Let me state it right at the start - The trope we refuse to repeat in children's storybooks is: Boy meets girl - they fall in love - and they live happily ever after… Replace the genders as you please ... but you get the gist. This trope is not only common but also persistent and pervasive - in books and across every popular art form like movies, music/songs, etc. Prefer to watch a video of this blog? Click or scroll to end. What's behind its enduring appeal? Let's be hones

Reeta and Darren - Sketching out the first Willow the Wonderer storybook Autumn is the perfect season for reflection Summer has come and gone and autumn is taking hold of our not-so-small island paradise of Australia. The chapter on 2024 is not only underway but has almost reached the half way mark. Yes, it is scarely two months away! The cooler change forces us indoors, creating the space for instrospection and reflection - and that is where my mind has mostly been these pas

We've received over 450 reviews from genuine customers for our Willow the Wonderer children's books series and each time we read them, it fills our heart. We share some beautiful stories that customers have shared with us below. Reading these keeps us going. Willow the Wonderer storybooks have struck a chord with kids and grown-ups alike Since the release of the first book in the series, Willow the Wonderer has consistently garnered perfect five-star rating from readers and

Wondering what are the best ways to help young children who are learning to read? You need to take note of this article from the ABC on Structured Literacy - An evidence-based approach to teaching reading that involves a combination of phonics (sounding out words) and explicit teacher-led instruction. It is based on a " landmark international study that examined 10,000 pieces of research going back to 1966 to distill six big ideas behind the science of reading . Reading th

The Patch Primary School's production of Willow the Wonderer (Photo Credit: The Patch Primary School) A story too good not to share It's not everyday that a lifelong educator - and her entire school - gets behind your storybooks . So , I thought I'd share this wonderful story with our community. Writing this reminded me, like I hope it does you, of 'that teacher': The one who went the extra mile and made all the difference to your life. Enter Stage Left : Debra Herrmann

Guess what the postie delivered a few days ago? We weren't quite sure ourselves when the tightly wrapped parcel arrived a few mornings ago, which added nicely to the excitement of unwrapping the mystery box. We weren't disappointed either; nestled within countless layers of cardboard and padding were the advance copies of the bilingual - Simplified Chinese and English - edition of Willow the Wonderer picture books! Bilingual Simplified Chinese and English Edition of Willow t

"There is no such thing as the unknown, only things temporarily hidden." Captain James T. Kirk Creativity is a messy business Enter Francis Bacon , not the sizzling breakfast kind but the icon in the artistic pantheon. He didn’t cover up the blemishes on his canvas; instead, he transformed the errant strokes into unsung heroes of the composition. He once said, "And sometimes when I've been working I've been so disgusted by it that I grab the brush and put brush marks all ove

Most of you are no doubt familiar with Counsellor Sian. Her original book review of Willow the Wonderer series is the stuff of legends, having reached over half a million folks across Australia! Sian is a registered therapeutic counsellor and has a private practice in QLD . She brings over a decade of experience in the field and a passion to help people find peace in their world. We were keen to hear what Sian made of our new Willow the Wonderer book - Space Odyssey - so

Willow the Wonderer now comes with its own 'Early Childhood Learning Hub' The wonderful world of Willow the Wonderer just became even brighter today with the launch of our " Early Childhood Learning Hub ". First Reading of Willow the Wonderer at the Crescent Head Playgroup. Photo credit: Susan Snape The Early Childhood Learning Hub contains a wide array of learning guides and teaching resources to accompany our Willow the Wonderer picture books, which not only impart seeds o