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Learning to Believe In Yourself
Malooca and The Look of Love follows a misfit girl who is teased for her ethnic background, causing her to struggle with loneliness and rejection until an art contest helps her find confidence and acceptance. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to create in Malooca , a character who had undergone some of the same experiences I had around the same age. We were both teased for our dark, naturally curly hair…so different from the other girls in our respective classes.
Like Malooca, ethnicity was part of my life – in food, in family and in custom and culture. Our life’s journey was seen through that prism.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Empathy; first impressions are not always accurate; compete only with yourself; pursue your passion; perseverance and believe in yourself.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Callah Barnes?
With regard to writing and illustrating books, Callah and I were relative “newbies”. I contacted the art department of my former high school to get the name of an art student who would fit my purpose. Callah was selected.
With each chapter, I gave her latitude to draw an object that would relate to the chapter. We tweaked the drawings as needed. But the most important thing to me was to get the face of Malooca as I envisioned her. She “hit the nail on the head” the first time.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I haven’t made a decision on a series as yet. But there are definitely more stories to tell.
Malooca and The Look of Love
Malooca and the Look of Love is a charming, rhyming storybook about a misfit girl growing up in a small town where she doesn’t quite belong. Malooca, teased for her clothes, hair, and food, struggles with loneliness and rejection until a surprise art contest brings out her creativity and helps her find confidence and acceptance. Through a mix-up at the award ceremony and a touching finale at the school dance, the story unfolds into a tale about self-worth, friendship, and unexpected kindness.
Reading this book was like watching a slow bloom. At first, I wasn’t sure where it was going. But the rhythm settled in, and soon I found myself completely rooting for Malooca. The writing is simple and heartfelt, almost like a poem a grandparent would write for their grandchild, which, fittingly, it is. What struck me most was the warmth that came through in the small details. Malooca’s mismatched clothes, her family’s weird sausage, her grandma’s handmade dress. It all painted a picture of someone who was loved, even if the world didn’t see it yet.
Sometimes the rhymes felt sweet and old-fashioned, like a sing-along from another era. The message was clear and meaningful. I really enjoyed the emotions it stirred. The artwork feels like it was lifted straight from a child’s imagination. Each sketch has a playful, hand-drawn style. The drawings aren’t overly polished, and that’s part of their charm. They look like a creative doodle in the margins of a notebook.
This book would be great for older kids, especially the ones who don’t always feel like they fit in. It’s also a sweet read for parents or grandparents to share with kids who are figuring out who they are. It has lessons about kindness, family, and resilience without being preachy. I think a lot of adults could use a refresher from Malooca Blutz.
Pages: 28 | ISBN : 1958943037
LITERARY TITAN 