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Equipping Children for Success
The Good Fortune follows a brother and sister visiting their Aunt, who teaches them a new game that takes them on new and exciting adventures. What was the inspiration for your story?
Like most children growing up, I loved going on adventures and enjoying new experiences that gave lasting memories and lessons that could be shared. Through literature, I am able to do so with children and adults alike.
What was your inspiration for the characters? Did they come from any of your memories as a child?
My inspiration for the characters comes from various inspirational people who were in my life while growing up, and were definitely apart of happy memories as a child.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
It was important for me to include educational aspects such as character-building and motivation. It’s so important to help children not only feel confident and emotionally cared for but also equip them with the tools to be successfully independent.
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, our next book will be out in the spring. The fans can expect more exciting, unusual adventures and some new, fun-loving characters to add to our new series. Our upcoming projects also include animation and live performances based on the book.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
The Good Fortune
In Shawana Davenport’s enchanting tale, The Good Fortune, siblings Frannie and Willie eagerly anticipate their summer visits to their Aunt Bea. These visits are always a highlight because Aunt Bea is not only an exceptional cook but also engages them in delightful games. This time, their adventure takes an extraordinary turn.
As Frannie and Willie head over to Aunt Bea’s for supper, they encounter Miss Minnie, Aunt Bea’s good friend. The evening begins with a delectable meal, followed by Aunt Bea introducing a captivating game that promises excitement. The game involves rolling colored stones with numbers, aiming to land on “good fortune.” When Frannie rolls a seven, the room transforms, leading them to a magical journey through seven different places. Frannie chooses to explore a botanical garden, while Willie’s turn takes them on a thrilling hot air balloon ride. Their adventures are so enjoyable that they don’t want the game to end. Through these experiences, Frannie and Willie learn valuable lessons about confidence and adventure.
One of the story’s strengths lies in Aunt Bea’s ability to teach the children important lessons through the game. The children’s adventurous spirit encourages readers to be confident and embrace new experiences. Davenport skillfully depicts Frannie and Willie in a way that young readers can easily relate to, promoting a sense of adventure and self-assurance. A confident child, as the story suggests, can achieve anything. Moreover, the book beautifully emphasizes that despite the allure of exploring new places, home remains a safe and comforting haven. This message reassures children that their home environment is a sanctuary, providing stability no matter what challenges they face. Instilling this idea in young readers is a commendable aspect of Davenport’s storytelling.
The illustrations by 1000 Storybooks, a renowned children’s book service provider, add a vibrant and engaging layer to the narrative. The crisp and colorful images bring the story to life, making readers feel as if they are part of Frannie and Willie’s adventures. An interesting tidbit about the author is her background in the healthcare industry before pursuing her passion for writing.
The Good Fortune, by Shawana Davenport, is a delightful read, perfectly suited for children from baby to ten years old. Its engaging story, combined with valuable lessons and beautiful illustrations, make it a wonderful addition to any child’s library.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0BHF6V2PC
Everyone Processes Information Differently
My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration follows a little girl who explores her senses in a creative and fun manner. What was the inspiration for your story?
My inspiration is my daughter. She’s now five years old, but the book was written when she was two; we just started her assessments with medical professionals for her neurodiversity diagnosis. I wanted to give her an easy way to communicate her sensory needs to me so that I could help her to regulate and fulfill those needs.
I wanted to remind myself (and her) that everyone processes information in different ways, and that should be celebrated. I wanted to focus on how she learns and processes information from the environment and show it in a positive light. By using animals, children can verbalize and easily express their sensory needs to grown-ups, who can then help them to meet those needs. For example, I feel like an octopus, I want to touch things, or I feel like a lion, I want to be loud today.
As a two-year-old, she had a limited vocabulary, but all kids that age are familiar with animals, so that’s how the book came to be.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Sensory seekers are individuals who have a strong desire for sensory input, such as movement, touch, and sound. They may seek out intense sensory experiences and engage in behaviors such as jumping, spinning, or touching objects with different textures, so I wanted to write something that helps parents and educators to provide those inputs in a safe and meaningful way. Educators might not be aware that a child has additional sensory needs, so the book provides a way for kids to communicate this and also the jacket cover and endpapers have sensory ideas for grown-ups to help facilitate these needs. I wanted a resource that is easy for parents and educators to pull out and really practical ideas to incorporate into daily routines.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about neurodiversity and sensory processing?
A common misconception about neurodiversity and sensory processing is that sensory sensitivities or challenges are simply a matter of preference or overreaction. This misconception can lead to the belief that individuals who experience sensory processing differences are being difficult, dramatic, or seeking attention. It’s important to look at these behaviors and examine the reasons why and how we can help kids meet their sensory needs. Once these needs are met, they often find it easier to regulate their emotions and behaviors, and this facilitates their learning.
In reality, sensory processing differences are neurologically based and can significantly impact how individuals perceive and respond to sensory stimuli. Neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or sensory processing disorder (SPD), may have heightened or diminished sensory responses, which can affect their daily lives and interactions.
What is the next story that you’re writing, and when will it be published?
I have a board book called Counting to Calm due out in 2024, also with Soaring Kite Books. It’s a picture and counting book on self-regulation for toddlers. I also have a middle-grade fiction book due next year with Dixi Books set in an ecotopian future.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram
This sensory-seeking celebration shines a light on neurodiversity and sensory processing in a fun and action-packed way for all children to enjoy.
My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration
Every child is different, and they all experience different moods as well as explore their senses in their own way. My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration by Prasha Sooful introduces different fun sensory exercises as animals such as a bee, a sloth, or even an owl. These are meant to help stimulate kids and keep them aware of their senses, and we see an example of this through our main character. As she is going through her own different moods and exploring her senses in her own ways!
This book is very unique, and just seeing the first page of “What animal are you?” was very exciting. I loved reading through each animal and learning new sensory exploring techniques. As I read through the story I felt like I was transported into a child’s world, seeing her imagination and how she functions through the day.
Seeing her go through moods of being a busy bee, a tired whale, and even a loud lion was nice as it showed the truth of how you may feel. Seeing how each of her moods explored her senses was also fun, as we got to see her being a touchy octopus with her hands or a slippery fish playing in the water.
The drawings throughout the book were definitely my favorite part, as it was full of color and life, and all the characters had so much emotion. It really makes the reader feel like they are transported into this child’s world!
My Brain is Magic: A Sensory-Seeking Celebration by Prasha Sooful is a wonderful picture book and a must-have for parents! I had so much fun reading it, and I know any kid would love to read it as well. Especially with the activities it comes with for your own child to explore their senses. This children’s book is full of bright illustrations and fun writing. It’s one of the best books I’ve read all month!
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0BNT5YKGH
What I Would Wish to Be
When you were a child, what did you wish to be? Was it an astronaut so you could explore space or a doctor to heal the sick? In What I would Wish to Be, Trey’s father asks him if he could be anything he wanted, what would it be? Trey’s responses are creative and unexpected and throw his father for a loop when he mentions he wishes to be a tree, the wind, the sea, and much more.
Author Michele Sayre sparks young readers’ curiosity with her charming story of Trey and his conversation with his father. I felt that Trey’s responses were spot on, and it was as if I were speaking to a child. I loved Trey’s imagination and how he dared to be something that others wouldn’t think of. This creative and free-spirited read will surely spark the imagination of young readers.
This is the perfect book for teachers to read to their students and, as an exercise, have them write about what they want to be and see what they come up with. The illustrations are eye-catching and reminded me of the Baby John videos. The rhyming scheme made this a fun read that will teach young readers how to rhyme without them even realizing it.
I highly recommend What I would Wish to Be to parents and young readers as this is the perfect book to spark up a conversation before bedtime.
Pages: 46 | ASIN : B0BRGYC5LX
Kayla Travels in Her Dreams
Kayla wakes up and is excited for her family to travel and see their friends. She is all packed and ready to head to the airport, full of energy and anticipation. Unforintly, her father has to tell her that they can no longer go on their trip that day because of a big snowstorm. Kayla is devastated and ends up falling asleep while crying on her mom’s lap. In her sleep, Kayla dreams of traveling. She visits places all around the world and sees her friends in her dreams, but her family is not in her dream with her. After many countries and sites, Kayla realizes that even though she has her friends, her family is not with her, and she wants to return home.
Kayla Travels in Her Dreams by author Kyra Zeidan is a magical story about traveling and the importance of family. Children reading this picture book will see images from Dubai, China, Australia, France, Egypt, and even the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. Each country she visits gives children a few fun facts about the location, accompanied by bright, colorful images created by illustrator Musa Abdul Aziz Hasan. They will also be shown that even with all the unique places a person can visit, it is not the same if you are not with your family and the ones you love. Therefore, traveling is better with family.
This educational children’s book includes resources for parents and teachers. The included questions and lesson ideas allow this story to be used in various ways by parents and teachers. There is even a page for cutting out the characters to create their own stories.
Kayla Travels in Her Dreams is a whimsical picture book that takes children worldwide to see all the unique sites found in different countries. Parents will love the included message about the importance of family.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0BHKQ6X6S
Count and Play with K Dot
Count and Play with K Dot, The Little-Bitty Learning Ladybug: Learning Numbers 1-10 is More Fun with a Friend! by author Kimberly Becker is a colorful and fun way to introduce the concept of counting to children. K Dot the ladybug wants to be your friend and together you go on an adventure to learn to count from one to ten. How many new friends can you make as you learn the numbers 1- 10?
This engaging picture book is filled with bright colors and K Dot is a welcoming and friendly character that children will be drawn to right away. Each page has a simple illustration, perfect for babies and toddlers. From the beginning of the story, young readers will be asked to engage in the story as K Dot asks what their name is and if they want to be friends. This makes the book an active reading story from the start and encourages children to do more than sit and listen.
The story’s rhyme is a classic children’s song that the author has turned into an imaginative story. Adults will recognize the nostalgic rhyme while giving children a fresh look, thanks to K Dot’s jovial personality. Becker has done a great job bringing this classic to the next generation of children. I am happy that she kept the last line, “sit on a big fat hen,” which has always been my favorite part.
Count and Play with K Dot, The Little-Bitty Learning Ladybug: Learning Numbers 1-10 is More Fun with a Friend! is an excellent book for preschools and one of a child’s first books. The creative illustrations and musical rhymes will provide entertainment, and with so many new friends joining K Dot, the story will never get old or boring to read. Children will enjoy counting the bugs sounding each number as K Dot signs her song.
Pages 42: ASIN : B09Z2733SZ
LITERARY TITAN 