Interview with Children’s Book Author Neil McFarlane

DIY Mom has had the pleasure of reading and reviewing several of children's book author Neil McFarlane's books over the years. Neil is truly a great guy...and he's pretty funny too. We invited Neil to drop by and chat about his newest book The Revolting Brains. He had plenty to say about the book, his writing and more! 

Tell us about The Revolting Brains:

It's a collection of seven read-aloud bedtime tales where the listening child is made to feel that he or she is the protagonist of each story (a follow-up to a previous collection called "A Month of Bedtime Stories"). The idea is that the reader describes to the child an adventure the child had earlier in the day but has forgotten about due to receiving a "bonk on the head" or similar amnesia-inducing event. The intention is to make the stories immersive and fun for both parent and child.

How long have you been writing?

I started uploading files to Amazon in 2014 but wanted to be a writer since about the age of 5.

Where do you get your story ideas?

For this series ("And off you went to the woods ...") I imagine what adventures I, as a child, would love to have had. For example: shrinking in size and living in an ant colony; driving a submarine; traveling to the center of the Earth; exploring a whale's insides, joining a pirate ship, etc.

What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy all sorts. I used to read fiction almost exclusively but I now tend to read more non-fiction. I'm currently reading "Brick Lane" by Monica Ali. The last few books I read include "The Blank Slate" by Stephen Pinker, "Tender is the Night" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big" by Scott Adams, and "The Heart of the Matter" by Graham Greene.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

That I speak fluent Chinese (particularly if we re-define the word "fluent" to mean "not very good").

How can readers get in touch with you?

Readers can check out my Amazon Author Page. I also include a contact email in all of my books.

What are you currently working on?

"Animal Mix-up" (a book which is also a game); "Me Tawk Funny: Book Four", the final book in a series about a boy whose dog can talk; and a rhyming picture book about a dancing monkey which I'm going to attempt to illustrate myself.

What advice would you give new authors?

If you are really new, read books about the craft of writing. Seek, be open to, but not over-sensitive to, feedback. Read over what you've written (again and again) and assess it impartially. If you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with? Also, writing is an increasingly saturated field. If you're not an overnight success (which you probably won't be), you'll need to enjoy writing because it's more than likely you'll be in it for the long run. Also: read good writers. If you don't know who's good, choose books, which are hailed as classics and try to work out what it is about them that makes them so hailed.

What a Pair by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a Wonderfully Positive Book for Kids

What a Pair begins with a brief background to the Amish community. This is valuable information, since it introduces readers to the lifestyle of the book’s main characters, Mark and Mattie.

Mark and Mattie are nine-year-old twins, who reside in an Amish community in Holmes County, Ohio and bicker just like any other brother and sister. They manage to get themselves into any number of sticky situations, but realize that teamwork is the key to it all.

This is a delightful chapter book for youngsters. It’s wonderful when books can expose children to different cultures and lifestyles and the Double Trouble series certainly does that. Children find that they’re not so different from most other kids their age. There is also positive parental role modeling going on here as well. I’d have to say that What a Pair is an all-around positive book for children.

There are fourteen brief chapters, with each chapter centered on a particular adventure or activity. This is sure to keep youngsters entertained and amused. What’s great about this book is that it should appeal to both boys and girls. The stories aren't overly simplistic, nor are they difficult, so this book is definitely appropriate for its intended audience. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

Amanda in Arabia by Darlene Foster is An Action-Packed Adventure Story for Girls

I LOVE books that put girls in the role of adventurous heroes, so when I saw Amanda in Arabia by Darlene Foster I knew I had to download it. It didn't disappoint me! If you're looking for something for your tween girl to read this summer, I can certainly recommend this book. My book review is below.

Amanda is a twelve-year-old Canadian girl who’s given the opportunity to spend a month-long vacation with her aunt and uncle in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She’s immediately drawn to the sites and beauty of a land that’s very foreign from her own and is thrilled when she gets the opportunity to ride on a camel. On a trip to a local village she buys an intricate and old perfume flask from a mysterious shop owner who insists he knew it was meant for her. From there Amanda’s vacation is filled with adventure, intrigue and even danger.

This was a wonderful chapter book for young girls. I love books that show girls as adventurous heroes and this one certainly fits that category perfectly. Amanda in Arabia contains just the right amount of action, suspense and mystery to keep youngsters involved and reading. It’s a super quick read and I finished it in just under an hour.

The cultural references were educational and engaging. Ms. Foster has placed a spunky tween in the main character role and it works beautifully. What young girl doesn’t need another positive role model to read about? Wonderful!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

SuperKids by Anya Damiron Teaches Children About Disabilities in an Entertaining, Educational and Appealing Way

Every now and then I come across a book that would make an excellent jumping off point to discuss a sensitive subject with children. It's not always easy getting kids interested enough to sit still and listen to an actual lesson.

SuperKids by Anya Damiron is an educational, yet entertaining book about an important subject that will be sure to capture and hold the attention of just about any child. 

Ivan is a very active child with a very active imagination. He enjoys creating super hero capes from just about anything he can get his hands on and racing through the house to save the day.

Ivan’s parents provide him with an actual cape of his own and he then becomes Super Ivan. When he happens upon a little boy whose super power is unique way of painting Ivan tries it himself, but is unsuccessful. Super Ivan’s parents understand his curiosity and introduce him to many other children who are similar to the little painter.

Although this is a serious subject – children with disabilities - the illustrations of Ivan attempting to grab household items to use as capes are truly funny. I giggled out loud several times. I’m sure kids will think they‘re hilarious. The author then makes a seamless transition from lighthearted to more serious as the book progresses.

While the vocabulary is a little advanced for young children, it works, since it gives adults the opportunity to explain new concepts to children and children can learn as they progress through the book. The illustrations are detailed, colorful and charming.

I honestly think there are too few children’s books that address disabilities. This is something that deserves a lot more discussion, so kudos for Anya Damiron for sharing this story. She does it in an enlightening and appealing manner.

“SuperKids” would make a wonderfully educational circle time book to share in class, or an engaging and informative book for parents to read to kids at home. I highly recommend this book!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton

Cool Kids Wear Glasses by Teddy O'Malley is an Excellent Way to Address Bullying with Middle-Graders

Mandy has crowned herself the coolest kid at school and queen of the third grade. In reality, Mandy is a tyrant who rejects anyone who is different. When she finds out she needs glasses to see better, she wonders how she’ll keep her cool kid title.

© Cool Kids Wear Glasses by Teddy O’Malley

Cool Kids Wear Glasses is a wonderful book for youngsters who may be just getting into chapter books. The chapters are short, yet packed with just the right amount of engaging elements to keep kids reading.

This book is certainly based on a timely subject. How many children know at least one school bully? I appreciated the way the author had Mandy gradually decide whether or not what she’s doing is bullying, since she wasn’t looking at it from the perspective of the uncool kids until she herself was in the same position. I think most children can relate to this. It definitely made Mandy a more likable character.

© Cool Kids Wear Glasses by Teddy O’Malley

This would make a great book to use as a way to introduce bullying to grade-schoolers. It’s an excellent jumping off point to begin an open dialogue with kids. I highly recommend it!

5 of 5 Stars, Susan Barton

My Mother's Wings by Sally Huss Helps Children Cope With Military Deployment and Separation

With so many children going through the difficult experience of being separated from a parent who is serving in the military, this book certainly is timely. Author Sally Huss has provided a wonderful way to discuss these challenges with children of any age.

© "My Mother's Wings" by Sally Huss

“My Mother’s Wings” addresses the feelings that I’m sure many military families must contend with during deployment. The boy in this book feels sad when his mother must leave, of course, but his mother gives him a beautiful way to cope. She presents him with his very own wings in the form of a pin. He then goes on to help other children who are in the very same position as himself. What a wonderfully positive way to empower a child!

© "My Mother's Wings" by Sally Huss

The illustrations in this book are simple, yet colorful, cute and eye-catching. They’re sure to capture the attention of even the youngest child.

I’d recommend this book to anyone dealing with a military family situation – or any type of parent/child separation for that matter. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton