We’re kicking off the new year by celebrating our *Independent/Self-published friends* with this very first post of 2018!

*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 *inspirational animal adventure* roundup of the new year:

Gifts of Spirit: Animals and Their Natural Gifts by Kimberly Heil

Published by CreateSpace: Amazon self-publishing company that provides tools, quality printing, booksellers, eBook distribution, and marketing strategies

Many cultures believe in spirit animals~ animals that embody and exemplify our own personal values and traits~ that guide us along our journey through life. This book brings to life the spirits of these animals, sharing with you their own special talents and gifts that these creatures manifest throughout their own lives. The perfect book to start off the new year~ this interactive storybook includes guiding questions on each page for each animal, encouraging you and your little one to reflect on your own personal values and *gifts of spirit* ~ whether they may be compassion and communication like the grand elephant, or patience and listening like the wise owl, or maybe even playfulness and grace like the lynx. This book promotes readers to engage in conversation about each other’s strengths, what you can do to further embody different values, and to learn more bout each other through meaningful discussion and quality time.

Furthermore, author and illustrator Kimberly Heil’s hand-painted illustrations of the animals increase the wonder and awe that encompass these wild beings in nature. While exploring the different natural gifts of animals, be prepared to be captivated by the splashes of color and strokes of texture that swirl together to evoke the spirit and strength of the animal within. Overall, use the spirit animals in this book to guide your little one on their own life journeys~ to be loyal and love unconditionally like the dog, to balance your life like the spider, and always reach for the stars like the giraffe.

A bit more about the Author and Illustrator: Kimberly Heil

Kimberly grew up viewing the world as a magical place. She is an observer, watching and listening to the beautiful world around her, and has the gift of understanding others’ feelings. She grew up with a love for art and creating. Kimberly Heil has a Masters of Art Therapy and graduated with an award-winning thesis. This book *Gifts of Spirit* won the *Purple Dragonfly Award*, awarded to excellent children’s books. Kimberly hopes to help other’s through their life journey through art, exploration, play, and healing. To learn more, visit her site: www.kimberlyheil.com, and follow Kimberly Heil in Instagram: @artistkimberlyheil.

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

*****

Raccoon Rescue by Christa M. Miller and Illustrated by Christian Barratt

Published by Aulexic: small publishing house specializing in books for children with language and literacy difficulties such as dyslexia and autism

The power of pictures  to guide and enhance the reading experience is not *and should not* be constricted to children’s books~ upper elementary chapter books *well any chapter book in general* benefit from the addition of illustrations~ especially to help young readers form pictures in their mind, and to support and encourage their comprehension. In *Raccoon Rescue,* the illustrations are spaced every 4-5 pages, enhancing this wildlife read that shares another important theme to bring into the *new year*~ *the importance of human and wildlife humane coexistence. A riveting read about a young family of raccoons and their encounters with a human family encroaching on their wildlife home~ this book introduces children to the dangers of human overpopulation, and the human encroachment into wildlife habitats that often lead to negative and harmful interactions. Through *Raccoon Rescue* children learn about the small steps they themselves can take towards wildlife conservation and peaceful coexistence.

*Teacher Alert* This upper-elementary illustrated children’s book is geared towards 2nd-3rd grade readers, and even includes discussion and comprehension questions listed under the corresponding grade-level Common Core ELA standards. Perfect for educators and a classroom guided reading, the book also provides additional extension activities at the end to promote further investigation and research into wildlife rescue and efforts in the child’s own community. *Plus* the book is published in *dyslexic friendly typeface* (aka sans-serif type face), a type of type face with simpler letter design and less line width variation that can make letter distinction clearer. Check out this educational, engrossing read that is sure to turn any student and child into a wildlife activist and conscious nature-lover!

A bit more about the Author: Christa M. Miller

Christa M. Miller lives in Greenville, SC. A writer for over 15+ years, she loves to blend genres, and has written a variety of genres ranging from crime fiction, to horror, to children’s fiction. When she isn’t writing, she serves as a volunteer at a local wildlife rescue center, explores rivers, swamps, and salt marshes with her two sons, and loves relaxing on her hammock with a good book and cold beverage in hand. You can learn more about this author at: christammiller.com  and follow her on Instagram: @christammiller.

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

*****

Don’t Be Blue Daisy Blue by Roman Cortez and Michelle Ami-Cortez

Published by BookBaby: A self-publishing company providing friendly customer service, knowledgeable publishing specialists, and quality book printing.

*Puppy Love* ~ some of the best kind of love there is! This new year, let’s make a resolution to continue to spend quality family time together, and to remember that each of us is special our own way. Our differences make us unique ~ and if we believe in ourselves, we’ll never *Be Blue.* Take it from Gogo and Daisy Blue, two Boston Terrier sisters with big hearts, who face adventure to take care of each other and bring each other happiness. When Daisy Blue realizes one day that she has no tail, Gogo sets off throughout the countryside to find her sister a new tail~ to turn her *blue mood* into a ray of sunshine and joy. In the end, what she finds and offers Daisy Blue is even better and more special than a tail ~

The bright and bold, solid-colored pages create a lively story, bursting with energy and color as readers follow Gogo on her quest for Daisy Blue’s tail. Along the way, Gogo meets a variety of countryside creatures, each with their own different physical traits that make them unique. The illustrations depict these colorful animals with dashes of color, capturing children’s attention and drawing in their eyes. Be prepared to fall in love with these two terrier sisters, as they learn that each other’s love and support is the most important of all! Plus, you can follow the real Gogo and Daisy Blue on Instagram to keep up with these sisters’ adventures @gogodaisyblue!

A bit more about the Author: Roman Cortez

Roman Cortez is a Los Angeles-based Creative Director. He is skilled in video directing, writing, producing, product design, photography and illustration. He has used his talents and expertise to work with Mattel, Disney, Loot Crate, Jakks Pacific, and Fandango. He is known for his easygoing and fun-loving personality.  Learn more at store.romancortez.com , and follow the Gogo and Daisy Blue on Instagram: @gogodaisyblue. 

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 an interactive  read aloud of a winter wonderland tale   here.*

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*