Blog Archives
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe by Kelly Chang Rickert is a heartfelt and honest story about a young girl named Hope, who is learning to cope with her parent’s divorce. It’s a story about love, family, and how difficult it can be for kids when their parents decide they can no longer live together.
Since Hope is young, she doesn’t fully grasp the full reasoning behind her parents’ divorce and believes the actual reason is because she broke her family’s snow globe last Christmas. With this in mind, Hope sets out on a personal quest to repair the broken snow globe, with the expectation that this will also repair her family.
I really enjoyed this book, and especially loved the physical representation of Hope’s parents’ divorce as “broken,” like the snow globe. The story offers a great comparison for children, so they visually understand the message of the book in the most relatable way. The book’s illustrations were warm and comforting, which I found to reflect the overall spirit of the story.
Hope’s Broken Snow Globe is an exceptional holiday story. It’s an emotional but important read for children and a great way to start the conversation about separating families. This book is a wonderful way of facilitating helpful and healing communication about a difficult topic, and I think it will be a great addition to your home library.
Pages 34 | ASIN 173526184X
Deeper Into The Hawaiian Language
Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash follows a family who shares Hawaii’s culture and traditions with a relative who is visiting from California. What was the inspiration for your story?
Born and raised in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the island of Oahu, my ancestors go back to the kings and queens of Hawai’i. After moving to California when my children were 1, 3 and 5 years old, I saw that my children weren’t learning their culture, their lineage and their language. As a father I needed to teach my children about their rich culture and the best way was through stories. This was a story I told them when they were still toddlers with each of them as the main characters. Who best to teach them this important cultural word and value than their grandparents who possess so much wisdom and love that needs to be passed down before they pass on.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Although this is a story focused on Mahalo (gratitude), you will find the other two most important Hawaiian words/values weaved throughout: Aloha (love) and Ohana (family). We wanted to take the reader(s) deeper into the Hawaiian language so that people can get a better understanding of what makes Hawaii so special. Understanding the true meaning of gratitude by breaking down the word MAHALO, we hope that you will gain a new appreciation for the power of gratitude. It’s our hope and prayer that this book will bring a new level of kindness and gratitude around the world.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
We wanted to use Pupu and Papa as the “teacher(s)” because most times parents are busy trying to teach their children reading, writing and arithmatic so they can do well in school, whereas grandparents can be a conduit for the “important” learning and loving that is so needed in this world we live in: be kind, be grateful, be a good person and leave things, people and places better than when you found them or they found you.
Thanks” or “thank you” is one of the most used phrases in our language and often times used out of habit without any thought. Because of this, the typical response to “thanks” is also usually thrown out without thought or consideration with phrases like, “no problem”, “any time” or “it was nothing”. By being haphazard about our response, we diminish the importance of the person’s gratitude. As we see in the book, when someone says “Mahalo” they are acknowledging your divine breath. Knowning the meaning of Mahalo should make you think twice about how you respond next time.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
This is the first of three children’s books in our MAHALOHANA series that talks about the three greatest words in the Hawaiian Language: Mahalo, Aloha and Ohana. As we said earilier, this was one of the stories that I told my children when they were younger and now they feel it’s was time for us to share it with the world. The next book on Aloha (love) will be ready by February and the final children’s book on Ohana (family) will be available right before summer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
Discover the significance of Mahalo, the sacred Hawaiian word for thanks, through the perspectives of three remarkable young authors!
Hiwa and Keao are introduced to their relative from California. Although his interpretation of ‘Mahalo’ is incorrect, it gets them to ponder the word’s meaning, and it will do the same for you!
This award winning children’s book is a heartwarming story about gratitude and the true meaning of this treasured Hawaiian tradition taught by pupu (grandma) to her mo’opuna (grandchildren).
Within this beautiful Hawaii book for kids and above, you will find:
✔Three Adorable Main Characters: Learning about their culture and how to be better human beings
✔Written By: AJ Paki Perkins and his three talented teenage children
✔Inspired by: Author’s Home State of Hawaii and its hospitable Culture
Learn Thankfulness with the Beauty of Aloha Islands
Interesting knowledge, amazing penmanship, and a fun-filled storyline to educate your kids and bond with them at the same time.
The kindness book for kids, ‘Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash,’ is here to be a source of both education and entertainment for your little ones. It is an inspiring story, brimming with the marvels of beautiful Hawaiian culture. In the Aloha state, Mahalo means ‘thank you,’ and using it is a wonderful way to demonstrate to your kids on how to show appreciation towards friends and loved ones.
Kindness, Compassion, and Connection to the Ancestors
‘Mahalo Does Not Mean Trash’ is not just any book for 4-year-olds. It is a recipe for kindness to be instilled upon growing minds.
You don’t even need to have ties to the Hawaiian culture to fall in love with this kid’s book about Hawaii. The uplifting message within, intertwined with a strong connection to ancestors and pure culture, will appeal to readers of every background or age.
Who knows? You could even pick up a few new Hawaiian words too!
A Priceless Literary Treasure and Token of Appreciation
An inspirational book for kids, written with care to distribute affection, with some hidden lessons for both young and old.
Great Birthday, Christmas, and Thanksgiving gifts for kids, if you are looking for something special this holiday season. This gratitude gift will definitely bring some aloha spirit into any home or classroom!
Learn About the Culture of the Gorgeous Aloha Islands
A fantastic opportunity to educate your children more about Hawaii!
This thanksgiving book for children delivers a beautiful narrative while also exposing youngsters to the Hawaiian language. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, it is an ideal read on the airplane, hotel room, or beach.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
Perks Publishing, LLC, was founded and is owned by the three siblings (ages 13, 15, and 17) who created the book with their father. The foreword is written by Lee Brower of ‘The Secret’ who talks about the Gratitude Rock.
Magician Emu: A magical story of believing in yourself
Magician Emu by R.C. Chizhov is an exciting story about self-discovery. As a young child, finding your way in life can be challenging, especially if you take a unique path that not everyone understands. Magician Emu aspires to be a great magician one day, just like Spikey Spike, so she learns all his magical tricks and reads all of his books to become an extraordinary talent.
When Magician Emu’s plans don’t turn out as expected, the story takes on a fun and surprising twist, which I found delightful and entertaining. The story is brilliantly written in a way that keeps the reader engaged with the character and the importance of the book’s message of perseverance and resilience. It’s also a great way to promote the importance of being comfortable as yourself and finding your own path in life.
I truly enjoyed this book and its whimsical, light-hearted, but crucial message for kids. Magician Emu is the ideal character, who struggles with many of the same challenges that most of us do, and for this reason, the story is easy to relate to and find thoroughly satisfying and inspiring.
Magician Emu is the perfect addition to your child’s library at home, or as a great read at school or daycare. It’s a fantastic book for children learning to read, and an important reminder to celebrate who we are as individuals, while supporting our kids, so they may grow into strong and confident adults.
Pages 31 | ASIN 173795267X
Dear Child of Mine
Dear Child of Mine shares an inspiring message with young readers and lets them know that they can be whatever they want to be in life. This is a love letter to all the children in the world, letting them know that anything is possible.
This inspiring children’s book shares a heartfelt message of love and empowerment to help children understand that there are many different professions, and they can choose any of them. And not just one either. This remarkable kids book shares an overwhelming message that will empower children and motivate them to think about what they want to be and shoot for the stars.
I enjoyed the exploration of different professions at the beginning of the book because I think this will inspire conversation with kids about different jobs that are out there, and what those jobs entail. After readers are shown a variety of different jobs, the story then asks what they will be, which offers another fantastic opportunity for parents and educators to stop and ask their child what their aspirations are.
The vibrant graphic art throughout the book is charming. There are several scenes throughout the book that also show a diverse cast of characters, ensuring that every reader will feel represented. Dear Child of Mine is a short but very encouraging picture book that shares a message of love and gets them thinking about what it is they want to be in life.
Pages: 31 | ASIN: B09T5RQYXC
Musical Soul Mates: A Girl Who Hears Music Everywhere
Musical Soul Mates is a beautiful children’s book about a girl and her love for music. The story follows young Eleanora as she dances and sings the day away. Although she’s having fun now, she’s nervous about Show and Tell at school tomorrow. Luckily, her friend Aria is there to help her come up with a solution that will help her show the class who she is and what she is passionate about. The class, and readers, will learn that music is all around us.
Author Cindy B Witty has created an educational children’s book that shows how important music can be to a person. If your child listens to music all the time, just like Eleanora, then they will love this children’s book. This book creatively shows how music can come to life and help us when we need it.
The colorful artwork by illustrator Estelle Corke really brings Eleanora to life. Readers will be able to easily identify her emotions and all of her actions throughout the story, which is important because Eleanora moves with the music.
Musical Soul Mates: A Girl Who Hears Music Everywhere is an educational children’s book that will show young readers how to handle stress with music and will show all children that music is in everything. Highly recommended to anyone who has a passion for music, or parents with kids that need help overcoming their anxiety.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0BFG1C86Z
Climate Change Is REAL!
The Vanishing Glaciers of Patagonia take readers on an expedition to the glaciers of Patagonia and shares the effect of Climate Change on this landscape. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Following discussions with the Corporación Nacional Forestal’s (CONAF) person in charge of the protected wildlands of the Aysén Province high up on Glacier Benito in 2017, I felt strongly that I should provide the people of Aysén Province of Chile, more information about the history of the exploration of their region from the sea.
Next, I wanted to establish a recent historical timeline for West flowing glaciers in this dynamic region for a further research paper.
Finally, I needed to obtain stories of explorers so that the many untitled photographs that I had found could be identified and labelled. With all this information, an excellent story emerged of a remote place.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
Finding and reading Commander Pringle Stokes (Captain of HMS Beagle in 1828) last journal in the Mitchell Library of New South Wales, Australia was extremely emotional. Here, there was a description of a place I had spent several months in 1972/73 and visited again in 2007, 2011 and 2017.
Viewing the original 1830 Royal Navy chart of the relevant Patagonian coastline was equally exciting as it showed clearly the two prominent glaciers and the associated icefield (for the first time).
Being able to link the grandchildren of the 1920/21 explorers to this part of their grandfathers lives was most rewarding.
Finally finding a photograph from 1920/21 of the edge of the great Glacier San Quintin that showed fresh ‘clean’ rocks intermingling with moss covered rocks which demonstrated that this glacier was experiencing a surge in 1920.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The most important idea to share is that these significant glaciers are thinning fast.
Another idea to share is that we must revisit the stories, photographs and documents from previous explorers to remote areas and revisit their locations to document the changes to our world.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Climate change is REAL!
Author Links: Website | Facebook | GoodReads
About theAuthor / compiler:
Martin Sessions, as a 24 year old Royal Navy Engineer Officer, spent five months in 1972/73, monitoring a west flowing North Patagonian Icefield glacier, one of the tasks of an 11 man British expedition. He next flew over the region in 2006 and was struck by the catastrophic changes. Returning again in 2007, 2011 and 2017, he led expeditions to measure the rapid surface lowering of the study glacier. As a result, he became familiar with the terrain traversed by Nils Pallin and Allan Bäckman and was able to ‘place’ their many uncaptioned photographs.
Keeping Our Earth Clean
Tierra Day follows a woman who, with the help of her animal friends, organizes a clean-up day for the human and animal community. What was the inspiration for your story?
I was inspired to write “Tierra Day” (Earth Day), contemplating all the litter I have noticed in my neighborhood, local and interstate highways, and bringing this awareness through writing a book for children. I also thought about various animal habitats and how litter may affect their livelihoods. Children are our future leaders, and as I have a quote by Rachel Carson as a dedication page: “In nature nothing exists alone.” Keeping our Earth clean is a community effort with everyone graciously doing their part.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
As a retired teacher, I felt the overall message of Earth Day being a community effort, was very important. Also, including a glossary, vocabulary, and fun facts about Earth Day may be used as opportunities for collaboration in an educational setting of the classroom for teachers, outdoor education, or within family outings at State and National Parks.
The art in this book is beautiful. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rebecca Jacob?
Rebecca is my older sister of whom I admire her artistic talent immensely and we work very well as a creative team. I usually write my stories and then she reads them, beginning her wonderful illustration process. We correspond frequently through phone calls, text messages, and emails. She works out of her art studio in Pennsylvania and visits me in New Mexico during the summer for inspiration of the New Mexico landscape and critters on our outdoor hikes, road trips, rafting, and scenic adventures.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have been thinking about another book soon for children that would continue to include New Mexico critters, humor, rhyme, juicy vocabulary, and lesson(s) to contemplate.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | Website
LITERARY TITAN 