Author Illustrator Serena Geddes launches sequel to the delightful Rosie and Rasmus
Announcement posted by All About PR 02 Sep 2020
"Where The Dragons Live", out September 16th through Aladdin
Two years after 2019’s Rosie and Rasmus, international illustrator and now author Serena Geddes launches the delightful sequel, Where the Dragons Live, out through Aladdin this September 16th.
Having illustrated over sixty books both here and overseas, Serena is well-known, amongst other things, for illustrating the popular Lulu Bell series and working for Walt Disney Studios in Sydney on the sequel to the Lion King, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp and Jungle Book.
Now, following on from the enchanting story about the extraordinary power of friendship in 2019’s Rosie and Rasmus, Serena has created another enchanting story with a powerful message for children about discovering your true – and joyous – self and accepting yourself for who you are.
In Where the Dragons Live, when Rasmus bids his best friend Rosie goodbye to journey to the Island of Dragons, he wasn’t sure what to expect – he’s never met another dragon before! Upon his arrival to the island, he finds the other dragons to be fierce, feisty and a little mean. They point out how Rasmus and his small wings don’t fit in with the rest of them. Will Rasmus ever be a real dragon? Luckily, Rasmus’ friend Rosie travels to the island, and helps him discover that being his own true self is what really matters in friendship and dragonhood!
Says Serena, “It was heartening to read so many reviews from readers who were upset that Rasmus left in the first book. They loved the connection between Rosie and Rasmus, so I was thrilled to continue the story where the friendship continues with Rosie showing Rasmus that he is unique and he should accept himself for who he is”.
Continues Serena, “I was really shy as a child, a real wallflower. So, I remember what it feels like to feel unsure of myself. Usually, as an illustrator, I focus on other people’s stories, but I knew I had a story to tell to young readers about self-love and empowerment. Thankfully, my agent at the time loved the idea of me writing and illustrating a series with a message to kids that everyone is unique, and everyone deserves love. Thus, the Rosie and Rasmus series was born!”
Praise for book one “Rosie & Rasmus”:
“A poignant but ultimately heart-warming tale is paired with adorable and expressive artwork here, making this a wonderful friendship story for the picture-book set.” Library Thing
“Geddes’s soft watercolour palette heightens the quiet sweetness of this story about two characters learning to venture forth.” Publishers Weekly
“Two kindred spirits - a lonely young girl and a solitary young dragon - find each other and discover the power and magic of friendship in this sweetly simple picture book.” Boomerang Books
Length: 48 pages
ISBN: 9781481498760
Ages: 4-8
RRP: $22.99AUD/$26.99NZD
About the Author
Serena is a storyteller who draws on her illustrations to capture the imagination of her readers. She encourages reluctant readers by providing visual insight into her stories, building relations between images and text. Serena has been illustrating children’s books since 2009 and illustrated the Lulu Bell series and Misty Inn series (USA). She also worked for Walt Disney Studios on sequels to The Lion King, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book. Her first author illustrator picture book, “Rosie and Rasmus”, was released by Simon & Schuster’s children’s imprint Aladdin in April 2019. The second book in the series, “Where the Dragons Live” is out through Aladdin in September 2020
For more information, please contact:
Anna Abignano, Director, All About PR
Tel: 0411 481 477
Email: anna@allaboutpr.com.au
Having illustrated over sixty books both here and overseas, Serena is well-known, amongst other things, for illustrating the popular Lulu Bell series and working for Walt Disney Studios in Sydney on the sequel to the Lion King, Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp and Jungle Book.
Now, following on from the enchanting story about the extraordinary power of friendship in 2019’s Rosie and Rasmus, Serena has created another enchanting story with a powerful message for children about discovering your true – and joyous – self and accepting yourself for who you are.
In Where the Dragons Live, when Rasmus bids his best friend Rosie goodbye to journey to the Island of Dragons, he wasn’t sure what to expect – he’s never met another dragon before! Upon his arrival to the island, he finds the other dragons to be fierce, feisty and a little mean. They point out how Rasmus and his small wings don’t fit in with the rest of them. Will Rasmus ever be a real dragon? Luckily, Rasmus’ friend Rosie travels to the island, and helps him discover that being his own true self is what really matters in friendship and dragonhood!
Says Serena, “It was heartening to read so many reviews from readers who were upset that Rasmus left in the first book. They loved the connection between Rosie and Rasmus, so I was thrilled to continue the story where the friendship continues with Rosie showing Rasmus that he is unique and he should accept himself for who he is”.
Continues Serena, “I was really shy as a child, a real wallflower. So, I remember what it feels like to feel unsure of myself. Usually, as an illustrator, I focus on other people’s stories, but I knew I had a story to tell to young readers about self-love and empowerment. Thankfully, my agent at the time loved the idea of me writing and illustrating a series with a message to kids that everyone is unique, and everyone deserves love. Thus, the Rosie and Rasmus series was born!”
Praise for book one “Rosie & Rasmus”:
“A poignant but ultimately heart-warming tale is paired with adorable and expressive artwork here, making this a wonderful friendship story for the picture-book set.” Library Thing
“Geddes’s soft watercolour palette heightens the quiet sweetness of this story about two characters learning to venture forth.” Publishers Weekly
“Two kindred spirits - a lonely young girl and a solitary young dragon - find each other and discover the power and magic of friendship in this sweetly simple picture book.” Boomerang Books
“Where the Dragons Live” is available at all good booksellers from September 16th.
www.serenageddes.com.au
Publisher: Aladdinwww.serenageddes.com.au
Length: 48 pages
ISBN: 9781481498760
Ages: 4-8
RRP: $22.99AUD/$26.99NZD
About the Author
Serena is a storyteller who draws on her illustrations to capture the imagination of her readers. She encourages reluctant readers by providing visual insight into her stories, building relations between images and text. Serena has been illustrating children’s books since 2009 and illustrated the Lulu Bell series and Misty Inn series (USA). She also worked for Walt Disney Studios on sequels to The Lion King, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book. Her first author illustrator picture book, “Rosie and Rasmus”, was released by Simon & Schuster’s children’s imprint Aladdin in April 2019. The second book in the series, “Where the Dragons Live” is out through Aladdin in September 2020
For more information, please contact:
Anna Abignano, Director, All About PR
Tel: 0411 481 477
Email: anna@allaboutpr.com.au