The inspiration to write a story often comes an author asking, “what if?” In the case of Sally Tears, her inspiration came from a walk on the beach. And before she knew it, this singer turned author had a finished children’s book. Below is my review of Tears’ collection of the three short stories that make up I Can Do Stories along with an interview with the author about her book.
I Can Do Stories plot summary
I Can Do Stories is actually three stories in one. The first, Sammy The Scared Seagull, features a newly hatched seagull who is afraid of heights. It takes some gentle prodding and a build up of confidence from his parents before he is able to leave the nest and eventually fly on his own.
The second story is The Wave That Waved. It’s about a little wave in the ocean that ventures out into the sand and spends a day playing with the young swimmers who are visiting for the day.
The final story is Olly The Octopus: The Problems with B’s and D’s. A young boy named James who is struggling to learn how to read falls asleep and is taken away to a world where Olly The Octopus helps him to differentiate between left and right and the letter “b” and the letter d.”
The writing
All three stories deal with young characters coming of age. Whether it’s a bird with a phobia, an adventurous little ocean wave, or a young boy who struggles to read, each character overcomes an obstacle and learns something new about themselves and the world around them.
There is a beach theme that runs throughout these stories. One takes place above the sea, another literally is the sea, and the third features a notable sea creature with magic powers.
There is a lot of writing on each page of the book. Much of the story is told through dialogue with these young characters asking questions to older and/or wiser characters the way that children do. And each one succeeds in their conflict or quest with practice and determination. It’s a great message for children to be adventurous, ask for help when needed, and keep trying until they succeed.
The vocabulary is also very simple and manageable for an easy reader. Some of the sentences might run a little long for a brand new reader, but I do feel like a seven year old could manage these stories as recommended by the author. I also like that the font is large and kid-friendly.
My main criticism with the writing is that it could have used another pair of eyes to catch some errors before it was published. I did find several structural, grammar, and punctuation errors throughout.
The illustrations
Each story features a handful of illustrations by Jenn Garside which are very cute and colorful. They portray pivotal moments in the story and really paint a picture of the main characters. The illustrations also have a nice movement to them which help to bring the story to life.
I wish each page featured an illustration. The size of the book is very large so it leaves a lot of room for text on each page, but some pages feature no illustration or a small, simple illustration, such as a bird feather. I worry that its younger readers who still need to be read to would have a hard time paying attention as the result of not having a picture to look at while the story is read to them.
My recommendation
I recommend this book for early readers who could use some easy reading material to practice on and who enjoy stories about animals and young characters like themselves which contain a positive and helpful message. Unlike most books, this one has three stories to choose from. So, readers can decide whether to read, one, two, or all of them at once. And with some careful editing in future editions, this book could really make a difference in the picture book world.
About the author
Name/Pen Name: Sally Tears
Author Links
About the book.
Book Title: I Can Do Stories Book 1
Genre: Children’s 3 to 7 years
Book Summary
Engaging and positive stories.
Family orientated to encourage communication.
Geared towards boys because they are less likely to engage and they need to be captivated by words at an early stage.
Book excerpts
Sammy The Scared Seagull
It was so cozy and warm inside Sammy’s egg, but he knew that today he would have to start pecking so that he could get out into the big wide world. He had heard his brothers and sisters pecking their way out all morning and knew it was time for him to do the same.
“Gosh! Where am I?” he said when he’d pecked his final peck.
“You’re here in the nest with your brothers and sisters” said his Mum gently. “Welcome to the world”
Sammy didn’t know if he liked this new world. It seemed rather cold and windy, not at all like his safe warm world inside his egg.
“Now said his Mum I want you all to stay very still and wait for your father to return with some food. I am going to go and help him get enough for us all”.
Off she flew and left Sammy with his brothers and sisters. There was a lot of pushing and shoving in the nest and all at once Sammy had been pushed right to the very edge.
“I wonder what I can see over the edge” he thought. He peered out “Oh dear I’m so high up I’ll never be able to get down there, it’s so far away. I hope I can stay here forever.”
The Wave that Waved
“I’m so bored crashing against this rock” sighed the Little Wave. “There must be something more interesting for me to do.”
“Why don’t you go to the beach and play with the children?” Said one of the older waves. “You might have more fun there.”
“What is a beach? What are children?” asked the Little Wave excitedly.
“Well a beach is a lot of sand without waves all over it, and children like to play on the beach with their buckets and spades. It’s great fun to try and tickle their toes when they are paddling or collecting water in their buckets.
Talking Shop
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
I want the child to feel happy in the knowledge that if you share your problems (as in Olly the Octopus and Sammy the Scared Seagull) you can solve any problem and overcome it.
Name a fact or detail about your story that readers will never know is there.
All of the stories were written for my nephews in California.
What’s the best review/compliment that you’ve received about your book?
From a 4-year-old who came to my door with his Mum and said it was the best book ever.
What famous books can you compare to your own?
I can’t. The stories are unusual and unique.
What is a fun or strange source of inspiration that ended up in your book?
Me walking on a beach thinking, isn’t it strange waves can’t wave, and I wonder if there has ever been a seagull who is scared of heights.
How long did it take to write your book from the day you got the idea to write it to the day you published it?
It didn’t take long to write as the stories just flowed, however finding an illustrator who saw the characters as I did took two years.
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went?
Throughout the years I have written many training manuals etc. that fiction was a joy but no formal training other than I have taught Drama for many years.
If you don’t make a living exclusively writing, what is your day job? How, in any way, does it relate to your life as a writer?
As I said above, I’ve taught drama for years. So I’m luckily surrounded by words and children.
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of all time great writers?
Charlotte Bronte
What were your expectations for writing and publishing your first book? Have they changed since then?
I wanted to believe that there is a place for real stories that don’t need to lead the children into what the writer wants but to allow them to relax and enjoy and take what they want from the stories. Getting it in front of people has been more difficult than I thought, especially with no book signings etc. being allowed in the UK at present.
Do you have a writing ritual, odd habits, or superstitions?
I have to wait until a random thought pops into my head and then I’m off.
How well do you handle criticism, either while writing, editing, or reviews? Do you ever use that criticism to change your story?
I’m happy to take criticism if it’s from someone I respect.
What is the most fun part about writing? The most difficult?
I love writing. The last play I wrote called It’s a Covid Thing made me quite tearful when I was writing the sad part. I get so involved with the characters.
What skills have you acquired or information have you learned from writing?
How to interact with groups of children rather than one on one.
Did you consult with any professionals or people who lived through a particular event to help you craft your story?
No I didn’t.
What is your most stereotypical writer trait? Your least stereotypical?
I’m a Brit so I’m a tea addict, and I can be rather loud!
“What If” Scenarios
If your book ever becomes a movie and you get final say over the cast, which actors would you hire to play your characters?
Because mine would be animated I have to think about voices and for the voice of Olly the Octopus I would love Antony Hopkins.
If you could have one person that you admire, living or dead, read your book, who would it be?
Charlotte Bronte
If you could be in a writer’s group with up to four famous writers, who would they be?
J K Rowling. John Grisham. Shakespeare.
A wealthy reader buys 100 copies of your book and tells you to hand them out to anyone you wish. Who do you give them to?
Underprivileged children.
Your favorite character that you’ve written comes to life for one day. What do you do together for 24 hours?
I’d take Olly the Octopus to the home of The Brontes and show him the tiny children’s books they wrote.
You are transported into your book for one day. What role do you play? How do you alter the events of the story?
I’d play the role of a watcher, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
You’re offered a contract to rewrite your book in another genre. Which genre do you choose and why?
I would choose to write it in the self-care genre because I’m passionate about positive mind sets are so important.
You’re given $10,000 to spend on marketing for your book. How do you spend it?
I would bring it to life by having an animated film made and sharing on social media.
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
Write the follow up book and pay my illustrator what she deserves, as I know she charged me less than she normally charges because she loved the stories.
Would you rather own your own bookstore or your own publishing house, and what would you sell or publish?
I would have the most magical bookstore for children where we could act out their favourite books.
What is one thing you would give up writing to have (or to have back)?
I never look back, only forward, so nothing.
You have the means to hire a full time assistant to help you with your writing. What tasks do you give them to do?
Make tea and type all my handwritten notes.
You have final say over who reads the audio book version of your story. Who do you choose?
Stephen Fry.
What famous artist or photographer would you want to create or capture your book cover image?
I love it as it is.
Your story gets picked up by a streaming service to make into a series. What service would you want it to be, and would you want them to follow your story closely, or would you rather see what directions they take it in?
I would love to see where someone else takes it.
Just For Fun
Your trademark feature.
Perfume and purple mascara (YSL).
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
That my son remains as well balanced as he is and retains the family sense of humour when under duress.
One year of your life you’d like to relive or do over.
When I left home at 16 to become a professional singer and travel the world.
One bucket list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
Done Las Vegas many times but still not been abseiling.
A movie or a piece of music that changed your life.
The new Luke Evans CD has me transported back to my youth.
Favorite time of/part of your day.
Early morning. Walking with the dog.
Favorite place you’ve visited/place you want to visit.
Las Vegas
Food you’d like to win a lifetime supply of.
Spaghetti
The topic you can’t shut up about and the topic you wish everyone would shut up about.
How biased the BBC is on politics and would like not to be bombarded with anymore COVID talk.
Celebrity you’d want to be friends with.
Luke Evans
Your most unrealistic dream job.
Dancer
When time travel is achieved, do you go forward or backward?
Always forward.
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I love Sally’s wish for her son to retain the family sense of humor! Being able to see the light side in any situation is a great gift. 🙂
It really is. It takes the edge off of even the worst situations.