Blog Archives
Empower Young Children
Sharing is the New Cool follows a little boy who loves to share and shows readers that a little bit of kindness can go a long way. What was the inspiration for the setup to your children’s book?
I was inspired to write this story by my two wonderful boys, whom I’ve always taught to lead with kindness. I love that they have compassion and consideration for others. Their actions are infectious and I hope writing a book that would empower young children with a simple message of sharing will inspire their hearts and minds.
The art in this book is very cute. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Abira Das?
Abira Das, is my illustrator and friend, that makes the process so much easier. From the moment she sent her first idea of my vision I knew this would be a good start to a great working relationship. Abira and I communicate regularly, comparing thoughts and exchanging ideas.
I start by submitting my storyboard. Then she begins her sketching process. We collaborate and then the magic begins creating diverse characters that every child can relate to.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I had the most fun writing the scene where Morgan’s mom and dad pick him up after his first day of school. I wrote this scene from my own personal experience with my son, Morgan. I can still hear his teacher’s voice enthusiastically praising Morgan’s kindness towards others and how much he loved to share.
There is also a scene at the end of the story where Morgan realizes how much the old man appreciates his kindness. That scene is special to me, because I believe it’s important to teach children that SHARING IS COOL!
Do you have more books planned featuring Morgan?
You may see Morgan featured from time to time, however, my plan is to introduce new, fun and exciting characters throughout my Cool series.
I will be releasing my new book Honesty Is The New Cool by the end of 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook
Near And Dear To Me
Lets talk! Learning to bowl follows two friends to the bowling alley where they learn about the importance of wearing a mask and how people with autism communicate differently. What inspired the idea to have this story take place in a bowling alley?
Each book has a different setting and activity that is near and dear to me. I grew up bowling and had even worked at the local bowling alley. In doing that I got to see a lot of children begin to bowl and fall in love with it. I thought it would be great to showcase that in a book. Not many books show bowling and I loved the idea of it being something different that can also inspire kids to want to try a bowling league too.
Was there anything that you pulled from your own experience and used in the book?
Oh absolutely I did! All of my books have things in them that are from my experience in the field. This book in particular though is special and near and dear to me because I did work at the local bowling alley and volunteer coached. In this book I bring back the idea of using the index cards for Emma to understand and communicate. That is a technique I use a lot in my current career in applied behavior analysis.
I modeled the bowling alley and coach after what I knew growing up. The bowling alley is similar to the one I worked in. I decided to use a coach because I had coached as a volunteer too. I had worked with children and seen little ones with disabilities try to bowl. I pulled from my own memories and experiences to shape the character of the coach. It also influenced the front desk and the types of shoes the characters are wearing. I made sure those were all authentic when I wrote out how I wanted the illustrations to look. I loved that I could put my experiences in and be super authentic when It came to the communication device and the activity this time.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun creating?
Most fun creating, I would have to say it was figuring out how to address Emma wanting to take the mask off and helping her to understand why it needs to stay on. Emma taking the mask off is very real and similar to experiences I had in my own career once we were able to go back to in person therapy. I think that was the most fun to actually write and pull from my own experiences. I really loved writing in the character of Coach Phil too. So many people do not realize how fun bowling is or that a little one with a disability can do it too. I loved that I was able to show people that with a little effort and a few questions, our teenage or adult coaches can understand how to work with our littles ones with disabilities too. Also, one last fun part, was making the character of Coach Phil Native American. Diversity is so important to me and being able to showcase that in a main character was really amazing.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Currently, I have a few things in the works. I have some books written that under contract. The first book in a new series with the illustrators being amazing individuals with autism. Then there is a third series that was actually picked up by a traditional publisher. That first book in the series is actually written from Emma’s point of view. There will be more information and teases coming up! Also, there is book 4 in the Lets Talk! series which is called Lets talk! celebrating the holidays. This will be available by April 2023. Lots to come! I am very excited for everything that is moving forward!
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
Hooroo, ta-ta, bye-bye
Courtney patiently waits as her busy morning with her family begins. She starts with breakfast and then continues her day at daycare. When her mother picks her up, her day isn’t over yet as she has swimming lessons. Readers also learn that her grandparents have moved away, but they keep in touch. Courtney ends the night with warm milk and her Bibi.
Hooroo, ta-ta, bye-bye is a cute children’s book that helps kids cope with busy days and the changes that come from everyday life. Author Nicky Mee seamlessly introduces these challenges and shows Courtney having a good time as she goes to different places, rather than dreading it. This is especially important for young readers as parents try to bring structure and a routine to their day.
The images are delightful and captivating. Young children will enjoy looking at these wonderful illustrations as their parents read the story to them. The author’s writing style is easy for young readers to understand and she makes this story engaging and lyrical by adding a fun rhyming scheme.
Hooroo, ta-ta, bye-bye is the perfect book for toddlers who are preparing to go to their first day of pre-school or kindergarten. This educational picture book will show them that it is a normal part of life and that it will be an experience that they will enjoy.
Pages: 40 | ASIN: B098TGF8MV
Lets talk! Learning to bowl
Let’s Talk! Learning to bowl, is a beautiful story that follows young Harper who has a very special best friend named Emma who happens to also be autistic. Their latest adventure takes them to the bowling alley where they learn to bowl with their new friend Jerry, who is in a bowling league. While learning to bowl, Emma sometimes takes her face mask off and, because Harper is the greatest friend, she takes on the role of educating Coach Phil on how Emma understands what we are asking of her by communicating with flash cards. Which leads to everyone having a great time at the bowling alley, and another successful adventure for the friends.
This is a sweet picture book that shows how children can be amazing role models that promote inclusivity and understanding of people with special needs. The story is perfect for the developing reader who is ready to take on longer sentences and new vocabulary words. The illustrations by Blueberry Illustrations are incredibly adorable, vibrant and wonderfully shows each character’s emotions. I feel it gave the story such warmth and charm.
I enjoyed learning about the author at the end of the book and I can tell her background in working with special needs children is very near and dear to her heart, and that passion shines throughout her book. I loved how she included some of the mannerisms children with autism exhibit. This makes them seem natural and like nothing is different or strange about them.
Lets talk! Learning to bowl is a fantastic children’s book that will educate readers while promoting diversity and inclusion.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0B8BLVS1L | Blueberry Illustrations
Adventures Through Reading
T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Zoo follows a little boy as he uses his imagination to embark on an educational adventure at the zoo. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The inspiration for the T-Rex and Tuck Explore series in general is my son, Tucker. He loves to go on “adventures” and has quite an imagination. He has a stuffed dinosaur that he takes along with him all over the house and this relationship was the inspiration for the “best friend” character concept. I have always enjoyed writing, but becoming a mom was the inspiration I needed to come up with the story setup and run with it. This first book, T-Rex and Tuck Explore the Zoo, came to me after our own family visit to the zoo and how much he enjoys books about animals. The next book in the series will be T-Rex and Tuck Explore Outer Space which the illustrator is currently working on.
The art in this picture book is very cute. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Jessie Johnson?
I absolutely adore the art in this picture book! Jessie Johnson, the illustrator, is very talented and was able to capture the vision for the characters exactly the way I had envisioned them. I had posted a job on the site Up Work and feel so fortunate that she applied. I had narrowed it down to a few artists and had them illustrate a character concept. She blew me away with her initial design. She is a college student in North Carolina and I am in the Kansas City area so the communication has consisted of zoom calls and emails, but I think we work well together and we are excited to continue our working relationship for the entire series! She has a bright future ahead of her.
What were some ideas that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
One of the ideas that was important to me for this children’s book was the focus on imaginative play. I love the idea that kids can go on adventures through reading and I think this story does a great job of that. I wanted the book to be engaging as far as being able to make animal noises with your kids while reading it and acting out different movements. My kids favorite books are the ones that can be interactive. I also wanted to incorporate some educational information about the animals while still making it fun to read.
When and where will this book be available?
This book is currently available on my website http://www.authorkatiemarie.com as well as Book Baby’s Book Shop https://store.bookbaby.com/book/t-rex-and-tuck-explore-the-zoo
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Instagram
IN THE FIRST INSTALLMENT FROM THE T-REX AND TUCK EXPLORE SERIES, TUCK USES HIS IMAGINATION TO TRANSPORT HIMSELF AND HIS BEST FRIEND, T-REX, TO THE ZOO. IN THIS WONDEROUS ESCAPE FROM THE RAINY DAY INSIDE TUCK’S ROOM, THEY LEARN INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DIFFERENT ZOO ANIMALS AND GET TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN ALONG THE WAY.
Ellie Visits the Dentist
Ellie loves everything sweet, from ice cream to cookies. Her mother tries her best to have her eat a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables and go easy on the sweets. Ellie goes to the dentist for a routine cleaning and discovers that she has two cavities. Scared that she has to come back to the dentist to fix the sugar bugs, Ellie starts to get nervous. After an amazing visit with the dentist to fix her cavities Ellie realizes that even though her experience wasn’t scary, she must eat a balanced diet and go easy on the sweets to avoid getting cavities.
Ellie Visits the Dentist is a captivating children’s book that will help young readers feel better about going to the dentist. Author Katie Specht teaches children that it is okay to eat sweets, but in moderation. I appreciated that she is honest with her audience but approaches this experience in a sensitive and inviting manner. Going to the dentist can be a daunting experience even for adults, but after reading about Ellie’s experience even I wanted to go to the dentist!
The illustrations throughout this educational kids book are colorful and vivid and offers readers plenty of eye-candy to look at while their parents read the story to them. Each character is expressive and their emotions are easy to identify, making this a perfect book to read to young children who are still learning to identify emotions. This is also a great book for elementary students who are starting to read on their own as the language used throughout the book is easy to understand.
With the support of Ellie’s mother and the dentist, Ellie had a wonderful experience. Ellie Visits the Dentist will inspire children to eat their fruits and vegetables to avoid getting cavities.
Pages: 24 | ASIN: B0B5M8FDVQ
Master Your Mortgage
Master Your Mortgage by Brighton Gbarazia is an ideal book for prospective home buyers and people in the mortgage industry. Brighton Gbarazia writes a comprehensive buyer’s guide for anyone interested in a mortgage and shares tips, ideas, and tricks on how to get the best deal when you invest in real estate. How do banks operate and review an application for a mortgage? What are the dos and don’ts of mortgages? Brighton Gbarazia shares his experiences as a real estate expert, guiding the readers on what to look for when shopping for a new home or investment property.
This informative guide is a serious but important read that doesn’t hold back from the grim realities of the situation. Brighton Gbarazia shares his knowledge on spot deals that are too good to be true and how buying property without experience can place some new homeowners in a vulnerable position and at the mercy of swindlers and scams.
As an immigrant to Canada, Brighton Gbarazia shares his background in real estate, experience in dealing with banking, and his passion for helping people make well-informed decisions. The author demonstrates a clear knowledge of the industry and his commitment to helping people navigate through the process of buying a home. Throughout the book, he also shares personal experiences and situations, including a bit about his family life and the goal of helping people succeed.
I learned a significant amount about owning property and how to get the best deal. The book thoroughly covers crucial topics related to the complex world of real estate in a way that keeps the reader engaged and eager to learn about mortgages. His real-life scenarios are well integrated into the book, which makes it more interesting to read and stay engaged. The author also incorporates a sense of humor to keep the subject light-hearted at times while staying on point throughout the book.
I recommend Master Your Mortgage: What the Bank Won’t Tell You About Buying the Right Home for its comprehensive coverage and personal touch in dealing with the real estate industry. This enlightening book tells you exactly what to look out for, and how to apply for a mortgage to avoid the pitfalls of hidden costs, and other issues that can arise with the responsibility of homeownership.
Pages: 236 | ASIN: B09VMD5ZH5
A Heartfelt Conversation With The Moon
Lacie’s Moon follows a little girl who embarks on a fantastic adventure where she learns about love and grief. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Amyia Staskiewicz?
Amyia is my daughter and that made working on this project extra special. She had been drawing since she was six years old, and I was happy she said yes when I approached her to do the project with me. It was during a difficult time and we had loss many loved ones. She created the character, and everything took off from there. I was amazed that without reading the full story and with little instructions she was still able to capture its essence.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun creating?
When Lacie rides through the stars having a heartfelt conversation with the moon. It was both fun and therapeutic because I was grieving alongside her.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a couple of book projects. One of them is the next book in the “Little People Big Emotions” series which focus on children processing their feelings. It will feature Lacie adjusting to having a new sibling. It has just started the illustrating phase and I anticipate it will be available by early 2023. The second book is a story about kindness, and I am working to make it available by December 2022.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Awarded Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival
Understanding grief is never easy.
Lacie’s Moon follows a happy little girl who can’t imagine life being anything else until she learns that two members of her family have died. She loved them with all her heart. And they loved her to the moon and back. Now they’re gone forever…
Not sure what to do, Lacie shouts out to the moon. To her surprise, she wakes to the moon coming to her aid.
Can the moon help?
Natcole Staskiewicz has thoughtfully crafted a beautiful story to help your child cope with loss. Each page is accompanied with wonderful illustrations by her daughter, Amyia Staskiewicz, that helps bring the story to life.
This book is wonderful for elementary grade children and older, who can then discuss it with their parents and family. This is also for adults who need a gentle reminder that the ones we love stay with us…through their never-ending love.
LITERARY TITAN 