Testimonials
Reviews by readers of:
Get Known Be Seen - How to Write Your Book and Leverage it.
A Writers Journey by Rhonda Valentine Dixon is a very interesting and informative part of a book by a group of fifteen talented women who each have a different story to tell and do that brilliantly. It was hard to put the book down – it should be a welcome addition to anyone’s home library to be read by all and sundry and appreciated (and re read!) The book is titled Get Known Be Seen: How To Write Your Book and Leverage It
Elske Winten
The ninety-seven-year-old protagonist of my children’s book
Reviews by readers of:
How To Stop Your Words From Bumping Into Someone Else's
How to Stop Your Words Bumping into Someone Else’s [co-written with Anna Tullemans] endeavours to explain social norms in specific terms to children with behavioural challenges. The simplicity of this work gives the best opportunity for those finding social interaction difficult to join the mainstream community. Management of her autistic son gives Rhonda a first-hand insight into challenges she genuinely wishes to share so others may benefit and find the path a little easier.
Richard Maman
Author / Illustrator, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Reviews by readers of:
Great Grandma Elskè’s Bamboo Cane – The most attractively presented children’s storybook, written by Rhonda Valentine Dixon and illustrated so well and colourfully by Richard Marman. It has already been read and enjoyed by children and families in America, England, Denmark, Oman, New Zealand and in Australia in Townsville, Mackay, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, some suburbs of Brisbane and Tasmania. Everybody loves a happy ending!
Elske Winten
The ninety-seven-year-old protagonist of my children’s book
Rhonda Valentine Dixon’s Great Granma Elske’s Bamboo Cane creates a real sense of inclusion for older people in the eyes of youngsters. Her book not only acknowledges the exceptional achievements of a ninety-seven-year-old woman but also encourages young readers to engage with her, which I believe is one of Rhonda’s main goals for the work.
Richard Marman
Author / Illustrator, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Great-Grandma Elske’s Bamboo Cane is so much more than a sweet children’s story. It opens the readers’ eyes to the fact that old people are interesting and exciting and that age does not take away the desire for adventure. After all, Tai Chi with swords is not how the world sees the average ninety-five year old! It is also a story with history. I am old enough to remember the bamboo canes sold with Kewpie dolls at fairs. I always longed for one, but they were too expensive for me to buy. However, even a child can understand how devastating it can be to lose something precious, and Rhonda captures the sadness of ‘loss’ and the joy of ‘found’ in a way that all readers will be able to relate to.
Kathy Hoopmann, Brisbane
Author and Grandmum of two
Great-Grandma Elské’s Bamboo Cane is a charming real-life story that shows young children that old people can do very surprising things! The bright illustrations delight the eye, and the story catches the hearer’s interest, encouraging page turning and listening. Very young children love colour and repetition of words, both of which are present in this easily-understood tale, while kindy and pre-school children can learn new words, sentence construction and a little about new experiences.
Children, in sharing this book with the reader, may come to appreciate extended family relationships- among great-grandmas, grandmas, mothers and children like them.. (My own grandchildren are forever checking with me ‘who fits where’ in the extended family – ‘Is my mum really your daughter? Are you really my great-grandma’s daughter?’
Listeners may also learn from the book that old people may dance and move swiftly at times – good for breaking stereotypes – and what tai chi is and why people do tai chi. Kewpie dolls were an icon of many mothers’ childhoods and so can lead to a discussion of earlier times.
Readers could suggest to pre-school/kindy listeners that they talk to both grandmas and grandpas about what they used to do in earlier times – young children are often intrigued that their ‘old folk’ were once children like them, and love hearing about how things were different in some ways and the same in others.
I enjoyed the book myself and feel that children aged 1 to 5 are likely to enjoy the listening/reading experience of Great-Grandma Elské’s Bamboo Cane on a number of levels and come back to the book for more than one experience of it.’
Michele Stephens, Brisbane
Former Educator and Grandmum of two
Great Grandma Elske’s Bamboo Cane. ‘Our daughter loves this book. The bright colours and unique pictures make for an entertaining read. As soon as she sees the book she starts smiling. A must addition to any children’s book collection’.
Luke Valentine,
Christchurch, NZ
Radio Broadcaster, Dad of one
My son (2yo) particularly loves Great-Grandma Elské’s Bamboo Cane and is always asking questions, why this, why that (albeit in French). But the book is very good for kids, great illustrations, simple to read and interesting storyline.
Emily Brageul, France,
Mummy of two