CARLO THE MOUSE,Book 2:NOW WE'RE TALKING!

Carlo the Mouse, Book 2: Now We’re Talking! 

Listen to the news and keep your eyes open, because a curious little mouse has had his wish come true! Now We’re Talking! is the second in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. This nosy little mouse leaves home for the first time to explore life inside the hospital.

 But Hospitalia is a strange place, and there’s no place for him to hide. Cold, sterile, and unfriendly, the hospital looks nothing like Carlo had imagined while sitting at home. Before he knows what’s up, the kitchen staff are on his tail. Will the hungry mouse manage to trick the hospital manager, cook, and exterminator without breaking the rules his parents taught him?

 You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next book on Carlo the Mouse, What’s Going On? If this clever mouse outwits you, don’t get discouraged. Keep reading and follow Carlo’s adventures!

  

FOR UPDATES, PLEASE VISIT:  WWW.MRSDBOOKS.NET

ILLUSTRATED BY CHANOA

Chanoa’s talent is apparent in each stroke of her pen. Her characters and illustrations are vibrant and vivid. Her work is soft and light, the soft touch of Japanese art mixed with a Western style. She is an extremely creative and devoted artist. She likes to create adorable mischievous characters in light pastel colors. She is also excellent in a realistic style. Experienced with both dark and light colors, Chanoa continues to work on my series of books on Carlo the Mouse. She is an extremely ambitious, creative, and talented young artist. 

Please visit her website, http://sketchbookinc.jimdo.com/, which she is still improving. She will impress you with her beautiful and unusual art.

Join Carlo the Mouse In This Delightful Series of Children's Books! Cool book trailer is here:

© All Rights Reserved by Mrs.D.Books.

MRS. D.'S BOOKS - LOOK INSIDE!!

CARLO THE MOUSE ON VACATION 

THE TREES HAVE HEARTS 

CARLO THE MOUSE 

THE CITY KITTENS AND THE OLD HOUSE CAT 

GOOD MORNING, WORLD! 

THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE INSIDE A CLOSET 



For updates, please visit www.mrsdbooks.net

Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse

Grab your boots and hold on to your hat, because you are in for an exciting trip! The new series of Carlo the Mouse has been born. Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse is the first in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. Each book will give readers an entertaining look into the life of a little mouse born inside a hospital’s walls. Clever, curious, and very impatient, Carlo the mouse dreams of the world outside the hospital. His parents teach him how to follow the rules and how to survive on his own, but Carlo’s insatiable desire for adventure constantly gets him in trouble. Will the little adventurer manage to survive when he leaves home? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next books on Carlo the mouse. Let your imagination soar in this full series of Carlo’s adventures!

Carlo the Mouse, Book 2: Now We're Talking!

Listen to the news and keep your eyes open, because a curious little mouse has had his wish come true! Now We’re Talking! is the second in a series of books on Carlo’s adventures. This nosy little mouse leaves home for the first time to explore life inside the hospital. But Hospitalia is a strange place, and there’s no place for him to hide. Cold, sterile, and unfriendly, the hospital looks nothing like Carlo had imagined while sitting at home. Before he knows what’s up, the kitchen staff are on his tail. Will the hungry mouse manage to trick the hospital manager, cook, and exterminator without breaking the rules his parents taught him? You’ll find out in Mrs. D.’s next book on Carlo the Mouse, What’s Going On? If this clever mouse outwits you, don’t get discouraged. Keep reading and follow Carlo’s adventures!

Carlo the Mouse, Book 3: What's Going On?

Trouble! Where did that ravenous little mouse come from who's disturbing the peace in the hospital? What's Going On? is the third in a series of books on the adventures of Carlo the mouse. Carlo knew he was not supposed to go near the manager's office, but when the kitchen staff were chasing him, he made a choice that started a war. This is only Carlo's first time out, and already everyone is after him. Imagine what could happen when he learns his way around the hospital! He likes to eat, and is growing like a mushroom after the rain. Will this be the end of our curious little mouse, or will Carlo manage to outsmart the clever manager, angry cook, and sneaky exterminator so he can go home safely? You'll find out in Mrs. D.'s next books on Carlo the mouse. Remember, Hospitalia is a strange place .

Carlo the Mouse, Book 4: Rules Are for a Reason

More trouble for the Most Wanted Mouse! The hospital cook, manager, and exterminator have proclaimed war against the mice of the world! Rules Are for a Reasonis the fourth in a series of books on Carlo the mouse. Always hungry, the curious little mouse snoops underneath each door, driving the hospital staff crazy. He’s constantly breaking the rules his parents taught him. One morning, Carlo wakes up sick. Horrified, he leaps from his bed and looks in the mirror—and finds he looks like a meatball! Fly disease? Mousesclerosis? Chickenpoxsclerosis? Sounds long! What sickness did the carefree mouse catch while exploring the hospital? Will Carlo turn into a chicken … or a frog … or maybe a prince? You’ll find out in the next book on Carlo’s adventures: Nothing Is Safe in a Mouse’s Life. If you want to know if Carlo will learn to follow the rules Papa Mouse and Mama Mouse taught him, you must read every day and follow your parents’ rules. More exciting adventures of Carlo the Mouse await you!

Carlo the Mouse, Book 5: Nothing is Safe in a Mouse's Life

A whisker-licking story of one kind little mouse! Who would ever suspect that Carlo would meet Fidel the cat inside the hospital? Who would ever believe that the tricky young mouse would outsmart the old cat? Who would ever imagine that for the first time in his life, the daring mouse would venture away from his home and find himself outside the hospital? Homeless, cold, and hungry, Carlo and his family face attacks from vicious birds. Throughout his dangerous journey, Carlo finds adventure aplenty. He learns about life outside the hospital and the dangers that mice face on a daily basis. Determined to return home safely, Carlo has grown up and finally understands why he must obey the rules his parents taught him. Follow the unexpected adventures of this bold little mouse!

Carlo the Mouse, Book 6: It's my life!

Once a mouse falls in love, almost anything can happen! His heart skips a beat! He can't eat, drink, or sleep! He is tossing in bed, losing rest and extra fat! He bleaches his brown hair and becomes a blond mouse! What is going on with Carlo? Papa Mouse is distressed. Is he getting a heart attack? Carlo looks like a bleached punk! Mama Mouse is in shock. Their little mouse has grown up, and he is in love with a cute mouse. He is getting married, dear friends! The young mouse gets his wish. He soon has a pretty wife and a bunch of kids, but he still dreams of seeing the world. Life is short, and a day can hold many adventures. Sliding off a roof, Carlo falls inside an open car trunk . Kick off your boots, hold your hats, and enjoy this book, my little friends.

I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks for reading this post and visiting my blog. 

The tale of Carlo the Mouse by STEVE PRISAMENT

The tale of Carlo the Mouse

Last Updated on Tuesday, March 05, 2013 02:49 amWRITTEN BY STEVE PRISAMENTTuesday, March 05, 2013 12:00 am

 

GALLOWAY – Probably the hardest part of writing children’s stories for Mrs. D – Olga D’Agostino – is making her characters’ lives as interesting as her own.

“I was born in West Ukraine in 1959,” she said. “I grew up on a farm in a village nestled in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains. As a child, I was surrounded by nature and the real world - without TV and toys. I learned to read by the age of four, and books then became a huge part of my life.”

Growing up during the post–World War II recovery she ran after the truck delivering bread; ice cream trucks did not exist in her part of the world.

She shared these times with more than a dozen readers at the Galloway branch of the Atlantic County Library Saturday, Feb. 23.

“To escape the harsh reality of everyday hard farm labor, I created my own imaginary world populated with characters from books,” D’Agostino said. “Once you enter the world of books, you can be everywhere and everyone; you just have to imagine it.”

She learned early the importance of getting a good education.

“Everything else can be taken away from you, but education will stay with you forever,” D’Agostino said. “It is your investment for life. I studied hard, and at age of 16 I finished high school near the top of my class and entered business college.”

According to her husband, Patrick D’Agostino, she became a nutritionist and then a factory manager where she was feeding 3,000 people a day.

“The Soviet Union was breaking up in 1992,” he said. “The ruble was over 100 times devalued. She wanted to get to America – and finally did through Catholic Charities – with the coats on their backs and a couple of hundred dollars each.”

She came to this country with two small daughters.

“Not knowing the English language and not having children’s books to read, I created my own stories,” Olga D’Agostino said. “At bedtime, I told those stories to my children. Unfortunately, we did not write them down, and they disappeared from our memories.”

Five years later she met her future husband, Patrick.

“We met in ’97 at a benefit for Ukrainian doctors coming in,” Patrick D’Agostino said.

“She was the interpreter. She speaks four languages fluently.”

D’Agostino owned Bagel Gourmet in Smithville from 1989 to 2006.

“I speak a few languages fluently, but was always terrified to write in English,” Olga D’Agostino said. “However, I love to write, so last year I decided to learn how to write in English. I decided not to take any courses or go back to school. I did it fast, like a surgeon - painful but curing.”

Her two-finger typing on her daughter’s old computer was corrected by her husband and daughters.

With a lot of encouragement from her husband, D’Agostino finally was able to write well in English.

Carlo the Mouse fell unexpectedly into Olga D’Agostino’s lap.

“To be accurate, it fell into the trunk of our car,” D’Agostino said. “It was a sunny day when my husband and I visited my father in a Florida hospital. Leaving the hospital, my husband pulled his car in front of the entrance and started packing our belongings in the trunk. While I waited, I stood on the sidewalk and, shading my eyes with my palm, looked out at the coast, which was bathed in brilliant light.”

Suddenly, a little mouse slid down the canopy that covered the hospital entrance and fell inside their trunk.

“Stunned, I closed my mouth with my hand,” D’Agostino said. “My husband looked at me in disbelief. Before we knew it, the unwelcome guest had disappeared between our luggage. Laughing, I could hardly believe my good luck. A story about a hospital mouse was unfolding in front of my eyes.”

They tried to scare the little intruder out by making noise and moving the luggage, but the sneaky mouse disappeared without a trace.

“Upset, Mr. D, who is highly allergic to any hairy creature, opened all the car doors and unpacked the trunk,” D’Agostino said. “Watching him, I saw an opportunity for a story.”

The story of the hospital mouse that decided to go on vacation became “Carlo the Mouse On Vacation.”

“With no other choice, we drove back to New Jersey with the mouse in our trunk,” D’Agostino said. “Watching my husband traveling for 18 hours with a mouse inside our car is another story. Someday I will make a comic book about a shrewd mouse and the annoyed Mr. D.”

Her husband jumped at the slightest noise.

“Besides being allergic to animal hair, my husband was also apparently scared of mice,” D’Agostino said. “Sneezing nonstop, he finally made it home. As he parked in the garage, he opened the trunk and left our car and its hidden occupant to the cat.”

The next day, Olga D’Agostino found Carlo sitting on the edge of the car trunk staring at their cat, Nyda, who was lying on top of the car.

“They appeared to be having a pleasant conversation,” D’Agostino said. “I quietly walked away.”

And began the process of giving birth to the Carlo the Mouse 10-book series.

“After I published ‘Carlo the Mouse on Vacation,’ some readers wanted to know what type of life Carlo lived in the hospital before he fell into our trunk,” D’Agostino said.

That led to six more Carlo books – a series still growing.

Three new Carlo the Mouse books will be released soon: “Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse,” “Now We're Talking!” and “What's Going On?”

Also coming soon are “Who Is Most Important in the Fridge?” - three fun rhyming stories, and “The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet.”

D’Agostino loves reading, writing, gardening, and traveling. Her children’s books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular devices.

The D’Agostinos live in the Smithville section of Galloway with Nyda the cat. For updates on Mrs. D.’s books, see her websites, www.mrsdbooks.net or www.mrsdbooks.com.

My Journey as a Writer

My Journey as a Writer

By Mrs.D.

While preparing for a book reading at the local library of one of my books, The Trees Have Hearts, I looked at my newly printed books on the glass table. Still smelling like fresh ink, they shone with beautiful colors, reflecting in the mirror on the wall. The adorable characters jumped from the brightly illustrated covers, making me smile. It has been quite a journey since I submitted my first manuscript to the publisher in 2011. As a self-publishing author, I choose an uneasy road, one that’s bumpy and often covered in sharp thorns. There are many articles written by authors who have shared their knowledge and experience in publishing their books. However, this article is not about my journey as a self-published author. This article is about all the wonderful people I have met while working on my books. Great people, who took interest in transforming my words into printed books.

When I was a little girl, nobody read us moral stories on how to make a loaf of bread. I grew up on a farm in a village where every child knew what it takes to make a loaf of bread from scratch, starting before the seed is planted in the soil. Looking at my glossy, colorful children’s books, with their images dancing in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow, I know how much work lies behind every word I wrote. It took a village, and to be correct, a team of talented people, to make one small children’s book.

On my journey as a self-published author, I was lucky to meet many fantastic people and talented artists, who may not have worked on my books directly but were gracious enough to give me great advice or encourage me to move forward with my stories. One of them was Jim Harris, an amazing and very talented illustrator, whose beautiful art I have long admired. Genial and warm, he took time from his busy schedule and looked at my ten manuscripts of Carlo the Mouse. Even though he could not work on my project at that time, he wrote a beautiful note, encouraging me to look for an illustrator who would meet my needs. If you like whimsical characters, I would highly recommend visiting his site, http://www.jimharrisillustrator.com/. I promise you will have a great time exploring his brilliant art.

Searching for an illustrator for my new books Good Morning, World! and Runaway Clothes, I met Izabela Ciesinska, a wonderful illustrator who lives in Canada. I fell in love with her art the minute I saw her adorable illustrations of two of the cutest babies you would ever see. They melted my heart. Izabela writes, directs, and produces short films and has illustrated many beautiful children’s books. She read my stories and gave me wonderful advice on how to improve one of my stories. She had a great vision for Good Morning,World! and presented it clearly in her descriptions. Unfortunately, her babies were not available for my project. I am confident that one day our roads will cross again and we will create a beautiful children’s book together. Please stop by to see her beautiful art at http://www.izzipics.com/.

I was fortunate to meet a great editor, Frank Steele, a humble man who helps many writers bring their work to the world. He is a very devoted editor who works so hard on all my projects and has made a huge difference in my professional life. I feel privileged to work with Frank, who takes pride in what he does and is committed to any project I submit. Because of him, my self-publishing journey has been much easier and much more fulfilling. Since I’ve met Frank, I’ve learned a lot about writing and publishing, and we have become good friends. Frank is very professional, helpful, and never late. Please visit his website, http://www.steele-editing.com/, and you will feel as if you’ve met an old friend.

I looked at the smiling Carlo the Mouse, bursting with laughter on the cover of my book Carlo the Mouse on Vacation, and I could not help but think about a young, talented illustrator from the Philippines, still waiting for her big break. Chanoa worked on my first two published books, Carlo the Mouse on Vacation and The Trees Have Hearts. Her amazing illustrations are full of color and fun. I just want to hug an adorable little mouse winking at me from the cover of the book. I absolutely adore her beautiful work on my second book, The Trees Have Hearts. She brought this book to life. Her illustrations are stunning! I am ready to dance with a little girl, twirling between three blossoming trees. Chanoa’s talent is apparent in each stroke of her pen. Her characters and illustrations are vibrant and vivid. Her work is soft and light, the soft touch of Japanese art mixed with a Western style. She is an extremely creative and devoted artist. She likes to create adorable mischievous characters in light pastel colors. She is also excellent in a realistic style. Experienced with both dark and light colors, Chanoa continues to work on my series of books on Carlo the Mouse. She is an extremely ambitious, creative, and talented young artist. Please visit her website,http://sketchbookinc.tumblr.com/, which she is still improving. She will impress you with her beautiful and unusual art.

I will never forget a wonderful man with a warm heart and great vision for any project, MikeMotz. This talented illustrator and publisher from Canada is very professional, direct, and hardworking. He has golden hands and a good eye for children’s books. As we well know, the major book publishers prefer to publish children’s books with generic themes that appeal to the broadest global audience. Mike has chosen to work with self-published authors, those who write not only feel-good books but also books that deal with sensitive issues. Some of his clients are elderly or terminally ill, men and women who would like to see their stories published. His great team of talented illustrators illustrated my book The City Kittens and the Old House Cat. This book is filled with a heart-warming holiday feeling, winter scenes, charming characters, and life. Each illustration looks warm, inviting, and very beautiful. You can contact Mike Motz and his team at motzartwork@gmail.com

I am thrilled and very lucky to work with the brilliant and exceptionally talented illustrator Eladziem, who illustrated my children’s picture book, Good Morning, World! and is now working on my second project, The Mysterious Life Inside a Closet. Funny, creative, and very artistic, he always has some surprise up his sleeve. His amazing ideas make characters unique and unforgettable. Children love his choice of colors and the funny characters he creates for each scene. His richly colored illustrations have a magic feeling and texture. He works in any style you wish. Please take the time to explore the art of this talented artist at http://eladziem.com/. Color, mystery, and unforgettable characters will grab your attention from the very first page! Have fun browsing his artistic site.

Working with Dog Ear Publishing, the second self-publishing company I’ve used, has been a surprisingly good experience. Their team is very professional, affordable, and easy to work with. My new book The City Kittens and the Old House Cat has gone to print and will be available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and as an e-book in a week. Carlo the Mouse, Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse, and Good Morning, World! are still in the publishing stage and will be available in a few months. Working on my books, I have met many wonderful people who work for Dog Ear. They’ve created excellent galleys, covers, and e-books. Their professional team took an interest in each of my books and led me through every step of the self-publishing journey. I plan to continue working with Dog Ear and submitting my new projects to them. I highly recommend this company to anyone who chooses the self-publishing road. For information on their services, please visit their website, http://dogearpublishing.net.

Each book carries a different message, but they all have something in common. It takes the soul, heart, and labor of many people to create one small book. I may be the author of these beautifully made books, but it took “a village of people” to bring them to the reader. I know there are many more people I’ve never met behind each of my books, people who worked so hard and contributed a part of themselves to every page.

What will I tell my little readers when I read them my book, The Trees Have Hearts? I will tell them that I am enormously thankful to the extraordinary people who put so much effort into this small book and made my dreams come true. I will tell my little readers to treat books as their friends, and that when they read this small book, they should look for the smiles of these wonderful people, watching them reading from behind every word, page, and illustration.

© All Rights Reserved by Mrs.D.Books.

For updates, please visit: www.mrsdbooks.net


Thank you!

Join MRS. D. with her books, Carlo the Mouse on Vacation and The Trees Have Hearts, for book reading and signings at Galloway Township Library.

Attention all book lovers, children’s literature enthusiasts, parents, grandparents, family and friends!

BOOK READING AND SIGNING AT GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

If you like to read to your children and want your children to read educational, meaningful, inspiring, and just fun stories, then this event is for you. Please join MRS. D. with her books, Carlo the Mouse on Vacation and The Trees Have Hearts, for book reading and signings at 

Galloway Township Library.

                             Saturday, FEBRUARY 23, 1 p. m.

306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road

609-652-2352

ALL WELCOME!!!

About the Author

Mrs. D. (Olga D’Agostino), author of children’s books, grew up in western Ukraine, where she finished Lviv business college. She immigrated to the United States in 1992 with her two small daughters and for years worked in her own business, Famous Bagel Gourmet. She is a member of SCBWI, speaks a few languages fluently, and loves reading, writing, gardening, and traveling. Her children’s books Carlo the Mouse on Vacation and The Trees Have Hearts were recently published. The City Kittens and the Old House Cat, Good Morning, World! and Carlo the Mouse – Book 1: Too Many Rules for One Little Mouse are coming soon and will be available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular e-devices. The full series of Carlo theMouse and her new books TheMysterious Life Inside a Closet and Who Is Most Important in the Fridge? are in the illustration stage. Mrs. D. lives in Smithville, New Jersey, with her husband, Patrick, and adorable Nyda the cat.

For updates on Mrs. D.’s future books, please visit her websites: www.mrsdbooks.net or www.mrsdbooks.com.

 Available now for signing (SOFT COVER):

CARLO THE MOUSE ON VACATION- $18.99

THE TREES HAVE HEARTS- $18.99

 The Trees Have Hearts

This enchanting story will touch your heart ... The beautiful illustrations will reveal the story of a young girl in a strange place and lost in a strange language. It will take your child into the imaginary world of a little girl who moved to America from a different country. Unable to speak English, the lonely girl could not find friends. She lived in an old house with a small garden, where three blooming trees and the mysterious wind became her first imaginary friends ...

Carlo the Mouse on Vacation

A funny story, full of the adventures and troubles of Carlo the mouse, who lives a simple life in a Florida hospital but always dreams of greater things. In this vibrant picture book, a daring mouse takes center stage in an adventure even bigger than his appetite. Join Carlo the Mouse in this delightful picture book.

From Mrs.D.

I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks for reading this post and visiting my blog.