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Acknowledge Those Who Matter
Everyday Heroes: Real People, True Heroes follows a teacher and her class who are learning about and celebrating the everyday heroes in their lives that inspire them. The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Arsalan Khan?
My dad and I began working with Arsalan in the summer of 2021. He’s become our preferred illustrator for all our projects since that time. We consistently choose him and recommend him to others because of his amazing ability to bring words to life through his illustrations. His patience while we refine our stories and request revisions is exceptional. Additionally, he has corrected errors in illustrations from other illustrators that we worked with prior to meeting him at minimal cost.
I collaborated with children at Casa Esperanza Montessori to create the manuscript for Everyday Heroes. My dad contacted Arsalan to see if he could illustrate the book while I continued to work on the manuscript. Arsalan agreed to fit it into his schedule. We provided him with the manuscript, specifying the characters’ makeup, and left the rest to his creative vision. He returned with a storyboard featuring all the characters, which we reviewed and approved after a few iterations. As always, Arsalan exceeded our expectations in both creativity and timeliness. We not only paid for his work but also gave him a generous tip for exceeding our expectations.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to express that my dad has been my personal hero throughout my childhood and teenage years. Additionally, I wanted to emphasize that a hero doesn’t have to be a parent or someone who wears a cape. A hero is anyone who cares for you or holds significance in your life. My message to the children reading Everyday Heroes is to appreciate and acknowledge those who matter while they are still around. Also, take note of as many lessons as they try to teach you along the way while you can.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m currently working on a poetry book that explores my journey from childhood to adulthood, reflecting on love, life, and personal struggles. I plan to release this book after graduating high school next summer, with the anticipated release date set for June 9, 2025.
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The Rules of a Big Boss: A book of Self-Love
Written by 13-year-old Halee P. Moone, The Rules of a Big Boss details the steps one must take to become a “big boss,” which is essentially just a better version of yourself. With a mixture of rules to follow and personal anecdotes from Halee P. Moone’s life, the book centers on the importance of individuality and self-care.
Despite this being written by a teen and written with the colloquialisms that come from being a young adult (which I personally found charming), the essence of the book is perfect for anyone needing reassurance in where to take their life. Even at thirteen, she is hyper-aware of the influence of social media, specifically the impact it can have on someone’s self-image. I think my favorite chapter is when she discusses the influence that someone’s style can have and that it is still important to attempt to be original. She stresses the importance of being inspired and making someone’s style that you may like into your own with individuality instead of just copying. I think this is an important message because it touches on the influence that social media has on fast fashion and overconsumption. Other tips that Moone mentions include, choosing your friends wisely, avoiding bad vibes, and having self-respect.
As a self-help book, it encourages a lot of self-reflection. At the end of each chapter, there are also questions that you can answer that allow you to write down your thoughts and steps you might take to implement the advice she provides.
The Rules of a Big Boss is an enlightening and thought-provoking book on personal development and spiritual growth that gives readers the tools they need to improve their self-worth and self-esteem.
Pages: 79 | ASIN: B08BTMMK9H
LITERARY TITAN 