Category: A Better World of Books

I Review Amazing Matilda: A Monarch’s Tale by Bette A. Stevens for A Better World of Books #bookreviews #childrensbooks

On By Alethea KehasIn A Better World of Books24 Comments

52ca1c7db77f2615817ce50b65e2e2acI am thrilled to be featuring Bette Steven’s award-winning children’s book, Amazing Matilda: A Monarch’s Tale, on “A Better World of Books.” Bette resides in Maine and finds her inspiration for writing in “nature and human nature.”  She is an advocate for childhood literacy, as well as for the protection of monarch butterflies and their habitat. Her book Amazing Matilda combines her two passions into an engaging story about a young caterpillar’s journey of growth and transformation as she becomes a monarch butterfly.

Matilda’s tale begins when she emerges into life as a tiny caterpillar with an innate desire to fly. The world is spread before her and she is eager to explore it with wings. Her journey evokes the inner child that exists in all of us. Matilda is filled with the promise of life, but she must learn trust and patience as she grows from a caterpillar into a butterfly with wings! Fortunately for Matilda, she has friendly and wise teachers to guide her along the way. While Frog and Rabbit teach her patience, Sparrow flies in now and then to encourage Matilda to never give up on her dream through her words of wisdom. Bette offers downloadable finger puppets to accompany her book and help bring her story to life.

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I found Amazing Matilda to be both delightful and insightful. Her gift for storytelling shines through her words, which are illuminated by her lovely illustrations. One cannot help being captivated by her pages filled with positive inspiration for young audience eager to discover their own unique gifts and bring them out into the world. It is no wonder that reviewers of Sevens’s book are adding it to their libraries and classrooms. I have no doubt Matilda has, and will continue to inspire children, as well as their caregivers, to never give up on their dreams!

A Few Reviews for Amazing Matilda

“Children of all ages will be able to relate to monarch’s plight in some way. The tale will also inspire readers to not only follow their dreams, but to encourage others to do the same. One’s dreams are never too bit, but with the support of friends and family, as well as with patience and determination, anyone can reach their goal. The sky is the limit. This story is a true gem and one that will inspire children for years to come.”  Renee Hand (award-winning adult and children’s book author of interactive mystery series. Renee reviews for the New York Journal of Books. ) 

“This book conveys a wonderful message to children. A message about patience and self-belief, and that if you have your heart set on something, and try hard enough, you will get there in the end. It is a beautifully written book and a worthy addition to any child’s bookshelf.” Amelia E. Curzon author of Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

Amazing, Never-Giving-Up Matilda“…I immediately fell in love with Matilda, an amazing, sweet, curious character. What a lovely story with a subtle and yet deep and understandable message for young (and those who are not so young ) readers. This book is one of “must have” books in your library. I already purchased a Kindle version for myself and I ordered two more copies in print for my library.” –Vida Zuljevic

If you’d like to learn more about Amazing Matilda or Bette Stevens, please visit:

Bette’s Website

Bette’s Facebook Page

The Author’s Amazon Page

Bette’s Library of Books

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Are you an author with a vision for a better world? Do you have a published book of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction that uplifts and empowers readers to create a more positive inner and outer environment? If so, I’d love to hear more about it. On a “Better World of Books,” I interview authors and review books of all genres that offer a vision for a better world. If you think your work is a part of this vision, please contact Alethea. 

An Interview with Children’s Author & Illustrator Andrea Torrey Balsara on “A Better World of Books”

On By Alethea KehasIn A Better World of Books5 Comments

UnknownAndrea Torrey Balsara is an author and illustrator who believes in the goodness in people, especially children. Her stories and art reflect her belief that we are all one, and that no matter where we’ve come from, we’re all linked together.  

 

Andrea, thank you so much for being a guest on “A Better World of Books!” I think we met some time ago through that amorphous world of social media. Although we’ve never actually “met” each other in-person, I believe we share a love for writing and helping children of all ages discover and embrace their true selves. Can you share a bit of your story of how you began to write and illustrate books for kids and teens?

When I was around 6 years-old, I remember holding a beautifully illustrated picture book and a yearning welled up within me. I wanted to make pictures like those so badly. I forgot about that dream the older I got. Later, when other things fell away, that old dream came back. I started out knowing nothing, and burned through many years learning the hard way what not to do. I had never thought about becoming a writer until my sister, Michele Torrey who is herself an author,  encouraged me to learn writing. To my surprise, I love writing as much as illustrating. I love sculpting words and images from nothing. 

You write on your website that all the characters in your stories go through their individual journeys to discover that “Life is good.” Can you give us an example or two of how your characters arrive at such an optimistic outlook?

For me, hope is essential for a story that inspires. My young adult book, The Great & the Small, deals with some dark themes but overall there is a feeling of the triumph of the human spirit. Hope isn’t a weak emotion, or a naïve turning away from the truth. It takes courage to see past the current state of things to what could be. The main characters in The Great & the Small, are deeply flawed and, as is human nature, run from truth and from pain until they are forced to stop and face their own frailty and fear. Hope springs from that courage. We all have deep sources of hope and courage within us, if we choose action instead of apathy.

I am wondering if your own characters and their journeys are at least in part inspired by your personal experiences. If so, can you tell us how you found and embraced the sunny side of life?

I struggled with depression and undiagnosed PTSD all through my school years, and it was hope that kept me going. Sometimes there was only a sliver of hope, but even that sliver of light can cut through the darkness. Somehow, step by step, I made it to a place of wellness. Now, I don’t see suffering as a curse, but rather as a teacher. Suffering teaches us strength, courage, and resilience. Then, once we move past suffering, we embrace joy. One of the presentations I do is entitled, “The Hero’s Journey.” We are all everyday heroes when we keep moving forward, learning, and growing.

Your book, The Nightingale’s Song was inspired by a dream you had. Can you tell us about the dream and how it bloomed into this award-winning book?

Around 25 years ago I became aware of the concept of Unity in Diversity, the belief that diversity is a strength, instead of something to be feared. I had grown up in predominantly white communities, but hadn’t realized I identified myself as “white.” One night, I dreamed I was walking down a long road lined with trees. I couldn’t see myself, but as I walked down the road, I wondered, “Who am I?” I couldn’t remember. Was I white? Brown? Black? Who was I? In my dream, I guessed that my skin was a deep brown. When I woke up, I realized that this dream was the first time since I was little that I was just ME. My outside identity, instead of defining me, had been fluid. It was a powerful shift in understanding. I wrote The Nightingale’s Song based on that dream. It starts out, “Last night, I had a dream that my skin was brown like mahogany…” By the end of the book, the child realizes that no matter what colour their skin is, they are still who they are. Humanity is one, and while we look different from each other, have different languages and different ways of doing things, there is a unity, a common humanity, underlying all of those differences. That is Unity in Diversity.

You’ve written and illustrated, I believe, eight books for children and young adults, two of which, The Great and the Small and The Nightingale’s Song have received awards. Which book, or books, that you have created are closest to your heart and why?

Each book feels like a little spiritual child to me, and you know I can’t choose between my children! Haha! Seriously, each book always requires so much from me and is so much a part of me, that I can’t choose. I will say that The Great & the Small was a book that I HAD to write if I wanted to get any sleep. It nagged at me until it was done. In some ways, The Nightingale’s Song is the same, although they are VERY different books. All of my books are my “heart-songs,” expressions of my heart, and so while they are different, they are the same. There’s that Unity in Diversity, again!!

Andrea, you don’t simply perform readings of your books for your audiences, you also offer empowerment workshops. Can you tell us a bit about how your book The Great and the Small is used as a guide for youth to “unlock their true potential?”

I wrote The Great & the Small as a response to an experience that I had when I was 10. My family lived in Germany, and we went to the museum at Dachau, which had been a concentration camp responsible for killing thousands and thousands of innocent people. The experience was deeply disturbing, and from that moment on, I was consumed with the question of good and evil. Many people believe that some children are born as “bad seeds.” I completely, TOTALLY, reject that idea. It lets us off the hook for being accountable for our actions if we are “born bad.” I believe we are born with the capacity for both good, and evil. So, I wondered, why did the baby who was Hitler, grow into the monster he became. Conversely, why did Nelson Mandela grow into a saintly, transcendent person, in spite of the injustices he endured? What choices did they each make along their paths? The Great & the Small is about how we each can fall into darkness, or can rise above. Both choices are within our grasp. Many young people feel helpless, and often feel that they have no control over their own lives. I want to change that narrative. I want to help empower them to see that whether they are famous, whether they are “successful” in the eyes of the world, that the CHOICES they make are what defines them. And that when they fail (and we all fail sometimes) they can CHOOSE to keep going, to keep learning, to keep rising above. We are not locked into a destiny as if we are railroad cars on a track. We, out of all living creatures, can choose for ourselves our path and can rise above even the gravest circumstances. But first, we must know that we have a choice.

If there was one “super power” that you could endow upon each child at birth, what would it be?

The power to think for themselves.

Can you tell us about any projects that you are working on right now?

 I am working on finishing illustrations for my picture book series, Greenbeard the Pirate Pig, a book about a guinea pig with a dream. Haha! I love working on it, as he is such a funny character to me. I am also working with a website developer to sell my artwork and designs on an art website. It will be up and running in a week or so, and the website will be, www.balsaraboutique.com. Come and visit!

And, last but not least, what is the best way for your readers to connect with you? 

They are welcome to connect with me on: 

 My Website: www.torreybalsara.com

Green Beard The Pirate Pig

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

 

Are you an author with a vision for a better world? Do you have a published book of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction that uplifts and empowers readers to create a more positive inner and outer environment? If so, I’d love to hear more about it. On a “Better World of Books,” I interview authors and review books of all genres that offer a vision for a better world. If you think your work is a part of this vision, please contact Alethea. 

Meet Author Sarah Woodard on a Better World of Books #AuthorInterview #kidlit #activist

On By Alethea KehasIn A Better World of Books2 Comments

74453234_399629280711774_2903981337633357824_n.pngSarah Woodard is an author, podcaster, animal lover & communicator, vegan, Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Shamanic Practitioner, and woman on a mission. Her mission is to create a world in which all beings are respected and honored. To accomplish this, she writes books for kids and adults that encourage connection to self, soul, and the environment, lives an eco-friendly, vegan lifestyle & encourages others to do the same. She offers healing for pets and their people along with book coaching services.

Hi Sarah, thank you for being a guest on a Better World of Books! Can you begin by telling us how and why you became an author with a mission?

Hi Alethea! Thanks for having me. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to write. In fourth grade, I wrote an essay about why I want to be a writer and got to interview a local children’s author, Dorothy Marshall-Noke.

Like most of us, my life took a lot of twists and turns while I honed in on my path. Over time, it became clear that I have a unique perspective, one which made shamanism my spiritual path. With that, my connection to spirit became deeper and I realized that my path to creating change in the world is with words. I write for kids and adults based on what spirit gives me.

You have written, I believe, five books for children so far. Is there a common theme that unites them all?

That number keeps growing. I think there’s currently 5 or 6 on the market. I’ve got one with my illustrator, and about 8 or 9 “on deck” for him. And I plan to keep going. Richard Scarry, who was one of my childhood favorites, wrote 300 books. I’d like to match him in quantity, quality, and importance.

That being said, a common theme is change, and accepting it. Another one that will be more prevalent in the near future is being aware of one’s decisions and how they impact the world. Also upcoming, animal rights and the environment. I’m taking on some big stuff!

Your children’s books are what one might call picture books. Are they written for a particular audience, and if so why?

Although they’re picture books suitable for children, I believe adults can and do learn a lot from them as well. Therefore, my audience is anyone who’s interested in becoming their best selves and creating a beautiful world.

If you could choose one of your characters that is most like yourself. Which one would it be and why?

I love this question! Thus far, I’d say definitely Amber from Amber’s Sick Day. And I think my illustrator knew it (though I didn’t tell him) because she even looks like me, I think. Her story is about using change in a positive way, and I feel like transformation and change have been key elements in my life. I didn’t always love them, but I’ve learned to embrace them as an opportunity, just like Amber does in the book.

What are some of your inspirations for your stories and characters?

In a word, life. I know that maybe sounds simplistic, so I’ll explain. My writing process looks like this: something grabs me; be it a story in the news, a post on social media, whatever. I then say to the Universe, “hey, if it’s in my path, I’d love to write a book about this.” Most of the time, the book shows up in ways I didn’t expect. Sometimes it starts with a character name (like Molly Meow in a not-yet-released book about Trap-Neuter-Return). Other times, I get the story and no name (like the upcoming Carlos Makes a Discovery). In both cases, once I get the “nudge” I sit down, open (we call it the hollow bone in shamanism), and allow Spirit to use me as a vessel.

After the initial “dump,” I edit it, ask for missing info (like a name if it didn’t come through at first), and send it to my proofreader for her thoughts. Based on her feedback, I may change, add, remove, etc. as necessary. Once that’s done, it sits on deck until my illustrator is ready.

You’re also an author of books for adults. Can you tell us how your books serve to guide your adult audience as they navigate the challenges of life?

I am! Right now, my adult books cover two genres: spiritual self-help and poetry. The spiritual self-help books focus on mindful living and connecting with spirit guides. They’re workbooks, so readers can easily go through the process in their own time. My poetry book (more in process) was easily the most emotionally difficult thing I’ve ever written, but in a good way. My hope is that it touches people in their core; makes them think, and hopefully change for the better.

If there was one thing you could change about the world we live in, what would it be?

Gosh! This one is tough. There’s so much I’d like to see changed, but when it comes down to it, I think ALL the stuff that bugs me boils down to one thing: as a whole we don’t view all beings as worthy of respect and love. When I say beings, I mean humans, animals, insects, plants, rocks, etc. Everything we share the planet with.

So, if I could change one thing, it would be that – that everyone would view all beings as worthy of respect and love.

I think Sarah’s vision for the world sounds quite wonderful. If you’d like to connect with Sarah and her books, you can find her on:

Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Amazon

 

Are you an author with a vision for a better world? Do you have a published book of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction that uplifts and empowers readers to create a more positive inner and outer environment? If so, I’d love to hear more about it. On a “Better World of Books,” I interview authors and review books of all genres that offer a vision for a better world. If you think your work is a part of this vision, please contact Alethea. 

A Better World Book Reviews #BookReviews #BookPromotions

On By Alethea KehasIn A Better World of Books2 Comments
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Photo Credit: Pixabay

I have been contemplating writing and sharing book reviews on my blog for sometime, but the “how” did not morph into being until this morning as I was waking from sleep. I’ve never been quite comfortable with the idea of rating books. A book I may think is a 5, might be a 1 in someone else’s mind, and vice-versa. Instead of placing judgement, I’ve decided to showcase books whose inner essence is beautiful. Not because it is my opinion they are beautiful, but because they have been written with the hand of love, in all its myriad forms.

Books that support a vision for a better world.

A Better World of Books.

Therefore, I will be featuring and promoting books whose inner essence is light, in any form, whether they be poetry, picture books, nonfiction, visionary fiction, mixed-genre, or something else entirely. The only criteria is that each book holds inside its cover a vision for a better world. A world premised upon love and not hate, and where hope triumphs over despair. Books that empower the soul’s quest for light and truth. These are the books I am looking for.

Word are powerful. They drive our thoughts and our actions. They create our inner and outer realities. And, in a time where the darker side of humanity too often over-shadows the light in the media, I believe these books need to be shared and read more than ever.

If you are an author or poet of one of these books, please share it with me. Or, if you know someone who has written a book with a beautiful essence, please share this post with them. In return for a copy of the book, I will post a review without a rating that offers readers a window to the author’s vision for a better world.

I’d be honored to have you join me in this journey of building a Better World of Books!

Alethea

 

 

 

The Paranormal Meets Warriors of Light #warriorsoflight #thelabyrinth #fantasyadventure #fantastyseries #visionaryfiction #middlegradebooks

On By Alethea KehasIn A Better World of Books, the labyrinth, Warriors of Light6 Comments
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My booth at the fair

It was a strange day, but I didn’t leave feeling defeated or discouraged. I had made $60. The booth fee for the paranormal convention table was $50. My net profit: $10. I didn’t sell one book, instead I sold some totem figurines, a few “Ghost-Be-Gone” sprays and a chakra pendant. Visitors trickled in throughout the day, but not many of the faces changed. Instead, most people were there there for the long-haul, having paid the ticket to see the lectures that were going on every hour or so.

I think I counted five people under the age of 21, but I may have missed one or two. I didn’t know what to expect, so there was really no reason to be disappointed.

Although I had never attended a ParaCon before, and probably looked a bit out of place sitting behind a booth without skulls or haunted baby dolls, I wasn’t entirely out of my element. I’ve done some ghost hunting in my days. I know what it’s like to be haunted. Heck, one of my main characters is a ghost, and that’s just in book one…but, it makes sense that most of the visitors that day were seeking the dark instead of the light. Or so it appeared on the surface.

There were those that stopped. The trio of teens who lingered in their black garb, flipping through the box of totem animals while eying my postcards and books until my friend in the booth beside me brashly announced, “I think you guys should read her book.”

“Really?” the tall one, who never made eye contact asked as he flipped over the cover?

“Yeah, especially you. I can tell you’re looking for answers. You’ll find them there.”

“It’s in Kindle,” I offered. “And it’s much a lot cheaper.”

“Oh really?” he sighed with relief as he took the postcard with all the information he needed.

Throughout the day I found myself wondering if I should lower my price. If I had, I probably would have sold 1 or 2 copies, but there would have been very little or no profit in return. The Indie writer’s world is not easy, and I am still figuring it out. I’ve written a book geared toward, but certainly not limited to, the younger generations. Kids and teens who rarely hold a book in their hands unless it is part of an assignment. A topic we joked about with the three teens who had lingered at my booth yesterday.

I am realizing how much I have ventured into the unknown, or rather, the undetermined. I am not discouraged, though. One seed planted is enough. And there were, perhaps, a couple planted yesterday. Three (not the teens mentioned above) signed up for my newsletter, a handful of others grabbed cards and postcards…maybe a few will go poking around on my website in a search for some answers. And, me, well, I’ll keep writing and venturing into the unknown when it beckons. I’ll welcome, as best as I can, whatever awaits.

I’m okay with that. It’s what I signed up for, after all.