The greatly anticipated, and already much celebrated children's book Amulet by Alison Thomas is out and available to purchase from Amazon and the Candy Jar Store.
Amulet is a fantasy adventure story about Dion, an intelligent boy who has trouble fitting in with the world and grappling with the frustrations of everyday life, and he definitely doesn't like change. 'When Dion is taken away to a world beyond the imagination, he finds that his disciplined mind becomes his strength. But little does he realise his life is now in danger. Will his sister Megan get to him in time? Not if the evil Queen has anything to do with it. For a boy who doesn't like change, Dion's strength and determination are the things that he will have to rely on.' We're super excited to be releasing Alison's debut children's book, reviewed by Anna Kennedy OBE:
“Amulet is a delightful story about Megan and Dion. On one level the reader is taken through a beautiful fantasy world which is a product of the children's imagination. On another level it intelligently highlights the difficulties presented by the real world to a child on the autism spectrum. The reader is shown how the child on the autism spectrum can be guided through life such that he becomes a full participant. I have no hesitation in recommending this book."
Alison said: “This story is about a brother and sister: Megan and Dion Coombes. Dion has some social and communication difficulties. The family employ many strategies used by children with Dion’s difficulties. Should the strategies help anyone, then Dion, Megan and I will have achieved something worthwhile.”
Terry Cooper, the author of the KANGAZANG! Trilogy, has been seen in public quite a lot this year. Except that while most people won't recognise him, they'll definitely recognise his alter ego, a certain Pirate Captain from a saga of blockbuster movies.
Masquerading as 'Cardiff Jack Sparrow', Terry has been seen at numerous public events in Cardiff and the surrounding area, and he has been invited by the people at Cardiff's Heath Hospital to attend their Christmas Spectacular day on Friday 13th December.
Hosted and broadcast on the day by Real Radio Wales, it promises to be a fun day for everyone. It's open from 6am to the public, and the hospital hopes to raise funds and Christmas gifts from donations by the public, which will then be distributed among the hospital's patients. The event ends at 7pm, so there will be lots of opportunities to come along and have some fun.
Terry in his Piratey Alter-ego, Cardiff Jack Sparrow. PICTURE: Steve Upham at New Pixel Design
Terry is currently busy putting the finishing touches to his sci-fi comedy trilogy, with KANGAZANG: Small Cosmos due for release next year. Of his unexpected 'infamy' as Jack Sparrow, Terry says:
"It's been snowballing all the time. I initially did it for a bit of fun back in 2007, with a cheap, home made costume, but now I'm quite in demand. Everyone I meet tells me that I've got the look, voice and mannerisms of Jack Sparrow down perfectly. The public of all ages get a real buzz from meeting me and I enjoy it just as much as them. Sadly, I don't look like Johnny Depp at all in real life - that'd be great, but until Disney sign me up for his stand-in, it's back to struggling author. But if you're reading this, Mr. Bruckheimer, I'm available at very short notice!"
In 'civvies' - L-R: Publisher Shaun Russell, actor Colin Baker, and Terry Cooper
So if you've always wanted to meet Johnny Depp... we can't help you there. But it's been said that Terry's Captain Jack is the next best thing! Pop along to the Heath Hospital on Friday December 13th and sea for yourself! (Sea what we did there?)
You can also find 'Cardiff Jack Sparrow' here on Facebook: CLICK HERE
In September 2013 the Candy Jar team took a trip... to Cardiff airport. Unlike the others there we had different plans. Our mission? To give 400 lucky travellers a free copy of our wonderful new publication See You in September – the perfect travelling companion.
When Joanne Teague became seriously ill and was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos – a rare and still incurable, life-threatening condition – she decided to grab as much life as she could get. Her solution was to spend six months travelling around Europe with her husband and three young children. Their travels were restricted to one continent but we want this book to travel the world.
If you are reading this with a copy in your hand please do read and enjoy it. All we ask is that you leave it somewhere (a train, hotel, coffee shop...) or pass it on to someone once you’re finished so that its adventure can continue.
Please share your experience with friends and keep us updated on its journey via Twitter #SYIS and like See You in September on Facebook.
Candy Jar has joined forces
with Fairwater Library to celebrate ‘World Book Night’ on 23rd April
with a special author signing at Fairwater Library. The event, which features
two of Candy Jar’s top authors, Eileen Younghusband and Barbara Pontin, is
expected to be popular with local residents.
First
to appear will be former WAAF, Eileen Younghusband, who has written her memoirs
of WW2, entitled One Woman’s War.
The book reveals the truth
about the forgotten wartime women, barely out of their teens, who were employed
for this critical job because they were quicker than men. It also has
contributions from Dame Vera Lynn and Emma Soames. Emma Soames, who is Winston
Churchill’s granddaughter and editor-at-large at Saga Magazine, believes that
this story must be heard. She says: “It is excellent to be reminded what a
great debt we owe to this group of brave, dedicated young women who, in a
highly charged and stressful situation, where time was of the essence, did so
much to save our country from destruction.
Now
in her 91st year,
Eileen has appeared on
BBC Radio Wales, BBC Breakfast, and has contributed to a documentary series "WW2: The Last Heroes”. She has also been in talks with a production
company about turning aspects of her life into a drama series.
For 83-year-old Barbara
Pontin it is almost like coming home. She worked in the Fairwater Library for
twenty years and is excited to be returning as a published author. Barbara
began writing her book, Merlys, in her early forties. She says: “With a family
to look after it became increasingly difficult to devote my time to the book,
and although I did have some interest from Hollywood, I put the manuscript away
and forgot about it.”
Early in 2011 Barbara came
across the 40-year-old manuscript and decided to breathe new life into the 18th
century story of murder, anguish and love across the Welsh valleys. She
continues: “I wanted my story to reach as many people as possible, so I
contacted Candy Jar Books in Cardiff. They were very supportive, but did
encourage me to start the book with a shock. I don’t think they expected it to
be so blood-curdling though.”
Barbara is quietly pleased by
the reaction to the pre-release of Merlys. Mischievously she says: “My friends have been very
shocked by this book. They didn’t know that I had it in me. Most thought butter
would not melt in my mouth. It has been fun to prove them wrong!”
Shaun Russell, director at
Candy Jar Books, is very proud of Eileen and Barbara. He says: “At Candy Jar we
like to support new talent. Barbara Pontin’s Merlys is quite a brave book. It
takes romantic fiction into a slightly gruesome world of wreckers and
highwaymen. On the other hand, Eileen Younghusband’s One Woman’s War describes
WW2 in considerable detail. It is an important account of women’s contribution
to the Allied victory in 1945. Eileen's story is an inspiration to us all.”
Eileen
Younghusband will be at Fairwater Library between 11am-1pm, with Barbara Pontin
there between 2pm- 4pm.
One Woman's War is out now. Merlys will be released in August.
Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce its forthcoming title, MERLYS.
Produced through Jelly Bean Books – Candy Jar's Self-Publishing Imprint – this is the début novel of octogenarian Barbara Pontin.
The book is the story of a fiery and headstrong young girl who
embarks on a journey of adventure and discovery across South Wales in the sixteenth century.
Merlys and her older brother Jeremy run away from their
comfortable and secure home in a Welsh valley after disagreeing with their
father over his plans for their future.
They head to the coast, seeking help from their aunt, only
to find their lives in danger when Merlys overhears two men talking. One of
them – a packman selling buttons, lace and ribbons to farmer’s wives and
daughters – is the leader of a gang of thieves, murderers and wreckers.
Merlys learns of their next crime, inspired by information
gleaned from idle gossip about wealthy travellers and well-laden ships. When the
criminals discover she knows of their intentions, they attempt to silence
Merlys – but each time they try, she and her brother manage to escape.
Arriving at the relative safety of their aunt’s home, Merlys
and Jeremy soon learn that danger continues to stalk them.
As the criminal underworld of a sleepy coastal town closes
in, only time will tell if they both will find peace and – ultimately – happiness.
Merlys will be available from Candy Jar books soon. If you wish to reserve an advance copy via the Candy Jar store, please go here.
On 4th December 2011, two firefighters from South Wales Fire Service will face the greatest challenge of their lives.
As Team Atlantic Dash they will take part in one of the world's toughest races rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. Their goal: to raise awareness and over £100,000 for Breast Cancer Care, The Firefighters Charity, Help for Heroes and WRVS (Womens Royal Voluntary Service).
John Haskell and Jamie Windsor, both from Cardiff, will face physical and emotional turmoil as they endure the unpredictability of the weather and the ocean in their self sufficient bid to cross the Atlantic.
The team asked us to produce a short promotional video to help raise awareness of their challange. You can view the film here:
For more information about the challenge, visit the Atlantic Dash website here: www.atlanticdash.co.uk To find out how you can benefit from video promotion, visit the Candy Jar website here: www.candy-jar.co.uk
