‘Finding Dory’

At last – it’s here:  read all about it!

https://au.movies.yahoo.com/news/a/30057380/first-finding-dory-movie-trailer-video/

https://au.movies.yahoo.com/news/a/30998630/first-full-finding-dory-trailer-video/#play

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YA books to screen in 2016

http://www.readbreatherelax.com/2016-ya-book-to-movie-adaptions/

 

 

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My Blog World – 5th Nov 2015

Around my blog world today:

Jurassic bark: ancient Irish trees brought back to life

Free Picture Book Thumbnail Templates for Writers and Illustrators

Rupert Murdoch Takes Over National Geographic, Then Lays Off Award-Winning Staff

FORMS OF RHYTHM

ROBERT C.L. CRAWFORD

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #FrancesMacaulayForde  #JurassicBark  #MurdochLayOff   #PictureTemplates  #MyBlogWorld #FormsOfRhythm

 

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Christmas is coming!

Well loyal readers, I’ve taken the plunge and opened up not one, but two ETSY shops; one to sell my BOOKS and one for my much loved SOFT TOYS.

I’m busy working on a little SOFTIE Elf and a SOFTIE Santa to make available in time for the holidays.

So if you’d like something made for someone special, please make sure you order before 15th November to get your purchases in time for Christmas.

I’ve updated my Books for Sale and offer two poetry chapbooks and a children’s story:

    

& created a new page full of adorable Softies – unique gifts for special people: Soft Toys for Sale.

  

@FrancesMForde   @FrancesMacForde   @francesMF   @SoopsSofties   @FrancesMacaulayForde  #FrancesETSY  #ETSY:SoopsSofties  #ETSY:FMF   #SoftToys  #Christmas  #HandmadeGifts  #UniqueGifts  #BooksForSale  #BOOK:Santa’sSwim  #SantaBooks  #SantaStory  #ChristmasStory

 

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Inspiring Words

“I do remember being affected by words from a teacher who sat at my college’s French table. She said, basically (and in French) “being shy is worrying too much about what other people think of you. Shyness is a form of self-absorption.” It wasn’t pleasant to hear, because I am a shy person. Her view put a whole new spin on my feelings. It did a lot to force me out of my shyness.”

Paul O. Zelinsky has illustrated thirty-odd books for children, written some of them, and been awarded numerous honors, including the Caldecott Medal for Rapunzel and three Caldecott Honors.  

(Quoted from SCWBI Insight July 2015)

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #SCWBIInsight  #PaulOZelinsky  #InspiringWords  #Illustrator

 

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2 x RE-BLOG: Fairy Tales & Coloring Books for adults.

10 Reasons Kids Need to Read Non-Disney Fairy Tales.

Coloring Books for Adults top Amazon Bestsellers lists.

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #FairyTales  #Disney  #KidsReading  #AdultColouring  #Books

 

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Songs Seduce…

The last couple of hours have been spent enjoying my favorite songs playlist on YouTube (and more) and adding them to my Pinterest board called ‘Ear Pieces’.

Previously it was favorite ‘Tummy Treats‘ (must be something to do with lunchtime) and before that updating my ‘Poetic People’ and ‘Children’s Book Writing’ boards.

It’s very seductive!

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #Pinterest  #PoeticPeople  #TummyTreats  #EarPieces  #Children’sBookWriting  #MusicMemories

 

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Size doesn’t matter…

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #Audiences  #KeepWriting  #Inspiration

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Dreaming of toys

Mock Back Cover  –  Frances Macaulay Forde © 1994

Just read about this deal between Michael Bay (of  ‘Transformers’ fame) 451 Media Group and (Chinese Media/Toy manufacturers) Alpha Animation, in ‘Variety’.

Does it mean my dream is possible; one day my ‘Mr Panda Lives Next Door’ Books/TV Series, could be taken to dizzying heights and merchandised?

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #CPB:MrPandaLivesNextDoor   #AlphaAnimation #ChineseToyDeal  #Transformers  #MichaelBay

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The Prima Ballerina.

 

 

Vincente Romero © 2007-2009

 

As I’m focused on picture books for children through my 12 x 12  challenge, I’ve also just enrolled in a class on The Art of the Picture Book illustration class with Shadra Strickland.

(Of course, I could never be as good as Vincente Romaro who’s paintings I’ve just discovered!)

So for a ‘tester’ project, I’m going to use a poem I wrote many years ago (and I mean many) in the early 60’s called “The Prima Ballerina”.

I hope to show you how I adapt it to a PB and slowly, how I have a go at illustrating it too…

 

The Prima Ballerina

She lives in a world of fairy tales,

all fantasy, happiness and woe. 

 

Floating across the stage in tulle,

fine silk or organza.,

 

softly pirouettes through the mist,

or dies upon the snow. 

 

This is the world of Ballet

of the Prima Ballerina.

 

So lithe and slim, so beautiful,

so graceful and serene. 

 

On stage, supremely untouchable

yet so frail behind the scenes. 

 

She’s the Queen of the ‘Corps de Ballet’,

the star with the golden feet, 

 

dancing her way through ‘Petruska’,

‘Swan Lake’ or the ‘Nutcracker Suite’.

 

The audience, transfixed with awe,

watch silently, as in a dream,

 

for gripped by suspense and beauty

 – such as they’ve never seen! 

 

They observe the scenery so real,

the superbly made costumes,

 

but their eyes are fixed on the ‘Bluebird’

and all it’s fine blue plumes.

 

And when the ballet is done,

And encore after encore taken.

 

And baskets and bouquets

of flowers dispensed….

 

There’s a feeling of despair and longing

at the end of such unforgettable enchantment.

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 1968

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #1968Notebook  #POEM:ThePrimaBallerina  #poetry  #Ballet

#Children’sPictureBooks  #Illustration  #TheArtOfPictureBook  #ShadraStrickland  #12x12Challenge

#ARTIST:VincenteRomaro

 

 

 

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