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Education Should Be Fun
Our Planets: Moons, Myths, and More is an educational children’s book on the universe with beautiful images and activities included. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write Our Planets?
Julie Kusma and I were discussing what educational books we might like to write following the success of “Our Trees: Botanics, Beliefs, and More,” specifically what we find interesting and can we present that information in a fun and creative way. “Our Planets: Moons, Myths, and More” felt like another fantastic opportunity to weave our magic and let the creative fun flow while presenting educational content as an introduction for young and old.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It’s always important for us to include ancient perspectives like mythologies, customs etc. With planets all named after Roman or Greek gods and goddesses it was a clear take-off point for us and include the mythology associated. We also thought it would be fun to include current pop culture for each planet such books and movies and an alien tour guide for a wee bit more humor too.
We believe education should be fun and as your reviewer noted, this book, as does our entire Our Education series, includes activities at the end of the book. In this case, a playable board game, and printable planet passport cards for young explorers to record their discoveries as they journey through “Our Planets: Moons, Myths, and More.”
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
While we were amazed by the widely varying geology of the planets, especially those without a solid surface, the fact that the length of an earth day i.e. 24 hours, is not representative of the number of hours in a day on other planets, was not something we were aware of.
What is the next educational book that you are working on and when will it be available?
We will shortly be publishing, likely sometime in April 2024, “Our Dinosaurs: Discoveries, Distinctions and More,” which is with our editor at the moment. This has been a significant project for Julie and me on a variety of levels and we hope our readers find this volume as fun, educational and inspiring as our other books in the Our Education series.
Julie L. Kusma Author Links: Amazon | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
Derek R. King Author Links: Amazon | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
Your first stop on this planetary voyage will be in the Milky Way Galaxy, where you will observe unique constellations and other galactic objects.
You’ll be guided through the solar system, where you’ll be introduced to the different types of planets. Each planet is unique in its composition; some may be uninhabitable, while others may suggest the possibility of life.
Next, you’ll meet past and present astronomers and what they are most famous for.
At the end of your glorious planetary journey, you’ll find coloring book pages, a board game, and a passport game. Links to additional learning resources are also provided.
Our Planets
The wide, wonderful world of outer space has fascinated humankind since the beginning of time. Looking up from our own planet, Earth, millions of stars light up the night, prompting many people and cultures to muse about the far-flung reaches above us in the ebony skies. Our Planets: Moons, Myths, and More by Derek King and Julie Kusma builds on this inherent curiosity. Exploring the solar system, with the many varied planets in our “neighborhood,” this gorgeously illustrated introduction to the infinite possibilities of space is the perfect guide for the budding scientist or explorer in your life.
This journey across the solar system is full of fun. Each planet has an adorable space alien and intrepid astronaut as a guide as readers learn about the eight planets, with declassified Pluto still honored with an entry. A comprehensive glossary of terms helps newcomers understand the terminology of space science and further define their world. However, the book does not focus on scientific statistics alone. Also included are the fascinating myths surrounding each planet’s name, as well as popular culture references that feature each individual celestial sphere.
The stunning illustrations on each page, full of light and color, draw the reader further into exploring the universe. And the fun doesn’t end there! Featuring a playable board game and printable planet cards at the back of the book, the journey comes to a most satisfying conclusion, with a page of further resources for you and your junior scientist to learn even more about the solar system.
Prompting further research even for older readers like myself, this beautiful guide to the solar system is a must-have for readers 7 and up who love to gaze up at the night sky and imagine what must be up there. Perfect for reading together or independently, Our Planets: Moons, Myths, and More by Derek King and Julie Kusma is an engaging, informative, and beautiful introduction to the exploration of our vast universe.
Pages: 79 | ASIN : B0B6CYH31X
Nature Is Amazing
Our Trees: Botanics, Beliefs, & More is a fun and creative book for families to learn together about the many uses and the history of different trees. What was the inspiration for writing this book?
I love nature, hence my book Naytre Boy, and with Julie here in Scotland with me I just had to share all the different trees. As does all our conversations, this led us down a rabbit hole of research and adventure.
Julie just loved the Ogham alphabet and I loved the connection and the ancient knowledge associated with the trees. This became the foundation of Our Trees: Botanics, Beliefs, & More.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Yes, the plethora of information surrounding these sacred trees in Celtic culture was amazing. We had to find a way to include all of this information in a clear and friendly manner. I took as many photographs as I could and Julie wove the information and images on each page.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
Nature is amazing. The knowledge our ancestors had of each tree, their properties, and how to best utilise these gifts merits respect.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
We recently published Our Planets: Moons, Myths & More as part of Our Education Series and for Halloween, we have just published Our Halloween: Mysteries, Monsters & More, Alphabites: The Alphabet One Bite at a Time, and Jaggy Little Babies. All three were so much fun to create and we are loving watching them climb the Amazon charts. As for current projects, we have many, but our next releases will for the holiday gift season and include a sequel to Honey: Words to Heal & Mend, entitled Nectar: Words Of Self Love & Care which follows in the Kintsugi tradition. Additionally, and this is the first time anyone has heard this, we are releasing a children’s inspirational book entitled With Love, the Universe this book is full of affirmations for authenticity.
Author Links Julie: Website | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube
Author Links Derek: Website | Twitter | TikTok
Our Trees takes you on a botanical exploration of various trees and their symbolic meanings. Each page fills you with the knowledge that past generations knew–what each tree symbolized, their medicinal properties, and many other uses for each.
Your children will love the games included inside, from a board game to a word search and even a puzzle. Our trees is a family-friendly book that will entertain and inform everyone who reads it.
You will adore the short story at the end of this book—“Why Trees Lose Their Leaves” is a heartwarming tale of bravery and selflessness. It is a perfect story for all, especially children.
Our Trees
If you are interested in biology and nature, Our Trees: Botanics, Beliefs, & More is definitely the book for you. In this book, you will find a compendium of trees that include past beliefs from ancient Celtic cultures and what the trees represented. You can also read about the medicinal properties and uses that the tree can offer to this day.
This fun yet informative book is also family-friendly and even has activities for kids. These games will encourage children to want to know more about the green giants that surround them. I definitely recommend reading this incredible walk through nature.
This book is aesthetically pleasing and is also very informative. Readers will definitely learn a ton about what trees can offer us. I love a book that is written with the goal of educating today’s youth and Our Trees does exactly that. While I enjoyed the book, I would have liked a deeper explanation of the Celtics Runes, because I found them so fascinating and I wanted more information.
I also enjoyed that it is an interactive book. The fact that the book has activities and games for all of the family to enjoy takes the learning experience to a whole other level. The games are a great recreational activity but they also reinforce the knowledge that is spread throughout the pages of this wonderful book.
I would even recommend it to teachers for their classrooms. You could do a whole week of activities for your students from the ideas in this amazing book. The short story at the end of this illuminating book also provides a thought-provoking narrative that will give children plenty to ponder after they put this book down.
If you are a fan of nature or are curious about learning more about trees, don’t miss out on Our Trees: Botanics, Beliefs, & More. This is an enlightening and informative book that provides an interesting array of facts about trees.
Pages: 100 | ASIN: B09TN3H6ZS
Honey
Honey: Words to Heal & Mend by Derek R. King & Julie L. Kusma is more than a book; it’s an experience. “Honey words” refers to inspirational, healing words that soothe and heal the soul. It’s a literary journey where the author brings you along through a clear motivational path of cognitive thoughts and worries, letting go of the negative and embracing ideas of joy and peace along the way.
As you turn each page of the book, you’ll find extraordinary artwork and visuals accompanying uplifting phrases and thoughts. Instead of leafing through each page or section of the book, you’ll find yourself dwelling on one, maybe two inspiring quotes or poetic prose at a time. It’s a beautifully illustrated coffee-table book that draws a sense of wonder and self-reflection in a more positive, engaging way.
One of the most motivational aspects of Derek R. King & Julie L. Kusma’s book is the overall theme, which is centered around the poem by Derek R. King, entitled “Kintsugi.” A portion of this poem is included in this inspiring book. Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken objects with gold, highlights and celebrates imperfection as a form of beauty. The power of this theme is in how we embrace and accept personal flaws and find the strength in these characteristics instead of viewing them as weaknesses.
This collection of stunning images and thought-provoking prose is the ideal gift. It’s a beautiful flow of motivational and healing words to create a sense of peace through meditation. Honey: Words to Heal & Mend allows you to slow down and absorb words and phrases of love and inspiration, which is an excellent way to hold onto the moment, relax, and reflect.
Honey: Words to Heal & Mend is a well-curated collection of striking images, art, and poetic prose to soothe your mind, soul, and body. This unique, beautifully arranged book proves the power of words and their inspiration can provide healing to those in need.
Pages: 84 | ASIN: B09L56G5MT
LITERARY TITAN 