"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 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)
"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
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
I really like the Nix and Nax shop and the cake recipe. I enjoyed the sign language in 26 BFFs.
- 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
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
"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)
"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
What an awesome resource that incorporates so much! Invaluable!"
- Sandra Santoro – BA Ed BA Teach – Teacher K-6/Assistant Principal
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, 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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We spoke to renowned celebrity vocal coach and award winning songwriter Roxanne Kiely, who created Busy Izzy - an educational entertainment series for young children."Educational" and "fun" are the selling points of "Busy Izzy and Friends", and this is exactly what it delivers. 
Told in a rhyming verse, kids will love the excitement and adventure the characters experience; whilst also informing them on a range of topics, from healthy eating to road safety.
The pages are filled with colourful illustrations that really pop against the white background, drawing in children's attention.
AUSTRALIAN writer Roxanne Kiely created Busy Izzy because she was so frustrated that only one in three children's books has a central female character...
