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About

Bryony was born in Enfield but spent most of her youth growing up in the North East of the UK near to Hartlepool before moving southwards again. She now lives in the remote wilds of Suffolk with her husband, four children and two dogs and cats where she is also a teacher.

She has always enjoyed writing, ever since she was a child and can't remember a time where she hasn't wanted a book in her hand. Following sixth form she took a degree in English and Drama at Roehampton University and gained a 2:1 honours and was then successfully offered a job for the East Anglian Daily Times in Ipswich as a junior reporter. Reluctantly she had to turn the offer down due to personal circumstances. Instead, she ended up doing a PGCE at the Cambridge University Homerton College and then embarked out in a new direction and a career in teaching. Bryony jokes, “If the situation had been different, I'd have been in print much quicker!”.

The seeds of her debut novel, "Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector" actually began back in 2001, however it got put on a back burner for a few years as domestic life and work took over. She says, “I got my inspiration for it from work, and my school at the time had also just undergone an Ofsted inspection. I just started thinking, What would happen if...and it went on from there. Obviously none of the characters are real people! I just took some of the more obvious character traits of people I know or knew, whether at work, socially or just by reputation, then blew them up to bigger proportions. When I come up with an idea, I try to visualise it as if it is happening on a screen. Then I write down what I see and feel, as well as what I want other people to see and feel. Usually, I try to picture characters in a certain setting and think about how they would react.”

She says, “Getting published with Pneuma Springs was a real boost and that has given me the springboard to do much more of what I really love doing, writing! (with plenty of reading thrown in for good measure of course)”. She now also writes to appeal to the teenage mind.

“It's a constant juggle balancing writing and book promotion with work and home life but it's something that's a real passion for me now so I always try to find the time to write from somewhere. I also have a very supportive family so that helps a bit too". Bryony's second work, a novel for the Young Adult genre titled OTOLI was published by Pneuma Springs in the spring of 2011. It has received some superb reviews and was also entered in the 'The People's Book Prize spring 2012 collection'. Her next book also for the Young Adult genre 'The Assembly Room' is due out with Pneuma Springs during Autumn 2012. Bryony has plenty more ideas for the adult and teenage reader, so watch this space, as the saying goes!

Description

<p>Have you ever seen a "work of art" worth millions, which looks like something your child just brought home from school?</p><p>The dual perspective of "Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder" and just a little bit of "The Emperor's New Clothes" is evident in this clever artwork story of a child who paints a fingerpaint print in class and then loses it in the wind on the way home.</p><p>Illustrated from the point of view of a child, whose identity is left to the imagination of the reader since all of the illustrations are what the child sees, the fingerpaint print is interpreted by official "judges" as well as by bystanders. Should people be influenced by what others see, or use their own self-esteem to make their own judgments? This coloring book version allows children to illustrate their own version of the book, and even to create a "masterpiece" of their own!</p><p>This is the fourth rhyming children's coloring book by this award-winning author, whose other bestselling books include David's ADHD, My Little Angel, The Golden Rule, Mice & Spiders & Webs...Oh My!, Manner-Man, Gimme-Jimmy, The Magic Word, Peter and the Whimper-Whineys and Santa's Birthday Gift.</p><p><strong>About The Author:</strong> Former teacher Sherrill S. Cannon has won over 100 awards for her previous rhyming books and coloring books, and is also the author of 7 published and internationally performed plays for elementary school children. She has been called "a modern day Dr. Seuss." - GTMA Review</p>

Story Behind The Book

I actually started writing my debut novel, "Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector" back in 2001, then it got put on a back burner as domestic life and work took over. I got my inspiration for it from work, and my school had also just undergone an Ofsted inspection. I just started thinking, "What would happen if..." and it went on from there. Obviously none of the characters are real people! I just took some of the more obvious character traits of people I know or knew, whether at work, socially or just by reputation, then blew them up to bigger proportions and added a bit of adult 'spice' and humour to the proceedings. When I come up with an idea, I try to visualise it as if it is happening on a screen. Then I write down what I see and feel, as well as what I want other people to see and feel. Usually, I try to picture characters in a certain setting and think about how they would react. I hope that with this particular piece of work I have given people a book that is original, different and at the same time entertaining.

Reviews

<span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-left:-5px;">(Amazon UK reviews)<br /><br /></span> <div style="margin-left:.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-left:-5px;"><img height="12" alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V45450368_.gif" width="64" border="0" /></span><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_5_0" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><span></span></span></span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>A razor-sharp lesson</strong>, 11 Nov 2010</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <div> <div style="float:left;">By </div> <div style="float:left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A240XCDMNIU56G/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Cheshire <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Lad<span class="swSprite s_chevron custPopRight"></span></span></span></a> (Rural Cheshire, UK) - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A240XCDMNIU56G/ref=cm_cr_pr_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview">See all my reviews</a></div></div></div> <div class="tiny" style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><strong><span class="h3color tiny">This review is from: </span>Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector (Paperback)</strong> </div>"Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector" is a book that doesn't "mess around" for a moment. <br /><br />Each paragraph, densely-packed with Allen's razor-sharp speedy feminine wit draws (partly) from her own experiences in the classroom. <br />Bryony doesn't pay too many compliments. From the outset, in setting the scene for the novel, using her detailed character-study sarcasm she highlights the cast's imperfections to hilarity. And judging by her depth of verbal ammunition, Bryony is hardly someone you would want to argue with. <br />Sometimes I did feel sorry for some, (but again in another schoolyard parallel) only in moments when I wasn't laughing at them. <br />"Mystery" is genuinely hilarious for everyone broadminded with the exception perhaps of school staff members about to undergo intrusive inspections themselves. <br />Thank goodness that this is only fiction. <br />Read it one page at a time and laugh properly this time at those people we've all met before. <br />Five stars. <br /><br />A kindle download version is also available <br /><div style="clear:both;width:100%;padding-top:10px;"> <div style="border-right:#cccccc 1px solid;padding-right:15px;float:left;"> <div style="padding-bottom:5px;"><strong class="tiny" style="color:#666666;white-space:nowrap;">Help other customers find the most helpful reviews</strong> </div> <div style="width:300px;"><a style="font-size:1px;"></a><span class="crVotingButtons"><span class="votingPrompt">Was this review helpful to you? </span><a class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ/Helpful/1/ref=cm_cr_prvoteyn?ie=UTF8&token=8056508B2AA6C8363EE21C1D1A6DA025407AA632&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY28udWsvcmV2aWV3LzA5NTQ1NTEwOTUvcmVmPWNtX2NyX3Bydm90ZXJkcj9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzaG93Vmlld3BvaW50cz0x&voteAnchorName=R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=278-7286659-2602651"><span class="cmtySprite s_largeYes"><span>Yes</span></span></a> <a class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_prvoteyn?ie=UTF8&token=A7880AED4BE5E9A15A2C3677C5E6512EFFD1847C&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY28udWsvcmV2aWV3LzA5NTQ1NTEwOTUvcmVmPWNtX2NyX3Bydm90ZXJkcj9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzaG93Vmlld3BvaW50cz0x&voteAnchorName=R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=278-7286659-2602651"><span class="cmtySprite s_largeNo"><span>No</span></span></a><span class="votingMessage"></span></span> </div></div> <div style="float:left;"> <div style="padding-left:15px;"> <div style="white-space:nowrap;"><span class="tiny"><a style="font-size:1px;"></a><span class="reportingButton"><a class="reportingButton" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ/Inappropriate/1/ref=cm_cr_prvoteyn?ie=UTF8&token=56C91196902105250A35E3CEE4A1B48A5D1DB04B&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY28udWsvcmV2aWV3LzA5NTQ1NTEwOTUvcmVmPWNtX2NyX3Bydm90ZXJkcj9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzaG93Vmlld3BvaW50cz0x&voteAnchorName=R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews&voteSessionID=278-7286659-2602651">Report abuse</a></span> </span><span style="color:#cccccc;">|</span> <span class="tiny"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0954551095&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=">Permalink</a></span></div> <div style="padding-top:5px;white-space:nowrap;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0954551095&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=#wasThisHelpful"><span class="swSprite s_comment"><span>Comment</span></span></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1KG5GFT2DO6UZ/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0954551095&nodeID=&tag=&linkCode=#wasThisHelpful">Comment</a></div></div></div></div><br /></div><a></a><br /><div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-right:5px;"><span class="swSprite s_star_4_0" title="4.0 out of 5 stars"><span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="margin-left:-5px;"><img height="12" alt="4.0 out of 5 stars" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-4-0._V45457020_.gif" width="64" border="0" /></span><span style="vertical-align:middle;"><strong>Entertaining and amusing read</strong>, 18 July 2010</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <div> <div style="float:left;">By </div> <div style="float:left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A26HO98VDYHSNB/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="white-space:nowrap;">Jules27<span class="swSprite s_chevron custPopRight"></span></span></span></a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A26HO98VDYHSNB/ref=cm_cr_pr_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview">See all my reviews</a></div></div></div> <div class="tiny" style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><strong><span class="h3color tiny">This review is from: </span>Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector (Paperback)</strong> </div><br /><br />Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector <br />by Bryony Allen <br />Edition: Paperback <br />Price: $11.99 <br /><br />Availability: In Stock <br />11 used & new from $11.36 <br /><br /><br />An entertaining and amusing read, July 15, 2010 <br /><br /><br />This review is from: Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector (Paperback) <br />I found the first chapter quite hard going and difficult to remain focused on the story line, however by the time I got to chapter 2 I was hooked and couldn't put the book down! <br /><br />Obviously certain events are taken from the authors own life experiences both through work and were she lives. Her sense of humour and personality shone through from the beginning. Not the sort of book I would normally read - stumbled upon it while looking for something else and glad I did! I think people who work with children in one way or another where Ofsted are concerned will find this a very appropriate and amusing novel. Well worth reading. I look forward to further novels from this author! <br /></div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-left:-5px;"><br /></span></div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-left:-5px;"><img height="12" alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V45450368_.gif" width="64" border="0" /> </span><strong>Seriously Enjoyable</strong>, 4 Jun 2008</div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-size:small;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" valign="top">By </td> <td style="font-size:small;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a style="color:#004b91;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A4GK3F4WR5X6H/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Editor <span style="white-space:nowrap;">Viv<img class="custPopRight" style="margin-left:3px;vertical-align:-1px;border-top-style:none;border-right-style:none;border-left-style:none;border-bottom-style:none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/common/carrot._V29439968_.gif" /></span></span></a> (UK) - <a style="color:#004b91;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A4GK3F4WR5X6H/ref=cm_cr_pr_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview">See all my reviews</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>A school inspector is found dead in the staff room, was it foul play or child's play? Who is responsible? Beaver's Brook Primary School is the subject of a justifiably scathing ofsted inspection. The lives of the teachers are held up to scrutiny and ridicule. Their hopes and aspirations decompose like the dead body beneath a tirade of shameless mockery. A highly enjoyable novel. I really love this author's sense of humour, I think most teachers/educators will enjoy and appreciate this novel. <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(Amazon UK review)</span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"><span style="margin-left:-5px;"><img height="12" alt="4.0 out of 5 stars" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-4-0._V45457020_.gif" width="64" border="0" /> </span><strong>Witty and different</strong>, 30 Dec 2009</div> <div style="margin-bottom:.5em;"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-size:small;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" valign="top">By </td> <td style="font-size:small;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a style="color:#004b91;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profile/A28ICCBXCB8G3E/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdp"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bookster <span style="white-space:nowrap;">"Bookster"<img class="custPopRight" style="margin-left:3px;vertical-align:-1px;border-top-style:none;border-right-style:none;border-left-style:none;border-bottom-style:none;" alt="" src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/common/carrot._V29439968_.gif" /></span></span></a> (UK) - <a style="color:#004b91;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A28ICCBXCB8G3E/ref=cm_cr_pr_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview">See all my reviews</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>I personally really liked this book, parts of it made me chuckle, especially the part where the head teacher is described in great detail in the first chapters. <br />The book starts by setting the scene, the staff members are all introduced, each with their own particular mannerisms and I found the writer's use of wit and humour throughout the novel to be just right considering that the story is also primarily in the mystery genre. The school which has its own issues is to undergo a dreaded Ofsted inspection which has the staff at sixes and sevens. <br />Things get interesting when the inspector (who isn't nice and spikes of Arthur Daley) is found dead at the school and then the finger pointing starts and the stress levels go through the roof! <br /><br />The plot unravels nicely and I found that I didn't quite expect some of the outcomes which also made for a nice page turner; I wanted to keep reading to get to the finale. The writer has also thrown in a few eye openers for good measure which added to the whole reading experience for me, I thought this was superbly done. <br />I think many readers would enjoy this refreshingly different story centred on what we have all known (primary school) and it also makes you think about what pressures exist for the modern day teacher when school inspectors decide to call. I would expect anyone that has been around teaching to especially enjoy this book as well as all general mystery readers, it's certainly different. <br /><br />If I have to draw on anything towards criticism it would only be that the first couple of chapters seem to drag slightly, to some this may be a bit annoying, however I saw this as necessary to understanding the plot. At least I knew what and who the writer was referring to later in the book. Make your own mind up in the look inside feature which has the first chapter available to read. <br /><br />I will personally look forward to further books from this writer. <br /><br />Regards <br />Jonathan "Bookster"<br /></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;"><em><span style="color:#0000ff;font-family:'Times New Roman';">"– a blend of Frankie Boyle, Russell Brand and Michael McIntyre (irreverent and blunt, outrageously lewd and hair-flickingly gossipy)."</span></em></span><span style="font-size:small;color:#00007f;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong><span>The Truth About Books™</span></strong><br /></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;color:#00007f;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;color:#00007f;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;color:#00007f;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;font-size:15px;color:#47220f;line-height:25px;font-family:'Century Gothic', Georgia, serif;"><span style="color:#009900;">★★</span><span style="color:#009900;">★</span><span style="color:#009900;">☆☆</span> = Liked It </span><span style="font-weight:normal;font-size:15px;color:#47220f;line-height:25px;"><span><a title="Beth's Book Blog Review" href="http://bit.ly/clWDxS">Beth's Book Blog Review</a></span></span><br /></strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;color:#00007f;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;font-size:15px;color:#47220f;line-height:25px;"><br /></span></strong></span></div> <div><span style="font-size:small;color:#00007f;line-height:normal;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;font-size:15px;color:#47220f;line-height:25px;">Completely Novel - <a href="http://bit.ly/dc1YGV">reviews here</a></span></strong></span></div>

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