Since my children and I came to
America almost 23 years ago, we have felt so blessed and welcomed by the
country that became our home. In response, the least I can do as a writer is to
repay that privilege, by trying to focus my professional contributions on the
country and people who have been so supportive of children's literature. Having
been a writer for three years now, I can safely say that I never thought I
would be receiving Mom's Choice Awards and Readers’ Favorite International Awards for my work.
Winning something is not always easy. The road to victory changed me in many ways. In the last three years, I assure you, I have tried my best
to get here, but there was always someone who outdid me. In retrospect, I think
it was a good thing because it made me want to write better than I ever
did. Never have I felt this intense passion to win an award or any accolade for
that matter. I don't know what changed me, but whatever it was, I'm glad that
it did. English is not my native language. I have faced many challenges, but each one of them has only
strengthened me to make me the writer I am today. A thorough writer who knows
exactly what she wants to write. Someone who sets her eyes on a goal and does not lose
sight of it, unless it is achieved.
I would never be where I am today without my wonderful editor, Frank Steele, and the most talented illustrator Chanoa. Thank you so much, Frank, for tirelessly working on my books and improving my writing. Your encouragement to move ahead got me to this point. I am so blessed I have the privilege to work with you.
To write a story is only half the job. Through her amazing art Chanoa beautifully brought my stories to life. I am profoundly thankful to Chanoa for the opportunity to work together and create the most delightful books.
Winning these awards would not have been
possible without the inspiration I have received from my friends and family, for whom I have the deepest respect, and from whom I have derived the strength
to challenge myself and perform better at each stage.
Let me tell you that it is not just
my sole effort and passion that has brought me to this high point. I would like
to make a special mention of my husband Patrick who has been the best supporter
and fan of my writing for years. It is only he who saw the passion in me when
I couldn't see it myself. He saw my talent and helped me hone it so that I was able to
focus on my writing and publishing books that matter for families and their children. Everyone needs to have
such an inspiring and encouraging friend in life, and I am lucky to have found
mine. Thank you so much my darling!
On a closing note, all I want to tell each one of you who is reading this post now,
is that you should never, never, never give up, even if you are convinced that
it's all over. It's not over unless you want it to be, and a true example of this
is me, proudly holding my medals.
To win you must first begin! Never give up or give in!
Thank you very much for standing
by me, when I need you the most my dear readers!
Runaway Clothes by Mrs. D joins this author’s growing list of good quality children’s books. The illustrations in this volume are superbly drawn by the very talented Chanoa, making this a delight to read, regardless of your age. Young Nika awakens one morning to discover all her clothes are missing from her closet. She asks the hangers what they did with her clothes, but only manages to anger them, so the hangers run away, too. After pouting for a bit, Nika realizes she did not treat her clothes very nicely, so it’s her own fault they ran away. This epiphany makes her realize that her toys might also become sufficiently disenchanted to run away, and then how would she cope? To prevent such an eventuality, Nika decides to clean up her room like never before. She puts everything very neatly in its proper place, but is that enough to encourage her clothes to return to her closet?
Runaway Clothes is richly illustrated, with a hint of Anime influencing the drawings. The text of the story meshes perfectly with the illustrations; so much so, that you will find yourself pausing on each page to carefully peruse the illustrations after reading the text. Mrs. D has firmly established herself as one of this generation’s premier children’s authors. Readers are encouraged to visit her website, http://www.mrsdbooks.net/ for video trailers for each of her books… a definite plus when you need to select only one or two books out of a dozen or more choices. All of Mrs. D’s books that I’ve so far read have been based on actual events in her life, which makes it very easy to relate to them. If you’ve not yet discovered Mrs. D, Runaway Clothes is an excellent one with which to start. You will grow to treasure all her stories.
The Royal Palm by Mrs. D. joins this author’s growing collection of richly illustrated and highly imaginative stories for children. In this latest tale, a beautiful specimen tree has been planted in a special garden, fulfilling her life-long wish to leave behind her small island and move to the mainland. While pondering the circumstances which brought her to that point, the silvery Royal Palm reflects upon the true friends she left behind, who accepted her just as she was in spite of her assumed arrogance toward them. She recalls the hurricane she thought would destroy her, and remembers how the smaller, more common palm trees rallied round her to protect her from the blowing sand, waves and wind. While she expects to be happy in her new life, she comes to the realization that she will always miss her old friends, regardless of how many new friends she may one day have.
The Royal Palm is a wonderful fantasy, told in the flowery language one might expect from an anthropomorphized tree, the wind, and other elements of a tropical paradise. Intended to facilitate the growth of a child’s imagination, this story also comes complete with a valuable life lesson. As they become a part of the story, young readers will learn to appreciate the other people in their lives. They will learn that it is not always wise to prejudge those around them because a day of reckoning may come when those whom they might think poorly of will become the ones on whom the child must depend for help. Although understated, The Royal Palm shouts loud and clear to young readers: “Don’t judge by appearances. It’s what’s inside that counts.” This very well-written tale from Mrs. D. is a must-have, particularly for early/intermediate readers.
Good Morning, World! by the mysterious Mrs. D, is a classic children's book. The illustrations were rendered superbly, in brilliant and vivid colors, by Eladziem. This is not another “A-B-C” book, or “1-2-3” learner. In fact, what this book teaches best is reading! I find it noteworthy that the text seems geared to an older audience than do the illustrations. That arrangement is ideal for when an older sibling wants to read to “the baby”. Mrs. D. has crafted a superb children’s book in Good Morning, World!
The entire story revolves around Baby Thomas being pushed in his stroller by his grandfather through the local park. Baby Thomas is a very cheery, happy little boy, who shouts out a “Good Morning” to everything he sees, including the sun and clouds, trees and flowers, frogs and lizards, birds and puppies, joggers and mommies. Meanwhile, Grandpa is a disgraceful excuse for a grandfather. Rather than cherish time with his young grandson, he gripes about everything, even to the point of griping about things that aren’t even happening, such as the imaginary crocodiles sunning themselves along the trail!
This book provides an exceptional opportunity for teaching children about attitudes and the choice each of us has to be happy or dismal. The vibrant, compelling illustrations perfectly complement this story, providing much opportunity for teaching numerous other facts, such as having the child find the frog, or the sun, or the flowers, or the ladybugs. Mrs. D. and Eladziem work very well together, in producing an all-around great story book for stimulating young brains and teaching them concepts.
Have you ever moved to a new place and felt all alone because you had no friends? That’s what this beautiful book is about. This young girl was not only new with no friends, she couldn’t speak the language of those in her new hometown. This girl finds comfort in the beautiful garden at her new home, the mysterious wind becoming her first imaginary friend. As she spends time in the garden, the trees begin to talk to her, and these three trees became her friends as well. This leads to a beautiful imaginary world to this young one, helping her cope with the loneliness she faces.
This is a lovely book for young girls, and especially young girls who face loneliness because of being in a new place. They are sure to find peace and encouragement in the special values taught in The Trees Have Hearts. Mrs. D does a wonderful job of reaching out to kids in a unique way in this book. The beautiful trees give warmth and peace as they spread their blooms throughout the garden and into the hearts of those who read this book. The cover is beautiful and appealing, and the illustrations and colors throughout the book are adorable, heartwarming, and peaceful. Any young girl would want to snatch this book from the shelves to have as their own. I encourage parents of young girls to purchase this one for your child’s library. And even if you haven’t found yourself moving lately, this book can still have a positive impact on your child’s self confidence.
In The Little Girl Praying on the Hill, we find a story filled with heartbreak, pain, suffering, as well as joy and peace. Even with all of these various emotions, this little girl is challenged within herself to find her purpose and reason for living. Having a strong and vivid imagination sometimes got her into trouble as she would forget her chores. Her father was a drunk and her mother carried more than her fair share of the load. She longed for a time when her father wouldn't be drunk. He promised her time and again that he wouldn't drink any longer, only to not live up to those promises. She used her imagination as a powerful way to escape the problems of living in her environment, all of the hard work and her drunken father. She would rather live in imaginary castles and lands than the one she was in.
Reaching out to better understand God's will for a little girl's life, we find author Olga D. Agostino taking the reader along a very disturbing trail that shares various emotions and feelings. In The Little Girl Praying on the Hill, there is also the description of a baby sister's death, the beating from a mother and wanting to die herself. This book is filled with sorrow and pain, yet also of how a little girl chooses hope and determines to find a way to make it in a sad and uncaring world. This is a book to encourage the reader that no matter what one's circumstances are, there can be better times ahead.
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