Safe travels ‘What on Earth Institute of Wonder’ I hope there’s a tonne of eyes to greet you. A tonne of tiny hands to hold you. And a tonne of hearts to love you.
It gives me such a great thrill to imagine kids in China reading my books. They absolutely loved Dr Boogaloo and Vincent will arrive there soon.
In the wise words of brilliant children’s writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce (as written on my office ( shed) wall….)
Alexander, your thank you is better than any other thank you! Just finished 5 weeks of writer’s residencies at Blackett & Braddock Public Schools. Their imaginations were rocket-fuelled and it is always a privilege to ride with them for a while “beyond the point of space”. Thanks again Westwords for the opportunity to let our minds collide. It was genuinely thrilling. p.s Lauren your pickle panda – a panda who lives in a pickle jar – was genius!
A lovely German review by Catherine Mahrenholtz about Vincent! Apologies for the dodgy google translation…..
“This novel is often reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s children’s books in its whimsical nature, but Lisa Nicol treats her characters in a much more warm-hearted way – everyone wants to book a short break at “The Grand” immediately. “Vincent and the Greatest Hotel in the World” is a philosophical-poetic fairy tale about family and friendship for children aged 10 and over.”
How exciting to stumble across such news. Apparently in November last year, Dr Boogaloo and The Girl Who Lost Her Laughter was a winner in the 2021 Shenzhen Reading Month ‘Top Ten Children’s Books of the Year’. Shenzhen Reading month is a large literary festival. Shenzhen is also home to the largest bookshop in the world. I am SO thrilled Dr Boogaloo has been awarded such an honour. It’s lovely to imagine kids in China enjoying a bit of Boogaloo. There’s also more exciting news to come about Dr Boogaloo but I’m not allowed to tell yet, so stay tuned…..
You can read all about the top ten books here….
I could not love this book any more! @lisanicolauthor has once again blown our minds with a story so fabulously bonkers and so beautifully written that I had to just lie in a dark room for a good while and appreciate what I had just read….. definitely in the running for one of my favourite books of the year!
Rachel Robson, Children’s literacy specialist, Gleebooks, 31 August 2021
…a superbly crafted blend of wonder, action and remarkable characters.
Joy Lawn, Magpie Magazine, May 2022
What a beautiful story Lisa Nicol has written for us to enjoy. It is heart-warming and so full of love, but also loss. By the time you finish The What on Earth Institute of Wonder, you may just want to go out and save the world single-handedly…. This is definitely a book you will want to read more than once.
Sue Mauger, Glamadelaide, September 24, 2021
The What on Earth Institute of Wonder is indeed itself wonderful, a finely honed, multi-faceted little gem…
Kevin Steinberger, Magpie Magazine, Nov 21
From the moment I began to read this middle grade, speculative fiction novel, I knew it was a goodie…. It will make readers smile, yearn, feel sad and most of all wonder ….. A quirky, heartfelt, unique story of friendship, family and conviction that is sure to be eaten up by kids aged 9-13.
Renee Mihulka, CBCA’s Reading time, Nov 21
This is a hilarious, magical, quirky and just-a-little-bit serious tale about friends, family and the wonders of nature.
Kid’s Reading Guide 2021 -22, Handpicked and reviewed by Australia’s leading booksellers
Charming and surprising and mysterious and whacky. It hooked me from the beginning….One of those books you just put down and sigh with satisfaction.
Pamela Ueckerman, Middlegrade Mavens Podcast, Episode 98
…her writing wraps around me like a warm doona and I slip immediately back into my childhood. …I have to say, Lisa Nicol does not get nearly as many song dedications and street parades as she deserves.
Nat Amoore, Author and Critic, One More Page Podcast, Episode 62
This is a delightful story with elements of fantasy, environmental activism, family dilemmas and friendship all woven together with whimsy to create a charming story for young readers. … uplifting and warm, and quirkily appealing with a touch of the impossible.
Carolyn Hull, Readplus Oct 28, 2021
With adventure, family life, humour and drama a-plenty, I heartily recommend this for your readers from around Year 4 upwards.
Kid’s Book Review, 21 October 2021
Lisa Nicol’s whimsical way with words is becoming the stuff of legend. Her narratives are an intoxicating mix of wonderment, cheek and incredible heart; a strange combination but one that makes her middle grade novels fulfilling and memorable. The What on Earth Institute of Wonder perpetuates this premise while managing to incorporate an African forest elephant and a New Zealand Kakapo into the same sentence, never mind the same Kombi van!
Dimity Powell, Dim’s Write Stuff
Have you ever wanted to own a stuffed kakapo? If the answer is yes you better keep your eyes peeled round the streets of Sydney this November because I’m running a competition.
All you gotta do is spot the Kombi, take a pic, post it to instagram with the hashtag #thewhatonearthinstituteofwonder and tag me as well! @liasnicolauthor.
Basically, launching a book during a lockdown was impossible so I thought I’d do something a little different to send The What On Earth Institute of Wonder out into the world.
Stay tuned for more details in the next few days about exactly where and when you can spot the Kombi!
All the lovely reviews What on Earth has been getting will be posted soon too!
