Blog Archives
Inspire Curiosity
Snoodles in Space follows a group of extraterrestrial visitors to Earth who are in dire need of help to save their leader and their ship. What was the inspiration for your story?
I was reading a news story about how we are producing less scientists, and I had the thought about a planet that had no scientists left because everyone was discouraged to become one. So, I wanted to write a story about discouragement but also put a light on the effect of encouragement as well.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to inspire curiosity, and taking on complex problems and having fun at the same time. Every Snoodles book also has to have a museum built. This book has a museum on space exploration. The last book had an art museum. There will be an aquarium in the next book. Kids should be excited about going to a museum, even more so these days.
The art in this book is fantastic, giving the story a comic-book quality. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Andy Case?
It was amazing and the most fun. I did the story blocks describing what I have in my head and Andy always amplified everything in his drawings. After he did the book, I flew to England just to visit Andy in Nottingham. I plan a second trip in January. I can’t thank him enough. We talk on Zoom and I have to hold back breaking down to cry because he has moved me so much!
Do you have more stories planned about the Snoodles? If so, what can your fans expect in the next story and when will it be available?
Yes! Snoodles in Space, Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back! I introduce Grumpy Grimy Groodleman, and the Groodle powered by stinky Grool! I do a revision of sorts on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Story. I make the kids who didn’t do too well and probably were shamed because of the negative publicity, and turn them into the heroes in the book.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
In this follow-up book, when the Zoodle Kidoodles from the planet Zoodle abduct Norman Noodle and Sally Stroodle, the Zoodle Kidoodles threaten to take all of Earth’s noodles— unless they perform the necessary brain operation on their grand leader, Cloodle the Grand Roodle, and fix their spaceship’s failing engines.
The one problem? Norman Noodle and Sally Stroodle are simple bakers. Sour Croodleman’s Prickly Peppered Purple Propulsion Powered Pickle invention is their only hope, but will he unite with Herbie Snoodleman to save the planet?
The answer is here, in this Wackadoodle Tale from Outer Space!
Riding Horses Changed My Life
The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream – Remarkable Twin Ponies follows the experiences of two ponies who discover their forever home with two young girls. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My family owned a riding school when I was a child so I wanted that setting. Riding horses changed my life. My objective was to emphasize that horses can have a huge impact on a child’s life. Also, there is a scene in the book where Mama makes stew with dumplings. She encourages the dumplings to puff up because the stew is depending on them. My mom did that, so it was a way to honor her.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I hoped to introduce children to some of the aspects of the care of ponies. If the young readers were familiar with riding, they may have known some of the details, but if not, I wanted them to learn more about what is involved with life on a farm.
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. The realistic drawings definitely appeal to older elementary readers. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Mirjana Buveska?
I loved working with Mirjana. I interviewed several artists to illustrate this book, and I felt Mirjana had exceptional talent. She captured the personalities of the animals and people in the story perfectly.
Do you have more adventures planned for Cocoa and Cream?
Yes, I plan to create a series about them. I don’t have a time frame yet.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Meet Cocoa and Cream, the amazing twin ponies with wild, untamed manes! They are anything but ordinary. Cocoa and Cream have a big dream: to teach little kids how to ride and help them discover their incredible potential. Join Cocoa and Cream, and discover the countless ways these special ponies help kids like you reach their goals!
Sometimes We Receive, & Sometimes We Give
“IT” follows a young musician who has lost all hope of achieving his dreams till one day, he learns to have self-confidence and faith. What inspired you to write this story?
This story follows the path of dissolving lies that keep us from living our best lives. After going through a mental health crisis, I got better. The path to health was a rediscovery of the “IT” within me. This simple story illustrates the truth of all of us that we have “IT” within us, and we are to support each other in its discovery. The value of each human being is huge if we allow the truth of our light to shine. It is my story. It is the story of all of us.
What were some challenges you felt were important to defining your characters in this story?
I wanted to show the reader the importance of listening to their inner guidance even when it may feel uncomfortable. By witnessing the impact of trusting that guidance on our struggling musician, Joe, my hope is it will inspire people to follow that loving guidance available within them. Another major challenge is our worth. We see Joe struggle with this and how an answer arises in an unexpected and perfect way. Also, when we see someone struggle, we may think we need to fix it. Notice the people who cared about Joe the most had prayed for him. They couldn’t fix it and likely tried. However, there was a solution that arrived just in time. We sometimes lose faith, and I wanted to have the reader see the power of Joe’s loved ones resting in that place of faith without being the ones who had to solve it. Lastly, hope was nearly lost, and I wanted to reveal how quickly hope can be restored. Sometimes it is a simple word from LOVE.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
We have an opportunity. We are all our “brother’s keepers”. Sometimes we are called into action and may not understand why. In the presence of love, we may receive insights and take action in support of someone and never know just how impactful our action was. However, in love, we can always trust. We may lose hope, and it may just be our perception is not aligned in a way to see what is true. Challenge your perceptions and allow them to change. We saw this with Joe shifting from self-judgment to awakening to what is true about the talent he has within him. The path to our optimal life is intertwined with the paths of others. Sometimes we receive, and sometimes we give. Do both. Somehow there is a connection amongst us, invisible threads we are able to tune into, like the dream the reader experiences. The opportunity is here now to receive these insights and expand our senses from the five physical senses to the more subtle spiritual senses. This process of discovery and nurturing of these senses is available to everyone.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it out?
I am working on two more books right now and have six out already. The next books include my story of healing from a mental health challenge and a novel about the same subject. My belief is everyone has within them an innate guidance system designed to lead us each to remember the core LOVE we were created in the image of. This process (if followed) will lead to a dissolution of most mental health challenges people experience today. The great news is we can discover this proactively and well before symptoms of health challenges emerge. I expect these books to be launched on April 27, 2024, and sometime soon thereafter for the second.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Mark Hattas was blessed with a unique and transformative life experience after building and selling a tech services company. The gift of storytelling emerged as part of that experience and he began writing and writing and writing. Married with five children, sharing wisdom through entertaining, faith-oriented stories has become a passion. Along with Aubrey’s gift of illustration, “IT” is a joy to read and share.
Little Curiosity
In the heart of a monochromatic forest, a black and white caterpillar leads a contented life, feeding on leaves from her grand tree and relishing her routine of eating, playing, and resting. But an innate sense of wonder propels her to venture beyond the familiar and discover the spectrum of shades that lie beyond her tree. This journey leads her to an unprecedented, vibrant cocoon unlike any she’s seen. Embracing this newfound discovery, she weaves a tapestry of colors, adding brilliance to her existence.
Little Curiosity is more than just a children’s tale; it’s a poignant reminder that exploration and embracing the unknown are cornerstones of human growth. Sticking to routines may offer comfort, but true beauty and learning emerge when we dare to break free from the mundane. Through this simple yet profound narrative, young and old readers are reminded of the boundless beauty that awaits beyond the known.
A delightful added bonus is the book’s bilingual nature, written seamlessly in both English and Spanish. As a budding Spanish learner, I cherished this feature, affirming the idea that immersing oneself in a language—whether through conversation or literature—can be both enriching and educational. I even learned a few new words and deepened my appreciation for the language. The accompanying illustrations, with their simplistic charm and vivid colors, beautifully augment the story, making it a truly immersive experience.
I recommend Little Curiosity to young readers and the young at heart. With its captivating storyline and enchanting visuals, it promises to be both an engaging and enlightening read.
Pages: 26 | ISBN : 1639888195
Not Everything Online is True
Lost and Found follows a young girl and her friends at school as they investigate rumors they hear and find out that not everything they hear or read online is true. What was the inspiration for your story?
This is not an uncommon occurrence for any of us online, but while the instance in the book about fake cheese and sleeping janitors are innocent enough, the real danger is that individuals lose the ability to critically think about a subject when they see it online. Over the last decade or more, we’ve seen an explosion of people getting online, and that has brought with it more information available for a wider audience. This brings with it the challenge of validating what we see and hear online.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
There were a few items I wanted to highlight in this particular book. One was being aware of information that is online and ensuring that we understand that we need to take it with a grain of salt. Another notion was to be able to take a break from our devices on occasion. Many of us struggle to distance ourselves from our devices, but doing so periodically is healthy. Lastly, I wanted to bring in the concept of cyberstalkers. I struggled with writing this in a way that wasn’t frightening for a children’s book, but at the same time was able to convey the seriousness of the problem. While cyberstalkers are a very real thing, simply knowing that you cannot always confirm whom it is you are conversing with online is a key takeaway.
Your book touches on topics that are relevant for children today and is written in a manner they can connect to the characters. What’s your experience as a writer?
This is my third children’s book, and I also have a technical book published by Manning Publishing on the topic of software security. These are very different audiences, but the discipline and process is similar. In both cases, you need to put yourself in the mindset of the reader. I have a young daughter, so I was able to leverage some of the interactions that she has online with her friends to pull together some of the storyline.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on a novel for adults that is a bit of a cyber-thriller. I’m in the early stages of writing, so I don’t have a publishing timeline in mind. My hope is to have it out in 2024. Additionally, I am starting to frame a choose-your-own-adventure book for children on cybersecurity. This will, most likely, have a different set of characters. I am aiming for a 2024 release for this one as well.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Alicia and her friends also learn that not everything you hear can be trusted as a rumor spreads like wildfire through the school bus one morning. The friends are shocked to find out that some of the information that is online, isn’t always true. With the help of her parents, Alicia sets out to investigate the rumor and determine the truth. Through this, she learns about the dangers of fake news and the importance of fact-checking.
When Alicia and her parents take their long-awaited trip, they enjoy all that nature can offer. Even better, they are able to combine nature and technology by doing one of Alicia’s favorite activities. Geocaching! But when they return home from the fun-filled weekend, Alicia discovers that she has a cyberstalker. While Alicia is able to navigate the situation with her parents, one of her friends has to find a way to protect herself from a similar problem. Luckily, the friends are able to come together to learn how to protect themselves from these dangers online.
In the third and final book (with a 5 Star review from Readers’ Favorite!) in the Alicia Connected series, the friends learn about different types of online threats and how to stay safe on the internet. They also discover the importance of device responsibility, taking a break from being online, and being able to identify false information online.
How Do You Haiku? A Step-by-Step Guide with Templates
Poetry is an art form that allows us to express ourselves and concisely share feelings. However, the characteristics of poetry vary based on its place of origin. In Japan, for instance, we encounter Haiku, a seventeen-syllable poem with a unique structure and composition. The Haiku aims to draw us out of our daily routine, encouraging us to pause and appreciate nature as if we were capturing a special moment in a photograph. In this context, Danna Smith introduces us to How Do You Haiku? A Step-by-Step Guide with Templates. This guide showcases Haiku’s meditative aspects and highlights its ability to explore the dramatic and the amusing. Thus, Danna Smith leads us through the fundamentals of Haiku efficiently and engagingly, providing instructions, examples, and tips.
Danna Smith discusses how the Haiku sparks imagination and shifts our perception of our surroundings. But she goes even further. She shares vocabulary and explains how to find dynamic words to maintain a solid structure. One of my favorite parts was the Haiku’s history, as it offers insight into using poetry as a means of expression. Furthermore, the book presents clear explanations, and the numerous examples are enjoyable. Another aspect I appreciated is Danna Smith’s addition of translations and explanations for the Japanese terms she uses, enhancing our understanding of Japanese culture.
Writing poetry might initially seem complex, especially in Haiku, where space is limited. Nevertheless, Danna Smith does an outstanding job motivating us to give it a try. While more examples of Haiku would have been helpful to complement the emphasis on technical aspects, overall, the information is well-explained, and there’s ample material to inspire us.
How Do You Haiku? A Step-by-Step Guide with Templates is an exceptional children’s book to help educate and inspire children and adults. This guide is excellent for beginners, serving as a helpful tool to learn how to perceive the world through the lens of poetry and practice the art of Haiku.
Pages: 112 | ASIN : B0CF65LDHT
The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream-Remarkable Twin Ponies
Dive into the enchanting world of The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream – Remarkable Twin Ponies by Deanie Humphrys-Dunne. This heartwarming tale follows the captivating journey of two five-year-old ponies. This charming story centers around the endearing relationship between these ponies and the children and visitors who adore them. When Dee and Nancee, two spirited young girls, cross paths with the ponies, an instant and unbreakable bond forms. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure, discovering their forever home and eagerly anticipating the myriad of exciting escapades that lie ahead.
Narrated from both the perspective of the ponies and the children, the narrative beautifully captures the dynamics of their interactions. A delightful and breezy read, the book delves into the significance of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and the joy of venturing into uncharted territories. Deanie Humphrys-Dunne skillfully weaves a tale that radiates positivity and family values, making it not only an enjoyable experience for reading to children but also a source of personal delight.
As an amateur equestrian, I found this narrative particularly relatable, as it echoes my early experiences of bonding with animals and learning to ride horses. The author’s adept storytelling paints a vivid picture, evoking a sense of nostalgia through charming illustrations and an atmosphere brimming with heartfelt emotions. It’s a literary gem that effortlessly evokes cherished memories for adults while simultaneously igniting a newfound fascination with horses in young readers.
This book is a fantastic addition to home and school libraries, perfect for school-aged children. The Adventures of Cocoa and Cream – Remarkable Twin Ponies offers a delightful tale that resonates with themes of unity, appreciation for animals, and the joys of exploration. Whether your child is yet to mount a horse or has already begun their equestrian journey, this story is captivating. It encourages a love for reading and cultivates essential reading skills from an early age. I recommend this pony-filled adventure to parents, teachers, and caregivers, as it embodies the magic of companionship, discovery, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0CBQDPFBD
Snoodles in Space: A Snoodle, the Zoodle Kidoodles, and One Happy Schmoodle
Dive into an entertaining cosmic escapade with Snoodles in Space by Steven Joseph. This captivating tale catapults us into a futuristic realm where brilliant inventors shine, introducing us to characters like Herbie Snoodleman, the mastermind behind the noodle-fueled Snoodlemobile, and Sour Croodleman, the imaginative force behind the zany Prickly Peppered Purple Propulsion Powered Pickle.
But even amidst the astonishing technological marvels, a hiccup arises in the form of the Zoodle Kidoodles, extraterrestrial visitors with an unusual request. Their leader, the illustrious Cloodle the Grand Roodle, requires a critical brain operation, and their spaceship’s engines are in dire need of repair. A humorous twist of fate lands a pair of bakers in their clutches, setting the stage for a quirky adventure.
What truly captivated me about Snoodles in Space are the clever wordplay elements that infuse the story. Not only do they provide an entertaining puzzle for young readers, but they also foster smoother reading skills. Steven Joseph’s narrative is brimming with wit, underscored by a wildly inventive storyline where the rules of a noodle-powered world bring about delightful surprises at every turn.
The journey commences on Earth, a vivid backdrop that sets an exuberant tone and establishes the characters in a playful palette of colors. This vibrant start seamlessly transitions into an interstellar odyssey, where the fantastical flourishes and takes on new dimensions. The book’s visual allure is heightened by its vibrant illustrations, bringing to life the technological wonders and the story’s unique charm.
With its comic-style format, Snoodles in Space is tailor-made for fledgling readers taking their first steps into the world of literature. However, the abundance of character and invention names might pose a challenge for some young minds. I recommend this gem to elementary school children who have embarked on their reading journey and gained some familiarity with it.
Snoodles in Space strikes a beautiful balance, making it an ideal tool to kindle a passion for reading. Its approachable text length offers comfort to young readers while the ongoing wordplay sustains their curiosity. This narrative adventure is enthralling and promises an enjoyable reading experience that young minds will treasure.
Pages: 59 | ASIN : B0BV5S8HL5
LITERARY TITAN 