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A Gift Especially For Her
Dear Daughter: A Love Story follows your early years raising your daughter. I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Let me start by thanking you for taking the time to review Dear Daughter and providing such a comprehensive review. Having said that, let me also add that I needed you all to do what you’ve done here in providing an editorial review because my own self-doubts were the most difficult part about writing the book. I had self-doubts because while I’ve written two books previously, they were co-authored projects by and large. With that being the case I had someone to lean on in my writing process whether that be my daughter, Haelee or a friend like Genesis Amaris Kemp or Shanique MJ Davis etc. Dear Daughter on the other hand was my first time writing alone and I was afraid to release it. The reason being is that I’m not a classically trained author but a writer instead or rather an engineer who knows how to write effectively. While I know how to write effectively, I didn’t believe that I was capable of writing in a language that children and young adults could understand. Haelee helped me calm my fears in part by telling me that she was the only person that needed to like it because Dear Daughter was a gift especially for her. While she was right, it still wasn’t enough to fully get over my fears and gain my confidence. That is until you all reviewed it and shared that you loved it. And I thank you for that.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I would want them to realize that sometimes we have to suffer so that we can be blessed or rather be a blessing to someone else down the road. To be specific I had to suffer somewhat as a child in not knowing my truth or having a relationship with my father so that my future daughter could be blessed. I was blessed because I was able to see the world through the eyes of my Granny in being primarily raised through her. But not only that, I gained perspective on how to be and how not to be as a parent were I to ever have children. Those things in and of themselves have allowed me to be a blessing to my daughter but also for her to be a blessing to me. God had the foresight and wherewithal to see things down the road that I could not have possibly fathomed. With that being the case, I want people to simply trust God and know that he’s the best Dad that anyone could ever ask for.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Well I’d be getting out ahead of myself a little bit in fully answering this question so I’ll keep it brief in saying that I’m working on a similar project for boys and that Dear Daughter might be the first in a series.
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This is his third published book so be sure to collect them all and be on the lookout for additional books and literary pieces from this dynamic author in the future. Please also be sure to share your thoughts via a book review on whatever platform you purchased this book on.
My Students Absolutely Love This Tradition
Lucky the Leprechaun on the Loose follows a leprechaun that shows up in March to play pranks and create magic for children. What was the inspiration for your story?
Lucky the Leprechaun on the Loose was written with the inspiration in mind of a long-held tradition in my classroom. It all started when I began making the first part of the month of March similar to The Elf on the Shelf where I put a little figurine of a leprechaun out and intermittently move it around the classroom. “Lucky”, surprisingly, gets himself into some crazy predicaments, moving about when the kids are out to lunch or recess. The anticipation they feel, filled with excitement to get back to the classroom to see what has happened while they were gone, is beyond joyous.
Then, on the morning of March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day, the students arrive at school, finding the classroom a “mess” (chairs tilted and confetti on the floor), with personalized messages and treats on their desks from Lucky. They find green footprints around the class, a green toilet bowl, gold coins, and a “see you next year” letter. My students absolutely love this tradition and talk about it fondly for years to come, including many of my former students who are now parents.
What comes first for you, the plot or the characters, and why?
I would have to say the plot usually comes first for me. It is important to me that I have a good plot and the characters are secondary unless I do a series of books with common characters.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing or inspired you?
I love pets! We have a golden retriever named Paisley who is a Covid puppy. Paisley definitely attempts to get my attention while writing and constantly wants to be loved and pet. She has inspired me to write a book about her because she is so playful and always gets into mischief! She is an expert sock finder, hider, and eater!!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next two books are going to deal with social-emotional learning and the importance of trying hard and believing in yourself.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
In the spirit of The Elf on the Shelf, enjoy Lucky’s escapades year after year, and bring much delight to the hearts of children during this wonderful holiday time.
It Turned Into So Much More
The Heart of a Lion: and the Body of a Cat follows a lion cub that just wants to play even though he knows he will get sick again. This is a personal story for you, why was this an important book to write?
Very personal. It was important to write this story to give hope and uplift children dealing with chronic health issues. I originally wrote the book to deliver to hospitals to inspire kids not feeling well during the holiday season, but it turned into so much more. It turned into a story of inclusion and awareness, something I’d always wanted for my daughter.
The art in this book is fantastic. How was it working with your husband on this project?
It has been a joy to work with my husband over the years to bring to life our projects. It’s an incredible connection to have, and I treasure it. He inspires me to believe in the impossible. I ask for something, and he goes beyond what I could imagine. It has been awesome.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
I want the takeaway to be the ability to think outside the box and overcome challenges. But, above all else, I want readers to take away what I’ve instilled in my daughter – to persevere in the face of challenges and never give up on their dreams.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book is called Shani and The FireFly. It is inspired by the things around me and it touches on overcoming challenges. It’s due out late this summer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Literary Titan Book Award Winner
Readers’ Favorite 5 Star Review
Abeautiful 75-page picture book you will enjoy from beginning to end. Any reader can relate to the journey and apply the message and lessons learned to their life. The book is inspirational for all readers.
The Heart of a Lion was written for kids dealing with health issues. The story is inspired by a little girl’s experiences while dealing with and learning to manage Sickle Cell Anemia Disease. It was not an easy journey, but she was brave through it all, and today she manages her pain while accomplishing her goals.
You will be proud of the little lion in this story and the journey to do what appeared impossible. The journey shows Bravery, Courage, and Determination. Awareness and Inclusion start when we start sharing stories that help us understand the lives of others around us. So get ready to cheer on the little lion.
The Silly Adventures of Petunia and Herman the Worm
Ever seen a worm with two arms, two hands, and a smiling face? Herman the worm is a unique creature, to say the least, and sadly, not many people are friendly towards this little guy. After scaring Ms. Walker so badly that she passes out and drives her car off the road, Herman is about to give up on humankind when he meets sweet Petunia and her father. The Silly Adventures of Petunia and Herman the Worm by Sam Baker follows an unlikely duo that come up with all sorts of shenanigans and have lots of laughs along the way.
This heartwarming story is absolutely wonderful. There are so many important messages in this book and life lessons that kids can learn from. Acceptance is the main message in this charming book. Many people try to get rid of Herman the moment they see him. Mr. and Mrs. James scream when Herman lands on their windshield, and they try whatever they can to get rid of him. Ms. Walker faints at the sight of Herman even though he smiles and waves, trying to look as friendly as possible. Only sweet and kind Petunia, who is not deterred by his appearance or strangeness, accepts him for who he is.
Another really amazing message in this book is change. Change is inevitable and scary. For kids, this is a lesson that’s learned the hard way. Herman goes through a big change and this scares Petunia, her father and their family friend, Emma. But it soon becomes clear that this is just a natural part of Herman’s lifecycle.
The illustrations by Ann Hess in the book remind me of classic children’s books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? The style is akin to realism using chalk or acrylic paints, and the grainy texture gives the pictures a more cartoony look. I like this style best when there is a lot of detail and focus on the subject of the illustration. A great example of this is the first illustration of Mr. Wilson, whose expression of admiration for his prize green tomato is very apparent in his raised eyebrows and pursed lips. I found it funny that Herman starts calling Emma’s Daddy, “Daddy” because that is what Emma refers to him as.
The Silly Adventures of Petunia and Herman the Worm is a light-hearted and well-meaning book. There are many life lessons for kids to learn through reading about Herman and his adventures.
Pages: 108 | ASIN : B07CRYXRRH
Wondering Is A Fun Place
Gertie Saves the Day is about a groundhog competition to be the next Groundhog Day celebration groundhog. What was the inspiration for your story?
I have always loved Groundhog Day. I always found it fascinating that animals were able to indicate to farmers whether or not they should begin planting their spring crops. As a child I was always hoping for an early spring!
It bothered me that only male groundhogs were selected to celebrate Groundhog Day. I began to wonder what it might be like to have a female groundhog celebrate this special day. What would the selection process look like? How would the selection be made? Wondering is a fun place when writing children’s books.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Daniela Massironi?
The art collaboration process with my illustrator, Daniela Massironi, was amazing. Daniela is a talented illustrator who captured my attention with her portfolio of cute animals with beautiful facial expressions. For me, facial expressions are important when telling a children’s story. We worked together as a team. Daniela first concentrated on the main characters, then she moved on to the page illustrations. Daniela made some great suggestions along the way and was open to my suggestions. It truly was a team effort. I may have written the story, but Daniela’s illustrations made the story come to life!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
This book began as an introduction to Groundhog Day and as the story grew there were several childhood themes that developed. Competition and disappointment are themes that children can understand and relate to in their own lives. Sharing how Gertie handled her disappointment let’s children know it’s alright to be disappointed and there are different ways to handle disappointment. The book also has themes of friendship, kindness and teamwork. Each of these themes give parents and teachers the opportunity to have meaningful discussions with children.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am writing a series of books for young children about Kindness/Bullying, Sharing, Diversity/Inclusion and Patience. This series should be available late summer, early fall. My next project will be co-authoring a children’s book about acupuncture.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Website
Gertie Saves the Day is more than a book about Groundhog Day. It is a story that explores the excitement of a special event, competition, disappointment and friendship. It is a book that children will want to read over and over again and will make a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library.
What is a Gnome?
The One Great Gnome follows an 11-year-old girl that discovers a magical garden gnome that shows her a world she never knew existed. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
When I was 11 I moved from the Bronx to Connecticut so I experienced the same feelings that Sarah had when the story opens. The story was my idea of what I would have wanted to find the first day I woke up in a strange new state without my friends around.
What was your favorite character to write for and why?
I loved writing about Vesper. I wanted to change people’s thoughts on what a Gnome could be. He is kind and brave and loves to cook! What a fun character to write for!
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
Yes, I felt very satisfied. After several rewrites, I felt the story ended exactly where it should have and all the characters had a nice way to end their stories and their relationship to Sarah.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have an idea for a sequel to this book! We will see what happens!
Author Links: Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Website
Eleven-year-old Sarah moves with her family from New York City to rural Hadley, Connecticut. She’s eager to explore her new home and meet new friends, but she never expected to befriend an old garden gnome.
Readers join Sarah as she is drawn into a secret world under our feet. Sarah uses her instincts to calm old rivalries and help the underworld elves, gnomes, and more join her in the upperworld.
The One Great Gnome
The One Great Gnome follows eleven-year-old Sarah who has recently moved from the busy city of Manhattan, 100 miles away in a contrastingly calm, mundane rural Hadley, Connecticut. Sarah lives with her parents and her cat Smokey. She is a bookworm that loves escaping into the world of her books. Her dream is to work in a book store and read all the books she could get her hands on, understandably so, as her mother works in the library. This gives Sarah a beautifully open mind and vivid imagination.
Author Jeff Dinardo starts the story as Sarah’s family has just moved to their new home in the country. This gives Sarah a chance to explore things she could not when living in the city. Every little detail is explored from the perspective of an eleven-year-old, which makes the book interesting for children. It is during one of these adventures that Sarah comes across the garden gnome, Vesper of Oglinoth. Vesper introduces Sarah to a world she never knew existed outside of her books. She joins Vesper on his quest to save all the gnomes.
Very similar to the magical world of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, in Sarah’s world, nothing is impossible. Sarah is friendly, curious, and empathetic. Sarah is creative and uses that imagination to help out her new friend, and provides a fresh and broad perspective on various issues.
Scattered throughout this imaginative novel are black and white drawings illustrated by Jhon Ortiz. He has given readers a striking visual of some of the characters and the creatures that come alive in this creative book. They really give readers an idea of the creatures Sarah meets and their personalities.
Dinardo has created an engaging and relatable character in Sarah. Her curious personality will appeal to readers that are getting started with chapter books but are not quite ready for books like Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
The One Great Gnome is a captivating children’s fantasy adventure book that is filled with action. This is a fantastic beginning chapter book that will inspire the imagination of older elementary kids.
Pages: 128 | ASIN : B08C9NRTWG
Can you say ‘I love you’ too much?
Of Love and Pies follows a narrator asking the question, ‘can you say I love you, too much’, by representing the phrase with pies. What was the inspiration for your story?
In answer to the first part of your question… Can you say ‘I love you’ too much? If you live in a place where saying I love you means being inundated with pies, then perhaps you can say I love you too much, but in the real world, there’s no limit on saying ‘I love you’. In fact, I highly encourage it!
What was my inspiration?… I was toying with the idea of writing a book in the nonsense genre of Dr Seuss and Edward lear, albeit in a modern way. At the core of this form of writing is generally a concept. I pondered several forms of a rhyming/story/concept about love, but where to start with such an enormous topic, and how to give it a humorous slant? I started exploring actions and reactions. Say I love you (the action) makes for lots of pies (the reaction). It’s silly and fun… besides there can never be too many books about love (or pies).
Then came the illustrations. For decades my art in the book “Love You Forever” has been reducing readers to tears with its message of love that crosses generations. Love You Forever’s soft illustrations were ideal for that book. Of Love and Pies needed something livelier, funnier, and punchier, and I dug in with ink and watercolor paintings that reflect the wild and humorous intent of the text.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
Many point out that the frequency of saying I love You has changed over recent generations. Many say they never heard the sentiment as a child but they say it often with their own children, parents, and friends.
What were some of your inspirations as a writer?
I give thanks to the masters of nonsense rhyming verse: Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Edward Gorey, Dr. Seuss, and Spike Milligan. Oh, and there’s House of Pies, a restaurant in Houston not far from where I live in Galveston County. The greatest selection of delicious pies ever!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I currently have two children’s books in the pipeline; a middle-grade adventure book set in New York City, and a graphic novel. Hopefully, both will be out within a year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Of Love and Pies by Sheila McGraw is a delightful and engaging children’s book that asks the question, Can you say “I love you” too much? What would happen if you said “I love you,” “every minute or two?” And what would happen if every time you said, “I love you,” multiple pies were baked? Would the streets be overrun with pies? Would pie suddenly become less special? Would there be so many pies that even a giant couldn’t eat them all? What should you do? McGraw provides a wonderful story-poem to answer that question, accompanied by her own colorful illustrations.
Of Love and Pies will keep children and their parents laughing and entertained. Lively and imaginative, this captivating story-poem and the talented Sheila McGraw’s own whimsical illustrations make for a joyful read. This book describes and illustrates vivid scenarios where there are so many pies everywhere that they are literally underfoot. The characters are colorful and magically drawn. The picture of the pies reaching up to the moon is fantastically delightful. The problem is made apparent, and then a creative and heartwarming solution is offered. Does this mean you have to stop saying “I love you?” Of Love and Pies is a great story for parents to read to their kids. It will not only entertain but will also help teach problem-solving skills to children. This charming book would be a great bedtime read for parents and children, and is sure to end with “I love you.” —Bonnie DeMoss, Readers’ Favorite,
LITERARY TITAN 