A young boy has a mind full of wonderful stories but when he writes them down, day after day, they come back covered in red pen after his teachers have corrected his spelling. It seems his dyslexia will always hold him back from sharing his creativity the way he longs to. Then a new teacher arrives at school! My Storee is an engaging and creatively designed picture book that provides inspiration and support for reluctant writers and dyslexics, and shows the importance and power of good teachers.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 245 x 255 / 9½ x 10 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages
AS SEEN ON TELEVISION
Paul Russell is a teacher, artist, playwright, author and father of two. This, his second picture book, is inspired by his own experience with dyslexia.
Aśka is an award-winning illustrator, artist and scientist, who has lived all over the world but now calls Australia home.
A young boy has a mind full of wonderful stories but when he writes them down, day after day, they come back covered in red pen after his teachers have corrected his spelling. It seems his dyslexia will always hold him back from sharing his creativity the way he longs to. Then a new teacher arrives at the school. Mr Watson tells magical stories and draws wonderful pictures. He makes his students feel safe. He inspires them to be themselves. He doesn’t cover the boy’s stories in red pen — and with this newfound acceptance the boy finally feels comfortable to just write! My Storee is a story of hope and acceptance into a world of literature that can too often seem impossible or difficult for dyslexic children to enter because of the rules that surround it. It highlights the magic and importance of ‘story’, the ideas and the creativity behind literature that are too often taught out of children through an over-emphasis on teaching them rules, structure and spelling. It is an engaging and creatively designed picture book that provides inspiration and support for reluctant writers and dyslexics, and shows the importance and power of good teachers. It is also the story of Paul Russell, the author, who as a dyslexic boy was inspired to become the writer and teacher he is today because of one teacher who believed in him.
Just So Stories featured in their “Hurray for book week” post “This is a book that should be shared over and over again with children and parents both. We need to start rejecting the negative restrictions and pressures put upon our children to be perfect and never ever make a mistake. Some of us spend half of each day encouraging our students to take risks and just express themselves in a way that will be positively received. ” Click here in full.
ABC North Queensland Breakfast radio segment
“How often do we tell kids they can be anything they want to be when they grow up? How important is it to be nurtured and inspired by a great teacher who believes in them? It’s the premise of new book called My Storee… by primary school teacher Paul Russell, who suffered from dyslexia himself”. Click here to listen.
Australian Teacher Magazine review article
“Aimed at 4-10-year-olds, the book tells the tale of an imaginative boy who hates to write at school because he’s so discouraged by the red corrections all over his work.” Click here to read.
Miss Jenny’s Classroom review article
“A must to have for the start of the school year to encourage those reluctant writers and some food for thought for teachers to consider when planning writing and spelling lessons.“ Click here to read.
Practical Parenting magazine article
“…encourages kids to explore their creativity without being held hostage by the difficulties spelling presents for people with dyslexia.” Click here to read.
In The Good Books blog article
“My Storee demonstrates the importance of good teachers, and also inspires dyslexics and reluctant writers to have a go.” Click here to read.
New Idea magazine article
“Children with dyslexia or those who have trouble with spelling will love My Storee.” Click here to read.
The Today Show television segment
“A new book is set to change the way Aussie kids view dyslexia.” Click here to view.
One More Page Podcast podcast segment
“Illustrated in a total explosion of colour… as soon as my daughter finished reading this story she ran off super excited and inspired to write her own story, which I totally loved. Even though this inspired by Paul’s experiences with dyslexia, I actually think it is equally relevant to to any young kid learning to write”. Click here to listen.
NZ Book Lovers blog article
“This book is also a reminder that we need to give ourselves and our little ones the space to create and there is always a time to critic later.” Click here to read.
Kids Books NZ blog article
“I wish I could do two reviews of this book. It’s written by a person who experienced dyslexia when young, and had some bad experiences at school. My granddaughter has been diagnosed with dyslexia, and I’d love to share the book with her.” Click here to read.
School Days Magazine magazine article
“My Storee is about hope and acceptance in a world of literature that can often seem impossible or at least difficult for children with dyslexia to enter. It highlights the magic and importance of the ideas and creativity.“ Click here to read.
Practical Parenting review article
“Paul Russell is a children’s book author and a primary school teacher. He also has dyslexia. His new book, My Storee, is inspired by his experiences as a student (and the one teacher who believed in him). It encourages kids to explore their creativity without being held hostage by the difficulties spelling presents for people with dyslexia.”
What’s Up Downunder Magazine review article
“Author Paul Russell and Designer Aśka have created a beautiful book, one that just says it all for me. The story is great, and the illustrations are gorgeous – especially those dragons – and it made me feel so much better…” Click here to read.
Buzz Words Magazine review article
“The illustrations in My Storee are colourful and joyous, filled with cartoon characters such as live pencils, surfing mice and unicorn detectives, so they are sure to be enjoyed by child readers.” Click here to read.
Reading Time review article
“This book will be a huge encouragement to students struggling with learning disabilities, and will help teachers reinforce the idea that the classroom is a safe place to have a go.” Click here to read.
Midwest Book Review review article
“…”My Storee” is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children…” Click here to read.
Kids’ Book Review review article
“This book will be a huge encouragement to students struggling with learning disabilities, and will help teachers reinforce the idea that the classroom is a safe place to have a go.” Click here to read.
Education Young Children review article
“My Year One students found this story engaging and loved the message just because you can’t spell doesn’t mean you can’t write.” Click here to read.
SPELD NZ’s The Record magazine article
“Provides inspiration for reluctant writers and dyslexic children and shows the power of good teachers.” Click here to read.
Aussie Reviews review article
“…a delightful look at the importance of creativity, and the problems faced by many writers around spelling and grammar. The message is not that spelling never matters, but that creativity is needed too – and should be valued by creator and teacher alike. While being a good message for youngsters about taking risks, it is also a good reminder for teachers and parents that putting technical correctness ahead of creativity can stifle the latter and thus lead to students not writing at all.” Click here to read.
Audrey has the worst case of ‘imaginitis’ her teachers have ever seen! While other children paint their families, Audrey paints the ogre who lives under her bed drinking tea. Instead of singing about a black sheep, she writes her own song about a desk with legs that runs away. Her alphabet turns into soup. It’s clear that her ‘imaginitis’ is incurable. What’s worse, her condition is contagious and soon the other kids in her class start showing symptoms of an equally incurable imagination! As ‘imaginitis’ spreads, the teachers are horrified and the parents begin to protest too. But perhaps imagination isn’t such a bad disease after all? It might even be useful if it makes learning more fun.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925335972 | Hardback | 245 x 255 mm / 9.5 x 10 inches | 32 pages | Colour
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
Grandma Forgets is the heart-warming story of a family bound by love as they cope with their grandma’s dementia. Over the years, the little girl has built up a treasure trove of memories of time spent with Grandma: sausages for Sunday lunch, driving in her sky-blue car to the beach, climbing her apple trees while she baked a delicious apple pie, and her comforting hugs during wild storms.
A hopeful story about a family who sometimes needs to remind their grandmother a little more often than they used to about how much they care. She might not remember any of their names but she will always know how much she is loved.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardcover / Paperback | 245 x 255 mm / 9½ x 10 Inches | Colour | 24 Pages |
Grandma Forgets is a Children’s Book Council of Australia Noteable and is recommended by the Australian Association of Family Therapy Award for Children’s Literature. Congrats Paul and Nicky!
The Girl Who Liked to Worry
Lucy worries about everything. She’s so skilled at worrying that she worries about things no one else even thinks about!
When a school musical is announced, Lucy wants to be part of it but is scared try out. Then, her teacher finds a part especially for her. Lucy stands proud and tall to be the best tree she can, even as her knees knock and her tummy ties in knots. Lucy’s bravery will show children everywhere that it’s okay to be worried, and they can still embrace opportunities!
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes
Specifications: Hardback | 245 x 255mm / 9.5 x 10in | 32 Pages | Full Colour
