great Aussie book. Share a laugh and connect with someone today. GIVEAWAY For a chance to win either a copy of WE LOVE YOU MAGOO OR WHERE ARE YOU MAGOO?
BIO
Sharon Giltrow grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, Western Australia with her husband, two children and a tiny dog. Sharon has taught for all of her career. Previously a teacher of children who are hearing impaired and Deaf-Blind, she now teaches young children with Developmental Language Disorder. Her humorous debut PB BEDTIME DADDY! released May 2020 through EK books. Sharon’s humorous follow up PB GET READY, MAMA! Is due to be released through EK books in 2022. Awarded the Paper Bird Fellowship for Writers in 2019. Sharon used this time to write her early middle grade book SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILITY BELT. To be released in 2021 through Clear Fork Publishing’s new imprint &MG. Sharon is also a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy,
17 Comments
Sheri Delgado-Preston
3/22/2021 05:19:22 pm
I LOVE Magoo! The book sounds so FUNNY & FUN:)
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Sharon Giltrow
3/23/2021 01:18:44 am
Thank you Sheri. Be sure to enter the giveaway for you chance to win your own copy of Magoo!
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Sharon Giltrow
3/23/2021 01:20:48 am
Sorry it appears that you can't post a picture in the comments. Please post a picture of your furry family friend on twitter.
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Mira Reisberg
3/23/2021 06:29:58 am
With a link to this webpage https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/blogfish/families-are-funny and the tag #Magoo so Sharon can find you xoxo :)
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3/25/2021 10:52:03 am
I love the name Magoo and the happy, funny, silly illustrations with minimal and riotious text. Should be perfect for littlest readers. Thanks, Sharon. I will try to post a pic on Twitter. Sheila
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Sharon Giltrow
3/25/2021 05:05:39 pm
Thanks Sheila and you nailed the appeal of Magoo in one sentence - well done! 3/23/2021 05:52:04 am
I used to watch Mr. Magoo years ago. He was so funny. Great name choice, congrats!
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Sharon Giltrow
3/24/2021 07:02:09 pm
Eleanor I had forgotten about Mr Magoo :-).
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3/24/2021 09:20:56 am
Great examples of how to write funny! Magoo is so much fun to say! Can't wait to read WHERE ARE YOU MAGOO! :)
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Sharon Giltrow
3/24/2021 07:00:52 pm
You will love it Annette
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3/27/2021 11:33:34 pm
Sounds like a really funny book! Thanks for a great review.
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Sharon Giltrow
3/29/2021 05:38:56 am
Maria it is and such a sweet book too, and thanks for the compliment.
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3/29/2021 09:46:08 am
What a delightful and entertaining books for kids! Nothing better than giving a dog a bath!
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Sharon Giltrow
3/30/2021 01:16:14 am
A wet dog is definitely a funny thing :-).
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Jilanne F Hoffmann
3/29/2021 10:53:50 am
Magoo reminds me a bit of our dog, who just got a bath yesterday (with similar enthusiasm), LOL. Poor Magoo....
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Sharon Giltrow
3/30/2021 01:16:46 am
Yes not many dogs enjoy baths. My dog tolerates it :-).
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Sharon Giltrow
4/4/2021 07:01:48 pm
Congratulations Maria Marshall you have won the giveaway. I'll DM you on twitter. YAY!
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We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our awesome bloggers!!
Here's our lineup: 1st Mondays begin with awesome Aussie debut author and former student Amanda Lieber who will be focusing on Aussie kidlit. 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books. 3rd Mondays will feature STEM, STEAM & SEL obsessed author Kourtney LaFavre sharing delightfully dorky, quirky, and fun info. 4th Mondays will be a mystery for right now. And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break Archives
September 2023
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