Susanne Merritt is a writer, editor, mother of three and passionate advocate for children’s literacy. She loves tea and chocolate, dislikes Brussels sprouts, and loves to read anywhere, anytime. She is the author of Don’t Think About Purple Elephants (shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia 2016 Book of the Year Award) and The Great Sock Secret.
Liz Anelli spent her early years drawing on the electrical circuit diagram papers that her dad brought home from work, copying her mother’s loopy handwriting and getting told off for daydreaming. Today she makes pictures using collage and printmaking as well as paint, pencils and her computer. Her picture books explore the world in vivid detail and she is very fond of designing complicated cityscape scenes as well as creating big illustrated maps of the places she loves best.
Educating Young Children
“My Year Fours really enjoyed it, and I will use it every year when starting maps. A great resource for any library and any class.” – Click here to read in full.
Kiddo Magazine (SA)
“This book is an imaginative exploration of individuality, sisterhood, creativity and appreciating each other’s differences. Encompasses a beautiful lesson for any siblings” – Click here to view.
Busy Mums Magazine
“Engage and Inspire” – Click here to read the review in full
SchoolDays Magazine
“This book embraces creative differences and shows the reader it’s okay to have your own style. Fun illustrations by Liz Anelli.” – Click here to view.
Kiwi Families
*****
“One of the main aspects I love about this book is the illustrations by Liz Anelli. Every page is filled with expressive illustrations that really complement the story. There were so many different things for both of my children to look at, and this opened up a whole other level of conversation about the story’s main premise.” – Click here to read.
Toddler Book Reviews
“an excellent book to reiterate the importance of being unique and to appreciate who YOU are!” – Click here to read.
Pinerolo
“Everybody loves to draw, but collaboration is often difficult. These girls combine their work and will encourage readers to draw and refer to these appealing illustrations.”
New Idea
“Anyone with twins will tell you how important it is to nurture each child’s individuality, which is why I love Grace and Katie.”
Ultra 106 Five
“with 7 weeks to go until Christmas this is one that people should have very close look at if they youngsters that enjoy picture books.” – Click here to listen.
Kiddo (website and print magazine)
“This book is an imaginative exploration of individuality, sisterhood, creativity and appreciating each other’s differences. This story encompasses a beautiful lesson for any siblings.” – Click here to view.
The Reader, Booksellers Blog
“Great picture books have either a wonderful story and illustrations, or a profound message. The very best picture books manage to do both and Grace and Katie falls easily into this category.”
“As a teacher, I see this as a great resource for starting discussions from pre-school level up. It is also a really lovely book to read and enjoy for the satisfying story, the wonderful pictures and the happy ending.”
In The Good Books Blog
“This is a great book that encourages children to express their individual creativity.” – Click here to view.
Jnr Book Worms Book Review
“A wonderful story that encourages children to express their creativity in their own unique way.” – Click here to view.
The Weekly Times
“… encourages kids to express their creativity and realise that there is no right or wrong way to be an artist.” – Click here to view.
Country Home Ideas Magazine
“Follow twins Grace and Katie on an imaginative story about art, creativity, sisterhood and individuality and appreciating each other’s strengths. Ages 4-8.” – Click here to view.
The Bottom Shelf
“Stories about twins are not common so this is a great addition to the collection so that not only can the children read about themselves in a book but also send a message to the world that they are individuals first but lucky enough to share the special bond that twins have and which both girls discover.” – Click here to view.
Reading Time
“Susanne Merritt’s message of individuality and collaboration is subtle and sweet. It teaches to kids to express their creativity, while respecting the efforts of others, as there is no right way to be an artist.” – Click here to read in full.
Kiddo Magazine (SA)
“This book is an imaginative exploration of individuality, sisterhood, creativity and appreciating each other’s differences. Encompasses a beautiful lesson for any siblings” – Click here to view.
Busy Mums Magazine
“Engage and Inspire” – Click here to read the review in full
SchoolDays Magazine
“This book embraces creative differences and shows the reader it’s okay to have your own style. Fun illustrations by Liz Anelli.” – Click here to view.
Kiwi Families
*****
“One of the main aspects I love about this book is the illustrations by Liz Anelli. Every page is filled with expressive illustrations that really complement the story. There were so many different things for both of my children to look at, and this opened up a whole other level of conversation about the story’s main premise.” – Click here to read.
Toddler Book Reviews
“an excellent book to reiterate the importance of being unique and to appreciate who YOU are!” – Click here to read.
Pinerolo
“Everybody loves to draw, but collaboration is often difficult. These girls combine their work and will encourage readers to draw and refer to these appealing illustrations.”
New Idea
“Anyone with twins will tell you how important it is to nurture each child’s individuality, which is why I love Grace and Katie.”
Ultra 106 Five
“with 7 weeks to go until Christmas this is one that people should have very close look at if they youngsters that enjoy picture books.” – Click here to listen
Kiddo (website and print magazine)
“This book is an imaginative exploration of individuality, sisterhood, creativity and appreciating each other’s differences. This story encompasses a beautiful lesson for any siblings.” – reviewed Click here to view
The Reader, Booksellers Blog
“Great picture books have either a wonderful story and illustrations, or a profound message. The very best picture books manage to do both and Grace and Katie falls easily into this category.”
“As a teacher, I see this as a great resource for starting discussions from pre-school level up. It is also a really lovely book to read and enjoy for the satisfying story, the wonderful pictures and the happy ending.”
In The Good Books Blog
“This is a great book that encourages children to express their individual creativity.” – Click here to view.
Jnr Book Worms Book Review
“A wonderful story that encourages children to express their creativity in their own unique way.” – Click here to view.
The Weekly Times
“… encourages kids to express their creativity and realise that there is no right or wrong way to be an artist.” – Click here to view.
Country Home Ideas Magazine
“Follow twins Grace and Katie on an imaginative story about art, creativity, sisterhood and individuality and appreciating each other’s strengths. Ages 4-8.” – Click here to view.
The Bottom Shelf
“Stories about twins are not common so this is a great addition to the collection so that not only can the children read about themselves in a book but also send a message to the world that they are individuals first but lucky enough to share the special bond that twins have and which both girls discover.” – Click here to view.
