ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE OCT-NOV-DEC 2022 (Vol V, Issue XXVIII) | Article Published on: 21th DEC 2022 | www.demodemagazine.com
Winter is here, and as you cosy up by the fire, it’s time for some great winter reads with your kiddos. Recommended are amazing books, written by Children's Author Angela Legh & Author Vee James, for kids that show them the magic of reading exciting books this season!
BELLA SANTINI: IN THE LAND OF EVERLASTING CHANGE - BY AUTHOR ANGELA LEGH
THE WITCH'S COOKBOOK (A FAERIE TALE) - BY AUTHOR VEE JAMES
1. 'BELLA SANTINI: IN THE LAND OF EVERLASTING CHANGE' - BY AUTHOR ANGELA LEGH
An ordinary teen girl stumbles into a fairy ceremony; is arrested and brought to the fairy kingdom, the Land of Everlasting Change, a land caught in the struggle between good and evil, where Queen Tatiana fights to keep the balance of power from tipping. Queen Tatiana spreads the message of the truth of fairyland, that fairies are emissaries of love. This gripping tale in a magical land crosses time and dimensions, bringing readers on a journey of self-discovery.
This book series seeks to plant seeds of wellness into every child’s heart and mind who reads or has the books read to them.
The seeds planted are unconditional love, inner peace, and emotional self-mastery. Many parents are aware of the upward trend in teen suicide. The Substance Abuse Mental Health Agency (SAMHSA) states, the causes of suicide are complex and determined by multiple combinations of factors, such as mental illness, substance abuse, painful losses, exposure to violence, and social isolation. Social isolation has significantly increased under the Covid-19 lockdown. Underneath all of these issues are emotions with which the teens are unable to cope.
The Bella Santini Chronicles, a fairytale series aimed at ages 8-12, teaches children the importance of processing their emotions and gives them tools to process their feelings. The book series delves into complex topics, such as child abandonment, bullying, sibling rivalry, and good vs. evil. Readers build emotional muscle and set a path of well-being that can help them navigate the difficult teen years without seeing suicide as a solution to their problems.
LINK TO BUY 'BELLA SANTINI: IN THE LAND OF EVERLASTING CHANGE' BOOK IN INDIA - CLICK HERE
LINK TO BUY 'BELLA SANTINI: IN THE LAND OF EVERLASTING CHANGE' BOOK IN ALL COUNTRIES - CLICK HERE
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
When readers follow Bella Santini on her adventures, they learn that love is the answer, no matter what the question." - Jack Canfield, Co-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
The first book in The Bella Santini Chronicles, Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change, is a gripping fairy tale and a guide to emotional intelligence for teens and pre-teens. Bella is a relatable and engaging protagonist whose determination and independence make her a fantastic role model for readers. As well as modelling both emotional intelligence and consequences in the plotline, the book offers supplemental guidance for parents to support discussion and reading, from parenting advice to resources for exploring themes like bullying and sibling rivalry more deeply." - Dr Jen Harrison, The Children's Book Review.
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR ANGELA LEGH
Angela Legh is best known as the author of her children’s fantasy book series, The Bella Santini Chronicles, which gives children and their parents tools and techniques for emotional balance. For over 50 years, Angela experienced abuse, bullying, and belittlement, and through that exposure, she developed methods of emotional management. She began writing children’s books as a gift for her friend’s daughter and, six months later, realized she was writing emotional management instructions into her children’s book series
Angela has been featured in USA Today and the Los Angeles Tribune newspaper and magazine, along with countless other media exposure. Angela is an international bestselling author with eight published books.
Angela has shared the stage with Les Brown, Bernardo Moya, Diana Wentworth, Alison Larsen, Moe Rock, David Fagan, Dr Ali Lankerani, and many others. Angela has done everything from speaking to C-suite level entrepreneurs about emotional intelligence to creating engaging children’s videos. When Angela isn’t writing children’s stories, she can be found hiking in the beautiful wilderness of Taos, New Mexico.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR ANGELA LEG - www.angelalegh.com
Read Author Angela leg's interview with DE MODE & about her upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2022 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
Download/Order the full issue here.
2. 'THE WITCH'S COOKBOOK (A FAERIE TALE)' - BY AUTHOR VEE JAMES
In the magical world of Faerie lives a young Sgahm named Tardnattle. The Sgahm are simple, wee folk who love cooking, long walks, friendship and above all else, doing the right thing. But what happens when doing the right thing means returning the strange cookbook to an even more terrifying witch? Adventure! Join young Tardnattle and friends as they journey to return "The Witches Cookbook".
In this unique and special “fairie tale,” themes of being brave in the face of fear, loyal friendship, and accepting the differences in others are set in the wonderful world of Faerie where familiar denizens such as Pixies, Brownies, and Witches are joined by new fantasy beings such as the Sgahm, Pillodox, Halalayas, and the beautiful Bynicorn.
For parents, teachers, and librarians, this story has been described as “an excellent introduction to the fantasy genre for young readers.” Reviewers point out the numerous lessons and an emphasis on the diverse characters working together to solve problems. Age-appropriate action, very little violence, and no gore make this book accessible to advanced young readers ready to read longer chapter books.
The Witch’s Cookbook: A Faerie Tale takes us to the land of faerie and introduces us to the creatures living there. We meet the cute little denizens of the place, they are called Sgahm. They are happy creatures who like bright mornings, songs, butterflies, and stars, and take delight in cooking and long walks.
LINK TO BUY 'THE WITCH'S COOKBOOK (A FAERIE TALE)' BOOK IN INDIA - CLICK HERE
LINK TO BUY 'THE WITCH'S COOKBOOK (A FAERIE TALE)' BOOK IN ALL COUNTRIES - CLICK HERE
THE JOURNEY OF AUTHOR VEE JAMES
Author Vee James approaches the middle-grade fantasy novel in a way similar to his adult fantasy comedies, “The Little Ship of Horrors” and “Neccabashar”, emphasizing humour over dark themes and giving “The Witch’s Cookbook” a poignant, feel-good ending.
His love of stories began with his mother, Doris, reading to him. Not just Dick and Sally or children’s literature but the classics. She read aloud whatever she was reading for herself, whether it was Shakespeare or “The Ancient Mariner”. At two, he crawled up on a tree stump to deliver those immortal words, “To be or not to be”. True story.
At 5, he dictated to his mom his first play. As she typed away on her SmithCorona, he told the story of “Love versus Hate”. He went on to “write” schoolboy versions of “Tom Sawyer”, “Romeo and Juliet”, and others. Performance was in his blood and he turned to acting in children’s theatre and performances in high school and college. He played Uncle Smelicue in “Dark of the Moon”, Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and a starry-eyes lover in the melodrama, “Bertha, the Bartender’s Beautiful Baby”. I had the unique experience of playing Randall P. McMurphy in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” the same year Nicholson won the Oscar.
Always sustaining this energy was the love of stories and language. He never found it difficult to perform because he loved to share the words of great writers with an audience. In the ’90s, a dear friend challenged him to write stories in many different genres and together we explored Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, SciFi, Travel Writing, and many other forms. He was so fortunate to have this friend who presented him with both supportive feedback and brotherly critique. In 2012, he attended what is truly a life-changing writers' workshop in New Hampshire called “Odyssey Writing Workshops Charitable Trust”. For six intense weeks, he felt like a Martian colonist cocooned in an immersive, writer-friendly capsule. His skills are put to the test daily, his imagination is challenged by the great minds around me, and his heart soared with the love of this art.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF AUTHOR VEE JAMES - www.veejames.com
Read Author Vee James's interview with DE MODE & about his upcoming books in the OCT-NOV-DEC 2022 GLOBAL ISSUE (MAGAZINE).
Download/Order the full issue here.
[ Want more? Check out our list of 12 MUST-READ BOOKS FOR THIS WINTER]