Independent & Self-Published Features: Featuring Cassie & Ryan Ehrenberg + Gwendolyn Javor
*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 children stories of self-confidence and being true to yourself:
Boys Don’t Fly by Cassie and Ryan Ehrenberg
Published by Inkton Press: started in 2017 by Cassie and Ryan Ehrenberg to publish books and artistic content
Self-acceptance~ truly loving yourself for who you are and all you are able to do~* Sometimes it’s hard to recognize your own talents and unique abilities. It’s easy to look at someone else and wish you could do what they can do, or be just how they are. However, each of us has our own special ways of moving and doing and being~ don’t forget to cherish your own *amazing-true-self.* And sometimes, it takes wise ol’ grandma to remind us just how special we are~* In *Boys Don’t Fly* a young boy recounts his woeful adventure to his grandma, explaining how in comparison to flying bird, swimming turtle, and strong elephant, he has no special ability that he is good at… But Grandma has valuable lesson for her grandchild~ one that will help him realize just how truly special he is.
Prepare to be lured into this tiny universe of this small village and wild jungle~ with gorgeous illustrations reaching across the pages. You’ll feel the warmth of the glowing fire as light and shadows are expertly illustrated. The character expressions are priceless~ you’ll experience the excitement, terror, disappointment, determination, and exuberance just as the young boy does as his emotions flit across his animated face. Little ones will adore flipping through the pages~ the pictures are like stills of an animated cartoon. The repetitive pattern of the storyline also has children predicting what will happen next, and makes the story a great book for choral-read alouds~ prompting your little one to read the predictable, repeating lines with you. Overall, *Boys Don’t Fly* is a high-quality, beautiful designed book with a valuable lesson for every child *and adult.*
A bit more about the Authors: Cassie and Ryan Ehrenberg
Both Cassie and Ryan have backgrounds in the arts. Cassie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The University of Michigan-Flint. Since graduating, Cassie has worked in the higher education and educational technology fields, but her first love is writing. Ryan graduated from The Art Institute of California-Orange County with a bachelor’s degree in Media Arts & Animation. Since 2006, he has worked in the video game industry as a VFX artist and has credits on numerous successful video games. Boys Don’t Fly is Cassie and Ryan’s first published book. To learn more, check out their site: www.inktonpress.com , and follow them on Instagram: @inktonpress
Check here to find this book for your own home library!
*****
Absurdimals: Lola Goes to School by Gwendolyn Javor, Illustrated by Melissa Aker Spears
Published by Elephant, LLC: Self-published
Lola is a Belephant~ a what…? A half bunny- half elephant~* With a cute bunny tail and body, and a sweet elephant head, Lola feels special to be different! On her first day of school, she is excited to meet new animal friends and share similarities and differences. However, when she arrives at school, Lola realizes~ she’s the only one who’s *different* – and the other students make sure she *knows it.* The Elephants refuse to let Lola sit with them at lunch~ she is *absurd* they say~ she is *different.* Lola’s first day of school feels ruined- that is, until Principal Hooves teaches her a valuable lesson about loving yourself just the way you are. After all, *absurd* is just what people say when they don’t understand something different. Plus~ the first step is to love yourself – Love yourself and other will too. The next day, Lola arrives to school with a new self-confidence, and helps make the biggest *difference* with all her classmates~*
For anyone who has been teased for being different, or were ever doubtful or timid about their uniqueness~ *Absurdimals* is the perfect read aloud for reminding little ones of the importance of self-love, and for encouraging children to be proud of who they are, and to share that pride with the world. Illustrated in soft pastels- the illustrations highlight the diversity of our Earth and its abundance of creatures with their own special characteristics and attributes. Follow along as Lola learns that what makes us different makes us special, and all it takes is one person with self-confidence and self-love to inspire a revolution to be your true self!
A bit more about the Author: Gwendolyn Javor
Gwendolyn Javor was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. She attended university and law school in New York City, but soon realized that practicing law was not her life’s calling. Rather, she was more interested in working on projects focused on promoting love and acceptance of individuality. Her passion was to help others learn to cherish their uniqueness. Inspired by paintings she made in high school, she saw an opportunity to share her message with children; and so, the Absurdimals were born. Gwendolyn hopes that with the help of the Absurdimals, we can teach children to appreciate and respect one another, regardless of differences, while learning to love themselves – absurdities and all. To learn more, check out her site: www.absurdimalsseries.com, and follow her on Instagram: @absurdimals.
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 *shiny-star dream* read alouds here. *
*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*