Why Write About Bermuda in a Children's Book?

Today there is a beautiful photo of Bermuda on Bing Desktop.

My debut children's book Myra and the Magic Motorcycle features an Austrailan girl who goes on an adventure to Bermuda and learns about financial hardship faced by one family.

Many people have asked me why I chose Bermuda for this. The first answer is that when I was coming up with the ideas for what the magic motorcycle could do, travelling through the Earth (using GLOBE SLIDE) was one of them. I wanted Myra to be able to travel within Australia as well as to far-flung places all over the world. I have plans for many books in this series, and only time is my limiting factor.

The reason I started with Bermuda is because if you take the globe and draw a line from Australia to the other side you end up more or less in The Somer's Isles, or Bermuda! Furthermore I had heard that in Bermuda there was a disparity between the rich and the poor. Like many nations, including those that are part of the West, there are often sharp divides. And because Bermuda has many wealthy tourists visiting it, there are some things that the local simply cannot afford.

My only regret is that I haven't travelled to Bermuda myself.

I would love to be able to write from experience, but sadly I cannot afford to travel. One day!



Maybe another reason I have written about Bermuda is because I have fond memories of my favourite cartoon characters, from my childhood, visiting Bermuda. Including Garfield the cat and Merlin the wizard from Disney's The Sword in the Stone.

 

Teaching Kids To Be Kind

Today I have decided that the motto for my brand Myra and the Magic Motorcycle is Teaching Kids To Be Kind. Each book carries a social theme. In the case of book one this is financial hardship (not poverty specifically). The idea is to let teachers and parents, who are reading these books with their kids, to be able to use them to open discussions about other people's needs, and being kind to others etc.

This photo of the horse and dog (source: http://kgbyardsale.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/carry-me-across-river-clever-dog-told.html#comment-form) has inspired me and it is especially powerful along with the quote "We can't help everyone but everyone can help someone". (Some people attribute this quote to Ronald Reagan).

The message here is that you can try not to be overwhelmed by the problems faced by human societies around the world, but focus on what you can do, no matter how seemingly small. Together we can all make a difference. We just need to strive to be kind to others. Each person will have their own definition of what this means, and each family and/or classroom reading my books can put whatever worldview or spin on it that they like.

The message I would like to send home is Teaching Kids To Be Kind.

---

Book One: The Business in Bermuda 

When an eight-year-old Australian girl, named Myra, finds a shining yellow motorcycle in the shed, she doesn’t expect it to actually work. It has strange buttons on the display and something like an eyebrow on the headlight. There is a key in the ignition!

Along with her pet bird, Diver, Myra finds herself on an exciting adventure across the other side of the Earth. The magic motorcycle takes her to new places and she is able to meet some people who really need her help.

Turn the key and rev the throttle. You’re about to go on the adventure of a lifetime with Myra and the Magic Motorcycle. 

Available in print and online!
Print Edition AVAILABLE NOW!

Order Print Edition
Enquire about wholesale distribution 


Ebook Editions COMING SOON

The ebook with audio book included will be released on August 20 on Apple iBookstore and Kobo. The Apple edition will also feature interactive sound effects buttons! Your children or students will really get engaged with the ebook on Apple, when they can press the buttons while you are reading it, or while the ebook is reading itself to them using the built-in media overlay. 

This audio narration of the story was done by Kelly Stroud and Caitlin Stroud and can be accessed from the top menu of your copy of Myra and the Magic Motorcycle in Apple iBooks. 

Pre-order Ebook Edition on Amazon 
Pre-order Ebook Enhanced with Audio on Apple 

I've Been Interviewed on Promote Me Please

I'm in the news!

Sally Odgers is a prolific children's book author, and one of my editors for my book Myra and the Magic Motorcycle. She has kindly interviewed me on her blog Promote Me Please. Check it out!

http://promotemeplease.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/amanda-greenslade-talks-about-myra-and.html?showComment=1439445274662#c6732369104613566788

I'm in the news!

My book Myra and the Magic Motorcycle has had a review posted by a young reviewer.

Check it out at:

http://nicolehasread.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/myra-and-magic-motorcycle-business-in.html

I'm in the News!

Read my publisher's blog article about Myra and the Magic Motorcycle #1: The Business in Bermuda

Amanda Greenslade pens book to inspire children

Australian eBook Publisher will this winter publish the first in a series of children’s books by Amanda Greenslade about social issues they may encounter in their personal lives as well as bigger issues that children are having to come to terms with at a younger and younger age.

Read More