Brad was Sad
Did Brad’s dad make him sad? Brad thought he had…until his dog, Plaid, proved he could choose his outlook & feel glad.
Kids learn best through stories. Empower your child to own their feelings with this beautifully illustrated picture book by award-winning author, M.C. Goldrick.
Brad’s dog Plaid shows him how to feel and deal with emotions. Though Brad is having a bad day, Plaid shows him that it’s in his power to choose his perspective and his feelings.
Q&A
– When and where do you prefer to write?
Whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. I have a laptop and bring it along when I travel. As a result, a lot of my best writing has occurred in nature. Out on a dock, beside water, as my family plays nearby those are my most fulfilling writing locals.
– Do you have a certain ritual?
When writing at home, I like to light a candle and turn on my salt lamp. I put on some soothing spa music and use an aromatherapy diffuser. Together they create an ambience of relaxation.
– Is there a drink of some food that keeps you company while you write?
I usually have a hot cup of coffee to sip. I often forget to eat when I start writing.
– What is your favourite book?
I don’t pick favourites in anything in life, but I love many books in different genres. A few that come to mind are Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I recently read Spirit Hacking by Shaman Durek and am excited to read it again.
– Do you consider writing a different genre in the future?
Absolutely. I have been writing in different genres for years but have only shared my children’s books thus far. I have a plethora of work to draw on and share in the future, however I plan on using different pen names to differentiate the genres. M.C. Goldrick is a pen name I choose for children’s books. My maternal clan are the McGoldrick’s. There are a lot of jokers and storytellers in my family and I leapt at the opportunity to use their name for my books.
– Do you sometimes base your characters on people you know?
Not specifically, but generally. I have always been an observer. I love watching people and their reactions. My characters quirks are more of a compilation of people I have known rather than based on anyone in particular.
– Do you take a notebook everywhere in order to write down ideas that pop up?
No. I don’t use a notebook. I use the record voice application on my phone. I find it faster to get my thoughts out as they occur and easier to find later.
– Which genre do you not like at all?
I steer away from war, spy, action books. I’m not down with gratuitous violence. Characters are shaped by their struggles so sometimes some violence is part of their story but I really can’t stand pain as a form of entertainment. I have no tolerance for it on TV or movies either. As soon as a show takes that route I shut it off. Feeling good is important and I won’t use my entertainment time to feel bad.
– If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?
Great question! There is an author–illustrator, Jessycka Drew, who I will be collaborating with for some upcoming children’s picture books. I look forward to that experience.
– If you should travel to a foreign country to do research, which one would you chose and why?
The Iberian Peninsula. I have ancestral roots in northern Portugal. That area, and the Galician provinces in north western Spain, are very appealing to me. Ocean waves and mountain ranges, the area is steeped in magic and historical ruins abound. I would love to spend time digging into my lineage and imagine our experiences during the Moorish invasion and Spanish Inquisition.
Thank you, M.C. Goldrick and Rachel’s Random Resources
About the Author
Award-winning author & mother of two, M.C. Goldrick sees feelings as our first language. Through her books she helps us identify and own our emotions. Her acclaimed Juvenile fiction series TIMEFLIES is an example of how stories can both enrich and entertain. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with her family.
About the Illustrator
Rebecca Alexander, mother of two now-grown-up boys, is an accomplished artist with a private gallery. Her work has been featured on Canada Post Christmas Cards & stamps. She lives in St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Author Links
https://www.motherbutterfly.com/
https://www.amazon.com/M.C.-Goldrick/e/B07FXQ5WHD
https://www.facebook.com/timefliesbooks
https://www.instagram.com/m.c.goldrick/
Book Links
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brad-was-Sad-intelligence-storybook-ebook/dp/B07XGMX8FZ
US – https://www.amazon.com/Brad-was-Sad-intelligence-storybook-ebook/dp/B07XGMX8FZ
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