Blog Archives
Captain Fantastic
I’ve Got You is a fun space adventure that explores fear and helping friends overcome it. Why was this an important theme for this book?
For me, it was super important to get this book out during Covid-19 as I wanted to help any children feeling lonely and to make sure they never felt alone! It times of trouble we must stay together and look after those in need the most.
This is book one in your Captain Fantastic series. What can readers expect in book two?
The next book is ‘Captain Fantastic and the Chocolate Planet’ and will be ready for Christmas 2020:
“Good grief,” cried the captain “we’re space monster stew!
Or perhaps it’s an ogre, a witch or some new
Strange kind of monster, a space ghoul or mummy.”
“Captain,” said Winston, “I think it’s my tummy!”
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Winston is one of the bravest dogs in the universe. He’s travelled through space and battled monsters with his best friend, Captain Fantastic, but there’s one thing that still scares him.
Come along on this adventure to find out what makes Winston tremble, and discover how Captain Fantastic comforts his loyal space dog so he’s once again a happy, waggy-tailed space hero.
First in the exciting new series of intergalactic adventures, based on the awesome and educational Captain Fantastic parties.
“In this lovely story about friendship and fears is an important message about being there for each other and being able to face our fears when we have someone to face them with. Now more than ever, this is an important message for children – I’ve Got You is like having a hug delivered in the form of a storybook.” Dr Gummer, Good Play Guide
What I Tell Myself About Talent
What I Tell Myself About Talent is a fun children’s book that places exploration and self actualization center stage. What are you good at? What’s your talent? How can you ever know until you try. This book helps kids make the connection between their current talents and their future jobs, whether it’s an innate talent or something they have to work at. Rather than telling children to be one thing or another, What I Tell Myself About Talent let’s readers know that it’s okay to not know, and exploring the possibilities is part of the fun.
Michael Brown has once again created a book on a topic that I have rarely, if ever, read about in a children’s book. Talent, and how to find it in everyday places with a little exploration, is accomplished in this book with simple rhymes and vibrant illustrations of diverse children doing different activities. This picture book will encourage readers to get out into the world and try things out. It will open their eyes to the idea that they can continue to do the things they like even into adulthood. From doctors to construction workers Michael Brown makes it clear that going out and finding what your good at is part of the fun. The ending of the book has Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which is a great opportunity for further discussion beyond the book. What I Tell Myself About Talent is a great way to start a conversation about finding talent in everyday activities.
Pages: 30 | ASIN: B08CBQR6XJ
A Catalyst for Change
Co-Teaching: The Professional Behind the M.A.S.K. helps educators gain greater insight into each partner’s role within a co-teaching classroom. Why was this an important book for you to write?
There is a growing need for special education students to be placed with their peers in the general education classroom. In doing so, the gap that is faced by the special education students can decrease. This book is important as it serves as a catalyst for change in the collaborative relationship. Co-Teaching: The Professional will help readers M.A.S.K. The inevitable. Learn to MANAGE the stress, ACCEPT co-teaching as a valuable tool, STRENGTHEN your relationships, and create the KEYSTONES that will allow for personal growth.
What do you think is a common misconception educators have about co-teaching?
One misconception is that one of the teachers are not certified. Co-teaching is a classroom with TWO certified teachers that are charged with educating a group of students both special ed and general ed in the same environment. Each teacher adds value to the classroom. The general education teacher is considered the content/curriculum expert. The special education teacher is the strategist, they add strategy and technique to the content to make it accessible to all learning level. The two certified teachers work hand in hand to deliver the curriculum in a way that allows for learners to thrive.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
One thing that I’d like readers to take away from Co-Teaching: The Professional is the need to effectively communicate with colleagues. Classrooms are not the only areas that collaboration is key to engagement and success. In every profession, the expectation is that there is a level of teamwork that increases productivity and efficiency. We should abolish the fixed mindset and embrace growth to meet the needs of the current generation. We must work together to discover the best approach for personal growth as well as company development.
What is your experience in the education field and how has that helped you write this book?
My experience in the education field has moved from managing front offices, working as a principals secretary to now teaching in the classroom. I have been an advocate for children for more than 20 years. I wrote this book based on my experiences in the coteaching classroom. As an advocate, it is my desire to enhance the coteaching classroom. Co-Teaching: The Professional will help guide the relationship into a collaborative experience that utilizes the talents and abilities of both certified teachers.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
The Not-So-Haunted House
![The Not-So-Haunted House by [Colonel Carney, Anne Hurst]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51NlvzeGjiL._SX260_.jpg)
The Not-So-Haunted House is a charming children’s book that tells the story of a farmer who thinks his house is haunted. He sleeps in the barn to avoid all the spookiness going on in his house until one day his friend comes over and shows him that the scary things in his home were really just normal sounds a house makes.
Colonel Carney does a fantastic job of simplifying the fear that children have of the unknown and presenting it to them in a way that is easy to understand. The story is told through simple lyrical rhymes that are effective in capturing the attention of young readers. I loved the bright illustrations on every page which always had something on the page for children to point at and engage with the story. This book will help parents and teachers have a conversation about fear. It shows how many of the things we are scared of have explanations as long as we are brave enough to look for them. I found many of the farmers expressions to be laugh-out-loud funny and, although it’s a ‘haunted’ house, there’s really nothing to fear here except a fantastic book.
Pages: 29 | ASIN: B08BXTSBCC
Honeycake Book Series
Medea Kalantar is a multi-award winning author of a delightful children’s book series called Honeycake. The Honeycake books teaches valuable life lessons on diversity, kindness, mindfulness, trust and gratitude. With all the negativity in the world, the Honeycake series is a glimmer of hope and positivity which exactly what the world needs right now. Honeycake books will enlighten, empower, educate and entertain children and their families for generations to come.
A little bit EXTRAORDINARY
A little bit Extraordinary is a children’s picture book that follows a cute young girl named Juliette who has Down’s syndrome. Throughout the book readers learn what Down’s syndrome is and helps readers learn that we’re all different, which is what makes us special. This is a beautiful story told in rhyme that promotes acceptance and celebrates diversity.
I loved this charming book. This book explains the physical differences in someone with Down’s syndrome as well as the science behind the differences. It does so easily so that anyone can understand it. Even as an adult I found this book educational as I wasn’t fully aware of what causes the syndrome and the effects it has on people. I was so wrapped up in the story and learning about Juliette that I didn’t realize the story is told in rhyme because it flowed so easily. The story discusses topics such as bullying, recognizing and celebrating differences, and showing kindness. The illustrations are exceptional, with bright colorful images on each page that provide context to the words.
I recommend this book to parents, teachers, and even adults, like me, who don’t know much about Down’s syndrome. There are more than a dozen talking points provided at the end of the book. This really highlights the major benefit this book has; it begins a discussion. Whether you know someone with Down’s syndrome or not I highly recommend reading this with your child so that you are both knowledgeable and ready to accept anyone for who they are.
A Different Type of Diversity
Lefty Saves the Day follows Gracie as she tries to overcome her anxiety about an upcoming baseball game. What was the inspiration for the setup to this lovely children’s story?
From a personal experience, the first time I played baseball someone put the bat in my right hand. I swung and missed each time. Then, I switched hands, which felt natural to me. I swung. The bat made contact with the ball. I was told to run. I made it to the make-shift base which was a sweatshirt. I am left-handed. Ruth Craver, the illustrator, is left-handed. Neither of us had read much literature about being left-handed.
Gracie is presented with some unique challenges for being left handed. Why was this an important topic for you to discuss?
There are so many different approaches and mannerisms left-handed people adapt to such as reading the print on a pen (upside down if you hold in your left hand), measuring cups, rulers, and wall-fastened pencil sharpeners to name a few. Being left-handed is a different type of diversity and one that comes with some challenges but can be accomplished with awareness.
The art in this book is cute and lively. What was the art collaboration like with Ruth Craver?
Ruth and I have known each other for over twenty years. Ruth is a very creative illustrator. Our first work together was in N Is For Noah, then with the debut Lefty novel, Don’t Call me Lefty. We work well together even though distance makes it rare to discuss the books in person. We go over all of the artwork and placement of Ruth’s illustrations within the book. I really appreciate her timeliness, gift, and dedication.
Lefty Saves the Day is the second book in your Don’t Call Me Lefty series. What can readers expect from book three in the series?
Gracie Carter will address other challenges for being left-handed. The next few books in the series are a bit more humorous and of course, Scott and Gracie bump elbows. The exact book from the remaining four has not been determined so the precise lefty challenge cannot be revealed.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
A group of Gracie’s classmates join the Carter’s play ball. Gracie hopes for rain. The surprise was Gracie could throw a ball but that’s all. She could not bat especially when the pitchers are all right-handed.
The day of the game arrived, and the sun was shining. Gracie wanted to pitch but her class already had a pitcher. She also did not want to bat. Then there was her nemesis, Scott Collins, who referred to her as trouble.
Gracie was not sure why teams switched places. Then, it was her turn and she felt like throwing up. She saw a relief pitcher warming up before going to the mound.
“I got this,” Gracie said.
LITERARY TITAN 