Mama Loves Paris

An interview with Janina ‘nina’ Rossiter by Leila Benzo

I’m always excited to meet creative people who are realising their dreams, and Nina Rossiter has done just that by creating and self-publishing her own set of children’s books. Creative Mamas are doing it for themselves, and getting their work out into the world in whatever way they choose.

I originally discovered Nina, and her character Tovi, through Facebook. I noticed that she was self-publishing and promoting her work online. In between her hectic working mum, with nocturnal baby, schedule, she managed to find the time to share a few details about her projects in Paris with MLP. My intrigue turned into fascination as Nina told me about the ups and downs of self-publishing. “It’s difficult to get the recognition when people see that you’re self-published you don’t get the same kind of respect or interest as when you’re working with a big publishing house,” Nina told me.

Something Nina so humbly describes as a ‘hobby’ looks more like a labour of love to me. As a spectator, I could look at a kid’s book, and imagine that ‘I could do that’ but on realising the complexity of computer design and online marketing I began to understand how hard it really is.

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Les Enfants à Paris

With Easter around the corner Alexander is getting excited as he will get to go and see his grandparents whom live in London. His nana organises the best egg-and-spoon races in town! And you know who else will be travelling to London!!? Yep, it’s Tovi!

Tovi the penguin goes to London is another great addition to the Tovi series.

“It’s raining again and Tovi and his friends decide to take a trip to get away from the bad weather. How about going to London? Will they have a good time? Let’s find out …”
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Les Enfants à Paris

Our nightly routine nearly always involves either my husband or myself reading a story to Alexander. In fact he wont even go to sleep until he’s had his story. So we’re always looking for new interesting stories to read to him and his current favourite is Tovi the penguin.

It’s a nice simple picture book, but the real strenght of the book is the fact the parents can read the story or the the child can follow the pictures on their own.

(Giveaway has ended)

Paul et Paula

Peggy, who runs the blog Paul et Paula,
made a selection for Halloween items.
What a nice suprise to find the Tovi the
Penguin Halloween book - Tovi the Penguin
goes trick-or-treating there.
Thank you Peggy!

Our Mummy Life

*Story Corner with Our Mummy Life*

We are very excited to announce our new venture, where Our Mummy Life will be reading & showcasing Children's books every second Sunday (alternating with my exercise videos)
This week we have a book published in Paris, by Janina Rossiter:
-Tovi goes on a treasure hunt in Paris-
Part of a book series called Tovi The Penguin

We have South African & British authors lined up, so keep an eye out on our website for more videos, also where you'll find more details & the links to purchase:

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Five Little Stars

Tovi the Penguin goes to Paris: book review

Penguins are among the cutest looking animals on earth (a close second to the panda perhaps?). And if there is one city that is also universally loved it surely has to be Paris (I'm biased of course because I live here). So I think Janina Rossiter has struck gold with her little gem of a book called Tovi The Penguin Goes on a Treasure Hunt in Paris.

It is the latest in a series of 7 books which also includes Tovi goes to London, Tovi goes camping and my children's recent favourite, Tovi goes into space (which I bought my 5-year-old for Christmas).

The loveable penguin is the creation of designer, illustrator, working mum and self-published author Janina "Nina" Rossiter.

I was so pleased when she asked Five Little Stars to review her latest book. Nina is an expat in Paris, like me, so I am going to declare this upfront: we know each other socially.

Nina's books are aimed at 2 - 6 year olds. I'd say Tovi goes to Paris is for older children in this age range because they have to try to answer some questions about Paris ("clues") which lead Tovi to his final destination (hint: it's a very famous painting in The Louvre). Adults will still need to read the book with older child as it's not an 'easy reader'.
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Kristin Louise Duncombe

Ms. Nina’s Penguin: TOVI! A Conversation with Children’s Book author Janina Rossiter

Janina Rossiter is a German author who writes and illustrates the children’s book series Tovi the Penguin. She lives near Paris, France, with her British husband and young daughter, working as a freelance packaging designer. She started her career as an illustrator in July 2014 a when she decided to bring Tovi to life. Janina has a passion for design, design blogs & fashion blogs and everything that is creative!

How did you decide to start illustrating children’s books?

I just love children books. Even before I had a child of my own I went out and bought children books, just because I loved the illustrations and the stories. They are so much fun and also, unlike in the packaging design world where after a few years your design gets a facelift and your original creation disappears, the books are there for life. If they are successful they will get passed on from generation to generation, which I also find really nice. Tovi_goescamping

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Diapers-And-Daydreams

“Tovi the Penguin Goes to the Seaside” by Janina Rossiter. (Book Review)

Tovi’s back… and this time his adventures are taking him out of London, and to the ocean! Tovi and company unpack their beach bags and settle in for a nice day at the shore. They build sand castles, look for shells and hermit crabs, and then doze off for a nap in the sun. But when they awake they are surrounded by water! They’re lucky they know how to swim, but why weren’t they warned they are in a part of the beach where the tide comes far in? Can they uncover a helpful tool that will save the next beach patrons? This is a cute story from Janina Rossiter, as are all the Tovi series of books. We like to see Tovi vacationing… even penguins need some time off I guess! hehe! Dolly loves the bright colored digital illustrations, and she especially loves trying to spot the ladybug playing hide-and-seek on every page! This is the perfect story to pack for your trip to the beach...

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