Marta Costa

Tracy and her Horde of Hamsters Tour Croydon Libraries!

Tracy Gunaratnam has been very busy with her horde (yes, that is the correct collective term!) of hamsters touring three Croydon libraries this month. She read her latest book Hamster Sitter Wanted (with brilliant illustrations by Hannah Marks) and the ever popular Preposterous Rhinoceros (illustrated by the talented Marta Costa) and joined in various craft activities with her young fans. L to R: New Addington Library (15th August), Bradmore Green… Read More »Tracy and her Horde of Hamsters Tour Croydon Libraries!

Heart of Hawick

This year we had not one, but two of our lovely books shortlisted for the Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award. A Scarf and a Half by Amanda Brandon and Preposterous Rhinoceros by Tracy Gunaratnam Â Â Â Amanda and Tracy took a jolly little jaunt up to Hawick to take part in the awards. Amanda said: “Â I didnâ€™t need A Scarf and a Half when [we] visited the Scottish Borders… Read More »Heart of Hawick

Lollipop puppets and sing-a-longs with Tracy Gunaratnam!

Last week, Tracy Gunaratnam joined Ashburton Library for their regular Book Buddies session and read her charming story, Preposterous Rhinoceros. The children joined Tracy for jungle sing-a-long and then made Preposterous Rhinoceros badges and lollipop puppets! Tracy will be at Croydon Library for National Storytelling Week in February 2016. Check out our other author’s events in our event calendar. Buy preposterous Rhinoceros here.

Big thumbs up for our Early Readers from Madhouse Family Reviews

We’ve had another great endorsement for our early readers, this time from Madhouse Family Reviews! The Early Readers have retained the atmosphere, fun stories and appealing illustrations of the originals, just in a simplified, more accessible form. As Pierre already knows the stories from listening to me read him the originals, he’s been really excited about trying to read them himself. The fact that he already knows the essence of… Read More »Big thumbs up for our Early Readers from Madhouse Family Reviews

Praising scarves and rhinos!

Last Friday, everyone at Maverick got some lovely good news which put us in amazing spirits for the weekend! Two of our authors have had their first picture books nominated for the Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Amanda Brandon’s first Granny Mutton Yarn story, A Scarf and a HalfÂ and Tracy Gunaratnam‘s first storyÂ Preposterous RhinocerosÂ have both been nominated. It is… Read More »Praising scarves and rhinos!

“The perfect start to a lifetime of reading…”

Yet another wonderful review for our early readers! This time the praise comes from loyal Maverick supporter, Pam Norfolk, who writes for the Lancashire Evening Post. “An enchanting series of five Early Reader books has been adapted from the original picture books so that young children, who may recognise and already love the stories, can make the important transition from listener to reader. […]Â Young children just starting to get the… Read More »“The perfect start to a lifetime of reading…”

Preposterous Rhinoceros read by Lesley Manville on Cbeebies bedtime stories

Last Friday our favourite well-meaning rhinoceros graced the screens of tellies across the nation at bedtime! Preposterous Rhinoceros by Tracy Gunaratnam was read by Lesley Manville on Cbeebies Bedtime Stories last Friday. Lesley read the story very well and brought life to the slightly clueless Rhinoceros and his savvy best friend Shy Salamander. Watch the whole reading here! Buy Preposterous Rhinoceros here.

Jungle sing alongs with Tracy Gunaratnam!

Earlier today, Tracy Gunaratnam visited Waterstones in Croydon to share her story Preposterous Rhinoceros. Starting things off with a jungle sing along (is there any other way to start a party?), Tracy got the children very excited about joining P. Rhino in his jungle world. They then played a Hairy Scary Guessing Game before hearing the hilarious and touching story of Preposterous Rhinoceros.Â Afterwards the children got to colour in… Read More »Jungle sing alongs with Tracy Gunaratnam!