Welcome to the website for author and journalist Tania Tirraoro.
Here you can read about my books and find links for where to buy them.
You can view my other work as a journalist and sometime cover designer and please leave a comment to get in touch.

Monday 31 July 2017

Summer reading recommendations for kids from Amnesty International UK

Just as your kids decide to do no reading whatsoever over the summer holidays, Amnesty International UK has compiled a list of recommended books for young readers to enjoy. If you're interested in helping to improve your children's social conscience, take a look at this list, split into age groups.   
Amnesty’s top picks explore and celebrate human rights - including themes of family life, justice, racism and the refugee crisis - and have been selected for three age ranges: younger readers (3-7 years); junior readers (8-12 years); and teens (13-16 years). 
Nicky Parker, Publisher at Amnesty UK, said:
“At Amnesty, we believe that reading fiction can help develop our empathy and understanding of social justice. There’s nothing better than a powerful story to make us think about what it might be like to be someone else.  
“Our lists of top summer reads have been carefully selected to help nurture young readers’ sense of individual freedom and self-expression. We hope these books will inspire children to take pride in the ways they are different and special, and help give them the confidence to stand up for themselves and others.”
For more information about Amnesty Books and the lists below, see here.

Amnesty’s top books for younger readers: 3-7yrs

Silver Buttons, by Bob Graham,celebrates diversity and tells the story of a young girl, Jodie, who is busy drawing a duck wearing boots with silver buttons.
Welcome, by Barroux,tells the story of three polar bears that are set adrift in the ocean after part of their ice float suddenly breaks off. It explores themes of difference, belonging and climate change, and has powerful echoes with the current refugee crisis.
Vanilla Ice Cream, by Bob Graham, celebrates the interconnectedness of our world through the journey of a young sparrow from an Indian rice-paddy to a city in the North.
There’s a Bear on My Chair, by Ross Collins,which was awarded the Amnesty CILIP Honour 2016, is a witty portrayal of activism and peaceful protest, told through the story of a tiny mouse attempting to move a bear from his favourite chair.
No!, by David McPhail, tells the tale of a young boy in a war-torn country, who sets off to post a letter and witnesses an act of cruelty on his way. It highlights how everybody – even young children – is capable of taking a stand against oppression.
Luna Loves Library Day, by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Fiona Lumbers,shows the power reading can have in bringing families together.
Swimmy, by Leo Lionni,brings to lifean underwater world in a wonderful story about togetherness.
Oliver, by Birgitta Sif, is a celebration of difference and an exploration of how true friendship springs from self-acceptance.
My Little Book of Big Freedoms, by Chris Riddell, helps readers understand why human rights are so important for leading a free, safe and happy life.
What Are You Playing At?, by Marie-Sabine Roger and Anne Sol, is a ‘lift-the-flap’ book that aims to challenge rigid gender norms around childhood play.
So Much!, by Trish Cooke and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, is a warm and humorous portrayal of family life.
Odd Dog Out, by Rob Biddulph,is a story of a lonely dog who packs her bags for Doggywood, where she feels she belongs. Itemphasises the importance of individuality and the freedom to live as one chooses.
Handa’s Surprise, by Eileen Browne,is a storyabout sharing and friendship, in which a series of wild animals find Handa’s picnic basket far too tempting.
Footpath Flowers, by JonArno Lawson and illustrated by Sydney Smith, is a wordless picture book about a young girl who gathers wild flowers and transforms people’s lives when she gives them away.
How To Look After Your Dinosaur, by Jason Cockcroft, is a humorous guide for prospective dinosaur-owners and a story about friendship.
I Have the Right to Be a Child, by Alain Serres and illustrated by Aurélia Fronty,uses pictures to bring the Convention on the Rights of the Child to life and help young readers understand their rights.

Amnesty’s top books for junior readers: 8-12 years

Dreams of Freedom, is Amnesty’s latest book, which combines the words of human rights heroes such as Nelson Mandela, Anne Frank and Malala Yousafzai, with beautiful illustrations from renowned international artists including Oliver Jeffers and Chris Riddell.
Peter in Peril, by Helen Bate, is a graphic novel based on a true story about a boy named Peter who is Jewish and living in 1940s Hungary.
Two Weeks with the Queen, by Morris Gleitzman, follows Colin, a young boy who has a plan to break into Buckingham Palace. It is a witty and empathetic book that deals with some difficult themes, such as bereavement and homophobia.
The Bone Sparrow, by Zana Fraillon,winner of theAmnesty CILIP Honour 2017,highlights the plight of Burma’s Rohingya people and details life inside a detention centre in Australia.
Tender Earth, by Sita Brahmachari,is about 11-year-old Laila Levenson who feels daunted by the prospect of secondary school but begins to find her own voice after discoveringNana Josie's protest book.
sputniks guide to life on earth

Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth, by Frank Cottrell Boyce,follows Sputnik and Prez on a series of unbelievable mishaps, scrapes and adventures, and celebrates the importance of finding a home in a very big universe.
The Hypnotist, by Laurence Anholt,tells the tale of 13-year-old Pip who has to battle racial hatred when he goes to work as a farmhand. Set during the civil rights struggles of 1960s America,The Hypnotist explores the nature of prejudice and racist violence in a thoughtful and original way.
The Journey, by Francesca Sanna, explores the theme of migration through a child’s eyes as a mother and her two young children are forced to flee their country.
The Girl of Ink and Stars, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, is a captivating story about Isabella, the daughter of a cartographer, who is the only person with the skills to find her best friend Lupe when she goes missing.
A Story Like The Wind, by Jill Lewis and illustrated by Jo Weaver, tells intertwined stories about loneliness, the need for shelter, and how music can provide solace for those who are struggling.

Amnesty’s top books for teens: 13-16 years

Max,by Sarah Cohen-Scali, is about Max, a boy born into the Nazi Lebensborn programme designed to engineer ‘perfect’ Aryan children, who comes to question the world view he has been fed growing up.
Here I Stand: Stories that Speak for Freedom,is a compelling collection of stories, poems and graphic narratives put together by Amnesty which explore different aspects of our human rights.
The Art of Being Normal, by Lisa Williamson, is a powerful portrayal of two young people struggling to assert their identity in an often hostile and unforgiving world
lies we tell ourselves

Lies We Tell Ourselves, by Robin Talley, is a coming-of-age novel about two brave young women who confront racism and homophobia to live as they choose.
The Stars at Oktober Bend, by Glenda Millard, is narrated by 15-year-old Alice Nightingale who has suffered a brain injury and struggles to express herself. It explores themes of sexual assault, poverty and racism.
The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, is inspired by the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and follows 16-year-old Starr, whose life changes forever when she witnesses a policeman murder her childhood friend, Khalil.
Orangeboy, by Patrice Lawrence, is a fast-paced thriller that gives an original and fresh perspective on the struggles facing London’s teenagers and the pressures that surround gang culture.
Salt to the Sea, by Ruta Sepetys,follows a host of characters in Germany 1945 as they seek shelter from the Red Army aboard theWilhelm Gustlof. This is a tragic story that has rarely been told.
Alpha, by Bessora and Barroux, is a graphic novel that follows the story of a father who leaves Ivory Coast in the hope of reaching Paris to be reunited with his wife and child.
Straight Outta Crongton, by Alex Wheatle, follows 15-year-old Mo growing up in the tough, crime-ridden neighbourhood of South Crong.
What are your recommended books this summer?


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Saturday 3 November 2012

Ten Books Every Child Should Own


Found this news release for an inspiring initiative in the US and Canada that I thought I'd share..

 First Book, a nonprofit that provides new, high-quality books to children from low-income families, is asking the public to choose which iconic children's title they will give away as their 100 millionth book in November.

"In some of the lowest-income neighborhoods in the country there is only one book available for every 300 children, unlike more affluent neighborhoods where every child has a dozen or more books of their own," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "This disparity is intolerable."
"We've chosen ten great books we think every child should own," Zimmer said. "Kids need books like these to turn them into strong readers and help them become success stories – in school and in life."
First Book works with a growing network of over 40,000 local schools and community programs acrossthe United States and Canada, as well as the publishing industry, to provide free and low-cost books to children in need – almost 100 million brand-new books since its founding in 1992.
To choose the 100 millionth book, they've asked supporters and members of the public to vote online.
Voters can choose their favorite from ten well-known and beloved children's books.
The top ten books represent some of the all-time best-selling titles available on the First Book Marketplace, a website available exclusively to educators and program leaders that work with kids in need.
  • A Wrinkle in Time (Macmillan)
  • Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (Simon & Schuster)
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams)
  • Eating the Alphabet (Houghton Mifflin)
  • Green Eggs and Ham (Random House)
  • Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick Press)
  • Martin's Big Words (Disney Publishing Worldwide)
  • The Snowy Day (Puffin)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird (Hachette)
  • Where the Wild Things Are (HarperCollins)
Voting begins today, Oct. 29, and continues through Nov. 9. To vote, visit firstbook.org/vote.
The winning title will be announced on Nov. 15 at Martha's Table in Washington, D.C, a local nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless and low-income children. It was at Martha's Table that First Book was born; the idea came to Zimmer when she and some colleagues were volunteering there 20 years ago and realized that the children they were working with had no books of their own at home. Children at the program will receive their very own copies of the winning title.
In addition, copies of all ten books will be available as a special anniversary collection to all of the 40,000 schools and programs that make up the First Book network.
Anyone who works with kids in need is eligible to get books from First Book. In addition to the First Book Marketplace, where over 3,000 titles are available at low cost, First Book also regularly distributes large quantities of brand-new books donated by publishers, free of charge.



Ten Books Every Child Should Own

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Sweet Seduction now available in Paperback

I'm very excited at the arrival of my glossy new paperback for Sweet Seduction.
Sweet Seduction is a lovely light romance that's been well-received on both sides of the pond. For everyone who doesn't have an ereader, it's now available in paperback at Amazon.
If you've read it and enjoyed it, I'd be delighted if you would consider leaving a review on Amazon.





You can find it in the UK here below on the LEFT and on Amazon.Com below on the RIGHT:
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Saturday 29 October 2011

Special Educational Needs - getting Started With Statements now available in paperback

My book aimed at helping parents negotiate the special educational needs jungle that is the UK statementing process is now available from Amazon in paperback.
Ignore the not in stock text, when you order it will be ordered in. You can order it by clicking on the image below:
Special Educational Needs - Getting Started With Statements by Tania Tirraoro
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Monday 10 October 2011


Today my book on Special Educational Needs is launched as an ebook. Here is the press release 
FARNHAM, 10th October 2011: A mother of two autistic boys from Farnham, Surrey has published a new book aimed at helping other parents navigate their way through the special educational needs jungle.
While there are other books about the SEN system available, this book, by the creator of the www.specialneedsjungle.co.uk website, Tania Tirraoro, takes a parent-to-parent approach, explaining in detail how to prepare an application for a statutory assessment of special educational needs.
Tania said, "Since I started my website in 2008, it's become clear how daunting parents find the SEN process. Many parents of children with ASDs or dyslexia are affected by the conditions themselves and need help with organising and getting started on their applications. I've helped many parents with their applications and I realised that what they need is not an overview of the whole system that you find in other books, but a basic 'how-to', written in an accessible way. That is what I hope I've achieved."
The book has a foreword by SEN campaigner and former parliamentary candidate Maria Hutchings, who famously hand-bagged Tony Blair during the 2005 election over the closure of special schools. It also contains a section on what to expect if you end up at an SEN Tribunal by experienced SEN Advocate, Julie Maynard.
Maria Hutchings said, "I only wish that I when I was going throug
h the statementing process striving to get John Paul the right education, speech therapy and respite for the family, that I had read this book. Being the mother of two children on the autistic spectrum, Tania has a deep sense of empathy for what it feels like when you have to fight for everything to ensure your child’s future. Tania captures that deep sense we all have as mothers and carers, to do the very best for our precious children."
The book takes parents through the process from a very personal viewpoint with examples from successful applications and relevant quotes from the SEN Code of Practice and Education law.
Tania said, "I've been through the process twice and my boys, who both have Asperger Syndrome, now have access to the kind of education they need to help level the playing field in their future lives. ASD is a lifelong condition and they will always battle the difficulties of their Asperger's, but because I had the ability to present their cases methodically, they got the help they need. Why should other children not have the same as my boys?"
The book is available now in all ebook formats from Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.com. If parents do not have a Kindle, then Kindle for PC, ipad or smartphone can be downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk. It makes this book accessible to every parent, instantly.
It will be available in paperback in the next few weeks.
About the Author:

Tania Tirraoro is an author and journalist and has already published two women's fiction novels, This Last Summer and Sweet Seduction, one as an ebook, the other available as ebook and in paperback. She is a former television and radio journalist, having worked as a reporter and news presenter for Meridian Television and NBC/CNBC, and BBC Radio Berkshire among others. She also works as a press consultant for three heart rhythm charities.You can find the SEN site atwww.specialneedsjungle.co.uk.
Tania's author site is at www.taniatirraoro.com
She also has a blog at http://notasadvertised.blogspot.com
Twitter: @TaniaLT  @SpcialNdsJungle
E-Book Links:
Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Smashwords
Tania Tirraoro can be contacted at info@specialneedsjungle.co.uk