Growing Bookworms – Meet prolific children’s book author, Janice Spina, and a review #GrowingBookworms #readingcommunity #childrensfiction
Posted: February 14, 2024 Filed under: Book Review, Books, Children's Books, Growing Bookworms, Interview, Review | Tags: Children's Books, Growing Bookworms, Janice Spina, Robbie Cheadle, The Case of the Sad Mischievous Ghost, Writing to be Read 50 Comments
My featured guest for this month’s Growing Bookworms post is prolific children’s book author, Janice Spina. Janice also writes for adults as J.E. Spina. This is an overview of Janice’s books:
Welcome Janice!
Tell us a bit about your books and your history of writing for children
I have always love writing poetry since a young child. When I wrote my first book, Louey the Lazy Elephant,I had to put it into rhyme. I find that children love rhyming; it keeps them interested if there is a cadence to the story.
I have 22 children’s books at present. Most of them are in rhyme and all of them carry important life lessons and family values. I first began writing for children but branched out later on into MG/PT/YA and novels for 18+. I have books about animals, dragons, and even short stories in a series of six stories per book for children ages 5-8 called Bedtime Stories for Children Series. Some of my stories in this series are based on experiences while others are purely from my overwrought imagination.
A number of your children’s books feature animals and creatures. Are these stories based on personal experience with these creatures?
Many of my children’s books are dedicated to individuals or based on imaginary animals or real-life pets that I have had in the past such as: Jerry the Crabby Crayfish – a pet blue crayfish, Lamby the Lonely Lamb – dedicated to my granddaughter and her stuffed lamby, Jesse the Precocious Polar Bear – dedicated to a little boy I met while vacationing in Aruba, Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey – dedicated to my youngest grandson and his stuffed monkey, Colby the Courageous Cat – dedicated to my daughter’s cat, Jeffrey the Jittery Giraffe – dedicated to a little boy who was nervous about loud noises, Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab – a pet hermit crab we once had, Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier – my first dog, The First Star – dedicated to my two children when they were young. I hope to continue to create stories to delight and entertain children for uyears to come along with my husband’s help creating the beautiful illustrations and covers.
The illustrations in your picture books are lovely. Your husband helps you with your illustrations. How much input do you put into the illustration process?
My husband, John, does do the illustrations and covers for all of my children’s books. He also creates the covers for all the other books I publish. Thank God for him! I would be lost without him.
I had to convince him to do this many years ago beginning in 2013. He told me that he wasn’t an illustrator but would give it a try after I told him how much it would cost to hire someone who was an illustrator. John has a quirky sense of humor. I do give him plenty of input about each illustration and cover, much to his chagrin. We don’t always agree on each one and therefore there are many revisions. But I am always pleased with what he creates as the finished product and give him an ample number of kudos online when I present his work.
What do you like best about writing for children?
I love writing for children. What I like best is to see children reading and enjoying my books or anyone’s books. The joy in their faces when they read or are read to is priceless. Reading is so important at an early age and not only for children but also for adults.
I love to hear from parents that their children loved one of my books and look forward to reading more. That is why I write. Receiving positive feedback in reviews is another way to make authors happy and give them an early Christmas gift.
Children – preschool to grade 3 are like sponges soaking up all kinds of things. My goal is to create entertaining and good, clean stories that are educational and full of important life lessons and family values that will stay with them for a lifetime. I hope my stories will enhance their reading experience, increase their reading levels, help to encourage them to become lovers of reading, and create readers and thinkers of tomorrow.
I also write for middle-graders, preteens, and young adults. This age group is a difficult group to entice into reading. They are always absorbed into the newest technology such as X-Box and video games, etc. I create stories in series for this age-group that have plenty of magic, mystery, suspense, wizards, ghosts, and time travel. It is a tough job but I will continue to do all I can to encourage this age-group to read.
What is your favourite children’s book or series for children?
Of all my 22 young children’s books my favorite is still, Louey the Lazy Elephant. This was the first book John illustrated. I love the crayon drawings that he created and how sweet and innocent he made Louey look. It is one of my most popular books alongside Jerry the Crabby Crayfish.
My favorite MG/PT book is Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Series Books 1-6. I had such fun creating the twins and their twin-telepathy, adventures, magic, mystery, ghosts and even time travel. Kids enjoy this series but so do adults.
I was requested by a few readers to offer a series for girls after Davey and Derek were so popular. That is why I wrote Abby & Holly Series Books 1-6. These books are enjoyed by both girls and boys.
There are more stories in my head waiting to be written down, so stay tune for many more to come for all ages.
Thank you so much, Robbie, for inviting me as a guest. I thoroughly enjoyed answering your questions and sharing a little bit about myself and my books with you and your readers.
Thank you, Janice, for being a delightful guest.
My review of The Case of the Sad Mischievous Ghost (Davey & Derrick Jr. Detectives Book 5) by Janice Spina
This is the fifth book in the Davey and Derek Junior Detective Series. Davey and Derek, who are warlocks under the tutelage of their aunt, a witch, have already solved four mysterious cases and they have gained a reputation as detectives. Abby and her cousin, Holly, seek them out at school. The two girls believe the house they have recently moved into, called the Sheridan House after its previous owner, is haunted by a ghost. They have experienced some strange happenings. Davey and Derek agree to investigate and see if they can discover the source of the strange happenings and visitations.
With some advice from their Aunt Gigi, the pair set out to determine the cause of the girls’ anxiety. They embark on an intriguing adventure including cold spots, ghostly forms, and secret tunnels.
This book was reminiscent for me of the Secret Seven adventures series by Enid Blyton which I read as a young girl. It is full of the same energy and excitement as Enid Blyton’s books, but the Davey and Derek Junior Detective Series incorporates a taste of magic and the supernatural which appeals to modern children. This series also tackles topical issues faced by 21st century youngsters. The language is appropriate for the target audience and will keep young readers engaged and interested.
I enjoyed the subtle demonstrations of respect and family values incorporated throughout this book, which send an excellent message to young readers. An enjoyable book with an interesting storyline.
You can purchase The Case of the Sad Mischievous Ghost (Davey & Derrick Jr. Detectives Book 5) from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Mischievous-Ghost-Davey-Junior-Detectives-ebook/product-reviews/B072QBJ7LC
About Janice Spina
Janice Spina is a multi-award-winning author with 45 books of which there are 22 children’s books,12 MG/PT books and two books in a YA series with four more coming over the next few years, seven novels and a short story collection for 18+ written under J.E. Spina. She is also a copy editor, blogger, book reviewer and supporter of fellow authors. Her husband, John, is her illustrator and cover creator. Watch for more books to come over the next few years.
Jance has received the following awards for her books:
10 Mom’s Choice Awards – Silver Medals, 5 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards – Silver Medal, Bronze Medal, Honorable Mention and Finalist, 21 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards, 1 AUTHORSDB – Cover Contest, 2 Book Excellence Award Finalists, 2 Top Shelf Awards – First Place & Runner up, one Maincrest Media Award
Her logo is Jemsbooks – books for all ages! Her motto is – Reading Gives You Wings to Fly! Come soar with Jemsbooks! Happy reading!
Janice loves to hear from readers and appreciates and happily welcomes reviews.
Find Janice Spina
About Robbie Cheadle
Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fifteen children’s book and two poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie and Michael’s new Southern African Safari Adventures series is aimed at teaching young children about Southern African wildlife in a fun and entertaining way. Each book contains a rhyming verse story about a particular animal, as well as illustrations by Robbie Cheadle, photographs and links to video footage about that animal.
Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
