We have a winner...

Never mind the lack of collaboration of some...

The Truly Innocent Hand came to the rescue...

 And we have a winner of the MAD CAP giveaway!

(we also have, you will note, several home-grown artichokes of legend)

What are YOU doing in September?

As for me (and artist Sadie Cramer) I'll be busy running the fantaglorious Hero DIY workshop at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, on sat 22nd.

Madgie Cappock aka Mad Cap and her best friend Norbert Soup of the Rent-a-Hero agency are recruiting new members. Do you have what it takes to join the gang? If you think you can tackle elephant-sized cats, crazy purple-haired old ladies and tap-dancing rabbits, the job could be yours! Author Juliette Saumande and artist Sadie Cramer will help you develop your own superhero identity and brush up your heroic CV, in this fun-filled writing and illustration workshop. You'll be ready to fly to the rescue in no time!

Wanna come with?

Giveaway!

So, now that I have my precious author's copies of MAD CAP, I am in the very enjoyable position to GIVE ONE AWAY to you, my charming readers. I'm running the competition here, on my French site and on good old Facebook as well so that you can be in with a chance of winning wherever you might be.

How? you ask.
Easy peasy, I answer.
Just drop me a comment down below (or on my French site or on Facebook) before 25 JULY. All entrants will be thrown (metaphorically speaking) into a hat (literally) and a Trusted Tool of Fate* will be used to designate the winner.
* if he's not too busy watching the Muppets.

Best of luck to all!

Not one, but two...

... chapters of Mad Cap are visible by all and their grannies on the Little Island website right here. Go, go, go!
(Meanwhile, I'm working on my teacher's notes, my future workshops and school visits, and the artichokes growing in our garden. You?)

First review!

If you don't know Mary Esther Judy's blog at Fallen Star Stories, shame on you! Mary works for Dubray in Galway and is, in short, great. Her blog is full of all the good stuff they get up to in the West and it also features a wealth of brilliant reviews of picturebooks, YA novels and other reads. And this week, Mary is reading Mad Cap!

Here's what she has to say about it:

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read for young, confident readers. Mad Cap is personable, funny and the kind of girl you'd want to have around. The setting and events provide great excitement. It can be difficult to find a book with a central girl character that is strong, likable and true to life. But here she is! The flow of the story and the relationship between the characters make it highly suitable for boys and girls alike. And the presentation of the book adds to this notion, as the illustrations and cover do not rely on a feminine 'pink-girly' image, even though the central character is a girl. A great, new read... but be prepared for your own little super-heroes to be inspired into action. Utterly recommended!!

Blush and chuffed, thanks Mary!