Ungarie visit and a great Review!

Two wonderful things happened today. First, I spent a terrific morning at Ungarie Central School to kick off Book Week. I received a very warm welcome and the students were full of great ideas and questions. Secondly, The Big Beet received an amazing review from Jackie Hosking in her weekly e-zine for writers, Pass It On. Jackie has been kind enough to allow me to reprint the review here, so cheers Jackie :) BOOK REVIEWS THE BIG BEET written by Lynn Ward illustrated by Adam Carruthers published by Omnibus Books (an imprint of Scholastic) ISBN: 978-1-86291-966-2 Reviewed by Jackie Hosking You know when you read a book and you think, gee I wish I'd written that? Well that's exactly what I thought when I read this little gem. What a hoot! Written in rollicking rhyme - I love the word rollicking, THE BIG BEET has a beaut beat and begins... 'I'll fire up the gas and start making tea, said Mr McGruff (known as Bertie Magee) 'I don't want a stew,' said Mrs McGruff. 'I fancy a burger - with salad and stuff.' And so begins this hilarious tale of the very stubborn beetroot that refuses to budge (much like the giant turnip, if you can remember that one). Mr McGruff is content to have canned...But Thel (Mrs McGruff) replies 'No, we'll get it out. I'll give you a hand. This little chant is repeated throughout the book and adds so much - it's really very clever. So all jealousy aside, I'd like to congratulate Lynn and Adam and Scholastic for a terrifically wonderful book that combines the themes of cooperation, persistence and healthy eating!!