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Bringing Joy to Everyone
Charlie Gets Glasses follows a sweet little dog who starts having trouble seeing, so he visits the eye doctor and learns he will need glasses leading him to worry about what others will think or if he will like them. What was the inspiration for your story?
My sweet book is based on my real-life pup Charlie who does in fact wear glasses. At one of Charlie’s vet visits the doctor told me that due to his age he was starting to get cataracts. Since we go out to a lot of dog friendly places and he is always in the sun I wanted something to help protect his eyes. He had a pair of dog googles but didn’t seem to really like them much. So, I went online and looked for another pair to try with him. When I found this brand, I was super excited to see that they had clear lenses and thought that maybe having clear lenses may be more comfortable for him. They do have a UV coating to help with sun rays. And to my surprise when I got them Charlie kept them on. I got asked a lot about how he keeps them on, if they are really prescription, does he need them, and how cute he looks. But the best part was seeing how happy Charlie made kids and adults alike. I wanted to write this book to continue to bring that joy to everyone and give children a furry friend to look too when they are feeling different.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Since I grew up wearing glasses it was sometimes hard to feel like I fit in. I tended to get made fun of but now as an adult I love to be different. I have a lot of different color frames and embrace the difference. So, it was important to bring in that small detail that Charlie was scared of how he will look and to also show that not everyone will be mean. That people will embrace how cool it is to wear glasses.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I don’t think there was one particular part I had the most fun writing. The whole book itself was a labor of love. Something that I will be able to look back on when Charlie passes. The memories made and the friends we have created through this experience.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This book is not part of a series but more of an introduction to Charlie’s character and how he got his glasses. I had many people ask if more was coming and since Charlie and I have had many adventures over the years I thought why not create a series! I am in the middle of writing my second book which will be part of a series. Each book will also have one of Charlie’s real-life doggie friends in them. I am hoping to have this done by the end of the year and start on the next book in series right after.
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Charlie Gets Glasses
Charlie Gets Glasses is a sweet and simple story about a little dog named Charlie who starts having trouble seeing clearly. Through a visit to the eye doctor and a bit of self-doubt, Charlie learns that wearing glasses isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s something that helps him see the world better. It’s a lighthearted tale with a strong message about self-acceptance, told through warm illustrations and gentle storytelling.
What I really liked was how relatable Charlie’s experience was, especially for kids. When Charlie realizes he’s bumping into things and not seeing clearly, it’s both funny and a little sad. That moment when the doctor tells him he needs glasses? It’s such a turning point. I felt for Charlie when he worried about looking different. That kind of fear is so real, especially for children. But the way his friends support him and how cute he looks in glasses! made my heart smile. It’s a kind, encouraging message that doesn’t come off as preachy.
The writing is accessible and flows naturally. The author keeps the language easy and playful. The part where Charlie thinks glasses are only for people, not pups, cracked me up. It’s these little moments that make the story stick. The illustrations are absolutely adorable. Charlie’s expressions say a lot. There’s a cozy charm to each page that makes you want to linger a little longer before flipping.
I also liked that the book gently touches on the idea of embracing change. Charlie doesn’t like the idea of being different at first, but he grows. There’s a lovely moment when he looks in the mirror and realizes that glasses don’t change who he is; they just help him see better. That’s the kind of message that sticks with kids. It’s just simple, honest storytelling that hits home.
Charlie Gets Glasses is a heartwarming pick for kids who might be nervous about getting glasses or any change that makes them feel “different.” It’s also just a charming read for any child who loves dogs or needs a little boost in self-confidence. I highly recommend this book.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0DJQ2HVQM
A New Normal
Soft Hugs for Mommy is a heartfelt exploration of living with fibromyalgia, wrapped in a narrative that combines raw vulnerability and an educational touch. This seems like a very personal story for you. How hard was it to put this story out in the world for people to read?
It is a story right from my own personal experience. I have desired for some time to share a story that would help others understand the plight of chronic pain. I have been blogging about fibromyalgia since 2015, so it wasn’t a real difficult write … other than writing it in a format for children’s understanding.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The major idea is that someone with fibromyalgia needs soft hugs. First, literal soft and gentle hugs because even a hug can be painful. Second, the hugs can come in other formats, such as kindnesses done for them.
I also wanted to suggest ways that a family can help their parent with chronic pain and how the whole family must accept a new normal because of the illness.
For the patients themselves, I wanted to suggest that gratitude is a good step toward dealing with your pain. And a big thing is you can still be a great parent even with your pain.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Melissa Pickens?
Well, let me say, first that I have absolutely no artistic talent. Melissa and I were already acquaintances through several avenues, including chronic illness. When I saw her handpainting work, I knew I must ask if she could illustrate the book.
It was a painstaking process because we both have our own pain issues. This caused a much longer process but well worth the wait. Melissa brought great ideas to the project, including the purple ribbon search. She even had suggestions on grammar and vocabulary!
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I hope this book will be a tool to open communication between parent and child when chronic illness (of any kind) arrives in their home. My goal is that I can help them find a new normal as a family with a new understanding of the disease.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Soft Hugs for Mommy tells the story of a loving family as they navigate the challenges of Mommy’s chronic pain condition. Filled with tender moments and loving gestures, it seeks to encourage understanding and unconditional love. The family helps Mommy with her invisible illness by offering gentle hugs, thoughtful acts of kindness, and comforting words. A talented author who draws from her personal experience with fibromyalgia shares this sweet story. Another chronic illness warrior skillfully illustrates the story with hand-painted pictures. Together, author and illustrator capture the emotions and experiences of each character with warmth and tenderness.
Soft Hugs for Mommy continues with a “Let’s Talk” section to open the conversation between parent and child. These questions, created with a child psychologist, offer a space for children to express their feelings about Mommy’s illness. This book facilitates discussing other related conditions (such as Lyme Disease, ME, CFS, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic migraine, chronic pain, and others).
Finally, the book offers a subscription through e-mail as she shares soft hugs and new resources for chronic illness every month.
Find the Light
The Boy, a Dragon, and the Cave of Shadow follows a young boy and a small green dragon who go on a journey through a perilous cave facing challenges and forming alliances along the way as they battle The Shadow. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey these characters go on?
The main inspiration was my son. He’s currently undergoing treatment for leukemia, and throughout his treatment journey he has had so many moments where he was incredibly brave! I likened what he was going through to the burden carried by Frodo in the Lord of the Rings, and wanted to write a fantasy metaphor for pediatric cancer treatment. It was important for me to draw on that, but then pull in inspiration from Kingdom Hearts and Dungeons & Dragons to help tell it. It was a very cathartic experience. And aside from my son’s fight, I also wanted to give other kids, or even adults, that are going through the same thing an easily read book that lets them know they’re not alone.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
There is a lot that the main character goes through, and he’s portrayed as a young boy. I wanted to make sure that this boy made mistakes, displayed a wide variety of emotions, and was filled with doubt. He is guided by a small dragon throughout the journey, who I really just wanted to make fun and quirky, but also wise and sagely. The other characters and what they present to the main character are very representative of cancer treatment. It was their interactions with the boy and how he reacted to them and what each of them represented that really tells the story beneath the story.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?
That no matter how dark or terrible things appear, to find the light. There is always light. Trust in that light. And sometimes it takes reading a book or talking to a friend to find a bit of bravery. Or maybe it takes listening to the wise words of a quirky dragon.
What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?
Before this story and everything that inspired it, I was in the middle of writing a fantasy series with my good friend, Aaron Bunce, called The Dunes of Aelaron. We still have the third installment to write, entitled The Wrath of the Undergods. I also have a science fiction project I’m working on that I hope to have out next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | TikTok | Website | Book Review
The Boy, a Dragon, and the Cave of Shadow
The Boy, a Dragon, and the Cave of Shadow by Christopher Guhl is a heartwarming fantasy that tells the story of a boy named Liam and his loyal companion, a dragon named Georgie. Together, they journey through a perilous cave, facing challenges and forming alliances with an array of intriguing characters as they battle the menacing force known as The Shadow. Throughout this quest, Liam discovers an incredible power within himself, yet each use of this strength comes at a steep personal cost. This poignant story is deeply inspired by Guhl’s own experience, drawing from his son’s battle with leukemia, making it as personal as it is powerful.
In many ways, the novel serves as a beautifully crafted metaphor for the struggles faced during illness. The dark, endless cave becomes a symbol for the overwhelming and often uncertain path that lies ahead when confronting such adversity. But, amid the darkness, Liam finds support in the form of unique beings, each offering guidance, hope, and strength for his dangerous journey. Guhl’s storytelling taps into universal emotions, making each fantastical encounter feel personal and relatable. The allegory of the story shines through, resonating with anyone who has faced hardship, particularly when illness is involved. The vivid descriptions of the cave heighten the sense of the daunting, almost impossible task that Liam faces. Yet, the tender moments of assistance and support from those around him give the narrative warmth and hope, illustrating that even in the darkest moments, we are not alone. While the brevity of the book makes it accessible to younger readers, it could also be seen as a drawback. The story’s characters, themes, and emotional depth feel deserving of more time and space to be fully explored. That said, the book’s sincerity and emotional resonance remain intact, delivering an impactful and moving tale even within its concise structure.
Perfect for middle-grade readers or anyone who appreciates stories of courage and resilience, The Boy, a Dragon, and the Cave of Shadow is a beautifully inspiring read. Guhl’s story is not only a testament to the power of perseverance but also a touching allegory of the struggles we face—and overcome—when life’s battles seem insurmountable. An uplifting read for children and adults alike, it’s a must-read for those who enjoy stories of hope and bravery in the face of adversity.
Pages: 64 | ASIN : B0D9SWFVZN
A Deep Sense of Empathy
Eliza Jane Finds Her Hero follows a young girl struggling with Tourette syndrome who discovers the strength of kindness and self-confidence. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My granddaughter was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when she was eight years old. At that time, her tics began interfering with school, both academically and socially. It was hard enough for her to read and focus with eye tics, but her peers became critical, too. They judged her as “different,” although that’s not the word some used to describe her. Naturally the bullying only made her tics worse. Everything got hard, and she stopped doing all the things she loved–except engaging in pretend play. She acted out her make-believe stories with me for hours! Stories that shined with heroines, magical powers, and exciting adventures. That’s when we had an idea. What if we wrote a children’s story together about one of her make-believe heroines? She could even be a girl with Tourette syndrome! We wanted to create a story that all kids could relate to. Our goal was to educate, entertain, and inspire. Two years later ELIZA JANE FINDS HER HERO was published.
Eliza struggles with Tourette syndrome, finding her self-confidence. What were the driving ideals behind the character’s development throughout the story?
Eliza Jane is accustomed to hiding her true self from others for fear of ridicule, shame, and embarrassment. She avoids being in the spotlight or around too many people and groups where her symptoms grow worse. She’s learned to “disappear” and hide from others. Eliza Jane simply finds it easier to be “invisible.” At least she has her companion dog and horse who understand her medical condition–they accept her symptoms and behaviors unconditionally. But when she is faced with a choice to help a friend, Eliza Jane is inspired by a deep sense of empathy and new awareness about what is right and wrong. She transforms into someone she only imagined she could be. Eliza Jane discovers her courage and risks everything for a new friend. She embraces the freedom and joy that can only come from being her true self.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Valuing all our differences is an important theme along with the idea that it is our unique abilities, not disabilities that make every person special. Kindness, acceptance, and understanding are all necessary in developing friendships. A sense of peace and joy in becoming our true selves is another theme that concludes our story.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Another Eliza Jane story is in the brainstorming stages now! We had so many ideas and adventures for her that we hope to use those in future books. Stay tuned!
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ELIZA JANE FINDS HER HERO
Eliza Jane Finds Her Hero, co-authored by Eliza Kelly and Debra Whiting Alexander, is a poignant and uplifting tale that follows a ten-year-old girl grappling with Tourette syndrome. As she navigates her path to self-discovery, she aspires to be her own hero, accompanied by her devoted chihuahua. This narrative is a testament to the power of kindness and the strength found in embracing one’s uniqueness, portraying a world where every individual’s distinctiveness contributes to life’s rich tapestry of adventures.
Kelly and Alexander have combined their expertise to craft a story that resonates with readers of all ages. Their portrayal of a young protagonist with Tourette syndrome shines a light on an often misunderstood condition, fostering awareness and empathy. However, the book goes beyond mere awareness, offering a positive and encouraging perspective on the challenges associated with the syndrome. The narrative is enriched with vivid, engaging illustrations that captivate the reader’s imagination and enhance the overall experience. The authors have skillfully balanced a narrative tone with accessible language, making the book a suitable and enjoyable read for both children and adults. The inclusion of humorous and relatable characters injects levity into the story, balancing its more serious themes.
At its heart, Eliza Jane Finds Her Hero is a story of empowerment. As Eliza Jane embarks on her journey, her courage and resilience serve as an inspiration. The book’s concise length and brisk pacing ensure a compelling read, all while imparting a significant and valuable lesson about acceptance and the inner strength that lies within everyone.
Pages: 62 | ASIN : B0CLL251XC
LITERARY TITAN 