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I Learned to Love Myself
The Puzzle Piece is a heartwarming and insightful children’s book that beautifully illustrates the idea of individuality and self-worth. What was the inspiration for your story?
As is the case with many of my books, The Puzzle Piece was inspired by conversations with my daughter. I love finding ways to explain difficult concepts, such as authenticity and self-love. I used the image of a puzzle of the world to discuss these topics with her, and later decided to write the story to share with other children.
I found the message about trying to fit into the wrong space, which can lead to negative feelings, insightful and critical for both children and adults. What were some of the ideas you felt were important to share with young children in your story?
Like many people around the world, I sometimes struggled to fit in when I was growing up, and at some point I believed I needed to change myself to fit in. It indeed felt very uncomfortable. With time, I learned to love myself just the way I am, and it feels great! I am trying to help children to see themselves with loving eyes and to embrace all of themselves. I dream of helping to raise a generation of children who love themselves and know themselves enough to be able to contribute positively to a world that desperately needs them to be able to do so.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
With this book, which is the third book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series, I aimed to create another insightful book to facilitate discussions of important topics with children. From early editorial and customer reviews, I am excited about the impact that this book is having in helping parents and educators to navigate discussions of self-love and authenticity.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, what topics will the next story be about?
This is the third and last book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series. It feels appropriate to end this particular series with this book. Nevertheless, I will continue writing and publishing other books and other series in the future. Some topics I have written about and will look into publishing in the future, albeit not as part of this series, include: our interconnected nature (i.e., we are part of the world and are thus all connected to each other and to the natural world); accepting our imperfections and apologizing for our mistakes; and maintaining our sense of awe alive as we grow older.
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The Puzzle Piece guides children as they imagine that the world is a gigantic puzzle and that they are unique pieces in that puzzle. The book explains what it might feel like to change ourselves to fit in versus staying true to ourselves. Readers are encouraged to listen to their intuition, to find their space in the puzzle, and to be able to contribute their unique gifts to our world.
The Puzzle Piece
Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez’s The Puzzle Piece is a heartwarming and insightful children’s book that beautifully illustrates the idea of individuality and self-worth. Through engaging and vibrant illustrations by Rita Nilson, the book portrays the world as a gigantic puzzle where every individual, animal, and plant is a unique and essential piece. The narrative encourages children to embrace their uniqueness, trust their intuition, and find their special place in the world, emphasizing that everyone’s authentic self is crucial to completing the puzzle of life.
One of the standout elements of the book is its gentle yet powerful messaging. Mendoza-Vasconez adeptly addresses feelings of inadequacy and the pressure to conform that many children face. By framing these struggles within the context of fitting into a puzzle, she provides a relatable and comforting metaphor. I particularly appreciated the section where the book discusses how forcing oneself to fit into the wrong space can lead to discomfort and self-doubt. This is a critical lesson for children, teaching them that it’s okay to be different and that they don’t need to change themselves to fit in. The writing style is clear and accessible, perfectly suited for young readers while still engaging for adults. The repetition of affirmations about finding one’s unique space in the puzzle reinforces the book’s central theme effectively. Rita Nilson’s illustrations complement the text wonderfully, adding an extra layer of depth and charm to the story. The colorful, lively illustrations are not only engaging but also serve as a visual reinforcement of the book’s message about diversity and inclusion.
The Puzzle Piece by Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez is a delightful and meaningful read for children and adults alike. It’s a perfect tool for parents and educators to discuss topics of self-esteem, individuality, and the importance of embracing one’s true self. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to instill these values in young minds.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0D36LT6P6
From Gray to Colorful
The Gratitude Goggles follows young children as they discover the concept of gratitude and the pitfalls of comparison and want in how it impacts their mental health and well-being. What was the inspiration for your story?
Since I became a mother five years ago, I have been working on myself and trying to be the best version of myself. I have explored many resources (e.g., books, workshops), to learn and to grow spiritually. One lesson that I have learned during my journey of personal growth is the importance of gratitude to support our wellbeing. I wanted to share this message with my children and with other children. The idea of goggles that we can wear to change our perspective (from gray to colorful) came to mind as a way to explain what gratitude can do in our lives.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The core idea in this book is that gratitude can help to bring back some color into our lives when everything looks dull and gray; there is extensive research supporting the positive effects of gratitude on well-being and on physical and mental health. Another message I wanted to relay in this book is that many times we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others or we may think that buying new things or changing something about ourselves will make us happier, which is not the case. We are constantly bombarded by messages (through ads or social media, for example) telling us that we are not enough or that we don’t have enough, which may make us feel inadequate and even depressed. Gratitude can help to combat those feelings of inadequacy and the ensuing depression.
The art in this book really brings the concepts to life for young children through the visual representations. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rita Nilson?
I am so grateful to be able to work with Rita Nilson on these books. I explored collaborations with different illustrators, and Rita was a perfect fit. Not only is she an amazing artist, but she is also a mother and she has a sensitive and kind soul. Thus, she perfectly understood the intimate and tender feeling that I want to convey with The Gratitude Goggles and other books in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series.
Regarding our collaboration, we usually discuss ideas before she starts creating a storyboard. Sometimes, I will quickly sketch things that I have in mind and send sketches to her; she then takes those ideas and runs with them, adding her beautiful artistic touch.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The following book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series is called The Puzzle Piece, and it talks about authenticity and loving ourselves just the way we are. We have not officially announced the launch date yet, but it will be in May this year.
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The Gratitude Goggles guides children as they imagine a special pair of goggles that can appear by simply feeling gratitude. These are goggles that reveal the world in its true, colorful splendor. The book explains the pitfalls of comparison and want, which can cast a gray pall over everything—as if we were wearing gray goggles. But fear not; we can always trade our gray goggles for the sparkling gratitude ones, thereby illuminating life’s wonders!
Love is Essential
The Love Tank explores the unique idea that children have a vessel that is just waiting to be filled with love and experiences that will shape their behavior and social interactions. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a book?
The Love Tank was inspired by a conversation with my 3-year-old daughter, who saw me crying over the tragic news of a school shooting. I didn’t know how to explain what had happened, and the concept of a “love tank” came to mind. I started explaining that we all have a love tank inside, which is filled by giving and receiving love. And when our love tank is full, we are able to act kindly and lovingly with others. But when our love tank is empty, it is much harder to be kind and loving. I explained that there are people who have a love tank that is completely empty, and who can end up hurting others, and that I was crying because someone with a very empty love tank hurt others and it made me really sad. A few days later, I woke up and the story was in my head, so I wrote it down and eventually published it as a children’s book.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
I can’t narrow it down to only one experience because there have been various events that have influenced my writing, which is geared towards spreading messages of love, compassion, kindness, empathy, gratitude, authenticity and connectedness. Becoming a mother for the first time turned my world upside down and triggered a journey of self-discovery that led me to where I am now. Losing a really good friend to depression and drug use made me question our values as a society and made me want to contribute (through my writing) to creating a kinder, more loving world in which sensitive and beautiful souls like his could thrive. Similarly, events such as the school shooting that I previously mentioned, as well as becoming a mother to a baby boy in a society that sometimes seems to exude toxic masculinity, cemented my desire to contribute to building a kinder, more loving and more compassionate society through my writing.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
To me it was important to discuss love as “essential” in our life. The book explains, “just like the gas tank in a car that we fill with gas so the car will run,” we need love to be kind and do good things. I also wanted children to understand that if someone else is hurtful, it may be because that person has an empty love tank, not because of something they did or did not do. And I wanted children to know that they have agency to fill their own love tanks and to perhaps even help others, contributing to a kinder world.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The Love Tank is the first book in a series of five books (Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness), which discuss the values of love, kindness, compassion, gratitude, authenticity and connectedness. The second book is titled The Gratitude Goggles, launch date to be determined (to be notified, readers can join our mailing list at www.wholesomechildrenbooks.com/mailinglist ).
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It’s challenging to explain the importance of giving and receiving love. Why do some people behave hurtfully? How can we respond with kindness and compassion?
The Love Tank guides children in imagining a superpower container inside their bodies that fills up with love. The book explains what can happen when someone’s love tank is full–or empty, and how we can help others to fill their love tank.
The Love Tank: A Book About Empathy, Kindness, and Self-Awareness for Children Ages 4-8
Among the children’s books that seek to teach invaluable life lessons, Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez’s The Love Tank emerges as a heartwarming and imaginative read. The author deftly navigates the landscape of essential human virtues – love, kindness, empathy, and compassion – delivering an experience that is both captivating and thought-provoking. Mendoza-Vasconez frames her narrative around the creative concept of the “love tank.” Within every child, this metaphorical vessel awaits to be filled with the essence of love, shaping their demeanor and interactions within society. The exploration of this metaphor is the focus of Mendoza-Vasconez’s compelling storyline.
The book effectively prompts young minds to picture their own love tank, fostering an appreciation for how its presence can shape both their own behavior as well as their interactions with others. The illustrations, vivid and inviting, convey the emotional experiences of the characters. This combination of words and images ensures that readers of all ages are enveloped in the story.
At the heart of The Love Tank lies the concept of extending kindness to fill the love tanks of others. This notion is more than a metaphor; it is an empowering call to action. The book gracefully reinforces the power young minds possess to effect positive change through their interactions. This concept is poised to cultivate a generation that understands its potential for fostering empathy and compassion. Mendoza-Vasconez’s prose is elegantly simple and leaves a deep impression on readers of all ages. The narrative’s pacing is comfortable and allows readers ample time to absorb the story.
The Love Tank is a wonderful addition to a children’s library focused on the teaching of values, and it is a poignant reminder that the smallest gestures of love can unleash waves of positivity and understanding across our world. Educators and parents alike will find this book a treasure trove to share with young minds, nurturing the growth of love, kindness, empathy, and compassion – the very building blocks of humanity itself.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0C7BVN1FZ
LITERARY TITAN 