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Self-Published & Emerging Author Features: Featuring Kataneh Vahdani and Maria DiCostanzo+ Kim Messina

by MaiStoryBook

*Highlighting emerging authors, and 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! You can see my Book Review Policy Here. I’m excited for the wonders we will find!

Now without further ado~

Featuring this week’s books of fostering friendship and spreading happiness:

Kat and Juju by Kataneh Vahdani

Published by Amazon Publishing: publishes children’s books with a mission to empower outstanding storytellers and connect them with readers worldwide. They publish emerging, bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors in digital, print, and audio formats.

Meet Kat. Kat likes to do things her very own way- she colors inside the lines, tells secrets to trees, and sees and appreciates spaces and sights that no one else sees. Her peers wonder about her…not sure of what to make of her differences, but Kat is too shy to talk to them~ leading to some quite lonely feelings. But on her *Birthday*, just like all the other kids’ birthdays, a *Special Friend* comes knocking at her door~ a special friend all of her own~ Meet Juju! A big, fluffy, gregarious bird, Juju likes to do things his own way too~ he colors outside the lines, does happy dances in public, and sees things different than Kat. But while Kat worries about her differences, Juju shares them proudly with the world. Can Juju help Kat build her own confidence and connect with her friends?

It was the adorable illustrations in this book that immediately won me over. Kat’s giant red bow, big eyes, and sweet smile immediately lead the reader to empathize with her plight. And Juju’s gigantic fluff of red feathers, and round, rolly-poly, squishy shape create a warm and fuzzy feeling right in your belly~ endearing readers to this big-bird friend who laughs loudly, draws with wild colors, dances even when everyone is watching, and cannon-balls into the water. Flipping through the pages is like flipping through a stop-motion animated short film. The facial expressions are on-point, and you feel your own face melting to match their emotions of concern, wonder, hesitation, and abundant joy throughout the story. This books is a visual treat that any little will adore reading and gazing at the illustrations over and over!

Plus, it also has the sweetest narrative of friendship. The best of friends are the ones who encourage you to let loose, to be happy, and to be true to who you are. They give you the support to face your fears, are fiercely loyal, and are ready to join in or give you a helping hand in any and all of your endeavors. To have a fried like that is to be appreciated and cared for unconditionally. This is the type of friendship that Kataneh manages to weave between Kat and Juju. Their special bond is evident in Juju’s tender expressions and Kat’s sweet, curious gaze. Juju is there to hold the umbrella while it rains and to cheer Kat up with dances and somersaults, and Kat, although hesitant at first, appreciates Juju’s differences, finding assurance in his self-confidence and using it to help her discover her own inner-strength and bravery. This sweetest pair of friends will remind you and your littles to cherish your own friendships, to reach out to those who may be on the outskirts, and to appreciate everyone’s unique differences.

A bit more about the Author: Kataneh Vahdani

Kataneh is a director, storyteller, professor, and mama bird. She was born in Iran, but came to the United States in pursuit of her dream to have a voice and be free. After receiving a degree in mathematics, she enrolled at California Institute of the Arts, spending seven studying the animation and earning her master’s degree. She later continues her education in Paris, France. Kataneh’s animated films have been screened at many festivals, including Sundance Film Festival and New York International Film Festival, where she was names Best Director of Animated Shorts. She worked for many years in the story department at Walt Disney Animation Studios ad also taught story, design, and animation at CalArts and College of the Canyons. Kataneh is currently directing an animated feature. This is her first picture book.

To learn more, check out her Amazon Page, like her Facebook Page @katandjuju, follow her on Twitter: @Katanehv, and follow her on Instagram: @katandjuju .

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

*****

Happy Love Sprinkles by Maria DiCostanzo & Kim Messina

Illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt

Self-Published

One evening, Moon gifts Critter a magical jar~ a jar filled with mini colorful crystals that when sprinkled around~ will melt your blues away! It’s a jar of *Happy Love Sprinkles.* Shy Critter, who had been feeling quite lonely, pops open the lid and a warm wind sends a whirl of sparkling happy love sprinkles swirling around him~ creating a colorful glowing trail across the sky. Critter is immediately filled with glee as he frolics around, chasing the dancing sprinkles in the wind~ and he follows the sprinkle breeze all the way to a new friend, *Sprout.* When Critter sees Sprout feeling glum, he knows just what to do~ share his Happy Love Sprinkles to spread joy and happiness to this new friend. Together, Critter and Sprout dance below the blowing trail of sprinkles~ following the sprinkle breeze all the way to a new friend, *Peep.* With the help of the Happy Love Sprinkles, Critter soon finds himself surrounded by friendship and love~ surrounded by friends who like him not just because he holds the Happy Love Sprinkles, but because he has a kind heart and willingly shared the gift of happiness with them.

One of the first read alouds and mini lessons I start every school year with has to do with spreading kindness and how to be a good friend. Littles need modeling of sharing, inclusivity, acceptance, and acts of kindness. We spend a good portion of that first week of school discussing what it means to be kind, how being kind makes others feel~ how it makes you feel~ how you can spread kindness and happiness, and how being kind leads to new friendships and even bigger feelings of joy. “Happy Love Sprinkles” shares with littles that making friends isn’t about who has the coolest toys or the best snacks, but rather it’s about your actions and intentions~ being willing to share and wanting to bring joy and laughter to others. Happiness is found through true friendships of love and care~ the perfect message to share as young readers start a new school year with new peers and new friendships to forge!

When I received “Happy Love Sprinkles” in the mail, the packaging immediately brought me happiness! The box was stamped with a mini illustration of Critter, and beautifully addressed. Upon opening the package, I found a beautiful layout of Happiness notecards, a stationary card, a personalized note, and a bright turquoise gift wrap encasing the book. The goodies were a perfect touch, and the wrapping created an elegance and element of surprise as you unwrapped the book. Flipping through the pages, the soft pastel colors create a serene tone. The Happy Love Sprinkles are scattered around the page like sparkling confetti~ framing the celebratory joy of making new friends! Plus, little ones will immediately be charmed by the adorable critters~ wanting to befriend them themselves! Who wouldn’t want a cute raccoon named Cakes as a bestie? With a rhyming narrative, making for a musical and lilting read aloud, “Happy Loves Sprinkles” is a perfect reminder to *Follow Your Heart~ and Friends will Follow.*

A bit more about the Authors: Maria DiCostanzo & Kim Messina

When Maria is not snowboarding, zip-lining through the rainforest, or white water rafting in Class 5 rapids, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and photography. On weekends, you may find her kayaking in the sound, or strolling through the lavender fields on the east end of Long Island, New York, with her husband and dog.

As for Kim: Kim lives on the rocky coast of Long Island, where she enjoys feeding wild turkeys, moon-gazing, and playing backyard soccer with her husband and dog. An avid animal lover, Kim founded My Human “N” Me, Inc., which offers gourmet jerky for dogs available through www.myhumannme.com. She recently completed her first young adult novel, the magical coming-of-age story, Gemja- The Message.

To learn more, like their Facebook Page: @happylovesprinkles, follow them on Instagram: @happylovesprinkles, and check out their website: www.happylovesprinkles.com

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

*****

*~Support these independent, emerging, 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! Read more about my Book Review Policy here. I’m always looking for new treasures to read, support, and share with all of you!~*

*Plus, checkout MaiStoryBook’s Youtube Playlist of Social Emotional Learning Read Alouds*

*~Until Next Time, Happy Reading~*