*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~

This week’s *Interactive* featured books:

Crayons and Colors by Brooke & Lee

Published by Color Me Reading: Introduces a new reading experience to children by combining the joy of reading with the excitement of coloring.

MaiStoryBook’s number one goal: Inspiring in children a love for books by creating an interactive reading experience~ and authors Brooke and Lee have done just that in their latest book  “Crayons and Colors!” Part of the *Color Me Reading* book brand, with a unique formula involving part reading, part coloring, and part activity, this book weaves together a heart warming story with pages of coloring and mini activities, giving your child an active role in the story as both illustrator and investigator as they scan pictures for hidden images, draw in ~on their own~ missing parts to the story, and interpret the illustrations for key information.

Written and told in playful rhyme, this book follows two youngsters, Isaac and Blake, as they discover the true meaning of friendship. Through colors and conversations, the two friends come to realize, that even though we are all different and unique, we are still very much the same. The colorful characters bring the storybook classroom to life, and the blank coloring pages invite children to explore with colors on their own. This book will have your child reading and creating~ could there be a more perfect combo???~*

*~Super excited to have collaborated with these two lovely ladies. I truly admire these two sisters for following their own passions and founding the *Color Me Reading* publishing company and the Brooke & Lee brand. Thanks for joining MaiStoryBook to promote early childhood literacy and inspire a love for reading.~*

A bit more about the Authors: Meet Brooke and Lee

Adria *Brooke* McCardy: Adria is the Creative Director of Brooke&Lee. She recently received her master’s degree in Communications from the University of Central Florida. For years she has loved writing and poetry, and is delighted to be able to utilize her passions to create children’s books. Her goal as Creative Director is to create books to bring joy to children in hopes of encouraging them “To Believe, Imagine, and Inspire”. Learn more about her and her sister on Instagram: @brookeandlee

Kristi *Lee* Collie : Kristi is the Technical Director of Brooke&Lee. She has a degree in engineering, and over 5 years of  construction project management experience. However, her passions lay elsewhere~in the colors and creations she has made!   Currently, Kristi works as a Math Tutoring Coordinator at a community college and loves it. Being a mother has pushed her even more to make a difference in the lives of little ones. Find out more about both sisters through their website: Brooke&Lee. 

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

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What’s Making Walter C. Laugh by Ginny Jordan

Published by Lulu Publishing Services: self-publishing service making content creation and consumption a simpler and more rewarding experience for authors and artists around the world

What’s making Walter C. laugh??? That is the ever pressing mystery in this laugh-out-loud storybook. Each page presents a new, outrageously, out-of-this-world phenomenon ~ skateboarding monkeys,  *upside down* flying penguins, unicycling unicorns juggling *ice cream cones*  ~ could these be what are making Walter C. laugh?? No?!!?! Young children will squeal with incredulous disbelief as each turn of the page brings a different wacky surprise. This is a book sure to keep children’s imaginations churning and their bellies chuckling.

Plus~ a *bonus* surprise at the conclusion ~ true to MaiStoryBook’s interactive reading philosophy~ “What’s Making Walter C. Laugh” includes an interactive component at the end. As the mystery as to what is making Walter C. laugh is left unresolved, it’s up to your child to solve the conundrum! With several blank pages at the end of the story, children are prompted to draw what they think is making Walter C. laugh. Thus, they became active authors ~ illustrating and writing their own endings to the story. They are challenged to imagine the most whimsical creations and preposterous scenarios possible. Can they solve the mystery??? Whip out those markers and crayons for an afternoon of doodles, giggles, and fun!

A bit more about the Author and Illustrator: Meet Ginny Jordan

Ginny Jordan is an accomplished photographer and has experience being a school teacher. While teaching, she was honored with the *Outstanding Service Reward.* This is her first children’s book~ and she is thrilled to incorporate her experiences of making children laugh into this project. Ginny Jordan currently lives in New York and enjoys travel, fine arts, gardening and sports. To learn more, follow her on Instagram @walterclaughs.

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

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*~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 an interactive  read aloud of one of my current Halloween favorites  here. *

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*