Roxanne Kiely - Author - musician - singer/songwriter - vocal coach
In 2012, Roxanne created "Busy Izzy and Friends", featuring a 12 year old girl, her eight friends and a little puppy called Newly Truly (N.T.) The stories use rhythm and rhyme and book one includes a CD of exciting children's songs, written by Roxanne and Stephen Kiely.
Prodigiously creative, Roxanne has used her talent in a variety of fields, including songwriting, children's stories and web blogging. An award winning songwriter, she has released two albums of original music, has had songs featured on international television programs and recently had songs promoted on a popular ABC compilation.
Born and raised in a musical family, and writing songs, stories and poetry from the age of seven, Roxanne has made, and continues to make a marked contribution to the music industry, as co-director of ScoopFX Music and President of not-for-profit songwriting organisation, Songsalive! Australia, as well as "Singing Teacher to the Stars of Today" - Roxanne's stellar list of students include Delta Goodrem, whom she taught from age eight until twenty two, award-winning artistes Lupa J, Hayley Warner and Marlisa Punzalan, (Winner X Factor 2014), to name just a few.
As passionate as Roxanne is about all her activities, there is a special place in her heart for children and children's stories, which is why she has created the Busy Izzy and Friends series.
Busy Izzy and Friends is a great new story book about the adventures of a 12-year-old girl and her diverse group of friends. As book one in a ten-book series, the story will capture the imagination of young readers.
The intelligent and creative world of Busy Izzy, whom the author describes as a modern day Mary Poppins, and her 8 friends, contains not only imaginative stories, featuring playful rhythms and rhymes, but also healthy recipes and catchy songs.
This exciting book and CD is for 3-8 year olds who love music, fun and challenging experiences with friends.
Included with the book is an audio CD which contains five energetic songs which children of all ages will love to sing along with.
All songs are written and produced by the author Roxanne Kiely and her husband Stephen Kiely. Busy Izzy and Friends video clips on YouTube or www.busyizzy.com.
< -- Click photo to enlarge ---- Friends of Busy Izzy and friends are a-buzz today, after reading the excellent article by Neil Keene in the Daily Telegraph's Kidspot liftout magazine. Pictured with the article are (L-R) Kelina Ollerenshaw, Jaime Santoro-Hulls, Busy Izzy and friend's author, Roxanne Kiely and Romeo Okunzuwa.
From the article:
"Kiely says too much modern children's entertainment is laced with aggression, sarcasm and selfishness - a far cry from the central theme of Busy Izzy and Friends.
Playing music, riding bikes, cooking, building swings - activities undertaken in which Busy Izzy approaches life, are designed to act as examples for young readers and their parents."
"I call her the modern-day Mary Poppins," Roxanne says. "She's helpful and friendly and she deals with issues calmly."
The article continues, "The book has been endorsed by the World Literacy Foundation, an Australian-based organisation promoting global literacy. WLF CEO Andrew Kay says the simple values espoused, such as looking out for one's neighbour and being active in the community, really appealed.
Also included is an audio CD featuring a reading of the book as well as five songs written by Kiely and her husband, Stephen."
Busy Izzy and her friends, Mathematic Max, Talkative Tess, Even Evan, Bossy Bobby, Secret-agent Skye, Worried Warren, Modern Mo-Li and Sensible Steven, not to mention the terrific terrier, Newly Truly, are just rapt to know their creator and author will be introducing new friends to them via the Kidspot article.
Coupled with Roxanne's vision as an author is the excellent work of Jeesoo Kim, whose illustrations bring all the characters in the Busy Izzy and Friends series to life. Jeesoo works closely with Roxanne to achieve the right blend of dynamic personality in each of the characters of the story.
There's more about Roxanne, Busy Izzy and all her friends on her website: Busy Izzy and Friends. See you there!
Busy Izzy Media Reviews
"I recommend this book to anyone who wants their child to improve their understanding of words especially given the delightful incorporation of rhythm and rhyme into the story lines".
- Andrew Kay,
CEO World Literacy Foundation
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"Busy Izzy! What a fun and exciting character!...
Busy Izzy is so energetic, vivacious, friendly, and of course...busy! Oh, did I mention super cute too! Absolutely perfect for all kids seeking stories filled with adventure. So nice to have an Australian author creating a book that is perfect for both boys and girls and is so addictive. After hearing the first book my kids were wanting to hear more!
I also love the books about Busy Izzy's friends such as Talkative Tess, a character both of my girls can relate too, and can't wait to see what other interesting friends we may meet along the way. I absolutely love Busy Izzy books and look forward to following her and her next exciting adventure.
A perfect book for both boys and girls seeking stories filled with adventure, and is addictive. After hearing the first book, my kids wanted to hear more! What a fun and exciting character! Energetic, vivacious, friendly, and of course...busy! Oh, did I mention super cute too!"
- - Bec Hewitt (Mum of 3 kids)
"I LOVE the Busy Izzy books! They are such fun stories to listen to. Busy Izzy is sooo likable! In fact, I think Busy Izzy and I could be friends.
I'll be waiting for each new Busy Izzy book to hit the shelves!"
- Mia Hewitt, 9 years old
(Mia has been fortunate enough to have heard a couple of the upcoming stories in the Busy Izzy series.)
Schools
"Dear Roxanne,
Thank you so much for visiting our preschool last week and sharing your stories and songs about "Busy Izzy" and her friends with the children. As a teacher, I particularly like that each story shares a message with the children - such as the value of listening in "Talkative Tess".
At our preschool we have a high ratio of children who speak English as a second language. It was great to see their attention was held as you told your stories, perhaps aided by the rhythmic and rhyming nature of them, even with no visuals for the children to look at. It would be interesting to see their reaction to your stories with pictures to enhance them and aid in following the storyline.
Your songs were also received well by the children. Particularly the one with repetition and many animal sounds familiar to the children. They were singing this song in the bathroom later!
Thanks again. I look forward to hearing more stories soon,
Kind regards"
Loretta Gardner
(Early Childhood Teacher - North Rocks Preschool)
High praise for Busy Izzy!
This capable, clever and confident character captivates and engages early readers with her "can do" attitude. Whether building a tree swing or rescuing a cat, Busy Izzy is the go-to girl who always gets the job done.
This community minded character displays care for all from her wondrous shop "Nix & Nax"; a warm, cosy environment where all are welcome and are made to feel like they belong. Readers can't wait to revisit "Nix & Nax" in each new book to discover Izzy and her friends' next exciting adventure
With gorgeous illustrations to prompt emerging readers, pages turn very quickly as children become lost in the rhythm and rhyme that sweeps these tales along. They provide excellent stimulation for children to read along and especially to read aloud.
Busy Izzy with her adventurous spirit is sure to encourage your little ones to get reading. After all, there isn't anything that Busy Izzy cannot do.
Jodie Dunk, K-6 Teacher
From the moment I read this book and listened to the content I loved it. It engages children of all ages immediately. It's bright, vibrant, innovative characters are instantly popular and interesting with readers. The use of rhythm and rhyme of the text is terrific and can be used as an example for students to use in their own writing.
This is an excellent resource for teachers as it incorporates many areas of literacy and integrated other Key Learning Areas such as music. Teachers will be able to use this to
- encourage and build on students' writing techniques;
- rhyme, rhythm and music;
- learn the letters of the alphabet (26 BFFS song) with a catchy tune to remember;
- learn to spell and read; and
- show children how to be with one another in an engaging story line.
What an awesome resource that incorporates so much! Invaluable!
- Sandra Santoro - BA Ed BA Teach - Teacher K-6/Assistant Principal
Parents
"I love that the book is easy to read and follow...
My children were able to sing along with the songs almost instantly. They were engaged and still talking and singing about Busy Izzy after reading it and listening to 26 BFFs. They are looking forward to more Busy Izzy adventures.
- Sandra Santoro - (Mum of 3)
Children
I love Busy Izzy because it so much fun listening and dancing to the sing-a-long-song and the 26 BFFs. I also liked the names of the characters and the rhythm and rhyme of the lyrics and music.
- Brooklyn, 9 years old.
- Brooklyn, 9 years old
I really like the Nix and Nax shop and the cake recipe. I enjoyed the sign language in 26 BFFs.
- Taylor, 6 years old.
- Taylor, 6 years old
I love that Busy Izzy get busier!! I really like the alphabet song. I could sing along.
- Jaime, 4 years old.
- Jaime, 4 years old
Academics
Jo Bird (MPhil ACU), a leading Australian researcher in the field of how child behaviour is affected by the proliferation of technology and will soon complete her PhD on the subject. She agrees children have never been more exposed to images and language that are not necessarily positive and this is creating some challenges for parents and educators. She believes it is important for children to experience a mix of media and books are a critical element of this. Further, books which promote values of inclusiveness and collaboration such as the Busy Izzy and Friends series are especially important.
"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to be concerned by evidence about the potential harmful effects of media messages and images.
A recent study conducted by the AAP showed 8 to 10-year-olds in the USA spend nearly 8 hours a day with a variety of different media, and 71% have a TV in their bedroom. It said young people now spend more time with media each day than they do in school.
The Academy recommended parents discourage screen media exposure completely for children under two years of age, keep TV sets and internet-connected electronic devices out of children's bedrooms and closely monitor what media their children are using. It said parents and caregivers should establish a non negotiable family home use plan for all media which should include a mealtime and bedtime "curfew" of all media."
- Jo Bird (MPhil ACU)
"Beautifully illustrated, 'Busy Izzy and Friends' is book one in a series of children's books that promotes a caring, fun-filled and busy lifestyle for kids. It is full of fun recipes, sensible advice about safety, and exciting adventures about Busy Izzy and her friends to follow. There are songs to sing, recipes to try out, and fun facts to learn.
Busy Izzy provides a great role model for children to follow by promoting an active lifestyle that is filled with cooperation and caring."
- Sandra Graudins, Clinical Psychologist
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