*Highlighting up and coming illustrators and authors from independent publishing houses and self-publishers*

Please reach out to MaiStoryBook through Instagram, FB, or by commenting on my blog, and *share or tag* books, authors, or illustrators who would fit into this category of independent/self publishing! I’m excited for the wonders we will find!

 Now without further ado~

Featuring this week’s *sleepy-time*, dreamy reads~ the perfect bedtime stories:

The Pillow Parade by Edward Dron, Illustrated by Hong Anh

Published by Noisy Orchard Press: children’s book published based in Canada

*~For any child with bedtime blues~ the *Pillow Parade* will help them snooze~* When it comes to bedtime, sheep have the highest honor~ little ones, and *adults*, fill their imaginations with leaping sheep~ the lull of the fluffy-white puff balls parading by in the air overhead ~causing their eyelids to droop and their muscles to relax. But when Olive, the bouncy bunny who *loves* to leap, wants to join the *Pillow Parade club*, the sheep aren’t too eager to welcome a new member~ after all, their *Pillow Parade Membership* card says “Sheep only.” But Olive, with her powerful spring and her giant ears that spread like wings~ can leap high into the air, reaching the windows and dreams of children at the top of the three story buildings~ heights that the fluffy-white puff ball sheep can’t reach. With determination, perseverance, and a dash of *cleverness*, Olive finds her own way to join the *Pillow Parade*~ leaping high to  help all the children with trouble sleeping. With her charm and leaping talent, she just might convince the sheep to add her name to the *Pillow Parade Membership* card!

Little ones will fall in love with the irresistibly sweet Olive. Instead of sheep, don’t be surprised to hear them whispering ~*Olive Olive help me sleep, Olive Olive Leap Leap Leap*~ some bed time. This cute read aloud is not only perfect for bedtime, but also encourages problem-solving, persistence, and self-confidence~ Olive doesn’t let the sheep deter her from using her love for leaping to help little ones fall asleep~ instead, she finds her own way to bunny-bounce for the children~ helping the sheep to solve a *pillow parade* problem they didn’t even know they had! Plus, the illustrations *leap* off the pages with bright, bold colors, and the facial expressions of Olive and the sheep bring the characters to life with emotion and personality. The next time your little one insists on staying awake, *The Pillow Parade*  is the perfect read for ensuring *no one has to stay up late.*

A bit more about the Author: Edward Dron

Edward Dron lives with his wife and two children in British Columbia, Canada. Like MaiStoryBook,  Edward is committed to not only nurturing a curiosity for books in children, but also sparking a lifelong love of books and reading. He believes that children’s books need to be fun, and enjoys writing fun short stories that capture children’s short attention spans. His goal is to condense a story into as few words as possible, without losing the charm of the narrative. Edward’s writing style is shaped and inspired by his love for the comedy stylings of Monty Python, The Ford Side comic, and the Canadian show *Kids in the Hall.* He is also inspired by Thundercats, Alf and Atari games. Learn more about Edward at his site: www. pillowparade.com,  and follow him on Instagram: @noisyorchard. 

Check here to find this book for your own home library!

*****

My Journal of Dreams by Daisy Moon

 Published by Dreamocracy Publishing: Self-published

Exploring Mother Earth’s nature is the grandest dreamscape of all. To walk through the wonders of Earth~ with all of its creatures and blossoming plant life~ is to walk through a living dream. With this storybook journal *My Journal of Dreams* you and your little ones will find yourselves reconnecting with the Earth around you, and meditating in self-reflection as you share and record your dreams. Each journal is lovingly made from a recycled and sustainable wood source~ the Tamarind Tree. The Tamarind tree is grown for its fruit, and when they trim the branches, they turn them into pencils~ Thus, each journal can also come with a personalized *Magical Moon Pencil*~ the perfect instrument for little ones to record their mystical dreams with at the back of their dream journal! And for every book purchased, a tree will be planted and money will be donated to protect the Indigenous of the Amazon. This is a book that will give back to nature, and help you and your little ones explore your dreams and inner peace.

The sturdy, textured cover and parchment paper pages give this journal a natural, rustic feel. Upon opening this special book, you’re met with a series of colorful, illustrated pages featuring different spirit animals and the meaning and sentiment they symbolize if they appear in your own dreams. *Foxes* urge us to observe our surroundings and encourage us to relax and move with the ebbing flow of nature~ *Deer* asks us to love ourselves unconditionally, and to appreciate the inner beauty that radiates from our heart~ Each animal and message encourages us to all of us on Earth are connected, and it is our duty to love each other and protect the beauty of our Mother Earth. After these reminders of connection and compassion, a series of blank *My Dreams* journal pages fill the rest of the book~ the empty pages beckoning you to fill them with your own dreams. Through this nature~dream inspire treasure, pride yourself in becoming a guardian of the forest!

A bit more about the Author: Daisy Moon

Daisy Moon was inspired to create this book by the teachings of Native American tribes and Indigenous tribes of South America. She created this book from a vision she had in the Amazon Rain forest in 2014.  Daisy hopes that this book will inspire a new generation of children and dreamers to make positive changes on *this beautiful Earth.* Daisy created this book with the belief that together, we can heal the world through the power of love. Learn more about Daisy Moon at her site:  http://daisysdream.bigcartel.com, and follow her on Instagram: @myjournalofdreams_.

Check here to find this book for your own home library!

*****

*~Support these independent/self-published authors and illustrators and check out what they’ve been writing and creating.  Please share any books, authors, or illustrators that fit into this category by tagging me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary,  posting on MaiStoryBook’s FaceBook page, or commenting on the blog below! I’m always looking for new treasures to read, support, and share with all of you!~*

*Plus, checkout out one of my favorite springtime  interactive read alouds  here. *

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*