Writing Counting on You

Following the popularity of You Have My Heart for Mother’s Day 2016 Karen Tayleur, then Editorial Manager at The Five Mile Press, asked me to write a companion book celebrating fathers and Father’s Day, with Robin Cowcher illustrating.

We all worked to a tight deadline on this. I began by following the structure of You Have My Heart and perhaps more than any other book I’ve written so far, Counting On You was written in my head as I carried the story with me on my daily walks. As I walked and thought about the story, I changed and replaced words as they came to me. Was it easier writing this one? Yes and no. Yes, I knew what I was doing and what I needed to write but I was also under pressure to make it stand proud beside You Have My Heart.

On Friday, 2nd September, 2016,  we celebrated the arrival of Counting on You for Storytime at The Little Bookroom who described the book as a celebration of the strength that love can provide through the highs and lows of everyday life – just in time for Father’s Day.

Some reviews for Counting on You

“Simply gorgeous to look at and read, Counting On You … the perfect partner to You Have My Heart, Counting On You … is based on Parrot’s classification of the six emotions; joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and love…

The simplicity of the text and the stunning sketch-like illustrations prove that sometimes less is more. Robin Cowcher’s signature style of limited colour and simple lines are, once again, an ideal complement to Corinne Fenton’s beautifully strung together words.

Uplifting and encouraging, Counting On You is perfectly designed to be read aloud, over and over again.

— Susan Whelan, Kids’ Book Review

 

‘Counting on You jumped out at me because I loved the whimsical cover as well as the sentiment. It’s being marketed as a potential Father’s Day present but is really suitable for any child with loving family and friends…’

— debbish dot com

 

‘Simple  poetic text with watercolour and pen and ink illustrations that superbly enhance the text…A book for discussion and reflection.’

—  bobsbooks

Note that this book is now also part of the Hardie Grant Egmont list.