Independent & Self-Published Features

Independent & Self-Published Features: Featuring Sam Webb and Sarah Rae Gilbert

by MaiStoryBook

*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 animal adventure read alouds:

The Monkey and the Dragon by Sam Webb

Self-published by Sam Webb

A monkey and a dragon?? Not the first two animals that come to mind when you imagine pairs of animal friends. They may seem like an unlikely pair, but in this featured self-published story, they are the best of friends! An important lesson to teach little ones is to encourage them to embrace and celebrate differences amongst each other. Is it possible for two people, who are seemingly completely different, to get along and be friends? Well, if Monkey and Dragon have anything to say about it, they’ll show you that even two very different creatures can live together happily and have the best of times. Join Monkey and Dragon on an adventure of imagination and soaring skies, as they search the world for the perfect place to play~ gliding through starry skies and golden sunsets~ with Dragon flying Monkey through the air as they search and soon find a serene island for them to explore as friends.

What captured *Mai* eye with this read aloud were the wide spread of colorful pages. With pages of a slightly longer width than standard, covered in bold inks, landscapes of sky, sea, and sand envelop your imagination as you fly and frolic with Dragon and Monkey. Plus, the character sketches of Monkey and Dragon, with their large eyes and soft curves, create adorable characters that charm readers, eliciting that *fuzzy feeling* of cute-ness tickling the brain. Not only is this a wonderful read aloud for encouraging friendships across differences, it also encourages young readers to imagine exploring the world around them~ and all the beautiful, magical places wonders around them.

A bit more about the Author: Sam Webb

Sam Webb is an Australian author. Her passions have always been the ocean and the underwater creatures within it. Sam also collects seashells, and currently has a collection of thousands of shells. She has also always enjoyed writing and poetry, an interest instilled in her by her grandpa who would cheerfully recite poetry aloud. This book is Sam’s first self-published children’s book. She is also the author of *Ocean Whirled*, a novel about saving the ocean from a strange underwater alien race. To learn more, check out her website, www.samswebb.com, and follow her on Instagram: @samwebb_author.

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

*****

Daisy the Rottie: The Tale of My Tail by Sarah Rae Gilbert

Redwood Publishing, LLC: a digital publishing site offering authors customized support to get published

The most loyal friends ’till the end~ *pets.* A guaranteed way to light up any sad face is a lick of adoration from a puppy ~ or the sight of an ecstatic dog bounding towards you in pure delight *because seeing you is the best thing that could happen for them the whole entire day. One day last year a first grader brought his puppy in for show-n-tell. After a quick chat over what behavior to expect when a puppy was in the classroom, I had never seen the class more calm, quiet, and consciously careful and concerned to make sure the puppy didn’t startle or was overstimulated. The responsibility they took upon themselves was remarkable, using gentle hands to pet and soft, urgent whispers to each other to hush and be gentle. Animals are known to help humans regulate emotions, and the automatic attraction and care little ones seem to have for pets make them the perfect hero/heroine to promote self-confidence and courage in any children’s book! The star of this week’s featured self-published read aloud~ *Daisy the Rottie,* the free-spirited, friendly Rottweiler who will take you on an adventure through the park, encouraging littles to follow their heart, and to love themselves ~*every single part!*

In this puppy tale, told in rhyme, the pictures illustrate a whole story apart from the words. The written message is simple and sweet~ love how and who you are, because everyone is unique in their own special way~ but the pictures add depth to the character, Daisy the Rottie. As the lyrical rhythm of the words keep the pace of the narrative, follow along with the pictures as Daisy’s personality and charming disposition show through in her interactions and play with puppy peers, children, and community around the park. Full spread pictures of lush green grass and friendly faces will capture the attention of young readers as they delight in the whimsical tone of this tale about Daisy learning to love her *tail.* Also, as a teacher~ I couldn’t help but notice this would be a great book for introducing or reinforcing homophones~ *tale vs. tail.* Grammar lesson + life lesson + adorable puppies ?? That equals a spot on *Mai* bookshelf for sure!


A bit more about the Author: Sarah Rae Gilbert

Sarah established her inseparable bond with Daisy, her Rottweiler, while she was studying for her BA at Chapman University. Sarah and Daisy enjoyed playing at beaches, relaxing at parks, traveling, and making friends. Sarah graduated in May 2015 and was brainstorming ways to combine Daisy’s inherent kindness and sweet disposition with her own creative passions and skills. After witnessing Daisy, while out for a walk one day, comfort a crying toddler with friendly lick, Sarah decided to create a series of illustrated children’s book inspired by her best and most loyal friend, Daisy the Rottie. To learn more about Sarah and Daisy, check out her website, www.daisytherottie.com, and follow her on Instagram: @imdaisytherottie.

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 *mai* favorite winter, animal adventure interactive read alouds  here. *

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*