Danielle Dufayet has written and Illustrated a picture book titled, YOU ARE YOUR STRONG. Published by Magination Press. Danielle has agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner. All you have to do to get in the running is to leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.
Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping Danielle!
If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you everyday, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Soothing and empowering, You Are Your Strong reassures kids that they can handle big emotions and highlights the benefit of developing inner strength and confidence in oneself. With diverse characters and scenes featuring a range of different family relationships—from parents, to grandparents, to an older sister in the military—this book shows kids that they will have help along the way to being strong and in control. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers by Julia Martin Burch, PhD, with advice for building skills to navigate and cope with big emotions.
BOOK JOURNEY:
I have always been interested in health and psychology, especially positive psychology –what makes people tick –what makes people happy? I got my masters in Psychology about ten years ago and I think somehow I knew (subconsciously perhaps) I was going to eventually write a children’s book that dealt with psychological issues.
About 4 years ago, I found myself in an emotionally challenging situation (leaving an unhealthy marriage). I had a lot on my plate (work, school, kids, etc.) but I knew I had to “keep it together” and carry on, despite sometimes feeling like I was going to crumble. One day a friend asked me how I kept from falling apart. This made me start taking notice at the things I was doing to keep me strong and able to manage my difficult emotions. Right about the same time, I saw the movie, Room. In the movie, Jacob Tremblay plays five year old Jack who is being held captive in a room with his mom. At one point his mom wants to cut his long hair and he says no, because his hair is his strong. Later in the film (spoiler alert) he ends up cutting it and giving it to his mom when she has a nervous breakdown. I thought that was beautiful. His long hair gave him strength and then he shared his strength with his mom when she needed most. That’s when I knew I had a book.
I wrote You Are Your Strong in a very short time, compared to my other manuscripts. It took me about 3-4 months with about 5 rounds of critiques from my fabulous critique partners. I was so clear on my message: You are stronger than your emotions and you already have everything you need inside of you to overcome anything life throws at you. I really believe that. Many things keep us strong (family, friends, pets, blankets…long hair), but no matter what those outer things are, ultimately we are our own strength. When I wrote the book, I wanted children to know that they will have role models along the way to model healthy ways to manage difficult emotions (hopefully). Eventually, however, we all need to learn how to manage them so that we feel self- empowered. I learned to tap into my own inner strength and use things like nature, art, positive self-talk and intentional distraction to help me. I learned that I was my strong which left me feeling much more self-empowered. You Are Your Strong is kind of like the lemonade I made from lemons. I turned what felt like a negative into a positive.
When I submitted You Are Your Strong to Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary, I knew it was ready for submission. I had reduced some big concepts down to their essence. I used specific literary devices such as alliteration and I knew I had a powerful message that came from my heart. It wasn’t long before it found its home at Magination Press which is affiliated with APA – the American Psychological Association. It’s been a wonderful experience with them and they ended up buying a second book called Fantastic You –another positive message concept book about how to be your own best friend (also from my own experience). I never planned on writing books like these, but it sprouted from my life’s journey – and I just had to share my message with the world and hopefully inspire children to be their strong.
DANIELLE’S BIO:
Danielle Dufayet, born in Yonkers, New York, now lives in sunny San Jose, California, where she writes children’s books and paints. She also teaches English and Public Speaking (Self-Empowerment) to grades K-12. Danielle read her first picture book (Little Raccoon and the Thing in the Pool) when she was 18 whereupon she was blown away by its simplicity, timelessness and transformative power. That’s when she knew it was her calling. Thirty five years and a Master’s Degree later, she finally made her dream come true and she’ll have TWO books out in 2019 – one about inner strength and the other about self-love/compassion.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielledufayet
Twitter: https://twitter.com/danielledufayet
Art Website: https://www.danielledufayet.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddaniwriter/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/danielledufayet
ILLUSTRATOR JENNIFER ZIVION’S BIO:
Jennifer Zivoin has always loved art and storytelling, so becoming an illustrator was a natural career path. She has been trained in media ranging from figure drawing to virtual reality, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with highest distinction from the honors division of Indiana University.
During her professional career, Jennifer worked as a graphic designer and then as a creative director before finding her artistic niche illustrating children’s books. In addition to artwork, she enjoys reading, cooking, and ballroom dancing. Jennifer lives in Indiana with her family.
Jennifer is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and is represented by MB Artists.
Website: http://www.jzartworks.com/
Blog: http://jzartworksblog.blogspot.com/
Illustrator Saturday feature: https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2016/11/19/illustrator-saturday-jennifer-zivion/
Thank you Danielle for sharing your book and journey with us. Helping children navigate and cope with big emotions is an important topic. It was nice to see Jennifer’s art in your book. She was featured on Illustrator Saturday in 2016 (see link in bio). Good luck!
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
I love this book and have been recommending it to all of my teacher and social work friends.
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By: authorlaurablog on August 13, 2019
at 1:05 am
Thank you so much, Laura, from the bottom of my heart! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:37 pm
Great interview. I’m totally biased about the book, as one of Danielle’s CPs. But it is an awesome book!
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By: Maria Marshall on August 13, 2019
at 1:26 am
Thank you, Maria, my wonderful, wonderful CP!! xoxo
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:36 pm
Stay strong, Danielle and thanks for empowering kids. Best of luck to you!
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By: Lynne Marie on August 13, 2019
at 8:14 am
Thank you, Lynne Marie. Staying strong is sometimes (very) challenging, but always do-able and always worth it!
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:36 pm
Thank you, Kathy, for helping me share my book and for all that you do for us writers and illustrators! xoxo
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 9:50 am
Sounds like a wonderful book for helping kids to develop confidence. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/1161309892193525761, and pinned an image on Pinterest as well: https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/336573772151708706/.
I follow your blog daily by email: crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
Thanks again, have a great day everyone!!
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By: carlrscott on August 13, 2019
at 12:16 pm
Thank you so very much, Carl and thanks for tweeting and sharing! 🙂 xo
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By: danielledufayet on August 28, 2019
at 10:04 am
Wow! Sounds like a powerful book about emotions. Congratulations! Thanks, Kathy for sharing this with us. I follow your blog. 🙂
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By: Angie on August 13, 2019
at 2:20 pm
Thank you, Angie. yes, the take-away is that we can manage our emotions and that we already have everything we need inside of us to be happy and healthy!
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:34 pm
This book sounds wonderful, Danielle, and something that will be really helpful to share with my daughter.
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By: Melanie Ellsworth on August 13, 2019
at 2:33 pm
Thank you, Melanie -hopefully it will prompt an on-going conversation as to how we are always stronger than our emotions -just have to learn some tools (especially like positive self-talk!).
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:33 pm
This book will help a lot of children! Thanks for a great interview.
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By: Linda KulpTrout on August 13, 2019
at 2:43 pm
Thank you, Linda! It’s never too early to talk about managing our difficult emotions.
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:32 pm
Thanks Kathy & Danielle for the interview! It gives me hope that we can write from the heart, follow what we’re compelled to write and magic happens!!
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By: RB Frank on August 13, 2019
at 3:13 pm
What a perfect and powerful story to share with others. I am posting to FB, tweeting, reblogging, and get your posts everyday. Thanks for this opportunity Kathy.
Congratulations Danielle.
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By: darlenebeckjacobson on August 13, 2019
at 3:21 pm
Thank you so much, Darlene, for your positive feedback and for re-posting. Hugs!! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 3:31 pm
Reblogged this on Darlene Beck-Jacobson and commented:
Enter a chance to win this wonderful book that helos empower kids to learn how to handle and navigate emotions and feelings.
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By: darlenebeckjacobson on August 13, 2019
at 3:26 pm
Thank you so much, Darlene!! xo
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By: danielledufayet on August 28, 2019
at 10:24 am
Posted on twitter on @writingoutloud2 and on my author page RBFrankAuthor! Good luck!
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By: RB Frank on August 13, 2019
at 3:28 pm
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂 xo
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By: danielledufayet on August 28, 2019
at 10:22 am
Thank you for writing this beautiful and important book. Great interview!
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By: claireannette1 on August 13, 2019
at 5:01 pm
Thank you, Claire. 🙂 I hope it helps kids! (and everyone who needs a reminder).
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 7:27 pm
The illustrations are delightful! The book sounds really sweet. I will pass on the giveaway.
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By: rosihollinbeck on August 13, 2019
at 6:36 pm
Thank you, Rosi. 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 13, 2019
at 7:28 pm
Kathy, you already know I’ll tweet and that I follow 🙂 And THIS BOOK!!!! Wow, it is stunning!!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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By: writersideup on August 13, 2019
at 11:17 pm
Thank you so much for your support! Much love and appreciation!
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 9:15 am
Love the book! So important for kids today! Love the author and her story! And the illustrator was obviously the perfect choice…the illustrations are glorious!
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By: viviankirkfield on August 13, 2019
at 11:42 pm
Thank you dear Vivian! xoxo
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 9:15 am
Y”ou are stronger than your emotions and you already have everything you need inside of you to overcome anything life throws at you.” This is gorgeous, Danielle amd thw art is impeccable! Thanks fir sharing, Kathy. I already shared Vivian’s FB post and will post on Twitter too😍
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By: Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez on August 14, 2019
at 12:44 am
Thank you so much, Kaitlyn! Hugs! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 9:22 am
😁🤗
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By: Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez on August 14, 2019
at 9:22 am
Looking forward to reading this to my daughters!
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By: Abbi Cortez on August 14, 2019
at 12:47 am
Thank you, Abbi. Teaching your girls that they are stronger than their emotions is a life-long gift. 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 28, 2019
at 10:16 am
What a great interview. The illustrations are gorgeous! And the story, can’t wait to read!
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By: ciaraoneal on August 14, 2019
at 2:30 am
Thank you, Ciara!!
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By: danielledufayet on August 28, 2019
at 10:13 am
What a wonderful message for kids today. Thanks for your empowering words.
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By: rosecappelli on August 14, 2019
at 6:36 am
Thank you, Rose. We all need to feel empowered; and managing our emotions instead of them managing us is so important to being happy. We can’t have inner peace without it.
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By: danielledufayet on August 28, 2019
at 10:15 am
I love this and for my daughter who has a tough time in school and it could help her.
We always need more books that are passionate enough to talk about emotions.
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By: nataliecohn0258 on August 14, 2019
at 10:00 am
Thank you, Natalie, for sharing. Life can be so challenging, but if you think about it, it’s how we react to life that makes it so difficult. We need to teach (and model to) our kids that we are so much more powerful than we think. Mastering our emotions is the most self-empowering thing one can learn. It’s not easy, but I really think it’s the key to being happy and healthy. Nobody enjoys feeling like an emotional tumbleweed!
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 10:06 am
Lemonade from lemons indeed! This is such an important book for kids of any age. I can’t wait to read it!
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By: ptnozell on August 14, 2019
at 10:58 am
Thank you! Turning lemons into lemonade is so sweet and so empowering! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 11:25 am
Looks beautiful!
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By: colleenrkosinski on August 14, 2019
at 2:22 pm
Thank you, Colleen! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 10:44 pm
Thank you for writing such a special book, Danielle. I plan to share it with my daughter. She’s all grown up now, but she’s majoring in Psychology at college and I know she’ll love your book! The illustrations look soft and wonderful, Jennifer. Kathy, I follow your awesome blog every day 🙂
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By: jillnogales on August 14, 2019
at 4:09 pm
Thank you, Jill. That’s awesome your daughter’s majoring in psychology – is there anything more interesting than the human mind and behavior?
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By: danielledufayet on August 14, 2019
at 10:47 pm
This sounds like a book I need to read to my son. I’m going to put in a request at the library 🤞.
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By: Ashley Congdon (@AshleyCCongdon) on August 15, 2019
at 2:42 pm
Thank you, Ashley, that’s great. It’s sure to start a very important conversation! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 16, 2019
at 10:00 am
Thank you Danielle, as a parent and ESE Teacher children needs these books to help deal with the emotional side of life.
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By: PJ Taub on August 18, 2019
at 11:25 am
Thank you, PJ! 🙂 I sure could have used this information when I was a child! I hope it helps children everywhere.
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By: danielledufayet on August 18, 2019
at 11:40 pm
Congratulations to Danielle and Jennifer! It looks like a beautiful book.
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By: Janet Smart on August 18, 2019
at 4:17 pm
Thank you so much, Janet! 🙂
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By: danielledufayet on August 18, 2019
at 11:40 pm