August 2022 New Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, August 2, 2022)

The newest releases from Amplify Publishing are available today in our bookstore. Whether it is a little tongue-in-cheek humor to help leaders reinvent marketing, tips on how to invest in real estate, or positive leadership methods, this month’s books are ready to help you become the best version of yourself. 

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July 2022 New Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2022)

Readers of our blog will remember that last month’s new releases touched on themes of introspection and nostalgia. This month, our new titles continue on that path and focus on meaningful reflection. Whether on the past, relationships, word choice, or actions, the midway point of 2022 is the perfect time for contemplation. 

As always, please leave us comments below or review this month’s books on your favorite platform; we love to hear from readers, and our authors do too!

Amplify Publishing

We’re kicking our July titles off with Reimagining Blue from Amplify Publishing. Written by former Aurora, Illinois, police chief Kristen Ziman, this captivating memoir shares details of Kristen’s life and upbringing, her time in the police force and the many challenges she faced, and her thoughts on the way forward for policing. 

Mascot Books

At Mascot Books, we’re releasing four new nonfiction titles. From a multigenerational story about a legendary Hungarian family, to one man’s account of his bond with his dog, to the life story of renowned NFL coach Mike Westhoff, this month’s memoirs are insightful, heartfelt, and incredibly honest. And topping things off, we’re releasing a guide that helps readers improve their writing and learn how to make words shine. No two stories are the same, but these four books show that we can always learn from each other’s journeys. 

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June 2022 New Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2022)

Often, our new releases find a serendipitous harmony. This month, many of our latest books revolve around introspection and reflection. Whether it is parents teaching their children about loss and sharing nostalgia for the past, or adults meditating on life or financial concerns—with so much going on in the world, everyone needs to step back and look inward once in a while. Take a moment now to explore our June releases from our Amplify Publishing. 

As always, please leave us comments or reviews of this month’s books; we love to hear from readers, and our authors do too!

Amplify Publishing

Women Wise: The Essential Guide to Financial and Lifestyle Decisions as We Age by Eleanor Blayney and Marjorie L. Fox is our latest Amplify release. This project is the culmination of a collaboration between financial experts Blayney and Fox, our Amplify team, and our CEO Naren Aryal. Finances can be challenging, especially as we age, but Fox and Blayney have created the essential guide to women’s financial decisions. As they say, “when it comes to retirement advice, one size does not fit all.”

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May 2022 New Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, May 3, 2022)

For many, May is a period of renewal and taking things slowly—when it isn’t quite summer yet, but you’re feeling the warmth of spring. The books below will keep readers occupied, entertained, and learning throughout the month and into the summertime. As always, please leave us comments or reviews of this month’s books; we love to hear from readers, and our authors do too!

RealClear Publishing

With the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, healthcare has become one of the most salient issues in our country—both for everyday people and policymakers. And with that, questions continue to arise about how to navigate US healthcare and insurance plans. In his new book The Healthcare Labyrinth: A Guide to Navigating Health Plans and Fixing American Health Insurance, health plan expert Marc S. Ryan outlines how to navigate this complicated system and offers pathways to reform for our seemingly broken healthcare system.

Amplify Publishing

The discussion about healthcare continues with one of our Amplify titles, Cutthroat, although Dr. Steven J. Cyr approaches it from the perspective of a doctor trying to make things work within the world of big government healthcare. The three other Amplify books, The Waymakers, Why I Find You Irritating, and The Potentialist examine how individuals can succeed, despite hardships in their lives and work. The Waymakers looks at how people have been helped along the way and how future leaders can do the same for those who come after them. The Potentialist dives into individual potential and makes sure everyone has the tools to reach their full potential. And Why I Find You Irritating helps you navigate challenging relationships at work.      

  

                   

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April 2022 New Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, April 5, 2022)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This April, we have four incredible nonfiction titles debuting across two of our imprints: Amplify Publishing and Mascot Books. All of them are great reads to inspire you, feed you, and teach you. Plus, we have six wonderful Children’s books from Mascot Kids. We hope they catch your eye and look forward to hearing your reviews!

New Books from Amplify Publishing

Amplify Publishing, our flagship imprint, is dedicated to excellence in business, politics, and big ideas. This month’s new releases include Expansive Impact by Sarah Young, a book that aims to empower  readers to lead in everyday situations, The Golfer’s Wife by Janet Thompson, which details Janet’s personal story of being married to a pro-golfer as well as the stories of seven other wives of golfers, and finally The Business of Timeshares by W.H. Campbell, which illuminates the world of timeshares for the non-real estate readers as well as exposes the problems in the industry. 

Additionally, Steve Cadigan’s book, Workquake, is being released in paperback after its successful debut in hardback in 2021.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

New Books from Mascot Books

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Mascot Books publishes everything from fiction to nonfiction, and each month features a different mix of genres and titles. This month, we are excited to share our latest cookbook, written by Heather Antonelli. Filled with beautiful photos and delicious recipes, this book is sure to send you into your kitchen and have you planning a dinner party! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

New Books from Mascot Kids

Mascot Books started by publishing Children’s books, which are still a large part of our work through our imprint, Mascot Kids! We always have a wide variety of stories to share and this month is no different with bunnies for Easter, lots of sports, and even Rosie going on an adventure in Paris. 
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March Adult Book Releases

(Posted on Wednesday, March 2, 2022)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This March, we are highlighting our adult book new releases separately from our children’s book releases. Our March adult books range from fearless women to human kindness, and from reducing stress to dating in NYC.

Enjoy all of our new adult titles this month![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”41935″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/mascot-marketplace/buy-books/nonfiction/bios-and-memoirs/the-art-of-fearless-living-a-glimpse-into-my-heart/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

The Art of Fearless Living: A Glimpse into My Heart

By Shirin Alavi Goodarzi
Seasoned women are complex and full of flavor. We are strong but can be vulnerable. We are unique and worthy of celebration. Despite the boxes the world may try to squeeze us in, I know there is so much more to enrich our lives, because I have lived it. This is my call to you—to all women: be fearless.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Pulling Each Other Along: 31 Inspirational Stories of Human Kindness

By Todd Civin & Doug Cornfield
Pulling Each Other Along contains 30+ inspirational stories of human compassion intended to provide practical advice and inspiration for acts of kindness. The significance of helping people while helping ourselves is monumental as we grow in kindness and bring people together regardless of gender, race, abilities or disabilities, wealth status, or political affiliations. You’ll hear inspirational stories from people like Dave Clark, the only professional baseball player who went from crutches to pitching; Rocky Bleier, who, after being wounded during his service in the US Army, became a starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Laura Chagnon, who became paralyzed and legally blind after an assault on her twenty-sixth birthday but is now a motivational speaker; and many others. This book will inspire, challenge, and enlighten you with stories that highlight some of the good in this world—showing you, step-by-step, how we can all pull each other along.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Un-Hinged: What I learned from Saying, “It’s You, It’s Not Me” in the NYC Dating Scene

By Mariann Yip
In Un-Hinged: What I Learned from Saying, “It’s You, It’s Not Me” in the NYC Dating Scene, Mariann Yip recounts her dating experiences from over a span of two years in New York City.

Written with the familiarity of Mariann telling her close girlfriends about her dates for the first time, each chapter presents a different suitor and dives into the lessons she learned. In the stories of each of the twelve men she discusses, she reveals the ups and downs of online dating, the realities of dating in a city like New York, and the personal development she experienced in her late twenties.

When it comes to dating, love will come and go. It’s important to remember that finding love is a journey and takes patience and time. Your unique dating experience is valid, and the way your relationship ends does not define your worth or what you deserve. And, most importantly, you should never settle, because oftentimes, honey, it’s them—it’s not you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

A Spoonful of Gratitude: Tips to Reduce Stress and Enjoy Life to the Fullest

By Najma Khorrami
In this inspired collection of sixty-eight articles published over five years, public-health expert Najma Khorrami reveals why gratitude is the foundation of personal growth. Writing with emotion and experience, Khorrami offers readers the tools they need to thrive and enjoy their lives to the fullest. Whether you’re already an expert in gratitude or a novice looking to acquire a new skill, A Spoonful of Gratitude provides a wealth of research-based evidence and straightforward advice to help reduce stress, build confidence, and improve your mental and physical health. Containing more than just a spoonful of insight into life’s most valuable lessons, this book will strengthen you from the core outward.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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February Book Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2022)

This February, we’re bringing you children’s books about ocean pollution, memoirs about humorous travels, the first titles from Subplot, and more! 

Our new imprint of Mascot Books, Subplot Publishing is an independent hybrid publisher focusing on compelling and literary works of fiction. We publish titles with strong voices, intriguing plots, and dynamic characters in the adult fiction setting. All of our titles are hand-picked for this imprint during the submissions process based on theme, marketability, and overall tone.

Explore our new titles below to stock up on your reads this winter!

Children’s Books

Evelyn’s Wild Imagination

By Elizabeth Gephardt

Hi there! My name is Evelyn. What’s your name?

It’s very nice to meet you! Are you as curious as I am to know what this book is about . . . hmmm? Maybe it’s about . . .

Gorillas?

Or, Halloween?

. . . nah.

Maybe it’s about cats or dogs, both big and small, or maybe it’s about going somewhere, like to Disney, Hershey, or Niagara Falls! We will have to wait and see, but in case I forgot to mention this—thank you for choosing me!

First, I want to get to know you. Tell me what you like the most about school. Is it your teachers? Classes? Lunch? RECESS? Who are your friends? For this story (are you ready?) . . . you get to be . . . MY FRIEND FOR THE DAY!

Come take a journey with me and see what a WILD day in school is like and what BIG ideas are in store. This isn’t just any sort of school day. What do I mean, you ask? Let’s check it out, explore, and so . . . much . . . MORE!

For the Love of Laxmi

By Bijal Shah

You know how your mom tells you to oil your hair, or you’ll go bald? Or no one is going to marry you because you can’t find the blouse she put away? This is a compilation of those everyday moments. Oh, and. . .hi! I’m Laxmi. You’ll get to know me soon.

Gordo Goo

By Ruth Neikirk

What is MAGIC POTION #2?
Well, that is the key for Gordo Goo!
Turn the pages to find out.
You will be the wiser, no doubt!

A portion of proceeds will be donated to the William R. Neikirk Scholarship Fund in the College of Communication and Information.

Guapo’s Giant Heart: The True Story of the Calf Who Kept Growing

By Janet Zappala and Wendy Perkins

Guapo’s Giant Heart is based on the true, heartwarming story of a baby calf with no place to live until a kind human adopts him and gives him a loving home. With a safe place to rest his head and plenty of food and love, Guapo keeps growing . . . and growing and growing!

Although Guapo is a sweet, friendly cow, not everyone is kind to him at first. While the animal friends who’ve known him since he was a baby calf love him, those who meet him later in life aren’t so sure—they find Guapo’s larger-than-life presence intimidating.

Towering over everyone he meets, can this gentle giant teach the other animals that being different is a good thing?

Esperanza y Pecas: huyendo hacia un bosque mejor

By Bill Kiley

Esperanza, una cierva de cola blanca, y su cervatillo moteado, Pecas, se enfrentan al hambre y al peligro en su bosque. Esperanza decide que deben abandonar su hogar e ir en busca de un lugar mejor donde estén a salvo. Cuando llegan a un nuevo bosque, Esperanza y Pecas se enfrentan a retos inesperados que les obligarán a separarse. ¿Podrán volver a estar juntos algún día?

Después de leer la historia de Esperanza y Pecas, sigue explorando las historias de personas de todo el mundo que tienen que abandonar sus hogares para escapar del peligro o del hambre. Deja que la historia de Esperanza y Pecas te enseñe sobre los millones de personas que se enfrentan a las mismas dificultades que esta madre cierva y su pequeño hijo enfrentan como refugiados.

How the Bay Was Saved

By Steve Gray

What can one little dolphin do to stop humans from littering and save the Chesapeake Bay? Join Donnie Dolphin on this exciting adventure as he formulates a plan with the help of a very wise seagull and his friends. Together, can they teach humans that polluting the bay is wrong?

I Can’t Wait till You Know

By Trey Little

What could be more inspiring than seeing the world once again through the eyes of a child? As parents, we can’t wait until our kids get to have some of the same experiences that we did growing up, especially when we can share them together. These pages follow a father and daughter on a journey through nature, using their senses to enjoy the sounds, smells, and sights of the beauty around them. There is anticipation for something new at every turn that will bring fresh joy to both the parent and the child as they make discoveries hand in hand.

If Puppies Had Backpacks

By Lyn Willy

If puppies had backpacks. . .what would they do? This charming board book is the perfect bedtime read for you and your little one.

Imperfectphil Is a Friend

By Sue Steinhardt

Hi! My name is Phil Basher, and I love life!

If you’re ever feeling down or starting to wonder what this journey is all about, read my stories. I promise to bring you all the happiness and joy I can pack into my giant puppy body. I won’t let you down because I’m perfect…I’m Perfect…imperfect. I’ll tell you more about this later.

Imperfect. Just. Like. You.

In book three which you are holding in your hands, you will learn what it means to be a friend.

Karis & Brook Stories: Lakeside Friends: A Story About Cancer

By A. B. Namy

Brook doesn’t know why his friend Joel can’t spend time with him at the lake, like they usually do. When he learns that the reason is Joel’s cancer diagnosis, he has even more questions. Thanks to some ants and his quick-thinking Mom, Brook comes to understand the situation in his own way, and he even comes up with a creative way to spend some lake time with Joel.

Using real-life analogies to explain complex circumstances, the Karis & Brook series seeks to assist adults in structuring conversations with children. By utilizing the principles of Encounter, Educate, and Encourage, these books facilitate memorable and lasting conversations that go beyond the pages of the story, while recognizing and inspiring others.

Nora’s Hockey Dream

By Ryan Minkoff

Nora has never attended or even played in a hockey game. When her parents take her to the Women’s Professional Hockey League Championship between the Booming Thunder and the hometown Wicked Waves, Nora discovers a newfound passion. However, chasing after her big hockey dream might be harder than she thinks.

Nora’s Hockey Dream is endorsed by Team Canada Captain and Hockey Night in Canada‘s Cassie Campbell-Pascall, USA Olympic Gold Medalist Hannah Brandt, and Minnesota Whitecaps Captain Winny Brodt-Brown. Minkoff’s passion for giving back to the game of hockey inspired him to pen his first children’s book. 

Olive and the Valentine’s Spell

By Helen Millman

Olive is a sweet elementary school boy who is afraid to go to school on Valentine’s Day. . .because he thinks he’ll have to get married! Olive’s mom joins in his fight to defeat the “princess of love,” but along the way he learns an even bigger lesson, discovering the true meaning of love.

Olive and the Valentine’s Spell is an inspiring children’s book for all ages that shines a humorous light on Valentine’s Day and overcoming your fears.

Pen Pal Gals: Friends Forever

By Julie Thiessen

Meet Reese and Addie—two girls, one great friendship.

It’s summer break! Reese is on her way to vacation at Camp Lake Shore with her family. When Reese meets a new friend, Addie, the two immediately connect and form a lasting friendship. Swimming, boating, laughing, and soaking up the sun are just a few highlights of their summer vacation. The girls become best friends. When their vacation comes to an end, Reese realizes she may never see Addie again. Determined to stay in touch forever, can Reese and Addie find a way to continue their friendship and share their adventures?

Recess Magic

By Bonny Spence Dieterich

We are kind every day and in every way.

On Greyson’s first day at a new school, his excitement turns to embarrassment when a classmate asks about his disability. At first, Greyson wants to hide. Then, he learns that sometimes, it takes courage to speak up. With his help, Greyson’s class learns that it’s important to understand new perspectives. And with kindness, empathy, and a little magic, a special friendship begins.

Self-Care with Ted and Friends

By Najma Khorrami

Ted and his friends invite you to join them on their journey of self-care! Watch Ted fly his kite, share lessons, and so much more. Self-care starts with this book!

Simply Samrina: Marvelously Mixed

By Shamim Rupani

Hi, I’m Samrina, and I’m proud to be a mixed kid—a child of two unique cultures and traditions. Even though other people make fun of me for being different, I know these differences make me, me. I’m proud to be marvelously mixed. Come meet my family!

Starr’s Wonderful Discovery

By Trey Jeffries

Starr is a loving, talented panda who finds happiness in her uniqueness. She shares her uniqueness every day with her family and friends in the forest. One special morning, she ventures out of her valley and discovers a lonely panda named Shine, who is sad and lonely because he has not yet learned to embrace his uniqueness. Can Starr help Shine find happiness in himself?

The Magical Path Leading to the Glass Bottom Boat

By Candice Zafran

Meet Prince Blake and Princess Brooklyn, a brother-sister pair who love going on adventures together. In this first installment of The Adventures of the Glass Bottom Boat series, join the siblings on a magical journey to their destination. Along the way, you’ll meet talking animals, discover hidden waterfalls, and walk through every color of the rainbow. Hurry now, the glass bottom boat is waiting!

The Truth about the Tooth

By Mistie Psaledas

Do you ever wonder what children all over the world do with their lost teeth? Or what tooth fairies actually look like?

In this delightful, educational book, tooth fairies reveal their secrets and share what happens to children’s lost teeth around the world. The Truth about the Tooth is a story about the diversity, creativity, and imagination of different tooth fairy legends—one from which the entire family can take inspiration.

Cookbooks

J.C. in the Kitchen

By John Contratti

Growing up, cooking and eating were ways to gather people together. With this cookbook, I hope to bring people back to the kitchen and the dining table to become close again. During hard times, we can find comfort in family and good food, and that is what I want to inspire in everyone who opens these pages.

Fiction 

Get Me Out of Here! Reflections of PD the Put-Upon Pug

By PD the Pug

More cookies than a Mrs. Fields’ warehouse, his own house constructed under the stairwell, too many toys to fit in his four beds, a veritable Life of Riley for dogs…yet PD the Pug is convinced that his life is a Ruff one, a life of penury, destitution, and want. He longs to be “OUT,” convinced that Out There is where happiness lies, where he can chase every squirrel, forage for more food than his pug belly can hold, and play until he passes out. But…does PD really have a lousy existence with Mommy? Or does he live the life of a Prince and is too silly and spoiled to know how good he has it? More important: Does PD find a way to escape Mommy and see what life on the outside truly is all about? Find out! Order Get Me Out Of Here! Reflections Of PD The Put-Upon Pug today!

Nonfiction 

 

Along For the Ride: Living My Fantasies as a Flight Attendant’s Husband

By C. J. Nicholas

From Europe to the Caribbean and back to the U.S.A., C. J. and Alejandra take you on their true and funny adventures of traveling the globe on standby and making the most out of their exploits. From traveling with severe food poisoning to their honeymoon destination, to listing their return flight plans in a marijuana bar in Amsterdam, to having an audience with the Pope in Italy—these are their stories.

How to Suck at Business Without Really Trying

By Marah Archer

As the World’s “Best” Boss puts it: I’ve never shied away from giving great advice— especially when free food or money is involved. Money is my lover, and boy, is she into bondage. I’ll show you how to master money’s rules to foreplay for navigating the business world. I’ll take you on a trip that teaches you all there is to know about starting a world-class business and to rubbing elbows (or even more) with the world’s elite.

Listen, I have an MBA from a top university (an American one, of course), no debt, millions in the bank, and an animation studio start-up that I can proudly say does a lot of stuff that I don’t quite understand. And that’s a good thing, because it keeps me focused on my money.

I’ll teach you how to run a business my way. A few of the things I’ll cover are:

• Human Resources

• Strategy

• Marketing & Business Development

• Leadership

• Tech & Big Data

I promise to give you a peek at my abundant life so that it drives you to be just as successful as I am. If you’re already a millionaire, you should pick up this book to validate what you already know to be true.

Legacy Culture

By Ronald Monack

Legacy Culture helps coaches establish their personal ethical values and bring themselves and their athletes in line with these goals. For any coach who desires to impact their athletes beyond the game they teach, this is their guide.

The Forbidden Fruit: A True Story of Sex, Drugs, and the Afterlife

By Tina Scott

My story is full of secrets. A twisted novel of my life’s journey—a failed marriage, death, sex, a touch of insanity, and an insatiable desire to believe there is a god. There are no more skeletons in my closet.

The Forbidden Fruit is a raw memoir told in an honest and resonating tone. It is the story of facing fears and finding ways to hurl through the unknown.

Young Adult 

Dr. Ford Freud: Skeletons Are Not Scary

By J. A. Ford

“So many questions. So many skeletons.”

Jered Barstow is only eight years old, but he’s burdened by serious concerns. Why does he suspect he’s being raised by people who aren’t his real parents? His family now seems preoccupied with skeletons. Paper Skeletons. Candy skeletons. Why so many skeletons? Skeletons are scary, right?

Subplot 

 

A Tangled Affair

By Anne C. Scardino

Clair Bondi makes the painful decision to divorce the only man she ever loved—Vince Bondi, her husband of twenty-five years. But Clair never gets the chance to tell Vince she is leaving him, because he is found fatally shot in his Porsche one night when driving home from his weekly tennis game. Haunted by his death, Clair is determined to help the Philadelphia police find the killer. Vince’s secret life, including an account in Turks and Caicos, forces Clair to realize that he wasn’t the man she thought he was. No longer the “good wife,” Clair’s strength and resilience take her from her darkest moment to a life unimagined—one with true love and purpose.

Sainted in Error

By Glenda Winders

What do you wear when you testify against your best friend as she goes on trial for murder?

As Maggie Patterson runs her hand over the clothes in her closet and muses about the prosaic details of preparing for a shockingly personal murder trial, she is catapulted into the memories that led her to this moment. Piece by piece, she assembles the fragments of her past to make sense of a violent crime, the echoes of which ripple through her recollections.

Maggie and Cynthia meet as college freshmen and are seemingly destined to be best friends for life. As the years pass, however, Maggie’s marriage and career lift her to success and wealth while Cynthia’s jealousy and untreated mental illness cause their relationship to disintegrate. As the stories of the two women’s lives unfold, Cynthia’s paranoia and anger sour every relationship she has and turn even the people who have loved her most against her, ultimately bubbling over into an event that Maggie never sees coming.

Not a murder mystery in the usual sense, and spanning time and space, Sainted in Error delves into the tenacity of friendship and the damage that the stigma still attached to mental illness can do.

The Art of Traveling Strangers

By Zoe Disigny

It’s the 1980s, and art historian Claire Markham reels from a series of heartbreaking losses. Desperate to escape her shattered reality, she becomes an art guide in Europe for quirky stranger Viv Chancey and embarks on a life-changing journey through the art-filled cities of Milan, Venice, Ravenna, Florence, Siena, Rome, and Paris.

Once abroad, Claire tries to hide her woes by focusing on Viv’s art education, but Viv—who is not who she seems—has a different learning experience in mind. Frustrated and wanting to reimagine her life, Claire embraces the idea of reality as illusion and finds herself slipping into the tales of art and history.

When threatened with one more crushing loss, Claire must learn from the spirit of her eccentric companion and the lessons from the art they encounter to take charge of her life or lose the most precious thing in it.

The Art of Traveling Strangers is a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment inspired by the great art masterpieces of Italy and France. It’s a tale of female bonding and the amazing powers of perception. After all, reality, like art, is just an illusion.

 

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January Book Releases

(Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2022)

Happy New Year to all of our readers and authors! We have just the right children’s books to start off 2022 and grow your child’s reading list.

Find a full list of our titles releasing this month below. 

Baking Up a Storm

By Jessica Parham

Grandma Janet’s cupcakes are the best cupcakes in town. I couldn’t figure out why until Mom and I baked them the other day. We were literally BAKING UP A STORM. Don’t believe me? Just look inside this book and see! But tie your shoes extra tight and bring your umbrella—you’ll need it.

Dragons of Wonder: The Big Change

By Reena Stevens

Everything changes once Queen Majesta fires the arrow.

Icy Lakita is a normal Ice Dragon who has lived happily in her home country, Navitee, for fourteen normal

years. Then, everything changes when she receives a letter inviting her to a special school: Dragons of Wonder.

The school is wonderful at first. Icy’s best friend was invited to the school, she gets a new room, and the food is incredible. But suddenly, things begin to change. Icy meets an evil professor, discovers a mysterious staircase only she can see, and a strange ghost cloud attacks her school. More and more odd things keep happening, and no one knows who—or what—it is.

While Icy makes new friends and adjusts to life at her school, she must figure out who is creating the chaos all around her. But will she succeed? Or will she be the victim of the next attack?

Gabby’s Gift

By Jennifer Cua

Gabby is a young girl who is delightfully unique. She is the youngest member of her family, and her personality is such a treat. Although she is different, she has her own special way of inspiring others each and every day. She aspires to bring people together and teach tolerance, too. Gabby is most definitely a young girl who should be celebrated—along with the very special YOU!

Honey’s Lost Shoe

By Shar’Bral Jones

Honey loves going outside—it’s her favorite thing to do. Honey is so excited to go, but where is her shoe?

Go on an adventure with Honey and see what she discovers while looking all around her home. Be sure to hurry so Honey can make it outside before the sun goes down!

Louisiana Dreams

By Rebecka Bihm Lester

Louisiana Dreams is a melodic children’s story highlighting the magic and whimsy of Cajun and Creole culture, a lifestyle so precious that it must not only be remembered and revered, but shared with others. The taste of crawfish, the smell of cypress trees, and the warmth of a bonfire are brought to life in this poetic tale, told simultaneously in English and Louisiana French for all to enjoy.

Millie’s Great Dane Adventures

By Kathy Priest-Smith

My name is Millie, and I’m a couch-potato dog. I just love sitting on the couch! I’m a big dog with a big heart. I may be spoiled, but I’m very loyal to my owners, Kathy and Greg. The first book in the Adventures Dogs series, this is the story of how I came to live with them. Come follow me on my adventures!

Miss Kite Can’t Do Right

By Taryn Lewis

Miss Kite loves to travel and explore, but she has a terrible habit of only hearing what she wants to hear. Join her on a journey through her neighborhood, where Miss Kite learns about her bad habit from the animals she meets along the way. Maybe, with a little help from her new friends and a little effort on her part, Miss Kite can break her bad habit. Will Miss Kite learn to listen?

My Coat is Too Big

By Matthew E. Bass

My Coat Is Too Big! is a simple, rhyming children’s book sponsored, in part, by the Virginia Diversity Foundation. It addresses the nuances of friendship through the lens of diversity in terms children can understand. From offering spare clothing to sharing snacks and keeping secrets, artist Danny Mitchell brings author Matt Bass’ text to life with warm, soft, friendly scenes that illustrate the point that no matter the circumstances, we always help friends when we have the chance!

Pandemicuties

By Madison Rene Knapp, Dr. Edmond Sarraf, and Zinzi LeMond

Pandemicuties is the story of a Prickly Little Cactus and a Bristly Little Sea Cucumber who learn some easy tips to stay healthy during global health issues like a pandemic! Although this story is born of the COVID-19 era, it is a colorful guide for healthy practices and nutrition that are beneficial to families at every stage.

Randi the Chicka-Dog

By Saffron Cannon

Randi is a pet chick who acts more like the family’s dog Rosie than like a chicken. She does everything with her family: fishing, playing, and laughing alongside them. But when her family decides to go boating one day, Randi may be in over her head!

Based on a real event, follow this adventure of Randi the Chicka-Dog and see how one family comes together to support their chick friend.

The Midwife’s Visit

By Kelly B. Jenkins

The midwife is coming!

It’s a day we all anticipate: Mama’s midwife comes to the house for a visit. She checks on baby, and we get to help! Come join us!

The Pear Tree

By Beth Dupree and Arline McKeen

Rosa and Miguel love living in the big city, where everything they could ever need is just one block away. There is one thing missing, however: nature! The brother and sister duo dream of big green spaces where they can run and play . . . until one night, while eating dessert, they come up with a big idea!

Read along to find out how Rosa and Miguel use their simple dessert to turn a nearby vacant lot into a beautiful playground for their whole neighborhood, complete with a ripe pear tree with fruit for everyone to eat.

The Surfing Lesson

By Bhajneet Singh

An empowering story of a Sikh American family that just wants to have fun and surf—and the lesson they learn along the way.

The Tree of Life

By Jami Moss

Join in the celebration of the holiday season with the Christmas tree lights, ribbon, ornaments, and the star as they come together as one. Each item needs the tree’s wisdom and truth to take its place on the tree and fulfill its purpose, just like we need God’s guidance to find our place in this world.

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