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Colin the Crab Gets Married
It’s time for Colin the handyman and Clara, who works at the museum, to get married. Oh! and did I mention that they’re crabs! This is a delightful children’s story about two crabs who are madly in love and the only thing they want to do is be married to one another. The news of the wedding starts a frenzy and their dear friends’ good intentions ultimately impede on their very special day. Will Colin and Clara have the wedding they envision? Or will it be total chaos?
Colin the Crab Gets Married by Tuula Pere offers a lesson for young children to be aware of the needs of others. It offers a teaching moment to learn to respect people’s boundaries and wishes, especially when it comes to matters of personal moments in one’s life. Even as adults this is a hard lesson to follow through with. When the people in our lives mean so much to us, we want to do whatever it takes to show that love and sometimes the actions can overshadow that love.
The writing style in this charming children’s book is clear enough for a young readers and even toddlers to understand. The illustrations by Roksolana Panchyshyn are so utterly adorable that even as an adult reader I couldn’t help but enjoy and spend time looking through each scene. It was colorful, rich with life and set the tone of the story perfectly. I felt the author and illustrator had great cohesion when it came to the layout and formatting. Although this is nothing a child would notice, as a parent I appreciate it because it does truly help tell the story visually to children who may be too young to read. The words used in the book were suitable for elementary school children, but can be read out loud to younger children and wouldn’t be lost on them.
Pages: 48 | ASIN: 9523570811
Honeycake: A Helping Hand
Nala is excited to go out to a fancy fundraising party with her two uncles. She does not realize until she is there that it is a fundraiser for amputee children. Nala learns all about the things that those with an amputee can do. After meeting so many children and seeing her new friends’ incredible work, she is inspired to go home and make a difference of her own.
Honeycake A Helping Hand is an inspiring picture book about the incredible good that children are capable of. This fantastic children’s book shows kids as leaders, motivators, helpers, and genuinely caring individuals. Author Medea Kalantar teaches children about amputees in a compassionate and age-appropriate manner. Kalantar does not oversimplify the facts but presents them in a conversational tone that sounds like two preteen children talking. If readers have additional questions, there is a glossary at the end to help them understand further.
Aside from the topic of amputees in this unique book, Kalantar introduces the concept of blended families and same-sex relationships, normalizing these dynamics. This book has so many examples of inclusion and compassion that it takes a lot. I love that there is so much representation in this short children’s book. Illustrator i Cenizal brings all the different elements to life, adding to the experience.
Honeycake A Helping Hand showcases the value of helping others, giving back to the community, and doing your best to be a good person through your actions and words. This well-written children’s book is perfect for classrooms and libraries.
Pages 33 | ASIN: B0BFC2GWJS
The Art Of Creativity
Count and Play with K Dot follows as a friendly ladybug that wants to make friends and teach her new friends how to count to ten. What was the inspiration for this children’s book?
The inspiration for writing this children’s book was my father, John, who taught me that counting numbers was exciting and fun.
Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, being physically active, having a vivid imagination, and asking endless questions were personality traits my dear mother could not handle alone. Therefore, my father was nominated to take me with him to work every day. John was a skilled contractor who built remarkable residential properties and custom homes but was also an education enthusiast and avid reader. Growing up on construction sites enabled me to learn the process of building things from scratch, the art of creativity, the details of coordinating colors, the value of friendship, how collaboration is vital, how teamwork makes dreams work, and the importance of determination.
I learned to count numbers by hammering nails in straight lines into scraps of lumber on numerous construction sites. As John taught me to utilize the hammer and nails properly, he created exciting counting games along the way. John insisted that I count the number of each nail out loud as it hammered into the wood. John’s games were simple and fun, making counting numbers memorable and rewarding. His simple but effective method of teaching to count numbers was the inspiration behind the book Count and Play with K Dot, Learning Numbers 1-10 is More Fun with a Friend!
I was impressed with how much detail you were able to put into the artwork and still keep it simple. What was the process like creating the illustrations for this book?
The process used for creating the illustrations for Count and Play with K Dot was specific and intentional. Once the storyline completed a clear message, I designed artwork that depicted my vision of K Dot’s story. Searching for art that expressed my imagination and vision took time, care, and consideration. I specifically designed K Dot with exaggerated eyelashes, big playful bows on her antennas, unexpected elfish boots on her many legs, and a warm smile that enhanced her whimsical character. After K Dot’s character came to life, I intentionally designed the storyline artwork on each page to compliment her simple and colorful style with bright and bold colors that enhanced her playful personality. I chose to implement five insects as her companions during the story, and they remain in every K Dot book as her insect friends in the Learning Garden where she lives.
What inspired you to become a children’s book writer?
Becoming a children’s writer has been my long-awaited dream for over thirty years that has finally come to fruition. Reading to my son during childhood sparked the idea to write children’s books focused on learning while still being joyful, entertaining, and fun. I imagined a spunky, spirited, teeny-tiny ladybug as a relatable character for him and every child to enjoy. I created K Dot to be an enthusiastic friend that likes to play learning games by inviting her new friends to learn and play together. My focus was to inspire every child’s imagination with stories filled with colorful characters and simple art that enhanced their fun, playfulness, and motivation.
Will there be more K Dot books on other topics?
The K Dot Learning Fun Series consists of three books with many more books encouraging learning fun on the way very soon. Count and Play with K Dot, Learning Numbers 1-10 is More Fun with a Friend is the Counting Numbers book, Find ABCs and Play with K Dot, Learning the ABCs is More Fun with a Friend is the ABCs book, with the Find Colors and Play with K Dot, Learning the Colors is More Fun with a Friend being the Colors book. All three books of The K Dot Learning Fun Series are available on Amazon for children to enjoy.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
Learning is more fun when it’s done with a friend!
Introduce the numbers 1-10 with a playing game that includes a new friend, K Dot. She is a teeny-tiny, little-whittle, sassy-frassy, bright and brassy ladybug that loves to play learning games with her friends!
Children are invited to count and play with K Dot, “Hi, friend. Let’s count from 1-10 and then do it again!”
K Dot’s enthusiasm and whimsical personality make learning fun, “Learning games are fun to play with a friend like YOU!”
Have a fun adventure in the learning garden with K Dot and her insect friends.
K Dot likes to play the game Hide-and-Seek. Can you find her hiding behind the numbers 1-10 and also hidden in other places to enhance the counting fun? K Dot’s insect friends join in the game and want you to count them too!
Learn the numbers 1-10 while you count and play with K Dot, The Little-Bitty Learning Ladybug!
Count and Play with K Dot, the Little-Bitty Learning Ladybug is a wonderful gift for all children 0-3, Baby Showers, Christmas stocking stuffers, Birthday presents, Grandparent gifts for any occasion, Pre-school fun, Friends, Teachers, Neighbors, or Family Members!
A Special Sweater
Eddy is creative and enthusiastic about knitting. After making a pot holder decides he will knit a sweater. He starts by looking at designs in a magazine, then he draws up a plan. Unfortunately, he hits roadblocks towards his goal. His family thinks this project is too much for him and that he can’t get the right yarn and needles to make a project this large. Rather than giving up, Eddy finds ways around these problems and never gives up on his vision. Even when it takes him months to complete the project, he keeps going and finding solutions to every problem he encounters. In the end, Eddy is proud of his hard work and dedication; nothing anyone says will diminish his happiness.
A Special Sweater by children’s author Tuula Pere is a heartwarming children’s book about dedication and determination. Eddy learns to knit, and even when everyone around tells him making a sweater is too much work or trouble, he refuses to give up. Instead, he makes the best of the supplies he is given, even if they are not what he needs or wants for his vision. The ability to adapt to his situation and the make the best is a valuable lesson that children can learn from.
I love how Eddy keeps going, takes every obstacle, and finds a way around it. So many books have things work out easily. This one really showcases how important a good attitude is to turning something into a magical experience. When things don’t work out how he wants he adjusts his vision and perspective to see the project through.
A Special Sweater is an inspirational picture book that will show children that they can achieve their dreams even when there are obstacles in the way. They will learn that having a good attitude is key to finding a way through challenges in life. This is an excellent book for families and classrooms to have.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B09K6M3CHL
I Believe In The Power Of Words
The Fox’s City is the delightful tale of one fox’s plan to outwit a city and have his way. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The adventures of Francis the Fox reflect social and political setups in many countries as well as in international contexts – unfortunately. Stories start to live in my head when I read or hear something absurd, annoying, or unreasonable in the news or public discussion.
My background as a Ph.D. in Law is sometimes reflected in my fox stories, where the appropriateness and legality are constantly tested, and the boundaries are sometimes crossed. Social justice and the rights of individuals are valuable to me, and I want to speak for them. As my tool to influence, I have chosen the one I feel most comfortable with, the use of words.
I believe in the power of words. I want to write about social and political problems in a way that works for children. I think children’s books can prepare them to meet certain realities they encounter in the world – at least as they grow up.
When reading “The Fox’s City” with adult eyes, we find some severe themes between the lines. It talks about the pursuit of power by any means, societal manipulation, and limitations on freedom of speech. Telling about the activities and wrongdoings of this power-hungry fox makes children think about justice and the effects and consequences of different actions. Nothing wrong with opening one’s eyes already at an early age!
All of your books are so artful and creative. What is your writing process like?
Thank you! Hearing this makes an author happy! As I write books, I try to give my best. I genuinely value children as a target group. I try to reach a level that is more than pure entertainment – though I understand it’s needed, too. I have been fortunate to find skilled and ambitious illustrators for my books. They add their spices to the stories and interpret them in a visually exciting way. I find this co-operation very stimulating.
In my stories, I want to combine child-like and free imagination and creativity with the knowledge and experience of life I have gathered. There is so much to remember and share!
Sometimes it feels like having an endless story library or warehouse in my head. I can adventure there alone and taste the content, or I can pick something out and write a story for others if I feel like that. I can honestly say that writing is like breathing for me—an equally important and equally natural way to live.
I write when I am happy, excited, sad, or irritable — whenever there is a lively movement in my mind and thoughts need to be expressed in words to others. But I also write when there is peace of mind and a calm feeling prevails. Emotional states affect what kind of things I want to write about and how I do it.
Often the stories are almost ready-made packages in my head. I can take them out whenever I need to. The stimulus can come from inside or outside of me. When writing starts, it’s a go! I enjoy the flow of the story, and I can’t stop in the middle. The time for a more detailed examination and corrections will come later. Before that, the intense feeling must calm down.
What do you find to be the hardest part of writing?
As a continuation of the previous answer, I could say that the most challenging stages in my work are placed on both sides of the actual writing stage.
Before the story gets on paper, the biggest dilemma is the overwhelming amount of ideas. I’m so excited about so many writing possibilities all the time that it’s hard to choose which one to tackle first. I would like to accomplice so much simultaneously that it exceeds the strength of one person. I have to limit and control my enthusiasm!
The congestion of ideas I described above is a positive dilemma that I actually enjoy. More problematic is the phase after creative writing, where you have to delve into grinding, editing, and proofreading the text. It would be wonderful if I could leave that later stage more in the hands of others, and I could just grab another inspiring story and write a new book about it.
Will readers be able to see Francis the Fox in any of your future books?
I have already published two books about this fox villain, “The Fox’s City” and “The Fox’s Palace,” and the following three books are in the process already.
Francis the Fox has become such a “friend” to me that I must continue with him! I completed the Finnish version of the third book in the series yesterday, and the next two are waiting for my “summer vacation.” The following subjects are also captured from the society and politics around, and the storylines are ready in my head for writing out.
Writing about society and politics in a child-appropriate way will be much fun again! I believe a suitable amount of satire also works in children’s books! Especially if the protagonist is a villain like my Francis the Fox. I have to admit, writing about villains and various bad guys is sometimes fun. I can bring up contradictions and create moral tests for the readers. But goodness and honesty always win at the end of my stories.
Interestingly, some of my readers have wished Francis the Fox “tougher penalties” in the end. In real life, it might have happened. But a fairy tale is a fairy tale, and Francis continues his journey into new attempts and mistakes. Just wait for the following three books to come! Very current subjects!
I think children need clever books about society, too. After all, we have to try to understand this strange world starting from our childhood.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
When the old wolf mayor goes on a fishing trip on a deserted island, Francis talks him into letting Francis serve as substitute mayor. But Francis’s greed for power and actions quickly make city residents uneasy. There’s something suspicious going on in the library attic, and the city’s carrier pigeons have disappeared mysteriously.
Will Francis ruin the upcoming soccer match with a rival team? And will it be a friendly match as always before?
Wandering In A Darkening Forest
The Tree House Night is a beautiful picture book with an inspirational message about friendship and supporting those you care for. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
As a child, I was eager to climb trees and build huts. “The Tree House Night” has undoubtedly been inspired by my own experiences sitting on the branches of trees by the house or further afield in the forests of Eastern Finland.
Admittedly, wandering in a darkening forest or climbing higher and higher in a tree sometimes felt too exciting – but survival boosted self-confidence. It was physically challenging, but the most important thing was the close connection with nature.
Most of my childhood adventures I did alone. It seemed most natural because I could make all the decisions when hiking alone. I wouldn’t be my current self without these adventures in nature. The hideaways in the middle of the forest, or high up in a tree, made me realize that I am enough and able to survive alone.
Now, as an adult, I realize what risks my childhood outings involved. Fortunately, nothing happened, and I could also gather authentic experiences for my children’s books! My books don’t recommend just one model for the families, but somewhat alternative ideas, because each family is different.
The individuals are of a great variety when it comes to skills, needs, and interests. Some children need a lot of encouragement. Some need to be protected from their wildest ideas! It’s not easy being a wise parent to support your child in the best possible way.
Childhood adventures have made me the person I am. The same curious child looks at me from the mirror, still ready to try something new and challenging!
What were some driving ideals behind your character’s in this story?
Friendships are essential for children. Experimenting together and sharing ideas and plans with peers is inspiring. Friends can also get support and security from each other as they try their limits.
For this book, I wanted to choose two children of different natures who also have much in common. The other one has more courage and optimism in her adventurous plans. She gets even her more cautious friend to participate in building her dream, a tree house.
It also brings the friends in the book to the limit where their perceptions of appropriate and permissible differ. Due to disagreement, only the braver child stays in the tree house for the night. She stubbornly wants to prove that she is independent and capable of surviving the night alone.
The children in the book are different but still need each other. Despite their controversy, they work together as a team. The friend keeping guard from her bedroom window adds a sense of security for the other child staying outside in the tree house. Testing their friendship in a conflict teaches the two an important lesson and reveals something essential about being a true friend.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The child must be able to make friends with different children. If they have been practicing cooperation since childhood, it helps them for a lifetime. In the end, real-life communities have a place for very different individuals. At least they should have. I like to emphasize how much various personalities, opinions, and skills enrich our lives.
I don’t think only similar kids play best with each other. The differences can also complement each other.
The enthusiastic and brave ones draw the more precautious ones into exciting activities. But a more careful and considerate person can prevent worse damage from occurring when a friend has too much momentum.
It is helpful for strong-willed and creative children to learn to accept that not everyone is enthusiastic about the same things. We have to respect the limits set by another person. For the stronger, louder, and faster persons, it is easy to – accidentally or on purpose – step on the toes of others and block their opinions.
Those who feel somehow superior should realize their individual weaknesses and the fact that they need the help of others, too. There is no weakness or shame in needing other people.
“The Tree House Night” belongs to the I DID IT series. A central theme in all these books is children’s enthusiasm and desire to implement their ideas even when others are not encouraging them. Sometimes children act on the gray zone of what is allowed and forbidden and test their limits. – Why not try to climb a little higher this time! The view might be fantastic.
What can readers expect in book three of the I DID IT series?
In the first book of the series, a child secretly grew her own sunflowers – from seedlings to heights. She even helped them survive the storm at night. The heroic act of this second book is building a treehouse and spending the night up there, against even the opinion of the closest friend.
The next book, “A Special Sweater,” talks about the protagonist who shows creativity and determination in knitting a woolen sweater. He’s not bothered too much, though his mother gives nothing but yarn leftovers. No one thinks he’s getting anything done, as this is his first large knitting – but he struggles to the end. Even the somewhat weird-looking result makes others suspect whether it’s suitable for school. Of course, it is!
So, my readers can expect some fun surprises again in the company of their active peers. And their parents get something to think about in their role as encouragers and supporters.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
It will be fun for the friends to build a tree house from some old boards and ropes. But how safe is it to sleep there at night—especially without permission to do so?
Honeycake: A Helping Hand – Book Trailer
Multi-Award Winning and Amazon best-selling Author Medea Kalantar Introduced readers to her new book series Honeycake. Inspired to write these books when she learned she would become a grandmother, Kalantar’s stories are based on her own family, whose members come from many ethnic backgrounds. This unique mix is a perfect recipe—just like the spices in a honey cake. That is why she calls her grandchildren her little Honeycakes.
In the sixth installment of the delightful Honeycake book series, Nala’s uncles, Victor and George, take her to a fundraiser where she meets Alexis, a girl with an artificial arm. Through her interactions, Nala learns that you are never too young to lend “a helping hand,” that it’s okay to be different, and that being different doesn’t stop you from doing great things in life.
All proceeds from each book sold in Honeycake: A Helping Hand will be going to The War Amps CHAMP Program as Medea Kalantar’s charity of choice.
The delightful Honeycake book series is endorsed by Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt.
With all the negativity in the world, Medea Kalantar’s series is a much-needed glimmer of hope and positivity. The Honeycake Book Series teaches valuable life lessons, giving children the tools to overcome obstacles in their everyday lives.
The Honeycake books teach children about diversity, acceptance, kindness, mindfulness, trust, and gratitude. This series will enlighten, empower, educate, and entertain children and their families for generations to come.
In Honeycake – A Helping Hand Nala learns that being different doesn’t stop you from doing great things. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and anywhere ebooks are sold.
That Playful Little Ghost
The Ghost of the Torn Underpants follows a ghost that is given a unique name and is teased for it, he learns to accept his different name with the help of a new friend. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration was really my children. I used to try to spook them by going into their room with a sheet covering me, waving my arms and yelling that I was The Ghost of the Torn Underpants. Of course they would always burst out laughing. At a certain point, young children accompanying their older siblings to signings of my THE ADVENTURER’S series asked me to write something for them too, and so I indulged them. I reminisced in that game I used to play with my children and one summer I decided to write the story of that playful little Ghost who was marginalized by others due to his crazy name, and was deeply saddened by this. And it has been a great success!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Pedro Pires?
After writing this book I searched for an illustrator whose work I admired a lot, Pedro Pires. In this case I sent him the book and left it to his creativity. I had no idea what would come out of his hands. When we hear about ghosts, we always have this common image in our minds, but the illustrator’s vision was very original and innovative, with a ghost with red hair so long that it even wrapped around the lamps. I was surprised by the final product, but I enjoyed the uniqueness. And it was a good choice indeed, because kids love him and they really like his different and strange look.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The main theme is the acceptance of difference and diversity. This book has a pedagogic component to it. I wanted to demonstrate to all children, through a fun way, that we are all different, but at the same time, all the same. We all have hearts and feelings that must be respected and we must not treat differently those who are different from us. This way, children learn to accept and respect difference with ease. During the course of this story, we also discover the value of friendship.
This is a Portuguese children’s literature bestseller, with successive editions, very dear to children of all ages, as well as Educators, Parents and Teachers.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently writing my next historical novel, in Portuguese, which always takes longer as it requires very deep and comprehensive research. Later this year, Underline Publishing will release “The Enchanted Forest”, as well as “The Forgotten Treasure”, the second volume of The Port of the Grail trilogy, in succession of The Quest for the Lost Map. There will also be a new adventure: “The Adventurers in Underground River”.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
LITERARY TITAN 