Mawson Bear is one of this bright world’s few published Writer-Bears. And it isn’t easy, when you are a bear, to be a writer. When your big paws hit four keys on the keyboard at a go a terrible muddle can result. Therefore, Mawson leaves the editing and typing to The Guardian while he himself gets comfortable on his cushion and ponders deeply about Baffling Things.
In Mawson Bear’s new book, No Bear Is An Island, each of his fellow bears sits all alone. They don’t talk to each other, they don’t share their thoughts. Mawson himself is sitting all by himself on his cushion. It’s as if each of them is drifting along on an island of their own, apart from all the others.
Mawson is worried about them. He wonders if there is a way to bring them all together. Perhaps he could shine a light to attract them. He could be like a lighthouse for his friends. Unfortunately, when Mawson puts his good idea into practice things go very wrong.
YOUTUBE: You can watch Videos on Youtube all about No Bear Is An Island. Just click here to see reading by writer and playwright Joey Madia. And also click here.
‘Mawson is a precious teddy who should be a staple read on every little one’s bookshelf. He certainly has a home on ours. I know he certainly inspired my own inner child.’ Lyndie, Bookaholic reviews.
You are at Mark’s blog called Baffled Bear Books. Mark is a dark coffee tragic, bibliophile and Guardian of Mawson Bear. Mawson is a Ponderer of Baffling Things and one of this bright world’s few published bears.
The Problem: You look for a book on a retail website. No Bear Is A Island by Mawson Bear looks like an excellent choice. You send your order to the “Shopping Cart”. But what’s this? A delivery charge rises up on your screen like monster rising out of a swamp. And the size of the thing!
‘Bother!’ You say. (You might say other words entirely and at some length, but this is a bear-friendly web-den.) You Consider changing your mind about buying that book in print because the delivery cost has trampled over all your hopes. Is there another way? Why, yes. Read on.
Our Post Bear, Scottie, goes postal over particular postage problems of his own
BOOK SHOPS. Visit your friendly local book shop. The book you want, quite possibly Dreamy Days and Random Naps, by Mawson, might be in stock, and you can buy lots of copies too as random gifts of kindness for your friends. But if not, the staff can order it in for you. This is good for everyone: you get your book and the book shop people stay in business.
LIBRARIES. Visit your local library (where the staff are friendly because they are always surrounded by books). When you borrow a book, very possiblyShe Ran Away From Love, by Mawson, you pay for neither the book nor postage.
In Australia, the author gets a fee for each borrowing (a very small fee, but still a fee). If book is not there, you can ask the staff to consider adding it to their stock. That is good for you, the library, the publisher and the author. You can also just enjoy being at your library and play games there and do jigsaws and read magazines and relax.
Relaxing at the library
SHOP AROUND. Shop around with OTHER on-line retailers! Don’t stick with, for instance, ‘A-Far-Too-Powerful-Retailer-Named-After-A-River’ . There are other retailers, such as Bookshop.org (Recommended by me because it supports bookshops).
SPEND MORE. Send three or four books of the books you want to the ‘Shopping Cart’ then wait. Sometimes the retailer will advise you of markdowns on them. This is when you pounce because you might also get a waiver on the postage costs. Advantage: you save on postage. Disadvantage: You have to spend more money than you meant to. And when the books arrive, the To-Be-Read-Pile of books in your room gets so high that it topples over and buries you under hundreds of stories and your family doesn’t find your body for days because they just assumed you were reading your way through them all.
EBOOKS.Go digital. Sadly, this means you will miss out on the pleasures of holding the book itself: enjoying its particular weight and texture, slipping your battered old book marks between the pages, shelving it in your favourite way (by colour, by height, by author, by subject), ostentatiously opening it up to read on the public transport, lending it to a good friend, seriously wondering about the ‘goodness’ of that friend when the book is not returned … But I digress. The thing is, there are no postage costs with them.
Your Challenge: Beat the postage monsters. You can do this, really you can.
In a polarizing world, where Othering has divided and not united, where difference is a liability instead of a strength in the eyes of (far too) many (especially those in power), it’s important to teach our children (while being role models) that everyone has a unique (hi)story, set of interests and goals, hopes and dreams, and they are all of equal value. Such recognition of the worth of diversity in our social circles is a pathway to seeing we can learn from others while learning about ourselves when we step out of our comfort zone and engage with those who are different than we are.
So begins the thoughtful review by Joey Madia of Mawson Bear’s new book,No Bear Is An Island. Joey references the mighty words of John Donne in Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, 1624. ” No man is an island, entire of itself/Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” It would seem that somehow Mawson found this on the bookshelves when no-one was looking and pondered deeply upon it.
His own friends all seemed to be sitting among their concerns and interests and worries, as if each was on their own island, apart from the others. “What If”. wondered Mawson, there were some way to bring them together.
“Mawson, sensing the distant voices of his fellows (each with a whispered If only…), wants to rise to the occasion to assist and support them. What ensues is a lesson all of us need to hear—and act upon. To read and learn and think about by ourselves, and together, and by ourselves again.” Joey Madia.
Youtube: Here is the link to Joey Madia reading No Bear Is An Islandon Youtube. Enjoy!
‘Mawson is a precious teddy who should be a staple read on every little one’s bookshelf. He certainly has a home on ours. I know he certainly inspired my own inner child.’ Lyndie, Bookaholic reviews.
You are at Mark’s blog called Baffled Bear Books. Mark is a dark coffee tragic, bibliophile and Guardian of Mawson Bear. Mawson is a Ponderer of Baffling Things and one of this bright world’s few published bears.
Pirate Rake is one of the stars of ‘No Bear Is An Island’ by Mawson the Writer-Bear. Rake is a ferocious pirate, as you can tell from his eye patch and his hat.
In Mawson Bear’s new book,No Bear Is An Island, each bear sits all alone. They don’t talk to each other, they don’t share their thoughts. Its as if each are drifting on an island of their own, apart from all the others.
Being a pirate, Rakes’ thoughts are consumed by treasure. He has indeed found the fabled treasure but has run into a bit of bother. You see, he’s been shipwrecked while doing so. So what is the now-wealthy pirate to do when all alone on an island?
YOUTUBE: You can watch Videos on Youtube all about No Bear Is An Island. Just click here and here.
‘Mawson is a precious teddy who should be a staple read on every little one’s bookshelf. He certainly has a home on ours. I know he certainly inspired my own inner child.’ Lyndie, Bookaholic reviews.
You are at Mark’s blog called Baffled Bear Books. Mark is a dark coffee tragic, bibliophile and Guardian of Mawson Bear. Mawson is a Ponderer of Baffling Things and one of this bright world’s few published bears.
Do you sometimes feel a bit muddled about, well, Things ?
Sometimes rather ruffled when Things just go and, well, Happen ?
Sometimes feel confused one moment and completely baffled the next?
It’s not easy being Grownup. All this business of having to be sophisticated and industrious. It’s just too much. But here you can flop down among the cushions and relax.
Here you can find the answers to just about nothing at all. You can forget you ever had questions anyway.
Mawson and his friends are befuddled about most things most of the time – just like so many of us. And that’s all right.
No Bear Is An Island is all about feeling alone and apart when in reality there are friends to be found all around.
She Ran Away From Love,is all about his friend Frilly feeling hopelessly baffled by Big Questions.
‘A brilliant children’s picture book that does well to pick you up from a bad day. Writing about love, dreams, happiness, and finding your own identity is all found within this short happy book.‘ Review on Amazon UK.
Ready comparisons can be made to the giants of literary beardom, such as Paddington and Winnie the Pooh. Joey Madia.
Dreamy Days and Random Naps looks at the joys of naps, sleeps, snacks, hopes and dreams. Perfect as a random gift of kindness for your tired friend who just wants to flop into a nap.
Mawson is a precious teddy who should be a staple read on every little one’s bookshelf. He certainly has a home on ours. I know he certainly inspired my own inner child. Lyndie, Bookaholic reviews.
Where to find these Little Books With Lots of Heart.
You are at Mark’s blog called Baffled Bear Books. Mark is a dark coffee tragic, bibliophile and Guardian of Mawson Bear. Mawson is a Ponderer of Baffling Things and one of this bright world’s few published bears.
Bleary is one of the stars of ‘No Bear Is An Island’ by Mawson the Writer-Bear. Bleary is an expert at the favourite pastime of all bears – napping. He’s either asleep, awaking from a sleep, or sinking into another sleep. Bleary is particularly fond of his blankets and his dressing gown.
In Mawson Bear’s new book,No Bear Is An Island, each bear sits all alone. They don’t talk to each other, they don’t share their thoughts.
It’s as if they are each sitting on their own island, apart from the others. Bleary simply naps on his island. But why balloons, you might wonder. Ah, well, the answer to that is all in the book.
YOUTUBE: You can watch Videos on Youtube all about No Bear Is An Island. Just click here and here.
‘Mawson is a precious teddy who should be a staple read on every little one’s bookshelf. He certainly has a home on ours. I know he certainly inspired my own inner child.’ Lyndie, Bookaholic reviews.
You are at Mark’s blog called Baffled Bear Books. Mark is a dark coffee tragic, bibliophile and Guardian of Mawson Bear. Mawson is a Ponderer of Baffling Things and one of this bright world’s few published bears.
Have you ever felt all alone on the world’s wide floor. And no-one’s said what for. Nor if you can be found? That lost feeling can crumple you anywhere.
It would be grand to be found by, well, Someone. But how does that happen? Does anyone know? Is anyone there?
‘Reading this book is like receiving a great big hug of reassurance and a huge hot chocolate with fluffy marshmallows.’ Lady Bracknell, review on Amazon
It’s A Bright World To Feel Lost In is a book about optimism, searching for new adventures, and making the most of life and love. Review on Goodreads by Debbie Young, author of Sophie Sayer Mysteries.
“Ready comparisons can be made to the giants of literary beardom, such as Paddington and Winnie the Pooh”. Review by Joey Madia.
‘Mawson is a precious teddy who should be a staple read on every little one’s bookshelf. He certainly has a home on ours. I know he certainly inspired my own inner child.’ Lyndie, Bookaholic reviews.
Flop down and relax awhile with Mawson and his drowsy friends. Refresh the soul in the tranquility of simple joys and innocent dreams.
‘Mawson Bear awakes and ponders on the art of creative napping. Scotland The Brave imagines doing great deeds. Professors Caddy and Bree hold the highest hopes for their visionary inventions. Samantha sees wondrous things all round her. The Seekers journey all the way to the edge of the world, being sure to return, of course, by bedtime.
Dreamy Days and Random Naps celebrates taking time out for yourself, slowing down, enjoying the moment, allowing your daydreams to surface, and of course slipping into a nap for a while, or for even longer. It will delight all who enjoy daydreaming and napping. Could this be you?
‘I enjoyed Dreamy Days and Random Naps for its ability to show the young and old that it is good to use your imagination. This was another delightful read from Mawson Bear.’ Jolenes Book Corner.
‘The images in the Mawson Bear books are so charming and endearing you can’t help but smile at them.’ Review by Adele on GoodReads
Dreamy Days and Random Naps is marked down on Amazon UK right now! (Mawson’s other book can be read for free in most regions if you have Kindle Unlimited.
Mawson Bears books for cheering up frazzled grownups. Kids like them too!
You can also see all about Mawson on Amazon Page. (This writer-bear is all over the book world.) And be sure to plonk a paw down on the ‘FOLLOW‘ buttons on this page. And click Here for Mawson on GoodReads.
Each review is wanted, Each review is good, Your review is welcome In a writer’s neighbourhood.
Mawson Bear’s Guardian Mark speaks: As you know, our Mawson is a Writer-Bear. One of his books is called Dreamy Days and Random Naps. It’s about slowing down, indulging in big dreams of a grand world, and resting on cushions. This is the perfect for all the tired daydream-believers who want to give themselves permission to relax for little while Could this be you?
I’m sure many frazzled grownups would enjoy escaping for a peaceful half hour into this cosy world – If only they knew about it. And this is the same for every writer: if only readers knew about their books!
Writers need your help. Yes, YOUR help: When you are quiet sort of writer (or a quiet writer-bear) it is not easy to be heard out there in the wide world. Only YOU, the all-powerful reader, can help. You can post your own review about a book on one of the book-retailer websites.
How to do it: Go to your chosen book retailer. Here are some retailers: Amazon and Good Reads, Barnes and Noble (USA), and Booktopia (Australia). (There are more listed below.) Search for the book title, or author name, or ISBN number. After you find the book, scroll down to the field headed ‘Leave A Review’, or ‘Write Your Own Review’. If you haven’t before used that book retailer you need to register to do so. This does take a couple of minutes of bother, I know, but then comes the fun.
Smiting at the Star Ratings. With all the power of your mighty keyboard, bash at the ratings. If you love the book, keep on smiting. Smite Thrice!!! Smite Fourfold!!!! And, yea even unto Five times!!!!! (Err, smiting only once is right out!)
Our Scotland the Brave charges at the ratings and smites for all he is worth.
Adding Words. Just smiting will do but adding words is even better. Now don’t be alarmed by the word ‘review’. An essay is not required, rather just a few words about what you think of the book and what you liked. For instance, ” I loved the pictures of these happy, sleepy bears and can’t wait for more”. (Umm, that sort of thing would really help a certain writer-bear.)
You can post your review on other sites too: Having tasted your awesome power, why stop there? You can copy and paste your review to any other on-line retailer. Do as many as you like, depending on how mighty doth waxeth your smiting arm that day.
Other ways to help writers that cost nothing: Look at the reviews left by other readers and click the “helpful” or “like’ buttons. Share the links about that book all over the place. You can look at the writer’s other titles too and if you are not able to buy one just now, add to a ‘Wish List.’ On GoodReads add it to “Want to read’ list. These small actions tell the websites’ algorithms that people are taking notice of the book. It all adds up. And up. And UP. And it means lots of people will fall in love with our Dreamy Days and Random Naps (and the other books you review, of course) just like you did. All writers will be grateful for these things which you can do in a jiffy.
Can you help with Mawson’s Dreamy Days and Random Naps?
Please let me know if you would like to do a review for Dreamy Days and Random Naps. I can send you a PDF version. Short remarks are fine. It is, after all, a little book. Or just bash away at those star ratings.
‘Mawson Bear awakes and ponders on the art of creative napping. Scotland The Brave imagines doing great deeds. Professors Caddy and Bree hold the highest hopes for their visionary inventions. Samantha sees wondrous things all round her. The Seekers journey all the way to the edge of the world, being sure to return, of course, by bedtime.
On Amazon UK you can get the soft cover for only ONE THIRD the usual price! Plonk a paw on this link thingy here!
And you can watch a Caravan all about it on Woo Hoo (Whispered conference with friends). Ummm, no it seems that it is a ‘Trailer’ not a caravan and its on You Tube. Here it is:
Flop down and relax awhile with Mawson and his drowsy friends. Refresh the soul in the tranquility of simple joys and innocent dreams.
Dreamy Days and Random Naps celebrates taking time out for yourself, slowing down, enjoying the moment, allowing your daydreams to surface, and of course slipping into a nap for a while, or for even longer. It will delight all who enjoy daydreaming and napping. Could this be you?
‘After you read it, hopefully with family and friends, give yourself the gift of a good nap and mythic dreams. I am sure Mawson will be pleased you did.‘ Review by Joey Madia:
‘I enjoyed Dreamy Days and Random Naps for its ability to show the young and old that it is good to use your imagination. This was another delightful read from Mawson Bear.’ Jolenes Book Corner.
‘The images in the Mawson Bear books are so charming and endearing you can’t help but smile at them.’ Review by Adele on GoodReads
‘Do you love to take naps? Are you a dreamer? Are you a creative soul? Then this book is just for you! ‘ Mrs Book Dragon ‘
Mawson Bears books for cheering up frazzled grownups. Kids like them too!
You can also see all about Mawson on Amazon Page. (This writer-bear is all over the book world.) And be sure to plonk a paw down on the ‘FOLLOW‘ buttons on this page.
