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I Learned to Love Myself
The Puzzle Piece is a heartwarming and insightful children’s book that beautifully illustrates the idea of individuality and self-worth. What was the inspiration for your story?
As is the case with many of my books, The Puzzle Piece was inspired by conversations with my daughter. I love finding ways to explain difficult concepts, such as authenticity and self-love. I used the image of a puzzle of the world to discuss these topics with her, and later decided to write the story to share with other children.
I found the message about trying to fit into the wrong space, which can lead to negative feelings, insightful and critical for both children and adults. What were some of the ideas you felt were important to share with young children in your story?
Like many people around the world, I sometimes struggled to fit in when I was growing up, and at some point I believed I needed to change myself to fit in. It indeed felt very uncomfortable. With time, I learned to love myself just the way I am, and it feels great! I am trying to help children to see themselves with loving eyes and to embrace all of themselves. I dream of helping to raise a generation of children who love themselves and know themselves enough to be able to contribute positively to a world that desperately needs them to be able to do so.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
With this book, which is the third book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series, I aimed to create another insightful book to facilitate discussions of important topics with children. From early editorial and customer reviews, I am excited about the impact that this book is having in helping parents and educators to navigate discussions of self-love and authenticity.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, what topics will the next story be about?
This is the third and last book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series. It feels appropriate to end this particular series with this book. Nevertheless, I will continue writing and publishing other books and other series in the future. Some topics I have written about and will look into publishing in the future, albeit not as part of this series, include: our interconnected nature (i.e., we are part of the world and are thus all connected to each other and to the natural world); accepting our imperfections and apologizing for our mistakes; and maintaining our sense of awe alive as we grow older.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
The Puzzle Piece guides children as they imagine that the world is a gigantic puzzle and that they are unique pieces in that puzzle. The book explains what it might feel like to change ourselves to fit in versus staying true to ourselves. Readers are encouraged to listen to their intuition, to find their space in the puzzle, and to be able to contribute their unique gifts to our world.
The Puzzle Piece
Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez’s The Puzzle Piece is a heartwarming and insightful children’s book that beautifully illustrates the idea of individuality and self-worth. Through engaging and vibrant illustrations by Rita Nilson, the book portrays the world as a gigantic puzzle where every individual, animal, and plant is a unique and essential piece. The narrative encourages children to embrace their uniqueness, trust their intuition, and find their special place in the world, emphasizing that everyone’s authentic self is crucial to completing the puzzle of life.
One of the standout elements of the book is its gentle yet powerful messaging. Mendoza-Vasconez adeptly addresses feelings of inadequacy and the pressure to conform that many children face. By framing these struggles within the context of fitting into a puzzle, she provides a relatable and comforting metaphor. I particularly appreciated the section where the book discusses how forcing oneself to fit into the wrong space can lead to discomfort and self-doubt. This is a critical lesson for children, teaching them that it’s okay to be different and that they don’t need to change themselves to fit in. The writing style is clear and accessible, perfectly suited for young readers while still engaging for adults. The repetition of affirmations about finding one’s unique space in the puzzle reinforces the book’s central theme effectively. Rita Nilson’s illustrations complement the text wonderfully, adding an extra layer of depth and charm to the story. The colorful, lively illustrations are not only engaging but also serve as a visual reinforcement of the book’s message about diversity and inclusion.
The Puzzle Piece by Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez is a delightful and meaningful read for children and adults alike. It’s a perfect tool for parents and educators to discuss topics of self-esteem, individuality, and the importance of embracing one’s true self. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to instill these values in young minds.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0D36LT6P6
From Gray to Colorful
The Gratitude Goggles follows young children as they discover the concept of gratitude and the pitfalls of comparison and want in how it impacts their mental health and well-being. What was the inspiration for your story?
Since I became a mother five years ago, I have been working on myself and trying to be the best version of myself. I have explored many resources (e.g., books, workshops), to learn and to grow spiritually. One lesson that I have learned during my journey of personal growth is the importance of gratitude to support our wellbeing. I wanted to share this message with my children and with other children. The idea of goggles that we can wear to change our perspective (from gray to colorful) came to mind as a way to explain what gratitude can do in our lives.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The core idea in this book is that gratitude can help to bring back some color into our lives when everything looks dull and gray; there is extensive research supporting the positive effects of gratitude on well-being and on physical and mental health. Another message I wanted to relay in this book is that many times we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others or we may think that buying new things or changing something about ourselves will make us happier, which is not the case. We are constantly bombarded by messages (through ads or social media, for example) telling us that we are not enough or that we don’t have enough, which may make us feel inadequate and even depressed. Gratitude can help to combat those feelings of inadequacy and the ensuing depression.
The art in this book really brings the concepts to life for young children through the visual representations. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rita Nilson?
I am so grateful to be able to work with Rita Nilson on these books. I explored collaborations with different illustrators, and Rita was a perfect fit. Not only is she an amazing artist, but she is also a mother and she has a sensitive and kind soul. Thus, she perfectly understood the intimate and tender feeling that I want to convey with The Gratitude Goggles and other books in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series.
Regarding our collaboration, we usually discuss ideas before she starts creating a storyboard. Sometimes, I will quickly sketch things that I have in mind and send sketches to her; she then takes those ideas and runs with them, adding her beautiful artistic touch.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The following book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series is called The Puzzle Piece, and it talks about authenticity and loving ourselves just the way we are. We have not officially announced the launch date yet, but it will be in May this year.
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The Gratitude Goggles guides children as they imagine a special pair of goggles that can appear by simply feeling gratitude. These are goggles that reveal the world in its true, colorful splendor. The book explains the pitfalls of comparison and want, which can cast a gray pall over everything—as if we were wearing gray goggles. But fear not; we can always trade our gray goggles for the sparkling gratitude ones, thereby illuminating life’s wonders!
The Gratitude Goggles
The Gratitude Goggles, by Andrea Mendoza and visually brought to life by Rita Nilson, is a children’s book that skillfully employs the concept of ‘gratitude goggles’ as a metaphorical tool to inspire positivity in young readers. Mendoza’s narrative cleverly introduces these goggles as a transformative element; when worn by the characters, they shift their view of the world to a more positive and appreciative perspective. This central metaphor is further enriched through an analogy that contrasts the ‘shiny gratitude goggles’ with ‘dull grey goggles,’ effectively illustrating the impact of negative emotions like envy and comparison.
Mendoza’s storytelling prowess is evident as she weaves this meaningful moral into an engaging narrative, making it accessible and relatable for a young audience. Her writing is characterized by simplicity and clarity, ensuring that even early readers can grasp the concepts presented. This approachable language, combined with the book’s brisk pace, renders it an ideal choice for a short bedtime story. Complementing Mendoza’s narrative are Rita Nilson’s captivating illustrations. Nilson’s artwork enriches the text and plays a crucial role in capturing the children’s attention. The vibrant and engaging illustrations serve as a visual anchor, enticing young readers to delve deeper into the story. While the book targets a younger audience, particularly those in the early stages of development, its universal message of positivity and gratitude is subtly imparted, making it a meaningful read. The inclusion of a thoughtful ‘note to parents’ at the end of the book adds an extra layer of engagement, offering guidance on how to extend the book’s themes into real-world conversations with children.
Overall, The Gratitude Goggles is an excellent book that parents and teachers should consider adding to their collection. It is a well-written, engaging, and educational book that is sure to leave a lasting impression on young readers.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0CNS52HQ8
LITERARY TITAN 