Blog Archives
You Can Find Humor Everywhere
In Queen Molly and the Summer Palace, a German Shepherd and her owner venture northward to enjoy the cooler temperatures and embark on new summer adventures. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I have lived part of the year in PA and part of the year in FL for several years; a reverse snowbird, I guess. Of course, that means two road trips a year with my various dogs. Two years ago, I made the trip with Molly for the first time, and her responses to all the new experiences fascinated me. I thought a book written from her perspective might be kind of fun to write and read.
Is there anything from your own life that you put into Molly’s adventures?
All of Molly’s adventures have a basis in reality. I guess I am more observant than I am creative.
I enjoyed the humor woven throughout your book. How important is it for you to create lighthearted moments in your children’s books?
I have come to the conclusion that my greatest contribution to this world, behind my wonderful daughters, is adding a little humor to it. So many people seem to be taking everything so, so seriously! I believe humor helps put everything in perspective. I have always been able to laugh at myself and, fortunately, have helped my kids adopt that attitude, and they’re happier for it. If I can let other kids know that the world can be a fun place and you can find humor everywhere if you look for it, that’s a good thing.
Can readers look forward to a third book in the Molly series? If so, when will it be available?
Yes, I will be writing one more book in this series. When Molly and I returned from the Winter Palace, Meghan was pregnant. Readers will be able to see that pregnancy through Molly’s eyes. As to timing, I hope for late Spring. I need to scrape up enough money to pay for my Illustrator! I am definitely not in this for the money.
Author Links: Amazon | Twitter
Candace’s Big Audition
Candace’s Big Audition, the second installment in Joan Enockson’s Adventures on Apple Orchard Farm series, is a delightful exploration of the challenges and joys of farm life through the eyes of its animal residents. Set against the backdrop of the bustling preparations for the May Day Festival, the story follows Candace, a young cow with aspirations to join the Cow Quartet at the festival’s concert. Alongside her friend Marny, Candace navigates the complexities of competition and friendship, presenting young readers with a relatable and engaging narrative.
Enockson’s storytelling is both accessible and engaging, capturing the essence of life on Apple Orchard Farm. The narrative adeptly tackles the theme of decision-making, highlighting the importance of weighing options and understanding the impact of choices. This book goes beyond simple entertainment, offering insights into emotional intelligence. Candace, with the support of her friends, learns to understand her feelings and make choices that align with her values.
Abra Shirley’s illustrations enhance the story with their realism and charm. They vividly depict the rural setting, adding depth to the narrative and bringing the characters to life. Shirley’s artwork complements Enockson’s writing, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for the reader. Candace’s Big Audition stands out for its depth and the warmth with which it portrays everyday farm life. The story strikes a balance between being instructional and entertaining, making it suitable for a wide range of readers. It’s particularly effective in conveying real-world skills like problem-solving and emotional understanding, themes that resonate with readers of all ages.
Ideal for both individual reading and group discussions in educational settings, Joan Enockson’s book offers valuable lessons in friendship, selflessness, and personal growth. Candace’s Big Audition is a heartfelt celebration of life, love, and the small yet significant moments that define our experiences.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0CN3Y92FR
The True Meaning of Christmas
Hunnie Bunny’s Christmas Wish follows a young bunny enjoying the first snow of the season who encounters a pair of cardinals, and together, they plan a tree decorating for all the animals of the forest. What was the inspiration for your story?
After writing the third book in the series, Hunnie Bunny’s Special Gift, which takes place in the fall with the characters preparing for winter, Hunnie Bunny wanted to tell a story about how the woodland animals would celebrate Christmas. It was important to show the true meaning of Christmas through her eyes and actions by decorating the tree with items from the woods and spending quality time with friends. Also, I wanted to include the possibility that wishes can come true during the holiday season.
If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick?
I would choose Mrs. Owl for a spin-off book because she is wise and would offer counsel and support to the woodland animals who come to her for help. Also, children love owls and find them fascinating. (She will appear again in the book Hunnie Bunny’s Great Escape.)
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
When I was in college, I did a mini-term project with the head of the Creative Writing department. He gave me some advice that I have never forgotten: “After you write your first draft, put it aside for a few days and come back to it with a fresh set of eyes and perspective. Also, be prepared to edit and re-edit your work many times until you are confident that it has been completed to the best of your ability.”
What types of questions do you ask yourself when planning a new book?
In the Hunnie Bunny series, Hunnie Bunny has guided me on the journey for each book. I ask myself what Hunnie Bunny would do in a particular situation, what types of characters children like, and then Hunnie Bunny takes the story from there. For example, there are two books with new characters, a woodland fairy and a unicorn, which can ignite a child’s curiosity and imagination. Also, I want the books to be educational as well as entertaining, so I make sure that a lot of the content is factual whenever possible, and most of the books offer a moral lesson that parents can discuss with their children. This is important to me since Hunnie Bunny seems to have become a positive role model.
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Imagination Is a Good Thing
The Secret of One-Eyed Cogburn: The Dreaded Pirate Captain follows three friends on summer vacation who mysteriously find themselves on a pirate ship in the ocean. What was the inspiration for your story?
I have written six novels so far, but I have never written a children’s book, and since I have grandchildren I wanted to do something for them. I wanted it to be a fun, entertaining children’s story that would also send a good message to them and other children who would hear the story that using your imagination is a good thing and also being kind is important.
Then, of course, I had to find just the right artist to bring it all to life and I think that Nestor Taylor was just the right man for the job. He drew every picture by hand and then meticulously colored them, and Sergio put it all together.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Fostering good friendships. The use of imagination. Being kind to one another and others, and always being honest are wonderful attributes we want to encourage in our children and youth. I feel that it was important to teach these principles to my children, and maybe it is even more important to mirror these fundamental principles now.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Nestor Taylor?
Nestor was AMAZING. I gave him my suggestions in the beginning and all along the way. We discussed everything from hair and eye color. We talked about the ethnicity of the children. I wanted flamboyant and colorful, and he caught my vision and delivered. I searched for the right artist for a long time. And when I say a long time, I mean seven or eight years.
I was actually given the name of a friend of Nestor’s, a famous Disney artist, who will go unnamed, who was going to do the work. But when I described what I had in mind for this book, let’s just say he didn’t do that kind of artwork. But he was kind enough to introduce me to his friend, Nestor. Nestor and Sergio are both from Spain. We emailed back and forth, and the entire process took more than a year to complete, but I think the outcome was well worth the wait.
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 really haven’t thought that far ahead. I am just hoping that the book sales will be successful, and I can work with these talented artists again. The book is also being released in a Spanish version, “El secreto de Cogburn, el tuerto El temible capitán pirata.”
Perhaps our adventurous trio could go on Safari to Africa or visit the pyramids and run into a mummy. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | GoDaddy | Amazon
In this adventure, the three friends will find a treasure chest in the middle of their ship and meet the dreaded pirate captain, One-Eyed Cogburn, who has a very well-kept secret.
But who does the chest truly belong to?
Will the three adventurous youth be able to keep the treasure for themselves?
Will One-Eyed Cogburn let them escape unharmed?
Join Timmy and his friends in this fabulous quest full of mysteries, secrets, and laughter to find out!
A Growth Mindset Is the Key
I Love How introduces children and their caregivers to the growth mindset praise principle, and how this method benefits and helps children to thrive. Why was this an important topic to write on?
I Love How is the first book in a collection. It was important for this book to be the first as it lays the foundation for a growth mindset, which is a cornerstone for the subsequent books. A growth mindset is the key to unlocking the potential to learn and master the skills presented in the rest of the collection. For benefits from the concepts in my books to be optimized, the parents will also need to be involved and model the behavior. A growth mindset empowers parents and children to embrace the idea that they can continually learn, evolve, and enhance their lives, influencing how they perceive and interact with the world.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
Well, that depends on what you mean by research and where you draw the starting line. I spent over 6 years conducting a study on the relationships between grit, success, and retention. Part of that was reviewing the existing literature on those three variables. My Ph.D. specialization is in performance psychology, and my M.Ed is in counseling. I have also spent over 15 years as a therapist, behavioral specialist, school counselor, and coach. So I have been studying, researching, and putting these concepts into practice for close to two decades.
I Love How is the first book in a collection that originated from a training/lecture of mine on psychological skills to help adults thrive. These skills are a collection of well-researched concepts that when practiced regularly, have potent benefits. I adapted some of the key concepts of the training into a collection of short baby books. The books are designed to appeal to very young children and to make parents aware of the benefits of incorporating these concepts into their lives.
So the short answer is the research and preparation were done over a long period and synthesized into a lecture. The books themselves were completed pretty quickly because I already had the concepts ironed out in my head.
As for the design and publishing, that was also pretty fast. My wife is very quick and savvy with design software. She was able to help generate the design that I was going for as well as teach me how to navigate the software. I have also been through the very rigorous process of publishing peer-reviewed academic research which made this process seem much less intimidating. Once I put an idea into action I can usually complete the manuscript and cover files in about a week. I have young children myself so I typically work on projects in the evening after everyone goes to bed.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from I Love How?
My hope is for all of my books to be a valuable resource for both parents and children. While the formats of these books are tailored towards babies, the underlying concepts hold significant benefits for adults. In I Love How, I invite readers to recognize that abilities and intelligence are not fixed attributes; rather, they can be cultivated and enhanced over time through dedicated effort, continuous learning, and perseverance. I hope that readers grasp the impact that fostering a growth mindset can have on their child’s learning journey, realizing the compounding effect it can bring to their overall development. On a more simple level, the books are short and contain images of other young children, this was intentional to appeal to both the reader and the baby. I hope this makes my books a favorite go-to at storytime.
What topic will the next book in that series cover, and when will it be published?
Since the release of I Love How, three additional books in the Growing Minds collection have been published. The second book is titled I’m Grateful, which is about establishing a regular practice of gratitude. The third book is titled Another Great Day, which is about the practice of noticing and savoring the positive things in one’s life. The fourth book is called Reframe, and it is about the skill of taking potential negative situations and shifting one’s perspective into a positive and constructive outlook.
Author Links: Goodreads | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
The visuals in this book have been intentionally designed to appeal to very young children but it can be enjoyed by older children as well.
About the Author
Dr. Isaiah Varisano is a highly skilled educator, therapist, coach, athlete, and parent. With over 15 years of experience working with thousands of children and students, as well as hundreds of collegiate and professional athletes, Dr. Varisano brings his expertise in performance psychology to help parents and caregivers establish healthy mindsets and communication styles to support children’s thriving development.
Empathy, Kindness, and Acceptance
Wishes Are Free: Rose O’Reilly and Grandpa follows a ten-year-old girl whose best friend moves 2000 miles away, and she worries she will never have another friend like her. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Wishes Are Free came through the back door. It began as short stories I wrote for fun and read to my neighbor who is developmentally disabled. She loved them and I thought, I might have something here. I strung those stories together and added more, and the result is Wishes Are Free.
I knew I wanted to write a story about friendship. Losing your lifelong best friend would set the quest for a new best friend in motion. I thought it would be cool for Rose to discover, on the way to finding a new best friend, that marginalized kids make excellent friends too.
Rose learns that there are different kinds of friends in each person’s life, grandparents, classmates, and even animals. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Empathy, Kindness, and Acceptance. Wishes Are Free is part biographical. As children often are, I was misunderstood at times, as Rose is when she wants to help a classmate who suffers abuse at home. I drew on those memories, those feelings of frustration when my motives were misunderstood.
I hope that young readers will recognize themselves in Rose’s acts of kindness, in her acceptance of kids who are different, and feel validated.
Rose is autonomous, too. Grandpa shares his wisdom but always leaves it up to her what to do with his advice. I want kids to identify with Rose’s struggles and present a model who seeks help but believes in herself, as well.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Rose’s friendship with Grandpa demonstrates how talking out your problems is a positive, results-oriented path to finding solutions. Asking for help is good practice for adulthood, and I hope readers will discover how you can grow close to family members when you ask for help. And encourage them to ask for help.
Wishes Are Free spotlights kindness without preaching. Rose’s big heart leads the way, and ultimately kindness pays off. Maybe not in the way you expected but it always pays off.
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?
The next book, Be Careful What You Wish, follows Rose into summer vacation and her quest for the third wish (a dog of her own), the only wish that didn’t come true in Wishes Are Free. It introduces Rose’s nemesis, Bea Buffett, the neighborhood fussbudget. The target date is Christmas 2024.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
“Friends are everywhere if you have a big heart and know where to look.”
It’s 1959 in California, and ten-year-old Rose O’Reilly has sworn an oath to stay friends always with her best friend from birth. Then, boom, Linney moves 2,000 miles away.
She worries that she will never find another friend like Linney and turns to Grandpa, who just lost his wife and best friend, Mawnie. They hold weekly chat cafes in the kitchen, and Rose discovers your grandpa can be your friend. Or a boy with cerebral palsy, and a lost dog, or a classmate who comes to school with unexplained bruises. Still, there’s that achy hole in her heart Linney left behind.
She wishes on Venus, the Evening Star, for a new best friend to take Linney’s place, for Grandpa to come to live with them, and for a dog. She may as well wish for a dog, too. Wishes Are Free.
Choose the Healthiest Response
Tutti and the Terrible Yellow Leaves follows a frustrated raccoon who awakens to find his favorite green leaves have all turned yellow. What was the inspiration for your story?
The idea for this book came to me when my son was about 4 years old, and we were going through a period of frequent tantrums and aggressive behaviors. Since I had studied developmental psychology, I knew the roots of this behavior and how to deal with it. At the same time, as a parent coach, I noticed that this problem is one of the biggest concerns among parents with kids aged 2-5 years. They would come to me completely devastated and lost: “I don’t know what I did wrong and why my sweet boy became so aggressive recently! He never saw violence in our family or elsewhere. I have no idea where he learned it and how to teach him to express his emotions in a peaceful way. So far, nothing has worked.”
At some point, I realized that I could create a story that could be therapeutic and teaching for both parent and child. This is how Tutti came into my mind.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Katerina Azarkina?
Since the idea for this story came to me, I knew it had to be a picture book. Illustrations can be very helpful in evoking emotions, helping kids and their parents tap into these emotions while reading a book. That is why, when I was searching through illustrators on different platforms, I not only looked at their style and the colors they use, but I also paid attention to my own feelings. I was looking for a specific response in my body. This is how I recognized ‘my illustrator’ when I came across Karerina’s profile. She also loved my story when I sent it to her, and this is probably another reason why the illustrations came out so beautifully.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to lead parents and their kids through a whole cycle of frustration and help them see that different responses we can choose in different situations. Tutti, the Raccoon, was frustrated because he didn’t like how leaves on the trees changed their color. He wanted to hit a tree, he demanded it to become green again, he was pleading and threatening… But the tree remained unchanged; nothing happened. Throughout our lives, we will have to deal with many situations that don’t go the way we want them to go. Our ability to process our feelings and choose the healthiest response is crucial for our emotional well-being. Sometimes it’s time to fight for what we want, and sometimes it’s time to cry and grieve. I wanted to show that tears are not something we should avoid by all means but rather one of the best ways to overcome situations which we can’t change.
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?
While my illustrator was working on this book, the ideas for the next ones started bombarding me. When I wrote the fifth story about Tutti, I had to say ‘STOP’ to my inner author! It was simply too hard and too expensive to self-publish so many books, considering that I made them in multiple languages.
By now, there are five books in this series. Each one is designed to help parents and their kids solve some of the most important problems in families with kids under 7 years old:
Tutti and the Terrible Yellow Leaves: A story about the ability to cope with aggression, frustration, and accepting situations that don’t go the way we would like them to. It’s about tears and tantrums. And at the same time, about the ability to find the good in any situation.
Why Tutti Doesn’t Like to Go to Bed: A book that creates a sense of connection with mom and helps to overcome bedtime anxiety so your child can fall asleep with a smile on her face.
Tutti Goes to School: It’s not just about school but about any separation. This book can help the child not to feel lonely in separation and to part with loved ones more easily when there is a need to do so.
Tutti, the One and Only: A therapeutic story about competition, believing in oneself, and the ability not to give up even when at first something does not work out. It’s about unconditional acceptance and self-love.
Tutti and the Vanillaberries: This is a story about one of the most difficult emotions – defensive alienation (in other words, ‘resentment’). It teaches how to repair connection when conflicts, upsetting situations, or long separation happen in relationships, or when we unwillingly hurt feelings of our loved ones.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Every one of us encounters situations where something doesn’t go quite the way we wanted it to.
Young children can get frustrated a 100 times a day which causes them a storm of emotions. They start fighting, screaming, falling on the floor, throwing tantrums, calling names and biting!
We can try to punish them for this, try to explain that this is not the way to behave. We can even threaten them with “natural consequences”… But we quickly learn that it simply doesn’t work.
This book can help a child understand their emotions and express them in a civilized way.
Find out what helped Tutti not to hit the tree when he had an impulse to do it, and how the wise forest elf helped him to overcome his frustration.
LITERARY TITAN 