I was recently encouraged to check out by book, Sam Feels Better Now! An Interactive Story for Children, on Google Book Search. I found it adds a nice interactive component for my book. Check out the imbed at the bottom of my blog, and you can view an excerpt from my book!
About AnnaMarie
AnnaMarie Squailia homeschooled her children for eight years and made reading an important part of that process. She knew through reading her children’s eyes would be open to the classics, and would help her children develop strong communications skills. AnnaMarie served as a youth pastor, an associate pastor, and a Girl Scout Leader for several years. Through her experiences with both her own children and the children she mentored, she saw a need to create interactive books that gave children a safe haven to share their thoughts and challenges. The Hidden Swan is the first in a series of books that encourage communication and builds self-confidence.
Synopsis of “The Hidden Swan”
By using the story of the Ugly Duckling The Hidden Swan weaves self-help material into the questions and activities in the Character Building Section. There are both easy and hard questions and low cost activities, which makes them perfect for a wide age range.
The Hidden Swan helps builds the foundation of communication which every parent wants when their children reaches those turbulent teenage years.
Like every other skill, it takes practice. The Hidden Swan help adults start conversations with the children they love, helping them develop effective communication skills. After the Character Building Section, there is a section of possible answers to the questions. This acts like a springboard to help adults dive into a conversation with their children. Tough times require strong communication skills for all of us.
What age/population is appropriate for your book?
6-9 years old
What kinds of activities and topics are discussed in the book?
The topics discussed in the book are; Overcoming Loneliness, Being Brave, Being Responsible, Preventing Bullying, Recognizing Differences in Others, Self-Acceptance, and Surviving Hardships.
Below are three activities I have in the book.
Blindfold your mother or father and then lead them around your house. How are you responsible for them? How would you feel if someone was leading you around blindfolded and let you run into something?
Trace your child’s hand on a piece of paper two times. For the first tracing, have all of the fingers and the thumb spread out. This will look more like a turkey. For the second tracing have the fingers together and the thumb spread out. This will look more like a swan. Have your child color the spread out tracing as ugly as possible. Have your child color the second one beautifully. Talk about how both are the same hand, but one looks ugly and one looks beautiful. Discuss that what is inside is the most important, not how people see the outside.
Make a large flower out of construction paper. On each petal, write down one thing that makes you unique and special. Ask your friends and family members what they think makes you special and unique, and add those things to the flower petals. Put the flower on your bedroom door to remind you how special your really are.
What was your inspiration for writing this book?
While I was homeschooling, I always looked for books that I could teach life events with the story. Not finding them, I would make up questions to ask my children. People would comment on how wonderful they were and would ask me for my secret. It was building the lines of communication with them.
I had always wanted to write a book but was afraid. One day I thought I am just going to do it no matter how scary it is. It was easy after I decided to do it.
Do you have another job besides writing? What is it?
For the last 13 years, I have worked fulltime at a casino. Right now, I am in the games department. I know how to deal most of the games in the club. I have also had an on-call job as well for those 13 years. I worked my fulltime job at night when the kids were sleeping. Then would home school them during the days. I gave up being a Girl Scout Leader when I started writing The Hidden Swan. The kids chose to go to high school so now I am just working my two jobs, promoting The Hidden Swan, and working on another book. I am asked a lot how I do it because I have also been a single mom for those 13 years. I tell people you can do anything you choose to do.
What other books or projects are you working on?
I am so close to finishing my second book. I am expecting it to be ready in two months. I am looking for someone to do the cover. This one will be the Character Building Section for any Cinderella book. I wanted to have one that was low cost. If I am not paying for illustrations or a hard cover I can offer it for a lower price. It will be like a self-help (Cliff Notes) for Cinderella.
Today’s Guest is Karen Cioffi, co-author of Days End Lullaby. Make sure you stop by Karen’s blog and read my guest post!
Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman are advocates of education, reading and the environment. Two of their favorite sayings are: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” “You must be the change you want to see in the world” I am an author and freelance writer. I am also the creator and manager of Virtual Book Tours as well as co-moderator of a children’s critique group. I have two grown daughters and two very young grandsons. Much of my days are spent learning my craft, researching and writing, and managing Virtual Book Tours. I am a member of SCBWI, and the Children’s Writing Coaching Club, where I do some of that ‘learnin.’ I live with my husband, Donald Ventrice, in New York City.
Robyn Feltman holds a masters degree in Children’s Literature and is an elementary public school teacher. She is an initiator of environmental and humanitarian projects in her school; one of the projects is the Oambassador Program. Author Feltman lives in New York City and recently finished her 2nd masters degree in Administration/Supervision degree.
“Your day’s been long and full of fun. But, now you’re much too tired to run,” sings the parent to the child in the lullaby. Day’s End Lullaby has lyrical and rhyming phrases along with a rhythmic flow. I composed the poem and music over 30 years ago to help my first born fall asleep and continued to use it for my second child. I saw positive results in singing it and now I sing it to my two young grandsons. I reassure them, “The sun has set, it’s out of view. The moon’s now shining bright for you.” You can hear a little of the lullaby at Days End Lullaby. Click on the audio link button on the bottom of the “About the Book” page. Robyn Feltman and I wrote and illustrated Day’s End Lullaby as a loving book to comfort little ones and provide a sense of security at bedtime. The simple and colorful illustrations are intended to hold the child’s attention while the parent’s soothing voice helps the child gently drift off into a peaceful slumber. Day’s End Lullaby will be a perfect addition to every child’s bedtime routine.
I have a 5 Star review from Stories for Children Magazine. My co-author, Robyn Feltman and I were featured in a 3/4 page article in our local paper with a great review. The feedback from every parent that I was able to hear from is all positive. They love the soothing and rhyming phrases, the colorful illustrations, and many love having the sheet music included as an extra feature.
Day’s End Lullaby is a bedtime picture book for infant to preschool.. The simple and large text is actually great for beginning readers.
I am the creator and manager of VBT – Writers on the Move (formerly Virtual Book Tours). Our new name better fits our marketing strategies and personal writing goals. The goal of our yahoo group is to promote each other – our platforms and work, and to promote each other as individuals. In other words we cross-promote in various ways. We still have monthly tours, but we now use other marketing strategies such as a monthly Viewpoint or Hot Topic segment. In May or June we will have weekly blog talk radio interviews with members. We also utilize a library marketing strategy and link exchange. The group also has it’s own blog site (http://vbt-writersonthemove.blogspot.com). And, in June we will initiate a monthly Mystery Site Give Away. We’re looking into many other marketing and promotional tools to take our group onward and upward. If any writers out there are interested and would like to learn more they can contact me at: karenrcfv@yahoo.com – please put VBT-JO in the subject box.
What are some other books you have written or are working on? |
I am in the final stages of a MG fantasy chapter book – I’ll be submitting it to publishers and agents within a month or so. I have a sci-fi MG chapter book as a works-in-progress and two children’s pictures books in the works. I’m also doing freelance writing and copywriting, and am in the process of creating a new website to offer these services and other writing related services. In addition to this, I’m moving VBT – Writers on the Move upward and onward. Our focus in now marketing and promotion rather than just virtual book tours. So it’s a very busy time for me..
Day’s End Lullaby is available at Amazon. Here are several of Karen’s tips for writers:
“Sam Feels Better Now! An Interactive Story for Children” is now released! Click on the widget on the right hand column of my page, and it will display several options to view and purchase the book. You can also go straight to its url on Amazon by clicking here.
My book, Sam Feels Better Now! An Interactive Story for Children will be released in July 2008. It is illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, and Published by Loving Healing Press. Therapists will find this a useful tool in therapy with children who are experiencing a crisis, traumatic, or grief situation. This is an interactive picture book for children, ages 4-10. Therapists may use it in office as a series of sessions, or suggest it for parents to use at home with their children to supplement therapy. It provides a step by step foundation for working with children using play, drawing, and other interactive components throughout the story. At the same time, it includes a therapist guide in the back, and resources for further reading. Visit my Writing Page to read more!
What kind of book is it? Is it a picture book? I am asked. Well, yes, but…
It is not just a picture book! It is interactive. It has activities, like drawing and storytelling so that the child can interact with the main character, Sam. He or she will feel like they are helping him learn how to cope, all the while learning how to cope with their own situation. Also, I have included a therapist guide in the back to encourage further reading about children, play, and trauma. It will also show theoretical background for the book itself, and answer some of the questions adults may have.
Play Therapy Trainer, Supervisor, Counselor