Sherry Alexander's Blog, page 3

Kids: Say No to Racism!

Racism is the belief that skin color, or heritage, determines  a person's abilities, strengths, and characteristics. It also means that everyone whose skin or heritage belongs to a specific group is either inferior or superior to every other group. Racism breeds discrimination, prejudice, anger, and even violence. 
Children have been prevented from attending school because of racism. People have been refused medical treatment because of racism. World wars have been started because of racism. And, millions of people have died because of racism. It is important that you understand that because you are the future, and it is important that you--the children of the world--say "NO" to racism. Racism is not new. It's been with us for centuries. As a child, I even experienced racism because my mother was part Native American. She was called a "Breed", and we were her little papooses. Or as one of my second grade teachers called my sister, "Little Chief". We were considered inferior to most of the kids in school. That same teacher decided that we were unable to learn the same way the rest of the kids could, so she separated us from them. Today, you have an opportunity to live in a diverse world where each race and each culture can bring a richness to your lives. Take advantage of that chance. Learn about each other. Enjoy the differences. If you do, then you will realize what I have-- that no one should ever be told they are inferior because of the color of their skin, where they were born, their culture, their religion, or their disability.  And, no one should ever feel superior because of the color of their skin, where thy were born, their culture, their religion, or their disability. Join with me in saying, "No" to racism.

Kids: Get Ready for School Conflicts

Wouldn't it be awesome if you never had to worry about anyone picking on you, trying to start an argument, or even bullying you at school? School could be a happy place then. A place where everyone got along like the picture below. 
But, unfortunately things happen, and before you know it, you are butting heads with a classmate or a teacher. When that happens, what do you do? The first thing you can do is remain calm. Remember, arguments and disagreements are part of everyday life. They can be small or big, but your reaction can either increase the fire or leave it at a low burn. Staying calm allows you not to engage in the disagreement. It also allows you to listen--really listen--to the complaint. There is always the chance that you misheard or misunderstood what the other person was saying. You can take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and then let it out slowly. Repeat it if you need to. Calming your breathing will help you to mentally and emotionally step back from the argument. Staying calm will also help you to avoid body language that could make the other person even angrier. Things such as clenching your teeth or jaw, balling your hands into fists, crossing your arms, or leaning forward into the other person's space if you focus on remaining calm. If that does not work, then walk away.Walking away from an angry person, a bully, or someone who is trying to intimidate you is not a coward's way out. In fact, it is just the opposite. It takes courage to walk away when you know deep down inside your heart that everyone around you would rather see a fight. But how do you walk away when someone is shouting at your face? First, step back. Make sure there is space between you and the other person. You can even tell them, "Hey, I don't want to fight about this." If the other person persists, don't trade insults or jabs, just turn and walk away slowly. This is where the real courage comes in--you need to ignore the words, threats, or even name calling that the angry person might throw your way. I know this is not an easy thing to do, but removing yourself from the conflict is a good way to stall or until you have had time to think or to get additional advice.
These are only two ways to avoid a conflict, but there are many more. Talk to your parents and ask them for additional ideas. They can help you develop an action plan if an argument occurs at school. Remember, everyone gets angry now and then. An action plan will help you know what to do when someone turns their anger on you.
Be safe. Have fun. Enjoy school.

One of the Best Books for YA Summer Reading: The Into The Fire Trilogy!

If you follow my blog, you know Kelly Hashway is one of my favorite children's and middle grade authors, and I have been privileged to feature several of her books. This time, however, I would like to introduce you to the other side of Kelly--the Young Adult author! And, the best way to introduce you to her is through her Into the Fire Trilogy.This is not your everyday boy meets girl story. Well, it is sort of, but with a twist that has never been done before, and I promise it will keep you turning page after page. You see, in this trilogy, 17 year-old Cara is fighting for her life--literally. No it's not another book about a sick and dying girl like John Green's The Fault in Our Stars. Instead, Cara's battle is with the hunters who want to steal her essence. You see, Cara is about to be reborn as a Phoenix, and when that happens Cara and her whole family will be in danger of dying at the hand of an unknown hunter. Who will she turn to? Who can she trust? 
Meet Cara in book #1, Into the Fire. This is where Cara's life ends with her death and rebirth as a new Phoenix. Not only does she have to adjust to the new powers that come with such a transformation, but now more than ever her life is in danger. The hunters know there is a new Phoenix, and the chance to kill her and steal her remaining lives draws them to her like moths to a flame. And if her life isn't complicated enough, she meets Logan, the new boy in town, and something is pulling them together. But when a Phoenix is reborn, the previous life is forgotten. Will Cara remember Logan? Or, will she only remember the danger?

Logan struggles to help Cara remember him and their magical bond in book #2, Out of the Ashes while everyone else in her life suspects him to be a hunter. Cara has to concentrate on the real threat. The hunters are getting close. They've already claimed the life of another young Phoenix. Will she believe Logan, and risk her life and the lives of her family? Or, will she push away the resurfacing memories and let her family put an end to their love once and for all? 






The intensity rises and so does Cara in book #3, Up In Flames. The hunters have claimed the lives of Phoenixes in other towns, and it appears they are heading straight for Cara. The only way her family can hope to protect her is to join with other Phoenixes. Maybe they can protect each other as a group. But can they trust each other to stay loyal? And, to make matters worse, Logan has held the Phoenix dagger made from the shell of the first Phoenix, and it's draw to kill is strong. But is it stronger than his love for Cara? The battle is coming, and no one knows who will survive. Will Logan go up in flames? Or will Cara?

You can buy your copy as an ebook or a print book and start reading today from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
And check out Kelly's other books at her website Kelly Hashway
Note: Sorry I've been gone for a few weeks, but I am back now. Next week, "Getting Ready for School Conflicts". I know none of you want to think about school, but in 6 weeks you'll be back in class. Next week's primer will give you some tools to practice before you are faced with another school bully.

Kids Who Inspire Series: Emma Faith Clark

Emma and her mom, Katie at St. Jude'sIf you are really lucky, you get a chance to either inspire someone else or to be inspired. Emma Faith Clark was one of those rare kids who inspired everyone with her smile, her non-rhyming poems, and her courage. Even though I never met this amazing young girl, I loved her. Her mother was gracious enough to share Emma's journey with me during Emma's fight against cancer. This is Emma's story as told by her mother, fellow children's author, Katie Clark.

“I sing, you sing. Singing makes you feel better. It makes you happy to sing.”

When Emma was three years old she was diagnosed with a disease called cancer. Most people have heard of cancer. Even kids. Emma’s cancer wasn’t all over her body. It was in just a few places, called her lymph nodes. Everyone has lymph nodes, which are glands in the body that help fight off sickness. But her lymph nodes were not strong enough to fight off cancer. 
It took almost three years of treatment with chemotherapy to get rid of all the cancer. The next two years were very happy years! Emma was much better, and she enjoyed lots of trips to the park, the library, and the swimming pool. But then Emma got sick again. It was summer time, and she was having strange lumps on her neck. The doctors tested her blood. They found more cancer. This time the cancer was in her lymph nodes as well as her blood. Emma would need more chemotherapy. She would also need a treatment called a bone marrow transplant.

Emma did very well with her treatment. The cancer went away! But the doctors knew the cancer would come back again. They needed to do a second treatment. Emma needed a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow is where blood is made. Since Emma’s blood had cancer in it, the doctors knew her bone marrow was sick. Her transplant happened just before Christmas. It was very easy for Emma. The doctors put the new bone marrow into her body through an IV line. It didn’t hurt at all.

The bone marrow transplant worked! Emma’s body began working well on its own, and there was no more cancer. But other things started to go wrong. She got a sickness called graft versus host disease. Then, her lungs got sick and it was hard for her to breathe. Sometimes, during all of these hard things, it has been hard for Emma to stay cheerful. She has had pain, or felt sick. She has had lots of needle sticks.
 
But Emma never lets these hard things make her too sad. She works hard to stay happy when she can. One of the things Emma does to stay encouraged is writing. Sometimes she writes stories about cats or unicorns. And sometimes she writes poems. Most people think that all poems should rhyme, but a lot of Emma’s poems don’t rhyme. Here are the words to one of her poems:
 
“I sing, you sing. Singing makes you feel better. It makes you happy to sing.” 
Writing is a great way to express your feelings and use your imagination. Those things can lift your spirits when you’re sad. They can also help you not feel bored. The next time you feel bored, lonely, or sad you should give writing a try!
If you care to donate to St. Jude, here is the link to do it in Emma's name
Author's Note:Ten year old Emma lost her battle on June 14th. I am a better person to have known her. Her amazing strength, determination, and courage, her love of her family, her love of animals, her favorite colors--pink and black, her fascination with unicorns, and the joy she brought with a simple smile will never be forgotten. So, be inspired by her story. When you face a difficult situation, don't let it break your spirits. Find something like Emma did that will raise your hopes, your spirit, and your heart. Just don't let the sadness overwhelm you.Emma, this pink unicorn is for you. Thank you for inspiring me. You are forever in my thoughts and prayers.

Kids Who Inspire Series

Have you ever been inspired by someone to go beyond what you believe are your limitations, or to make the best of a bad situation? I have, and I bet you have too. This month I want you to meet three kids who not only inspire me, but move me to be more creative. Their example makes me feel that if they can do it, so can I. 



Meet AnimalGirl
AnimalGirl, who prefers not to share her picture, is my amazing grand daughter. AG is an 11 year-old who has gone through a tragedy that I hope none of you ever have to face. Her mother, my daughter, died when she was nine years-old. The loss has been rough, and at times overwhelming. "I really miss my Mom," she says. "But I want her to be proud of me."So, while AG's loss has changed her life forever, she decided to do something with her grief. She turned it into a desire to help save her beloved animals before they slip into extinction.AG loves animals, and that love has taken her from raising butterflies to protesting the cutting down of trees to make way for new homes. This year, however, she decided to spread the word about the critically endangered animals of the world by creating her own blog--Animal Girl's Nature World. Every two weeks, she features a different endangered animal. "I give the facts about the animal, and why it is endangered. I think kids need to know that there are animals that might not be around for them to actually get to see them in person."She is very vocal about the loss of habitat, over-hunting, pollution, and climate change. Her personal motto is, "Some think it's cool, but I think it's cruel."AG inspires me to be a better person, and to do something for the world that would make her mother proud. What does her experience inspire you to do?

My Children's Book Month Feature: Cookies for Punch

Now it's time to introduce you to an amazing new picture book for young and old alike. Cookies for Punch is about a dog who loves his master, Tyler. When Tyler eats some of punch's dog cookies, a magical thing happens--and it isn't good. Find out how Punch uses his smarts to come up with a 'done gone' good idea to save his best pal, Tyler.Published by Guardian Angel, you can find a large print copy of Cookies for Punch at Amazon,  Barnes and Noble, and Guardian Angel Publications
Cookies for Punch is a wonderful story from the imagination of children's author, Allyn Stotz and her dog Punch.
Allyn and Punch
Allyn is a children’s book writer with five picture books to her credit: The Pea in Peanut Butter, Kailee Finds Magic IN Words, Hippo Bottomless, The Color of Love and Cookies for Punch. She has also been published in various children’s online magazines. 
Allyn came from a family of writers. Her father owned the town newspaper in Edgerton, Ohio while her mother wrote a weekly column. One of her sisters is a freelance editor/writer for non-fiction magazines. Watching Allyn’s journey to publication convinced her sister and  mother to team up. They have recently just published their fourth book, Holiday Connections.
 She is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The CBI Clubhouse and belongs to the Livingston Parish Writer’s Group. 
Allyn and her husband  reside in Louisiana with their two crazy dogs and one fat cat. Please visit  Allyn's Blog--"Dreaming With Words"
My Review:
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just took one little bite from that ever so delicious looking doggie cookie? Would you get sick? Or, would you sprout a tail? If you are the imaginative and creative Allyn Stotz, you just know you would sprout a tail, and that is where the fun begins in her wonderful children's story. Tyler takes that eventful bite, and then isn't sure how to get out of the trouble it causes. That's when Punch comes to the rescue. Kids will love this humorous story about a boy and his dog. The large print and the colorful illustrations from the one and only Jack Foster make this a book your little ones will ask to be read over and over. 

My Children's Book Month Feature: The Majestic Cave by Kelly Hashway

Kelly Hashway's new middle grade novel, Mystery of the Majestic Cave, is out in time to make summer reading fun! It is the continuing adventure of three kids who are trying to bring an end to the Curse of the Granville Fortune (her first book in this series). Want to know more? Look below.
Thirteen-year-old J.B. thought being cursed was bad, but finding out his first crush is going to be eaten by an octopus is more than he can handle. It’s been two months since J.B. met Noelle and Edward and discovered they were the three—receivers of the sight, or more importantly the ones who have to break the curse that’s plagued their families for hundreds of years.
This time their search for the Granville fortune leads them to a place called Majestic Cave. The cave is by the sea, and J.B. knows going near it will put Noelle’s life in danger. With no other choice, the three follow the clues. But as usual, they aren’t the only ones searching for the fortune. The evil Grimaults also know about the cave, and they’ll stop at nothing to get their hands on more of the Granville treasure.

History won’t be the only thing uncovered on this journey—and it might not be the only thing buried either. 
Here's an excerpt to enjoy.
Finding out I was cursed was one thing. Finding out one of the two people who was supposed to help me break the curse was going to be eaten by a giant octopus was another.
The octopus wrapped its tentacles around Noelle’s chest, locking her arms down at her sides and making it impossible for her to fight back. She screamed and bubbles filled the water. Her eyes widened as the octopus squeezed her tighter, pulling her closer to its beak. I watched helplessly—locked inside the vision, feeling Noelle’s fear.
Sweat poured down my forehead, and my arms trembled as I yanked my hands from Edward’s and Noelle’s shoulders. The force of ending the vision shook me so hard I fell backward, gasping for air. The grass was cold against my skin. The heat of the summer was nothing compared to the heat of the vision. I was still panting when I opened my eyes. Noelle was slumped on the merry-go-round crying. Her brown hair stuck to her wet cheeks. Before I could go to her, Edward was at her side. He put one arm around her and said, “We’ll stop it. It won’t happen.” He looked at me like it was my fault. Okay, yeah it was my vision. I was the one who saw the future. But I couldn’t control the visions I had any more than he could.
I got to my feet and brushed the dirt off my legs. “Noelle, I’m so sorry. I tried to break the connection as soon as I could.”
“It’s not your fault, J.B.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and looked up at me. “Sebastien, Jean, and Aristede did this to us.” Her voice shook. “They cursed us, and now I’m going to…die because of it.”
“No you’re not!” Edward and I said. Neither one of us was going to let that happen.
The curse started over two hundred years ago when Sebastien Granville, Noelle’s ancestor, and his two friends stole the Granville family’s fortune. Those friends were Edward’s ancestor, Aristede Grimault, and my ancestor, Jean Beaumonte. When they were caught by Sebastien’s grandmother, she cursed them, dooming all their descendents to suffer from their greatest fears. Part of the curse was the gift of sight that she passed down to Edward, Noelle, and me. 
“We’ll never figure this out,” Noelle said. “The visions don’t make any sense.”
Edward plopped down on the grass and started ripping it out by the handfuls. He wasn’t big on pep talks. Neither was I. The past two months hadn’t exactly been easy. Sneaking around behind my parents’ backs was difficult enough, but getting past my sister, Holly, had been almost impossible. Edward had been camping out in my shed since his heartless brother Garret and his lowlife cousin Trent took off to find Edward’s dad, Morgan—who had run off with the only part of the fortune we’d found so far. Some family. I didn’t completely trust Edward, but I couldn’t turn my back on him either. The three of us had to stick together and make sense of these visions. They were our only clues to finding the missing pieces of the Granville fortune and breaking the curse. We knew what would happen if we didn’t. We’d die—all of us.
We weren’t any closer to breaking the curse. Somehow it had actually gotten worse since Noelle, Edward, and I had gotten together. Or maybe it was because Morgan Grimault got away with the fortune. Either way, it was bad. The visions were even more painful now when we had them alone. It must have been the curse’s way of forcing us to stay together and find the fortune, because it was torture being apart.
“The visions are supposed to help us,” I said.
“All we’ve seen is my dad staring at the fortune he took off with,” Edward said. “How does that help? Seeing things as they’re happening isn’t helping.”
Noelle stood up, and I thought she was going to mention the vision of the future I just gave us all. Instead, she turned to Edward. “We need to see the past to find out where Sebastien and Jean hid their parts of the fortune.”
Edward looked to me for help. “We’ve never been able to make ourselves have a vision,” I said.
Noelle whipped her head around. “That’s not true. The first vision we ever had was forced.” She pointed to the ground. “We were standing right here, and we made it happen.”
I shook my head. “No, we didn’t. That vision had been trying to show itself to us since the moment we met. We held it off until we decided to work together.”
“Fine, then let’s decide to work together now and have a vision that actually helps!” Noelle clenched her fists at her sides. She was totally freaked out, and I couldn’t blame her.  
Ready to grab your copy? You can find one at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Meet one of my favorite children's authors: Kelly Hashway
Kelly Hashway fully admits to being one of the most accident-prone people on the planet, but that didn’t stop her from jumping out of an airplane at ten thousand feet one Halloween. Maybe it was growing up reading R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books that instilled a love of all things scary and a desire to live in a world filled with supernatural creatures, but she spends her days writing speculative fiction. Kelly’s also a sucker for first love, which is why she writes romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she’s not writing, Kelly works as an editor and also as Mom, which she believes is a job title that deserves to be capitalized. She is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency. 
You can learn more about Kelly on her website or check her out on GoodreadsMy Review:When I finished reading Kelly's first book, Curse of the Granville Fortune, I wanted the journey of J.B., Noelle, and Edward to continue. I knew there was another adventure waiting for these three, and The Majestic Cave is everything I was hoping it would be. Drawn together by the curse, the three kids face a new danger in an ocean cave where a voiced imagination can become a reality. No spoilers here, but believe me "Thar are sea monsters below!" If you like action, excitement, and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you will love this book. It is a must for your summer reading list. 

My Children's Book Month Featuring Blues Bones by Rick Starkey

May is my children's book month highlighting four of the best new releases for your summer reading fun. This week's feature is for BLUES BONES by Rick Starkey.
Thirteen-year-old Rodney Becker has found the perfect cure for stage fright. Voodoo! 
Armed with the stolen finger bones of a dead blues guitar player and a mishmash of voodoo spells from the Internet, he and his best friend enter a graveyard at midnight to perform their ritual. Now, all that stands in his way of winning a local guitar competition is the power of RETURN – a side effect of the voodoo that spells disaster for Rodney. 
His cure has become a curse. How else can he explain jamming his finger so bad he can't hold a guitar pick, his part-time dad stealing his guitar, and his mom getting into an accident that could have taken her life? 
How much is Rodney willing to risk to achieve his dream of being a guitar legend? 


Get your copy now!
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Meet the Author: Rick Starkey is a graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature. His main interest is writing novels for middle grade. Rick has sold short pieces to Highlights for Children including a game, magic tricks, and a short story. 
Knowing that most writers often wish that they had started their career earlier in life, Rick taught a basic course for the Talented and Gifted Program (T.A.G.) at Walter’s State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee. Rick’s students learn the basics of magazine submissions including cover and query letters, market research, and manuscript preparation. The T.A.G. program is for students grades 5 – 8 and come from seven counties in East Tennessee.Rick lives in a 200-year-old log cabin in the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where he and his wife, Betty, own and run Make It Magic, a magic shop and craft store. A day in Rick’s life includes recommending and performing magic tricks for customers of all ages, carving a bear from a log with a chainsaw, and working on his next novel.  
Visit  Rick Starkey
My Review
At one time or another, all kids are faced with wanting something so bad that they are willing to make any deal to get it. The main character, Rodney, in Blues Bones is no different. He wants to win a guitar competition, but a full case of stage fright is keeping him from his dream. Enter the best friend with an idea that might just save Rodney's dream, and things start going from bad to worse. 
This is Rick Starkey's first novel, and I absolutely loved it. The plotting was consistent, and the character development, laced with the author's knowledge and love of music, had me rooting for Rodney from the start. The story line with its twists and turns, and the added mystery of whether or not a spell might just help Rodney succeed makes this a page turner. This is a must for your summer reading adventures.
Join me next week for a brand new novel from one of my favorite children and Young Adult authors, Kelly Hashway

Driving to Prom? Do You Know What To Do If You Are Pulled Over?

It's that time of year again. Girls are picking out their dresses, and the boys are finding that perfect suit or Tux. Prom is right around the corner. The excitement is building, and so are the distractions. So once you and your date are in the car, do you know what to do if you suddenly see flashing red and blue lights in the rear view mirror? Do you know what you should do if you are asked to pull over?
 Here are six things you should do if you are pulled over.
When you see the lights or hear the siren, use your turn signal and move slowly into the right lane, and then when its safe, move to the emergency lane. Your turn signal and the slower speed will let the officer know that you saw him/her and that you are pulling over.Once you are safely pulled over, roll your window down and turn off your engine.Do not make any sudden movements. Let the officer make contact first. That means don't look under your seat, look through your purse, or dig in the glove box.  Keep your hands visible. Ideally, leave them on the steering wheel. Officers approaching vehicles during traffic stops are on high alert. They don't know you or if you have a weapon. Keeping your hands visible keeps the situation from escalating.Remain calm. Answer the officers questions, and when asked, provide your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. It helps if these documents are easily retrievable. You don't want to fumble around for them while the officer waits, and worse yet, not even know where these documents are kept.When the officer says you can go, use your turn signal and ease back into traffic.Finally, be safe! Prom's are exciting and it's easy to get carried away with all the dancing and fun, but when you are behind the wheel of a car, your eyes and attention must be on the road--not your date, no matter how beautiful he or she is. So drive safely! 

Kids: Meet Kai Strand, author of the Middle Grade Fantasy Series, The Weaver Tales

  I am thrilled to have fellow middle grade author, Kai Strand, visit today. If you haven't had a chance to read one of the three books in her The Weaver Tales series, you are missing out. I just finished the first book in the series, The Weaver, and loved it. 
Meet the author:
Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was an EPIC eBook Awards finalist. Her young adult title, King of Bad, soared to the publisher's #1 spot in its second month and stayed on the Top 5 Bestsellers list for eight months. She is a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four amazing kids. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, "Do your dishes!" She and her family hike, geocache, and canoe in beautiful Central Oregon, where they call home.
Kai, can you tell us about The Weaver Tale Series?
"There are currently three standalone books in The Weaver Tales series. They are set in the same fictional village of word weavers (people who speak in story) and Unwanted, a misunderstood gnome-elf, grants a wish in each book that complicates matters for the main character. In The Weaver, Mary Wordsmith wishes to be able to weave a yarn as beautiful as her mother’s. The Weaver was an EPIC eBook Award finalist. In The Wishing Well, Molly Minstrel is treated like Cinderella by her mother and sisters, so her wish is meant to make that better, but it only gets worse. And in The Lumpy Duckling, Eloise “Wheezy” Talemaker just wants everyone to see her best friend Lawrence “Lumpy” Nightingale the same way she does."
Can you tell us more about how the word weavers speak in your stories?
 This is such a fun part of the Weaver Tales—all the storytelling voices. The villagers in The Tales are likely to burst into story at any time. As a matter of fact, that is how they communicate best. What makes it so much fun is that they all have their own unique storytelling voice. As an example, Wheezy from The Lumpy Duckling gives reports. In this excerpt she’s updating her best friend’s mom on the results of a test she took at school:
 “News from the seventh grade Tale-ites brought to you by our sponsors, Spinach – If it’s a boost in memory you need, then you’ve picked the wrong vegetable, and Soap Flakes – We’re gonna wash those words right out of your mouth.
This week seventh grader, Eloise Talemaker, attempted to take the long dreaded math test on the chapter covering fractions. Unfortunately, Miss Talemaker only got a small fraction of the answers correct. Her teacher actually ‘tsk, tsk-ed’ her when he handed back the graded paper. Her mother and father were not surprised. “I’ve always known mathematics was a weakness in my sweet, but small brained, oldest daughter Eloise,” Talemaker’s mother said outside the family home Thursday evening.”
 What do you want readers to take away from The Weaver Tales stories?
 First and foremost, I want readers to be entertained. Swept up into the story as if they live in The Tales themselves. I hope The Weaver inspires them to persist when things get rough or when they don’t turn out as planned. I hope The Wishing Well demonstrates how important it is not to let the negativity or bullying of other people define you.  And ultimately The Lumpy Duckling is about friendship. Not so much how to have a friend or even how to keep a friend—but how to be a good friend. Most of the time it’s easy to be a good friend to your best friend, because you share a lot in common. Lumpyexplores what it’s like to be a good friend when the rug is yanked out from under you. It can be scary and it’s a lot of work, but it is so worth it in the end.


The Weaver : In a town of word weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish.  But instead of weaving a better story, she's weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales.
 Available in soft and hardcover and electronic from: GuardianAngel Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble. Add to Goodreads.
 
The Wishing Well : Molly Minstrel is treated worse than Cinderella by her mom and sisters. When Molly meets the magical creature, Unwanted, she wishes her problems away. However, you must first understand what you need before knowing what to ask for. Molly will have to look within for the solution to her troubles.
 Guardian Angel Publishing, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Add to Goodreads.
 

The Lumpy Duckling : Lumpy may be hefty with a misshapen mouth, but he’s funny and the most loyal friend Wheezy could ask for. When she meets Unwanted, she casts a wish for people to be able to see her best friend like she does. Her wish nearly kills him. Guardian AngelPublishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble. Add to Goodreads 

You can learn more about Kai and her books by visiting her website: www.kaistrand.com.   Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to Kai’s mailing list: http://eepurl.com/n8lCT