Blog Archives
Pearl, Our Butterfly
Pearl, Our Butterfly by Tuula Pere navigates the very difficult subject of loss of life with a beautifully written book that handles a tragic yet memorable journey that is the life of Pearl. Pearl is Jacob’s younger sister, and since her birth, she has encountered many challenges and requires ongoing care due to a disability and many medical issues. Pearl’s big brother, who has experienced several milestones, including recently starting school, has just adjusted to becoming a sibling and must now learn how to grieve the loss of his sister.
From the moment Jacob and Pearl meet, he becomes her biggest fan and supporter. Jacob worries that she will never come home when his small sister is moved into a hospice facility. It is during this process that Jacob and his parents must face the tragedy of loss, which is a traumatic event for anyone. I admire how the author handles a complicated but important topic with such grace and support, which helps children articulate their feelings and understand how grieving is a natural part of the loss.
Pere highlights the importance of communication and support, a crucial part of healing after losing someone. The author cleverly shows how a whirlwind of emotions and pain is to be expected and how it is possible to achieve a sense of peace and acceptance in time. Jacob’s character showcases many real emotions which mirror what many people experience after the death of a loved one. The author brilliantly illustrates death through the transformation of a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis. Like Pearl, the butterfly is no longer confined to a cocoon and is finally released to be free. Pearl, Our Butterfly is a helpful book for children dealing with loss and shows them that it is possible to see the light through the darkness.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B07NKSLM6N
TWINS: Double Trouble, Double Treat
Annie Gibbins’ Twins: Double Trouble, Double Treat is an informative book about living with twins. From the start, readers will realize that the author writes this book as a labor of love. The story is told from the perspective of a woman who is comfortable sharing vulnerable and candid thoughts and experiences as a mother of five.
Imagine having two sets of twins and navigating the many challenges that most mothers and parents face while also gaining a new perspective of the mysterious yet fascinating world of twins and multiple births. Gibbins offers a refreshing look at what most people worry about while highlighting the importance of parenting and how this relates to the often complex yet rewarding experience of raising twins.
I enjoyed the book’s educational style, providing interesting trivia and random facts about multiple births, which is fun to share with family and friends. The author brilliantly uses bullet points to highlight important points, which help them stand out as helpful advice and reassurance.
While this book is focused on the author’s first-hand experiences, it is a great read that any parent can relate to and enjoy. It’s a fantastic book for anyone who is curious about twins, pregnancy, and parenting in general. Gibbins has a direct way of starting each chapter and addressing the content so readers can benefit from her knowledge and experience while dispelling common concerns. Despite the challenges of raising a big family with twins, the author urges women to take it easy and give themselves credit for all they are capable of, which makes this book a celebration of parenthood and motherhood. I found the direct style of Gibbins’ approach refreshing and to the point, which is essential considering how little time many parents have to spare.
I give this book, Annie Gibbins’ Twins: Double Trouble, Double Treat, a 5 out of 5 stars for its candid and helpful advice that’s based on real-life experiences on the joys and challenges of parenthood. This book does a fantastic job of distilling the early years of raising multiple children into an exciting journey of memories, laughs, bumps, bruises, diapers, patience, and valuable lessons.
Pages: 181 | ASIN: B0B9XG5XT2
Tegan Finds Her Tribe
Tegan is a charming and unique cat who has big dreams. But those dreams are dashed when she’s abandoned in the woods. She survives one terrible night and decides to take it upon herself to seek safety and a new home. What she finds instead is a band of friends that make her feel better and let her be who she is.
Tegan Finds Her Tribe is a heartwarming and uplifting children’s book that teaches young readers to persevere in the face of adversity, and that a home is really a place where people accept you for who you are, not just a place. Throughout the story Tegan is wonderfully emotive, ensuring that readers can see her emotion in every situation, which speaks to the fantastic illustrations throughout the story. Tegan’s nose looks like a little balloon and was one thing I looked forward to in every scene. This picture book is filled with beautiful watercolor art that is vibrant, has depth and reminded me of the artwork in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
The story starts off with Tegan being abandoned, which is hard to see, but the story then takes readers on an inspiring adventure that is filled with lots of creative and cute imagery. I loved the scene where Tegan lists all the animals she heard in the woods. They were all so cute. Tegan’s imagination is also a source of inspiration for her and provides her with the motivation she needs to keep going. I really enjoyed this idea and I think it makes this book unique because there are not many kids books that show kids how to find inspiration from within. It’s usually an external force that motivates the character. In this book, Tegan motivates herself to find something better, imagines what that could be, and then goes out to find it.
Author Melinda Booth has created an inspirational children’s book that takes young readers on poignant journey to find a place where an abandoned cat can feel like herself. This is the perfect book for parents and teachers to educate kids on acceptance and empathy and show them how to find the strength from within to overcome obstacles.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0B57ZH86Z
I Am Woman
I Am Woman by author Mrs. Anthony is a powerful memoir that will take readers on an emotional journey. Readers follow Mrs. Anthony from her childhood to her coming of age years when she meets her husband, Tony. Falling in love, they vow to start a life and family together. Tony begins his career while Mrs. Anthony is still trying to start hers. In the early years of their marriage, she spent time taking care of the household while letting her own dreams and career fall to the wayside. She slowly puts off more things that make her who she is to support her husband and his career. She thought she had the perfect love with beautiful children until Tony’s battle with alcohol slowly ruined their marriage. Despite all of the disappointments Mrs. Anthony and her family endured to his disease, they continue to support and love Tony.
I Am Woman: Book One: My Journey, My Tony is an eye-opening read that I found hard to put down. I didn’t expect this book to impact me, but this is a true testament to the author’s ability to infuse emotion into her writing. I felt as though I was reading Mrs. Anthony’s private journal. I was able to experience a true sense of what she was feeling. The disappointment in her husband for not being present in their marriage due to alcohol abuse came through her writing clearly. Mrs. Anthony’s sense of loss for herself because she was focused on her husband and ignored her own dreams was heartbreaking at times.
The author’s life story is one that many women will be able to relate to. The constant need to put family and spouse ahead of themselves makes this memoir especially poignant. As women strive to support their husbands and their careers, like Mrs. Anothony, their own careers and dreams get put on hold. I felt sorry for the author because she felt bad for being angry at her husband for getting sick, and she had to be both a mother and father and take care of their household. The guilt women feel is real, and the author shows how deeply that guilt can run and control how they live their lives. The guilt often turns to anger when in situations like this, the woman is left with no partner and the additional task of caring for the one she vowed to share life with. It seemed her husband did not appreciate the sacrifices she made, and it consumed her in frustration and pain, all while trying to make it appear like things were okay for the outside world and her children.
The author’s writing immersed me into her world, and I could clearly imagine each scene, making this an impactful read. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy memoirs from women who share the personal journey of self-discovery and balancing an ever-complicated life.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B09LHBQPWW
Fostering: A Memoir of Courage and Hope
Fostering is an emotionally-charged memoir written by Carmen Maria Navarro. Readers follow Carmen Maria and her family as she recounts her struggles, obstacles, and newfound love as a foster parent. We get a candid and unfiltered look into how the foster system works and what children in the system experience. There are a variety of sensitive topics discussed in this memoir, but they are all handled with respect.
The author elegantly conveys her experiences as a foster parent. I felt like this memoir really shows the breadth and depth of motherhood and the variety of shades that it comes in. Carmen Maria goes through many of them and shares all of those emotional experiences with readers in a way that feels raw but authentic. I have never been where the author is, but I was able to feel her emotional weight and understand her fear, anxiety, and hopes because of her sharp writing and the balance between feelings and facts throughout the book.
I was captivated by the author’s experiences. Not only by what she went through, but also by the experiences of her biological children, and her foster children as well. This is an illuminating memoir that shows how passion, empathy and love can be a driving force for good in dark times. This impassioned memoir provides an in depth look into Carmen Maria’s thoughts as well as her children’s thoughts, but I would have enjoyed hearing a bit more about her husband because I learned later in the author’s acknowledgement that her husband did so much for the family, like taking the children to doctor’s appointments, to school, making lunches and dinner.
I was shocked at some of the experiences the children revealed to Carmen Maria. It can be triggering to some readers, but I felt it was always handled with honesty and care so that we get to understand the impact these thing have on people and I admire the author for not shying away from the truth. It’s harsh but true and the author does a fantastic job of presenting those two facts in a way that readers can comprehend even if they’ve never experienced it themselves.
Fostering is a potent and awe-inspiring memoir that reveals the truth of what foster kids, and foster families, experience. I highly recommend this stirring memoir to those who are interested in childcare, child psychology and the foster care system as it differs from adoption.
Pages: 266 | ASIN: B0B4KFSNKD
Always Look Up
Butterfly Love from Above tells the heartwarming story of one girl’s journey through grief and shows the healing power and joy animals can bring. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was based on my own true story that played out the last couple of years. My longtime dream of opening up my own Fitness Studio was shattered when, after a day of horseback riding, my back suddenly ruptured. That led to 2 years of multiple spinal surgeries and other complications that made it so I could not ride a horse or teach fitness classes anymore. I wanted to share my story to inspire others who may also feel stuck under a dark cloud like myself. I learned that the only way for me to find my sunshine again was to help others and give back through charities that had become close to my heart. I also found that watching my little girl ride horses and just sitting at the stable surrounded by horses, butterflies, and nature brought an unexplainable peace and joy to my life. Even though my plans and dream didn’t play out as I thought, writing my story was so therapeutic for me, and becoming a published Author and inspiring others means so much to me.
I loved the beautiful artwork in this book. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Kate Solenova?
While describing my vision of what I wanted the artwork to look like, she quickly told me to get on Amazon and look at the books that Kate had previously worked on. My eyes lit up, and I knew without a doubt she was going to be the perfect fit! I sent Kate pictures of myself, my daughter, and pony Luna and she captured my little girl’s face and my pony Luna so beautifully! She took my vision and brought it to life throughout each page, and I’m forever grateful to her.
Where did the book’s motto “always look up” come from, and what were some key ways you wanted to show that in your story?
I remember exactly where I was when I came up with that motto for my story. I was still stuck under that dark cloud and feeling sorry for myself because I couldn’t ride horses or do much of anything due to all my spinal surgeries. I was watching my daughter riding her pony, and a yellow butterfly flew above her, just as they sometimes did when I used to ride. I was looking up, enjoying that moment, and the words “Always look up” came to me. When I started writing this book, those words became my focal point, not just for my book but for my life. I wanted to share with my readers that there is always something beautiful to see when we take a moment to “Always look up”. It can be life-changing!
Will you be working on writing more children’s books?
I poured my heart and soul into this book, and it means the world to me to share my story, but I honestly don’t know if I will write another one. If I’ve learned anything these last couple of years, it’s that dreams and plans can change in an instant, so anything is possible!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
This is the heartwarming story of one little girl’s journey through grief.
After losing her best friend-a butterfly named Twinkle-Star must search to rediscover her sunshine. The loss of Twinkle has kept Star under a dark cloud for some time, but her journey towards betterment will touch the hearts of all readers! Star is amazed to discover that she can reclaim her own sunshine by helping others who are also stuck under a dark cloud of their own! And she’ll realize that her light is even brighter than before!
Star’s love for Twinkle-and her pony, Luna-will show readers the beauty, joy, and healing power that animals can bring to our lives! Her journey will remind us that there is something beautiful to see when we take a moment to “always look up!”
Create Compassion And Connection
Blessing Mistakes is a self-help book that teaches people to focus on the whole person instead of a mistake that was made. Why was this an important book for you to write?
For many years my focus has been to help people dissolve stress in 30 seconds when an upset arises—it’s called Instant Evolution Out Of Stress®. Mistakes don’t need to cause hostility and hollering when they can create compassion and connection.
What experiences from your own life influenced your book?
One day I was driving my dad’s too big truck in his too small corral and I put a dent in it. When I showed it to him, apologized, and offered to pay for it, he held his arms out to me for a hug and said, “It doesn’t matter a particle.” On that day I learned how to give myself and others Grace (be kind) instead of grief (be mean) when a mistake is made. The mistake is already made, so we can decide if we want to disapprove and feel upset or feel the truth of the statement, “I/Your matter more than the mistake.”
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
My mom showed me how to let the love in my heart look through my eyes.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
That they have a joyful nature residing within them—it’s there waiting for us when we dissolve what’s blocking it.
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Website
in your head—and in your home. This book offers a host of connection-creating, stressreducing
strategies that transform you from grumpy to grateful and point you back to
your peaceful and playful nature.
With a heartwarming sense of humor, Brenda helps you unfriend anger—simply
because you don’t need it anymore. Dissolving anger makes space for Grace as your new
operating system, and leaves you genuinely able to show yourself and others kindness
when a mistake is made.
Brenda also includes three stories from her children’s book, Mr. Upalupagus’s Secret Secrets to help you teach your kids how to bless mistakes and shoo away anger.
Praise for Blessing Mistakes
“I went from panicked to peaceful in a matter of seconds when I applied
this simple strategy.”
—Julie Veresh,
Innate Dynamics
“Blessing Mistakes is a game changer for me. Talk. About. Relief.”
—Janna Glasman,
Franklin Method Educator
LITERARY TITAN 