The Sunshine Valley Gazette

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Local book inspires kids to stand strong in face of bullies

Wendy Buss ... “The book has a message of self empowerment”.

Retired creative arts primary teacher Wendy Buss recently fulfilled a long-held ambition to write, illustrate and publish her first children’s book.

Creme and Caramel’s Big Adventure is the first for Wendy’s fledgling publishing company  “Wendy’s Window Books” and is now available in online bookstores globally.

The story tells the tale of two little guinea pigs, Creme and Caramel. While away from their cage on an adventure and living it up at the Laundry Basket Hotel, Creme and Caramel find themselves staring into the jaws of certain death. 

Ty the household moggie has arrived home wet and hungry. He comes upon the unexpected house guests far from the safety of their cage, and starts to get ideas that he might  fancy a little guinea pig entree for dinner

The pair are suddenly called upon to stand strong in the face of grave danger, think fast on their trembly quaking little legs, dig deep to draw on  courage they didn’t even know they had and use all their nouse  to reach out for support  in order to outwit  their foe and live to tell the tale.

This warm, funny, engaging little  David and Goliath  tale  will warm the hearts of  readers and listeners young and old. 

“It  encourages children to realize they can stand strong and say no to bullying,” said Wendy. “The story  and the resource pages at the end helps children understand they can reach out for the support they need in order to stay safe.  The book has a message of self empowerment  and a happy ending  with plentiful rewards  for two plucky little “fat mice” with positive  ‘can-do’ spirits.

“This book has been the achievement of a long held goal and dream of mine. It’s been quite a journey to finally seeing my book of 52 pages with 22 full page colour illustrations in online bookstores. There have been some highs and lows and joys and pitfalls on the journey of self publishing, but the rewards of seeing  your book  finally in print  and  the feeling that your book is going out into the world  to  entertain and inspire kids is so worth it. I set the goal  of self publishing  a book at the beginning of 2020 and the first printed samples actually arrived on New Years Eve, the very last day of the year  which was exciting. Having completed one book now  and  knowing the pitfalls to avoid will make the  publishing process with the next book so much easier.”

• Gazette readers can purchase signed copies at a price considerably below the current online Recommended Retail Price if they purchase through Wendy’s own sales webpage wendyswindow.com/product/creme-and-caramels-big-adventure/ .