Today, I registered for a chance to win a manuscript critique from one of the industry's leading author, illustrators and agents. My debut picture book, Boomer At Your Service, is set to release NEXT WEEK. (AHHH!) I've been so busy with the promotion and marketing for Boomer, my queries have taken a backseat in the last couple of months. I know I need to keep putting myself and my work out there and a critique from any one of the thirty-five participants, would be a dream come true. My goal is finding an agent I love and who will also fall in love with my work. I hope if I win one of these critiques, I can be one step closer to attaining my goal. Wish me luck:)

This is a great opportunity. If you're a writer and you're looking for valuable feedback, then take a chance and register for #PBCritiqueFest today!  (​https://www.pbspotlight.com/pbcritiquefest)

​THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST
By Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated by André Ceolin
 
Did you know bees gobble honey when they smell smoke? When their bellies fill up, it’s hard for them to use their stingers. That’s why beekeepers use smoke before making any sudden movements. This is just one of the interesting bee facts your little ones can learn when reading THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST by Lydia Lukidis.
 

Now, I must admit, I’m a huge scaredy-cat when it comes to bees. I’m not sure exactly when my fear began, but I do remember getting stung in my right hand as a young child. I probably swatted at the bee or got too close to a nest. I sure wish I had this book in hand back then to teach me how absolutely amazing bees really are. 
 
It’s not a secret. Our bee population is in a heap of trouble, reaching near extinction. We each have to do our part to save the bees because without them, our own existence will be in peril. With help from THE BROKEN BEES’ NEST, we can teach our children the important role these marvelous creatures play in our environment and also help them to overcome any fear they may harbor towards bees. (Like me!)
 
In this book, Arun and Keya, run into an active bees nest while they're out searching for the perfect tree for their new tree house. Little sister, Keya, is afraid but her brother Arun is there to help her through her fears every step of the way. When they realize the bees' nest is damaged, they reach out to Dr. Chen, the local beekeeper, for help. Together, they develop a plan to move the bees to a safe, new home. Keya overcomes her fears and there is something sweet in it for everyone too!

THE BROKEN BEES' NEST is a part of the Makers Make It Work series from Kane Press. The books are a collection of easy-to-read stories focused on problem solving and hands-on learning. Each book comes with an accompanying activity for young makers to try themselves. The series was developed to support the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) initiative. How cool it that! ​To learn more about this series, please visit: ​http://kanepress.com/book-series/makers-make-it-work/

I’m delighted to offer this giveaway of the children’s picture book,
​I HEART ART, written by Mukta Chowdhary. I have the great pleasure of calling Mukta my friend. She inspired me to follow my dream of writing children’s books. We met as former colleagues at Fullscreen where we worked on some pretty amazing advertising campaigns reaching Gen Z and Millennial audiences. Our favorite campaign was an initiative to combat Teen Cyberbullying in partnership with AT&T. It was a very special time I hold dear to my heart because we were part of a campaign that made a real difference in kids’ lives. 
 
Mukta is an extraordinary person. She is the kind of person who radiates warmth and compassion the moment you meet her and it comes through in her writing. 
 

I HEART ART is a book that follows a little Indian girl, Muskan, as she attempts to draw a self-portrait. Just like the great artists of our past, like Salvador Dali, Frida Kalo, and Vincent Van Gogh, Muskan has a unique way with her brush skills. Just when she is about to give up, she realizes her art is special…just like her. 
 
Mukta, what inspired you to write I HEART ART?
Growing up as an Indian American, I didn't have any picture books with characters that looked like me. I was inspired to tell a story about a girl who loves art and who happens to be Indian. 
 
What is the most important thing you want readers to take away from reading your book?
I think the most important thing is to nurture your inner artist.  The story is really about the beauty of the process - whether it's art, music, science or writing - usually, you won't get it right the first time but that's okay because all those other drafts, failures, drawings are what leads you to your growth.
 
TRUTH! 
 
PLEASE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW MUSKAN ON HER JOURNEY….
https://www.instagram.com/littleaubergines/
https://www.facebook.com/littleaubergines/
 
AND….FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FREE COPY OF I HEART ART, FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FACEBOOK POST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN. 

Hello Friends. Happy New Year! It’s the beginning of 2019 and I jumped right back into the fray by taking another Children’s Book Academy picture book course. It’s only week one but I’ve already been inspired to look introspectively and I’ve realized something powerful about myself.  
 
Dr. Mira Reisberg, a lead teacher in the course, and my book’s editor/art director, often speaks about the immigrant experience. She encourages her students who have a unique background to embrace their culture and share their voices. Our homework assignment yesterday was to think about what type of genre or plot we are drawn to ourselves, and how it impacts our writing. Well, it got me thinking about my own childhood…
 
I’m a first generation Italian American. My parents were both born in Sicily. My father grew up in Argentina, went back to Italy as a teenager, and then finally settled in the U.S. While they were desperate to hang on to the Italian culture they held so dear in their hearts, I never felt the same. You see, I was told I was different than the other kids. I wasn’t allowed to do things “because I was Italian.” I wasn’t allowed to act a certain way “because I was Italian.” We didn’t do THAT “because WE were Italian.” This message, more times than I wished, made me feel like an outsider looking in. I’m sure I’m not the only first-generation American to feel this way. I imagine it must be a relatable sentiment for many. It’s probably why my two best friends growing up were a Haitian-American sensation and a Persian-born hurricane of a girl, one of the only Muslims in my school. We understood each other.
 
I realize now how my childhood impacts my writing today. I tend to write stories with main characters who feels like they are different and don’t fit in. Ultimately, they learn the important lesson that being different is what makes us special…it’s what sets us apart. This is the message I want to tell and it is what continues to creep its way on to my pages. I can’t wait to share my next story with all of you soon. It carries on this valuable lesson through a girl who SHINES, no matter what stands in her way. I love her! 
 
Lastly, I do want to say, that growing up in an Italian household did have its perks. For example, while all the kids were teasing me for eating Nutella sandwiches for lunch, before anyone in this country knew what Nutella was, I was in on the delicious, delectable secret. So there. Eat your hearts out! 

 This week, I had the great fortune of meeting Janice Wolfe, canine expert and founder of Merlin’s KIDS. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing individually trained service dogs to those in need. Merlin’s KIDS transforms the lives of dogs by rescuing them from shelters, training them and giving them a very meaningful purpose to their lives. These special dogs in turn help transform the lives of the children they serve with a lifelong commitment to friendship and the specialized task they perform. 
 
My debut picture book Boomer, At Your Service will be released in 2019. It is a story about a lovable dog who doesn’t quite make it as a service dog. He wants nothing more than to find a family to serve and on his journey, he learns while he doesn’t have all the traits required to be a service dog…he excels as a therapy dog because Boomer is great at making children laugh. 
 
It’s a heartfelt story with a deeper meaning. Boomer doesn’t fit in with the rest of his classmates. He is a little different. But what makes Boomer unique, is also what makes him perfect for his family. He eventually finds his true purpose in life. 
 
I suppose this story parallels my own. I’ve spent over 15 wonderful years climbing the ladder in the world of advertising, but it was time to try something new. I now know, my true calling in life is to be a picture book author. I want to make children smile with my stories…just like Boomer. I want to make a larger impact.
 
Therefore, I want Boomer, At Your Service to serve a higher purpose. That’s why meeting Janice Wolfe has been such a blessing. I’m committing myself to supporting Merlin’s KIDS by raising awareness for its mission and will help raise funds to support the incredible work they're doing. We have some ideas brewing and I’m so excited to reveal them all soon.
 
In the meantime, I hope my post has inspired you to take an action today. Here’s how you can help…
 
How Can You Help?
Help Merlin’s KIDS rescue and rehabilitate shelter dogs and change their lives by training them to become service dogs. Each dog requires 18 months of training and the costs incurred average $30,000 per dog. Help today by making a monetary donation or volunteer your time. There are a variety of ways to help Merlin’s KIDS continue their mission and you can choose the path that is right for you. Please visit http://www.merlinskids.org/donate to learn how you can support this incredible organization.

I want to scream it from the mountaintops! I know it has been a while since my last post. I've been pretty busy these last few months. I went back to work full-time as the Executive Director, Ad Solutions for a major entertainment company. I knew it would be short-lived, as I was temporarily covering for an old colleague who went out on maternity leave. The last 16 weeks have flown by and while I was working 45+ hour weeks, I was still trying my best to bring my stories to print. And now, (just as though my Blog's title was a premonition) with one door closing... another one opens.

I am so incredibly delighted and honored to announce that I've signed a contract with Clear Fork Publishing (Spork Imprint) for my debut book, coming in 2019. "Boomer At Your Service" will be joining these beautifully written and illustrated picture books by talented, award-winning Authors & Illustrators. I'm proud to be joining the Clear Fork family. More to come folks. 2019 is going to be a BOOMING year!!

First, I want to say THANK YOU to author, Anne Renaud, for sharing your wonderful picture book with me. It was a pleasure reading it and I am thrilled to give my review.

(You can buy your own copy here or ask for it at your local library)
 
So let's get started. Whether you’re looking for a book based on historical events or one that will teach your child an important life lesson, this picture book is for you. This story is about the real-life Anna Swan, who was a giant in stature and in human spirit. Anna grew up in Nova Scotia, and by the time she was four years old, she was already taller than her mother. TRUTH! She became a local celebrity, but also endured being teased by her peers. Anna’s heart and sense of adventure were as big as she was, and she dreamed of traveling the world. Ms. Swan’s wishes came true when she was discovered by P.T. Barnum. He invited her to New York City to become part of his world-renowned Circus performance. Anna became a star! She embarked on many travels to faraway lands and even dined with the Queen of England! But her happiest times were spent with her husband in their home of Seville, Ohio.  

Can you even imagine knowing this woman and talking to her about the life she led? What an inspiration! 

It’s that time of year again. The Summer is coming to an end. Packed lunches, crazy mornings, and first-day jitters are upon us. School can be a time for great growth, but it can also be really scary for our little ones. And let’s face it... for parents too.
 
I’ve rallied up some useful picture books to help calm the fears and wipe away the tears. For the first week back at school, stock up and arm yourselves with books to read each night. A good book before bed can lead to restful sleep and productive, happy days. 

The True Tale of a Giantess: The Story of Anna Swan by Anne Renaud
When Anna was born in Nova Scotia in 1846, people for miles around chattered about her. They whispered over tea and gossiped across fences. Because even when she was small, Anna was TREMENDOUS. Then, at age seventeen, Anna moved to New York City to be part of P. T. Barnum's Gallery of Wonders - and her life changed forever. This book is a great way to talk about how we are all different and special in our own unique ways.  Teach your children the power of inclusion. 
 
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Ruth E. Harper 
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.
 
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back? Of course, she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!
 
Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish
Amelia Bedelia goes to school and mixes up just about everything in this funny picture book about the childhood of the iconic character. Amelia Bedelia is sure that she will absolutely love school—after all, what's not to love? But after hopping on the bus, confusing her name tag with a game and gluing herself to her seat, Amelia Bedelia discovers that what she takes for granted is not always the way the world works.
 
The Night Before First Grade by Natasha Wing 
It's the night before the Big Day—first grade. Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moore's classic tale has a perfect twist ending that will surprise readers—as well as the “heroine” of the story—and help all about-to-be first-graders through their own back-to- school jitters.
 
On the First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe 
On the first day of kindergarten, there’s so much to do! From making new friends to jumping rope in gym to riding the bus to school, there are lots of exciting firsts to look forward to. Even though saying good-bye to Mom and Dad is hard, when the school bus pulls up, it’s time to begin kindergarten fun. This engaging new adaptation of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” convinces parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a kindergarten classroom.

A Friend Like You by Andrea Schomburg
Forging an unlikely friendship in spite of very disparate preferences, Squirrel, who likes nuts, and Bird, who likes worms, try new things together and develop an appreciation for their respective differences.
 
Hello School! ​by Priscilla Burris 
A diverse class of excited youngsters are about to start school and experience all its wonders! Small moments like discovering one's own cubby space and big moments like a first nature walk are all brought to life with inviting artwork. This is a great book to help familiarize children with all the activities they can expect at school, from circle time to snack time to goodbye time, all the while sharing the experiences with lots of great new friends.