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Heart, Brain, and Love
The Wild Waves follows a young boy that is terrified of boats because of the noise and speed and how a patient Grandpa helps him overcome those fears. What was the inspiration for your story?
I lived my important childhood years in the lake district of Eastern Finland. I have spent a lot of time in the waters – swimming, fishing with my father, adventuring on a rowing boat along the nearby lakes – so this subject is familiar to me.
As for swimming, I was one of the bravest and loved diving, too! But I must admit, I was afraid of fast motorboats. Our family only had a small rowing boat that I could use whenever I wanted. But I hated situations when someone took us for a ride in a motorboat. I would have preferred to have escaped the whole situation, but I tried to be polite! The feelings of such experiences now flow into my stories for children and their families.
The Wild Waves story is part of my book series, The Little Fears. I have built the series on the importance of a child’s experience. All the stories draw attention to the role of the adult as a listener and supporter for the child.
The adults easily underestimate the importance of the child’s concern. My experience is that the little fear quickly grows too big if you don’t get help with it in time.
When I present my Little Fears Series at book fairs in different countries, I often hear very personal confessions and childhood memories from adults. The message is the same: If only someone had taken my worries seriously, I would have coped easier with my fears even as an adult!
What books did you grow up reading?
As a child, I enjoyed living next to a small village library for a decade. There was enough to read for the curious child. I gradually went through most of the library department by department and subject by subject. Of course, I liked fairy tales at first, but soon I started reading longer novels and nonfiction.
In fact, nonfiction was my passion. Whenever I wanted to find answers to questions that preoccupied my mind, I browsed various encyclopedias and books about nature, geography, or history. My passion for information was great, and we didn’t have such literature at home. So, I spent a lot of time in the library and borrowed loads of books to read at home.
In elementary school, I quickly did all the other tasks, so the teacher let me read any books freely for the rest of the lesson. There, I became acquainted with Finnish folk tales and the stories of the Thousand and One Nights – both of which are still my favorites.
If you had to describe yourself in just three words, what would those be and why?
This is a difficult question. Sometimes it feels like one person can hold so many things that an entire dictionary would be necessary to describe them. I would rather divide the question into two parts: the words that describe my most important roles in different areas of life and those that define me as a person.
But let me try to stick to the assignment and choose the words heart, brain, and love.
The three words I have chosen are significant to me. I try to combine them all into a harmonious entity because I think they reinforce each other’s influence.
The things I find most meaningful in my life always follow me in my heart. It represents the human factor in everything I do. I am a very family-oriented person, but I try to extend the same warmth of my heart beyond the close circle and influence the well-being of others, too. I’ve noticed that incorporating the warmth of the heart into everything you do opens surprising doors and creates unexpectedly rewarding connections with others. Writing books for the world’s children is very well suited for this purpose, too!
Good goals are easier to achieve if they involve not only the heart but also the brain. I greatly appreciate people’s ability to learn, acquire knowledge, and use their own brains to weigh things up. The brain, used wisely, also effectively promotes soft values. The use of the brain is also related to a person’s self-confidence. With the help of education, it is possible to develop both the knowledge base and the ability to use it for the common good. For this reason, I want to combine my work as a children’s author and publisher also to support children’s education.
When my father died, and I had to choose the text on his tombstone, the choice was easy. Now it reads freely translated: The greatest of all is love. I feel that love has incredible power everywhere, not just in the family. If I can sense that a person truly loves and respects other people – even strangers and distant ones – it is easier to find common ground to start cooperation. Love cannot be pretended. When it includes genuine respect and interest in life, it has irresistible power. We can transmit that power in many ways. It goes along with everything we say or write, sometimes in words and on lines, sometimes between them. Even silence can contain love.
I hope that all these words – heart, brain, and love – say something about me. At least, I value and need them in everything I do.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I hope I understood the question correctly. One of my special traits and skills in writing is remembering in detail very old experiences, feelings, and scenes from my childhood. I also bear in mind events told by others and their emotional states. I combine all of these with my books, which are thus authentic and vivid.
After more than sixty years of living, I have a vast collection of stories in my mind. Just give me a keyword, and I’ll tell you a story about it. Let me work with the illustrator, and we will have a children’s book ready. I don’t mean to brag; there’s no reason for that. The world is full of more advanced authors. But I’m honestly doing what I truly believe in. That’s the best guarantee for my writing, and it doesn’t need any tricks!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
“The Wild Waves” is a story about the fear of high speeds and waves.
Otto dreads his family’s boat trips. He’s afraid of speeding over the water in the motorboat. But Grandpa is a patient teacher, and in the end, Otto dares to go aboard Grandpa’s old boat as assistant captain.
The waves are splashing, and the wind is howling. Otto is sitting stiffly in the cabin while the rest of the family is enjoying the boat trip. “What if the motor dies during the storm, and we never get back to shore?” Otto worries.
With Grandpa, Otto tries to get used to fast speeds on a new carousel. Thumb signals are a great help! In the end, Otto boards Grandpa’s old boat as assistant captain.
The Life Of An Author Is Never Dull!
The Caring Crab follows a handyman crab that is always out to help others that forgets to take care of themselves. What was the inspiration for this story?
Many adults who have read my book The Caring Crab tell me it’s a story of their life! About how they would like to help everyone all the time and cannot say “no.” Their own needs are left behind, and they become simply too tired. This sounds sad, but I can assure you that there is a lot of genuine friendship and sharing life together in my book.
Colin is the main character in Colin the Crab Book Series, which already has four books for older children and two so-called Mini Crab Books. This gentle and old-fashioned character has become a favorite of readers. It is typical for him to help everyone in need. And they are many!
Sometimes, others are even taking advantage of Colin’s patience and pushing him in various directions. But luckily, he is mostly stubborn enough to realize that he has the last word when it comes to his own life.
Colin represents all the gentle and kind people who tend to think first about the needs of others. They often leave their individual plans and wishes behind. Of course, it’s great to be helpful to others and be sensitive to what other people around you might need. But there is a danger that a person’s own needs will not be met, and exhaustion will take over eventually. In adult life, we often talk about burnout.
The story is strongly connected to the interplay between different individuals in real life, and we can interpret it in many ways. It’s about friendships between different people, sharing things, and helping each other. But it also reminds us to be selfish in a healthy way and take care of our needs. – And this includes the time for building the dream pavilion, too!
What books do you enjoy reading?
I have always been interested in history. Reading about the development of cultures and societies gives us a lot to think about even today. I believe everything in the world is connected. Life is a combination of countless chains that mix and form an extensive network. It links everything that has been to the present. Chains extend into the future. That’s why I think it’s important to read as much as possible and get information. It is an essential resource for all of humanity and, of course, for individuals.
I love to find the “stories” about people who lived before my time. And I don’t just mean rulers, leaders, financial figures, or other influential people. I love to read – and write – about more ordinary people, too, as I want to pay attention to the value of their life. I often think that each person would need a book of their own, telling their life story to the present world instead of being forgotten.
When I want to relax by reading, I choose something light to read. Detective stories are a lot of fun. Browsing through art books and architectural works is also refreshing when you’ve been working with words for hours and hours. My most recent holiday reading consisted mainly of local history as well as everyday cultural history – also the history of dollhouses.
Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
This is easy to answer. My main supporter has definitely been my husband. He made me start publishing my children’s books more than a decade ago and developed an international approach to our business. I would never have been able to establish such a project alone. He has spent both time and money on Wickwick Publishing. I can write good stories and communicate with illustrators and translators, but there is much more to it that depends entirely on my spouse’s skills.
Besides, it’s fun to travel together to the international book fairs, where my husband is also my “bodyguard” and takes care of all the logistics. A strong home front is vital to the author. Where else would I otherwise be able to read new texts straight away to an interested listener? It’s nice to immediately see the reactions on the face you’re used to interpreting. At least my spouse claims that evening coffees are always fun when he listens to what I’ve written during the day.
I also have a few trusted and loyal friends who always manage to encourage me to keep writing. Their support is especially important at times when I feel impatient and don’t see the impact of my work on the environment clearly enough.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Although I am sociable and enjoy meeting people and traveling, I also need to spend a lot of time at home in complete peace. That’s when I listen to music on the radio or listen to documentaries. I often have some knitting in making because I love different colored wool yarns. From the people in my circle, the socks never run out! It’s also lovely to bake buns and tiger cakes at home, especially if I get the closest people to visit and enjoy them together.
I also spend a lot of time alone outdoors. There I can listen to the sounds of nature and think about my most sensitive thoughts. Many of my books have their origins in those walks. I know a lot of plants and birds, and I like to take photos of them. I also take a lot of pictures on my trips abroad. Often, they are strange pictures of some of the details that have caught my attention.
All in all, I am interested in both the big and small things around me. The world is full of stories if you keep your eyes open and are patient enough to listen to what others are saying or what is left unsaid. The life of an author is never dull!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
The exhausted Colin buries himself under a blanket and refuses to open his curtains. Puzzled, Colin’s friends call an emergency meeting—it’s time for them to take action
I Have To Trust My Instinct
The Healer Cat follows a house cat that has the power to heal through her touch and purrs as she goes out in a winter storm to help save a baby bunny. What was the inspiration for your story?
The initial inspiration for the book The Healer Cat contains mysterious features. The Healer Cat herself came to me as I lay half-asleep on the couch with the migraine just started. That kind of headache is rare for me, and I don’t like to take medication. When this mysterious fairytale cat arrived and put her paw on my head, I got the whole story in a flash – and my headache disappeared!
Amazed, I got up and began to memorize the story of the cat’s miraculous journey in a snowstorm and her encountering a wolf in a dark forest. When it was on paper, I felt surprisingly irritated. Something important was missing, and I couldn’t remember what it was! But the cat came back and reminded me about this scary wolf, one of the main characters besides the cat and the hare. I added the missing chapters, and the story was ready!
Also noteworthy is that I’m not really any cat person, but this healer cat Celesse became my friend. I even illustrated the first version of the book myself – which I hardly admit to anybody. But this current version is illustrated by a professional artist, and I love her skillful artwork.
What are common traps for new authors?
I think a new author may suffer from two opposing delusions; unreasonable disbelief or excessive expectations of one’s own possibilities.
The newcomer may be unsure whether anyone is interested in the book or whether it is good enough. I think the authors must at least be passionate about their stories and believe in their power.
On the other hand, some new authors may assume that publishers’ reactions are faster and more enthusiastic than they will be in harsh reality. Unfortunately, most books never find a publisher – and those who find one have to search through a dozen companies first!
My advice to the new author would be to keep realistic about one’s particular strength and not give up if the writer genuinely has something to say to the others!
What is your favorite book series?
All my series are dear to me, each in a different way. Several of them talk about the lives of children and their families from various angles. I try to pass on what I have experienced and learned as a parent for three decades.
I find it necessary to write about the unfortunate attempts (Axel and Ava Series) or difficulties of young children (The Little Fears Series and Do You See Me? Series). But the independent activities and sometimes slightly disobedient acts of older children deserve their own books (I Did It! Series).
But if I must choose something exceptionally dear to me, it would be Colin the Crab Series.
Colin is an exceptionally sympathetic crab with a mixed group of friends around him. I have created their extraordinary river bay world with many human joys and sorrows. When all friends are different as individuals, it is possible for me to address topics from many perspectives. All characters are unique, and everyone has something to give to each other.
The idyll at Colin the Crab’s home river is not perfect, as there are often disagreements about the issues, and opinions must be reconciled. These features of diversity and inclusion – individuality and coexistence – are precisely those that I like in human communities as well. Taking others into account makes living together more rewarding for everyone.
Colin has gained his fan base even abroad. Readers often comment on other characters in the books as well. They try to figure out which one of the characters they or their friends resemble. Opinions can even collide!
What has been the most surprising reader reaction you’ve received so far?
I have experienced a lot of powerful reader reactions. Often, the story brings to the surface the emotions the reader has tried to hide.
We have cried and laughed together with many young and old readers when we have been talking about my books and the stories behind the stories. I think a good book offers a basis for deep discussions. Suddenly new doors open, and people meet each other on another level.
In particular, the most demanding stories of survival, war, and shortcomings touch readers deeply and perhaps raise their concerns. For someone, the wolf in the forest in The Healer Cat has been the suicide of his friend. For the other, it has been the severe illness threatening the life of her dear mother. Raspberry Red has built understanding between generations in the families about the war experiences that have been too difficult to discuss so far.
This kind of feedback has encouraged me to write further, even about the most demanding subjects. I have to trust my instinct and use all my skills to handle these issues. The challenge for me is to have a sensitive mind and a delicate hand in interpreting these extraordinary situations in life.
In one particular case, I received the most amazing reader feedback indirectly through a professional who helps children with difficulties. This professional told me – without details – about a child who refused to talk during their sessions together. It took many meetings, and the child was under the table without saying anything. The therapist read The Caring Crab book aloud every time they met. The story went on, and suddenly one day, the child started talking about it – still sitting under the table. The little patient was angry at how unfairly the others treated Colin when this friendly crab needed their attention for once!
When I heard about this feedback, I felt happy. I had managed to help a struggling, closed child at least a little. A connection had been established through which this person could express his or her feelings, and the healing of the mind could begin.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
One snowy night a mother hare rushes in, desperate for help. Reluctantly, the healer cat travels with her through a nighttime snowstorm and biting cold winds. In a dark forest, Celesse comes face-to-face with a scary surprise and is forced to gather her powers for the first time in a while.
My Work is Inspired By My Love of Animals
Silly Animal Rhymes and Stories: Zoo Two is a book of not just poetry but fascinating facts about animals. What was the inspiration for this children’s book?
It’s my second book of Silly Animal Rhymes and Stories. Both were inspired by my love of animals, being a retired zoologist, coupled with my love of word play and constrained writing. The restraint here is the use of terse single rhymes per poem, which I call universes. I then enjoy adding silly stories and nonsense, plus some biology, to the poems.
I don’t specialise in children’s books. My other three books are not for kids, too difficult or too ‘adult’.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Kalpart?
Kalpa Joshi, the head artist for Kalpart, lives in Mumbai. All the artwork was provided by email, in response to my written descriptions of the ideas I visualized. She was very cooperative and allowed me to seek revisions of her initial sketches, which she then had her team convert to the final coloured images, again generously allowing me revisions. Although mostly all my own ideas, she often made good suggestions.
I really liked the poems Racial Harmony and Wake up, Sleepyhead. What is your favorite poem in this collection?
My favourite is Ape and Wolf in Concert. That’s not for literary reason but because I’m an avid supporter of Friends of Bonobos, the orphan bonobo sanctuary and rehabilitation and release sites in DRCongo.
Their social media sites presented a longer version of this poem a few years ago. It’s also my favourite illustration in the book.
Judged purely on literary grounds I don’t really have a favourite but am especially pleased with ANOLE, BORZOI, CANARY, MONKEYS and the 1st PLOVER.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have another book of silly animal rhymes (without added stories) in production at Olympia Publishers (UK), my first book to be accepted by a traditional publisher. It’s entitled 101 Animal Universes and includes 25 repeats from the two kids’ book. It also contains a few adult rhymes so is not a kids’ book except with parental discretion. It should be out later this year, I’d guess within three months.
The next book I am working on (basically finished and awaiting some b&w illustrations from Kalpart) is another exercise in constrained writing. This time it uses Spoonerisms around which to weave silly to serious stories and essays, many for adults only. It’s entitled Haywire Way Higher: Spoonerism Couplets, Stories, Essays. If I cannot find a traditional publisher I’ll again self-publish with SBPRA, the publishers of my other four recent books. I hope to see it published later this year or in 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
ANOLE LIZARD becomes a Pig.
BORZOI Puppy is a riot.
CHINCHILLA has a Pet GORILLA.
GNUS steal shoes!
MOA didn’t make it to Noah’s Ark.
TORTOISE dreams of being a Ninja athlete.
WHALE ‘drops out’ and regrets it.
ZINGEL FISH meets Santa in my dreams.
From an Oval
Izzy wants to draw a dog to be his friend and to play with. However, he soon discovers that the oval he drew to start his dog had a different idea about what it will become. When Izzy threw a ball for the oval animal instead of chasing after it, they said Baa Baa and ate a whole in the paper. Izzy became frustrated and told the animal no, you are a dog, but it insisted it was going to be a sheep no matter what Izzy wanted. In the end, Izzy accepts the sheep, and they learn how to have fun together.
From an Oval, written by Najah A. Jabbar, is a creative children’s book that captures the magic of a child’s imagination. The antics of the oval animal as it struggles to be heard is an excellent comparison for children. Kids often want to have some control over their situation, so the sheep is a relatable character. They will understand the animal’s frustration about not being seen for who they are and the desire to be themselves. They will also learn to be accepting of those around them even when they are different from what they anticipate.
Bringing this story to life are the playful illustrations by DeNeal Fletcher. The whimsical images give personality to the oval sheep. The sketch-like drawings are done in a manner that children will be able to see themselves creating, turning their own shapes into new animal best friends.
From an Oval in the From a Shape Izzy Book Series is a magical picture book that preschool and kindergarten children will enjoy and be entertained by. Young kids will see how imagination can lead to creativity and exploring new ideas. This would also be an excellent book for art teachers to use to introduce draw to elementary-age students.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B09SKC2DF2
Wonderful Wishes
Wonderful Wishes is a sweet bedtime story for preschoolers. This magical tale is filled with all sorts of things a little kid could dream about and is told in a fun rhyming style. There are rubber cars, a big red train, waterslides, a trip to the moon and down into the ocean, a dinosaur that loves strawberry cake, a cleaning robot, and even a monkey to keep in the bath. Each page has beautiful artwork done by illustrator Rosy Sale that will transport parents and kids into the imaginative world the narrator has created for readers.
This beautifully written and illustrated picture book will captivate children as they go page by page. The rhyming phrases are fun and silly, making them a joy to read aloud. I love the last lines in the book “I think of all the things I wish / and picture them in my head. / I wonder what your dreams will / bring when it’s time for bed!” It makes me smile looking at the illustrations of all the things the little child has wished for stacked up around their bed.
This delightful story reminds readers of the innocence of childhood and the magic that comes from having an active imagination. Children come up with some fantastic imagery, and the author has captured that trait beautifully. I am reminded of my own children coming up with crazy ‘what if’ questions and turning these thoughts into elaborate stories. This playful book takes that idea and turns it into a memorable bedtime story.
Wonderful Wishes is a lighthearted bedtime story that young preschoolers and kindergarteners can enjoy. Parents will enjoy reading this whimsical bedtime tale as it is not repetitive. The combination of silly situations and incredible artwork will make reading this a joy each night.
Pages: 24 | ASIN : B09T76M8MH
A Big Blue Boat
A Big Blue Boat is a whimsical picture book for preschoolers and early readers about a girl captain setting sail. It starts by describing parts of the beautiful blue boat. Next, children learn about the sails, mast, wheel, rudder, and anchor as the story flows from one page to another, adding a new line and fact with each page. Each page gives kids a new vocabulary word that is highlighted in bold letters and color.
The story is told in a repeating rhyme style that will have children singing along with the story as the adventure grows. I love this approach to children’s books as it helps them retain information by repeating things. The end of the book includes a glossary of terms the author has used in this engaging story. After the glossary is a quiz to name the different parts of the boat. The continued repetition of terms is a great educational resource.
Author Susea Spray has created a fun and educational story that will have children learning all about boats and sailing as they move through the pages. Illustrator Lesley Cybulka has captured the exhilarating experience of sailing in her art with bold colors and captivating images. From the captain to the dolphins, each image in this children’s book is clearly drawn with a love for the sea and a desire to capture the magic of dreaming.
A Big Blue Boat is an adventurous picture book for preschool, kindergarten, and early readers about a young girl sailing her boat. It portrays a strong girl as the captain, which shows that girls can captain boats and go on adventures by themselves. This is a great children’s book for teachers and parents to use to teach about sailing, the parts of a boat, and that it is okay to dream big.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B09SB8K695
The Adventures of Super Obi: Nothing to Fear
When Obi’s mom forgets to turn on his nightlight at bedtime, he becomes afraid, thinking there is a monster in his closet. Then there is a monster downstairs! Finally, the monster comes upstairs and is standing at Obi’s door. Can he hide from this monster? What will happen to Obi?
The Adventures of Super Obi: Nothing to Fear by author Dominique Okonkwo and illustrated by Mariana Hnatenko tells the story of a little boy that is afraid of the dark but realizes, with his dad at his side, that there is nothing to be scared of and how to be brave. At the beginning of the story, Obi is afraid of the shadows in the dark, but his dad helps him see things as they really are and helps him find his courage. This allows him to overcome his fears.
This heartwarming picture book examines the concept of fear, courage, being brave, and family relationships, and it does all of this while also touching on faith and trust in God. This educational kids book is told from a perspective that preschoolers and kindergarten children will be able to comprehend.
The fantastic artwork is a mix of bold colors, comic style accents, and expressive character designs. You can really see the emotions on the father’s face as he listens to his son’s fears. The idea of being afraid of the dark is something many children can relate to, so this is the perfect book to use to teach the lesson of God’s love and that you can always bring your fears to God.
The Adventures of Super Obi: Nothing to Fear is a beautifully written picture book that will captivate young children and teach them that fear is normal and that you can overcome your fears through prayer and trust in God. The charismatic character of Obi will spark children’s imaginations and encourage them to face their fears.
Pages: 39 | ASIN : B09MNLPVHR
LITERARY TITAN 