Wish On A Purple Cow

Dear Wendy, I was amazed at the presentation of your book. The The story is so fresh and full of imagination. It was an instant hit with my children. So many super sounding words for children to learn from. I found your approach, [ I think someone tried to suggest ], it was alliterated, but understanding the premise that you are trying to put across, [ I still read like a child, forsaking punctuation to find the perfect flow of a book ], and yours was so musical to my boys ears, they sat there motionless and mesmerized, [ Truly ]. It took me a while to explain why I couldn't buy them your book yet, [ Or can they ], if so I'll pay handsomely for a signed copy. I can't compliment you more than that. This is a definite winner that I would recommend to anyone on this site, [ Especially with little children ], give them a chance to enjoy a fresh and fun concept, by becoming familiar with Sally and her new best friend, the Purple Cow. I can see a second and a third instalment? Good luck and best wishes with your book, and look out for my backing. It'll be a pleasure. Take care and best wishes. Carl, [ Cicuta, Arcane ].

This is a wonderful children's story! You've got such a creative imagination and I think that's important in a book like this. But it's more than just the imagination, you've given children something to learn from that is fun and you do it in a fun way. One of the best children's books I've seen on this site in a long time, which is a tough crowd. Great job on this, I'm so glad I was able to read it. Good luck!

Missy

Okay, Wendy. I got up early and ran across your "book" again. Since I'd been away for a few days and really wasn't into anything I opened your book, as you suggested I do. What did I say to you? Old Bob doesn't read children's books? Well, Old Bob has grand children and all of a sudden everything makes sense. Here's something for bedtime when I'm searching for something to calm them down. I can see (really) how much value a story like this has.

Now for the hard part - I'm sorry (I don't say that too often). there really is a place in literature for children's stories and you, my dear, have a good one. I'm so glad I was able to start my day with a good feeling. While I don't think I can squeeze this onto my book shelf, I can, and will, put it on my WL and give it five stars.

Good luck with your story book.

Old Bob
A PLACE IN LIFE

Wendy,
This is a reread.

Your story worked for me as I faced the monsters at my office. I'm self-employed and the only one here, but I respresent a Corporate-America-type Monster. After reading this well-done story today, I feel ready to take on the day's pressures. I'm sure children will love this book. Already highly starred.
Brava,
John B Campbell

Hi Wendy

A delightful story which I thoroughly enjoyed and can see why it is such a big hit.
The cover, names and images are wonderful and I can see this doing very, very well indeed.
My book covers the same topic but in a different way, I would appreciate your thoughts fellow dream writer.
Backed with absolute pleasure.
Sarah. T-cup and the Dream Team Fairies

This is a sweet story that should be well received by little ones at bed time. I like the reassuring nature of the tale, and your creativity in general. Nice story telling!
Best of luck with this!
And if so inclined, do drop by and take a look at the Lost Wink.
Thanks!
Tod
http://authonomy.com/books/40646/the-lost-wink/

Wish on a Purple Cow.
by Wendy Holmes O'Neil.

Hi Wendy,first of all I love your book cover. It will be such an attraction for young children sitting on a shop bookshelf. Their sure to look at it.
Very nicely written.
You certainly have a talent for childrens writing, the voice comes over very well for the age group it's set for.
You could write a book of short stories like this one, I'm sure it would do well.
I have said before that I don't think there is enough on the market at the moment.
Pleased to star rate it high. Well done!!

Kind regards,

Neville The Secrets of the forest - The Time Zone.

Such an adorable story with so many fun characters! I also took a look at some of the illustrations, although I wish they were bigger so I could get the full plate. I love the imagination exhibited here and the focus on dreams; stories about dreams have always been exciting for me, from "The BFG" to "Inception." Wonderful job!

Sara

Hi Wendy,
Lovely picture book story. So simple and works very well. Definitely would be a favourite bedtime story book for a small child. I am giving it 6 stars. Maybe you could have a look at mine sometime. It is a picture book story too.- The very best of luck - Carole

Wendy,
This is a reread.

Your story worked for me as I faced the monsters at my office. I'm self-employed and the only one here, but I respresent a Corporate-America-type Monster. After reading this well-done story today, I feel ready to take on the day's pressures. I'm sure children will love this book. Already highly starred.
Brava,
John B Campbell

More stories to come! Thanks!

This is adorable and I love the pictures. Now I need you to write one for little boys who have nightmares and want to sleep in their mommy's beds! My son would love the purple cow - but maybe not the princess dream. Cute story.

Jenny

This is adorable and I love the pictures. Now I need you to write one for little boys who have nightmares and want to sleep in their mommy's beds! My son would love the purple cow - but maybe not the princess dream. Cute story.

Jenny

Wendy, I thoroughly enjoyed your charming story. Your have taken iconic figures and concepts and woven them into something new that today's children will love and relate to.
My one suggestion would be to have more nights of unpleasant dreams before her brother tells her about the Purple Cow. Children love 'icky' monsters, the 'ickier' the bettter, and it would get them in the mood for your resolution.
Best of luck with this. I have given it high stars and will back it when I have room on my shelf.
Valerie

Hi Wendy,

I read this book a while back at the website, and just read it again. I think your characters are adorable and well developed. The story progresses well, and the illustrations are outstanding. One thing I noticed was this, your book would be an exceptional book to be used by speech therapists working with children who have a lisp with the 's' sounds. I don't know if you've ever noticed it before, but I did immediately because I had such a lisp as a child and went for therapy in 4th grade. Children who suffer from 'tongue thrust' would benefit greatly from reading your book aloud. My problem was further corrected with braces, but kids have to start somewhere.

You are very talented. Keep up the good work. I gave you six stars.

Thank you for the feedback.
To note on your comment on the word count...The story is only 1000, I had to upload it 10 times to reach the 10,000 mandatory word count. So, each chapter is the same story :) a little trick done so the smaller books can get on shelves.
I love your honest feedback, thank you for taking the time :)

Hi Wendy,

I just popped over to leave my thoughts on your work, and was pleasantly surprised to see a picture book MS. I've written a few of them myself, so I'll read this with interest. :)

I tend to try and offer helpful suggestions where possibe, so please don't be offended by any criticism. It won't be malicious. + you can ignore me completely if you think I don't know what I'm talking about. :)

1 I worry a bit your wordcount's too high. Most picture books seem to fall between 500 and 1000 words. I'm guessing your book's about 1200 words from the number of times you had to repeat it to get a total upload of 11000 words. From what I've heard, it gets increasingly hard to interest an agent/publisher with a picture book near 1000 words, never mind over. Is there any way you could trim a few words here and there? (If I counted up wrongly, ignore this comment.)

2 I think you should cut all unnecessary detail. Remember we have pictures to do a lot of the work for us here + we want the wordcount as low as possible. A long-suffering parent may have to read this story over and over. A too long story will keep a child awake or risk the child falling asleep before they reach the end.

3 I don't think we need to be told Sally's age. It risks alienating readers of different ages. I think it would be better to leave the age unsaid and let the reading kid infer from the picture she's a similar age.

4 There's a lot of "S-word" alliteration. I'm guessing you did that on purpose, but I see it as a problem because this is a story to read out loud to children. I can imagine all the alliteration becoming a bit tongue mangling.

5 I think Sally sometimes doesn't sound her age. "Be sure to look under the bed because..." doesn't sound at all like a girl aged 6 to me. Could you simplify her dialogue to make her sound younger and more real?

6 The dialogue in general feels a but stilted and formal to me. I'd suggest using more contractions to make it sound natural.

OK nitpicking over. I did enjoy your story. I think there are things here that will resonate with your taget audience. The scary monsters, especially. And I think children will enjoy the idea of dream ordering and the general magical feel of the story.

My main advice would be cut every word you don't need and simplify wherever possible. There's simply no room for spare words in a picture book.

I do hope you manage to interest an agent or publisher, and wish you the best of luck. :)

Pete x

Hi Wendy,

I just popped over to leave my thoughts on your work, and was pleasantly surprised to see a picture book MS. I've written a few of them myself, so I'll read this with interest. :)

I tend to try and offer helpful suggestions where possibe, so please don't be offended by any criticism. It won't be malicious. + you can ignore me completely if you think I don't know what I'm talking about. :)

1 I worry a bit your wordcount's too high. Most picture books seem to fall between 500 and 1000 words. I'm guessing your book's about 1200 words from the number of times you had to repeat it to get a total upload of 11000 words. From what I've heard, it gets increasingly hard to interest an agent/publisher with a picture book near 1000 words, never mind over. Is there any way you could trim a few words here and there? (If I counted up wrongly, ignore this comment.)

2 I think you should cut all unnecessary detail. Remember we have pictures to do a lot of the work for us here + we want the wordcount as low as possible. A long-suffering parent may have to read this story over and over. A too long story will keep a child awake or risk the child falling asleep before they reach the end.

3 I don't think we need to be told Sally's age. It risks alienating readers of different ages. I think it would be better to leave the age unsaid and let the reading kid infer from the picture she's a similar age.

4 There's a lot of "S-word" alliteration. I'm guessing you did that on purpose, but I see it as a problem because this is a story to read out loud to children. I can imagine all the alliteration becoming a bit tongue mangling.

5 I think Sally sometimes doesn't sound her age. "Be sure to look under the bed because..." doesn't sound at all like a girl aged 6 to me. Could you simplify her dialogue to make her sound younger and more real?

6 The dialogue in general feels a but stilted and formal to me. I'd suggest using more contractions to make it sound natural.

OK nitpicking over. I did enjoy your story. I think there are things here that will resonate with your taget audience. The scary monsters, especially. And I think children will enjoy the idea of dream ordering and the general magical feel of the story.

My main advice would be cut every word you don't need and simplify wherever possible. There's simply no room for spare words in a picture book.

I do hope you manage to interest an agent or publisher, and wish you the best of luck. :)

Pete x

Wendy -

Wish on a Purple Cow - Adventures in Dreamland - Peter is the older brother I would have liked to have. Wonderfully creative, highlighting the positive power of the imagination. A dellightful story. Saw you thread on the the forum and popped over here for a read. Rated high and with pleasure :) Pia
I also looked at Turonny's illustrations on your website. They chime with the story.

Wendy,

I'm not sure what happened here - I definitely remember reading Wish on a Purple Cow, looking at your website for the illustrations and commenting, but I can't find my comment anywhere. Sorry about that - it must have disappeared into the authonomy ether!

This is a lovely story which has a quirky, positive, affirming plot - just right for 2-5s being read to. There are a few minor errors - missing spaces and a peaking instead of peeking, but all easy to edit. My two slightly bigger queries are... the alliteration is absolutely brilliant at the beginning, and it's something this age group loves, but it fades a bit - can you work it up again at the end? And - does Purple Cow have to be 'he'? There's no such thing as a male cow - the word is bull, and there's no point teaching a child something that they'll have to un-learn later. It wouldn't change the character if it was a she - and it might avoid putting an editor off!

Good luck with it! Starred.

Rachel
Guardian of the Pegasus

Hello Wendy,

This is perfect for your intended audience and the kids will love it! I love the title and the imagination which has gone into the story! Deservedly starred!

Claire-Curious Cooper and the Screaming Skulls

This is a delightful book. What a great imagination you have. 5 stars and a spot on my shelf. Eunice - Themoas Fairchild.

I forgot to say, I wish you could write one for us adults as well, as i struggle with my sleep and dreams. You are defiantly a good writer. ;-)

Dear Wendy
I read your little bed time story. I found it very easy to read and i know that my granddaughter when she get a little bit older (she is only 18 months old now) would love me reading this story to her. The way you have written rely let your imagination see all the surroundings, especially for the little ones where you can wave your hands and play while reading the story.
I loved it very much.
Blessings from Laila

Hi. I read, commented and backed yours last week. Could you please take a look at mine?
Comments will be appreciated.
Dan

Wish on a Purple Cow - A charming story told with gentle pace and tone of voice. A pity there is not more posted on the site for younger readers, or their parents, to enjoy.

Nanty - Chrys!

Okay, Wendy. I got up early and ran across your "book" again. Since I'd been away for a few days and really wasn't into anything I opened your book, as you suggested I do. What did I say to you? Old Bob doesn't read children's books? Well, Old Bob has grand children and all of a sudden everything makes sense. Here's something for bedtime when I'm searching for something to calm them down. I can see (really) how much value a story like this has.

Now for the hard part - I'm sorry (I don't say that too often). there really is a place in literature for children's stories and you, my dear, have a good one. I'm so glad I was able to start my day with a good feeling. While I don't think I can squeeze this onto my book shelf, I can, and will, put it on my WL and give it five stars.

Good luck with your story book.

Old Bob
A PLACE IN LIFE

Hi Wendy- This was adorable. I love the alliteration. Especially since my name is Samantha! Off to check your web site/fan page. Samantha [King of the Mutants]

p.s. starred and watchlisted!

This was an absolute delight. I'm now off to check out the website. My grand kids would LOVE this.

Thank you so much!

This was an absolute delight. I'm now off to check out the website. My grand kids would LOVE this.

That's ok. I LOVE the illustrations. I didn't notice whether you already work professionally doing this?

The story: first a couple of tiny points I want to raise: you have a typo - you have put STEEL instead of STEAL (my socks) second, would it be snarl-toothed (with a hyphen) and last - 16 shirts seems an awful lot to me! but that's nothing to do with the book.

Ok. The story I loved. A theme that has, of course, been explored before, but this is a new and very inventive way and is a subject that will always be fresh with children (I had monster problems, too.) I like the rythmn and the alliteration and the 'chorus' points that children will join in with. I can imagine all the children twirling their fingers at night to order up a dream.

As others have said, I can see this doing really well. I'll sit it on my shelf in a bit (rather a backlog) but will happily star it for now.
Cariad
STONES.

Thanks! Always good to have other eyes pick out those typos. It gets hard when you look at same manuscript over and over...and, um...16 shirts is perfect amount for a little girl :) Sally likes options!
I really appreciate you reading my story.

That's ok. I LOVE the illustrations. I didn't notice whether you already work professionally doing this?

The story: first a couple of tiny points I want to raise: you have a typo - you have put STEEL instead of STEAL (my socks) second, would it be snarl-toothed (with a hyphen) and last - 16 shirts seems an awful lot to me! but that's nothing to do with the book.

Ok. The story I loved. A theme that has, of course, been explored before, but this is a new and very inventive way and is a subject that will always be fresh with children (I had monster problems, too.) I like the rythmn and the alliteration and the 'chorus' points that children will join in with. I can imagine all the children twirling their fingers at night to order up a dream.

As others have said, I can see this doing really well. I'll sit it on my shelf in a bit (rather a backlog) but will happily star it for now.
Cariad
STONES.

Loved it! :D

Thank you so much!

Loved it! :D

Wish on a Purple Cow was recommended by CC Brown author of Dark Side. I have read, BACKED, a star-rated your work. It's a wonderful story! It could be used in the classroom to teach alliteration. Hope you have a look at Dark Side and find a place for it on your shelf. Thanks!
Sue50

i loved this ! good luck, and i hope you get published.
it reminds me a little bit of my book " mira and the red monkey"...purple cows and red monkeys; the joys of childhood !
mala

Wendy,
This is a refreshing find on the site. I'm fairly new and haven't been looking for children's books as I priority, but I do believe your rating has advanced. Congrats and best wishes. This is generously starred and on my WL.
Regards,
John B Campbell/Nigel Fields
Walk to Paradise Garden

Hi Wendy

A delightful story which I thoroughly enjoyed and can see why it is such a big hit.
The cover, names and images are wonderful and I can see this doing very, very well indeed.
My book covers the same topic but in a different way, I would appreciate your thoughts fellow dream writer.
Backed with absolute pleasure.
Sarah. T-cup and the Dream Team Fairies

Your selection is good, because you have selected imagined characters for your treat. This is a rare attempt in literature. I feel you are moving to create another Harry Potter series.

Joy J. Kaimaparamban
The Wildfire

How totally amazing & wonderful, you are, Wendy!! :) Thank you so very much for again backing my memoirs/testimony book? :) May God richly bless you. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. Again, I will ask you if you could please keep my book on your bookshelf as long as possible. :) I have up-dated my profile page for you to see my latest illnesses - right now I have pneumonia & bronchitis, so am so thankful for your helping me onto the editor's desk. :)

This is a wonderful children's story! You've got such a creative imagination and I think that's important in a book like this. But it's more than just the imagination, you've given children something to learn from that is fun and you do it in a fun way. One of the best children's books I've seen on this site in a long time, which is a tough crowd. Great job on this, I'm so glad I was able to read it. Good luck!

Missy

Wendy,
a delightful tale! Like the idea of 'dream hotline'. Think it appeals to all ages. Young children aren't the only ones who need a peaceful nights sleep!
Intrigued to find out what all the other animals do, could there be sequels?
:)
Wishing you lots of success
Diane

You are totally fantastic, Wendy!! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my memoirs/testimony book? :) God bless you. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. I just looked to see if I had ******-ed your book & it is ******-rated (6 gold ******'s) :) - could you please ****** mine, too. :) Every ****** -ing & backing moves our books closer to the editor's desk :) I want to ask you if you could please keep my book on your bookshelf as long as possible because I'm 7 from the editor's desk & trying to be in the top 5 to be chosen, the end of December :) - I had a mini-stroke Nov. 10 with slurred speech for an hour & numbness of tongue still & over 20 smaller ones where I couldn't speak since & I"d sure like to cross the finish line of the editor's desk after 9 months trying on authonomy. :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me :) - I have lost 3 sisters to strokes & my last sister, Mary had 2 heart attacks earlier this year.

Sweet style to the story.
Some nitpicks:
The cow comes just as Sally begins to sleep….might be better if it happened right after she finished saying the wish. Or, as she’s about to sleep, the cow says, “Wait! Your order isn’t done yet…”
Also, I was taught that it is: sentence,” Person said. Not: sentence.” Person said.
For example: “Peter’s dream right now.” Purple Cow said. becomes “right now,” Purple Cow said. And “order all set for you to enjoy.” Priscilla said. becomes to enjoy,” Priscilla said.
Also, I thought the monsters were real. Bummer for me.

Thanks! Made the changes...always good to have another set of eyes.

Sweet style to the story.
Some nitpicks:
The cow comes just as Sally begins to sleep….might be better if it happened right after she finished saying the wish. Or, as she’s about to sleep, the cow says, “Wait! Your order isn’t done yet…”
Also, I was taught that it is: sentence,” Person said. Not: sentence.” Person said.
For example: “Peter’s dream right now.” Purple Cow said. becomes “right now,” Purple Cow said. And “order all set for you to enjoy.” Priscilla said. becomes to enjoy,” Priscilla said.
Also, I thought the monsters were real. Bummer for me.

Dear Wendy, I love your purple cow idea :) - for Sally's nightmares - it is delightful :) - what a great older brother, she has. :) Your extremely crisp dialogue & paragraphs, not to mention your wonderful story moved me right through chapter 9. :) I was happy that Sally "slept the whole night for once." Too bad authonomy doesn't allow pictures - I'm sure they are great. :) I have read, commented on, & put your book on my watchlist to read & to also at least 24 hour back when space opens on my bookshelf. :) I have also gold ******-rated your book :) - could you please ****** & back my memoirs/testimony book, in return? :) Thank you from the bottom of my heart. :) Love, Susie :) p.s. every ****** & at least 24 hour backing moves our books closer to the editor's desk - click on author's name, scroll down & click on their book cover or title :) - & you are on your way :)
None of this message is copy/pasted & is written my best from my heart. :)

Dear Wendy, I was amazed at the presentation of your book. The The story is so fresh and full of imagination. It was an instant hit with my children. So many super sounding words for children to learn from. I found your approach, [ I think someone tried to suggest ], it was alliterated, but understanding the premise that you are trying to put across, [ I still read like a child, forsaking punctuation to find the perfect flow of a book ], and yours was so musical to my boys ears, they sat there motionless and mesmerized, [ Truly ]. It took me a while to explain why I couldn't buy them your book yet, [ Or can they ], if so I'll pay handsomely for a signed copy. I can't compliment you more than that. This is a definite winner that I would recommend to anyone on this site, [ Especially with little children ], give them a chance to enjoy a fresh and fun concept, by becoming familiar with Sally and her new best friend, the Purple Cow. I can see a second and a third instalment? Good luck and best wishes with your book, and look out for my backing. It'll be a pleasure. Take care and best wishes. Carl, [ Cicuta, Arcane ].

Um, wow. Thank you for the amazing comments. Sadly it is not available for sale yet. However feel free to print the pdf off the website www.wishonapurplecow.com so they can see some of the illustrations.
I am so happy your boys liked it. You have made my day. Thank you so much!

Dear Wendy, I was amazed at the presentation of your book. The The story is so fresh and full of imagination. It was an instant hit with my children. So many super sounding words for children to learn from. I found your approach, [ I think someone tried to suggest ], it was alliterated, but understanding the premise that you are trying to put across, [ I still read like a child, forsaking punctuation to find the perfect flow of a book ], and yours was so musical to my boys ears, they sat there motionless and mesmerized, [ Truly ]. It took me a while to explain why I couldn't buy them your book yet, [ Or can they ], if so I'll pay handsomely for a signed copy. I can't compliment you more than that. This is a definite winner that I would recommend to anyone on this site, [ Especially with little children ], give them a chance to enjoy a fresh and fun concept, by becoming familiar with Sally and her new best friend, the Purple Cow. I can see a second and a third instalment? Good luck and best wishes with your book, and look out for my backing. It'll be a pleasure. Take care and best wishes. Carl, [ Cicuta, Arcane ].

Wendy, I just went on your website to view this with pictures. It looks amazing! The pictures add so much, obviously plain text doesn't quite capture it, maybe put the web address at the bottom of your pitch so people are aware they can see an example of the pictures. I love the.... ahh what's the word.... when you have lots of words with the same letter... my mind's gone blank!!! But yeah, that thing!

Thank you for the input! Alliteration I believe is the word :)
I added a link to the website, great suggestion! Thank you so much!
Wendy

Wendy, I just went on your website to view this with pictures. It looks amazing! The pictures add so much, obviously plain text doesn't quite capture it, maybe put the web address at the bottom of your pitch so people are aware they can see an example of the pictures. I love the.... ahh what's the word.... when you have lots of words with the same letter... my mind's gone blank!!! But yeah, that thing!

:) comment to follow after I've read your book - read & commented on 1 day later :)