It is important to me that my books bring joy and delight to children and not merely entertain and teach them.
I love when children discover lessons in my stories for themselves and feel as though they’ve just unearthed hidden treasures.
My focus is to help children deal with their stresses, fears, and challenges in ways that make them feel better about themselves, so their dreams, whether asleep or awake, are likely to be happy ones.
With Love,
Russ
This gorgeous illustration by Jack Wiens depicts a scene in my latest children’s picture book project, Flora Belle and Dreami Dragon. Here, Dreami is giving Flora Belle her dragon whistle that can be heard anywhere in the world but only by the dragon who gave it to her. Dragons have just one such whistle and they are very careful to whom they give it. Besides their friendship, it is the greatest gift a dragon can share with anyone.
I’ve just requested that the the story and illustrations be laid out in the Kindle, softcover, hardcover book formats; the covers be created; and the back cover text to be edited. Once they are all done, the book will be ready for release, perhaps in about three weeks.
With Love,
Russ
I can’t imagine life without books. I’ve had a lifelong love affair with them, and late in my life even began writing some.
With Love,
Russ
Below is a link to a Sharon Miner site that reviews books for horse lovers that I thought some of you would enjoy. In this case it is a review of one of my children’s picture books.
With Love,
Russ
As the scheduled birth of his younger sister is now less than two months away, our grandson Thomas announced he is having difficulty choosing whether she should be named “Princess Leia” or “Dreami.” (The latter is the name of the kind dragon in my current children’s book project.)
I have a feeling Thomas’ parents have other names in mind.
With Love,
Russ
Please keep speaking your truth from your heart. Over time, you’ll find yourself increasingly surrounded by those who do the same. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. There will sometimes be pain for whole-heartedly living life this way but not nearly so much as that which comes from the ignorance and pain that grows and spreads when we choose to live in fear.
With Love,
Russ
Little Johnny asked his Grandma how old she was.
Grandma answered, “39 and holding.”
Johnny thought about that and then asked: “And how old would you be if you let go?
Source: www.mikeysFunnies.com
With Love,
Russ
It is in the fiery forge of fear that one is often tempered with wisdom, our mettle is tested, and metal is strengthened.
With Love,
Russ
I’ve decided to have illustrations on both facing pages of most of my latest book, Flora Belle and Dreami Dragon. In my prior children’s books I had text on one facing page and an illustration on the other. The change substantially increases my illustration costs but I believe having illustrations on most facing pages adds much more color and magic to my stories. The image above is an example of the change. It depicts Dreami sheltering her new friend from a heavy rain while drying her off and keeping her warm.
I hope you like the changes.
With Love,
Russ
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Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 