My name is Mrs. D. and I am an author of children's books. I write because I have something to share. I write because maybe someday, someone in this world may need my experience. I write for one simple reason. I love how it makes me feel: free.
This coloring book is based on a beautifully illustrated, award-winning children’s book, Runaway Clothes, that was awarded Mom’s Choice Awards, Readers’ Favorite, International Awards, has earned the Literary Classic Seal of Approval, and is recommended for home and school libraries.
It is a fun book, full of wonderful art, surprises and activities, which will entertain and educate children without them realizing it. If the child did not read Runaway Clothes first, the detailed illustrations will tell them the story of the runaway clothes. However, the hardcover or paperback book in print will treat your children to a delightful tale brought to life through the magical storyline and colorful artwork. Runaway Clothes is available in hardcover and softcover form, and as an e-book on Amazon and B&N online stores. The autographed version of Runaway Clothes, signed with a special message, is available on Etsy.
We’ve all been there with our kids...
cluttered desks, things on the floor, boxes under the bed, clutter on the
shelves, messy closets, and rooms looking as if a tornado had just traveled
through them. How many times have we told our youngsters that if they do
not clean their room, something bad might happen? They just smirked, gave
us a strange look, or simply ignored our warnings.
“Just wait!” We bite our lips, not
having any idea how to replace the cutest smirks on their faces with an ugly
fear. Some of us gave up and let them drown in their own mess, but some like me
were determined to find the solution to the messy room.
Often, children learn lessons when we
least expect them. That was what happened to my young heroine in my multi-award-winning
children’s bookRunaway Clothes. This
book was based on an event that happened in my home many years ago.
That day was no different from any other.
“A mess again,” I said, walking into
my daughter’s room. She looked at me with her angelic blue eyes, stopped
playing with her dolls, and started stuffing her clothes in the closet on top
of her shoes.
“That’s not how I taught you to clean
your closet.” I pulled her clothes from the closet. Losing my patience, I
started folding her new and now wrinkled clothes.
“I’ll help you tomorrow,” my
daughter said sweetly, as she picked up her doll from the floor.
“There is no tomorrow. We must
clean it now.” I made a strict face, determined to teach her once again how to
take care of her stuff.
“I’m busy, Mommy. Can’t you see that?”
She kept playing with her dolls.
“Time out! Rules start now!” I walked
her to the corner in the hall. That was the first time I punished my child, and
I was serious about making it clear who was in charge. Having grown up in a place
and family where violence took place every day, I did not believe in
punishments that degrade a child and harm his or her self-worth.
I checked on her in a few minutes. “Are
you ready to say sorry and go back to clean your room?” I asked.
“I’ll have to think about it.” She
turned away her cute face. Watching her playing with her fingers and talking to
herself, I felt terrible.
“Rules must be obeyed,” I said, as I
walked away, convincing myself more than my child. I checked on her again in
half an hour, but she said she was still thinking.
“OK. Think a little bit longer.” I
left her alone for another half hour.
“Still thinking?” I asked when I
returned.
“I like thinking,” she said quietly,
looking at her fingers. Another half hour passed, but she still refused to clean
her room.
“I love my corner,” she mumbled,
looking down. Three hours passed and she was still standing in the corner.
Worried, I was wondering how I could finish this teaching ordeal graciously and
still make her understand that it was a serious punishment, not a
game. Debating with my motherly feelings for another half hour, I was
ready to apologize for placing her in the corner.
“One day your clothes will run away
from you,” I said casually.
“Where they will go?” she asked, not
turning her face from the corner.
“To our neighbors, or maybe your stuff
will find another girl who will take better care of it.” I came up with the
first excuse that popped into my head.
She thought for a second and then
simply said, “Our neighbors have boys. They don’t need my clothes.”
Not sure how to handle her answer, I
said, “Bad things happen when you least expect them.” Losing my battle, I removed
her from the corner and tried to change the clothes conversation to something
else. The rest of the day, I felt as if I had punished myself.
There must be other ways to get through her. I searched for the right resolution day after day. Weeks
passed, but nothing changed. I pleaded, I explained, I bribed, I complained,
but her clothes were still jammed in the closet.
But one day everything changed. The
night before, I rewashed all her clothes and put them out to dry on the
clothesline behind the house. In the morning, she knocked on my door.
“It happened, Mommy,” she said,
horrified.
“What happened?” I looked at her sad
face, ready to cry.
“All my clothes ran away,” she
sniffled, heartbroken. “Just as you said.” She cried.
“Clothes have feelings too,” I said,
hiding a smile. I told her that if she doesn’t respect her stuff, her toys
might follow her clothes.
“I guess they will.” She sobbed
quietly.
“You better hurry,” I said casually.
“OK, Mommy,” she said, walking away. My
distraught girl had learned her lesson without me trying or preaching. I went
outside to fold her clothes.
Writing this story, I saw a great
opportunity to help families learn how to deal with an issue that drives every
parent crazy. Going back in time, I always analyze my behavior and reactions
that taught my children and me great lessons. Now, looking back on
their mischievous misbehavior and the rules I tried to apply, I see things
that I wish I had done differently. Like many parents, I naively thought I
would have perfect children, just as I saw on the front page of parenting
magazines—happy, smart, and well-behaved. The reality proved me wrong. There is
no perfect child or parent. Parents and children learn from each other on a daily
basis. Raising my girls, I learned that not every rule is written in stone, and
that sometimes, unplanned lessons are the best teachers.
Memories of my children have always been
my golden treasures when I write children’s stories. Every time I dig out some
event from my children’s childhood, I discover something new, something I did
not see in the past, something I overlooked. Now I can honestly say that over
the years, the best lessons I learned were the ones that my children taught me.
These lessons helped me to raise my girls into determined and ambitious young
women, and I hope they will help other parents too.
The older I get, the more memories I
collect. Some of them vanish with time, but some never leave. Happy or sad,
funny or disappointing, they are part of my life and my stories. With age, I grew
wiser and looked at things differently. The stuff that once drove me crazy and seemed
so important then, appear funny now. As my grandfather would say, learn as you
live.
Runaway Clothes is a beautifully illustrated, award-winning children’s book
that will entertain and educate children without them realizing it. It was
awarded Mom’s Choice Awards, Readers’ Favorite International Awards, has earned
the Literary Classic Seal of Approval, and is recommended for home and school
libraries. It is a great read for any age. If the children are too small to
read it independently, the detailed illustrations will tell them the story of
the runaway clothes. The beautiful book trailer below will provide insight into
what this book is about. Runaway Clothes
is available in print in hardcover and softcover form as well as e-book form.
You may order Runaway Clothes on Amazon, B&N, and through Dog Ear Publishing.
Please see the links below:
I would be delighted to hear your
opinions and suggestions. Your reviews are always welcome on Amazon, Goodreads,
and B&N.
Title:Runaway Clothes |Author: Mrs. D |Publication Date:May 1, 2014 |Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing |Number of pages: 44 |Recommended age:6 to 10
Summary: An enlightening story about a little girl named Nika who didn’t want to take care of her clothes and toys. One hazy morning when Nika opened her closet, she discovered that it was empty. Her clothes had disappeared! What had happened to her shirts and pants? Where did her favorite dresses, coats, and socks go? Why did they leave her with just her pajamas on this misty morning? Will they come back? Taking a closer look at her room, Nika starts thinking about her attitude toward her clothes and toys. “How easy it is to lose something you love so much.” She learns an important lesson at the end of this story. Watch your children have a blast reading this story while learning valuable lessons.
Runaway Clothes by Mrs D. had me thinking, “Oh yes, we’ve been there!” In this funny little story, a little girl opens her closet to learn from the clothes hangers, much to her dismay, that her clothes have run away. They were tired of being left on the ground, crumpled up, and treated so poorly. As the little girl surveys her room, she also sees how all of her toys are also sad from being neglected and piled uncomfortably one on top of the other. Before long, the little girl is feeling dejected realizing that she has not been taking good care of her belongings.
In Mrs D’s unique storytelling style, the reader is treated to a delightful tale brought to life through beautiful and colorful illustrations. As with previous books, I love how inanimate objects are given life through both the writing and the pictures making this book perfect with children (and grown-ups) who have vivid imaginations.
Flying by the window, the wind brushed away the girl’s tears. Carrying the salty teardrops on his wings, the tricky wind quickly swished between the surprised trees and flew to the backyard. He dropped the tiny tears on the blue dress, which was hanging on the clothesline. The tears made wet spots on the silver ruffles.
Without giving the ending away, I think most parents will be able to relate to the underlying message about teaching children to clean up after themselves, be it their clothes or toys. How many times have I heard, growing up, “If you don’t take care of your things, one day they will run away!” I love the underlying message of the story and I recommend this wonderful book to school classrooms, library circles, and parents who wish to read a lovely tale with a moral about taking care of our belongings, to children ages 5 to 10.
About Book 2
Title:The Royal Palm |Author: Mrs. D |Publication Date:October 21, 2014 |Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing |Number of pages: 40 |Recommended age:6 to 10
Summary: A thought-provoking tale of the journey of a royal palm born on a tiny island surrounded by mysterious waters. This tender story explores the world of someone wrapped up in herself. Protected by her cousins, the short plain palms, the royal palm grew up beautiful, but very self-centered. Dreaming about life outside the island, she did not bother with her friends, who lived as one big family. Immersed in her own beauty, she only cared for herself, until one day a hurricane struck the tiny island. Then the royal p lam discovered the true meaning of family and real friendship. Inspiring story with valuable lessons to be learned and shared.
Mrs D. has done it again with The Royal Palm. Using vivid descriptions of the beautiful silvery palm, warm sandy beaches, rolling waves, and fierce winds, Mrs. D spins another lovely tale with an important lesson about vanity and the need to have others in your life. Mrs D is a true storyteller using lyrical passages to describe all that you would see, feel, hear, and experience in the story, literally bring to life the trees, the wind, the sun and the ocean. Here is an excerpt:
Shortly, the furious ocean unleashed a growling hurricane. Spinning in a wild dance, the crazed storm began madly whirling, smashing everything in its path. The storm pulled the scared trees from the ground, heartlessly throwing them around the shore.
Aside from the excellent writing skills of the author, certain to keep a captivated audience should the story be read aloud, the book also features stunning imagery of the beautiful and almost magical royal palm, her shorter stockier cousins, and the living clouds, sun, and other creatures. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous!
And finally, the story features an important lesson, delivered so well, about the vain royal palm who thought she was better than everyone else but who is saved by the shorter, not so glamorous palm trees during a vicious storm. The lesson is clearly delivered by her new friends as the royal palm is shipped away from the beach they shared: “‘You are not alone!’ the plain palms yelled to the departing ship” and “‘Everyone needs someone,’ the bright sun smiled…”
I recommend this lovely book to be read aloud to children ages 5 to 10.
* I received free copies of these books in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own. The author is participating in our book promotion services.
The Buzz
Runaway Clothes: “Runaway Clothes by Mrs. D is full of delightful imagery. The words flow in such a fanciful way that children are sure to be immediately engaged and pulled into the story. Its endearing quality teaches young ones the importance of taking care of their valued belongings in such a way that they will not realize they are learning a lesson in the proper care of one’s possessions. Excellently executed!” ~ 5 Star Review, HopefulSerenity, Amazon
Runaway Clothes: “Runaway Clothes is a whimsical and charming tale that educates children on the importance of taking care of their belongings… The delightful illustrations add to the enjoyment of the story… I highly recommend picking up Runaway Clothes.” ~ 5 Star Review, Stacie T. BeachBoundBooks, Amazon
The Royal Palm: “As is the case with Mrs D’s other books, the language is lyrical and colorful… Mrs. D effectively employs the techniques of alliteration, personification and analogy to communicate her message… Mrs D addresses many of the difficult issues children face in dealing with their peers in a whimsical, charming tale. Highly recommended.” ~ 5 Star Review, Barbara M., Amazon
The Royal Palm:“A meaningful children’s book by a fantastic writer Mrs. D! An unforgettable story that provides life lessons for our children! Mrs. D. is a very talented storyteller who knows how to convey magic into each of her stories. So far her magical books, full of delightful illustrations, never disappointed my children or I. ” ~ 5 Star Review, Olga G., Amazon
About the Author: Mrs. D
Olga D’Agostino (aka Mrs. D.), an award-winning children’s author, was born in western Ukraine. She lived in the historical city of Lviv, where she studied business in Lviv Business College. In 1992 she immigrated to the United States with her two small daughters and for years worked in her own business. In 2011 she began her career as a writer, focusing on writing children’s books that have meaning and provide valuable lessons. Two of her children’s books, The Trees Have Hearts andGood Morning, World, won Mom’s Choice Awards in 2013, and three are winners in the 2014 Readers’ Favorite contest. She is a member of SCBWI and speaks a few languages fluently. She lives in the famous town of Smithville, N.J., with her husband Patrick and a meticulous old cat named Nyda.
Published children’s books by Mrs. D. include Carlo the Mouse on Vacation,The Trees Have Hearts, The City Kittens and the Old House Cat, Good Morning, World!,Runaway Clothes, The Royal Palm, The Little Girl Praying on the Hill (short story) and Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse.
The full series of Carlo the Mouse and her new books The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet,That Is How Things Are (two connected stories: The Autumn Wind and The Kitten and the Sparrow), and her new book,The Cat Who Wonders, by Itself, and three rhyming stories in Who Is Most Important in the Fridge? will be published in the near future. Her books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular e-devices.
She is presently working on her first novel, The Chinese Princess, and a short story, “A Taste of Bread.” For updates on Mrs. D.’s books, please visit her website: www.mrsdbooks.net.
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