Synopsis:
Solva is a young grey seal who enjoys adventures. She keeps bumping her head and tries to find a solution, but to no avail, until she recovers a canoeist’s lost orange hat.
Unfortunately, whilst wearing the orange hat a fisherman mistake her for his buoy and drives his boat straight for her. She turns this into a game until she realises that looking like a fishing buoy is not a good idea.
All is resolved with a gratifying ending when she finds a way to return the hat to its owner.
From 2+ year for those who loves stories being read to them, then onward transitioning to as they become confident readers.
The book is available in two identical versions:
Large 250 x 203mm (10” x 8”) for a shared reading experience with colourful illustrations balancing the text and drawing both read and listener in.
Small 190 x 152mm (7.5″ x 6″) identical version suitable for going in a school bag or backpack.
Both are Paperback, 32 pages and illustrated through out. Hardback is available by special order.
Readability Flesch Reading Ease (v.Easy), an Automated Readability Index (ARI) of 5-7 yrs.91.3%, and a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (New to reading) (US 2.8)
Giving and age range from 3 – 5 for shared reading experience and 7 – 9 yrs. for solo reading coupled with superb illustrations by Becky Blake the language is lively and uncomplicated. Both the large format book (20cm x 25cm) and the identical, but smaller A5 are ideal for shared reading enjoyment with pre-readers and with early adopters, which leads onto switching roles as they gain in confidence.
Themes:
Whilst the story is centred on Solva, and her adventures. It introduces The Natural World and specifically the Marine World, the environment, our coastal world and our relationship with it.
Problem Solving
- Identification, stating the problem
- Gestation, thinking about it, giving the problem time
- Solutions, ideas for consideration
- Experimentation, trying out ideas
- Opportunity, recognising an opportunity
- Resolution, problem solved (for now)
- Consequences, those things we cannot predict
Learning is all around us
Respect toward others
Optimism, something always happens when Solva chills
Loss and restitution
Enjoyment and Fun
Mental Health, whilst not a theme, there is no doubt that many younger children will be anxious, particularly as Covid19 continues to feature in their lives at school and home. The focus on the natural world in the story has the potential to underpin and support any initiative with these concerns.
John Daniels, has created an accessible and unique story for younger children whilst still appealing to the older child or adult sharing the story. There is a second story almost finished and there will be more to form a series. They are sympathetically and beautifully illustrated by Becky Blake.
John has had a varied career and an ex-teacher. A late comer to writing for children but has written poetry for many years. He also dabbles in ceramics and takes the odd photograph. He lives on the south coast of England. Contact: rjdaniels@solvasorangehat.co.uk
Becky Blake is a recognised Dorset artist and illustrator whose talent has taken John’s story and ideas and translated them perfectly.
“I like to think we make an excellent partnership where the sum of the parts exceeds the promise of each alone.” John Daniels
solvasorangehat.club 