|
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kate Searle. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
My Soul Treasure
Written by Kate Searle Illustrated by Alison Mutton Ages 4+ | 28 Pages Publisher: Kate’s Soul Treasure (2022) ISBN-13: 978-0645415421 Publisher’s Book Summary: My Soul Treasure is a beautifully illustrated children’s book designed to teach children how to connect with their inner selves and cultivate self-awareness and self-love. It follows the story of a young girl who goes on a journey beyond her mind, body, and heart to discover her own inner treasures. The story includes positive affirmations and visualization exercises to help children develop mindfulness and self-reflection skills. Author Interview
I am excited to share my interview with Kate Searle. She is a geologist, wife, and mum who lives in the southwest of Australia. Becoming a mother sparked Kate’s love of storytelling. She has an innate passion for instilling in children a sense of personal empowerment. She has woven her love of gemstones into her debut book, My Soul Treasure, to teach children about the incredible powers of their own souls.For more information, visit www.soultreasures.com.au
Where did you get the inspiration for My Soul Treasure? During the covid lockdowns in early 2021 I felt a burst of inspiration from something bigger than me, to let my children know that they were safe, they were powerful and regardless of what happens in the outside world each day, they have a treasure chest of inner strengths within their soul, that they can draw upon to help them overcome anxiety and navigate this wild and woolly world. This burst of inspiration led me to write my books, Find Your Treasure (a middle grade novel), My Soul Treasure and create a mindfulness treasure-hunt game for children. What was your writing process like for this book? What a wonderful question. I could clearly visualize My Soul Treasure being a colorful picture book, with a double-page spread for each of the soul gems, but I didn’t know which order to arrange the gems. The story really came together one weekend when my husband and kids and I took a trip down to the southern forests. As my husband was driving, a lot of the inspiration for the words in My Soul Treasure flowed into my mind and I wrote them down. The movement of the car and being surrounded by nature helped my creativity to flow. As I was drafting the story, I could only write in lead pencil in a large children’s scrapbook! It helped me see which words would best fit on each page. That weekend, whilst exploring a nearby field, my children and I saw a beautiful rainbow right next to the cabin we were staying in! We climbed over a fence and tried to run to the rainbow. It was a magical moment for us, and it was then that the realization came to me that the soul gems in My Soul Treasure should be arranged in the order of the rainbow and chakras colors. It was as if nature itself was contributing to the direction of the story! I stayed up very late, cosy by the fire that weekend, writing what would become My Soul Treasure. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? I love the creative process of bringing my ideas to life and synthesizing complex or less understood parts of our world and ourselves, into language that children can grasp so that they become aware of how powerful and magical they are. I also love the process of creating inspiring stories that I wish I could have read when I was a child! What are you working on now? I am very excited about launching two new exciting products: ‘Find Your Soul Treasure’ Activity Workbook – which is an interactive workbook that brings the story of My Soul Treasure to life. It has a section for each soul gem and includes hundreds of fun activities and suggested ways children can connect with their soul treasure. Parents, educators and therapists can use the Workbook to help children to heal and empower them. I am about to launch my children’s game called ‘Find Your Treasure’ which is a treasure hunt game that includes clue cards and real gemstones. The game inspires children to find their own soul treasure! I am also dreaming up the sequel to my middle grade novel!! What is your favorite book? That is such a hard question! My favorite book as a child was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis for its magic and adventure. As an adult, I’d have to say People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, for the enchanted way it sweeps across centuries and highlights the value we place on precious texts. There is a part of the story where the sacred text is described as encrusted in turquoise and precious gems which I just adore! Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure and a Kindle!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: - A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle - A Kindle (2022 release) Four (4) winners receive: - A hardcover copy of My Soul Treasure, signed by Kate Searle
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Page Street Kids. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Giveaway
Enter for the chance to win a three-book prize pack, including Pirate & Penguin!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: A hardcover copy of Pirate & Penguin A hardcover copy of Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles A hardcover copy of Hornswoggled Two buttons Four (4) winners receive: A hardcover copy of Pirate & Penguin Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links.
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Kimber Fox Morgan. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Giveaway
Enter for the chance to win a paperback copy of Chipper Sends Sunshine and an Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: - A paperback copy of Chipper Sends Sunshine - An Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet  This post contains affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the link
"I realized that my feelings of loneliness and isolation were almost universal amongst all preemie families across the board. It further solidified for me that these families, mine included, need help." ~Jodi Klaristenfeld, FLRRiSH  I am excited to share my interview with Jodi from FLRRiSH. The work she is doing is amazing and much needed! Make sure to connect and support... TikTok Website ~ Ali Tell us your story and how FLRRiSH began. Everything about my life changed when I had my daughter at 28 weeks. What had been a “perfect” pregnancy suddenly turned into a frenzy of doctors, specialists, and nurses in the NICU hooking up my newborn baby to strange machines. She came 3 months earlier than planned, and I was unprepared physically and mentally. I experienced a lot of emotions. I felt the immense joy of finally bringing my daughter into the world and the fear of her situation simultaneously – a combination I never thought possible. The following 77 days as a NICU mom were a defining time in our journey. They were some of the most challenging but rewarding days of my life. I learned a lot about myself and my daughter – mainly how incredibly strong and resilient we both are. I knew pretty early on after Jenna came home from the NICU that I wanted to do something in the preemie baby and family space–I just wasn't sure what yet. I've also learned big life decisions shouldn't be made so soon after a major event (such as marriage or having a baby) so I sat with the idea and let it marinate. It wasn't until I watched Jenna on a daily basis with therapists that I realized how fortunate I was to be able to curate her team, and that I wanted to somehow transfer this same feeling of gratitude and empowerment to other preemie parents. I wanted them to feel supported and educated so they could put their children in the best possible situation for success. I also knew that there were a lot of parents like my husband and me. By and large, preemie parents are thrown into the thick of an incredibly stressful and overwhelming situation without anywhere or anyone to turn to for advice, assistance and support. I realize I am making a difference each time I communicate with a parent. Even before starting FLRRiSH, I found talking to other parents very rewarding. I also realized that my feelings of loneliness and isolation were almost universal amongst all preemie families across the board. It further solidified for me that these families, mine included, need help. Now, when I talk with a parent, whether it be talk, text or email, hearing their “voice” smile, hearing them say “thank you for making me not feel so alone” and “thank you for helping me enjoy being a parent”, fills my heart with gratitude. When I make someone else’s journey less stressful and difficult than my own, then I know I have done my job. What kind of impact do you hope that your organization can have? I envision FLRRiSH helping other families flourish. You are only as happy as your least happy child. If your child is struggling, then you are too. That seeps into every aspect of life: home, work, relationships, etc. If I can help get families the resources they need for their children in an easier and quicker way, and if I can make someone’s journey less difficult than my own, then I have done my job. Whether someone is listening to the audio stories, using the resource guides to therapists and/or chatting with me one on one, I hope to be able to help parents enjoy being parents during a most stressful time. Going forward, it is my wish and hope that the counseling and other services are something that insurance companies would help pay for. Over 85% of parents of children in the NICU experience some type of mental health issue. We need to be able get parents the necessary support they need so in turn they can better support their children.  What is the biggest concern facing NICU parents today? The biggest concern for most of my parents is two fold and depends upon where they are in their journey. For those parents in the thick of their NICU journey, aside from doing everything they can to help their child eat, sleep and grow so that they can come home, their biggest concern is what their parenting journey is going to look like, and how can I help myself change my mindset to reflect the unorthodox path we are about to take. For those that are home from the NICU, it becomes an issue of trusting yourself as a parent and learning how to navigate the system of getting your child the best and most support so that they can succeed later on in life. What inspires you to keep advocating for families in the NICU? When I talk to other parents, neonatologists and nurses and they tell me how much they love the work I am doing and how it is so necessary, it reiterates in my mind that FLRRiSH is onto something good. Parents shouldn't feel alone in their parenting journey and it is my mission to make sure they know there is plenty of help and resources out there for them and their children. They just need to know it exists and how to find it. Additionally, when I look at my own daughter and see how far she has come, I am so proud of the little girl she has become. She has had to fight hard each and every day since she was born and she always does so with a smile. She is tenacious, determined, strong and resilient, and these attributes fuel me in fighting each day for her and for others. How can someone help support your mission and organization? All I ask is for anyone who knows someone who has given born prematurely or has had a child in the NICU, that they tell them about FLRRiSH. I am trying as hard as I can to spread the word and get into hospitals. I need someone to take a chance and a leap of faith that these resources are a supplement to what they already provide and truly help serve a population of people who are left to navigate the journey on their own. Please share anything else you would like to include such as sales or coupon codes, advice, etc. 10% discount for services purchased I'd also like to emphasize again, that NICU parents are not alone. And more than that, these children bring so much joy to their families, perhaps even more joy than those who have not had as rough of a start in the world. It is important to celebrate every everything. Creating a life is a miracle and it's even more so when you overcome a challenging journey. Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links.
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Maria Castellucci Moore. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
Giveaway
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Vivienne in Paris and a Kindle!
One (1) winner receives: - A hardcover copy of Vivienne in Paris signed by Maria Castellucci Moore - A Kindle (2022 release)
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
GIVEAWAY
Enter for the chance to win a 30-book classroom set of Famous Seaweed Soup!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: A 30-book classroom set of Famous Seaweed Soup Five (5) winners receive: A paperback copy of Famous Seaweed Soup  This post contains affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the link
|
RSS Feed