I'm really pleased to report that 'Rags' was selected as an honor book for the eleventh annual Comstock Read Aloud Book Award.
It was one of three honor books chosen for the 9-12 yr-old category. The award is given to the best picture books to read aloud to children from age nine to twelve. The winner of this category was 'What to do When You're Sent to Your Room' by Ann Stott illustrated by Stephen Gilpin. 629 picture books published in 2014 were submitted by publishers for the award. These books were read aloud to 21,990 children.

The following is an excerpt from the official site-
http://www.mnstate.edu/cmc/comstock-read-aloud-honor-2015.aspx

Rags: Hero Dog of WWI: A True Story written by Margot Theis Raven and illustrated by Petra Brown and published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2014.

Rags, a stray dog, is rescued in Paris during WWI by Army Private James Donovan. When Donovan is sent to the battlefield, Rags goes along and helps the soldiers by chasing mice and rats out of the trenches, warning of incoming shells, delivering messages, and boosting the soldiers' morale. During a battle, Private Donovan and Rags are both wounded. Severely injured, Donovan is sent back to the United States and Rags refuses to leave his side and so returns to the U.S. with him.

Both students and teachers felt that this was a heartwarming story. Several comments were made about the story being sad, but one student replied it was a “good kind of sad.” Students liked that it was a true story which described a unique part of history during WWI. One group summed it up by stating, “We want to meet Rags.”     

Background information on War Dogs of WWI and an epilogue that describes how Rags spent his final years are included.

Margot Theis Raven was born in Indianapolis, IN on August 30, 1950 and died in Mt. Pleasant, SC on August 16, 2014. Raven was an accomplished fine art painter and a national award winning author. Rags: Hero Dog of WWI was her last book and was released just weeks before her death. 

Petra Brown, the illustrator, lives in North Wales, UK and has been a children’s book illustrator since 2006.

Another book! This time it is a Spanish book written by Marina Montero and published by Penguin Random House España.

 Little bear, still sleepy, stretched and yawned twice. He sniffed the air for the smell of breakfast. What was that smell that enveloped him? Little bear and Big bear leave the den and go in search of a very special aroma. They discover many smells- tree resin, hazelnuts, honey, apples, rain, and fire ... but none of these are the right smell. Evening, when the moon peeked over the horizon and the Little bear snuggled sleepily in the warm arms of the big bear, he realises that it wasn't really a smell he was sensing,  it was the sweetest thing of all - love!

ISBN: 978-84-488-3941-3

Published 2nd of August! 'Rags, Hero Dog of Ww1' A True Story written by Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by me :) Published by Sleeping Bear Press.

I really loved illustrating this story. First off I love drawing dogs, secondly, it's a true story, and so heart warming. The cover is a little sad, poor little Rags gets wounded and is wrapped in bandages.
I did all the artwork digitally. The computer is an illustrator's true friend, I ain't lyin'... I don't ever want to go back to conventional paint and paper.

Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (2 Aug 2014)
ISBN-10: 1585362581
ISBN-13: 978-1585362585

I'm very pleased to report that Grandma Loves You, written by Helen Foster James, has been selected as a finalist in the 2014 'San Diego Book Award'. 
Founded in 1994, the San Diego Book Awards Association (SDBAA) honors the best published books and unpublished manuscripts by San Diego County residents each year. 

Other titles in the category Published Children’s Books include: Paper Son by Helen Foster James and Virginia Shin-Mui Loh, Penguin in Love by Salina Yoon, Pinwheel by Salina Yoon.

A new book, for a new arrival! All you Grandmothers out there with new little grand babies... this is the book for you, well, from you... to them. Here's the splurge:

'The birth of a baby is an opportunity for celebration far beyond the anticipation of the new parents. There are happy aunts and uncles, and, of course, delighted grandparents who can’t wait to meet the newborn. In Grandma Loves You!, Grandma Bunny joyously welcomes the new arrival. In warm and tender rhyme, long-awaited introductions are made. Grandma’s touching endearments reflect the sentiments of anyone who has welcomed a new member of the family. Brought to life in enchanting woodland scenes that seem to echo Grandma’s joy, Grandma Loves You! will be a treasured gift from generation to generation, celebrating one of life’s most important moments and relationships.'

Grandma Loves You!  Helen Foster James (Author), Petra Brown (Illustrator)
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (July 2013)
ISBN-10: 1585368369
ISBN-13: 978-1585368365


Here are a few of the pages...

Here are some lovely reviews, I found on Amazon, for Tanya's book:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and enjoyable, 14 April 2013
By Sandra -
I bought the book for my granddaughters as i heard everyone i know talking about the book and how lovely it was. I only had the intentions on reading the first chapter to myself. Then after reading the whole book i then gave it to my granddaughters. A lovely and enjoyable story. Looking forward to the next book.


5.0 out of 5 stars Great Little Book, 10 April 2013
By curlybird -
I bought this book for my eight year old son. We read it together though he could have managed it by himself. It was a very enjoyable read, we read it over two nights. What a lovely story about a very cheeky dog. The author really captures the attention of readers young and old. We are looking forward to her next book!


4.0 out of 5 stars Suz, 3 April 2013
By Book-Shelf (Everywhere) -
A brilliant book of Sid and all his capers. Sid is the sort of dog every home should have. Very entertaining and a pure delight for every young reader. Parents will also enjoy reading this with their younger children as they learn to read.
I loved seeing the Welsh names and the touch of the welsh language, made a nice change and a well deserved treat.


5.0 out of 5 stars Sid and the Cwmhendy Dog Show, 26 Mar 2013
By Beth Jones -
I brought this book for myself and son and daughter and it is very good. I brought this book from her youngest son who is Geraint in the story. I think that this book should be made into a movie. Tanya L James is the best children's book author that I have ever heard of.


5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book!!, 26 Mar 2013
By Philip -
I bought this book for my 5 year old daughter, within mins of opening it we were sat reading it. It was so beautifully written, my daughter had me read it another 7 times that day! she absolutely loves Sid!! This book has become her favorite bed time story. I have even bought a further 3 copies for children in the family. I would highly recommend this book, well who wouldn't love Sid!!! Happy reading!!!!


5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read, 18 Mar 2013
By Angela Read-Jones -
I bought this lovely looking book for my 3 1/2 yr old daughter. It's her first book with chapters and I thought that we could read a chapter a night as her bedtime story. My daughter had a different idea in mind and wanted chapter after chapter in ONE NIGHT. It is such a lovely story with a very loveable jack russel as the main character. I would highly recommend this book.


5.0 out of 5 stars a must-buy, 9 Mar 2013
By J. B. Lawler "loosina" (uk) -
This book was so great my son ended up wanting it read in one session ! The characterisation of the dog is so cute and it contains plenty of humour ! The illustrations are gorgeous and it was just the perfect length to keep my almost seven year old's interest. Would be a perfect beginning chapter book for early readers also. Can't recommend it highly enough a really lovely read for boys or girls :)

I Will Keep You Safe and Sound - Lori Haskins Houran (Author), Petra Brown (Illustrator)

Meet Sid! He’s a dog and a half. Loved to bits by Geraint, Sid is often in trouble for damaging Mum’s daffodils and vandalising Dad’s vegetables, and all in pursuit of his bright, red ball. This cheeky Jack Russell has a mind of his own. This delightful story is perfect for grown-ups and children to share.

I was so excited when Viv, editor of Pont children's books,  sent me the text for this story... I snapped it up with relish... yes please Viv!!!
It was so lovely to work on a story that is original and so full of fun. Both children and adults will love this one. Tanya is such a great writer, she's made Sid's character really endearing and funny so that you're totally with him and for him right from the very start. I do hope that there'll be more in the series.

Sid's a lovable little dog with a huge character. His hobbies are playing with his ball, going for muddy walks and curling up in front of a roaring log fire with his doggy friends Sophie and Nancy. His many antics and adventures have inspired Tanya to write Sid and the Cwmhendy Dog Show.

Tanya lives in west Wales with her husband Richard, three sons, three dogs (including Sid of course) and a pair of cheeky gerbils . This is her first book, and I'm absolutely certain that there will be many more Tanya L. James books to come.

​'Hey, that's what I'll call you - Collywobble!' says Farmer Joe.
When Farmer Joe's sheepdog, Bess, has seven pups, three are big and strong, three are good enough, but one's the most shivery, wobbly little scrap you're ever likely to see. Joe and Bess go to fetch the sheep down from the snowy mountain, but it's getting dark and they're still not back. Will Collywobble be brave enough to try and find them?

Here's a wonderful thing... a book that I'm very proud to be a part of! It's Collywobble!
And today- 14th February, is the release day! So hurry on down to your local bookstore and buy one... it's such a lovely story. Collywobble was written by the hugely talented Malachy Doyle.

It was spring 2010 when the email popped into my inbox. It was from Viv Sayer- editor of Pont Books, Gomer. She was offering me the chance to illustrate a new picture book by Malachy Doyle. Malachy's story was so heart warming and Viv and Gomer are so nice to work with. I punched the air, whooped, then did a little jig of delight. I'd worked on a picture book for Gomer before and Malachy was the author of that one too. It was 'Granny Sarah and the Last Red Kite', the very first picture book I'd worked on alone... scary! Now, with a few more books under my belt, I approached the project with confidence as well as excitement. I love drawing dogs and I know and love the Welsh landscape. This was going to be fun.... and it was!

Here's Malachy's website where you can see all the wonderful books he's had published.

And here Malachy writes about his muse... Juno, in 'The Picture Book Den' The Genesis of a Picture Book by Malachy Doyle

It's Snorey Time (January 2012) Written by Meg and Catherine Pybus

Meet the Snoreys – Mummy, Daddy, Mop, Snuggle, Snuffle and Pignut. This family of dormice love to sleep, all except the youngest, Pignut. Instead, he goes on an adventure around the forest and discovers the dormouse-written 'Secret Book of Sleep'. Reading it, Pignut finally drops off. Underlying this delightful tale is a secret weapon for exhausted parents – the story is written using simple neurolinguistic techniques, designed to have a soporific effect on the listener. Also includes an audio version of the tale.
​

ISBN 9781848775572 | hardback | £10.99
230 x 230mm