Bring some magic into your child’s life!

We could all use a little magic in our lives now, right? And these times have been really tough on kids who have been missing their friends and fun during the pandemic. So this is the perfect time for author Monique Roy’s fantasy book for children to be released & available to bring into your child’s life! I’ve invited Monique to be my latest guest blogger to tell us about her book…

Laurel’s Marvelous Kingdom by Monique Roy showcases all the great elements of a fairy tale story – princesses, a beautiful castle and an enchanting forest setting, a handsome prince, a feisty witch, and what’s even more cool, is it includes a fun-loving pink bunny. There is drama, comedy, darkness, friendships, love, and more.

The idea for Laurel’s Marvelous Kingdom came from the desire to write an enticing, emotional, and comedic kid’s story using old-style fairy tale principles – princesses, a handsome prince, a beautiful castle setting, and some witchy craziness. I also wanted to teach the children who read my book an important lesson. In this case, the lesson being that everyone is unique and to respect the uniqueness of others.

Reading is an amazing and inspiring pastime. I hope this book enlightens you, let’s you dream, and your mind wonder. If you love it and hopefully, you will, please tell your friends about it. Share this story with others. You can learn more about me and my stories at www.monique-roy.com

You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Laurels-Marvelous-Kingdom-Monique-Roy/dp/1637282672/

About the author…

Monique holds a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is also the author of a middle-grade book Once Upon a Time in Venice, historical fiction novel Across Great Divides, and historical fiction novel A Savage Kultur. 
Monique was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and her grandparents were European Jews who fled their home as Hitler rose to power. It’s their story that inspired her to write Across Great Divides, her first historical novel.
She resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and son. She also works as a freelance writer.

A new author’s dreams come true!

Bringing a new author’s stories to life is very exciting to me, as a freelance artist, and when you work with someone who you click with it’s even more enjoyable!  That’s why I’ve asked author Hayde Romero to be a guest blogger and share with you how she came to write children’s books.  I’m so happy to have been hired as her artist and I think her stories will be fun & inspiring for young readers!  Here’s what she has to say about her newly published books….

The idea of The Adventures of Mimi and Lulu came to me early one morning as I snuggled with my daughter in bed.  I knew she enjoyed story time and so I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to have a story featuring her? Slowly, I started developing on that idea and pulled in another character, Lulu which is inspired by one of my closest friend’s daughter. And of course, they had to have a dog (Magellan)!

I decided these three characters would embark on adventures that took place anywhere in this and out of this world. But how would this ever possible? It was only possible in their dreams. So, when they fell asleep during sleepovers, they met in their dreams and the adventures began.  I also wanted these stories to have some sort of meaning behind them – to deliver a message of kindness.

I try to portray this in The Fallen Star and The River Mystery.  In The Fallen Star, Mimi, Lulu and Magellan help a fallen star get back home to her mom. And in The River Mystery, the girls and Magellan help with a dilemma their friend (the river) is having.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR….

My English college professor once told me I was a good writer. And I believed her. From then, I started writing short stories and even wrote an entire novel. Writing is something I enjoy doing. Sometimes the stories flow with ease as I write them. Many other times, they simply don’t.

What I love the most is that I get to control the story and most importantly, the ending.

To order your copy of her new children’s book, click this link to purchase on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Mimi-Lulu-Fallen-Mistery/dp/1726657833/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543947568&sr=8-1&keywords=the+adventures+of+mimi+and+lulu

 

Anti-bully Bunny helps kids!

Art & stories are a great way to teach kids about compassion & life-skills.  This is one reason I love creating illustrations for children’s books, so when author Joan Decker

approached me to commission me to illustrate her anti-bullying story for kids, I immediately said YES!  The book is now complete and available on Amazon & Kindle so I invited Joan to be my next guest blogger so she can share her inspiration for her book with you…..

My name is Joan Decker, I’m a single mother of two son’s age’s 34 & 18 yrs. I am also a retired Special Ed teaching Assistant of 11 yrs. I began writing Poetry at the age of 16 yrs. old, it come’s so naturally to me. I have a compilation of Poems and will make it into a book soon. I’ve been an Advocate against Bullying since 2004, & I mentor children through Social Media. I was bullied as a young child after I had to start wearing glasses at age 7 yrs. old and hated them. We were poor, & my Mom had to use Medicaid for all doctor appointment’s, so my choice of glasses were limited to these ugly blue one’s with pointy corner’s. The very first day I wore them to school, children laughed at me , calling me name’s like ” Cat Eye’s” and “Four Eyes”, It made me sad. I can recall crying all the time and feeling like an outcast. So I mirrored Rosalina’s character (the bunny), after myself in my first book, BE A FRIEND NOT A BULLY: NAMES HURT. My youngest son Antonio was severely bullied since Kindergarten thru 6th grade, due to his Speech delay and quiet demeanor. He was physically and emotionally bullied everyday until I removed him in 6th Grade after being beaten by three boy’s. I then proceeded to Home School him, until he graduated in 2017. Antonio suffers from PTSD; no child should ever be traumatized in a school environment where he should be safe. I created animals in my stories to make each book kid friendly, keeping the bullying at only name calling, no violence. My focus being to inspire children to take pride in their appearance, to be strong in who they are. That bullies only have Power over you, if you let them. We live in a World where suicide is too common, and we as parents and as a society must bring Bullying of any kind to an abrupt end. This book is the first of a three part series, with the hope of giving emotional support to bullied children all over the world. I poured my heart and soul into each story and hope that I can make a difference in your child’s Life.

All Artwork (c)2017-2018 Lauren Curtis

 To purchase a copy:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F7CGT4Q/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

BE A FRIEND NOT A BULLY: NAMES HURT

This book is the first of a 3 part Series, to help children deal with bullying and diversity. As a Elementary teacher, I have seen first hand the negative effect it has on a child’s self-esteem. My message in each book is the same, be yourself and Stand True. We all have Special & Unique qualities that make us who we are inside. Rosalina Rabbit’s journey is about her appearance changing and while difficult in the beginning, she overcomes all the Name Calling and becomes Proud of how she looks.

End of (Summer) Days Art Events

It’s hard to believe the end of Summer is here but it’ll be as busy as ever!  On THE last day, 9/21/13,  I’ll be in TWO art shows!  During the day (see image below), I’ll have 2 pieces in the MANDALA exhibit at Nails in the Wall Gallery at St. Luke’s, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen, 2-5pm.  FREE catered event!  

Nails In Wall.MandalaShow2013

Then, that night, I move on to exhibiting art & hand made crafts at the ONE NIGHT SHOW  at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ, 9/21/13,
9pm-2am, local artists, old-time burlesque act& several local, live bands!!

CourtTavernShowSept2013

Sunday, Sept. 29 I’ll have a booth at the HIGHLAND PARK ANNUAL ARTS IN THE PARK free outdoor art fest, main St., Highland Park, NJ.  I’ll be with the H.P. Artist Collective all day so stop by this well-attended, fun family event!

And finally I thought I’d share with you that a children’s book I illustrated for an author in California has been published!  A touching, inspirational, TRUE story about a medical doctor who saved a horse’s life!  Here’s the link to POLLY’S PROMISE…

http://www.outskirtspress.com/pollys_promise/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pollys-promise-david-denton-davis-md/1116306117?ean=9781478702757

http://www.amazon.com/Pollys-Promise-thriving-surviving-turning-disability/dp/1478702753/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377112400&sr=1-6&keywords=Polly%27s+Promise

Hope to see you at these art events &/or online!

~Lauren

http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com