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Pearl’s Life
Pearl’s Life is the second book following Welcome Home, Pearl, which tells the story of Jacob, the older brother of Pearl, who experiences big changes in life after her arrival. As Jacob prepares to start school, he wants to include Pearl in his new experience. He asks his family to bring Pearl when they drop him off at school. As a child with disabilities, Jacob’s parents are initially unsure if Pearl can handle such an event or if bringing her to school to see her big brother make an entrance would be too much for her.
This children’s book provides a great opportunity to discuss the challenges of welcoming a new baby into the home and how a child with disabilities can handle some of the same experiences and activities differently. Jacob asks many helpful questions, as he sincerely wants his baby sister to play a pivotal role in his life, but doesn’t always understand how her abilities and special needs may impact how she interacts with him. As his family listens to Jacob’s concerns, they provide the best and easiest explanations and solutions while discussing how Pearl will be a part of every new milestone in his life.
The author does an exceptional job of tackling difficult questions and the emotional, real-life situations that accompany a family, especially when learning how to love and care for a child with disabilities. The story illustrates how important it is to not let the opinion of other people determine how to live your life or the compassion you have for others, including your family. Just because Pearl has a disability doesn’t mean she can’t come with Jacob to his first day of school. The boy sees this as an opportunity to show off his sister and normalize her condition by opening answering questions and inviting people to meet Pearl.
I really enjoyed author Tuula Pere’s carefully and beautifully written story and the illustrations by Catty Flores. I found each scene brought a sweet and heroic nature to Jacob. He’s a curious but compassionate child who makes a great role model for children. He shows readers how to discuss friends and family members with disabilities. I recommend Pearl’s Life for its excellent message to accept others and start a meaningful and heartfelt discussion about family and friends and their disabilities in a way that educates and increases compassion.
Pages: 16 | ASIN: B07NKF91BL
Welcome Home, Pearl
Welcome Home, Pearl is a story about Jacob, who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his baby sister Pearl. As with the arrival of any new baby into a family, things can be difficult, and there may be concerns about the baby’s health, development, and how everyone interacts with the new addition. When Jacob’s baby sister arrives, he quickly learns that she will require lots of special medical care, and as her big brother, he must focus on the positive. Jacob is proud to call Pearl his sister, and he becomes aware of the stress and challenges that lie ahead for his parents, himself, and Pearl.
Children with disabilities and their families face many challenges, and the author does a great job of expressing the fears and anxiety experienced by not only the parents but the siblings as well. Pere takes a serious situation and explains it well so that it is clear to understand young readers. Jacob’s character is a positive force of support throughout the story, despite how worried his parents become during such a distressing time. This difficult subject beautifully opens communication and discussion about how to talk about children with special needs and ongoing medical treatments so that children and adults can express their emotions and concerns while providing a powerful, supporting role during the process.
I really enjoyed how brilliantly the author approached this challenging subject, as well as the charming and warm illustrations by Catty Flores. Author Tuula Pere creates a wonderful portrayal of how the love and support of family mean everything when faced with challenges and how Jacob’s positivity shining through can make a big difference. I recommend Welcome Home, Pearl for its excellent writing and serving as a great reminder to look at things from a different perspective, with love, patience, and understanding.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B07NKQ9JKJ
Survival Stories Series
Traveling Companions follows three villagers that are left alone after the destruction of their homes from a mudslide, together they must find a way to down the mountain alone. What was the inspiration for your story?
I often write about even extreme difficulties and challenges faced by individuals and the interaction between people in such situations. The background of the events can be a disaster affecting the wider community – sometimes even the entire society.
The main reason for this book and the entire Survival Stories Series is the tragedies that Nepalese people faced in the massive 2015 earthquake. It was by no means a single event but a whole series of difficulties that still exist and are reflected in life. Many new things had to be built and the old repaired – which applies to emotional damage in addition to material things.
Naturally, I followed the flow of news related to the events, but I felt very powerless in the face of this great distress. The catastrophe was experienced on the other side of the globe, where I had not even been to myself. However, I have friends who are familiar with the places or live in Nepal. They emphasized the importance of children’s literature in a situation like this. They made me see that I have this particular way of making an impact, even a modest one.
I loved how you showcased that everyone has value and can contribute in this story. What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The book’s title – Traveling Companions – expresses the idea that we humans are together on all our life journeys. It is wisest for us to support each other in every way. That makes us stronger and helps us achieve better results.
It is important that we see the value of other people and respect them for who they are. Everyone has their weaknesses and their strengths. The best overall result is achieved when these different characteristics are considered.
To emphasize this, I have included three very different people in the story. Each of them is deficient in some respect. My message is that they are all valuable in their own right. When the special skills or characteristics of each of us are combined, the end result is greater than the sum of its parts.
The story also emphasizes the value of both childhood and old age ¬– as well as using strength for the benefit of others. The child can see with his clear eyes. The older man can share his knowledge of medical assistance and help find the way to the valley. The strong but blind man can use his strength with the help of others.
All the traveling companions in real life, too, need each other!
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
There were only physical books in my childhood, so they are naturally the most familiar to me. Even as a writer, at first, it was my ultimate wish to succeed in creating a beautiful paper book with valuable content. I imagined as many children as possible holding them in their hands and enjoying the illustrations and stories in peace, in a place of their choice.
I have read countless paper books to my children and later to my grandchildren. My bookshelves are still full of our favorite children’s books. There is nothing better than a peaceful moment you can offer the child in your arms by reading a good book together.
Technology has increased the possibilities of enjoying literature in many new ways. I approach all options with an open mind. The most important thing is the reader’s opportunity to choose the most suitable way to enjoy good literature. My own stories have also been published in all possible formats. I believe they all have their place.
In the end, the most important thing is always the quality of the content produced and a meaningful message. Good is good, even when served in different ways.
What other books are you working on in the survival series and when will they be available?
The Survival Series already has three books: Traveling Companions, Saved from the Flames, and The Owl and the Shepherd Boy. They all have strong illustrations by Catty Flores, which I think fits well with the dramatic events of the books. The style also leaves room for the reader’s thoughts, and it is possible to place the events in a wide area.
I consider it possible that there will be sequels to the series. The world is full of events and situations where you need to believe in the possibility of survival, even if everything seems impossible.
As a mother and a children’s author, my thoughts turn to children whenever there are various challenging events – such as natural disasters, accidents, or wars. Of course, it is difficult to improve the world and help even in small matters by just writing children’s books. Even so, I still see some ways to make a difference.
Writing survival stories is all about sharing experiences and putting yourself in the shoes of others. I have a unique opportunity to influence readers’ attitudes, as I can share information about things that would otherwise remain unknown. I can also increase readers’ empathy towards the suffering of others and make them ready to help.
The importance of books like these increases, particularly in complex and extensive problem situations. Good stories can make the events more understandable. The sense of community can then cross not only geographical boundaries but also cultural boundaries.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
After devastation caused by a landslide, the people of a small mountain village are forced to leave their ruined homes and embark on a difficult journey towards the valley.
However, an unlikely trio has to stay behind and wait for help. The rope-maker’s son, Tony, has injured his leg; the oldest of the village is weakened by his age; and the blind blacksmith is not likely to make the difficult trek down. They are anxiously waiting to be rescued, but they are running out of options.
Even though the odds are against them, the three companions gather their courage and set out. On this dangerous journey, they rely on each other and share the little they have left.
One Side Plot In Our Love Story
Colin the Crab Falls in Love follows a crab as he decides to find a spouse, and learns that the best way to do that is to just be himself. What was the inspiration for your story?
There are already so many books in the Colin the Crab Series that the characters have become good friends to me – especially Colin. Sometimes I feel like I’m following his real life. This happens deep in my imagination, and I’m just writing down the stories.
In previous books, Colin’s life story has developed to the point where he started feeling very lonely in his big house. It was time to try to find a mate, which became the book’s central theme.
The loneliness begins to trouble Colin’s mind when his circle of friends includes a starfish pair in love, a busy lizard family, and a monkfish widow living in her memories. What would Colin himself remember and miss afterward if he would spend his life alone without a particular companion of his own?
I understood the sensitivity of this matter for my friend Colin. As a shy person, it would be difficult for him to approach his crush and especially difficult to try to impress her. Colin feels he needs some advice from his friends, but on the other hand, he wants to make her own decisions, as always. – Falling in love is ultimately a very personal thing.
Colin and Clara find love by being themselves and not changing. Can you share your love story?
I have been happily married for almost 40 years. At this point, I dare to reveal how it all started because it is quite a funny story. I met a nice young man in a lift – and the rest is history!
I worked in a tall old building on the main street in a law firm. There was another office on the next level, whose people used the same lift. Gradually, the seven floors we shared in the lift with this young man were no longer enough. We started chatting for longer times on the sidewalk in front of the office building.
That’s how our story started, and two years later, we celebrated our wedding. The real love story has been the decades that have followed – all those years we have shared together as a couple and with our children and grandchildren as a family.
I am happy about everything we have been able to experience together – and that’s a lot in both our private life and working in the business. I dare say that we have become each other’s most reliable support.
Even my activities related to children’s books wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t have such a partner by my side who believes in my abilities and helps in so many ways.
That is also one side plot in our love story.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
This book – Colin the Crab Falls in Love – mainly talks about the same circle of friends that we have already met earlier in the series. These characters are individuals in every sense, and they value different things. That’s why their models of solving problems or making choices differ from each other.
The sensitive topic of finding a partner puts the well-meaning advice of friends in a new light. Colin must be able to decide which of the given advice is suitable for him and which goes too far. Drawing a line for the friends’ influence is not easy. After all, they have succeeded obviously better than Colin in their intimate relationships – at least for now.
All this with partners and spouses and making an impact may sound like an adult topic, but everything is written in a very child-friendly manner. Children will have fun following the surprising twists and turns of the story as Colin tries to please both his friends and his beloved Clara.
The most profound lesson of the story is that everyone must pursue what is most important to them. Of course, our choices must not be utterly selfish or offend others, but still, the solutions must be done by being loyal to one’s innermost self.
I also want to increase readers’ confidence in trusting themselves. The most important thing is to know yourself and stay true to it in your interactions with others, even your friends.
Will Colin and Clara have another story about their life together, if so when will it be available?
Colin and Clara’s life together has already lasted for one more book. The fourth book in the series – “Colin the Crab Gets Married” – has already been published.
New stories about their future life have already emerged in my head. Now that the family is established, it gives opportunities for exciting sequels.
In my mind, I can already see new members of the Carb family. Their adventures are developing in my imagination. Raising children isn’t exactly a simple matter either, and many different views exist.
How did the old Mrs. Monkfish raise her children? What kind of views on quality time with children do technology freak Eddie the Eel and vain Stella the Starfish have?
Now I get all excited to talk about the future of Colin and Clara after the current four books. That shows how much fun I have had writing this series. Right now, I’m working on a big project with another series that is important to me. But as soon as it’s at the right stage, Colin the Crab definitely needs to move forward in his own life story.
I believe something entirely new will happen next year in Colin the Crab’s life. I’ve even heard talk of baby fever!
Author Links: Facebook | Website
One day Finley the Frog, the director of the river museum, calls Colin for help when an accident befalls an important exhibition of shells and corals. Among the broken shelves, Colin makes a delightful discovery: a girl crab with the most beautiful eyes along the riverbank.
The False Queen
The False Queen is a magical tale that follows a young fairy girl named Viola who arrives on Swing Island wearing a lace dress and a crown. The Islanders become curious with the stranger and decide she must be royalty due to her appearance. In doing so, there assumptions create this version of Viola that is not true. Viola, who turns out to be just a fairy down on her luck searching for a place of her own and her purpose; sees no harm in going along with the Islanders grand idea of her since they are all being so kind to her.
Having extraordinarily little to give back to the Islanders, she does her best to use her skills of designing clothes and jewelry to try and make money to eventually repay the debts. Once Viola’s secret is out that she is no royal fairy, everyone turns on her. Daniel, who is the hero of the story is described as a loner and a writer but most importantly he is the observer of the Island and sees not only the truth of who Viola is but all the Islanders true selves. Daniel’s skills of writing set him on a path of clearing Viola’s name and aiding in her finally finding her place and purpose in life as well as uniting the community in one swift sweep of his quill.
In this short children’s chapter book, the author is able to incapsulate the accurate depiction of how people are quick to make assumptions about another person. Pere also shows how important it is to have friends that will stand by you through challenging times in life and how using your skills can help bring communities together and bring fulfillment in life.
The False Queen is an imaginative children’s book with unique fairy tale elements that young readers will find enchanting. This is a fantastic children’s book that imparts an important life lesson amid an entertaining adventure.
Pages: 110 | ISBN: 9789523577695
Stone Garden
Stone Garden by Tuula Pere and Andrea Alemanno is a beautifully illustrated story that follows Lina and Nico, a brother and sister, who venture into a historic stone garden to have lunch. The most prominent stone carving in the park is of an old man who was once a landowner of the garden and surrounding area. As this unique statue conjures a sense of curiosity in Nico, Lina begins to narrate the man’s story and his tragic life. As the old man’s tale unfolds, Nico learns of the unfortunate circumstances leading to the man’s fate and how his lonely existence and mysterious demeanor only further isolate him from everyone, including close family and friends.
I found the story captivating, with many of the visuals in the writing and in the illustrations included in the book. It’s a tale of tragedy and magic that follows the solitary life of one man and how his unusual nature painted him as many things, though he was widely misunderstood. He often strayed from making connections or building relationships with people, even close family. It was as if he didn’t know how to love other people, and while he may have been capable of love, there was a gap in communication or something missing that kept him from reaching out. However, the man developed a sense of belonging to other things; as Lina states, “at least he knew how to love nature.”
The author does an extraordinary job of creating relatable and lifelike characters while diving into the complex man and his legendary status in the community. While many hold firmly to the unkind, negative attributes of the old landowner, Lina and Nico look beyond this outer image to find the natural person beneath. It’s an inspiring book that gives the reader a sense of how important it is to discover more about someone beyond what others see. As the man may have been seen as unlovable or unapproachable, his demise could have changed if someone could have shown him compassion.
I recommend Stone Garden for its genuine and thoughtful characters and their ability to see beneath the grumpy exterior and into the heart of someone so easily judged.
Pages: 38 | ASIN: 9523577751
The Owl and the Shepherd Boy
The Owl and the Shepherd Boy by Tuula Pere follows young Nicky, a shepherd boy who is tasked with managing the cottage and goats for one week while his father goes back down the mountain to the valley where the family lives. Unfortunately, a large storm comes thundering through, destroying the cottage and scaring his goats away. Now Nicky is left with nothing but a torn blanket and must find his way down the mountains back home.
This story teaches children the importance of responsibility and ownership of one’s life. Nicky is now of age to where he must help the family with shepherding duties, and with that comes the responsibility for the goats’ overall well-being and being able to live on one’s own even when fear is present. The author shows this with Nicky’s problem-solving and survival skills. Of course, accepting a little help from a friendly owl would aid in the journey down the mountain but allowing to be helped is also another life lesson that is taught in this story.
I enjoyed the illustrations by Catty Flores immensely. I felt the artwork was vivid and colorful, even in the parts that were dark and stormy. Nicky was venturing down the mountain, the wind was blowing his hair, and the tattered blanket came to life through the well-crafted art. The author and the illustrator had great vision when bringing this story to life.
The Owl and the Shepherd Boy is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children the value of accepting help when offered and learning to trust. It also teaches kids that it is okay to be afraid of things like the dark and that you can overcome your fears. This inspirational story is a great starting point for families and teachers when discussing concerns and what to do in a natural disaster.
Pages: 16 | ASIN : B07HYLRWN2
Saved From the Flames
Young Sunita and her family have lost all their possessions in a house fire. As well as lost their beloved dog Taro. The story opens with Sunita living with relatives nearby, where her family home has burned down while the parents and neighbors rebuild. This story spans over a few weeks as the rebuilding is happening and follows Sunita through her depression and struggle over this traumatic event. Can things be rebuilt when things seem hopeless?
Saved from the Flames by Tuula Pere is a story with a profound message of rebuilding not only from physical tragedies or traumas but also internally, emotionally, and mentally. After the fire, Sunita is clearly being affected internally by what was lost. The home wasn’t filled with gems or jewels but was a modest home filled with things that held priceless meaning to herself and her family. Add on top of that, her parents argue and blame one another instead of comforting each other and caring emotionally for Sunita. Leaving her feeling detached, abandoned, and isolated.
What the author does well in this children’s book is properly convey to young readers in a simplistic way a rather deep and sometimes emotionally overwhelming real-life trauma. I love that the author knew how to incorporate the sense of community with the neighbors helping rebuild their home by donating their time and supplies. Also, the importance of family and being there for one another through the good and especially the bad times. The author also made an amazing choice by bringing in help from teachers and doctors because sometimes those people can be intimidating to children or someone they wouldn’t even think to ask for help from. I feel the author has a great sense of what it takes to heal inside after trauma, as well as the kind of outside help that is needed as well.
Pages: 16 | ASIN : B07HYW4C3S
LITERARY TITAN 