Reviews
Bec Judd
'Penelope Plume' didn't receive the book launch it deserved as the author, Jo Rothwell, was diagnosed with incurable cancer around the same time. The Rothwells are lovely people (Carlton mad!) and I want to give this book a big push to support Jo's treatment and also their gorgeous son Harry as he enters a new school. You can click on the link in my bio to buy. Cheers! @rothwellpublishing
Coco the Kelpie loves to read One Yelpy Kelpie's Melbourne Adventure - in a library of course!
Chasing Normal
This was an excellent book. With such a hard topic as cancer, you always knew it was going to be a tough read. Following Jo on her roller-coaster ride was intense but also beautifully balanced with the lighter aspect of her life - her incredibly strong and vital relationship with her son. Highly recommend this book to everyone but especially those with cancer affecting their lives or those around them, which is pretty well everyone anyway.
CHASING NORMAL Balancing the Ups and Downs of Life and Cancer
by Jo Rothwell.
A friend asked me to read this book and give my feedback as she is a friend of the author and thinks the book “has legs” but wanted an objective view. I must say I didn’t immediately want to read about someone else’s cancer experience but I was curious and would like to assist my friend. In fact, the book is very well written, funny in parts, extremely brave and Jo’s positive light shines through. I liked her technique of every second chapter being devoted to Wednesdays with her adored son Harry. As someone with two sons, I’m in awe of how she managed to get him out on her adventures. Her descriptions of the temperament of a young man ring so true and add humour to the book. As a fellow sufferer/survivor of incurable cancer (brain cancer for me) and a mother, I have a lot in common with Jo. I know her fears, especially the intense and overwhelming fear of leaving children behind and not sharing their growing lives. I know the stifling trepidation in waiting for scan results and praying that your number’s not up. I also know how to live a positive life and not give any oxygen or airtime to cancer. I loved the illustrations for every chapter by Jo’s ex-husband. As Jo says, the only way we can get better is if they find a cure for cancer, hence I have devoted large parts of the last 9 years to fundraising for brain cancer and have raised over $600,000. As Jo would appreciate this is largely due to the loving support of family and friends who are there alongside you all of the way. Bravo Jo. 10/10.
read.books.with.jane (Instagram)
Book Week
Thank you very much for sending your Yelpy Kelpie books to us in Portland Oregon USA! We are loving them both. Attached is a photo of our Kelpie, Annie, with David on our Grand Canyon adventure.
Our best
Karla and David Hopkins
Portland, Oregon
Chasing Normal -
Balancing the ups and downs of life and cancer.
A moving and thought-provoking read! ‘Chasing Normal’ is not just a chronicle of cancer treatment and the ups and downs of coping with a life-altering event, it’s so much more than that. It’s an affirmation of life in all its splendour and a reminder to appreciate all the aspects of the world we live in, to find humour in everyday existence, and above all to value what we have. Life is precious, the human mind is strong, and there is always an advantage in concentrating on the good things over the bad. Not only that, it’s a great tour of Melbourne and its surrounds – it makes me want to get out there and explore it too! Thank you, Jo, for sharing your unique perspective on life. Wednesdays with Harry were a highlight, full of love, humour and warmth. ‘Chasing Normal’ is a book I’ll dip into again and again when I need a dose of positivity!
Caroline and Philip. Carp Productions
