M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

I’m thrilled to be welcoming the lovely Eloise De Sousa for the blog tour for her picture book Space Dust.

So over to Eloise…

It has been a very exciting few days. The blog tour has gained momentum. We have seen the fire bears rear their heads and writing styles exposed in my storytelling and twisting of tales.

I do think it is time for another giveaway. So without further ado, click on the pic below to grab your free copy of Space Dust. Only ten are available so be the first to click!

Now, let’s find out a bit more about Big Ox. Inserting an adult role model who was in charge of the care of Little One approached the subject that every parent dreads: who cares for your child when you leave them to go to work? Providing the adult reader with a role model who fulfils that title and delivers the care and attention every parent hopes their child receives when they are away balances out the conflict of the child missing Mummy. After all, the audience for this book is divided between adults and child. Finding a catalyst for a happy medium between the two means the book engages all ages and drives the story forward with a sense of security that everything will be okay.

Big Ox came to life when Little One first appeared in my head, sharing worries about Mummy leaving and how scary the world was without her. A larger than life figure appeared at the back of my mind wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans, an easy smile beneath a brisling moustache and wise eyes that comforted Little One just with his presence. I knew straight away that I had to capture this figure in my head and sketched a large A3 pencil drawing of his squared jaw and balding head. Without wanting to give away too much of each character’s facial characteristics, I tried to capture his back or profile, ensuring each reader could fill in the rest of the details.  It may not be rocket science, but I love putting those extra details into my stories and illustrations.

This strong, wise figure teaches Little One that there is more to life than just facts (such as the planets and what they contain) and worries. Sometimes, you need a bit of imagination and adventure to forget your troubles and take yourself away to a whole new world, one where fire bears growl and sea horses swim in creamy mushroom soup! Without people like that in our lives, the world will be an awful place.

Thank you for stopping by and finding out a bit more about this special story crafted for the local libraries to support their Summer Reading Challenge. Please click on the link below if you haven’t already ordered your copy of Space Dust.

Click here to order your copy of Space Dust.

Do send in your pics and reviews of the book, or any of the others. I’d love to share them with the rest of the readers.

Here is a list of my children’s books available now:

If you would like to find out more about my books or about me, please click on any of the links below:

Author Page

Amazon

Lulu

Facebook

Thank you for joining me. Tomorrow, we will be visiting Lance at Write to Inspire. See you there!

It’s been fun having you over Eloise.

Wishing you much success with your blog tour.

Love,