Molly the Mermaid earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Molly the Mermaid, by Cari Lyn, is the delightful tale of a day in the life of a young mermaid as she and her marine friends frolic at sea. Molly likes to spin around in the water and hold tea parties with her fun loving friends who include a dolphin and an octopus.  Beautiful illustrations are a perfect fit for this lovely book with a wonderfully magical plot.

Molly the Mermaid comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

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Wildflower Ranch earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Wildflower Ranch, by Stefani Carmichael, is the story of Alyssa, a young girl whose little brother is autistic.  Alyssa and her brother Ethan have a very special bond; she knows when and what he must eat, and what needs to be done to keep from triggering emotional upsets that can be traumatic for her brother.   Most importantly, she knows what makes him happy.  When Alyssa's mother disappears, she does her best to take care of Ethan by herself, fearing that if they are taken into protective custody, they might be separated.

For a while, Alyssa manages to take care of her brother on her own.  But ultimately she must accept her limitations and take help from others.  As she learns to have a little faith, she comes to realize that it is okay to lean on others for support. 

Wildflower Ranch is a great book for young readers and includes elements of drama and adventure in a story with a powerful message of hope and faith. This book comes highly recommended and has earned our Seal of Approval

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Fair Minded Fran - an excellent teaching tool for educators

Fair Minded Fran and the Three Small Black Community Cats, by Linda Elder, provides educators with a tool to teach and inform children about Feral Cats and the issues concerning their growing populations. Feral Cats, or Community Cats, as they are often called, are felines which have been born outside to a mother cat that has most likely always lived outside. If these cats are not introduced to domesticity within the first 10 to 12 weeks of their life, they will most likely never be able to do so. A Feral Cat will rarely live beyond the first one or two years of life because it is often unable to find food.

In Elder's book, young Fran discovers three Community Cats living on school property and is concerned for their well-being. When she tries to get others involved to ensure the cats have food, she discovers a complacent attitude from many around her. Through much persistence, and only after soliciting the help of her school principal, she finally helps get others in her school involved in providing for the care and feeding of the animals.

Dr. Elder, an educational psychologist, skillfully addresses the issue of Feral Cats, while introducing children to the concepts of compassion, persistence, environmental stewardship and critical thinking. 

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What's in the Garden? by Marianne Berkes earns our Seal of Approval

What's in the Garden? by Marianne Berkes, is a wonderful book in rhyme which talks about many healthful and delicious foods that come from the ground.  With each turn of the page, kids will discover interesting facts about treasures from the garden, along with fun and simple ways to prepare them. 

As the book continues, readers will discover even more intriguing tidbits of information about fruits and vegetables, including the parts of a plant and how they grow.  Illustrations by Cris Arbo are incredibly detailed and expressive, and are a perfect complement to this book which fosters a love for eating healthful foods while providing a highly educational resource. 

This book is highly recommended for both home and school libraries. 

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The Three Little Tamales, by Eric Kimmel, has earned our Seal of Approval

  

The Three Little Tamales, by Eric Kimmel, is the adorable adaptation of the commonly known children's book,  "The Three Little Pigs".  Kimmel's inventive retelling of this story includes three tamales who do not wish to be eaten.  When the tamales run away, they each build a different structure in which to live.  But when Senior Lobo (the big bad wolf) decides to make a meal out of them, he learns he is no match for the wits of these clever little tamales. 

Kimmel's literary talents are perfectly paired with wonderfully expressive and utterly delightful illustrations provided by Valerie Docampo.  This is a splendid book which also incorporates morsels of the Spanish language throughout the book helping kids to learn a bit of Spanish as they enjoy the antics of the three little tamales.

The Three Little Tamales comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

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Owlet earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Iris is a seventeen year old girl who suffers from severe asthma.  Her life has been quite sheltered, in part due to her poor health; but there seems to be more to the story than just that.  Her world is shrouded in mystery and her father seems bent on keeping her in the dark on so many issues. 

For as long as she can remember, she has lived with her father and a woman named Diana, who home-schools and provides care for her. For years Emma has had recurring dreams which she can't seem to put out of her mind. In particular, she dreams of an ethereal home on a secluded island. 

When Iris learns she will be traveling with Diana to the island home where her mother and father had once lived, her dreams start coming back to her in full force.  Iris, who has no recollection of the island, begins to realize the parallels between her dreams and the place where she now resides. 

As Iris begins to learn the truth behind her past, and the realities of her world, she comes to understand the sacrifices which have been made over the years to protect her from the secrets she has yet to fully discover.

Owlet, by Emma Michaels,  is a refreshingly unique book with an introduction which will entice and enthrall readers.  The book starts out very strong with a bit of a cliff-hanger for a finish.  Many unanswered questions will most surely be revealed in the sequel to this beautifully penned book.

Owlet has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

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Author Spotlight - PHC Marchesi

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
Ever since I can remember, I've made up stories. I always seemed to be daydreaming, inventing exciting places and adventures for myself. Often I'd run entire adventures in my head while doing something else! Once I was able to write, I began putting together home-made picture books of short stories with my own illustrations. The drawing habit eventually died off, and I focused more and more on writing as I composed several short stories as a teen. Eventually, the stories got so big I began to consider writing novels instead of short stories.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING?
As a kid, I remember writing little picture books that I illustrated and put together myself. I also remember writing for different occasions: for example, one of the earliest things I wrote was a eulogy on the death of a beloved pet fish. I didn’t know it was a eulogy back then, of course. All I knew was that I had to write something, because it was the only way I could deal with the situation. As I grew up and continued writing, I found that I preferred writing fantasy/sci-fi – especially since I spent a great deal of time daydreaming about different worlds. I always had so much imagination that the need to get it all onto paper was enormous - in a way, it was a huge relief not to have it all in my head.  I learned to put my feelings, experiences, and life observations within the alien worlds I created.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
My own life. When I was a teen, I moved from Brazil to Austria. I still remember, as if it were yesterday, the excitement I felt at the prospect of having a great adventure (that's how I thought about moving to a different country, where the language, culture, and climate were all different from what I was used to). I incorporated those memories into my novel, where thirteen-year-old Shelby and his twin sister Shauna go on an incredible adventure to a parallel dimension. All of my characters, in some way or other, exhibit behavior I've either observed through the years, or have experienced myself.

Before I moved to Vienna, I lived in Rio de Janeiro. Its amazing flora and fauna became the inspiration for Valmorax, the capital city of Miriax. Valmorax is a highly advanced city within the jungle – technology and nature blend in its organic architecture – and has many exotic creatures and plants. The international school environment also influenced my writing, since some of the customs and manners on Miriax are a blend of the many cultures and languages I was exposed to growing up.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST BOOK?
Yes. I’ve also published articles about literature, and have written the book and lyrics for several musicals, the latest of which is North and South, the Musical (http://www.northandsouththemusical.com).

TELL US  ABOUT YOUR NEXT BOOK:
I'm currently working on the sequel to Shelby and Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes. Writing a series has its own challenges, such as the balance between old and new elements and settings, but I’m excited to tackle these challenges and continue the coming-of-age journey of Shelby and Shauna. The most thrilling part of all is imagining incredible new places for them to visit on their new adventure. The novel will be available in May, and readers can purchase it online through the usual channels (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.).

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I have a P.h.D. in English, and teach British literature at Northern Arizona University.  I love teaching undergraduates and discussing literature!

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT OUR READERS MIGHT FIND FASCINATING ABOUT YOU:
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and lived there for several years until my family moved to Vienna, Austria. I attended the International School in Vienna, learned English and German (in addition to Portuguese, which was my native language), and met kids from all over the world. I also got the chance to travel to several countries, and experience different cultures. Eventually I came to the United States for college, and then graduate school.

WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Going for walks, reading, hanging out with my pets and my family, and having tea.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW/MOVIE?
To be honest, I’ve watched very little television recently. Between teaching and writing, I’ve had almost no time to sit in front of the TV and watch something from beginning to end. As a child, ET and the Star Wars trilogy were my favorite movies, and I was completely hooked on sci-fi shows such as Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Buck Rogers. Later it was Babylon 5 and Star Trek:Voyager, which I still enjoy to this day.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR?
The hardest challenge is finding time to write with a full-time teaching job. Another significant challenge is learning the odds and ends of publicity/marketing, and carving out additional time to promote my writing and make it visible to the public.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
The most important thing is to write your first draft. Don't agonize over whether it will be perfect. Since you have a story to tell, do it! It’s really that simple. From your first draft you can begin to polish and fix things. It's amazing how much a story develops from the first draft. If you worry too much about making the first draft perfect, however, chances are you'll stifle your story (or yourself) by demanding that everything fit perfectly on the first try. It's a draft - that's all it is. From there the fun begins.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON GETTING PUBLISHED?
Persistence. Persistence. And then more persistence.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
My novel is family-friendly and can be enjoyed by a wide age group. It follows thirteen-year-old brother-and-sister twins whose lives change drastically when a planet from a different dimension (Miriax) recruits them to seal a dimensional hole that allows evil aliens to travel to Earth. From that moment on, Shelby and Shauna Kitt find out that the universe is full of life-draining Klodians, space ghosts, cities in jungles, books that choose their readers, walls that spit, and tea houses serving lilac tea with mushrooms. Shelby and Shauna also discover certain special powers they have, and realize that those alone aren’t enough to defeat evil and turn them into heroes.

In spite of all the evil Shelby and Shauna Kitt have to face, the mood of the novel is joyful and optimistic. I wanted to empower young readers and highlight the value of friendship, teamwork, creativity, courage, and compassion. These are, I think, essential qualities for individual and global success in the 21st century.

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Losing It, by Erin Fry, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Every once in a while you come across a book this good... 

Losing It is the story of a young boy who shares his dad's passion for baseball and junk food.  But when his father suffers a stroke, Bennett is forced to move in with his aunt and her family.  Bennett resents his situation almost as much as he resents his meddling aunt and her health-nut-tendencies.  But he soon comes to realize that his poor eating habits, paired with his aversion to exercise, will not help him to live a happy and productive life.  

Genuine characters bring this story to life as young Bennett learns to find his inner strength along with the drive to succeed in ways he never dreamed were possible. You'll find yourself cheering for the "fat boy" as this unlikely hero conquers his weaknesses and fears and learns that sometimes it's OK to come in last.

Author, Erin Fry, has succeeded in creating a truly magnificent work of youth fiction.   Losing It is a triumph and a must-read for young audiences!

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Borrowed Wings, by Regina Puckett earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Borrowed Wings, written and illustrated by Regina Puckett, is the heartwarming story of a little dragon who aspires to spread his wings and fly.  Sadly though, his head is too big, his stomach is too round and his wings are too small.  So his mother says to him, "You may borrow my wings.  They are big enough to carry two."  --And off they go into the clouds where they create wonderful memories together. 

The young dragon eventually grows into his wings and is able to fly on his own. His friends begin to call him Mighty Dragon; and he goes off to explore the world and beyond.  But when he returns, his mother has grown old and frail.  Because she is no longer able to fly, the now Mighty Dragon tells her she may borrow his wings and the two share many special moments together flying and exploring the world and beyond. 

Regina Puckett has created a timeless tale about the circle of life which stirs the imagination and evokes warm feelings of the special bond between mother and child.  This book has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval and comes highly recommended.



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Life on Hold, by Beverly Stowe McClure earns the CLC Seal of Approval

Life on Hold, by Beverly Stowe McClure, is the poignant story of Myra, a sixteen year old girl who discovers a document revealing that the man she had always believed to be her biological father actually adopted her as a young child.  As she deals with feelings of confusion and betrayal, Myra contemplates whether to search for her missing father.

Working to find clarity and resolution, empowered by the enduring love of family and her close-knit group of friends, she learns the value of honesty and communication and ultimately comes to realize what family is really all about.

McClure exhibits rare talent in this story which follows a young girl on her journey to discovery as she struggles to be true to herself in this compelling coming-of-age novel. 

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Author Spotlight - Award Winning Author, Maranda Russell

 Maranda Russell

ON HER AWARD WINNING BOOK:  In Memory of Dad

 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING? I've been writing for enjoyment since early elementary school, I started writing professionally probably around 2 or 3 years ago.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING? My love for the written word. I am a reader foremost and all the great books I have read inspired me to write my own stories.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE? The loss of my father when I was a child. I wanted to write a realistic, but inspiring story about a girl losing her father.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST BOOK? In Memory of Dad is my first published book.  I have since published the following additional titles:  Weezie, the Elephant with Allergies, Ode to Icky , Not Afraid to Be Real - A Poetry Collection

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Yes, my next book will be a picture book entitled Pumpkin Pie Birthday and it will be published by 4RV Publishing. The story is about a little boy who decides he wants a pumpkin pie instead of a cake for his birthday, but then he decides he wants all the normal cake toppings on the pie (frosting, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc). By the time he is done, will the pie even be edible?

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: I am 30 years old and I currently live in Dayton, Ohio. Besides writing, I love to read, hike, dance, put together Lego sets, watch horror movies, listen to music and spend time with my family. I am also a foster parent, so I spend a lot of time doing stuff related to that.

TELL US SOMETHING FUN THAT OUR READERS MIGHT FIND INTERESTING ABOUT YOU: I have five cats and their names are Captain Jack, Einstein, Spyder Fli, Po Poe Mao and Ichabod.

WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Reading, spending time with nature, eating chocolate and taking bubble baths.

WHAT SHOWS DO YOU LIKE TO WATCH IN YOUR SPARE TIME? For TV shows I love "Dance Moms", "The Twilight Zone" and cartoons. As for movies, I like scary movies, but not those that are gory, I like psychological thrillers and paranormal stuff.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR? Probably motivation and keeping my attention on one project. I tend to have a bunch of ideas at once and sometimes struggle to just pick one and concentrate on it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS? If you don't really love to write, find something less frustrating to do, if you really do love to write, keep at it and don't give up.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON GETTING PUBLISHED? Build relationships with other authors, publishing houses, agents and anyone else in the business. Also, make sure your work is really top notch before submitting it.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? Just that I am deeply honored to have received this award and hope my readers enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing it!



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Woody's World earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Woody is a fun-loving twelve year old boy who can usually be found stirring up trouble with his best friend, Henry.  Each time Woody is caught doing something he shouldn't he receives a healthy lecture from his father on the topic of respect.

When Woody's father's business is forced to shut down as a result of the stock market crash of 1929, his world is quickly turned upside down.  As a boy who once lived quite comfortably, he soon learns the value of money as his father leaves town to find work, leaving him in charge to help put food on the table. As the boy learns to look beyond himself and put the needs of others first, he comes to learn about honor, respect and true friendship.

Author E. Renee Heiss has created a timeless classic in this heartwarming tale which is historically significant and a genuinely terrific read.  With engaging characters and exciting outcomes, Woody's World is sure to enthrall young readers with each turn of the page.

Woody's World comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.


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Things You Should Know Before You Self-Publish

It's happening . . . it's really happening.  You've finished your first book and you're just itching to get it in print and out in the hands of your future fans.  But first, there are some things you should know about publishing.  Creating your first book can be a bit like building your first house.  Once you get one under your belt, you'll have a much better idea of how the process works for subsequent projects.  The following are pointers from our staff and volunteers who have all learned through trial and error.  Learn from their mistakes and save yourself some headache.  --Many of the following principles apply whether you go the traditional publishing route or self-publish.  Just remember . . . you took the time to write your masterpiece, now make sure you take all the necessary steps to ensure the best final product possible. 

1) We know you're excited, but don't rush the process.  You'd be amazed at how many books are published with typos and grammatical errors.  Save yourself the agony and make sure it's done right the first time.

2) Back to point #1, many reviewers will not review your book after it's been published (that is not the case with Literary Classics, but it's worth noting).  Make sure you know about deadlines for all the book awards you wish to enter as well as reviewers you would like to have review your book, etc. before you schedule a release date.  In some instances, you may be required to submit your book for an award prior to your publish date.  --Then, allowing time for all your award entries and review submissions,  work backwards to schedule a timeline. 

3) Critique first, then edit.  --In that order.  Have a professional critique your work.  If you can't afford a professional critique, consider joining a writer's guild and find someone who is willing to swap critiques with you.  A critique will help you find 'disconnects' --those literary moments when what is glaringly obvious to the author doesn't quite translate onto paper.  An editor might catch some of these, but frankly, that is not their job.  And if you have too many disconnects, you may distract your editor from finding those evil little typos that he/she was hired to find to begin with.

4) Get a professional edit.  --We can't stress this enough.  And make sure you check references.  Is your editor someone you can trust to be completely thorough and accurate?  Even the best editors can miss errors, but sadly, there are some "editors" out there who will do an inferior job and still charge you a substantial fee (sometimes less than credible publishers will even do this to you when they provide an in-house editor . . . then charge you for the service).  So make sure you've got someone you can depend on.

5) Don't assume your publisher has your back.  Sadly, there are a number of publishing companies out there that are looking to make a buck off your enthusiasm to get published.  Typically these publishers are looking for money up front from you, the author.  If you've done your homework, asked around and are still comfortable working with a fee-based publisher, that's fine.  And some times this might be a very good option for your literary project.  But just remember to ask questions up front.  Some of the afore-mentioned publishers will nickel-and-dime you to death.  And sometimes it can be too late to say you don't like the direction they're going with something before you get slapped with a healthy bill.  So be sure you know exactly what you're getting up front.

6) Go to a library or bookstore and look for books in your genre.  Now look closely at the details of these books.  What sets them apart?  Look for things, like white space, balance, front material, etc.  (You might want to also get a few books from the publisher you are thinking about working with to compare their work with that of other reputable publishers).  Now when you're talking with your designer, you will be prepared to tell them how you would like your book to look.

7) Remember, if you self publish, you're the BOSS.  So don't let someone rush you, or tell you something needs to be done a certain way.   Sure there are formatting issues, etc. that will need to be taken into consideration.  But overall, if you're paying for it, than you should be in control.  Make sure you trust who you are working with before you let them assume carte blanche with your masterpiece.

8) If you've been assigned a graphic designer, or illustrator, ask to see samples of their work.  You don't need some college intern with little or no experience and no sense of balance doing the layout for your work.  If you're paying for it, you may end up paying for additional editing hours later to get it right, even if they did a lousy job to begin with.

9) Go with your gut instinct.  If it doesn't feel right . . . it probably isn't.

Best of luck in all your publishing endeavors!


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Arlene the Rebel Queen belongs on every youngster's reading list and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Arlene the Rebel Queen is the story of a girl who decides to make her school a more eco-friendly place.  It doesn't take long though before she realizes how challenging it can be to incite change.  As she learns in her social studies class, people throughout history have taken daring risks to get their message out.  When Arlene and her friends put on a peaceful protest in front of the school they only get into trouble.  Discouraged, but unwilling to back down, they maintain a steady course of action until a resolution can be reached.  Along the way, they come to realize that sometimes one must take risks and make sacrifices to do what is right.  But as the story progresses, they also learn there are right and wrong ways to bring awareness to their cause.

This book is powerful on so many levels.  There is the story of Arlene's struggle to make positive change at her school. But moreover, Arlene is not just any girl, she's a girl with a story of her own.  Her disability, CMT (Charcot Marie Tooth) disease, which she battles every day, seems to be creating more problems than just her weakening motor skills.  There is the matter of Lauren, Arlene's best friend, whose friendship seems to be waning.  And sadly, it appears the reason for this is, in part, due to Arlene's disease.  It seems Lauren no longer wishes to feel responsible for helping Arlene whenever her friend is unable to do something for herself.  This underlying, but equally powerful, subplot is a big part of what brings real emotion to this story.

Carol Liu has masterfully woven a message of empowerment with lessons in honor, respect, responsibility and compassion.  She skillfully creates vivid imagery while teaching valuable life lessons.  Liu addresses some very difficult subjects while speaking to kids on a level they will find interesting and entertaining.

Arlene the Rebel Queen belongs on every youngsters reading list and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.

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Grief Recovery Kit Earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

Grief can create such a deep pit of sorrow that the griever may wonder when, or if, they will ever be whole again.   Guilt, remorse, anger and many other conflicting emotions can make it difficult to move forward and find healing. For someone on the outside looking in, it can be incredibly challenging to know how to help a person who is mourning; even more so when that person is young.   The Grief Recovery Kit may very well be the best gift anyone could give to some-one who has experienced a great loss. 

Author Tanya Kilgore has compiled a collection of relevant exercises and activities which provide tangible steps to help youngsters navigate through the many stages of grief.   Insightful and compassionate, the paths outlined in this book encourage the griever to fully experience their grief in a healthy way while embracing their memories and moving forward to find fulfillment in their lives. 

Heartfelt text is perfectly paired with moving photographic images and relevant passages from scripture, making this book an excellent selection to help youngsters through their journey of grief. 

This book comes highly recommended and earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval

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