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More than Just a Clear Sky: a collection of poems
Arjun Nair’s More than Just a Clear Sky is a vibrant and imaginative collection of poems that traverses themes like nature, creativity, relationships, and dreams. Written when the author was just eleven years old, the book exudes a youthful charm paired with surprising depth. The poems range from exploring universal ideas, like the interconnectedness of life, to whimsical musings on objects and concepts that feel personal and profound. It’s clear from the start that Arjun writes with a mix of curiosity and sincerity that’s both refreshing and heartfelt.
One of my favorite poems, “The Power of a Voice,” captures the urgency of speaking out for what matters. Its repetitive structure builds momentum, urging readers to realize their potential to inspire change. The poem balances youthful hope with a mature call to action, making it one of the book’s standout pieces. It’s impossible not to feel moved by the sheer earnestness of its message.
The collection also showcases a playful side, especially in pieces like “If Objects Could Talk” and “The Game.” These poems brim with humor and imagination, as the author gives personalities to everyday objects or dramatizes a child’s obsession with gaming. “If Objects Could Talk” features a tired cell phone begging for rest, while “The Game” turns a simple narrative about screen time into an epic quest. These lighter poems offer a delightful contrast to the heavier, more contemplative works, showing off Arjun’s range as a poet.
What truly impressed me was the recurring theme of perspective. Poems like “Seed” and “Life Inside a Staircase” look at growth, change, and resilience through metaphorical lenses. “Seed” subtly reflects on the potential within all of us, while “Life Inside a Staircase” turns an inanimate structure into a poignant symbol of abandonment and rebirth. These are deeply relatable and thought-provoking, evoking a sense of wonder about the world around us.
More than Just a Clear Sky is a testament to the power of youthful imagination and introspection. It’s a perfect read for anyone who enjoys poetry that is honest, creative, and accessible. I’d recommend it to young readers, aspiring writers, and anyone looking to reconnect with the simplicity and wonder of childhood.
Pages: 71 | ASIN : B0DPL4KQKD
A Magical Array of Colors
Princess Iridescent and the Cloudy Day follows a princess in a magical kingdom of color and light who encounters a cloud trying to take their colors away and teaches him about kindness. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this book all started with my favorite word: Iridescent. It’s a magical array of colors that always brings me happiness when I see it. One day I wondered, “What would iridescence look like if it were personified as a person? Obviously a colorful princess, of course!” But she needed to be more than that, I wanted her to be a role model for all young readers to aspire to be like. I thought this Princess should embody kindness, empathy, and wisdom. And thus, the Princess was born! And when it came time to give the Princess an obstacle that could be a great lesson for young readers, conflict resolution with someone who was the opposite of her seemed like a fun story to me.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Patience was the most important idea I wanted to share with this book. While it’s not the main theme of the story, I wanted Princess Iridescent to show, not tell, how it can be used to handle conflict resolution. Patience is not once mentioned in the book, but you can see it throughout the Princess’ actions. No matter how many times King Cloudius dismisses the Princess she never gets frustrated, knowing that staying calm and kind will be what helps King Cloudius in the end.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Patrizia Diana?
Getting to work with Patrizia Diana was a dream come true. She is so knowledgeable and skilled at what she does. While I had the story and a vision of what I wanted the book to look like, I have absolutely no art skills. So it was wonderful being able to rely on Patrizia to take just my words and bring them to life with her art. I learned so much from her, one of the biggest lessons being to take a step back and see what new ideas the artist can bring to your vision instead of micromanaging.
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?
This is indeed the first book in the Princess Iridescent series! And I’m excited to announce the second book, Princess Iridescent and the Scary Night, will be coming to Amazon the first week of this October (2024)! This book is made for children who are afraid to go to sleep at night. We follow Princess Iridescent helping a young dragon pup face her fears of the creaks, bumps, and shadows in the night. The Princess will once again teach this lesson through patience, kindness, and empathy. You can expect this book to be just as colorful and magical as the first book! If interested, you can join the mailing list on my website below so you can be notified once it’s published!
Author Links: Instagram | X | Website | Book Review
Well, when King Cloudius rolls in to take all the color of the kingdom away, its up to Princess Iridescent to show him that true colors shine brightest when kindled by kindness.
Cleverly woven into a rhyming story, Princess Iridescent teaches us that the best way to handle someone mean is by being nice. This beautifully illustrated children’s book will help little princesses and princes learn how to resolve conflict in a magical way. You’ll encounter adorable creatures that live throughout the kingdom, magic that brings color to life, and a princess who believes that a little compassion can go a long way.
Gratitude
Pixie and the Elethunk follows a young girl who believes having an exotic animal as a pet would make her unique and special and the adventure she goes on to learn an important lesson. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was quite small I begged my grandparents to get me a monkey. Believe it or not, they did. I was so excited, but the monkey for its part was not thrilled to meet me. It was very aggressive and I saw clearly that some animals weren’t capable of being gentle pets. I realized that the perfect pet would have to be as sweet as my two dogs were. They were black labs. To be honest, this is a lesson from my own childhood, a value that I seem to return to daily.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Gratitude is my favorite theme. I believe that if we live in gratitude we won’t want for much. There is an exercise that I love called, “Gimme five.” That means when you awaken, every morning think of five things that you are thankful for. The thing I love most about the exercise is that once it becomes daily, for the rest of the day you’ll have blessings popping into your head. It’s awe-inspiring!
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
My favorite scene was, of course, the giraffe that’s stuck in the fireplace. I giggled the whole way through!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’ve just finished releasing a tween novel called, On The Wings Of Wishes It is by far my best writing. Pick it up on Amazon!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Or will she discover that the love that’s right under her nose is even better?
Award-wining artist, author, and poet, Angel Dunworth has penned a story with an interesting moral, that can soothe kids of all ages. The story, “Pixie and The Elethunk” asks kids to find the blessing that they already live in. Dunworth’s colorful, cut-paper illustrations bring this imaginary tale to life. Best of all, this lesson in gratitude is valuable every day of the year. “Pixie and The Elethunk”
is an amazing addition to any library.
Princess Iridescent and the Cloudy Day
Princess Iridescent and the Cloudy Day by Hope LaVelle is a captivating children’s book that transports readers to a vibrant world filled with color and light. The story unfolds in the idyllic kingdom of Prismatica, where everything is bright and beautiful. However, the tranquility of the kingdom is disrupted when King Cloudius arrives with a dark plan to steal all the colors, plunging Prismatica into a dull, lifeless state. The task of restoring the kingdom falls on the young Princess Iridescent, who understands that the true power of color and beauty comes from kindness and compassion.
Through a cleverly crafted rhyming narrative, Princess Iridescent embarks on a journey to teach King Cloudius that the most brilliant colors are those that are kindled by kindness. Along the way, readers are introduced to a host of charming creatures and enchanted elements that bring the kingdom to life. The story is a feast for the imagination and a gentle lesson in conflict resolution, showing that even the meanest of characters can be transformed through acts of kindness.
Princess Iridescent and the Cloudy Day is a delightful and enchanting read, perfect for young children and their parents alike. The rhyming text adds a rhythmic charm that makes the story enjoyable to read aloud, and the beautifully crafted illustrations bring the kingdom and its inhabitants to life in a magical and memorable way. One of the standout features of this book is its underlying message. In a world where children are often exposed to negativity and conflict, Princess Iridescent’s approach to dealing with King Cloudius serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and kindness. The story skillfully conveys that kindness is not a weakness but a strength that can overcome even the darkest of intentions. The character of Princess Iridescent is a wonderful role model for young readers. She embodies qualities such as bravery, compassion, and wisdom, showing that true leadership is about guiding others with a gentle heart. Including adorable creatures and magical elements adds an extra layer of charm that will undoubtedly capture any child’s imagination.
Princess Iridescent and the Cloudy Day is more than just a beautifully illustrated children’s book; it’s a valuable tool for teaching important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Whether read at bedtime or during storytime, this book is sure to become a cherished favorite in any child’s library.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0CWKHKR66
LITERARY TITAN 