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Literary Titan Book Awards – Oct 2023
These books masterfully craft universes, breathe life into unparalleled characters and weave plots that keep us hanging on every word. With innovative themes and a knack for turning words into elegant prose, these stunning books effortlessly elevate the art of storytelling. Here’s to the brilliant authors who’ve turned fresh ideas and heartfelt narratives into beautifully written journeys. Your remarkable talent deserves every bit of this recognition.
Award Recipients
The Mole Vol X NWP Sextet: In Defence of Peace Not War by Ron Raye
Greenhorn by Cheryl Hunter
Women Leading the Way Peace by Mitchell Katy Garner
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Book Awards Oct 2023
The Literary Titan Book Award proudly celebrates enchanting children’s books that captivate hearts with their standout storytelling, luminous illustrations, delightful characters, and inventive concepts. Bestowing well-deserved recognition, we applaud the exceptional authors behind these literary gems, honoring their boundless creativity and remarkable talent in crafting stories that ignite imaginations and bring joy to young readers.
Award Recipients
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Book Awards October 2023
Honoring the talent of brilliant authors who captivated us with unique writing styles, vivid worlds, and compelling characters. Delve into a universe of original ideas, celebrating books that not only mesmerize us but also stand out with their innovative concepts and extraordinary narratives. Join us in applauding the dedication and hard work of these exemplary authors as we spotlight and praise the magnificent realms they’ve brought to life through their award-winning books.
Award Recipients
66 MINUTES by Jeffrey Arnold
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Big Mick and Little Pete
In the enchanting world of Big Mick the dump truck and Little Pete the mini excavator, every day was just another day at the depot, until an unexpected visit from the Mayor turned it all upside down. In Big Mick and Little Pete, author Greg Keane invites readers into the bustling small town where these two charming construction buddies reside, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. The Mayor’s urgent request for their assistance sets the stage for a heroic adventure that will warm your heart. Stranded by a relentless rainstorm, a school bus teeters precariously on a washed-out road, its cargo of children unable to get home. It’s a moment that calls for bravery, determination, and, above all, teamwork. Big Mick and Little Pete step up to the challenge, working in harmony to fill the treacherous gully and ensure the children’s safe journey home.
Greg Keane’s storytelling prowess is beautifully complemented by vivid illustrations that breathe life into the characters and their world. As you flip through the pages, you’ll be transported into a world where even the most unexpected heroes can emerge from the shadows. Big Mick and Little Pete is not just a charming tale of heroism; it’s a lesson in the power of teamwork and problem-solving. As our dynamic duo tackles the formidable task of mending the road and rescuing the stranded school bus, young readers are introduced to the enduring values of perseverance and collaboration. Keane’s narrative teaches children that size and role are no barriers to making a difference. It encourages them to believe in themselves and their ability to tackle any challenge they encounter in life. It’s a powerful message of self-belief and determination that young readers will carry with them long after the story ends. The suspenseful moments in the story will have readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to discover the outcome of this daring rescue mission. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, skillfully crafted to keep you engaged from the very beginning to the triumphant end.
Big Mick and Little Pete is an engaging and heartwarming tale that celebrates the extraordinary feats achievable through teamwork and determination. Greg Keane’s storytelling is a gift, and this book is a must-have addition to any child’s library. Prepare to be captivated by the indomitable spirit of Big Mick and Little Pete.
ASIN: B0BNY2LHGS
Math Is Not Scary
The Inspiring Stories of Devin & Rose: The Math Magician follows a young boy struggling with math who, with his father’s help, discovers math is actually a fun and exciting adventure. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for The Inspiring Stories of Devin & Rose: The Math Magician came from something we noticed in America and Western culture. Many kids seemed to have this fear of math, and it felt like everyone around them was saying, ‘Math is boring’ or ‘I hate math.’ We wanted to change that narrative.
Our story is all about showing that learning anything, even math, can be a lot of fun if the teacher, like Devin’s dad in this story, makes it exciting. We wanted to prove that math doesn’t have to be scary, and we hope our book helps kids see it as a topic they can enjoy.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your story?
The characters Devin and Rose in this book series are actually inspired by our own kids in real life – our children. We wanted to capture their real-life experiences and adventures in these stories. We realized that while there are plenty of fantastic children’s books with made-up characters and magical worlds, there weren’t as many that featured real characters dealing with real-life situations. That’s why we created The Inspiring Stories of Devin & Rose – to bring a touch of reality and relatability to children’s literature.
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?
Yes, The Math Magician is indeed the first book in the series. The good news for our fans is that the second book is already out on Amazon, and we’ll be making it available on our website too. But that’s not all! We’re currently hard at work on the third book, and there are many more exciting stories in the pipeline from Devin & Rose. So, stay tuned because there’s a lot more to come!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Website
In this enchanting book series featuring Devin & Rose, your child will embark on a journey that will forever change their perception of math. Devin finds himself caught in the clutches of math anxiety.
Like many children, he has heard whispers of math being difficult and daunting, causing him to believe he simply can’t conquer its mysterious ways. But all that is about to change!
Devin’s world takes an exciting turn when his wise and playful dad unveils a secret: math is not a fearsome foe but a delightful and enchanting realm waiting to be explored.
Through mind-bending math tricks and captivating storytelling, Devin’s dad unlocks the true magic of numbers, captivating his young son’s imagination and instilling a newfound love for math.
This book:Turns math into an exciting adventure
Boosts math superpowers and confidence
Unleashes the power of imagination through math
Creates a fun and collaborative math experience
Adds a sprinkle of magic to math learning
With each turn of the page, your child will be transported to a world where numbers come alive, where math is not a subject to fear but a source of fascination and joy.
Buy now to inspire your child, banish math anxiety, and cultivate a lifelong love for the enchanted world of numbers with Devin & Rose!
“The Mother of Hubble”
Her Eyes Were On the Stars: Nancy Grace Roman, “Mother of Hubble” Space Telescope, tells the story of how one girl’s dream of becoming an astronomer turned into a reality. What inspired you to tell her story?
At the time, I was looking for subjects to write about. I was hearing a lot about STEM and biographies for women in science, so maybe it was prophetic when I was watching an episode of NOVA on PBS about the Hubble Telescope and “the Mother of Hubble” when the name of Nancy Grace Roman was mentioned, and I thought she might be an interesting person to write about. She was certainly someone I had never heard of before and I was willing to bet others hadn’t either. I realized how remarkable she was after I started some preliminary research. I was fortunate to find her email on NASA’s website and to receive a quick response from her saying she would be interested in doing a telephone interview with me. From there, there was no turning back!
Your background in Engineering and having an MLIS in children’s literature gives you a unique perspective on writing nonfiction children’s books. What is the most rewarding part of writing books for children to you?
For me, it is that feeling I want to recreate that I had as a child reading really good books, magical books, or those that gave me a glimpse into someone else’s life. I’ve always had an interest in science, so maybe I am more interested in writing about those subjects. But I am also a very creative person, and my interest in architecture and interior design goes back to my creativity. So even though I love writing nonfiction, I also love making stories up, too.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
One thing I wanted to convey was how important first-hand accounts are to research. Primary sources are essential, and that was why I wanted so badly to interview Dr. Nancy Grace Roman in person. I wanted her account of events. I always tell kids that research can be like a game of telephone. The original message gets tangled the more times it gets told. So, one thing I really wanted to include in this book were the actual quotes Dr. Roman said to me. Also, I included all the other sources I used in the bibliography in the back that can be checked against my work. We all need to remember that just because someone says something, it doesn’t mean it’s true. Check your facts!
Will this book be the start of a series? I would love to see more books about other women in science, or are you working on a different story?
This book is a stand-alone, with no plans for more in a series. I do have other books, both nonfiction and fiction. One nonfiction book I am very proud of is Octopus Capers that is still unpublished, but with my agent, Stephen Fraser of Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. He also has a middle-grade fantasy called The Changeling. Currently, I am working on a Halloween picture book called Every Creature Eats about a witch’s party where she is pushing lots of “treats” on her guests. It’s the kind of book I would’ve loved to have had as a Children’s Librarian at the library, where I would read a story to the kids, and then we’d have an activity related to the book, in this case, a snack.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As a child, Nancy Grace Roman moved from home to home. The only constant? The nighttime sky. She loved the stars and knew from a young age that she wanted to become an astronomer. But could she, during a time when many women weren’t even allowed into colleges? Nancy Grace found a way to overcome each barrier placed before her. Her persistence paid off when she was named the first female executive as Chief of Astronomy at the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, in 1959. It was here she faced her biggest challenge to date.
Astronomers across the country wanted a telescope that would orbit in space above the Earth’s atmosphere allowing for the clearest view of the stars a telescope had ever seen. The problem? At this early stage of the United States space program, engineers hadn’t even successfully launched a rocket. How would Nancy Grace ever get a telescope into space? HER EYES WERE ON THE STARS introduces readers to a female scientist in the field of astronomy who will be forever affectionately known as “Mother of Hubble.”
“…is often forgotten by our younger generation of astronomers who make their careers by using the Hubble Space Telescope. Regretfully, history has forgotten a lot in today’s Internet age, but it was Nancy Grace Roman in the old days before the Internet and before Google and e-mail and all that stuff, who really helped to sell the Hubble Space Telescope, organize the astronomers, who eventually convinced Congress to fund it.” – Ed Weiler, former NASA Chief Scientist for Hubble
Spooky Oooky Dance Party
Spooky Ooky Dance Party by Lisa Jacovsky is a fun, Halloween-themed book for kids. It’s a beautifully illustrated story about a cat named Moon, who enjoys secret adventures with other animal friends. Moon explains how humans don’t know everything about their pets, and sometimes, they have powers or magical abilities that allow them to explore and enjoy things that are very different from their regular lives. The book focuses specifically on Halloween and how this celebration brings together Moon and friends for an extraordinary experience.
I found the book ideal for school-aged kids and enjoyed reading it to them and their friends. It’s engaging and imaginative by encouraging kids to create interesting stories about their own pets and the unusual but fun journeys they might embark on if they, too, had access to special places and powers. The tale is narrated, in part, from Moon’s perspective, and how easy it is to sneak outside the world of humans and into a different place with magic and new possibilities. During Halloween, these adventures become more special, along with seasonal costumes, decor, and themes.
I found the lively nature of the story and illustrations to be spectacular. The author does a great job of building excitement for the reader in anticipation of what’s next. The animal characters provide a fantastic tale that’s unique in that it shows how they celebrate Halloween in a different yet similar way to humans.
Spooky Ooky Dance Party by Lisa Jacovsky is a whimsical, creative story that’s ideal during Halloween or whenever it’s a good time to inspire young kids. The story features likable characters with colorful adventures and a positive theme throughout. I found the illustrations appealing and the book easy for kids to read and understand. I highly recommend this story to grade school teachers, parents, and daycare staff.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0CD861FKD
I Will Love You Forever and Always
In every family, differences of opinion are inevitable. Yet, the undercurrent of love remains steadfast. Often, parents find themselves reminding their children to maintain tidiness or exhibit good behavior at school. While this is driven by their desire to instill good values, children might occasionally feel disheartened or under pressure. Enter Sarah M. Thomas Mariano’s enlightening work, I Will Love You Forever and Always, which delves deep into the premise that even amidst corrective actions, a parent’s unwavering love takes precedence.
As a seasoned child and family therapist, Mariano is acutely aware of the intricate dynamics that color parent-child interactions. Her book provides a refreshing avenue for fostering communication by presenting narratives from a parental viewpoint, addressing routine challenges. Through Mariano’s storytelling, readers are reassured that parental guidance, even if tough at times, springs from a well of love.
An intriguing element of the book is its depiction of various animal families, each facing a unique conflict and subsequent resolution. This choice not only universalizes the themes but adds a touch of whimsy to the narrative.
Mariano’s storytelling is both captivating and relatable for young readers. Accompanied by vivid illustrations, the characters burst with emotion, although a tad more detail would have added depth. The core message of the book rings true and poignant, making it an invaluable addition to household libraries. Serving as a mirror for introspection during turbulent times, I Will Love You Forever and Always is a heartwarming read, fostering cherished moments between parents and children.
Pages: 24 | ISBN : 1646068319
LITERARY TITAN 