Blog Archives
A Kind Stranger
Jewel’s Bowl of Kindness follows a young girl eating dinner in a restaurant who notices a hungry little girl outside, so she saves her bowl of rice to give to the girl. What was the inspiration for your story?
My inspiration was my human services role of seeing cases in my hometown of homeless people in tents, especially during the winter months, and statistically of homeless people suffering from hunger needing community support and a kind stranger to help them survive.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
Empathy and kindness to others–I wanted my characters to demonstrate to others.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene when Jewel saves her bowl of rice and surprises her parents by walking to the strangers offering her bowl of rice.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Jewel and the direction of the next book?
I am still in the formation stages of a new book for this book series, Jewel’s Values Series.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
family fun together at home and visiting
new adventurous places. One day,
Jewel notices hurting souls and shows
kindness by offering a gift of hope.
Jewel’s Bowl Of Kindness
Jewel’s Bowl of Kindness is a sweet and simple story about a little girl who discovers the joy of giving. It starts with Jewel helping her mom clean the kitchen in exchange for crayons, but things take a turn when their stove breaks. A dinner out leads Jewel to notice a hungry girl outside the restaurant. Instead of eating her bowl of rice, she saves it to give away. Her small act of kindness grows over the next few days, as she continues bringing food to the little girl and her mom. By the end, Jewel’s kindness is rewarded with the warmth of knowing she made a difference.
I love how this children’s book shows kindness through actions, not just words. Jewel doesn’t just say she feels bad for the hungry girl—she actually does something about it. When she sees the little girl outside, she doesn’t hesitate. She saves her rice, carries it out of the restaurant, and hands it over with a smile. It’s a powerful message wrapped up in a simple story. It makes you want to be a better person.
One of the best parts of the book is how it doesn’t just end after Jewel gives the first bowl of rice. She keeps going. She brings granola, then raspberries. This isn’t a one-time act of kindness, it’s a habit. And that’s an important lesson for kids—kindness isn’t just something you do once, it’s something you practice. The story doesn’t get preachy about it, either. It just lets Jewel’s actions speak for themselves.
I’d definitely recommend this picture book for young kids, especially parents who want to teach their children about generosity and empathy. It’s a quick and heartwarming read with a message that sticks. If you’re looking for a bedtime story that leaves kids thinking about how they can help others, Jewel’s Bowl of Kindness is a great choice.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0DVQGBYL1
Family and Friends
Coco’s Tea Party beautifully captures the wonder of childhood imagination and family bonding. What inspired you to write this story, and is Coco based on a real child in your life?
My inspiration for this story was from my Coco’s Life Adventures book series, and I wanted to show my character growing up and meeting new friends who look different than Coco, which my Dad recommended to show on my book cover. I also love drinking tea and thought it would be fun for little girls and parents to be inspired to have tea parties of their own.
The tea-making tips and the fun guessing game add an interactive element to the book. How did you decide to include these features, and what do you hope young readers take away from them?
I thought of the tea games to make the tea party engaging and fun for the characters in my book and for the readers to also know the difference between hot and cold tea and have fun drinking tea with family and friends.
The ending, where Coco expresses gratitude to her mom, is particularly touching. Why was it important for you to highlight appreciation and meaningful moments in the story?
I believed this moment was special because it helps parents and children to see how important it is for parents to be creative with their children’s learning, activities, and social skills.
If a young reader were inspired to host their own tea party after reading Coco’s Tea Party, what advice would you give them to make it extra special?
I would recommend that young readers ask their parents to help them with learning about the purpose of drinking tea, how to plan a fun tea party, inviting family and friends, with special bakery treats, games, and gifts, and taking fun photos, to make it memorable for a time of bonding and sharing fun with the ones they love.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Families and Friends
In Better Than Coffee, a family learns to resolve their differences and rediscovers the power of Christianity through regular meetings and a renewed supportive family network. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The comfort of how coffee and tea in society brings families and friends together and my love for drinking a hot cup of tea or ice cold glass of tea.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your characters’ lives?
Yes, watching meaningful tea and coffee talks through world events and enjoying tea and coffee talks with family and friends through the years.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The importance of a healthy support system of family and friends who are safe to share hard times, tears, and laughter, with the joy of enjoying a cup of coffee or tea for additional comfort and relaxation.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, I am in the formation stages of writing family and friends fun books.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
learn later that although coffee provides them with temporary comfort, God becomes their ultimate comfort for every walk of their lives, unhealthy addictions, brokenness, and despair in their lives with God’s help and the support of one another.
Although the characters are fictional, the power of God and Christianity is real.
May readers be inspired to love God, enjoy coffee or tea, and share their blessings and life’s adventures with their loved ones.
Better Than Coffee
Dr. Shon Shree Lewis’s Better Than Coffee is a heartfelt novel that captures the essence of faith, family, and self-discovery. Set in the quaint town of Greenville, Kentucky, the story follows Tammy Sky, a young girl raised by her aunt Beverly after her biological parents give her up for adoption. Through a series of revelations, challenges, and heartwarming moments, Tammy’s journey intertwines with her family’s rediscovery of faith and love. Each chapter reveals the complex layers of familial bonds, personal struggles, and the redemptive power of faith, making it a poignant read.
The writing in this book shines when it delves into the intricacies of family relationships. One moment that particularly resonated with me was when Beverly explains Tammy’s origins to her—a tender yet nerve-wracking scene that shows Beverly’s deep love for her niece despite the complicated history. The dialogue feels authentic, and the emotional weight of the conversation is palpable. While the prose is straightforward, it carries a warmth that drew me into the lives of these characters, making their joys and sorrows my own.
At times, the pacing of the story shifted focus to detailed descriptions of coffee rituals, which were delightful but occasionally felt lengthy. These moments added a comforting sense of atmosphere and highlighted the role of coffee as a symbol of connection and reflection within the story. While I sometimes found myself eager to return to Tammy’s more immediate conflicts, such as her relationship with her biological mother, Heather, the coffee scenes ultimately enriched the narrative’s theme of community and belonging.
The faith-based elements are woven into the story in a way that feels genuine rather than preachy. Tammy’s first visit to church, for example, is portrayed with a sense of awe and wonder that reminded me of the transformative power of faith. The pastors at the Light Tabernacle, along with characters like Julia, provide spiritual guidance that feels grounded in love and understanding.
Better Than Coffee is a warm and uplifting story that would appeal to readers who enjoy family dramas with a faith-centered perspective. It’s heartfelt message and relatable characters make it worth the read. I’d particularly recommend it to anyone seeking an inspiring, spiritually nourishing novel.
Pages: 225 | ASIN : B0D9QFKS6D
See the World Through Words
Milo’s Magnificent Magnifying Glass follows a young boy with trouble reading small letters who visits an eye doctor and is given a magnifying glass. What was the inspiration for your story?
Children understanding how to see the world through words and not to feel ashamed about using glasses or a magnifying glass for their health and learning.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Learning words that sound the same with different meanings called homonyms, advances children’s reading and comprehension of language.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene of Milo giving his Mom a bag of sugar in humor.
What is the next story that you’re writing, and when will it be published?
I am still developing the next story.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Pumpkins are a Fruit
Jewel and the Big Pumpkin follows a young girl who visits a pumpkin patch and learns many wonderful things about pumpkins. What was the inspiration for your story?
My inspiration was the season of Pumpkin picking for Thanksgiving treats, from a food I recently learned was considered more of a fruit and not a vegetable because pumpkins have seeds, which is considered more of the nature of a fruit.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Parents staying involved in their children’s educational development through meaningful field trips, children’s social skills and learning, and children exploring the creation of nature and learning the history and value of a beautiful pumpkin.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scenes I had the most fun writing was the scene of Jewel picking a pumpkin with her parents and sharing her prized pumpkin as pumpkin pie to her classroom.
What will the next book in that series be about and when will it be published?
My next book is still in the formation stages, but it will continue to promote children’s self-esteem, creative learning, social skills and healthy development.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon | Book Review
Milo’s Magnificent Magnifying Glass
Milo’s Magnificent Magnifying Glass by Dr. Shon Shree Lewis is an enchanting and heartwarming children’s story about a young boy named Milo. Milo embarks on a delightful adventure of learning words, discovering the wonder of reading, and navigating the quirks of homonyms. His journey begins when he realizes he has difficulty seeing small letters and transitions to an uplifting experience that involves a trip to the eye doctor. When Milo is gifted a magnifying glass to help him see better, his world opens up, leading him to explore words with newfound fascination. This book intertwines themes of curiosity, learning, and the bond between family, with colorful illustrations that bring Milo’s experiences to life.
What I love most about this book is how it captures the innocence and wonder of a child’s perspective. Milo’s confusion over words like “write” and “right” is relatable and charming, making language learning feel less intimidating and more like a fun puzzle. The way Dr. Lewis portrays his parents is equally endearing; their loving patience as they guide Milo through each homonym creates a warm and supportive atmosphere. One scene that stands out is when Milo asks if the word “glasses” only refers to drinking glasses. This simple yet clever dialogue is both funny and insightful, perfectly capturing a child’s tendency to interpret things literally. Another highlight of the story is how Milo’s excitement about his new magnifying glass radiates through the pages. There’s a particular moment when he explores a picture book and discovers words like “bat” and “sea,” marveling at their different meanings. This scene made me smile, reminding me of how learning something new can feel wondrous. The way the illustrations are interwoven with the narrative adds another layer of joy. Milo’s reactions are beautifully captured, and you can almost feel his excitement leaping off the page. It’s this genuine sense of discovery that makes the story so engaging. The story revisits the concept of homonyms several times, which is helpful for young readers. This repetition could also be beneficial for kids who need reinforcement. The ending ties everything together sweetly, with Milo finally using his reading glasses and still loving his trusty magnifying glass. His playful handover of a bag of sugar to his mother, who asks for a kiss, left me chuckling. It’s this mix of humor and warmth that makes the story memorable.
Milo’s Magnificent Magnifying Glass is a wonderful read for children who are just starting to learn about words and reading. It’s ideal for kids curious about language, especially those who might find homonyms tricky. Parents and educators will appreciate the simple yet impactful way the story delivers educational content. Milo’s journey of exploration, supported by his loving family, is sure to inspire young readers to view learning as an adventure. This book makes you want to cheer for Milo and embrace the wonder of discovering the world through words.
Pages: 42
LITERARY TITAN 