Blog Archives
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.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
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 Memory Quilt
Lori Keating’s The Memory Quilt is a touching exploration of grief, memory, and the healing power of love. The story follows young Grace, who fondly recalls her adventures with her best friend, Jason. Their bond was a source of joy and wonder for Grace, but with Jason’s passing, she faces a world without him. Determined to bring comfort to Jason’s grieving parents, Grace embarks on a heartfelt mission to preserve his memory in a beautiful and meaningful way, supported by her loving mother.
Grace is portrayed as a compassionate and resilient character, deeply affected by Jason’s loss but driven to help those who are also grieving. Her journey is a testament to her sweet nature and determination to honor her friend’s memory. This narrative not only highlights the pain of loss but also the profound impact of a young girl’s efforts to keep a cherished memory alive. Alyssa Grizenko’s illustrations add a profound depth to the story, capturing the innocence and emotional weight of Grace’s memories. One particularly poignant scene depicts Grace recalling moments of catching fireflies with Jason, a visual that resonates deeply with the reader. This scene, like many others, is beautifully rendered and evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia and love.
The Memory Quilt is a deeply personal and evocative tale that resonates with anyone who has experienced loss. Grace’s story mirrors the universal experience of remembering and cherishing the best moments with loved ones while navigating the complexities of grief. The book’s narrative is moving and relatable, touching the very core of what it means to remember those who have left us. Despite its themes of loss, the story shines with Grace’s unwavering determination to keep Jason’s memory alive. The use of quilts as a tactile and personal way to commemorate loved ones is both unique and practical, offering readers a method to integrate into their own lives. This aspect of the story beautifully illustrates how memories can be preserved in tangible and meaningful ways.
The Memory Quilt stands out for its heartfelt approach to dealing with grief and its innovative portrayal of preserving memories. Suitable for readers aged eight and up, it provides invaluable guidance on engaging with grief and navigating complex emotions. Grace’s journey serves as a poignant reminder to cherish the memories of those we hold dear and look forward to the day when we may reunite with them. This story is a beacon of hope and remembrance, ensuring that the light of our loved ones’ impact on our lives will never fade.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0C946Q2TJ
Higher Callings for Our Lives
The Mighty Mountain follows a tall and mighty mountain who is struck by an earthquake and reduced to a pile of sticks and has to find a new purpose in life. What was the inspiration for your story?
I recall praying for ideas about 8 years ago for something of value that would be impactful to people, build a legacy for my family, and God imparted a parable about a mountain to my mind and I couldn’t shake it. I felt the message behind the story was so powerful and moving to everyone young and old that it had to be shared. I wanted this book to be a classic story that will stick with people for a lifetime like The Little Engine That Could, The Giving Tree, or The Hungry Caterpillar. When I expanded the parable into an illustrative story, I was motivated to have others see and feel what I experienced in that moment when the story was first placed on my heart.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Some of the ideas that I wanted to share in this book were about the idea of change and discovering your purpose. In life, you sometimes find out that you are good at something and you devote all of your energy into it and believe you found your thing. So much so that you’ve placed your entire worth in that thing and if you can’t do that thing you fall into the trap of believing you’re worthless. The truth is we evolve, go through seasons, and have higher callings for our lives. Sometimes it’s related to what we were doing before but sometimes it isn’t. Young and old go through tragedies of different magnitudes impacting what they were doing and I want to share the idea of hope within them. Hope that they are more and will make an impact somewhere else.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Wilker Aguiar Souza?
Working with Wilker was fantastic, I felt we worked very well together! The Mighty Mountain was my first book, and I had a vision for how the mountain should look. Early in the process, I made sketches of how each character would look and respond in the different scenes. Several years later when going through character development, I provided Wilker with the manuscript, explained how I wanted the mountain to look, and when he provided his initial sketches for the character development I was shocked! They were eerily close to what I drew years before. That was confirmation for me that Wilker was supposed to be the illustrator for this project. I gave him creative freedom to make the story come alive with vibrant colors and tones to convey the emotion of the mountain as it went through its transformational process.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have several books that I am working on. The adult companion book for The Mighty Mountain is in the editing stage and should be available within the next six months. That book will go a little deeper and provide the adults and parents with more insight to help them apply the ideas that are embedded within The Mighty Mountain to their circumstances. Additionally, I have inspired my daughter to write a book. She has a love of baking and co-authored a magnificent book called Cookie-Day, Cookie-Day which is available on Amazon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Website | Amazon
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
Living With the Land
Adventures with Granny: Butterflies and Bravery follows a young girl spending the summer away from home with her Granny, who has mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety about this adventure. What was the inspiration for your story?
The original inspiration for a fun, adventurous granny came from watching my mom take her grandchildren on trips to the river, the redwoods, and up the mountain to her little homestead. I have such fond memories of my mom teaching me about how the spring water got into our sink and of crossing the creek on logs that the story of Granny began to unfold. As I created the characters of Hazel and Finn, the need for understanding, accepting, and working on anxiety seemed prevalent in the world. I have struggled with it, as have other family members, and I know many children who do, so Hazel’s anxiety arose. Nature is studied as one way to help children with their anxious feelings, so Granny and Hazel fit well together.
Most parents and children will be able to relate to the fears Hazel has in this story. Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
I have struggled with working through and overcoming anxious feelings my entire life. One scene, in particular, is based on a time when I was a young child faced with crossing the creek after my older brother. For some reason, though I’d never been afraid before, I was scared and my brother had to coax me across.
I think Granny’s enthusiasm for sharing nature with her grandchildren is from both my mom and me. As a Waldorf teacher for several years, I loved taking children on nature walks.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to include both an introduction to living with the land and a guide to working through anxious feelings. I’m happy it’s a relatable story because I want readers to connect to both these very real needs in modern life. We need to understand and appreciate nature in order to make crucial changes to how we live on our planet, and we need to work through hard feelings such as anxiety with the help of a guide.
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?
I do have ideas for more adventures with Granny connected to life lessons. I’ve been waiting to see how this first one lands so I haven’t written any other stories. The one forefront in mind is about race. I had many memorable moments with a childhood friend, some I didn’t understand until later, and I feel children today could connect with such a story. And Granny will come up with an adventure to take her grandchildren on regarding this subject. We’ll see. My butterflies flutter quite a bit when I begin a new story, so I have some overcoming of my own to do, a lot like Hazel.
I also have a tween YA series of four books I published between 2017 and 2021. Celtic Magic is about modern children who find out they are descended from Scottish druids and the Celtic myths are their ancestral stories. It also has a strong link to connecting with nature.
Author Links: GoodReads | Celtic Magic | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Based on the author’s childhood in the mountains of Northern California, this series is about a whimsical granny who shares her back-to-the-land lifestyle with her grandchildren. Mixing magical realism with the natural world, this story will delight fans of Mary Poppins and Pippi Longstocking.
Opportunities for Growth
Mistakes Are Gifts follows a young boy starting a new school who is anxious about the new and unfamiliar environment. What was the inspiration for your story?
As both a first-grade teacher and an author, I frequently encounter scenarios like the one depicted in the story. The inspiration for Mistakes Are Gifts stems from a specific student who embarked on his educational journey in our school after relocating from England. Witnessing his transformation firsthand, from a newcomer struggling to acclimate to his newfound surroundings to emerging as a top performer in my class, served as a poignant catalyst for this narrative. This heartwarming story underscores the profound impact of self-esteem on the learning process, a testament to the resilience and potential inherent within each child.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
For me, embedding educational aspects in this children’s book was an opportunity to impart valuable lessons that extend beyond academics. I believe that fostering perseverance and instilling a sense of self-belief is pivotal for students as they navigate their educational journey. I specifically wanted to convey to young readers that setbacks and errors are not failures but rather opportunities for growth and improvement. By depicting Luca’s journey of overcoming obstacles and embracing his mistakes as valuable learning experiences, I aimed to instill in children the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset. Ultimately, my goal was to create a book that not only entertains but also educates, empowering young readers with valuable lessons that resonate long after they’ve turned the final page.
While this is a children’s book, I feel the message is relevant to older children and adults. What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
Through Luca’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment, readers witness a profound transformation in how he navigates challenges, not just in the classroom but also in his interactions with family, friends, and even his father’s boss. This pivotal scene underscores the timeless lesson that resilience, self-belief, and the willingness to learn from mistakes are invaluable traits that transcend age and circumstance. It serves as a poignant reminder to readers of all ages that embracing mistakes as learning opportunities can lead to personal growth, enhanced confidence, and a more resilient mindset. Ultimately, this scene encapsulates the universal message of Mistakes are Gifts, making it a valuable lesson for both children and adults navigating life’s challenges and uncertainties.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m thrilled to share that my upcoming projects will center around a delightful series featuring my mischievous golden retrievers. Each book will not only entertain readers but also impart valuable lessons on empathy and understanding, particularly when our furry friends find themselves in a bit of trouble. Through heartwarming tales and lovable characters, these stories aim to foster a deeper connection between families and their pets while promoting important values like compassion and forgiveness.
As for when fans can expect these charming tales to hit the shelves, I’m working diligently to bring them to life as soon as possible. While I don’t have an exact release date just yet, I’m excited to share more details as the publication process progresses. Stay tuned for updates and sneak peeks into the adventures of these mischievous yet endearing pups!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Mistakes are Gifts
In Mistakes Are Gifts, author Maria Cedolini Thompson, complemented by illustrator Daria Shamolina, presents a heartwarming story centered on Luca’s first day at a new school. This children’s book navigates the challenges and apprehensions associated with new beginnings, skillfully capturing Luca’s initial anxiety about fitting into an unfamiliar environment. As Luca encounters his new teacher and classmates, he discovers an atmosphere of acceptance and learns an invaluable lesson: mistakes are an integral part of life.
Thompson’s narrative gracefully conveys the importance of embracing errors as opportunities for growth. Shamolina’s vibrant illustrations beautifully bring this message to life, adding depth and warmth to the story. Luca, as a character, is endearing and easily relatable for young readers. He symbolizes the anxieties faced by many children in new situations. The book’s core theme—that learning from mistakes is a joyful and essential part of personal development—resonates profoundly.
Mistakes Are Gifts addresses a common source of stress in children’s lives: the pressures of school and the fear of failure. By promoting a perspective that sees mistakes as positive learning experiences, the book offers a refreshing viewpoint that can significantly aid a child’s emotional and educational journey. From an educational standpoint, this book is a valuable tool. As a teacher, I can attest to its potential impact in elementary classrooms. It could serve as a foundation for lessons on personal growth and resilience, not only in the classroom but also in guidance counseling and library settings. Additionally, parents will find this book a helpful resource in teaching patience and empathy, reinforcing the book’s message in everyday family life.
Mistakes Are Gifts stands as a testament to the power of understanding and compassion in children’s literature, making it a meaningful addition to any young reader’s library.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0CVL31VZV
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.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
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!
LITERARY TITAN 