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Thank you for coming to find out more about my books! "The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings" was released September 3rd, 2024. I have also written six novels and many children's books that I am looking forward to sharing with you in years to come!
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Questions About TTNBBOF:
What inspired you to write TTNBBOF?
This is the top question I am asked, but I actually wasn't the one inspired to write it. Brandon Dorman (the illustrator) and Shadow Mountain were! I was working on another book with Brandon when he had an idea to do a book of virtues. The director at Shadow Mountain saw our other book (that is not released yet) and loved the style. They asked if I would be the writer. :) Then, the topic was switched to feelings.
Will there be a sequel?
I have heard there will be a sequel, but no official release date has been set. My hope is there will be a release date soon and the topic will be 'manners'.
Will there be an audio book?
Yes! I even had the opportunity to narrate it, which was a lot of fun. I'm not sure what date it is being released though.
What is your favorite story?
The Grumpy Zogopog Crackler, The Quibbling Serpent, Oogles, and Yo-ho-ho.
Who is the target audience?
I'd say the sweet spot is 2nd-5th grade, but I've also read it to preschoolers and 6th graders who've enjoyed it.
Will you be doing school visits?
Yes, and I'm so excited! I'm especially interested in doing virtual visits, so I don't have to be away from my family as much. But in person visits are fun too! If you are interested in having me for a visit, please contact Shadow Mountain.
I have heard you say this book includes feelings and emotions. What is the difference between the two?
Emotions are things like the characters in the movie, Inside Out. They are the overarching waves that come automatically as a response to our situation. Feelings are what you realize made the wave come. So, say your child has a friend come over and they feel sad when their friend is there. Later when you ask why they were sad, they say, "Because she played with my sister more than me." The emotion was sadness, but the feeling was jealousy. The emotion came automatically, and the feeling is what caused it to come.
What do you hope this book provides for kids?
It would be great if this book opens the door for adults to talk to kids about feelings and healthy ways they've found to work through the negative ones. I hope it brings kids comfort as they experience feelings that are scary and new. I also hope it's one of those books all the kids want from their classroom library, because it's full of their favorite worlds and characters. And most of all, I hope when kids finish this book, they decide they love reading a little more.
What makes this book different?
One: the illustrator drew many pages first, and I wrote stories around what he sent me.
Two: it is broken up into short stories to help with short attention spans.
Three: the rhymes are a mashup of conversation and poetry, so they have more of a singsong feel but do not follow technical rules.
What was the best part of working on this book?
Feeling so much love and support from people who have cheered me on for years. Also, getting surprise text drawings from the illustrator at 2AM. It's like getting a front row seat to his creativity, and it's amazing.
Where can I find it or buy it?
Thank you for wanting to! You can request "The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings" at your local library, or you can buy it at:
AMAZON
TARGET
WALMART
DESERET BOOK
BARNES & NOBLE
Please also consider purchasing through an independent bookstore near you!
What inspired you to write TTNBBOF?
This is the top question I am asked, but I actually wasn't the one inspired to write it. Brandon Dorman (the illustrator) and Shadow Mountain were! I was working on another book with Brandon when he had an idea to do a book of virtues. The director at Shadow Mountain saw our other book (that is not released yet) and loved the style. They asked if I would be the writer. :) Then, the topic was switched to feelings.
Will there be a sequel?
I have heard there will be a sequel, but no official release date has been set. My hope is there will be a release date soon and the topic will be 'manners'.
Will there be an audio book?
Yes! I even had the opportunity to narrate it, which was a lot of fun. I'm not sure what date it is being released though.
What is your favorite story?
The Grumpy Zogopog Crackler, The Quibbling Serpent, Oogles, and Yo-ho-ho.
Who is the target audience?
I'd say the sweet spot is 2nd-5th grade, but I've also read it to preschoolers and 6th graders who've enjoyed it.
Will you be doing school visits?
Yes, and I'm so excited! I'm especially interested in doing virtual visits, so I don't have to be away from my family as much. But in person visits are fun too! If you are interested in having me for a visit, please contact Shadow Mountain.
I have heard you say this book includes feelings and emotions. What is the difference between the two?
Emotions are things like the characters in the movie, Inside Out. They are the overarching waves that come automatically as a response to our situation. Feelings are what you realize made the wave come. So, say your child has a friend come over and they feel sad when their friend is there. Later when you ask why they were sad, they say, "Because she played with my sister more than me." The emotion was sadness, but the feeling was jealousy. The emotion came automatically, and the feeling is what caused it to come.
What do you hope this book provides for kids?
It would be great if this book opens the door for adults to talk to kids about feelings and healthy ways they've found to work through the negative ones. I hope it brings kids comfort as they experience feelings that are scary and new. I also hope it's one of those books all the kids want from their classroom library, because it's full of their favorite worlds and characters. And most of all, I hope when kids finish this book, they decide they love reading a little more.
What makes this book different?
One: the illustrator drew many pages first, and I wrote stories around what he sent me.
Two: it is broken up into short stories to help with short attention spans.
Three: the rhymes are a mashup of conversation and poetry, so they have more of a singsong feel but do not follow technical rules.
What was the best part of working on this book?
Feeling so much love and support from people who have cheered me on for years. Also, getting surprise text drawings from the illustrator at 2AM. It's like getting a front row seat to his creativity, and it's amazing.
Where can I find it or buy it?
Thank you for wanting to! You can request "The Totally Not Boring Book of Feelings" at your local library, or you can buy it at:
AMAZON
TARGET
WALMART
DESERET BOOK
BARNES & NOBLE
Please also consider purchasing through an independent bookstore near you!