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 is a story of a little girl from an expat family. She comes to new surroundings and doesn’t know the culture or the language. She really misses her friends and her grandmother in her homeland. As a result, she has a really hard time making friends. The kids from school tease her and say she is a mute or is deaf. The constant teasing makes her sad.
The little girl loves to sit in the beautiful mature garden in the back of her house. She sits and plays by herself among Sassy, the magnolia tree, and her two sisters; Chance the plum-tree, and Shadow, the weeping cherry tree, while the gentle old wind gently breaths fresh air through the new spring blossoms. In a fit of despair (missing her friends and family back home), the magnolia tree whisper to the little girl, “I will be your friend” in the girls native language – and a new close and lasting friendship is forged. The Trees Have Hearts is a picturesque story of the power of the imagination – and how her first friends helped her to cope with a difficult situation. And also, through the imagination of a young girl, the caring trees not only help her to adapt to a new environment but help her blossom into the beautiful, caring and social young lady that she ultimately becomes.
The imagery in this book is breathtaking. While this book is great if you are moving to a new area – and how sometimes it can be scary! Young children will love reading this book of how to build friendships far away.
Motivational and inspirational, This book received the Mom’s Choice Award – which evaluates services and products created for children and families.
Purchase
You can purchase The Trees Have Hearts on Amazon here.
From Lisa:I received books in exchange for an honest review. Despite this, all the opinion stated herein are 100% my own. There are affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission.
Hey! I’m Lisa – the owner, operator, resident dyer and sewer, CEO, CFO, Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, President, Head Honcho, Accountant, payroll clerk, mailroom clerk and everything else you can imagine!
Many people ask how I came up with the name Squishable Baby. Well, it’s because I have 3 very cute and sweet squishes in my life – Two sons (8 years old and 7 months) and one baby girl (4 years old). They are my all and my everything. Heavenly Father certainly blessed me with these three kiddos. They drive me crazy and give me complete joy – at the same time. How is that possible, you ask?
No clue.
Here, in my part of the internet, I blog – I dye – I sew – and I sell – and not necessarily in that order. I care about the strength of the American family – so you will see me blogging about relationship strengthening ideas, family togetherness activities, eco friendly tips, Squishable Baby softness, homeschooling, Natural parenting stuff, faith, and a whole lot about kids…kids…kids…and more kids. I love to talk about how to keep kids safe and in school doing the right thing!
When I’m not blogging, I’m dyeing. When I’m not dyeing, I’m sewing. Yep. I hand dye and sew Merino wool and bamboo pants for babies. They are fun, soft and squishy pants that they can rough and tumble play in – or go out at night and be fancy in! The fibers are certainly sustainable – and durable! Perfect for environmentally cautious busy body squishes.
I want to take a moment to thank you for stopping by! Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. If you do, you will get all notices for secret giveaways and sales! Definitely go to my sidebar (there on the right) and push a few of those icons that my web designer worked so hard to create! I love connecting and want to know more about who you are and what you blog about. So, don’t be shy. Make yourself known!
More importantly, stop by the shop and take a look around! You are always welcome – even if it’s just computer screen shopping.
Meet Young Carlo, a little mouse, with a great appetite, born and raised in basement walls of Great Florida Hospital. Living next to the hospital kitchen, didn’t help Carlo’s growing appetite. He dreamed and lived food (sound familiar?). It was very difficult for mama and papa mouse to keep up with Carlo’s voracious appetite. Papa mouse had to be very sneaky to elude hospital staff and dodge the many mousetraps in order to get enough food for Carlo.
All Carlo could think about was the hospital kitchen. The thick aromas of international cuisine were so inviting. Carlo imagined that the kitchen would be a great place to hang out, and he would dream of visiting far away places and tasting the delectable delicacies from every single country. Because of his budding curiosity, young Carlo was anxious to leave the confines of the walls, head out to explore the world, and meet the great chef. Understandably, this worried papa and mama mouse, because the world holds great danger for such a tiny mouse. The head chef hates mice. Can Carlo possible understand why mama and papa mouse set rules? Will Carlo ever escape the walls to discover a better life?
This book gets to the heart of what it is to be a parent and a child, alike. Carlos The Mouse Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse provides children a rare and fun look at why parents set rules and guidelines for their house, or why Heavenly Father (God) sets rules and guidelines for his people. There is an emphasis that it’s not to punish, but to keep one safe from harm. This book provides children a practical reason for (reasonable) rules that are set in place (i.e. Not running into the road, brushing teeth, or washing hands, or being respectful, etc).
It also teaches us parents something (Haha), and one reason why I just love this book. It shows us that after we teach our children, that we have to “let go” and allow them to thrive and make it in the world – so that they can be their own people. We cannot hang on, and dictate. We must let go, and trust that they have learned, and can respect “the rules” that were given - and be okay.
Have you taught your children that rules are set in place to keep them safe?
Purchase
You can purchase Carlo The Mouse Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse on Amazon.
From Lisa: I received books in exchange for an honest review. Despite this, all the opinion stated herein are 100% my own. There are affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I will receive a small commission.
Hey! I’m Lisa – the owner, operator, resident dyer and sewer, CEO, CFO, Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, President, Head Honcho, Accountant, payroll clerk, mailroom clerk and everything else you can imagine!
Many people ask how I came up with the name Squishable Baby. Well, it’s because I have 3 very cute and sweet squishes in my life – Two sons (8 years old and 7 months) and one baby girl (4 years old). They are my all and my everything. Heavenly Father certainly blessed me with these three kiddos. They drive me crazy and give me complete joy – at the same time. How is that possible, you ask?
No clue.
Here, in my part of the internet, I blog – I dye – I sew – and I sell – and not necessarily in that order. I care about the strength of the American family – so you will see me blogging about relationship strengthening ideas, family togetherness activities, eco friendly tips, Squishable Baby softness, homeschooling, Natural parenting stuff, faith, and a whole lot about kids…kids…kids…and more kids. I love to talk about how to keep kids safe and in school doing the right thing!
When I’m not blogging, I’m dyeing. When I’m not dyeing, I’m sewing. Yep. I hand dye and sew Merino wool and bamboo pants for babies. They are fun, soft and squishy pants that they can rough and tumble play in – or go out at night and be fancy in! The fibers are certainly sustainable – and durable! Perfect for environmentally cautious busy body squishes.
I want to take a moment to thank you for stopping by! Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter. If you do, you will get all notices for secret giveaways and sales! Definitely go to my sidebar (there on the right) and push a few of those icons that my web designer worked so hard to create! I love connecting and want to know more about who you are and what you blog about. So, don’t be shy. Make yourself known!
More importantly, stop by the shop and take a look around! You are always welcome – even if it’s just computer screen shopping.
Q: How would you describe your writing style in two sentences?
A: A mix of realistic fiction with modern fantasies. A twist of true events with unrealistic characters, which teach children to conquer problems, build self-esteem, and overcome challenges.
Q: How long does it take for you to write a chapter?
A: The illustrated children’s books are short, but the writing process is long and challenging. A children’s author must create a story that will make sense to a child and parent, and teach them something useful. There is no room in children’s books for extra explanations or expressing deep thoughts, as there is in adult books. Most of the stories are less than a thousand words. I usually break those rules and write longer stories. Children like the sound of printed words. Why deny them the language that stimulates their imagination? Of course, it depends on the child, age, and personality.
I like to write for both groups. It is much easier to write for adults than children. I rewrite my story until it makes perfect sense and carries a clear message to the young readers. Children are tricky readers. By nature, they are very impatient, so the author must create a story that will keep a child’s attention from beginning to end. Then the mission is accomplished. Writing for children is not how many words your write daily; it is about the quality of words the author seeds in their minds. Children’s books can raise readers or leave them crippled for the rest of their life. Sometimes it takes weeks to rewrite one paragraph, and sometimes it takes a few days to complete an entire story.
Q: What is the best part of the writing process for you?
A: Writing for children is like playing a game: you win or you lose. There is no middle ground. I must surround myself with their imagination. I must go to their level and see the story from their viewpoint. Children have a most unpredictable imagination and hunger for knowledge. If I do not get their attention from the first paragraph, then I have lost them. I must also see the story from the viewpoint of their parents. It is hard to be a grown-up and child at the same time, and that is why writing for children is not an easy task. What I like most about writing for children is reliving the special moments, when I feel as if I am a child again. When my story makes me laugh or cry, then I know I got it right. In my opinion, children’s books must teach both child and parent.
However, as much as I like creating stories, my best part is working with the illustrator and watching the characters come to life. It is a very intensive, but thrilling process. First, I write notes for the illustrator and describe each character and scene. Then, based on descriptions, the illustrator creates the characters. We go back and forth frequently with the first sketches until we get it right and we are both satisfied. After that, the illustrator is working on the sketches and I keep writing. It takes a long time before I see how the illustrations will appear in book form. Before the coloring stage, we correct every small detail. Each illustration must represent the story correctly. Usually I do not see the coloured illustrations until they are completed. Once they are coloured, I can finally see my words transformed into pictures. However, the work does not stop there. We still correct images, check faces for consistency, and other small elements that we may have overlooked during the sketching stage. Sometimes it takes time and sometimes it goes easy, but it is worth our sweat and efforts, because a child who spends time with a well-written and well-illustrated book will want to read it over and over, and eventually will grow into a lifelong reader.
Q: If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a lot of people—what would that message be?
A: I cannot say it better than I wrote in one of my books, The Trees Have Hearts:
Stop your busy life for a moment and take time for you and your child. Close your eyes and go to a special place, where everything is simple and pure. Cuddle with your child on the green grass or golden sand… stare at the beautiful blue sky… listen to the splashing waves… spin around in a blooming garden or talk to the whispering wind. Look around you and see what is important in life and to your child.
Stop and breathe… Be a child for a moment… Dive into their imaginary world, where you can hide in the shadows of blossoming trees. Do not lose this precious time together; our children grow so fast and I believe that these special moments are given to us for a reason. Hug your children every chance you get; reassure them that they are loved. They have their worries and fears, ideas and solutions as we do. Our children need us to be present in their dreams. Try to listen and hear what they are hearing and see what they are seeing. Love simple things with an open heart and you will receive unconditional love. Teach your children, lead them through their life, but let them run free in their imaginary kingdom.
Q: Do you ask yourself questions or do you settle for what you know?
A: I am a restless soul. I need to know as many things as my poor brain can handle. My mom said I was a very determined child, always hungry for knowledge. When I was in first grade, the teacher gave us homework to write a tricky letter, which we learned that day. Back in those days, we learned calligraphy and wrote with an ink pen. I could not get that tricky letter right, and I asked my mom for help, but she was too busy working on the farm. I struggled all evening, and then the electricity went off and I went to sleep. Mom cheated, and did my homework at night using a kerosene lamp. The next day the teacher gave it a huge “1”=“F”, the worst and only bad grade I ever received. I did not go home after school. I was sitting under a bridge, writing hundreds of letters until I ran out of paper and ink. I was writing that letter on the ground until I got it right. It was deep night when my father found me under the bridge still practising my writing. I do not think I ever settled for anything in my life. I like challenges.
Q: When it’s all said and done—will you have said more or done more?
A: Don’t we all? Yes, I am as guilty as anyone. If I could, I would. But as my grandpa would say: after the battle, there’s no need to swing fists. What is done is done and what is said is said. A word is not a bird; once you let it go, you can’t catch it. Usually I try to fix things and put them behind me. It is not fun to sleep with a restless conscience.
Q: Which activities make you lose track of time?
A: I am a child of nature. I grew up in the Carpathian Mountains and love the outdoors. I love the forest and the wind. I was always fascinated by the trees, the way they care for each other, the love they share, and the wisdom they have. I am a wind-worshiper. I can listen to its soothing whispers all day, taking my mind away from this earth. I love walking on the beach when the world is sleeping. I find peace in the splashing waves, which are calming and comforting, recharging my soul and body. I love the coolness of the morning breeze, brushing my shoulders and hair. I love getting lost in old cities with narrow streets and glorious buildings, thinking of people who walked on the same side of the road as I do. I love spending time with history in museums, antique or thrift stores, libraries and old bookstores. I would love to get lost in many places, but the reality is that life often takes me in different directions.
Q: What’s your single greatest moment of personal failure? Looking back on it now, did it make you weaker or stronger? What did you learn?
A: Life is an ocean of problems with tiny sparkles of happiness. Over the years, I learned that every one of my failures was a blessing in some way. I am who I am now because I failed many times, and every time I fell on my face, I learned something. I learned how to fight life. I did not necessarily like it, but each of my failures made me get up and look for a new way out. It forced me to move forward and pushed me closer to my destination. I cried, I complained, and I hated it. I doubted my strength, my dignity, my ability. “Why me? What have I done wrong? Why don’t things work my way?” I thought I would never forget my devastations. But God always works in mysterious ways; as soon one door closes, a second door opens. Now, looking back at my failures, they look more like successes, a good graduate school. As my grandpa would say, if you want to get somewhere, you must move; if you want to cross the river, you must wet your shoes. Simple and true.
Q: Joy is found with simple awareness. What does your joy look like today?
A: I am a grandmother now. I am blessed with two beautiful grandchildren and one more on its way. I finally have time to sit and play with my grandsons. Moving from place to place, country to country, job to job, I missed many beautiful moments when my own children were young. I wish I could reverse time and have these moments with my girls. We can have all the wealth in the world, but we cannot buy back the lost moments. The older I get, the more I value time with my family and friends.
Q: If your life was a novel, what would be the title and how would your story end?
A: The story of the little girl praying on the hill would finish the way she was dreaming. She found the way out and finally felt loved. Life beat her everywhere she turned, but like most children from her village, she survived. She left home when she was 16 and went looking for a better life in different places. She did not return home for a long time. She hated that God-forgotten place, surrounded by beautiful nature, but rotten to the last bone. Once in a while, she came back to check on her mother, still suffering from an abusive man. When she became a mother, she finally understood why her mom never left her father. Recently, her family sent her a picture of the vanishing village she was born in. She smiled. She was glad that this hideous place was coming to an end. God did not want to answer her prayers when she was a little girl, but He finally took care of this disintegrating place. Despite delay, it is disappearing from the face of the earth. Yes, God made a mistake and dropped her in the wrong place, but now she knows why He did it. She would never become the person she is today if she had not learned His lessons. Every day she thinks how blessed she is. She pulled herself out of the life that almost destroyed her. It was not easy to survive in this unfairly divided world, but what did not kill her, made her strong. This is my title...
I happened to be present at the Galloway Public
Library yesterday where there was a reading in progress, featuring this
delightful story. I could tell by the enraptured expressions of the children
that they were actually absorbing the important messages conveyed by the author
regarding this story, and why one must have rules and obey them.
Mrs. D. has a way of capturing life's most valuable lessons, while keeping children captivated with her top-notch illustrations. I had a few laugh out loud moments because of some unexpected twists in the story, which proved to me Mrs. D. is no ordinary children’s book author. Savvy is the word that comes to mind.Mrs. D. delves straight into the heart of matters, using the mischievous Carlo the Mouse, a youngster being raised in a hospital. Although Carlo is born in this sterile environment, he faces grave dangers outside the confines of his little home. While the little mouse is ready to jump headlong into his adventures and explorations the hospital, Mama and Papa Mouse warn him there are certain situations, people, and places to avoid, or he will face terrible consequences.
Just as humans guide their offspring away from
danger, so it is with Carlo’s parents. I can’t wait to read Book Two of the
series, so I can find out if Carlo is mindful of his parent’s warnings or if
curiosity will get the better of this eager little mouse!
Susan Jean Ricci and her husband Joe live in a lovely New Jersey town near the sea. Together they have seven children and nine grandchildren. An award-winning, internationally read, From Womens' Pens author and humorist, Susan is best known for her series of works titled Cindy's Crusades that includes two novels, Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems and The Sugar Ticket, the short chronicle Twilight and Chickadees, and a collection of short stories titled Heart Marks the Spot.
She has also published what she refers to as her sometimes controversial rants in the Asbury Park Press. Her nonfiction articles have appeared in Parenting Teen Magazine, Aim Intercultural Magazine, and Good Dog Magazine. Susan has won several awards via the Writer's Digest 78th Annual Writer's Contest and the Philadelphia Writer's Conference. Her short stories A Super Sandy Christmas and The Christmas Cardinal will appear in Annie Acorn's 2014 Christmas Treasury.
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