Tag Archives: children’s book author

Sep11

Interview with Michael Dibley

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For many of you, school has started and Halloween is just around the corner. But it’s never too soon to start planning for the Holidays. I’ve found a great picture book author with a talent for whimsical illustrations. He captures the essence of each animal in his Whispers in the Woodland series. His new book, although not part of the same series, follows in the same footsteps. His hand-drawn style lends a comforting touch to his characters. I had the chance to ask him about how he became an author, his influences, and what he has in store in the future.

1) How did you come to write the book?

Michael Dibley: I have a friend called Iwa that I used to live with. Somehow, I can’t quite remember, but she started singing this children’s Christmas song entitled “Snowflake”. So I had her name, then snowflake, and the two clicked together for me. Well, there you go. She actually helped a lot with the ideas. We did discuss the book and the plot before pen was put to paper.


2) Who are your main influences when writing?

Michael Dibley: I love Beatrix Potter, Amy MacDonald and Nick Butterworth. Any book that has a good story and beautiful illustrations always helps. These are all authors from my childhood that I still cling onto.


3) I can see you’ve published quite a few children’s books, do you have anymore lined up?

Michael Dibley: I do. I have one that will be released later this year entitled “Sophie the Hedgehog”. It’s part of my Whispers in the Woodland series. I’ll put information on my author page below when it is available.

Book Blurb for “Iwa the Snowflake”:

A scary situation for any child is to be separated from their family. It’s no different for Iwa the Snowflake. She finds herself lost during a storm and desperately wants to get home. It’s the start of a new adventure as she discovers a new world. But can she get back in time before the sun comes back out?

“Iwa the Snowflake” is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.


For more information on Michael Dibley, please visit his Amazon Author’s Page.

Sep1

Day 5 of the 2023 Back to School Blog Tour: Recap of the Week/Resources

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On the final day of the blog tour this year, I’d like to thank all of the participating authors for taking the time to submit their books and/or participate in the interviews. These authors take the time to write incredible books and then allow me to bring them to you. So, a big thank you to all of them.

And I’d also like to thank all of my readers that follow this blog. Over the years, I’ve tried to provide resources to help in the classroom and support parents at home in educating and helping their child to appreciate new voices in literature. So, thank you for returning again and again to see what new books and authors I have found for you.

Meanwhile, let’s recap the authors that have been participating this week.

If you missed any of the posts, these are short cuts to get you connected with each author and book that has been featured. Plus, there are a lot of different resources for the classroom and for home schooling on my blog. I’ve listed some of the free lesson plans and units you can find on my blog below.

Free Online Novel Study for my book, “The Lost Secret of Fairies”.

Parent Support for Homeschool: Free Ebook & Online Novel Study

Free Spooky Story Online Activity: Write Your Own Spooky Story

Write Your Own Spooky Story For Halloween

Link to Online Writing & Reading Lesson Plans

(With Selected Free Lesson Plans)

TPT Making Writing Fun Store

Thank you for a fantastic Back to School week of ideas, books, authors and organizational fun. I do hope that I’ve helped you plan more towards your 2023 curriculum, and that you have a fabulous start to your school year.

Until next time, keep safe and keep writing,

-Tiffany Turner

Retired Elementary Teacher

Head writer/editor for the Indie Children’s Authors Connection Blog

Aug30

Day 3 of the 2023 Back to School Blog Tour- Book Review for Mr. Tickety-Toc Clock: The Travel to Washington

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Welcome back, everyone! Today I have a book review for a very unique book series. This author started writing and publishing his books when he was eleven years old, and is still writing his children’s book series today.

Davon Miller had severe asthma as a child, and found himself in and out of the hospital a lot. He started writing and illustrating his books at an early age, and now donates some of his proceeds from his books to the hospital that treated him as a child. He is also a very active volunteer, hosts a radio segment on writing, has won several awards, and started a campaign called #IMAGINE2020CHILDRENSTORIES in support of African-American Authors.

BOOK REVIEW: Mr. Tickety-Toc: The Travel to Washington

By Davon Miller

Does your child or classroom like a good mystery? Do they wish they were an illustrator? I’ve found a book that is a great introduction to what the imagination and the pen combined can do. Mr. Tickety-Toc is part of a series of books exploring and teaching while engaging the imagination. Written by Davon Miller, children are taken into a world of fun, inventive characters while they learn about historical places, lessons of life, and are gifted with a bit of humor.

Mr. Tickety-Toc: The Travel To Washington starts out with opening a gift. Mr. Tickety-Toc receives a box full of animal travel companions that immediately start out on an adventure to travel the country and try to solve the mystery of the box. Off they go to New York, Texas, Washington state, California, South Dakota and finally arriving in Washington D.C. They encounter famous monuments such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial while trying to solve the surprise box mystery. Will Mr. Tickety-Toc be able to find all the homes of the animals? Or will he be hopelessly lost?

This charming story is illustrated with colorful, crayon medium pictures giving that kid-like feel to the whole story. It may even inspire children to maybe try their own attempts at illustrations. Through working together, the mystery is solved, stressing the great life lesson of teamwork. I recommend this picture book as an introduction to U.S. historical monuments and as a working together read-aloud for the home or the classroom.

Mr. Tickety-Toc: The Travel to Washington can be purchased on Amazon.com.

For more information on Davon Miller and his books, please visit his Amazon Author Page.

Link to Davon Miller’s Facebook Page Here.

For an interview with Davon Miller on “Beautiful People: Tampa Bay”, link here.

Thank you for supporting all these great authors by following my blog, reading posts, and commenting. It really means a lot to get the word out about these fabulous books and the authors that wrote them. Please feel free to comment and let me know what you like or what could be improved.

We’ve just got a few more days left. So, check back tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the start of the 2023 school year!

Aug29

Day 2 of the 2023 Back to School Blog Tour: Interview with Marin Darmonkow

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Welcome to day two of the 2023 Back to School Blog Tour. I have another author interview for you today. I have found a fabulous author that has the extra talent of being an amazing illustrator as well. It seems this is a great bonus combination for becoming an indie author. His picture book is called “The Smile”, and it is an always free or permafree book on Amazon and other online retailers. The illustrations have a noble look that imbues a vibrant charm to the characters and the story. Centering around an Inuit girl and her dog, it is sure to have a special place in any home library or classroom bookshelf.

Marin Darmonkow lives in Canada with his family. He has retired from advertising and wanted to find a worthy way to give back to the community. Writing children’s books is his chance to do just that, and he even started his own publishing company to do so. I had the chance to interview him about how he became an author, how he gets his ideas, and what projects he is writing now.

1) What made you want to become an author?

Marin Darmonkow: I started late – after I retired. Both of my children attended medical school, they became independent and my parental obligations significantly reduced. For the first time in my life, I had time for myself and I wanted to make a product; preferably something without an expiry date. I solely create children’s books for the reason that I possess the skills not only to write but also to illustrate, design, and put together the layout. This is a perfect fit for publishing picture books. 

2) For your featured book, how did you get the ideas to write it?

Marin Darmonkow: I was probably influenced by contemporary media – Indigenous affairs are one of the daily topics discussed on radio stations, TV channels and the Internet. I live in Canada, so I decided to create a humane story about the most famous Inuit symbol, the innunguaq, and its relationship with people. You know that the stony sculpture is like a person but it is also a signpost and plays a significant role in Inuit culture.

On my search for an editor of Inuit origin, a University professor from the Department of Linguistics told me that I had no right to create such a story as I did not belong to the Inuit group of people. The professor’s warning struck a chord with me as I am an adamant defender of freedom of expression. My unapologetic answer was that I published the story – I uploaded the book as perma-free to all major online book retailers. I even included the professor’s correspondence in the book’s description. Amazon is the only exception to this as from time to time the behemoth unilaterally adds a price to the book.

3) What writing projects are you working on right now?

Marin Darmonkow: I am currently working on a story about the only child in the world born without a heart. The title of the publication is BEMBE’S HEART. Bembe is an ancient Mayan name and it means “son of a prophecy”. Everyone should read the book to their child as it is a book about the extraordinary bond between mother and child. It is a stunning story about know-no-limits motherly love. 

Book Blurb:

Living in the land of six months night and six months day, challenges are always around the corner. The young Inuit girl, Ahnah, and her dog, Akiak, must survive while her parents leave to find food. She learns to endure and lets her dreams lead her. In the end, she will bring a smile to everyone’s face.

“The Smile” is available for free at the following online retailers:

For more information about Marin Darmonkow, please visit his website at: Fontreal.com.

I hope you are enjoying the blog tour event so far. Please leave a comment to let me know what you like or suggest what to include next year. I would love to hear all the feedback for future planning. Look for a featured book review tomorrow. Until then, have a great start to the school year!

Aug28

Day 1 of The Back to School Blog Tour 2023: Interview with Peter Aronson

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Greetings and welcome to the 2023 Back to School Blog Tour. I have some great indie children’s authors and books to introduce you to this week. I am hoping you’ll find some fabulous home study or classroom resources for the 2023 school year. Having taught in the classroom for 18 years, I know that you want to find new and inspirational role models and books with themes that are helpful for teaching in the curriculum. I’ve lined up some fabulous titles and author interviews as well as book reviews.

So, let’s get started with our very first author for the week: Peter Aronson.

Peter Aronson is a former award-winning legal affairs journalist, former New York City attorney, and now writes essays, short stories and children’s books. His book, “Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma: The United States of Anthropocene”, is a look at a futuristic kid take-over inspired by a middle schooler with a different view of how the world should be. Set in the year 2030, it’s a wake up call for the adults in the world to do something or the kids will instead. Mandalay herself is a rebel with a passion for the environment, and doesn’t seem to let breaking some rules stop her mission to save the world.

I got a chance to ask Mr. Aronson about why he became an author, what gave him the idea for his book, and what future projects he has planned.

1) What made you want to be an author?

Peter Aronson: I have been writing for a long time, because I was a journalist for approximately 20 years earlier in my career. I became interested in writing fiction when I read more novels and saw the limitless creative opportunities. When I am making up a story and I like what I am writing, I get a wonderful sensation of feeling free, of feeling like I can do anything. It’s a sense of accomplishment, or achievement, I don’t get doing anything else. I began writing short stories, then a I tackled a novel.

2) For your featured book, “Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma: The United States of Anthropocene”, how did you get the idea to write it?

Peter Aronson: My daughters, Mabel and Maisy, were young then, in middle school, and they were reading apocolyptic-type books and I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if they read a novel that dealt with a real-world problem? It was 2015 and I believed then and even more so now that global warming was the biggest problem the world faced. So I decided to write a novel about kids fighting global warming, about taking the fight to the highest level. I got the idea before the amazing Greta Thunberg burst onto the scene and made such an impact.   

3) What writing projects are you working on now?

Peter Aronson: I am writing a TV mini-series based on my non-fiction middle-grade book “Bronislaw Huberman: From Child Prodigy to Hero, the Violinist who Saved Jewish Musicians from the Holocaust.” The story is still little known outside the music world. Huberman was a great humanitarian who overcame great odds in the 1930s to save Jewish musicians from the Nazis by establishing a orchestra in what was then Palestine. Huberman was a pacifist. A true maestro, he used his violin as his sword and enlisted people like Einstein to help him. 

Book Blurb:

“Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma: The United States of Anthropocene” is a middle grade novel that presents an all-too-real 2030. The Big Heat hits that causes temperatures to rise to extreme heat waves that kill thousands. The world has a hazardous future, and one 13-year-old decides she’s had enough and wants to do something about it. Only her idea of what to do might break a few rules along the way. From creating her own group called KRAPP (KIDS REVOLT AGAINST ADULT POWER) where the adventure leads to Washington D.C. and rapping to a captive president, it’s a novel that may lead to a call of action for kids around the world.

“Mandalay Hawk’s Dilemma: The United States of Anthropocene” is available on Amazon.com.

For more information on Peter Aronson, please visit his Amazon author’s page here.

Be sure to bookmark and come back every day this week for new interviews with authors and book reviews of featured books.

May you have a fabulous start to your school year!

Until tomorrow,

-Tiffany Turner

Jun27

Interview with Mary Jane Genuino

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Summer is here! This is a great time to put together a summer reading list for your child and help encourage them to read for enjoyment. There is nothing better than to sneak in some enrichment titles too.

If you are looking for a way to enhance your child’s world, “Nurse Mayumi” is a great add to your list. It is written by a nurse that wanted to bridge understanding of the Filipino community, inspire other Filipino children, and open up the world of nursing to children. Mary Jane Genuino, DNP RN-BC wanted to show the caring tradition in Filipino families by writing “Nurse Mayumi”. In the interview below, she shares about her writing routine, subjects that she wishes to write about, and what writing means to her.

1) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.


Mary Jane Genuino: Writing is a passion of mine, and I’ve found that establishing a routine is key to staying on track and making progress. For me, the most important aspect of my writing routine is consistency.

2) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Mary Jane Genuino: For this children’s book, “Nurse Mayumi”, it is more of an advocacy. Through this book, I hope to raise awareness about the important contributions that Filipinos make to the nursing profession, and to provide representation for Filipino children who may not see themselves reflected in mainstream children’s literature. By sharing the story of this remarkable nurse, I hope to inspire young readers to pursue their dreams and to celebrate their cultural heritage. Currently, I am finishing a compilation of stories from nurses who have lost a loved one, including my own.

3) What is writing to you in one sentence?


Mary Jane Genuino: Writing is about self-expression and it can be therapeutic, educational or entertaining. Writing has the power to change the world around us.

Book Blurb:

“Nurse Mayumi” is a book that helps bridge the Filipino culture with nursing. Family is important in the culture. For most Filipinos, it means everything. This book shows the love of a daughter, a sister, and a nurse. It also showcases the familiar traits of most Filipinos–their caring nature and resilience. Join Nurse Mayumi in her journey of commitment, family and love for her nursing career.

“Nurse Mayumi” is available at Amazon.com.

For more information on Mary Jane Genuino, please visit her website HERE.

Apr22

Interview with Sean O’Leary

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Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. Spring is finally in full swing. What better way to help your child connect with nature than with a good book! I’m continuing to feature spring related books on the blog during this season, and here is my next gem.

Princess and Scruffy is about a squirrel that has a fear of heights, and needs to work out his trauma with the help of his new friend. Sean O’Leary is the author. Mr. O’Leary does a fabulous job addressing the issue of making new friends and facing fears all set within a beautiful forest. The illustrations are adorable, and I hope you enjoy his interview. He shares about his reading memories, author inspirations and what he does to help his writing routine. Happy Spring!

  • What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Sean O’Leary: My mother would read to me before I went to bed, and I very much looked forward to reading time.

  • Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Sean O’Leary: As a child I loved everything Dr. Seuss. The books are more than just entertainment; they have a message they are trying to convey. I remember talking about the themes with my mom. One that sticks out to me is Whoville. A person is a person, no matter how small. I think that is important today more than ever. Everyone is important. Teaching empathy for others is a valuable skill and an important attribute for people to have if they want to be an asset to society.

  • Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Sean O’Leary: I have always lived a very full life which makes it very difficult to keep a strict writing routine. I visualize a story before I write it down. Once I have the story in my head, it is like a splinter that keeps pestering you until you take it out. I have to write it down so I can get it out of my head. There are times I will think about the story for a few days before writing it down. Such was the case with Princess and Scruffy. Other times, it takes me several years before I have what I want to say all together in my head. That is how it was with The Road of Blood. I want to see the story in my imagination first, and then I just have to write down what I see.

Book Blurb for Princess and Scruffy:

Scruffy is a lovable, fluffy, tan squirrel that lives in a beautiful forest. He is a small animal with a big problem. Unlike all the other squirrels, Scruffy is afraid of heights. Instead of running up and down the trees and out across the limbs, he is stuck on the ground.

One day he makes a new friend who promises to help him as he tries to overcome his fears. Scruffy is afraid that if he does not learn to climb trees, he will lose his new friend. Will he succeed? Will he learn to climb trees like the other squirrels? With a friend like Princess, he cannot fail.

Princess and Scruffy is available at Amazon.com as a Kindle Unlimited title.

For more information on Sean O’Leary, visit his author page here.

Mar27

Interview with Luci Hollenkamp

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A very happy spring to you and your kin! Hopefully, it is starting to warm up and flowers are starting to bloom where you are. Our thoughts turn to hopeful tidings, and it is wonderful to reflect that with the literature we share with our children and students.

I have found a wonderful book that gives insight to a supportive structure to children in foster care. “Ronni Raccoon and the Foster Bunnies” is a picture book written by a former foster parent.  Luci Hollenkamp captures the nurturing and supportive environment created to support children in any type of family. She used experiences as a foster parent and as a capable auntie to help write the book. Luci Hollenkamp shares some of her story inspirations from participating in foster care and from her nieces and nephews in her interview below. Enjoy!

  • What is your favorite memory reading as a child?

Luci Hollenkamp: When I was young I was a bit of an insomniac. I used to hide under my covers with a flashlight and read late into the night. In the winter, when it was cold out, you could hear the wind howling and the windows rattling. It was especially comforting to be reading and settled into a good book.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Luci Hollenkamp: “Ronni Raccoon and the Foster Bunnies” has been something I have thought about writing for a very long time. I was a foster mom for a while and loved every minute of it. It was not easy, but it was rewarding and worth every effort.

The story is loosely based on some of my experiences. I plan on writing more books in the series. Some of the stories will draw from the adventures with my foster children, some from nieces and nephews, and some from my siblings growing up. This book is my tribute to those I love. They mean the world to me.

I also hope it helps people realize a little kindness and care can go a long way. Different families, even within the same cultural groups, have their own traditions and their own way of doing things. If we just open ourselves up and give other ways a try, it can help open doors of understanding and goodwill.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Luci Hollenkamp: Writing for me is a way to leave a legacy of love and kindness.

Book Blurb:
What do you do when two young bunnies get separated from their parents? If you are Ronni Raccoon, you open your home to them and keep them safe until they can be reunited with their parents. In this heartwarming tale, Ronni Raccoon learns about accepting others as they navigate these difficult times together and meet each other where they are. This beautifully illustrated story shows how family are the ones we let snuggle close to our heart.

“Ronni Raccoon and the Foster Bunnies” is available at Amazon.com, and is a Kindle Unlimited title.

For more information on Luci Hollenkamp, please visit her author page here.

Mar24

Interview with Ronald J. Fontenot

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Spring is almost here, and this is a great time to be inspiring your young ones and/or students into exploring their world and nature. I think I’ve found a fabulous book that can do both.

Meet Ronald J. Fontenot. He’s an artist/writer that enjoys creating beautiful and humorous children’s books. He’s written and illustrated “Sometimes the Beach”, a wonderful book that helps a child explore their feelings and connections with nature. He’s also written books under the name of Scott C. Johnson. I had a chance to talk with Ron about his favorite memories of reading as a child, future projects and what writing means to him.

  • What is your favorite reading memory as a child?

Ronald J. Fontenot: My favorite memory from reading as a child was both looking at the colorful pictures and learning a fun story. As an artist, I have always been very visual, and that remains true today. So, books with fun illustrations have always had a special place in my heart.

  • What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Ronald J. Fontenot: For future projects, I have a book in mind titled “A Dog for Douglas”. It is about a boy named Douglas getting his first puppy and how it changes his world.

  • What is writing to you in one sentence?

Ronald J. Fontenot: Writing is sharing, in my opinion.

Book Blurb:

Sometimes the Beach is a three board book set centered around a boy and his experiences at the beach. There is Morning Beach, Sunny Beach, Cloudy Beach, Stormy Beach, Sunset Beach and Moonlit Beach. Each beach book provides its own feelings, activities, environment, and emotions as seen through the eyes of a young boy.

To the child, the beach provides unique experiences that captivate his emotions and give him a deep love for the beach. It is as if he is visiting a friend. This book is a great way to help a child relate with their emotions and connect with their environment. This set of board books is recommended for children 1 to 5 years old.

“Sometimes the Beach” is available at sometimesthebeach.com.

For more information on Ronald J. Fontenot, please visit his website/author page here.

Link to Read-Aloud of “Sometimes the Beach” by Ronald J. Fontenot on YOUTUBE.

Oct6

Interview with Simone Chasey

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As we ease into autumn, the leaves are falling and there’s that need to want to go inside, cuddle in a good blanket, and read a good book. It is a great opportunity to share a moment with your child, and help establish community if you are doing read-alouds with your classroom. As many teachers know, this is the time of year you need to establish your classroom community for the rest of the year. So, it’s pivotal to include books like this in your read-aloud time or as small group reading. As a parent, it’s a great way to support your child’s social development.

Let me introduce you to Simone Chasey and her book, “Everlasting Life Lessons for Kids: Giving Children Moral Guidance Through Short Stories”. Simone has written a book that helps teach social morals to help give children a compass in being human. She has brought together a collection of stories that will be an awesome connection for children to find comfort and grounding in these uncertain times. I had a chance to talk with Simone about why she wrote this book and what her future projects may entail.

1) Do you think your book would be a nice addition in a classroom setting for teachers to read and discuss with the class?


Simone Chasey: I think any book that can transfer knowledge would always be beneficial for children. It would be a nice addition in a classroom setting for teachers to read up for discussion. I believe it can help children who lack life experiences so they can gain insight through short stories.

2) What do you hope for kids to take away from reading your book?


Simone Chasey: Children absorb the most through seeing, hearing, and asking questions. I hope the stories will teach children to express kindness, help others, and allow them to always remain curious and never stop asking questions. We, as adults, are simply children that stopped dreaming, stopped asking questions, and stopped being creative. With this book, I want children to embrace their curiosities, and to understand that failure is okay and that you can only ever go upward from there.

3) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?


Simone Chasey: Growing up, I didn’t enjoy science. It was only after high school that I finally learned to like science. I would like to share knowledge and educate future generations. I want to promote science from a different perspective and show them that science could be fun!

Book Blurb:
Short stories for kids are one of the best ways to teach them life lessons. Through storytelling, you can teach children lifelong morals and values without coming across as lecturing. Kids will be able to catch a glimpse into another world, allowing them to canvas various morals and life situations safely. Moral guidance and life lessons to children are crucial to child development while they are experiencing new things in life. These stories give them guidelines and signposts in their social development.

I hope that these short stories can teach your child the underlying message of being kind and compassionate. Short story morals point out messages such as bad habits, like lying and cheating, come with consequences. They also motivate children to develop better long-term habits such as being grateful and having good manners. Whether you are reading to your children or reading together with them, these inspirational short stories will be a fun, learning experience for your kids.

“Everlasting Life Lessons for Kids” is available at Amazon.com as a Kindle Unlimited title.

Amazon Kindle Unlimited Edition

It is also available as a Spanish Edition.

Spanish Edition