One Girl Writes

Insights Of A Children's Book Author

One Girl Writes

Sir Princess Petra’s Talent wins a 2019 Book Excellence Award

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Sir Princess Petra has already proven she is a kind and noble knight. This, however, does not please the king and queen—they want her to behave like a princess and forget this silly knight nonsense of hers! 

But when the king writes a new rule in the royal rule book that requires her to attend Talent School and acquire a princess talent certificate or suffer the spell of the royal magician, Petra, reluctantly, agrees to go. But who could have guessed what Sir Princess Petra’s Talent would be?

Book Awards for Sir Princess Petra’s Talent

2014 – Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, Bronze Medal Winner, Grade 4th- 6th.

2015 – Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, Honorable Mention, Chapter Books.

2015 – Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards, Silver Medal, Chapter Books.

2015 – Los Angeles Book Festival, Honorable Mention.

2019 –Book Excellence Awards, Winner, Friendship Books.

The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Read more about the author and her dragon books for children here.

Easy Grammar Lesson

“Are” and “Is” in Verb Agreement

Copyright 2013

The Dragon Grammar Book –

Grammar for Kids, Dragon,

and the Whole Kingdom

Published by Diane Mae Robinson Ink Dec. 10, 2017

“Are” and “Is” in Verb Agreement, Chapter 2

Are you sure this is right? Are and is can get confusing when we’re not sure if the thing we’re talking about is a single thing or more than one thing.

When using a singular noun or subject, the verb needs to be singular. When using a plural noun or subject, the verb needs to be plural.

     Look at the noun or subject of the sentence as a whole to decide if it’s singular or plural. Single noun – is. Plural noun – are.

In the following example sentences, the noun or subject of the sentence is underlined.

The witch’s pot of onions is simmering over the fire. (Pot is a single thing that happens to be full of onions; “pot of onions” is a single subject and requires the single verb is.)

Petra’s favorite type of book is adventures. (The single noun phrase “type of book” requires the single verb is.)

Fantasies are my favorite type of book. (The plural noun Fantasies requires the plural verb are.)

The Lord of the Kingdoms is getting frustrated with all his subjects who are asking silly questions about the mess. (“Lord of the Kingdoms” is one person and requires the single verb is.)

Review: when a subject is made up of two elements joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb is singular if both elements are singular. If one of the elements is plural, the verb becomes plural.

Either the dragons or the donkey are responsible for the smelly mess. (The subject “dragons or the donkey” uses the plural verb are after the single noun donkey because the plural dragons is one part of the two elements.

Neither the king nor the prince is responsible for the smelly mess.

As noted earlier, there is a rule that many writers follow called the proximity rule. The proximity rules states that the noun nearest the verb governs it. In my studies of grammar, I believe the proximity rule to be less common, but both rules are correct. It is more important to be consistent with using either rule.

     The subject in a sentence will come before a phrase beginning with of.

A coat of many colors is a nice thing to wear. (Coat comes before of and is a single subject requiring the single verb is.)

     Usually, a plural verb is used with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.

A dragon and a crocodile are my only pets.

But not if the and is part of a single subject phrase.

Playing Dungeons and Dragons is fun.

     If the subject is separated from the verb by such phrases as “as well as” or “along with,” these words and phrases are not part of the subject. Use a singular verb when the subject is singular and a plural verb when the subject is plural.

Singing, as well as dancing, is the terrifying part of the knight exam.

The magicians, along with the councilman, are writing new rules.

     When sentences begin with here or there, the subject follows the verb.

There is one waltz the knights have to perform.

Here are your dancing shoes.

Subject-verb agreement comes down to figuring out if the subject is plural or singular.

The rules of the kingdom are listed in the royal rule book. (Plural subject requires are.)

Economics is a silly subject. (Tricky, but here Economics is a single subject even though it looks like a plural word. It requires is.)

The economics of the kingdom are silly. (Plural subject requires are.)

     The same rules apply to does and do (does being singular and do being plural).

What do the dragon and I have in common? (Plural subject “dragon and I” requires do.)

Queen Mabel is the only one of the royals who does follow the rules. (Single subject requires does.)

     Use does for the pronouns, he, she, and it. Use do for the other subject pronouns I, you, we, and they.

I do my singing in the morning. He does his singing at night.

The rules for are, is, do, and does are the same as for all verbs to be in agreement with their subject. Remember that the verb is not always pertaining to the noun it is beside but pertaining to the subject of the sentence.

Available at:

Amazon
Barnes &Noble
Smashwords

 

 

For more information about the author’s multi-award winning dragon books for children: https://www.dragonsbook.com  

Children’s Book Series Wins 11th International Award

2017 Children’s Literary Classics

For Immediate Release

Literary Classics

pr@clcawards.org

Literary Classics is pleased to announce that the book Sir Princess Petra’s Mission, by Diane Mae Robinson, has been selected to receive the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.  The CLC Seal of Approval is a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design. Five stars https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R10IBHU3O7JGKU/ 

When her father, the king, decrees that Princess Petra must capture and deliver the fabled car-panther to the castle or renounce her knighthood, she sets about to undertake the task straight away.  Not to be deterred by her father’s excessive rules for this latest mission, she outwits him with an alternate set of decrees also stamped with his royal seal of approval which she asserts cannot be overruled.  After renegotiating the terms and ground-rules of the mission the princess is ready for her next quest.  Driven by boundless confidence and a stubborn determination, the young princess is off.

Author Diane Mae Robinson continues to delight young readers with the ever-witty, always-inspired book series about a young princess who refuses to bow to conformity.  Filled with countless catchy phrases and absurdly entertaining moments, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission is sure to be met with giggles and belly-laughs by young readers who will continue to fall in love with this enchanting series.  Sir Princess Petra’s Mission is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

 Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in literature for young readers, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic literature which appeals to youth while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations.   To learn more about Literary Classics, you may visit their website at www.clcawards.org or www.childrensliteraryclassics.com

Sir Princess Petra’s Mission is a finalist in the 2017 Literary Classics Book Awards. http://www.clcawards.org/2017_Book_Award_Finalists.html

Literary Classics and Children’s Literary Classics International Book Awards and Top Honors Book Awards, announcing the 2017 book award finalists.

For more reviews of these dragon books for children, https://www.dragonsbook.com 

Grammar Lesson – Between vs. Among

Excerpt from The Dragon Grammar Book by Diane Mae Robinson, coming soon to a kingdom near you.

 

Finally! An easy-to-understand grammar book with a sense of humor. From multi-award winning children’s fantasy author, Diane Mae Robinson, The Dragon Grammar Book, featuring the characters of The Pen Pieyu Adventures series, introduces beginners to the basic rules of the English language.  For middle grades to adults, The Dragon Grammar Book is an entertaining adventure into the mysterious Land of Grammar.

 

Between vs. Among

Between and among are often confused because their difference in meaning is subtle. Both words are prepositions.

Between is usually used with two separate and distinct things.

The grammar book is hidden between the oven and the ice box.

Between can also be used with three or more things as long as they are separate and distinct.

The differences between dragons, horses, and unicorns are all listed in the royal rule book.

A common misconception is that between is used with two things andamong is used with three or more things. When using a comparison for separate and distinct things, use between.

Among is used when talking about individuals or things that aren’t distinct. It is usually used to portray a group of people or things. Among is usually followed by a plural noun.

 If you live among dragons, you should wear fire-proof apparel.

The king seeks approval among those who agree with him.

Among and amongst both mean amidst, surrounded by, or in the company of. Amongst is uncommon and is only really used in literary prose seeking to add a sense of the old fashioned.

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The Dragon Grammar Book- Grammar for Kids, Dragons, and the Whole Kingdom, forthcoming 2016. An easy to understand grammar book with a sense of fun. Featuring the characters from the multi-award winning The Pen Pieyu Adventures. Dragon books for children and adults alike.

Sign up for The Dragon Newsletter and receive the 55 page pdf coloring book of The Pen Pieyu Adventures series: https://dragonsbook.com/subscribe/  The Dragon Newsletter is an update about upcoming books, contests, and giveaways.

Interview With A Dragon

Q&A with Snarls (Star of) from Sir Princess Petra’s Mission

Re-blog from: https://kid-lit-reviews.com/2016/04/16/qa-with-snarls-star-of-from-sir-princess-petras-mission/

Kid Lit reviews is pleased to welcome Snarls, the Dragon from Sir Princess Petra’s Mission, Book 3 of The Pen Pieyu Adventures. The Kingdom of Pen Pieyu is located in a magical kingdom located in author, Diane Mae Robinson’s Garden Kingdom, located in Alberta Canada.

3 book banner

Princess Petra wants to become a knight. Her parents are against it, so King Longstride writes new rules in the Kingdom’s Royal Ryle book designed to trip Princess Petra up, causing her to fail. She doesn’t. Soon, Princess Petra is known far and wide as Sir Princess Petra, the only knight in the Kingdom of Pen Pieyu. Her one test involved taming the ferocious and widely feared, dragon. Petra tamed the loud dragon, making him her steed. That dragon was Snarls.

KID LIT REVIEWS: Hello Snarls. I hope you are fine this good day.

PETRA: “Hey, why are you asking Snarls . . .”

PUSH, SHOVE, “OUCH” SLAM

KLT: Yes, Hello Petra. It’s good to see you, too. The questions are for Snarls this time . If you recall, you were interviewed here a couple years ago and just recently at the Insatiable Reader. You are welcome to sit in, but please, let Snarls answer the questions.

KLT: So, Snarls, you are a real, live, fire-breathing dragon, not a horse, yet Sir Princess Petra rides you as if you were a horse. She calls you her “steed.” What is it like for a dragon to be a steed?

Book 3 Illustration 5SNARLS: “Uhhhumm. Yeah, about that. First things first. I have something to clear up about this steed business. My author girl would have you believe, by her writings in book two, that my pink tassel saddle was all Petra’s idea. NOT SO! I picked out the saddle myself. It’s my way of saying I am a modern dragon. Sort of like the “man purse” thing in your world.

“Secondly, Petra would have you believe I had no choice in the matter of becoming a steed. NOT SO! It was totally my idea from the beginning.”

KLT: What is it like being a dragon-steed? Snarls?

 

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

KLT: Petra, please. Tickling Snarls tail is distracting.

Snarls, do you like being a dragon-steed?

SNARLS: “Oh, what was the question? Oh, never mind that . . . Since it was totally my idea to become the one, and only, and first ever, dragon steed . . . YES!I love my job. It was all my idea. I mentioned that, right?”

KLT: Readers know you are a fantastic cook. When not working as Petra’s steed, or as the chef-extraordinaire of the Kingdom of Pen Pieyu, what do you do to relax?

SNARLS: “I really like being near food, so I’m always happy to do more cooking and barbequing—I am the royal chef at the castle too. On my days off from cooking and steeding, I really enjoy rolling around in the mud. Mud is goopy and silky smooth. And it does wonders for scaly scales. But I have to be careful to clean off all the mud between my toes so Petra doesn’t find any. Petra either doesn’t like muddy toes or she thinks I like her picking mud out of my toes. And just for the record, I am fine with MANLY muddy toes.”

PETRA: Hello!!!!!”      Book 3 Illustration 1

KLT: Petra? Did you want to say something?

PETRA: “I’m sitting right here, Snarls.”

KLT: Yes, you are. Now, Snarls, Onions. King Longstride demands all knight-wannabes empty the onion room—by eating the onions—before deemed fit for knighthood. What is so darn important about onions?

SNARLS: “Well, as you all know, King Longstride is a little bit of a scatter brain and his rules in the royal rule book don’t always make sense. He did, although, make up that rule just weeks before Petra decided she wanted to become a knight.

KLR: “Hmmmm. Pet—

PETRA: Hello!!!!! I’m right here!

KLT: “Hi, Petra. Didn’t see ya.

SNARLS: “I was saying Petra hates onions. Strange, don’t you think?”

KLT: Strange, indeed. I don’t know why anyone would HATE a harmless vegetable, such as an onion. Onions are pretty good in most dishes. Dishes. How many plates did Petra hide onions under when she supposedly ate all those onions?

SNARLS: “No pl-ate-s. What are pl-ates?”

KLT: Never mind. I’m sure your “writer girl” took some literary license with that scene.

SNAELS: “No literary licenses, but she has the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award in Literary Arts (2112) for Sir Princess Petra.”

KLT: Speaking of Petra, on her latest Mission, (Sir Princess Petra’s Mission), Sir Bograt becomes MFA (Missing from Action) while at Hooble-Wooble Creek.

SNARLS: “Hobble-Wobble Creek.”

KLT: Right, right. I heard tell a rogue wave swept Sir Bograt down the river—

SNARLS: “Creek.”

KLT: –off on a wild CREEK-wave. Snarls, you were there. What happened? What caused this freaky wave?

SNARLS: “Ewwwww. Hobble Wobble Creek is a scary place. Rumor has it that sheep have lost ears, cow have lost tails, and the odd peasant has lost a toe or two there—you know, the kind of place a bog witch could go missing in.

“Umm, errrr. Hey, what did you hear?”

KLT: Oh, just that someone or something plopped in the riv, er creek, causing a huge cannonball-like wave, taking Sir Bograt riding a giant wave down the course of Hooble-Wooble River.

SNARLS: “Hobble-Wobble Creek.”

KLT: That’s what I said. So . . .

SNARLS: “Are you blaming me for something?”                           Book 3 illustration 8

KLT: Possibly.

SNARLS: “I know nothing.”

KLT: Are you sure?

SNARLS: “Nope.”

Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp. SLAM!

KLT: What was that? [Oh, really? Okay.] It seems Petra has decided to wait for you outside.

SNARLS:  “It’s raining. I should take her an umbrella.”

KLT: Snarls?

SNARLS: “What? Oh, the interview. My interview. Continue.”

KLT: On this last mission, Sir Petra, Sir (now missing) Bograt, and you are to capture a notoriously feared and possibly nonexistent car-panther, bringing it back to King Longstride. We know when not a steed, you can be found in the castle kitchen, just off the royal court, where the king and queen do whatever kings and queens do when sitting on a throne. Voices carry.

SNARLS: “I did overhear something, but it didn’t make sense.”

KLT: Did you hear what the King wants with a fear inducing car-panther?

SNARLS: “I heard the king and queen whispering about the usefulness of car-panthers and how the kingdom should acquire one to CLEAN UP the castle before the next shingding. Then Bograt blabbed about the notorious dragon-eating car-panthers. Well! You can see where I’m coming from when I thought the whole thing was to get rid of me.

“You can see that, right?”

KLT: Maybe Bograt is just upset about Wobble-Cobble Creek.

SNARLS: “Hobble-Wobble Creek.”

KLT: Let’s finish with 5 quick questions.

  1. Favorite person (other than Petra), at Kingdom Pen Pieyu.
    “My favorite person, next to Petra of course, would have to be Duce Craplips. He wears pink armour and he crochets—he’s such a modern-day type prince. I don’t really care for blabber-mouth Bograt, or smarty-pants Norton Nastybun.”

KLT: The same missing Bograt from Hobble-Wobble Creek?

2. Quick question two? Hurry, this is supposed to be quick! Most feared Land or Kingdom.
“The swamp lands we went through in book three were pretty nasty. As you know, I had a misfortunate event there.”

Book 3 Illustration 4

KLT: Yes, I know. At the Creek Hobbled Wobble.

SNARLS: “Geez. Hobble-Wobble Creek. And NO!

“It all had to do with Norton Smarty-Pants Nastybun! He had his puny army stick me with arrows, in my butt! Totally humiliating!!!!! It was just a totally uncalled for scene.”

3. What frightens dragon-steeds?
“Falling rocks, being chased, indigestion. You know, the usual stuff.”

 

4. Favorite Food.
“Onion anything.”

5. Finally, what is Today’s Chef-Extraordinaire Special?
“Crimson-crust-onion-strawberry pie

Bouillabaisse served with leek-onion soufflé

Onion Omelette Ta-Da (my specialty)”

KLT: Sounds, uh, yummy?

Snarls, thank you for stopping by. It is always a pleasure. If she’s out there, say goodbye to Petra for me.

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

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Blog   http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/
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Book 3 illustration 12
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Copyright © 2016 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved

ST. PAUL AUTHOR SETS CRAZY ADVENTURES FOR A KNIGHT-PRINCESS HEROINE IN NEW JUVENILE FICTION

January 12, 2016  ST. PAUL, Alberta — This week marks the nationwide release of “Sir Princess Petra’s Mission,” an enjoyable and adventure-filled new children’s book by author Diane Mae Robinson.Book 3 high res. cover

In “Sir Princess Petra’s Mission,” Sir Princess Petra has already attained her knighthood in the Kingdom of Pen Pieyu and her non-princess-like talent certificate from Talent School — neither of which pleases her father and mother, the king and queen.

The king writes up more silly rules in the royal rule book to deter Sir Princess Petra from her knightly ways and useless talent and to turn her into a real princess once and for all. Will the king finally succeed with this newly written and ridiculous mission for Petra? Find out in “Sir Princess Petra’s Mission.”

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Robinson lives in a small hilltop castle nestled inside an old and magical forest in central Alberta in Canada. This mystical forest is where she finds inspiration to write children’s fantasy and adventures. The author’s first two books in “The Pen Pieyu Adventures” series have won six international book awards and one provincial award. Robinson is also an art teacher and writing instructor. http://news.tatepublishing.com/?p=26784

Book Links:

Amazon, Book 3, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission: http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Petras-Mission-Diane-Robinson/dp/168187072X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451058179&sr=8-1&keywords=sir+princess+Petra%27s+Mission

Barnes & Noble, Book 3, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sir-princess-petras-mission-diane-mae-robinson/1123053860?ean=9781681870724

Goodreads,Book 3, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28329659-sir-princess-petra-s-mission

For more information and review about these multi-award winning dragon books for children: www.dragonsbook.com

Dragon Books For Children – Sir Princess Petra’s Mission First Reviews

BOOK REVIEW By Linda Watkins for: SIR PRINCESS PETRA’S MISSION BY DIANE MAE ROBINSON

(Book 3 in the multi-award winning adventure kids books, The Pen Pieyu Adventures, series.

5 / 5

Reblog from: http://lindawatkins.biz/book-review-sir-princess-petras-mission-by-diane-mae-robinson/#comment-166

Book 3 high res. cover


This was my first venture into the magical kingdom of Pen Pieyu and, I can assure you, it won’t be my last! Thank you, Diane Mae Robinson for creating this quirky, wonderful world and for providing the reader with a brief synopsis of the previous adventures of Sir Princess Petra and her entourage of engaging friends. This was a really fun read and in Sir Princess Petra, Ms. Robinson has created a marvelous role model for young girls.

In this adventure, Sir Princess Petra must again outwit her father who, in his desire to curtail her unprincess-like behavior, has rewritten the “Royal Rule Book” with the intention of stripping her of her knighthood and returning her to more feminine pursuits. Needless to say, this does not deter our brave Princess. Along with her best friends, Snarls the dragon, and Bograt, the bog witch, Petra sets off on a quest to capture a car-panther (a creature no one knows anything about)!

I think my favorite encounter that the young Princess Knight has along the way is with Prince Norton Nastybun and the puny army from Kingdom Mesoggie. This episode had me in stitches throughout.

This is a truly engaging read for children and parents alike and I can tell you I await with great anticipation Ms. Robinson’s next offering which will be entitled GRAMMAR FOR KIDS AND DRAGONS. If there’s anyone who can make grammar fun, I think it will be Ms. Robinson!

This series has won many awards and they are well deserved. Enter the kingdom of Pen Pieyu and I know you will not be disappointed.

Illustrations by Michael Bermundo

Illustrations by Michael Bermundo

A five star delight for sure!

P.S. – The illustrations are great, too!

 

 

 

 

 

For more reviews and awards information of Diane’s multi-award winning dragon books for children: http://www.dragonbooks.com

There is also a current prize giveaway event for reviewers requesting the pdf and willing to post reviews of the new release, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission: http://www.dianemaerobinson.com/2015/12/new-book-release-with-prizes.html

SIR PRINCESS PETRA’S TALENT, BY DIANE MAE ROBINSON, EARNS THE LITERARY CLASSICS SEAL OF APPROVAL

http://www.clcreviews.blogspot.ca/2015/03/sir-princess-petras-talent-by-diane-mae.html

  Sir Princess Petra’s Talent

2015 Children's Literary Classics

2015 Children’s Literary Classics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 *’s for book two in this wonderful dragon books for children series.

When Petra, a precocious young princess, earns her knighthood, her father the king is not at all pleased.  In order to prepare his daughter to one day become a suitable queen, he insists she attend talent school where she will learn to behave like a proper princess.
Armed with her quick wit, and a fierce determination, Princess Petra sets off to earn a talent.  As she journeys to talent school, traveling with her trusty dragon, Snarls, she acquires new friends along the way.  Together, Princess Petra’s motley entourage makes enlightening discoveries and encounters merry adventures throughout their expedition.
Princess stereotypes are gloriously debunked in this book about a royal who dares to be herself. Princess Petra will charm and inspire youngsters as she fearlessly outwits those who would thwart her progress in achieving her own goals, all the while helping others realize their own dreams.  Author Diane Mae Robinson’s second book in the Pen Pieyu Adventures is a delightful read and one that is sure to engage and enthrall young readers.  Sir Princess Petra’s Talent is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Review posted on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, and Children’s Literary Classics blog.
For more reviews of my award-winning dragon books for children visit: http://dragonsbook.com/ReviewIndex.html

Diane Mae Robinson Interview by fellow Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Book Award Recipient

Re-blog from http://leylaatke.com/2015/02/01/interview-with-my-fellow-award-winning-author-diane-mae-robinson/   Leyla Atke, Readers’ Favorite Intl’ Book Award recipient interviews fellow awarded author Diane Mae Robinson

 INTERVIEW WITH MY FELLOW AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DIANE MAE ROBINSON!

I am so honored to interview award-winning author Diane M. Robinson from Canada for my official author website. I met Diane in person in Miami at 2014 Readers Favorite Award Ceremony and we visited Miami Book Fair together.10966908_10152623906815036_1888715462_n

  • Diane, could you please tell about yourself? Where you grew up, the places you lived, your family and your current place of living?

I grew up in Elk Point, Alberta; a small town in central Alberta with a population of 900. Our house was on the edge of town, next to a forest and a babbling brook, and across the forest was my grandma’s house, which I visited every day and where we kept our horses. This forest was my magical wonderland growing up and where my creativity in writing first began. At age 12, our family moved to St. Paul, another small town 22 miles west of Elk Point. Near St. Paul is where I still live.

For the past 13 years, I have lived on an acreage my husband and I designed and built ourselves, a small castle-type house which is surrounded by forest. We have 4 dogs and 5 horses, along with an abundance of elves, faeries, and other magical creatures that dwell in the forest. It really is an awesome, magical place that inspires my fantasy writing. My family and loved ones all live nearby.

  • What kind of person are you?

I am a nature lover and crave being outside. Over the years while on this acreage, I have built massive flower gardens with pathways and benches out of stones; tend a vegetable garden in the summer; have a fair size greenhouse to start my growing season early; and I like to sleep in the tent with my dogs in the summer, where I can daydream far into the night while watching the stars.10953077_10152623906820036_226563993_n

I also love being around animals, hence 5 horses and 4 dogs. Riding a horse through the forest is one of the most mind-calming things I do.

I have a great compassion for the poor and suffering in the world. I have been on 6 volunteer dental mission trips to Central America over the years, and for the past 20 years I have been constantly involved with two groups that do amazing infrastructure work in the poorest regions of Honduras, Guatemala, and Northern India.

I also have an intense need to be creative. I write, I am an artist, I teach private art lessons, and I am a writing instructor.

  • Could you please tell from where comes your inspiration for writing?

Most of my inspiration comes from the forest. I walk through the forest often and will see characters etched in the trees, which inspires me to either write about a new character or write about a scene those images stir up. Forests are very magical and alive to me and I need to be near them.

Other inspirations come from reading well written books, listening to classical music, riding my horse through the forest, painting a picture or making a sculpture.

  • What your award-winning book is about? Why do you write?

My first book, Sir Princess Talent has won 3 international awards, and one prestigious provincial award. The second book, Sir Princess Petra’s Talent won a bronze medal in the 2014 Reader’s Favorite Book Awards. This is a humorous series (The Pen Pieyu Adventures) about a strong-headed princess who becomes a knight, at age 9 years, through her perseverance, friendly nature, believing in herself, her acceptance of others, and her inquisitive nature to find things out for herself. Petra and her dragon, Snarls, have many zany adventures that teach moral values (in a subtle way) to the reader.10956021_10152623906835036_1384694589_n

I write because I don’t seem to have a choice and it is a soul nurturing thing to do.

  • You recently attended the 2014 Readers Favorite Award Ceremony in Miami. Tell about this!

Well, WOWZER, is a good word to describe the event and the days leading up to it. My favorite thing was meeting some very cool authors who are sure to be life-long friends. The ceremony itself and receiving my medal was an affirmation to me that I am on the right track and that all the hard work of my writing means something more than just words.

  • What you are currently working on? Any future plans?

I just finished writing book 3 in my series, Sir Princess Petra’s Mission. It’s at the publisher’s now and will go through editing soon, and will become a book in about 9 months (time period for book birth). I am near completion of my grammar book for elementary children: a humorous grammar book with my characters from The Pen Pieyu Adventures doing their zany stuff while trying to teach grammar.

I also recently committed to co-writing a story picture book series with a friend of mine. He has created a wonderful character and has great ideas and visions for The Berry Bunny series, which he will also do illustrations for.

  • What are your hobbies?

A couple of years ago and for several years previous, I rode my horse with a professional synchronized western riding team that did shows around Alberta. I have since had to give up the circuit due to lack of time. I still enjoy my horses, but mostly just pleasure ride now. I also thoroughly enjoy gardening, chatting with squirrels, artwork, reading, writing, daydreaming, attending live theater, and skating or skiing in the winter.10945489_10152623906825036_902203454_n

You can find out more about Diane Mae Robinson and her dragon books for children at:: http://www.dragonsbook.com

Her blog site: http://www.dianemaerobinson.com

My Favorite Reviews For Sir Princess Petra (book one)

Ian S. Rutter, Author, Faeries of Birchover Wood

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

5 *’s / 5*’s
What a wonderful story. You don’t get many books that can teach qualities such as respect, friendship and trust. This book does that simply by showing through a lovely story.

The author has a great gift at story telling, without telling you how or what you should do to learn the skills that the story teaches. The main character of the book, Petra, shows you what to do when she is placed in certain situations which require her to use her head and not her makeshift sword.

We can all learn something from this story. If you have children, I encourage you to get a copy of this book and read it to them.

I hope there are many more Petra adventures in the future.

This book is next to my copy of Aesop’s Fables.   

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

Midwest Book Review (They don’t give star ratings)

“Sir Princess Petra: The Pen Pieyu Adventures” is a maverick fantasy, illustrated chapter book for tweens. Princess Petra of the kingdom of Pen Pieyu requests an unusual birthday present from her parents the king and queen: to become a knight! Although her request alarms her parents, they can find no legal objection, so the king proclaims Princess Petra must choose an act of bravery from the royal list of deeds, in order to become a knight of the kingdom. Her choices are: “to capture a crocodile and make his skin into a royal leather chair, to hush the howling nasty dragon Snarls in the Forest of Doom, or to eat a roomful of raw onions(p.13).”

The princess eliminates both onions and crocodile and decides upon the quest to hush Snarls, the nasty dragon in the Forest of Doom. Armed with pots and pans and cutlery from the pantry, Princess Petra sets off. What will happen on this unpredictable princess/knightly adventure? Packed with plot twists and turns, unexpected obstacles and problems, and brilliant flashes of humor and originality, “Sir Princess Petra” charms and entrances the reader.

Enhanced by frequent expressive black and white drawings, the six chapters of “Sir Princess Petra” move swiftly to a satisfying conclusion. Kids age 10 and up will love the rebel heroine and her dragon rehabilitation skills.”

Diane Mae Robison tells a charming tale of Petra, the young Princess of Pen Pieyu, whose birthday wish is to be dubbed a royal knight of her father’s kingdom. Although Petra takes her father, the king, by surprise with her curious royal birthday wish, Petra proves her bravery through a quest to hush the howling dragon.

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 Natalie Schembri, The University of Manitoba Book Review 4 *’s/4*’s

    Sir Princess Petra is a delightfully imaginative storytime read and re-read. Petra’s character is both confident and charismatic. Her good nature conquers the friendship of Snarles, the dragon, and other characters in the Forest of Doom.

Further, Robinson’s empowering story is accompanied by beautifully shaded pencil drawings that illustrate Petra’s royal quest. Both text and illustration combine to create a vivid story of courage and determination.

I highly recommend Sir Princess Petra for school, public, and personal library collections. Diane Mae Robinson coins a tale that invites readers to accompany Petra on a fearless journey towards friendship and self-discovery.

Mother Daughter Book Reviews – Reviewer: Renee Cormier
5 */5*
Sir Princess Petra is a wonderful read-aloud book with a diverse range of characters and a quirky writing style that kept the children completely engaged from the first page to the last. Diane Mae Robinson has created a charming main character in Petra who rejects the stereotype of what a princess should be in favor of serving her kingdom as a royal knight. Petra is precisely the type of role model I love for girls: she’s spunky, she’s brave, she’s kind, and she’s a problem-solver. ‘Nuff said – SHE ROCKS!

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird

Illustration by Samantha Kickingbird



The supporting cast of characters are also distinctly quirky and uniquely interesting . . . In short, this book had us laughing out loud as we were reading it.

My bottom line: I really feel that this little book is a gem. It is a relatively short book (70-ish pages) that can easily be read aloud to children in one sitting. My kids and I were completely captivated by this fun, adventure-filled tale about a very charming and unorthodox princess. I highly recommend this book to families with children under the age of 10 and as young as 5 who love a good tale filled with fairy-tale characters such as dragons, witches, princesses, and knights.

Visit my author’s website for more information about my dragon books for children: http://www.dragonsbook.com