Blog Archives
What I Tell Myself About NO
![What I Tell Myself About NO by [Michael A Brown, Michelle Mathews]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HJSvF-QJL._SX260_.jpg)
What I Tell Myself About NO teaches young readers about the value of know in a positive light. The story presents several situations where parents often tell their children no, and follows it with an explanation of why they said no. What readers learn along the way is that ‘no’ is actually saving them from danger, preparing them from rejection, and making them into better people by teaching how to bounce back.
As a parent, sometimes we say no so much it loses meaning. For me, eventually it just feels like something negative your putting in the air. But this teams teaches children, as well as parents, why no is important and how it’s a teaching tool rather than a tool for punishment. This provided a great opportunity for me to have a discussion with my child about why they hear no so much and how they should see it.
The book teaches children about the power of ‘no’ but it also teaches them how to deal with different situations and emotions, like rejection. I enjoyed the various ways in which no was used and the lyrical why in which it is all strung together.
What I Tell Myself About NO turns a negative comment into a positive teaching tool with fun and colorful art that is fit for an animated cartoon. Once again, author Michael A. Brown teaches children a potent lesson in a short but entertaining picture book.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B08KRWR4GQ
My Black Life Matters
Malik is smart. He loves school, and he runs–he has to. He is teased by kids just like him for loving learning. Malik knows this is unfair, and he is tired of living this way. He isn’t alone. His friend, Keisha, knows how he feels. She and Malik have been there for each other through many difficult days. Matt is their friend, too. Not unlike Malik and Keisha, Matt’s days are spent running from trouble in his own way. One afternoon, while the three friends are gathered at Keisha’s house, the doorbell rings and things change in a way none of them could have guessed.
My Black Life Matters, by Michael A. Brown, is the story of young Malik and his friends, three African American elementary students who explain how they deal with the abuse and bullying endured on a daily basis. Malik, Keisha, and Matt live with mistreatment on many levels, the most painful of which comes from their own peers and family members. Readers of all ages will find Malik’s story relatable, and teachers and parents will recognize many children in Keisha and Matt. They represent a large part of the African American population all of whom deserve to have their voices heard.
Author Michael A. Brown brings to light the incredibly challenging lives of children across the country. In making sure that their lives matter, he gives them voices through his vibrant and engaging characters. Brown’s book is a must-have for school counselors. Brown deals with triggering content in a tasteful way that parents and counselors can easily incorporate into important personal discussions. Kudos to Brown for giving readers a story grounded in real-life with a positive and uplifting message.
Pages: 44 | ISBN: 1735604194
Impatient Patience (What I Tell Myself)
![Impatient Patience (What I Tell Myself) by [Michael A Brown, Lovyaa Garg, Michelle Mathews]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513VsTYjdaS._SX260_.jpg)
Impatient Patience follows a little girl named Patience who is very impatient. When in line, or ordering food, or riding her bike she is a very impatient child who is about to learn why patience is a virtue. A simple and colorful rhyming book brings into focus a quality that a lot of children often struggle with. Being patient is not easy, but being impatient can bring painful consequences as Patience soon learns in this educational picture book.
Patience represents a lot of children, or all children in at least one moment in their lives, when they want everything now. With easy rhymes and repetitive words, this charming kids book also serves as a great beginners reading book.
This marvelous book shows Patience being impatient throughout the story, it then shows the consequences of being impatient, and it also shows several moments at the end where her mother is speaking to her, in very calm terms, about patience and why it is important. This was my favorite part of the book because I think this provides a wonderful opportunity to show children where their parents fit into their life lessons.
Impatient Patience easily conveys a singular but important lesson to children in elementary school with cute imagery throughout. Talking to children about patience can often be abstract, but author Michael A. Brown gives parents and teachers a fantastic tool to teach children that sometimes slowing down can be a great thing in this fast paced world.
Pages: 17 | ASIN: B08LQY4VB1
The Joyous Adventures of Whizzojack
![The Joyous Adventures of Whizzojack by [David Bush, Jack Zarb Adami]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UFHSt3HVS.jpg)
The Joyous Adventures of Whizzojack by Jack Zarb Adami and David Bush, is a collection of short stories containing thirty-five unique characters. Each story reflects difficult situations the main characters are caught up in where Whizzojack comes to the rescue and ends up saving the day as best he can, while at the same time helping his town flourish. As stated in the foreword, the characters are meant to represent immigrants trying to find their place in a town, and does this well.
The imagination behind these stories is fantastic and the authors have done wonders in how they divide and tell each story. Written in easy to follow terms, you get a real sense of the creative mind that created this world, and the way the situations are described throughout which were added by the authors, add to the overall appeal and charm of how each story is told.
Immigration is a sensitive theme to have running throughout the short chapters, and I think in the majority of the stories this has been handled well howeveris some stories such as ‘Stiltman’ or ‘The Can Man’ they are portrayed as the villains because they are different. The characterization of the town, which is overall very engaging, is also shown to have corruption as suggested in a few stories such as ‘The Lineman’.
I enjoyed the aspect of recurring secondary characters like ‘Ma Mollie’ who I felt kept tying each story together. Furthermore, the illustrations created to accompany the plots in each chapter were wonderful and really help the reader to visualize the story. I think these stories would do well as a series of children’s books, especially due to the underlying educational tone of how people should be treated, even if they are different.
The Joyous Adventures of Whizzojack is a charming children’s story that teaches life lessons while also using some unique creativity to keep things consistently fun throughout this adventurous collection of entertaining kids stories.
Pages: 169 | ASIN: B09514222J
True Colors
![True Colors by [Aditi Nair, Morgan Colonna]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41W9pbRo4CL.jpg)
Crystal, a magnificent peahen in her own right, is looking for answers. She wants to know the secret to becoming as beautiful as her best friend, Alejandro, a peacock. Crystal prepares herself for a journey of self-discovery without realizing that she will meet new friends and be reintroduced to her true self along the way. From the very beginning of Crystal’s adventure, she meets with fabulous creatures who offer her words of wisdom and the encouragement that makes all the difference in her own confidence. She soon finds out that what she seeks was inside her all along.
True Colors, written by Aditi Nair and illustrated by Morgan Colonna, is the beautiful story of Crystal, the peahen, and her desire to change her dull feathers with the help of the magical green elephant. This is much more than an ugly duckling tale. Crystal, the book’s main character, learns a slightly different lesson from each of the animals she meets on her journey. The story gradually builds with each of the characters tacking onto her lesson another aspect of self-confidence and inner strength as Crystal’s story unfolds.
This book is the perfect story with which to introduce or review the concept of a central message to elementary students. Nair’s book is the ideal length for in-depth discussions and offers teachers and students ample opportunities to analyze character traits and motivations. Nair has produced a real asset for classroom teachers.
True Colors gives young readers engaging characters from which to learn some very important life lessons. This beautifully illustrated book is a must-have for teachers in grades 2-5.
Pages: 29 | ASIN: B08VFH7ZJF
Adults In Training
Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck provides practical advice for parents who feel overwhelmed by misbehaving kids. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was a reluctant parent and reformed yeller. I felt my journey toward discovering how to become a better parent, break traditional parenting patterns we’ve used for generations and let go of worry and control that doesn’t serve you or your child would be immensely helpful for other parents to know. My methods are counterintuitive, even unorthodox, but they work and I wanted to share them with as many parents as I could to ease their stress and free up children to become who the individuals they are meant to be.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before having kids?
That parenting is layered and nuanced when you are doing it right. Parenting is about us as the parent, not fixing our child’s behavior. We’re taught that we’re bad parents if we can’t change the child. The truth is, and no one tells us this, that to save the child we have to change us, not control the child. Changing us requires specific awareness that leads us to the parenting mindset that creates harmony in the home.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about parenting?
That punishment and restriction corrects behavior. Restriction creates rebellion. Parents feel they are doing the right thing when they punish or restrict, but the opposite is true.
What is the single biggest challenge you’ve personally faced as a parent and how did you overcome it?
How to let go of control and see my children as ‘adults in training’. With that perspective, I was able to create partnership parenting techniques that formed a foundation of true respect and built relationships of lifelong trust with my kids. This mindset led to developing children who are independent-minded, self-directed and happy!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
What if you could learn the transformative mindset that allows parents to get results without “fixing” their child’s bad behavior?
In Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck, Sue Donnellan, parent mentor, author, mom of four (including triplets), and entrepreneur shares 20+ years of experience cultivating the effective thought process for successful parenting. She delivers a proven playbook for turning misbehaving kids into happy, respectful, well-adjusted young adults.
End tantrums by learning how to respond to them
Eliminate back-talk by knowing how to avoid provoking it
Minimize lying with trust-creating strategies
Neutralize sibling fights using one simple method
Establish curfews and boundaries both you and your child are happy with
Increase your ability to prevent bad behavior, before it even starts
Directly influence your child’s great decision-making capabilities
Nurture a strengthened relationship so deep it provides a lifetime of your kids wanting to share everything with you
Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck is the definitive book on parenting. Written as a no-nonsense action plan, this book covers ages 2-20 and all the necessary subjects in between, using humor and wisdom.
Foreword written by Lana Gomez Maniscalco, Artist, Wife, Mom of two, Creative Director, What’s Wrong With People, Inc.
The Unfakeable Code®: Take Back Control, Lead Authentically and Live Freely on Your Terms
![The Unfakeable Code®: Take Back Control, Lead Authentically and Live Freely on Your Terms. by [Tony Jeton Selimi]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513nNsvA-tL.jpg)
The Unfakeable Code(R): Take Back Control, Lead Authentically and Live Freely on Your Terms helps readers improve their lives by becoming more authentic and changing their mindset. Author Tony Jeton Selimi writes with enthusiasm and with the intent to help his readers. While reading the book, you get to learn about every aspect of life; career, businesses, friendships, family and building networks.
In the introduction, the author introduces the unfakeable code to readers. He explains in detail what it entails and even explains some of the topics to be covered in the book. The introduction is where I connected with the author. Tony Jeton Selimi is engaging from the start. One gets the impression of having a real time conversation with him because of how easily the text flows. All chapters have content that will help you grow. Young readers, senior citizens, folks experienced in their careers and students alike have a lot to benefit just by reading this book.
The joy about reading this book is that the author gives fresh content with every new chapter. The author is diverse with his discussion and ensures that every topic or subtopic has enough material to help the reader understand. He understands that his readers are from different backgrounds and so he makes content that can be consumed by all. When reading about a particular subject, the author uses questions, real life examples and talks to the reader on an individual level to get his point across. At the end of the reading, the reader feels fulfilled and inspired to take the right step in their life.
There are many lessons in this book that the reader learns about. The major lessons that I found to be most valuable were how to be yourself and being bold enough to try new things. The author gave me a challenge to explore my potential, learn new skills and be productive at all times. The Unfakeable Code is a manual that will guide you as you navigate life and also helps you find solutions to real problems. The author is straightforward with his experiences and expounds on every issue. The Unfakeable Code has the potential to help you become a better person, improve your career, your mental health, physical health and personal relationships. The Unfakeable Code is an inspirational book that I recommend to anyone looking for a personal development path that is uplifting and illuminating.
Pages: 205 | ASIN: B0928MJ4XH
The #noboringbooks Process
Self-Publish & Succeed provides readers with a guide they can follow to get write, publish, and promote a nonfiction book that sells. Why was this an important book for you to write?
There are some great books on writing and some good guides on self-publishing but there wasn’t a comprehensive guide on writing a book with marketing in mind and setting it up for self-publishing success. This is the #noboringbooks process for writing a book with the reader in mind, publishing a top quality book, and setting yourself up sales success.
What is a common misconception you feel authors have about publishing a book?
That writing the book is the hardest part. I believe marketing the book is actually the most difficult, and if you haven’t positioned the book for marketing success right from the start you’re setting yourself up for a lot of additional challenges and struggles.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given before you published your first book?
Focus on the reader with everything you do. If you focus on your goals and your desire to be a bestseller you become the product instead of the book and it puts your ego in charge. Your ego doesn’t make good decisions when it comes to your book. Your book might be about you, but it’s not for you. It’s for your reader.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
The inspiration and steps to write a book that will have a massive impact on both the readers life and the life of the author.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Writing a book can be one of the smartest moves for your business success. But you need more than writing skills to create an impressive book that readers will love. You also need a plan to market, sell, and leverage your book into a new level of leadership within your industry to reach your professional goals.
In Self-Publish & Succeed, trusted best-selling author and entrepreneur Julie Broad shows you that writing a successful nonfiction book starts long before you write your first chapter. To write a book that boosts your brand, generates a profit, and makes you an influencer in your industry, you need the #noboringbooks way.
You’re about to discover:The reason why you’re not finishing your book—and how to overcome it.
Why most books are boring, and how to keep yours from being one of them.
Which editors you need to perfect your story and where to find them.
The one simple page that could generate thousands of sales.
Seven places to sell your book (and only one starts with “A!”).
Nonfiction doesn’t mean no fun. Write a money-making book that delivers meaningful impact. Self-Publish & Succeed is your step-by-step guide to writing, publishing, and marketing a book that will get attention, explode your career, and change people’s lives—including yours.
LITERARY TITAN 