Books
Q and A session with a HS in Albany, New York
I am often asked many queston on the radio, in a school, or libarary about the many aspects of writing, the book itself, the characters etc. I decided to share a Q and A emailed to me which I had with a HS in Alabany. My answers are after the numbered questions short and sweet but I share my sincere opinion as an Artist and Author to everyone below these questions-especially aspiring writers.
Teacher: Hi Tina, I hope your trip was enjoyable! We did do a read-aloud with your book and the students had a number of questions in both classes about process as well as choices. I’m giving you their questions as they (as a class) created them.
Period 5:
1. How did the author and the illustrator decide on the illustrations?—especially the expressions on the characters
I envisioned them myself and directed my illustrator to create MY characters. I delevoped all the characters. It was a unique experience.
2. What kind of creature IS Skipper?
You name it. It is not important to a child to be specific about this. Some call him a p-wog, some a frog. Kids NEVER have asked me.
3.Why did you choose a dragon to emerge from a sea shell? (this was troubling for Seniors who wanted an egg
Kids are imaginative. Why are there space ships in the ski, how can a refrigerator talk in a cartoon, who can prove any of that? The writer, in my case is imaginative. The seashell will be told in future stories. Obviously this story CONTINUES……hence, the ending which leaves room for future books.
4.What was the inspiration for the book?
My own life and surrounding of a playful , creative and imaginative life I wish others to have and experience…..fun!
5. What is the significance of the RED sneakers and YELLOW backpack?
None. Simply a decision.
6.What is in the backpack? (we kind of got caught up in the details and not your role as author—sorry)
You will find out in future stories.
7. Why are the parents so accepting of a dragon?
It is a Good story, he is a good dragon…no demons and bad guys.
8. How and why did you choose the illustrator?
Long story but in a nutshell, she is European and in Latvia. Speaks no English and I adored her and decided I really wanted to work with her.
9.How long did it take to finish the book in its entirety?
approx. 2 years- NOT full time
10.What lesson, if any, was the book trying to teach?
I leave that open to the reader.
11.Does the theme have to do with manners?/…………..Why is the dragon so polite? That is his character.
I leave that up to the reader
12.Why doesn’t Danny act like the dragon (I’m not sure what they were asking here—I can ask for clarification)
Can not answer this………..this is sort fo a silly question, sorry.
13.Are you concerned with the logic of Danny shrinking in water? (the discussion was Danny ate soup which is watery and yet he does not shrink from eating liquid—or must the water be salt water?) The explanationis is in the book and in this story.
14.Is there a significance to the pictures—7:10 for dinner clean-up, license plate FL-1, feather on the picture of a boat, grandparent picture in the background . . . ?
No significance at all.
Period 3 Class
1.Same as #4 in 5th period
2. Same as #5
3. Why did you choose imaginary characters (dragon) rather than realistic (hermit crab)?
Boy, …..because I am a writer / author and as a writer I make my decisions as I choose. I am able to create ideas and imagination and place this on paper for others to envision my words. That Iisan authors job and capability. This is what writing is all about.
4. Was the book meant to be an independent reader or a “read-to” book?
From the Reviews all Lower School ages seem to be reading it as well as being read to.
5.Why is there no real conflict in the book? (we are High School and used to looking for conflict)
Smart point. In many books there are conflicts and especially at the middle, turning point. The turning point is the evolving from a shell.
Keep in mind this is a 32 page children picture book so they may look at the halfway point, or there-about.
6.How long did it take you to write the book? above
7. Is there a significance to choosing (the name) Danny the Dragon? (They know Danny and the Dinosaur) above
8.Was the book written as a stream of consciousness? No.
I tried not to answer their questions, or guess what your response would be. They were inspired from your introduction of your own writing at 16 that they could illustrate and/or write their own best-selling children’s books! Good. Thank you so much for willingness to share. Thank you, Karon
Additional comments to teacher from me- my views: Hi Karon, These answers above are short and sweet. With this many question there is usually a live phone interview. I tried to answer quickly as I just eloped a plane after a 18 day tour. Many of these questions are goood. The spirit of writing, having fun, playing with your reader and in this case young children, is the main purpose. You can break some rules IF your story communicates. Never allow the students to fail in writing by getting so caught up in the “rules’. The questions as to why does he act so nice, like a dinosaur and am I concerned with him shrinking….well, I can say that the magic did not convey to som fo these kids, maybe due to them be HS students? They are looking at a book trying to dissect it as an educational tool, which is terrific but due to the nature of the questions, they may loose sight of the magic of writing if they need a WHY to all points in a book and on its pages, especially a childrens’ picture book. Writing can be much simpler and fun.Working with my illustrator was a magical experience. I am an Author and love to write, my illustrator is an Award Wining illustrator and this particular book is the opening to Adventures. The rest is sure to come. Thank you for your questions and time. I wish all the children in your classes with a true goal to be a writer all the best os success in their endeavor. Those with a goal to be a children’s picture book writer will need perseverance and stamina and I feel anyone with enough perseverance can make it.
All the Best, Tina Turbin Author
A Mother from Nigeria Reviews Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy
Full time mother and business woman Consolata Ugboko from Nigeria took the time last month to post a review about Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy.
And a pleasant review it was! I do hope you’ll visit her site to read the review and leave her a comment. Click here and scroll down to the blog entry from January 21st 2010.
Thank you!
Tina Turbin
3rd Edition of Show Biz Kids Guidebook Available
MY 3rd Edition of my Show Biz Kids- East Coast Guidebook is released and available for purchase to help you or your friends in the exciting area of children’s Show Biz and Modeling. You may read reviews as well.
Again, I wrote this when first purchasing our East Coasthome and was bombarded with questions and calls after my many years in LA with working with the kids in our Burbank Studio and working with one of my sons, Jason in television shows and stage- Les Miserables and music.
You may purchase it on line on Amazon as well as read many reviews.
Thank you, Tina Turbin
Proceeds from Danny the Dragon CD Support Good Cause
If you’re like most Americans, you probably haven’t even heard of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder which causes an immune reaction that can affect the entire body, causing both physical and mental problems. The cause? An allergy to gluten, a component of wheat, barley, and rye. The problem with celiac disease is that doctors don’t know much about it either. They don’t know that it affects an estimated 300 million Americans and that with a simple test, a diagnosis can be made and the easy treatment can begin—a gluten-free diet.
An estimated 300 million Americans have celiac disease and only three percent of them know it. When I’m not working on the latest installment of my Danny the Dragon series or the Danny the Dragon Cookbook, I’m working hard to change this statistic by raising awareness and support for this disease that affects more people twice as many of those who suffer from Crohn’s disease, ulceric colitis, and cystic fibrosis combined.
Proceeds from the Danny the Dragon CD will go to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, one of the major research centers around studying and bringing awareness to celiac disease. It is one-hundred percent focused on studying celiac disease and carries out research connecting it with various other diseases which it is believed to lead to if left untreated. Its goal is to change the lives of celiac disease sufferers for the better around the world, a goal which it is actively achieving, little by little, every day.
Review from Malaysia on Danny The Dragon
Review from Malaysia
Alice Teh, Reviewer and Blogger amongst many other professional Hats has reviewed Danny The Dragon amongst several other wonderful books and has now posted these on her website, Here is an excerpt form her review:
“I really enjoyed this 32-page book and reading it made me happy. It does not matter if you are young or young at heart; this book will make you smile. Adults can read aloud to the young ones. I know I would if I have my own kids. Danny the Dragon is beautifully illustrated and every page is so colorful! A satisfying book I am sure families will appreciate and love. I cannot wait to read more of Danny and his other adventures!”
Please read more of her review at after scrolling down the page a bit
Alice Teh is based in Malaysia and is a professional personal assistant. A coffee addict (no sugar and cream, please), she is in love with her blog, books and camera. When not reading (or working), she’s a shutterbug. She blogs regularly.
Thank you Alice! Tina Turbin
Danny the Dragon Reaches Out To 2,500 Book Stores Nationwide!
Thank you SIBA for an outstanding job in helping Danny the Dragon reach out to so many book store owners!
Company: Imagination Publishing Group
Category: Children’s picture book – fiction
Offered: Free Promotional Materials
Danny the Dragon- BEST Children’s Picture Book of 2009- nominee
The first book in the HIT children’s series Danny the Dragon by multi award-winning author Tina Turbin has become an international sensation!
Filled with vivid illustrations and a captivating storyline, this delightful tale, chronicling the adventures of a traveling dragon named Danny, leaves all readers with a smile, while ever so subtly highlighting manners, positive social interactions and sharing, in a fun, creative, kid-friendly way.
Hailed by the “Midwest Book Review” Children’s Bookwatch as having “…definite attraction and value for children ages 4-8, all of whom will undoubtedly beg for the sequel and more tales of Danny the Dragon; by authors, including such notables as Judy Blume, school principals, teachers, mothers, Celebrities and literature specialists as being “a gentle story” and “such a delight”; “a wonderful book to read to children”; and a book that is “…accompanied by really beautiful drawings which will sparkle the imagination.”
BOOST Holiday Sales AND be prepared for “Dragon Appreciation Day” on Jan 16th
FIRST 100 booksellers to reply will receive:
1. FREE publicity and promotion of your bookstore via the Imagination Publishing Group network of websites, with a targeted audience of more than 100,000. 2. FREE promotional materials to provide to your customers and to decorate your store: Danny the Dragon themed pencils, bookmarks, door hangers and stickers.
Reply to info@DannyTheDragon.com to take advantage of the above LIMITED TIME offer!
Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy
AVAILABLE THROUGH BAKER AND TAYLOR: http://is.gd/4N7ts
Paperback: 978-0-9800-721-0-5 – retail $8.95
Hardcover: 978-0-9800-721-1-2 - retail $18.95
This page can be seen on SIBA website at- scroll down to see Danny the Dragon http://www.sibaweb.com/creative.html
Tina Turbin
Florida Association of Partners in Education – MEMBER
Author Tina Turbin
FAPE member Tina Turbin is an award-winning children’s author, writer, researcher, humanitarian and mother. Working for many years with children in the entertainment business, Tina advocates for children, families and women’s issues with research into children’s literacy, children’s allergies, celiac disease, gluten-free foods and nutrition as a way to improve the quality of lives and health for others.
Her approach in garnering awareness on these important topics comes from her position as a humanitarian, and a professional, and one who lives a gluten-free lifestyle, while utilizing her educational videos, books and storybook characters to share the educational aspect with children
Tina is a recipient of 2 prestigious literary awards for her book Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy: 2nd place winner for Children’s Literature in the Arizona Literary Contest and Book Awards of 2009 and Award-winning finalist in the National Best Books Awards of 2009 to be announced at BookExpo America (BEA) 2010.
Tina resides in St.Petersburg Florida as well as Los Angeles, California and is available for volunteer activities in the surrounding districts. (http://TinaTurbin.com)
More Children’s Books -Tina Turbin
Tina Turbin-Writing While Traveling
OK, many people write in and connect up via social sites asking about future books. Well my friends, YES there are more books. I just have been so darn busy I have not shared the details, sorry about that. I will fill you in: I have three books, yes three lovely books in the works. All varied in content and purpose but all 3 so charming and delightful. They will tickly your fancy when the timing is right and they are ready to be launched as planned, hot off the press.
I have the CD out now and this is a lovely additions to my Danny The Dragon Meets Jimmy book. If you did not read, the profits I have donated to Columbia University, Celiac Disease Center. I am big on the topics of gluten-free research and celiac disease, as most of you know.
Next in line will be the DVD but hush……….I am not allowed to share too much. For you and you only, the DVD is a lovely rendition of the book on CD with sign interpretation by the lovely and well known, Carol Downing. She is who we now call, “Danny’s Hands” , as a result of her expertise in portraying the book with sign. I am not sure when my publisher will release this DVD but after that will be my next book. I just love writing for you all and the reviewers, kids and parents are delighted with the story and characters, so this of course makes me shine, and write more!
So as I said, yes I keep writing and writing and loving every minute of it. Thank you everyone for your support! Tina Turbin
