Blog Archives
Passion for Wildlife Conservation
In Born to be Naughty, a young girl who always manages to avoid paying for her many pranks learns an important lesson in responsibility when she happens upon a helpless baby bird in need. Where did the idea for this story come from?
The idea for the story came from my own experience from my childhood. When I was 8 years old, I found a baby sparrow whose nest was destroyed by an electric shock from an air conditioner; I cared for it, which sparked my deep connection to nature and inspired my passion for wildlife conservation.
Is there anything from your childhood included in Hanna’s story?
Yes, a lot from it. Hannas caught line ooh Hanna you are best, the bestest whoever Was, the bestest whoever Is, ooh Hanna you are sooooooo best. The starting incident of the story. And some crazy pranks like plastic lizards. Hehe
What draws you to write children’s literature?
I wanted to see the purest form of love in my life. There could be no love as pure as the love of God. But does it exist in this world? Yes! I saw that love in the eyes and hearts of the children. When you look into the eyes of a kid and smile, they smile back at you, regardless of your colour, looks, economic status or what people say to you; they just smile back at you with the same politeness and love. I want to celebrate that purest form of love in our lives by writing for these little angels whose hearts are filled with purity (and a little naughtiness).
Where will the next book in the Hanna the Guardian of Nature series take readers?
Hanna the Guardian of Nature is a journey of Hanna, embarking on friendship and betrayal, finding one’s self, opening curtains over the biggest hidden secrets of nature for Diana and ultimately learning how to make Hanna the guardian of this nature. So there are many folds to open up in the coming parts of this series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Amazon
If someone gives you pee to drink, simply give them a potty to eat.
Imagine a kid like this.
Then imagine a kid like this doubles her naughtiness with the perfect addition of a best friend forever in her life.
If you have imagined all this, then it’s time to meet Hanna from the series ‘Hanna the Guardian of Nature’. Hanna’s mischievous spirit is about to press her to one of the most daring thrills in her summer vacations.
Don’t confuse your mind with guardianship and naughtiness going hand in hand. Simply read the book and let the confusion rest in peace.
This first book in the ‘Hanna the Guardian of Nature’ series is filled with humorous adventures and thoughtful moments. More excitement is yet to come as this is just the first step in Hanna’s mission to make all the children in the world read her series and become true ‘Guardians of Nature, just like her.
Born to be Naughty (Hanna the Guardian of Nature Book 1)
Hanna thrives on mischief. Clever and quick-witted, she uses her innocent appearance to pull off one outrageous prank after another. Her days are filled with endless antics, each more inventive than the last. But when she stumbles upon a helpless baby bird in need, her playful world takes an unexpected turn. Does this new responsibility signal the end of her pranks? Absolutely not! In Born to be Naughty (Hanna the Guardian of Nature Book 1) by Hina Nauman, readers join Hanna and her feathered companion on a whirlwind adventure where pranks abound, and surprises lurk at every corner.
This lively tale introduces us to Hanna, a spirited girl whose knack for avoiding the fallout of her mischief makes her exploits all the more entertaining. Each day brings fresh chaos, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary escapades. Yet beneath the pranks and pandemonium lies a budding connection to nature, a journey that promises to reveal deeper layers of Hanna’s character. What makes this book especially engaging is its vibrant infusion of Pakistani culture.
The storytelling is rich and immersive, pulling readers directly into Hanna’s world. The humor is sharp, often laugh-out-loud funny, though some of the pranks lean toward crude humor, which might inspire a few wild ideas in more impressionable readers. Still, for those mature enough to enjoy the hijinks without replicating them, this book offers an unforgettable experience. Hanna’s presence extends beyond the pages, with opportunities for readers to engage with her through social media, adding an interactive element to the fun.
Perfect for readers aged 11 and up, Born to be Naughty (Hanna the Guardian of Nature Book 1) is a rollercoaster of laughter and surprises. While its mention of burned animals and moments of crude humor may be unsettling for sensitive readers, the book’s fast-paced, lighthearted nature keeps the tone upbeat and engaging. This debut entry into Hanna’s world is more than just a standalone story—it’s a promising start to what could become an incredible series, brimming with adventure, humor, and heart.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0B4YM985R
Rich Sensory Imagery
Charlie and Sophie’s Great Escape follows two spirited Border Collie puppies who are eager to explore after a rainstorm and wind up lost in the woods. What was the inspiration for your story?
Charlie and Sophie’s Great Escape was inspired by my border collie puppies and their absolute zest for life. We adopted both of them from a rescue in upstate New York. They made me smile every day and brought much joy and gratitude to my life. I was training them to be off-leash in the woods and fields around our farm. For the most part, they were attentive and easy to train. However, being puppies, they could be impulsive at times. After being cooped up in the house for a couple of days because of bad weather, they took off into the woods on their own. This was the incident that inspired my story.
Sadly, Charlie became sick when he was barely five years old, and the problem remained undiagnosed. We had to let him go just four months after he became ill. Losing him broke my heart. Eventually, I decided to write about some of our dogs’ adventures so Charlie would live on in the pages of my book and bring joy to those who read about the two puppies. Charlie and Sophie inspired me, but Charlie’s death was the impetus to actually write the book.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I was fascinated by the intensity of concentration my dogs displayed when exploring their surroundings. I wanted to show how dogs use their senses and how their senses differ from ours. Rich sensory imagery, conveyed through words and illustrations, makes the sights, sounds, and smells of the woods more real for the reader.
I include two pages of backmatter that discuss a dog’s five senses and encourage the young reader to compare those with our own human senses.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I really enjoyed writing the part where Charlie discovers the goose nest and is attacked by an angry mama bird. Describing the scene’s energy with all the involved sounds and emotions was fun!
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Charlie and Sophie and the direction of the next book?
Charlie gets jealous when another dog comes to stay. Rocky is big and used to being a solo dog. In our house, however, Rocky has to share attention with Charlie and Sophie, while Charlie has to accept less attention from Mom! An encounter with a porcupine is a turning point in their prickly relationship!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Will the big bird attack them?
Will they ever see their boy again?
Join the two puppies on their wild adventure as they try to find their way back home!
Giving Back to Nature
In Nori’s Amazing First Hike, a curious three-year-old and her family embark on an outdoor adventure, revel in the beauty around them, and give back to nature by planting a tree together. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This was an important book for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted it to be as a keepsake for my family and especially for my 3-year-old daughter Nori (short for Eleonora) who’s the main character in the book and of course the main inspiration. Secondly, I’m an avid hiker and generally a very outdoorsy person. I love everything about nature and hiking including writing about it. My main goal with this book was to instill nature appreciation and love for exploration of the Great Outdoors in young readers. For me, that’s very important, especially in the digital world we live in where we’re flooded with screens. Being in nature heals the sole and recalibrates our minds and the sooner one understands that the better.
Planting the tree was something that I wanted to include in the book because it shows the importance of giving back to nature.
Is there anything from your own life included in the characters and experiences in your book?
Yes, the three main characters – Nori, her mom, and dad are all real. That’s me and my family. Some scenes of the book follow some of the hikes we did with Nori. For example, the scene where Dad kneels down, points at a butterfly, and explains to Nori its life stages is something that happened in real life during one of our hikes. We saw a gorgeous butterfly and I kneeled down to marvel at it. Nori was very intrigued by it and started asking me funny questions about the butterfly and the insects.
Can you share with us a little about your collaboration with illustrator Kateryna Mansarliiska?
Kateryna is a young illustrator from Ukraine. We met online via a collaboration platform and I really liked her previous illustrations. So, I asked her to help me with the book and she instantly agreed. Working with her was a breeze. There was a lot of back and forth until we nail down the right scenes and the ideal colors but it was a fun process and we both liked it.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Nothing specific to mention yet. I have an idea about writing a book involving a little boy who goes cycling with his new bike but that’s all. It’s still a very vague idea. Soon, I will start working on it more thoroughly.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Embark on a heartwarming journey with Nori, a sweet 3-year-old, inspired by the real-life experiences of the author’s own daughter.
Follow Nori as she ventures to the mountains with her parents, an awe-inspiring experience filled with discovery, learning, and the sheer joy of being in nature.
With each step, Nori learns valuable lessons about respect and love for the natural world. Most importantly, she learns how to overcome challenges.
Aimed at kids aged 2-6 and beautifully illustrated, this is the perfect book if you want to ignite your child’s imagination and instill a deep appreciation for nature, all through a narrative that combines fun and learning.
Nori’s Amazing First Hike
Springtime has finally arrived, bringing with it lush green trees and fresh, growing grass. In Nori’s Amazing First Hike, we follow the adventures of three-year-old Nori as she embarks on her first hike with her parents. Excited for the day ahead, Nori packs a small backpack with essentials: a water bottle, sunhat, warm jacket, and a notebook to capture all the exciting sights she encounters on their journey. Her parents choose the Butterfly Trail, an ideal path for young explorers like Nori. Early in the hike, Nori’s father spots a beautiful butterfly and takes the opportunity to teach her about the butterfly’s life cycle, from egg to adult. Enthusiastically, Nori draws a butterfly in her notebook, capturing the moment. As they continue their hike, the family revels in the stunning scenery and the melodic songs of birds along the trail. Reaching a breathtaking mountain view, Nori’s parents surprise her by planting a baby tree, teaching her the importance of giving back to nature.
This children’s story, inspired by the author’s own daughter, Nori, is both heartwarming and educational. Mr. Stoyanchev’s vivid descriptions make readers feel as if they are hiking alongside Nori, seeing the butterfly, feeling the moss on the trees, and hearing the birds’ songs. Children will easily immerse themselves in the story, imagining their own adventures on a nature trail. Stoyanchev skillfully conveys his love of nature and hiking in a way that young children can understand and enjoy. The story encourages young readers to explore nature with their families, promoting the joys of spending time together outdoors. It beautifully illustrates the fun of exploration and the value of family bonding.
Kateryna Mansarliiska’s colorful illustrations perfectly complement the narrative, bringing the story to life. Each illustration enhances the storytelling, making readers feel as though they are part of Nori’s adventure. The vibrant artwork progresses the story at an enjoyable pace, allowing readers to savor each scene.
Nori’s Amazing First Hike is a delightful tale that will captivate young readers and inspire them to embark on their own nature adventures. Stoyanchev has done an excellent job creating a story that is both engaging and educational, making it a must-read for young explorers. Highly recommended!
Pages: 41 | ASIN : B0D3QTJVD2
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.
A Mischievous Squirrel
Fall: Colours and Squirrels is a beautifully done picture book for children filled with brightly coloured photographs and a curious squirrel taking kids on an educational journey. What was the inspiration for your story?
We have a mischievous squirrel that calls our property home, often teasing the dogs. Amidst the playful antics, the vivid hues of the leaves, our apple trees, hazelnut bushes, walnut trees, and the pumpkin-filled garden have ignited inspiration.
There are so many wonderful things about Autumn; what made you decide to focus on a squirrel in this children’s book?
The squirrel’s antics of collecting nuts and darting around our property, leaping from fruit tree to nut tree, provided ample inspiration for incorporating him into the story.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I intentionally selected basic sight words suitable for beginner readers and crafted the story around colors frequently observed in autumn. These colors were selected from different aspects of the farmyard, such as the fruit trees, nut trees, and pumpkins, resulting in an easily readable book adorned with bright pictures and large text.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
The next installment in the series, titled Pets: Do You Want One? was published on October 23rd, 2023. This book is even more vibrant and features a variety of pets in an interactive story with brightly colored pages and borders.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Website | YouTube | Amazon
Wild Acres Farm Series
Crafted by Carolyn Wild with extensive literacy education experience, this collection of leveled emergent readers integrates beginner sight words, picture dictionaries, science facts, repetitive decodable words, rhyming text, colored rebus picture clues, math concepts and learning-to-read tips. Recognized for its positive impact, the series has earned recognition and awards for reading success in classrooms, daycares, and homes.
LITERARY TITAN 