Spotlight: We the Dreamers by Raynelda a Calderon and Tatiana Kutsachenko (Illustrator)

Children’s fiction / Picture book

Date Published: November 1, 2021

Publisher: Cayena Press, Inc.

“We the Dreamers” describes the journey of immigrating to a new place through the eyes of a child. The narrative text is poetic and full of emotion. The illustrations, which seem to dance and sing, convey the story of crossing borders as a child.

This children’s picture book, told alternatively in English and in Spanish, highlights all the emotions immigrants experience throughout their journey: the characters end up feeling mystified, bemused, or even bewildered upon entering the United States.

Using colorful, imaginative illustrations and poetic narrative, “We the Dreamers” connects with its readers in an emotional and compassionate way, and it opens up the floor to holding conversations about immigration with children.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

About the Author

She has a doctorate in leadership in higher education and works as a public librarian. She is the author of “Mama Tingo,” “María Montez, the Queen of Technicolor,” and “Little Giants: 10 Hispanic Women Who Made History.” “We the Dreamers” is her second fiction book for children. She lives in New York with an untamed Shih Tzu, Toby, and a much-attached Chihuahua, Maya. She spends her free time thinking (and drafting) about books to write, painting, crocheting, and crying over abused dogs.

Connect:

Website: www.rayneldacalderon.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/raycc10

Instagram: www.instagram.com/raycc10

Spotlight: The Adventures of Amber by Isabell Hayden

Date Published: June 10, 2021

Publisher: Mindstir Media

Amber, a nature-loving girl who enjoys afternoon walks in the woods with her grandma and puppy, has an adventurous spirit and a heart that belongs to Mother Nature. She takes you on a magical journey in the woods near her grandparents' mountain cottage. Immerse yourself in the magnificent beauty of nature with the experiences from Amber's perspective. This book will inspire readers to go outdoors and appreciate the wonders of Mother Nature.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Paperback

About the Author

Isabell Hayden is a child author. She loves to draw, dance, read, and write. Isabell also enjoys building LEGOs with Dad, baking cupcakes with Grandma (while wearing matching aprons), solving challenging puzzles with Grandpa, playing beautiful tunes on the piano for her pup, Daisy, and, last but not least, reading a good book with Mom. Isabell hopes to write more books to share her love of nature and all things fun and creative.

Spotlight: A Rose for Grandma by Christiana Egi

Date Published: April 14, 2021

Publisher: ‎ MindStir Media

Annie loves spending time with her grandparents; they're some of her favorite people. One day she notices Grandma acting a bit strangely, and Annie learns that her warm, creative, loving grandma has Alzheimer's Disease. Although at first Annie is worried, as she learns more about dementia, she makes up her mind to help Grandma in any way she can.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Christiana Egi wrote A Rose for Grandma as part of an ongoing effort to eradicate the stigma around dementia and mental illness. She spent 10 years of her 34-year nursing career working in the crisis unit of Canada's largest psychiatric hospital and owns and operates Alexis Lodge Retirement Residence, Memory Care Facilities in Toronto, Canada. She believes in treating everyone with love, respect and dignity, and she has a passion for helping families and individuals as they adjust to the changes that often come with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Christiana is a woman of faith who uses her belief as a guide as she and her staff provide daily care to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. This is her first children's book.

Spotlight: CAMA by Cheryl Beck

Change, Kindness, Love, Forgiveness

Children's Books

Publisher: Tellwell Talent

Introducing Cama: Your Special Friend, a unique little elephant who mysteriously arrives just when she is needed most.

In this collection of stories, readers will meet memorable characters from diverse backgrounds who are facing relatable struggles. Cama shows up with magical surprises while helping the characters, and the readers, find and express their own inner strengths to overcome life's challenges.

Cama is the special friend you will wish for your children and grandchildren.

The characters are also diverse–one story centers on a Spanish-speaking family, while another follows a boy named Dayne who is trying out for the wheelchair basketball team. Children love the brightly colored, dreamlike watercolor illustrations in these relatable miniature dramas, while the straightforward prose is easy for new readers to understand. Children will easily identify with these characters and their familiar emotions–and long for a friend as special as Cama.

Buy on Hardcover | Paperback

About the Author

Cheryl Beck is an artist and small-business owner living in Carstairs, Alberta. Most importantly, she is a mother and grandmother and enjoys these titles the most.

The first story of Cama: Your Special Friend arrived as a vivid dream, which Cheryl awoke to record in the middle of the night. Excited to share Cama's adventures with her own grandchildren, Cheryl continued writing, creating a series of stories to comfort and inspire children around the world.

Connect

Website: http://www.camastories.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamaStoriesCarstairs

BookBuzz: http://bookbuzz.net/childrens-book-cama-your-special-friend-change-kindness-love-forgiveness-by-cheryl-beck/

Spotlight: I Grew With You by Sarah Molitor and Anastasia Sivura (illustrator)

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 24

Ages: 0-3

I Grew With You, the first picture book from blogger and Instagram sensation Sarah Molitor, the creative force behind @modernfarmhousefamily.

Inspired by her own six pregnancies, I Grew With You vividly illustrates the beauty of childbearing and the miracle of life.

A mother of six boys, Molitor shares the daily ups and downs of family life with her more than 244,000 Instagram followers. Her role as wife and mother has shaped her more than any other title she has, inspiring her to write I Grew With You by mining from her own experience of bringing six children into the world.

As the story progresses month by month, I Grew With You spotlights every heartfelt and funny moment throughout pregnancy, from conception to bringing baby home. Rich in diversity, it showcases women of all ethnicities, shapes and sizes as they share in the unifying experience that is pregnancy.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover

About the Author and Illustrator

About Sarah Molitor

Sarah is most notably known as “mommy” to her six boys. Her role as wife and mother has shaped her more than any other title she has acquired. Along with raising her children, she also homeschools them full time. Prior to starting a family, Sarah earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Linfield University. As a registered nurse her passion was and still is helping others. Although no longer working as a nurse, Sarah has translated that passion into a different avenue – social media. She is the creative force behind @modernfarmhousefamily where she encourages, challenges and inspires her community of over 218K followers on a daily basis. For fun, Sarah considers herself a candy connoisseur, self-taught photographer, very amateur baker and if given spare time, usually chooses to read children’s books to her kids while keeping them entertained with her voice impressions. Sarah lives with her husband Tim and their growing family in Washington. I Grew With You is her first book.

About Anastasia Sivura

Anastasia is an illustrator who creates wonderful illustrations where fascinating stories are intertwined with lightness and innocence. The artist works with different materials because she thinks that developing one's skills and trying something new is absolutely important. Besides making beautiful illustrations she is a firm believer in interesting stories and ideas. Anastasia has a lot of projects which she would love to realize. She is based in California and married with two daughters. She has a dog as well. Nature and the ocean are her main sources of inspiration.

Spotlight: Courage in the Colosseum by B.B. Gallagher

Release Date: August 2021

Publisher: Good & True Media

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 73

Join Maggie and Mikey in this second installment of the Virtue Adventures series as they travel back to Ancient Rome. 

After lying to avoid being bullied about her faith, Maggie is filled with guilt when Mikey appears with another mission from God. This time our pair will race in the Circus Maximus, witness the Great Fire of Rome, hide in the catacombs, and learn how the courage of one martyr can inspire thousands. 

But will Maggie stand up for what she believes even after witnessing such courage? Or will she lie in order to fit in again?

Buy on Paperback | Audible

About the Author

Courage in the Colosseum is B.B. Gallagher's fourth published book and second of the Virtue Adventures series.

Married to Alyssa and father to Charlie, John Paul, Evelyn and Henry, he appreciates what time he gets in front of the computer to write. As publisher of Good & True, B.B. is leading the future of Children's literature, one moral lesson at a time.

In what little spare time he has, B.B. teaches at Belmont Abbey College, enjoys strategic board games and losing at Fantasy Football.

Connect:

Instagram: @bb_gallagher

Facebook: @bbgallagher 

Twitter: @bb_gallagher