Sissy Goes Tiny

Sissy Goes Tiny is co-authored by Rebecca Flansburg (left), BA Norrgard (right)

and illustrated by Penny Weber (photo below).

The book is published by Audrey Press.

 For first time children's authors debut book has scored a home run based on a novel concept of tiny living from a child's perspective with heartfelt messages of stewardship and defining what is a home.   

The tiny house movement is a social movement that advocates living more simply in a small house under 400 square feet. It's a lifestyle concept that led the authors to create an innovative picture book for ages 4-8.         

Sissy’s name was chosen for the main character to pay homage to co-author  Norrgard’s Tiny House,  named "Sisu". “Sisu" is a Finnish word meaning having grit, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Tiny House Living for the children's picture book market is a fairly new concept especially when written from the perspective of a child.  The main character Sissy has to learn a different type of living which means she will be able to keep only those things which have a necessary purpose or are very special. For some children paring down possessions may be  scary and even make them feel  a bit sad. But with the promise of new places to explore. people to meet, scary and sad feelings will give way to exciting times ahead with many new possibilities.     

Sissy Goes Tiny is  an ideal vehicle for young children to ponder and discuss how to live tiny with fewer things and have new experiences. The authors have chosen to emphasize size concepts throughout the text capitalizing words such as BIG, SMALL LIFE, HOUSE to make them standout for the reader. Repetition of words is an intentional device to ensure ideas will stick with readers plus it adds rhythm to the story. With diverse characters presented in the book it will appeal to a wide range of readers. Since the book has a lot of text for the intended age group 4-8 it prompts parents and teachers to use the book as a discussion tool.  It encourages adults to have conversations  with children on how to be better stewards of the environment by looking at the reduce, reuse, recycle concepts: What do I value? What can I do without? What can I repurpose?

The story unfolds with Sissy quite content with her life in a BIG  house surrounded by BIG oaks and SMALL chirping birds. She loves her BIG bedroom and comfy BIG bed.  Her  comfortable world is interrupted when her parents decide the family is going to learn  how to live tiny with a new smaller house.  They will have fewer things but more experiences. While Sissy feels sad and scared and worries about missing her friends the promise of new places where she can have new adventures and find BIG trees to climb sounds exciting.  As Sissy and her family get ready for their new tiny house adventure they realize they have some hard work to do as a family to give them a fresh start. Each family member  needs to pare down their possessions. This meant looking  at donating or selling items they really don't use often or need.  Some of Sissy friends who live in tiny houses showed her to repurpose some of her favorite items. They also encouraged her to take pictures of all her favorite things to create a keepsake Memory Book that would save her special memories forever.

Sissy Goes Tiny has the potential to be a series for readers following Sissy and her family traveling on the road and experiencing new adventures. At the back of the book readers can find fun Tiny house facts and  information about the authors and illustrator.     

Rebecca “Becky” Flansburg is an author, freelance writer, and blogger from Minnesota who writes about parenthood topics and being a mompreneur.

She is mom to two humans and critter mom to way too many pets. Flansburg credits her quick wit and positive outlook on life for keeping her sane and successful. Her non-fiction books FREEdom: Creating the Work-From-Home Life You Crave and MOM BOSSING: The Freedom to Create the Business You Love can be found on Amazon. She is a proud member of the Lakes Area Writers Alliance and readers can connect with her on Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter.

BA Norrgard is an author, public speaker and a passionate advocate for being free to live a larger life in a smaller space. She is from the Dallas Texas area and had been in the paralegal profession for over 20 years. Norrgard teaches tiny house  workshops and is curator of DIY tiny house village exhibits. In March 2014, she launched DFW Tiny House Enthusiasts.  The group is the largest tiny house oriented Meetup in the nation! Currently, there are over 2,400 members. Norrgard and her husband live in a 78 sq. ft. house. 

Norrgard is pictured in front of her house "Sisu".  Readers can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
  Sissy Goes Tiny official book launch will be in Brainerd, MN in October. Check Flansburg's social media for exact date, place and time.  An online blog book tour begins September 15th.  
 This project was supported by Five Wings Arts Council with funds from the McKnight Foundation. Sissy Goes Tiny can be purchased at AudreyPress.com IndieBound, and Amazon.