Meaningful Children’s Books: Runaway Clothes and The Royal Palm

Originally published in Mother/Daughter&Son Book Reviews 

 

$50 Book Blast Giveaway + Reviews: Two New Books by Mrs. D (December 2014)

09 Dec 2014

book blast, children's books, early chapter, giveaway, lessons, picture books

by Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews

About Book 1

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.

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MOM SAYS

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.

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MOM SAYS

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 and Good 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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* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: January 9, 11:59 pm, 2015

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please go to: http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/50-book-blast-giveaway-reviews-two-new-books-by-mrs-d-december-2014/

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Mrs. D and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to:

Renee@MotherDaughterBookReviews.com

THANK YOU! 

Should Every Children’s Book Have a Happy Ending?

When I was a little girl, I grew up on the classic children’s books from countries around the world. Translated into Ukrainian or Russian, these books hardly had any illustrations, or they were hidden in the middle or back of the book. Most of them were black and white, leaving my imagination to fill in the details. Books like that left me yearning for more. I tried to re-create the characters on paper, coloring them with my old pencils. They may not have looked the way I wanted, but their images stuck in my mind for months. They fed my hungry imagination from the time I opened my eyes, making me reread the book many times.

Not all the books I read as a child had a happy ending. They were written in different times and countries, reflecting the reality of the Old World and the culture of the countries they were from. Sometimes the stories were too cruel and sad for my tender years, making me sob in the closet. I disliked it when my favorite hero or heroine died or didn’t turn out the way I had expected. After I stopped sobbing, I sat in my hiding spot and thought about what went wrong with my heroes. Why had they made mistakes that caused them to be killed? Why didn’t the prince kill the dragon or marry his princess? Why did the wolf eat the cute goat, which was so kind and happy?

Thinking about the story I just read, I had more “whys” than answers. That is when I learned to analyze the characters’ behaviors, actions toward others, and missteps they made throughout the story. Scrutinizing facts, I found the answers, which made me feel better. To my surprise, my heroes and heroines weren’t always as positive as I thought at first. I understood they finished badly because they did not learn from their mistakes. Sometimes I did not find anything wrong with the characters, and I felt angry that the sneaky fox had eaten the adorable chicken I had fallen in love with. But that is how life worked on our farm, in our village, and in the world I knew. I accepted my loss with tears in my eyes and moved on to the next book. 

Did I really yearn for the bad dragon to turn into the good kitten and start twirling around the princess’ legs? Not really. I wanted the dragon to be a dragon—powerful, bad, and scary—so I could compare it to the good prince and powerless princes. I wanted to understand the difference between life and death, good and evil, power and powerlessness, kindness and selfishness. I wanted to read between the lines and make my own statement about the story and characters. I am sure millions of children who grew up on those types of books did the same. Did we all turn out to be bad or outcasts because we read books that did not have happy endings? I am sure those books did not make us killers, robbers, or dreadful human beings. But then it was a different time and country.

Times and books have changed dramatically since I was a child. Books with unhappy endings are no longer popular. Now critics and most readers favor books with happy endings. They think that this type of book is good and right for children. And they are, but these books are not the only books that show good examples and teach useful lessons. Today children’s books are heavily illustrated and the words have shrunk almost to nothing. Are we robbing our children of their imagination? Why are we afraid to write books close to reality? God forbid that the story should make a child upset or cry.

I do not remember the name of the book, but I remember a story I read to my daughter when she was four. It was about a dog left behind by his owner, who could not take him to Siberia, where he had been relocated for his job. Missing his owner, the dog broke free. Looking for his owner, he covered thousands of dangerous miles in bitter weather, sleeping in the snow, fighting wolves and bears, getting caught in traps and escaping bad people. Many months later, he finally arrived at his destination, but sadly, the owner had gone to the train station to return to his hometown to bring his dog to his new place. The train was picking up speed when the dog, scenting his owner, whirled around the corner, to see the disappearing train with his owner peering through the window in the other direction, not realizing that his dog was chasing the train.

I was screaming, “Stop that train! Turn your head, jerk! The dog is here!” But my little girl had a different opinion. “It’s not the owner’s fault, Mommy. He didn’t know the dog was looking for him,” she said, sobbing. I was stunned at such wisdom. She did not see the negative side of the ending as I did; she saw the misfortune of reality. Yes, the story had a very sad ending and we both cried, but it gave us a great opportunity to discuss many things about loyalty, love, compassion, bravery, bad and good choices, and why not every story has a happy ending.

My daughter is 33 years old now, and we still cry when we talk about this story. I will always remember my little girl’s summary of this book: “Sometimes things happen because that is how things are.” This book probably taught her more than a dozen books with happy endings. It taught her to look differently on our world and younger friends, the animals. Since we read that book, she has wanted to take home every stray cat and dog. Some of them we did…

Critics often criticize children’s books that do not have happy endings. Good Morning, World!, my award-winning book, falls into this category. It almost landed me on the “Grandpa’s Hit List” because I made the character of the grandpa slightly grumpy and negative. This story takes the reader to the park, where Grandpa and his little grandson are taking a walk one fine morning. The day was hot, and Grandpa did not enjoy the outdoors as much as Baby Thomas did. Every little thing that amused Baby Thomas bothered grouchy Grandpa. Obviously, Grandpa woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. However, his little grandson had a wonderful time, while collecting “good mornings,” meeting people, animals, birds, and other creatures in the park.

Baby Thomas looked at the world through the eyes of an innocent child. Beautiful examples to all of us: Open your eyes and celebrate each moment! The world has so much to offer; we just must look for it as children do. Grandpa, on the other hand, did not share the baby’s happy attitude. He did not like the hot sun baking him like a cupcake. His negative disposition robbed him of the fun his grandson enjoyed so much. Sometimes we grown-ups fail to see the beauty this world has to offer. Often, I am as guilty as Grandpa.

Recently I submitted GoodMorning, World! for the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. I am perfectly okay that this book did not win an award. I am sure there are many great books that deserved this award. What I am not okay with is the judge’s statement about Grandpa’s character.  Why must Grandpa awake to the fact that he is missing the beautiful world around him? I purposely left this part for the children to discover. I want them to see what Grandpa is missing by being grumpy and unhappy. I want them to have a healthy conversation about their choices and behavior.

Judge’s commentary:

Good Morning, World! is an optimistic look at the world through the eyes of a toddler. The author has created a whimsical story full of positivity and humor that parents will no doubt appreciate. The illustrations are WONDERFUL and greatly support and contribute to the sense of beauty throughout the story. The ending is particularly rewarding as the reader experiences all the main character’s joy at once, all the “Good mornings” he picked up during his walk.

The repetition in the story is great, as is the contrast between Grandpa and Baby Thomas. That said, the reader is left wanting to see some character development/transformation in the Grandpa’s character. As scene-by-scene transpires, you can’t help but think that Grandpa’s eyes are opening to what he’s missing, especially when he sees himself reflected in the strolling mother-on-a-cellphone. But his eyes never do open, leaving the story feeling as though it stopped short.

Nonetheless, children will enjoy this title and LOVE the accompanying pictures. The author should be proud of this title!

I strongly disagree with this judgment. Grandpa experienced everything Baby Thomas did, but he chose not to see what his grandson was seeing. I am sure at one time he enjoyed this world as much as his grandson did. If he changes his mood and starts screaming “Good Morning” to everyone and everything he passes, will kids learn a greater lesson than if he complains about everything he sees? What is left to the child’s imagination and discussion if we chew every word for them? Recklessly, Grandpa already punished himself for missing all the fun that Baby Thomas had.

I am glad Good Morning, World! touches critics’ and readers’ nerves. I love mixed reviews. They prove that we need these types of books. We are often afraid to teach children real things. We want them to see the world through rose-colored glasses. But reality is not always rosy. I think we should be more honest with children about the real world, so they can be more prepared to face it one day. Children are like sponges, and of course, children’s writers must be very careful with their words. Like my kids and me, children will learn how to benefit from both types of books.

Readers have different tastes and views about the books they read. Writing this book, I wanted to show a different side of human nature. Busy with many things, we grown-ups often forget how to see the world through the eyes of a child. The character of Grandpa was exaggerated for a reason. The key message of this book is simple: each of us has a choice, whether to wake up happy or dismal. I also wanted to show children how two people seeing the same things can draw totally different conclusions. And, of course, I wanted children to have fun with the Grandpa character, which will show them how they may appear to others when they are grumpy.

Good Morning, World! is a book for children and parents who like to have a good discussion. This book is meant to spark a conversation about the attitudes we have and the choices we make. I hope that Good Morning, World! will remind people about the beautiful world outside and that we should let our children interact with nature more often.

PS. GoodMorning, World! was my observation of people and nature during my morning walks in the park. As a children’s writer, I try to create books that will mold the minds of children, forcing their brains to read between the lines, which they must do throughout their lives.

www.mrsdbooks.net 

Good Morning, World! is a two time award-winning children's book 

Thank you very much for reading my post! 
Best wishes…
Mrs. D. 

A Valuable Educational Tool for Children

Just like Barbara and Victor Mojica’s three previous children’s history books, their most recent work, Little Miss History Travels to Ford’s Theater, is a wonderful addition to the treasury of children’s books on American history. All four of their books are written in an easy-to-follow language for children. The illustrations are breathtaking and the story of Ford’s Theater captures and stimulates young minds and provides a foundation for children to begin to appreciate what it means to be an American. 

Writing this type of children's book, this talented team succeeds in providing the children of America with a much-needed lesson about American history. Through the well-written stories and astonishing artwork, they teach children what is good and virtuous. This is a wonderful educational book for children of any age to become familiar with the people and historical events that helped shape our great nation. All their stories are inspirational and guided by a moral purpose. Our children need to know about the past of our great country that they are privileged to live in.

Well written and illustrated, Little Miss History Travels to Ford’s Theater will help much younger children understand the history of America. The simplicity of the writing and length of this story make it perfect for a bedtime story. The historical facts are a great introduction to the story of our country and national heritage. Excellent vehicle for teaching our youngsters values that America was founded on. A truly wonderful addition to any teacher or parent's library, as well as excellent enrichment to any social studies curriculum. It is a captivating children's book on history that will shape a child's knowledge and make children proud to be citizens of the United States. Congratulations on another wonderful history book for our children! Your books are really inspiring and will be read by many.

Books That Teach Children American History

by  Mrs. Barbara Ann Mojica  (Author) ,  Mr. Victor Ramon Mojica  (Illustrator)

Biography

Barbara Ann Mojica is a historian and retired educator. She writes historical articles for the Columbia Insider under the banner "Passages." Using the whimsical character Little Miss History, Barbara hopes to inspire children to learn about historical people and places. Little Miss History's antics make reading nonfiction and fun-filled adventure. "Little Miss History Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE is her first stop. Our next journey to The Statue of Liberty is NOW AVAILABLE!

VICTOR RAMON MOJICA was born and raised in Manhattan, New York, but has lived in the Hudson Valley region since 1986 and now resides in Craryville, New York with his wife Barbara. He is an illustrator, cartoonist and writer with such works to his credit as the critically acclaimed, comic book series eugenus® ... The Next Step In Human Evolution!, which he created, wrote and illustrated. Victor has now written and illustrated his first children's book titled Captain Crossbones(™) in The Treasure Hunt, based on the comic strip appearing in The Columbia Insider, Pat Fisher and Ed Pollack, Publishers.

A fun children's book, which educates children about American history.

 Little Miss History Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE . 

Once again, Little Miss History takes readers on an exciting voyage through time!

Little Miss HISTORY Travels to The Statue of Liberty (Volume 2)

A charismatic and very captivating children's book!

Little Miss HISTORY Travel to SEQUOIA National Park (Volume 3)

I absolutely adore Little Miss History, with whom I’ve already developed a special bond. I cannot wait to see where she will take me next. The “Little Miss History” series is number 1 on my list when my grandsons will be old enough to read these books.

My recommendation to parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians: chose these books! You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. They are fun to read, great for children, and full of historical facts and educational lessons. I read them just for extra knowledge! It is never too late to learn! Crafted by a very talented team, Mr. and Mrs. Mojica, these books have so much to offer. Give your child a gift—knowledge.

Delightful read from Barbara Ann and Victor Ramon Mojica!

Authors of the Little Miss HISTORY series:
Little Miss HISTORY Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE
Little Miss HISTORY Travels to The STATUE of LIBERTY
Little Miss HISTORY Travels to SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

Little Miss History Travels to Ford’s Theater - NEW

WWW.LittleMissHISTORY.com