Blog Archives

Lily’s Wondrous World: A Day in the Park

In Lily’s Wondrous World: A Day in the Park, Marc Polett crafts a narrative that celebrates the joys of childhood and the splendor of nature. On a delightful summer day, young Lily embarks on an outdoor adventure, encountering new friends and discovering the enchantment of the world around her. This narrative offers readers a glimpse into Lily’s magical experiences and the wonders of everyday adventures.

The book distinguishes itself with its gentle, rhyming prose that transports readers to a vibrant world where friendship and the beauty of nature reign supreme. The illustrations are particularly noteworthy, radiating warmth and an appreciation for life’s simple pleasures. Each page is a testament to the joy of childhood, reminiscent of national parks and the untamed beauty of the outdoors. These visuals complement the narrative and evoke a sense of nostalgia and a deep connection to the natural world. The portrayal of animals in the story adds a layer of charm, emphasizing the value of stepping away from the mundane and embracing the outdoors. The narrative effectively communicates the significance of friendship and the therapeutic qualities of nature, making it a compelling read for both children and adults. It serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of disconnecting from our busy lives and finding solace in the tranquility of nature.

Lily’s Wondrous World: A Day in the Park is an ode to the simple joys that life offers. The story’s seamless blend of visual artistry and lyrical storytelling makes it a delightful read for individuals of all ages. For those who cherish the companionship of animals, the allure of friendship, and the beauty of the great outdoors, this book is a heartwarming journey back to the essence of joy. As readers turn each page, they’ll find themselves immersed in a narrative that celebrates the wonder of living and the timeless appeal of nature’s embrace.

Pages: 57 | ASIN : B0CP38355P

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What Are Bees Good For, Anyway?

Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting world of What Are Bees Good For, Anyway? This delightful and enlightening children’s book invites young readers on an educational odyssey into the realm of bees and their profound impact on our ecosystem. Meet Bennie, a young boy with a curious aversion to bees, who embarks on a incredible journey guided by his beekeeping aunt. What unfolds is a revelation about the vital role bees play in sustaining our world, contributing to our food supply, and ensuring the very air we breathe.

Within the pages of Nicole Frankel’s children’s book, vivid and vibrant illustrations transport readers into Bennie’s world as he embarks on a captivating exploration of the multifaceted world of bees. This story imparts essential knowledge, highlighting the importance of bees and their remarkable purpose in our environment. I was deeply moved by the author’s thoughtful inclusion of the fact that bees sting only when they feel threatened, offering a valuable lesson in compassion and understanding. Moreover, the creative portrayal of bees as friendly, relatable creatures—combing their hair and the queen bee adorned with a regal crown—makes the subject matter approachable and endearing to young readers.

What Are Bees Good For, Anyway?, by Nicole Frankel, strikes a harmonious balance between education and entertainment, making it a must-read for classrooms and bedtime alike. It’s an engaging, fun, and informative picture book that not only broadens young minds but also encourages a newfound appreciation for these tiny yet mighty pollinators. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge and a joyous celebration of the incredible world of bees.

Pages: 31 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BVQ16R1V

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You Are…Volume One

In You Are…Volume One, Lauren Brownrigg embarks on a beautiful journey, artistically intertwining gentle illustrations and melodious rhymes to convey integral messages of love, self-worth, kindness, and remembrance to readers. The book tenderly starts its thematic exploration by delineating that love transcends mere emotion; it encapsulates the very essence of protective, caring, and unconditional gestures, affirming that to bestow love upon another is a treasured gift.

Brownrigg elegantly threads other themes in a harmonious fashion, each illustrated and described with equal tenderness and depth. Notably, the inclusion of journal pages provides a space where readers—whether they be children or adults—can write down their cherished memories and reflections pertinent to each theme. The delicate watercolor illustrations of animal mothers and their offspring illuminate the initial themes, while the theme of remembrance is poignantly symbolized by a solitary, ethereal butterfly.

A boundary-blurring narrative, You Are…Volume One serves as a heartfelt tapestry, equally captivating for both children and adults. The illustrations and poetic eloquence unravel each subject in a manner that is both comprehensible and relatable to children, while the journal sections offer a canvas for introspection. The dialogic nature of the narrative—emulating a parent speaking to their child—is particularly enchanting. A striking example from the book encapsulates this: “My love will remain as sure as the setting sun, And I will remind you each time the day is done…”

The illustrations are executed with a sublime and gentle sophistication, both interesting and uncomplicated, while the small poems punctuate the book with well-crafted and emotive prose. Brownrigg has cultivated a nurturing ground to foster emotional intelligence and confidence within young minds. It presents numerous avenues for parents and guardians to embolden and convey their love and care.

You Are…Volume One unfurls as a uniquely crafted and heartwarmingly resonant book. This comes as a heartfelt recommendation to any parent or guardian who wants to embark upon a literary journey that is as emotive as it is insightful, gently steering through the essential teachings of love, kindness, and memory.

Pages: 46 | ISBN :  978-1957262383

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Love is Essential

Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez Author Interview

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 ).

Author Links : GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Website

How can we give our children an understanding of the value of love, kindness, empathy, and compassion?

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

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