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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.
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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
LITERARY TITAN 