I was delighted recently when Alethea asked me for an interview as part of her fabulous series “A Better World of Books”. Here she wants to celebrate authors who inspire “hope, joy, positivity, or a sense of empowerment” through their books! Wow! I am honoured to take part.
Learn about the origins of my children’s book “Oskar’s Quest”, my favourite fictional creation and exactly how does this all fits in with talking to guinea pigs!
Click on the link to read the whole interview! Enjoy!
Annika Perry is an award-winning author, blogger and book reviewer. She has two books in print and is working on a third. I asked Annika to be a guest for “A Better World of Books” after I learned about the release of her children’s book, Oskar’s Quest. Bette Stevens, a reviewer of the book, had this to say about it, “In this beautifully illustrated children’s book, author Annika Perry captures the importance of caring for others, overcoming fears and making new friends.”
Annika, thank you for being a guest for “A Better World of Books.” Can you tell our readers how you came up with the idea for Oskar’s Quest?
Alethea, I am delighted to be here and thank you so much for inviting me on to your blog. I’m loving your insightful questions…
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Annika Perry 
What a great interview, Annika! Love the story behind Oskar’s Quest!
Thank you so much, Julie! 😀 I loved Alethea’s question and her concept behind the interview series.
Congratulations on the interview, Annika! I enjoyed finding out that Oskar’s Quest originally formed as a bedtime story to read to your son. Cheers to more successes for you, talented writer you!!
Christy, warmest thanks for your lovely comment! 😀 It is amazing to see my first children’s book out on release … and I’m too touched by its humble but very important beginnings. The German version is available soon! Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week, my friend! Xx ❤️😀
Great feature, Annika. I’m a fan of owls, so a bird feels very right to me as well, and fairy tales have always been one of my favourite readings, and I’m sure they’ll remain so forever.
Great interview, Annika. It’s nice to learn how one’s books were developed over a period of time. 🙂
Thank you, Kevin … it was a fun interview and also enlightening to myself and I’m glad for others! 😀
Loved the interview Annika. It was interesting to see how the story of Oskar’s Quest developed, and it seems to me that some of the best children’s books started as bed time stories.
I’ve bought the book and love both the story and the illustrations. A wonderful thing to have.
Mike
Mike, thank you so much for your lovey comment about ‘Oskar’s Quest’ and overjoyed that you love the story and illustrations! 😀 I too have realised that so many wonderful children’s books started their time as nighttime stories … and they are now classics! I feel, at that at dusk/evening time our imagination is free and we are creating stories for our loved ones!
What a fantastic interview, Annika!
Thank you so much, Clare! 😀 It was a lot of fun!
🙂
Heading over there now, Annika!
That’s great, Barbara … see you there! 😀
It’s so cool that you were able to bring the story to the printed page after all those years. It must feel very rewarding. Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Debra and it feels amazing to see the book in print! 😀 I still can’t quite believe it. Furthermore, it’s heartwarming to see other children (& adults) enjoying and being inspired by the story!
Beautiful interview Annika, I left you a longer comment over on Alethea’s blog.. Have a beautiful day.. Sunshine here with a heavy frost on the ground.. Love it when it sparkles like that and your breath becomes visible.. Enjoy your day ❤ Much love ❤
Thank you, Sue and I look forward to reading it! Oh, it is a heavenly day and just back from a long walk across the (muddy) fields! The sunshine is such a gift and your morning frost sounds magical! Love & hugs xx ❤️
Just the Day for a beautiful walk Annika. Nature always the best medicine. 🧡💚
What a great interview! I love that Oskar’s Quest started as a bedtime story that was told over and over, changing it and updating it. That’s the way all stories were created before the printing press. I used to love the bedtime stories my dad told. My mother asked him one day where the stories came from, and he said he just sat down beside my bed and started telling the tale, making it up as he went along. They were the best stories ever.
Nicki, thank you for sharing the loving storytelling by your father to you at bedtime … precious moments and what a gift to create these every night. Wonderful memories for you and I totally understand that these were the best stories ever. A blessed nighttime routine!
The printing press changed a lot of things for the better but yet, as you mention, it did halt the verbal storytelling that had been common … a certain loss. It feels amazing to see my story originally told to my son in print and it now has the advantage of being shared widely, allowing many children and adults to enjoy the story of Oskar’s Quest!
I’m happy you shared this, Annika. Alethea has a lovely concept for her blog, so thanks for this introduction. I’ll click over and check it out. Hugs!
Teagan, I agree, Alethea’s thougthful and positive approach to this series is a shining light … allowing us to share a bit about ourselves and our books! hugs xx
Great interview, Annika! I enjoyed learning more about you and your books. I so agree with you on “The world is the most astonishing place, its very existence miraculous. What a damming indictment upon humankind that so much energy is directed towards evil instead of goodness, warmth, and love towards each other.” Well said.
Natalie, thank you so much and it means a lot that my words touched you and it means a lot that you are quoting from my answer. It says it all, I realise now!
That is a wonderful honor, to have that impact on readers. I’m off to read the interview.
Thank you so much, Jacqui … and yes, a huge honour indeed. We all want to reach the hearts of our readers and if we can help empower them through our words that is an incredible achievement I feel!😀
Great interview, Annika. I greatly enjoyed learning more about you!
Donna, that’s lovely and thank you so much for reading and commenting! 😀
Lovely interview, Annika. Great imaginative writing… and wonderful values of life in your sharing! Best wishes for your next book… 😃
Iris, thank you so much … my love of writing grows stronger each year! I very much appreciate your best wishes for my next book – can’t believe I’m on to number three!😀 Wishing you a beautiful day!
Congratulations on a wonderful interview. Thank you for your dedication to continue writing. Hugs!
Rebecca, it’s been a delight to be here and interviewed by Alethea! Bless you for your comment about my writing … my dedication to it just grows stronger each year! 😀Sending sunshine hugs. Spring-like outside which is heavenly! xx
Sweet reveal…and I do believe those guinea pigs were communicating with you, Annika! (sharing their love of life and all of that).
All the best to you in your current noveling!
Ahhh … Laura, I love your comment, thank you so much! My guinea pigs definitely had a joy of life, always planning their next adventure across suburbia! 😀 Their escapes would involve the whole street looking for them! They were wonderful pets! Thank you for your best wishes for my novel; very much appreciated! Have a great day! 😀
I’ll get your book Oskard’s Quest in a week, Annika. I’ll be away for a short break!
That’s fantastic, Miriam! Enjoy the book when you are back – and thank you so much! Wishing you a relaxing and restful break! 😀🌺
Thank you, Annika. 🙂 ❤
I enjoyed reading the interview, Annika, and left a comment there. It was interesting to read about how you developed the character Oskard and the story. Your son must enjoy the book also. ❤
Miriam, thank you so much for your lovely comment on Alethea’s blog and I answered there too! You are right, my son loves the book and even has his signed copy with him at university! It made my heart sing with joy! Xx
I’ll head over to Alethea’s blog soon. I know how you feel, and how proud your son is!! I’ve written stories 15 years ago based on the experiences of my daughter and me or just her. I’m revising one and looking for an illustrator. I think I spotted one.
How exciting, Miriam and good luck with you illustrated book! 😀 It is very speical to bring alive those experiences and share them in a book … look forward to seeing it.
Thank you, Annika. I see that Sally’s husband did the formatting. I may ask if he is free. 🤗
Miriam, I can honestly say that without David’s work this book would not be here today! I was aware beforehand how tricky illustrated books can be, but didn’t realise how much work is involved.David is wonderful to work with, tireless, intuitive and incredibly knowledgeable. I can highly recommend him and it’s a good idea to talk before the illustrations starts, so that the illustrator is informed what file types is needed, bleed, etc … Good Luck and have fun with your latest creation! xx
Thank you, Annika. After I did some research on illustrating the children’s book I realized the techniques go into it. I think I know how to do it but when I formatted my poetry book, I strained the tendon on my right arm connected to the index finger. I thought it was recovered. But it hurts still when I’m on the computer for a long time. I surely need someone to do the formatting.
I got the response from one illustrator this morning asking me to send all the details before giving me a quote.
What book size is Oskard’s Quest? I would like a wider horizontal but Amazon doesn’t have it. I may go with 8.25×8.25 or 8×10.
Nice to see you getting out and about, Annika.
😀😀 Robbie, it is always an honour and joy to be asked for interviews like this … and it’s great how they are so varied in format and questions!
I loved reading this interview, Annika, and learning more about you! 💕
Erica, warmest thanks … 😀❤️
I agree, this is a wonderful interview, Annika! It is always nice to learn more about you.
Ahhh … thank you so mucy, Lavinia! 😀 The questions were wonderfully searching and varied; a joy to be featured as part of Alethea’s series!
A wonderful interview, Annika. 🙂
Diana, thank you so much! 😀 I loved answering these questions and visiting Alethea’s blog!
I agree wholeheartedly with everyone about your excellent interview. It brought you even nearer to us and that is a delight.
I have read ‘Oskar’s Quest’ and love it. The story is exciting and kind at the same time. The deep message it carries will reach the children and I would dare say, is good also for adults.
Can’t say much more without giving away the beautiful twist in the story.
I really wish Oskar a wonderful flight and its authour the happiness of many children reading her book … with their loved ones.
Miriam
Bless you for your wonderful comment, Miriam! ❤️ I’m deeply moved by your ‘mini review’ here and love how you enjoy all the various elements of ‘Oskar’s Quest’, and tempt people with a gentle hint of the ending.
It is heartwarming to see children reading my book, to see from the reviews how much it has come to mean to others, how children and adults alike are enjoying the book! Oh yes, this author here is very happy indeed! Hugs xx 🌺🦋
Hi. “Eternal thanks” to your mother is right. Maybe there’d be no book without her suggestion. Mother knows best!
Neil, in my case that is definitely true! 😀 I am so lucky that my mother and I are such good friends … still guiding me, sharing the joys (and sorrows) of life!
I’m glad you plan to never stop writing.
That’s so kind of you to say, Anne! 😀🌺
Very nice interview, Annika and such amazing and profound pointers. Congratulations on your book. Thanks for the beautiful share
Kamal, thank you so much for your wonderful comment! ❤️ It’s a joy to share the interview and I loved how the questions varied from the book, writing to the profound and deep issues of the world!
Yes absolutely true, Annika. You r too good. Welcome 😊😊😊
I loved the fact that you turned a bedtime story into a book. Great job on the interview, Annika!
Mark, thank you and the interview was a lot of fun and also thought-provoking! When you start to look at children’s books it is amazing how many were originally told to children by writers as a bedtime story … and I still can’t quite believe my book is out there for other children to have as their bedtime story! Wonderful! 😀
Many children will enjoy your stories for generations to come.
How fabulous, Annika. Congratulations!
Thank you so much, Norah! 😀🌺
Enjoyed reading your answers Annika. A lot for all of us to learn from the character of Oskar.
Congratulations on the book. Wishing you lots of luck for the third one too 💕
Radhika, I am overjoyed to bring Oskar to a wider audience and it is fantastic that many more are learning from this character, just as I hoped it would bring strength and courage to my son! Ahh … thank you so much for your lovely wishes for “Oskar’s Quest” and my next one. That means a lot! 😀❤️
Loved your interview Annika. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I always enjoy reading your thoughtful insights.💙
Miriam, bless you for your wonderful comment! ❤️ I always enjoy answering interview questions and if they give further insight into me and my thoughts of the world, that is great! Hope all is well with you! xx
Wonderful interview, Annika! It’s always so nice to learn more about you. ❤
Aww .. thank you so much, Jill!😀❤️ I love how interviews always reveal something new about a person! Hope you have a lovely day, my friend! xx