by Sally James
A collection of poetry and nonsense rhymes, perfectly suited for children's bedtimes, or for older children to read themselves.
The Wasamaroo and Other Poems
SKU: 9781719854016
£4.99Price
- For years, short stories and novelettes have been neglected and considered to be lesser art forms in comparison with the longer novel, but there is a place for all forms of fiction. Reading on holiday, when travelling or commuting, or when waiting in a doctor's waiting room - all these situations call for something stimulating and interesting to pass the time, but also something that will not be too complex concentration-wise.Shorter stories are ideal, and we are championing their return to favour.
- Please note that this is a publisher/author review, and as such is necessarily biased. But it doesn’t mean it doesn’t tell the truth. Do support Scott Martin Productions, a small, new publisher, and read our publications - you can do this for free on Kindle Unlimited. A review would be so gratefully received and would really help us to build up our business. So, go on, think small (publisher) and give us a little bit of a helping hand.Author Sally James is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother of a huge and much loved brood – I’ve seen photos of the massive gamily gatherings... So, who would be better than Sally to create a book to read aloud to those children. ‘The Wasamaroo’ collection is an anthology of nonsense rhymes and silly poems, all of which have a track record of being read out loud to many of the children in Sally’s family.Sally also specialises in Lancashire dialect writing, and though there is no dialect writing in ‘The Wasamaroo’ it has a strong local feel. Her writing is quirky, comforting and friendly. Nobody who knows Sally would ever think she’d write anything otherwise...Illustrated throughout with small drawings done by the publisher’s two children when younger, and with a cover created by the publisher’s son (again, in years gone by), this gorgeous little book is lots of fun to browse, even for adults. Just imagine the young ones in Sally’s family, listening to her read while snuggled on the sofa, and later learning the nonsense rhymes to repeat themselves. Your children could do the same. You could use rhymes in ‘The Wasamaroo’ as an incentive for the children to write their own poetry too.Please support Sally and her writing. Scott Martin Productions is a new publishing company, and we really need your readership. We sincerely hope you enjoy this book, and that your little ones do too.
- Interview with Sally James 24/03/2019L: Hi, Sally, it’s a pleasure to be able to interview you about your gorgeous little book, ‘The Wasamaroo’. Perhaps you could begin by telling me all about the origins of some of the rhymes within.S:The origins of some of the rhymes in Wasamaroo were sometimes just pure imagination but a few were about things that happened like the one about my children's pet cat that would sit on the dust bin washing his fur and a neighbour coming out and squirting water at him. The one about Spotty dog I made up when I was ironing one day just to keep the children occupied. They really loved this poem even though it was sad. I saw some Llamas in a field whilst out walking one day and the poem popped into my head about a Llama in pyjamas . Wasamaroo came very quickly for a creative writing exercise. I had to write a name with four syllables and write a poem about it thus the Wasamaroo was born.L: Did any of your family members have personal favourites from the works within ‘The Wasamaroo’?S:My grown up children liked Spotty Dog and My Pussy cat as they remembered them from their childhood. Depending on their ages one grandchild aged six liked Nosy People and a five year old great grandchild liked a Limerick to Make you sick. Grown ups have commented how they like Bongle Boo and a Martian Lament. My teacher daughter liked the one about the teachers stock room. All seemed to like The Wasamaroo.L: What made you consider publication now?S: I considered publication now as I am getting quite old and would like to see my children's poetry in print and for my family to enjoy. They were just gathering dust in files and I thought it would be good to share them in the big wide world and for people to make of them what they will.L: I know you’re an experienced writer of many years standing and undertook an MA in Creative Writing, as well as specialist Lancashire dialect works. You still perform, don’t you? Would you mind sharing with us some of your writing history?S: I started writing poetry when I was about twelve years old inspired by poetry I did at school John Masefield comes to mind. At junior school I loved writing "compositions" as it was called in those days. Being the eldest I also loved making stories up for my young brother and cousins when I looked after them. When I had children and grandchildren of my own I told them bedtime stories that I made up as I went along my imagination working overtime.
I have had poems published in numerous anthologies small press magazines e-line magazines and read on local radio. I also along with my husband entertain with Lancashire dialect poetry we call ourselves The Tin Pot poets. I have a pamphlet of poetry "Coal dust and Confetti" about the harsh realities of mining which was published in 2014 by Thynks publications. A few of my short stories which are mainly about industrial Lancashire have won prizes and been published on line . My husband and I also have a cd called The Tin Pot Poets where we aim to promote the Lancashire dialect with our dialect poetry.L: How would you describe your writing in five words? How would you describe yourself?!S: My writing in five words Quirky funny serious thought provoking.
Describe myself? A mixture of happiness and sadness trying to make sense of the world I find myself in.
At the moment I am putting together a book of the short stories which I have written over the years.L: What further writing ambitions do you still have? Are you working towards them at the moment?S:My ambition is to write about my late husband's Channel Swim which he did in 1991. I am hoping to start writing this this year.Thanks so much, Sally x