Join children’s book author, writer, blogger and podcaster, Alison Paul Klakowicz, on her journey to inspire! By way of guest interviews, book reviews, life as a military spouse living in her home state of North Carolina– and so much more!
Can a person be too good at everything? Can this go to their head? Competitiveness can be a common theme among siblings and peers. Read my review of Brandon Foster's children's comic book that teaches kids and parents how to deal with this problem if it arises.
Amanda Marie Cottrell-- a gifted children's author and illustrator from Calgary, Alberta, Canada-- uses inspiration from her 12 plus year career as an educator to create beautiful, mindful children's picture books. Her passion is teaching young children and utilizing creativity within the classroom in order to assist children to believe in themselves through connection, which is also the aim of her books.
Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Tamsin Wood moved to the UK mainland and began her journey as a children's book author. From a simple bedtime story with two characters based on her children that evolved into an entire cast of fairies, Tamsin was inspired to create Canglford Nock Creations. Her books are born from her love of writing, motherhood and storytelling. To date, Tamsin has authored more than a dozen rhyming fairy story books filled with life lessons that teach children to be "kind, be brave and to be a good friend." Her books also delve into important issues such as loss and developing crucial mental health coping skills as well as seasonal books in celebration of Christmas and Easter.
I recently had the chance to porch sit with my bestie neighbor, Miranda Crosby and our mutual friend Danica Thomas, to talk about the ups and downs we’ve experienced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic— and how we have coped with the changes in our lives. We brought our unique perspectives, backgrounds, personalities, quirks to the microphone 🎙 to chat candidly about this strange time in life that has turned the world 🌎 upside down. Miranda— an Army spouse whose husband deployed overseas in January— is pregnant with their first child all while wading through these new socially distant waters sans her husband. Danica— a widowed Army spouse, is a military suicide awareness and prevention advocate raising two young daughters as a single parent while working and virtually homeschooling her daughters all on her own. Alison (me)— an Army spouse, children’s book author, writer, podcaster trying to juggle content creation, marketing, writing, book sales while rejoicing as the final week of the school year approaches for her second grader. Thank the LORD.
If social distancing has taught me anything, it is to try my best to remain on a positive minded track. Have I done this consistently? Nope. I’ve had my meltdowns for sure, but through timeouts, interventions and prayer I find my way back. Here is a list I wrote down to remind myself to remain grateful and positive with the hope that this phase of life will end and a new better chapter will begin.
I hope you all are safe, healthy and happy! I’m so excited to share this video of my son’s former First Grade Teacher, Ms. Moylan, read aloud Mommy’s Big, Red Monster Truck on YouTube ❤️!!!
I’ve been witnessing (and caught up in) a pandemic within a pandemic, and what I’m calling Coronavirus & Mom Guilt— an effort that started out with the best of heart, but is escalating out of control. Mom’s are frantically trying to figure out a new normal on the coattails of school closures due to the Coronavirus— and coming up with ways to keep their children engaged in educational ways. Moms are uploading websites and google documents with wholesome and academic stimuli to keep their kid’s minds busy, their routines on schedule and trying wholeheartedly to support one another. I will admit a few days ago— shoot this morning— I was completely on board to provide live streaming story time events, worksheets, etc. to help anyone out there looking for something to do in the boredom of being home bound with kiddos. I’m still willing to do so. BUT I want to set the record straight by saying that I DO NOT WANT TO STRESS YOU OUT! You do not have to do anything right this minute except keep yourself and your family safe and at home.
A Western North Carolina-based author is spreading JOY wherever she goes! Years ago as a young mother of two sons, Joy Resor wrote a prayer daily to become the JOY she was created to be. She is now living that JOY everyday where she strives to inspire love, peace and JOY through Joy on Your Shoulders— as a spiritual mentor who offers inspiring books and Batik cotton wares for sale as well as a monthly newsletter called Go In Joy!
Lindsay DeRollo has written and illustrated an adorable children's picture book, If The Slipper Fits, which is the third book in her Sugarplum Stars series. Lindsay DeRollo is a children’s book author and illustrator living in Central New York. Her book series is published under an independent publishing company named Two Girls and a Reading Corner https://twogirlsandareadingcorner.com/
Yep. It's true— at times, a hard pill to swallow. Not everyone will like you. Not everyone will support you. Not everyone will applaud you. Nope. It won't happen. And it is perfectly okay. You cannot make people like you. You can be kind and courteous. Yet I afraid to stand up for yourself. Always strive to be supportive of others and applaud them, but remember the courtesy may not be returned in favor.
Hodge Podge Podcast and Blog 
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