Gingerbread and Aliens a Brilliant Combination.

This week I was given the wonderful opportunity to be the caretaker of a gorgeous little gift shop here in Cullen Bay, Darwin for a couple of days. This lead me to meeting some amazing people not only from our own beautiful huge backyard called Australia but tourists from all over our magnificent world.
I met a couple that had embarked on a cruise from Melbourne, but the cruise ship had broken down in Perth. Unperturbed they flew on up to Broome then finally to Darwin. A family that had flown to Alice Springs then driven around the Northern Territory visiting all the National Parks, including Katherine Gorge, Kakadu, and Litchfield and were finally in Darwin for a well earned rest.
Then there was the fabulous Irish couple that brought much laughter when they came into the shop. We were instant friends when they learnt my maiden name was “Branigan.” The fellow had a friend back home he was trying to buy a special gift for, the request seemed rather unusual. “Did I have by chance or know where he could purchase a small wooden model casket?” His friend, he offered by way of an explanation, was an undertaker and had seen one when he was over here on holidays. I wasn’t able to help my Irish friends, I was however able to help an American lady that was now residing here in Darwin.
She took one look at my book and exclaimed, “Gingerbread and Aliens! How brilliant! What a perfect combination to interest boys in reading.” She continued to inform me that I had hit the mark precisely for young boys choosing two subjects that they adore reading about. I couldn’t go wrong! Since living in Darwin she had resisted making gingerbread at Christmas because it was too difficult to roll out in our humidity but she had already agreed with her six year old that this year she would turn on the air conditioning and make some. She agreed both her boys would be so excited about the prospect of turning their gingerbread men into Gingerbread Aliens. I told her that if they did make some gingerbread aliens and took a photo or two I would be happy to add them to my website. This would also encourage her boys to read the story. She bought a copy of my book and asked me to sign it for her boys as it would be perfect not only for her six year old son but also for her eleven year old reluctant reader.
Before this I had found myself wandering around Mindil Markets, last Sunday evening, where I spotted a sign that reminded everyone that it was only 14 more Sundays til Christmas. How timely to notice that sign? This wonderful mum had also just reminded me it was time to begin to make plans for this Christmas. If you and your family are also into baking gingerbread men at Christmas, why not consider Gingerbread Aliens instead? Buy and read the book with the kids, have a great laugh, then have some fun in the kitchen as well. The recipe is available on both my sites, the links are below.
http://sandrabennettauthor.com/2013/06/05/16-simple-steps-to-cook-a-gingerbread-alien/
http://www.gingerbread-aliens.com/recipes.html
If you happen to be in Darwin, come on down to the gift shop, Shine Gifts, Cullen Bay & the Waterfront, Darwin, or for those further south or overseas you can purchase a copy here on my website, I’m happy to post anywhere in the world, there is still plenty of time before Christmas. Just click on the link below, my home page or the Gingerbread Aliens page.
If you prefer ebooks it is also available on Amazon where you will now see the special reduced price.
http://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Bennet/e/B00CB58LEO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
If you and your family enjoy reading Gingerbread Aliens and baking a few over Christmas, please take the time to not only send me a few photos to share, but to write a review on Amazon, GoodReads etc. It is a great educational experience for your children to see that their writing, along with yours, are valued.

From Reading Challenge to Reading Success.

I caught my son reading the other day. He and his wife were sitting together quietly reading their own novels and he appeared to be totally engrossed in the story too!
What’s so unusual about that? You may well ask.
He has almost reached his mid twenties and has resisted reading books all throughout his school life.
My eldest son, on the other hand, has always had his nose in a book, (just like me), from as young as I can remember. So when I produced a son who vehemently refused to read, it was time to delve into all the strategies I was taught to use as an early Primary classroom teacher and more.
At first I couldn’t understand why he struggled so much to read or why he insisted he didn’t like doing it?
Books are everywhere in our house, everyone reads!
It was expected that all our boys would love books, so when he didn’t, I felt like I had failed him.
We read together as a family every night and had plenty of books to choose from, so I couldn’t understand the problem.
What I hadn’t realised was that I was not giving him two things.
1. The chance to choose the book for the family to read.
2. Special one on one time reading together, just us!
Both of these things had to change.
I had to find books that he would like to read, not me, his father or his brothers.
If I couldn’t find suitable books of his choice, then it was up to me to write the sort of stories he would like to read, for him.
Stories to entice boys, funny, quirky humour with a little bit of realism as well as a whole lot of imagination. Stories with great page turning hooks and climaxes that stop a boy from putting a book down to find something better to do.
As he grew I also realised many other boys in my classes could benefit from my ideas and stories, so I began to share them and write specifically for them. I wrote Gingerbread Aliens initially many years ago as a funny story to encourage my son to read. It has developed over the years, the plot has thickened and the story is now long enough to make into a five part series of short chapter books. Now many struggling and reluctant readers, (boys and girls) can share in the fun and enjoy the story as much as my son did when he was growing up.
It’s so wonderful to see my efforts have all worked out in the end. My heart is overwhelmed with joy when I see my son reading for pleasure and I know I have done something right after all.
Gingerbread Aliens is available for purchase right here on my website. Click on the link in the sidebar.

The first in the Bradberrie Brothers Alien Adventure. Short chapter book for 5-10 yr olds, early and reluctant readers.

Sandra Bennett – Out of this World FUN!

My newest and candid interview is now posted by Jessica Schaub. Read on to learn where I get my ideas from. Find out what are some of my greatest moments in my writing career and learn my suggestions to aid struggling readers.

Originally posted on Jessica Schaub Books:

Ready for something fun? Sandra Bennett is it. Her book, Gingerbread Aliens, is wonderfully crafted to draw even the most reluctant reader into the literary world. I am thrilled to introduce to you, a great lady fro Down Under, Sandra Bennett!

Your book, Gingerbread Aliens, had my son in a fit of giggles! He loved it. You clearly have a talent for sparking joy and laughter in the young at heart. Where does this wisdom come?
I have always felt laughter is the key to encourage children to develop a love of reading, so that makes me delighted when I hear that my book has tickled someone else’s sense of humour. Our own house has always been full of laughter and entertainment with my boys and all their friends. I notch up a lot of my ideas from the wonderful experiences they have all brought to my life. I believe…

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