For this month’s Meet the Team spotlight, we are proud to introduce you to Michael! He is responsible for preparing books for print and creating polished ebooks, Michael plays a key role in ensuring every title is ready for readers. With a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of both print and digital publishing requirements, he helps transform manuscripts into professional, high-quality books.
Get to know Michael and learn more about the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring our authors’ stories to life!
Can you tell us a bit about your role at Tellwell, and what you work on day to day? I prepare both interior and cover designs for printing, and I also create ebooks if the service is included in the package.
What does your process look like when creating an ebook from a manuscript?
It is similar to traditional print design, but with the added element of web scripting.
June is here, and it’s a great time to discover a new read. This month’s pick offers something a little different, bringing together real-world ideas and thoughtful insights in a way that’s easy to get into.
It’s the kind of book that gives you something to think about while still being an engaging read. If you’re looking to switch things up this month, this might be a good one to add to your list.
A nonfiction book for your next insightful read
The Super Seeders is based on first-hand accounts from the scientists, breeders, and curators who have built the seven pillars of today’s plant genetics revolution. It begins with the guardians of global gene banks, conserving the rare and diverse crop genes that form agriculture’s safety net. From these collections, plant geneticists are now unlocking hidden traits with fast-moving genome technologies, transforming the possibilities of crop improvement.
International research centres and the groundbreaking Plant Treaty have opened the floodgates for the free exchange of genetic material, enabling a new wave of discovery. Crop breeders are translating these breakthroughs into reality, delivering drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and higher-yielding varieties for farmers.
The book raises a pressing question: will this revolution reach the 70 percent of Africans who still depend on subsistence farming? The answer will shape not only the future of food in Africa, but the future of food security worldwide.
A story of ingenuity and urgency, The Super Seeders captures the hopes and challenges of the women and men driving a genetic transformation of agriculture—and the farmers whose lives depend on its success.
With Father’s Day this month, it’s a great time to explore stories that reflect the people who guide and support us. In this collection, we’re highlighting books that capture those quiet, everyday moments of care, strength, and presence.
From lighthearted adventures to more heartfelt reflections, these stories offer different perspectives on the bonds that shape us. Each one is a simple reminder of how lasting an impact those relationships can have.
Papa the Shoemaker by Kyra Kalweit
Step into William’s world and discover the art of shoemaking through fun and meaningful lessons.
Hi there, my name is William and I have a question for you! Would you like to know how your shoes are made? I invite you to come inside my papa’s workshop and learn all the secrets of the ancient art of shoemaking and more.
Let’s embark on a creative adventure of fun challenges and life lessons along the way.
Sometimes Daddy Cries by Todd Rennebohm
A gentle story about a child learning to understand his father’s depression.
Sometimes Daddy Cries is told through the eyes of a boy whose father suffers from depression. He sees his dad get sad, rest and even go to the hospital, all while comparing his father’s depression to a physical ailment.
Is My Dad a Superhero? by James J. Caparosa
A fun story about discovering the everyday superpowers that make a dad truly special.
Have you ever wondered if your dad has special powers? What makes him so amazing? Follow along in this fun story and try to unlock the mystery of what makes one father a real superhero. You will be surprised that the power is something we all can possess.
My Time With Papa by Shauntae Spaulding
Through a young girl’s eyes, a heartfelt journey of remembering and cherishing a beloved Papa.
This is a loving story about a little girl who lost her Papa and finds a way to remember all the wonderful memories she had of him that she will cherish forever. Walk down memory lane and recapture the memories of lost loved ones from the imagination of a young girl.
A Day Out With Dad by Riley, Enzo, & Zoe Pugliese
A playful beach day adventure with Cookie and her dad.
Cookie loves going on adventures with her dad, whether it’s on the farm, heading into the bush or at the beach. Join Cookie for a trip to the beach and see what she gets up to.
Stories have always been a powerful way to share culture, history, and identity—and this month is a meaningful time to listen, learn, and reflect. Indigenous voices offer perspectives shaped by deep roots, lived experiences, and rich traditions that continue to inspire today.
This curated list highlights books that celebrate Indigenous stories, from heartfelt journeys to powerful reflections. Each one invites readers to better understand the past, connect with the present, and appreciate the voices that deserve to be heard, shared, and remembered.
They Called Me 33 by Karen Chaboyer
A powerful story of survival, healing, and reclaiming identity.
Karen longed for acceptance, validation and love, but had no ability to form healthy, meaningful relationships. Born into a large family already suffering the effects of two generations of residential school, and surviving her own nine years at St. Margaret Indian Residential School, Karen (like everyone she knew) had been systematically stripped of her dignity, identity, language, culture, family and community support systems.
Not wanting to be alone as an adult, Karen tolerated unhealthy relationships with family and partners. Still, she was coping. But after suffering further trauma, Karen turned to alcohol and other addictions to numb her pain.
Eventually, Karen found the strength to reach out for help. She learned to grieve through layers of shame and was finally able to embrace her identity. Karen also discovered what has long been known in her culture – the healing power of sharing your story. Karen would now like to share this book, her story, with you.
Peaceful Relationships by Wendy Hill
A journey through Indigenous wisdom, healing, and finding peace within.
This book is a collection of teachings and experiences from a Native traditional healer. Wendy shares her people’s history and her own personal experiences of bringing peace into situations where it was desperately cried out for. It’s a self-help book to give you ideas and different ways of thinking to help bring you back to peace within. If you have never known peace then this book will explain how to achieve it, and how to be very defensive about maintaining this essence of the spirit.
Courage and Complicity (1st Edition) by Claudette Languedoc
A reflective story of idealism, loss, and a return to truth shaped by time and experience.
In August 1947, Mary Brock boarded a train in Toronto. She was headed for the wilds of Northwestern Ontario and a teaching job at an Indian residential school. Her family was horrified. At the end of her first day of teaching, Mary was horrified too. This was not the exciting adventure she had imagined. But Mary wasn’t one to give up. Buoyed by her ideals and her pragmatism, she kept showing up. She lasted the academic year. When she boarded the train for home, she knew she had failed; in every way that mattered. The ideals she had come with had shattered on her classroom floor, and a big piece of her heart lay buried behind a small log cabin in the woods. Sixty years later, two unexpected gifts forced her to take a second look back and a more hopeful look forward. Maybe her ideals weren’t so naïve after all.
Strengthening Canadian Indigenous by Cathy A. Martin, Ed.D.
Mi’gmaq leader focused on education, governance, and community wellness.
Dr. Cathy Martin, Ed.D. is a Mi’gmaq woman who was raised and resided most of her life in the Listuguj First Nation. Dr. Martin has a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Dr. Martin has been an elected member of council for three terms for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government; two of those terms she was elected Chief Councillor. Dr. Martin has a wealth of experience interacting at the grassroots level. Her diverse academic and career experiences, have demonstrated her research abilities, facilitation, and co-ordination skills. In addition, to the research skills necessary to obtain a Doctorate in Leadership, Dr. Martin was the main writer/researcher for the development of the First Nations Health Directors Curriculum Manual; which was an eight-module curriculum for Health Directors Association of British Columbia. Dr. Martin has also facilitated, at the grassroots level within her First Nation Community of Listuguj, in the development of a Community Safety and Wellness Accord; and in the grassroots development of domestic violence research and recommendations for a reduction of abuse program in the same community. Dr. Martin’s future goals include a return to consultation, research, writing and the facil
June has been a steady month of progress for our authors, with a mix of book awards, thoughtful reviews, public recognition, and well deserved spotlights. It is always encouraging to see their work continue to find its way to new readers and receive recognition in different spaces.
In this roundup, we are sharing some of these recent highlights and moments of success. Each one reflects the ongoing effort and creativity behind every book, and we are glad to take a moment to recognize these creative wins from the month.
Deliveries follows bush pilot Paul Jackson as he navigates the demands of running a small air charter operation in a rugged, unpredictable landscape. What begins as routine flights quickly escalates into high-stakes situations that test his skills, judgment, and priorities.
As pressure builds, Paul and his friend Dave McMurray are forced to make difficult decisions that affect both their livelihood and their lives. The story explores passion, responsibility, and the unpredictability of life, grounded in Paul Smyth’s real-world aviation experience.
Author B. A. Agha’s The Sage and the General has been awarded The Literary Titan Gold Award, recognizing its thoughtful storytelling and themes of peace and conflict.
The novella follows the Sage, a peaceful leader who is forced into conflict when a General chooses violence in response to a threat in their Himalayan community. As tensions rise, the Sage is exiled for standing by his beliefs in balance and nonviolence.
At its core, the story is a reflective fable about peace, resistance, and human choice. This is B. A. Agha’s first literary work, drawing on his diverse life experiences.
Event
Gaia, Mother Earth by Lacey Clews follows Gaia herself, who grows weary from humanity’s neglect of her once thriving lands. Recently, Clews held a book signing event for her debut release. In response, Gaia sends a soulful call across the cosmos to her starseed daughters, asking them to return home and help restore balance so the Earth may heal and flourish once again.
Lacey Clews is a psychologist from Canberra, Australia, with over 25 years of experience in trauma-informed mental health and wellbeing. Alongside her professional work, she explores photography, sound therapy, spiritual wellness, and nature-based healing. Inspired by her role as a grandmother, she now brings her creativity into storytelling with her first book.
Publicity
House of Cards: Surviving Munchausen by Proxy and a Mother’s Web of Lies by Phillippa Mann was recently featured in an interview with The Chilliwack Progress, highlighting her work and author journey in a meaningful media spotlight.
The memoir shares a raw and unflinching account of survival, following a childhood shaped by fear, silence, and emotional trauma. Through her story, Phillippa Mann explores healing, truth, and self-forgiveness, showing how strength can be rebuilt even after deep personal pain.
Phillippa Mann is a Canadian author who writes to help others find healing through shared experience. She is inspired by her family, enjoys baking and crafting, and runs Nana’s Cookies and Gifts in memory of a close friend. She is also working on a children’s book titled Hop Hop and the Great Garden Adventure.
Featured on KULR8 NBC in Billings, David Brandon’s Rings of Saturn: Enemy Within is a military sci fi thriller inspired by aviation and space exploration.
The story follows F-16 pilot Dan Russell, who joins a secret U.S. Space Command program and soon discovers a hidden interstellar conflict involving Solar Warden and an alien force near Saturn’s rings.
Written by commercial pilot and flight instructor David Brandon, the novel blends real aviation experience with speculative science fiction storytelling.
Reviews
The Super Seeders by Miles Hillmann has received a five star review from Reader Views for its clear and insightful look at the people driving today’s plant genetics revolution.
The book explores how scientists and research centres are using genome technology to improve crops and strengthen global agriculture.
It also raises the important question of how these advances can reach smallholder farmers and support global food security.
This is a book that everyone should read, not only because it will educate them in the realities of what farmers go through in growing the food that we eat, but also in how science protects and improves farming on a global scale.
-Reader Views Book Review
The Sage and the General by B. A. Agha has received five star review from Literary Titan, recognizing its reflective storytelling and themes of peace, conflict, and human choice.
The novella follows a Sage who stands for nonviolence as he faces a General pushing for armed response within their Himalayan community, leading to conflict and exile.
It is a spiritual fable about compassion, fear, and whether balance can survive in times of division.
For readers open to a clear-eyed, sincere, and thoughtful spiritual fable, this book has something real to offer. It feels like a conversation about how people lose themselves in conflict, and how th
Award-winning fantasy author explores pacifism, unintended consequences, and the living worlds that emerge when characters take control of the story.
In this month’s interview, we speak with Peter Gribble about the experiences that first inspired the City of the Magicians series, his unconventional approach to fantasy storytelling, and the surprising ways characters can take control of a narrative. We also discuss the challenges of worldbuilding, the creative process behind a growing series, and the publishing journey that transformed a lifelong writer into an award-winning author.
I drew maps, invented their glyphic script and created family histories. Writing improved the information. Items became essential plot devices, spawning fresh arcs. As the story unfolded, everything drew together into a living, seamless whole.
Peter Gribble
The central premise of The City of the Magicians asks whether a pacifist society can survive a violent threat. What first drew you to explore that question in a fantasy setting?
Thousands of little white crosses stretching to the horizon shocked me, a nine-year-old boy, visiting the WWII memorial sites in Normandy. It was my second summer in France and I attended an international French school for NATO and diplomatic corps kids. First day at school, my mother firmly told me, “There was a war. Germany lost. You do not talk about it.” It was a schoolyard courtesy. So I was unprepared for Normandy’s vast acreage of commemorated death. An inarticulate outrage woke in me that day and I was never the same.
Once back in Canada, I read up on the wars and researched the pacifist movement Mahatma Gandhi started, which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. further developed. The more I studied, the more my sympathy for pacifism grew, but doubts mounted as well. My cautions needed exercise. Decades would pass before I ever considered writing about it, but the visit to Normandy was the seed for The City of the Magicians.
A fantasy setting permitted a broader freer exploration of the pacifist-society-facing-an-invasion idea. Most Citizens of the City inherently understand that the magical dynamic of daily existence supports a pacifistic outlook, but feeling complacent and comfortable, few see the need to observe or practice this more than superficially. As crises metastasize over the three books, some Citizens grow aware that something larger has been gestating all along.
Where I write.
The series avoids many traditional fantasy tropes, focusing more on strategy, culture, and socialchange than epic battles. Was that a conscious decision from the beginning?
Yes! From the beginning, I wanted to avoid traditional tropes such as the Hero’s Journey and epic quests and battles. So, I thought, The City is the journey’s end! Quests and battles are done! You’re home! Yet when the visitors are Purdu the barbarian and his invasion forces, how long can this civic tradition hold up? The battles end up being for hearts and minds, not for glory on the field. Shoan, the City Council Strategist, resorts to manipulations, prevarications, manoeuvres, and feints—tools that can compromise the very integrity he hopes to preserve.
Throughout the books, plans frequently unravel because of unforeseen events. Do you seeuncertainty and unintended consequences as one of the series’ major themes?
Yes, absolutely! It is an aspect of existence that we tend to ignore or adapt to without exploring its underpinnings. As the story grew, there was no need to map it out. It was a regular pulse of surprise and suspense, revelation and reversal as the City and the characters undergo a gradual, imperceptible maturation (as did I the writer!) There are clues along the way. Some are spotted, many are missed. As the denouement at the end of Quickening approaches, Sas, the main protagonist, and one other begin to glimpse what’s truly happening.
The City of the Magicians feels like a living society with its own history, institutions, and internal conflicts. How much worldbuilding existed before you began writing, and how much emerged during the process?
Long before City, facts and ideas accumulated over the years for no particular reason except I found them interesting: Ottoman love poetry, medical oddities, curses in dead languages, a medieval recipe for eels, the Black Prince’s Ruby, Madame de Sévigné’s letters to her daughter, and so forth. These were real stories, true events, actual practices from a broad range of sources. It is a wide, ever-growing, loose assemblage of quirky facts without a central theme. When City sprang to life, it drew on this cluttered library and quickly possessed a cultural mass that was surprisingly present and immediate. I drew maps, invented their glyphic script, and created family histories. Writing improved the information. Items became essential plot devices, spawning fresh arcs. As the story unfolded, everything drew together into a living, seamless whole. This process continues as I work on the second trilogy of the series. Details spontaneously emerge, fitting naturally into place as if tailor-made. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle with ever-multiplying pieces and no photo on the front of the box for guidance. For me, this is creativity at its mysterious best.
An example: a brief paragraph and illustrations in a high school introductory book on astronomy showed how the skies could be measured with your fists and fingers—astronomy without telescopes. The idea sat in the back of my mind for years until City was born and it neatly delineated the City’s level of technology, roughly equivalent to the late Middle Ages or early Renaissance. From there, a long plot arc sprang fully formed where Gleswea, the City astronomer, would travel south to view skies she’s never seen before. It sets her destiny and changes her life and the life of an entire people.
Attending the Los Angeles Festival of Books.
You have described writing as a process of listening to your characters. Was there a moment inthe trilogy when a character took the story somewhere you hadn’t originally intended?
Yes. In book 1, Threat, Sas discovers how badly he’s been manipulated and is about to go up to his rooms and sulk, when out of the blue a voice wrote itself onto the page: “Sas!” called a familiar voice from above. “Come up and have your meal in my rooms. I wish to talk to you.” It was his aunt. I always knew she had a part to play but she inserted herself right then and there, piling more responsibilities and expectations on poor Sas, making that chapter a much better read than I had planned. There was no room for solitary sulking!
Even more startling was when the writing grabbed me by the throat and told me to write something completely different. When I was sketching out the final chapter of Quickening, wrapping up the loose ends: the baby is safely delivered, the wedding goes off without a hitch, everyone comes home and all is well. Once mapped out, my little writing voice said, “Now that you’ve got that out of your system: write this!” I incandesced into a blaze of writing that possessed me in a ten-hour blitz of creativity—no breaks. I was beside myself, laughing, excited, and thrilled by this extraordinary final chapter, which was nothing I had ever imagined. Once done it was obvious the entire manuscript had to be yanked up to the standard of the chapter that had just landed on the page. This took an additional five years.
Do you have plans for future books you’d like to share?
Absolutely! After the last line of Quickening’s final chapter wrote itself, it was clear there were more books in the series, something I had never considered! I’m currently working on the second trilogy: books 4, 5, and 6!
What was the most important thing you learned through self publishing with Tellwell?
There are many important things I learned publishing with Tellwell. I spent roughly five years writing query letters to literary agents in North America and the UK with scarcely a nibble in reply. The self-publishing option made me leery. There were many companies out there, but most were coy about revealing themselves or their costs. Tellwell was the exception. Everything was upfront. Tellwell’s website displayed bios and pics of their team in all departments, an impressive range of talent and experience. Tellwell being located in Victoria, British Columbia, just across the water from Vancouver where I live was an instant plus! I took the ferry over to verify these remarkable people existed and met Simon Ogden, the man I very much wanted to edit City. The item in his bio that hooked me was that his father had an enormous collection of foreign language dictionaries—as do I! I’ve mentioned this before in a previous interview, but Simon’s guidance through the editing process was a masterclass in writing!
To summarize: First day in Grade 9 English class (Thank you, Mrs. King-Aboud!) I knew I was a writer, but Tellwell turned me into a published award-winning author. I am humbled by the achievement and deeply grateful to all the people along the way who helped make it possible.
For more on Peter Gribble and his books visit his official website.
A new month brings a new story to discover, featuring one that captures the heart of storytelling and the power of a well-told narrative.
Whether you’re looking to explore something new or add another meaningful read to your collection, this month’s giveaway highlights a book worth diving into. Thoughtfully written and engaging from start to finish, it’s a story that leaves a lasting impression long after the final page.
Searching for your next favourite non-fiction read?
A sharp, uplifting take on finding meaning and humor in life’s unpredictability.
Diagnosed with epilepsy at 13, Jane’s life took a wild turn full of seizures, specialists, and some seriously strange hospital adventures. But instead of letting it break her, she learned to laugh—at the chaos, the cringe, and even the curveballs. Laughing Through the Storm is a hilariously honest memoir about finding resilience, ridiculousness, and unexpected joy in the middle of life’s messiest moments.
This month, we’re celebrating authors who brought their books to life through engaging events, connecting with readers and building lasting impressions beyond the page. Alongside these moments are instances of public recognition that highlight the growing impact of their work within their communities and beyond.
Every success, big or small, is a testament to the journey of storytelling, and this May we’re proud to shine a light on the authors who continue to inspire, connect, and make their mark.
Award
Award-winning author Richard K. Lowy has received the Grand Prize for Journalism at the Chanticleer International Authors’ Conference in recognition of his powerful and deeply moving work, Kalman and Leopold.
Known internationally as a producer and creative director behind world-class experiences featuring legendary artists and thought leaders, Richard’s most personal and meaningful project began with the discovery of his father’s Holocaust history. This profound revelation inspired him to preserve a story rooted in survival, friendship, and remembrance—one that eventually led to an extraordinary reunion between his father and a long-lost campmate after more than fifty-six years apart.
Through Kalman and Leopold, Richard honours the lives and legacies of those who endured unimaginable hardship, while offering readers a lasting reminder of resilience, humanity, and the importance of preserving memory across generations.
Dana Rawdah has been named a finalist in the 2025 Children’s Fiction category, a recognition that highlights excellence in writing, design, and overall market appeal.
Her book Cee Cee Nanigans follows a curious and lively young girl whose playful imagination often leads to adorable chaos. From experimenting with markers in unexpected ways to learning gentle play with her brother, Cee Cee’s everyday adventures capture the humor and heart of early childhood, shared alongside her mama.
With over 14 years of experience as an educator and inspiration drawn from her own children, Dana brings warmth and authenticity to her storytelling. Cee Cee Nanigans reflects her passion for creating engaging stories that celebrate childhood curiosity and family connection.
Publicity
Nataly Restokian has been recognized on the international stage with two prestigious honors at the BookFest Spring 2026 Awards, as featured on EIN Presswire.
These latest accolades highlight her ongoing contributions to literature that blend powerful storytelling with meaningful advocacy. Through her work, Nataly continues to engage readers with narratives that reflect depth, purpose, and real-world relevance, earning recognition from both readers and industry professionals alike.
The BookFest Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in publishing, honoring authors whose work demonstrates quality, creativity, and influence. Nataly’s recognition further solidifies her presence as a distinguished voice in contemporary literature, with a growing body of work that continues to resonate across audiences and communities.
Events
Mike Rafferty, author of The Last Neighborhood: A South Philly Memoir, recently held a book signing event that brought readers together to celebrate a story rooted in grit, faith, and resilience.
A former professional boxer with a 9–1–1 record, Mike shares a personal journey shaped by discipline, setbacks, and perseverance. His boxing career was cut short by injuries and a car accident, but his determination carried forward into a 28-year career in law enforcement with the Philadelphia Police Department, where he now serves as a sergeant.
The Last Neighborhood reflects a life built on strength, service, and resilience, offering readers a powerful reminder of what it means to keep moving forward through every challenge.
Reviews
Reader Views features What Remains After by Pauline J. Grabia as a gripping psychological suspense novel that explores trauma, memory, and survival.
The review highlights Beth Clark’s return to her childhood home after her mother’s death, where buried memories and unresolved pain resurface. As the past and present collide, she is forced to confront the lasting impact of abuse, loss, and the search for healing.
The novel received a five-star review from Reader Views, praised for its emotional depth, suspenseful storytelling, and its ability to balance psychological tension with a deeply human narrative. It stands out as a moving reflection on what remains after survival and the path toward healing.
What Remains After will appeal to mature readers who enjoy a rising-from-the-ashes type of novel and are capable of handling deeply disturbing topics. Abuse is portrayed through a childhood lens, prompting important questions. Grabia’s writing illustrates the inspiring regenerative ability of the human spirit through Beth’s transformation.
Stories of love, memory, and gratitude come together in a celebration of the many ways mothers and mother figures shape our lives. From quiet guidance to powerful acts of sacrifice and care, these books reflect relationships that leave a lasting imprint on the heart. Each page offers a moment to reflect on the bonds that ground us and the love that stays with us.
Here are some heartfelt reads that honor motherhood, family, and the enduring power of love, with curated Tellwell titles featured this year that beautifully capture these themes across different voices and stories.
The Magic of Mom’s Hugs by Moments de Joie
A heartwarming bedtime story that celebrates a mother’s love that lives on in every hug .
Some magic you can’t see — but you can always feel.
The Magic of Mom’s Hugs is a cozy, heart-filled adventure about love, laughter, and a little bit of magic. But when that magic suddenly disappears, Mom sets out on a tender journey to find it, asking the fastest, bravest animals for help. What she discovers is something even more powerful: the magic of a hug isn’t something that can be stolen — it lives forever in the love we carry inside our hearts. The Magic of Mom’s Hugs is a beautifully told story about love’s quiet strength, the bond between parent and child, and the invisible threads that tie us together — no matter where we are. A timeless bedtime tale that will comfort, inspire, and remind readers that real magic is found in the love we share.
Mommy, Is My Hair Nice? by Tanika J. Baker
A heartfelt journey of two sisters discovering identity and confidence with their mother’s support in a new country
“Mommy, is my hair nice?” That’s what Kaliah asked her mom one day after dinner. Kaliah and Asara migrated from Jamaica to Canada four years ago with their parents.
The girls attend the local elementary school and love to share stories of their daily encounters with their parents. Most situations are fun, and problems are usually easy fixes for Mom and Dad, but others not so much. How does Mom help Kaliah and Asara to understand that people are different and assure them that there’s beauty in being different, no matter what others might say?
Join Kaliah and Asara for their adventures and experiences growing up and learning to adjust to their life in a foreign country.
Who Loves Mama? by Cathy J Schmidt
A sweet story about family love, teamwork, and little ones showing Mama Mouse just how much she is cherished
Mama Mouse is sure that her mice do not love her. Can Tiny convince her siblings to help her surprise their mama? Join this mouse family in their little home where they learn the importance of working together.
I Call My Grandma Gigi by Carole Aldred
A rhyming celebration of the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren, filled with warmth and connection
Read along in this heartwarming and whimsical celebration of the relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren, the special names we give them and the fun times we share that turn happy days into lasting memories.
Written in rhyme, it is sure to delight young and old alike. The beautiful watercolour illustrations capture the fun and warmth of this special bond in an inclusive way.
Lil’ Cloud and Momma by Dayna Young
A gentle story of a curious baby cloud learning from Momma about rain, love, and the life-giving water cycle
Lil’ Cloud and Momma is a short story about the water cycle. A baby cloud asks its mother questions like, “Why do we cry?” This tale tells about the importance of the raindrop and its part in keeping living plants and animals alive.
From Grandma with Love by Bella Neville Cruz & Mom (Katia Quintana Cruz)
Imagination, small missteps, and love that never changes between granddaughter and grandma
From Grandma with Love was created by Bella, a five-year-old with a very vivid imagination. Her Mom, Katia, has been her accomplice since the moment Bella said, “Mamá, I would love for my family, my friends and my teachers to read my story. Is that possible, Mamá?”
When I agreed to the possibilities of publishing her book—our book—I knew that it was going to be the biggest and very best project together of our lives. Seeing her big smile of happiness, the proudness of her work in her face, and the sparkle of her eyes brought us even closer by creating and writing.
From Grandma with Love: a story inspired by her own grandma, family situations and lots of love.
Bella is a five-year-old child. Like any other, she could get into mischief sometimes. She does not want Grandma to be upset about her occasional adventures. Bella wonders, “Grandma, will you love me even when I misbehave?”
Mimi, the Solo Magician Mom, and Cameron by Melissa A. MacDonald
Tells the story of a boy, his magician mom, and the beauty of diverse families
Cameron is a confident, fun-loving kid who can’t wait to tell you all about his magician mom, Mimi, and the things that make his family unique.
For grown-ups: This heart-warming tale is told by a donor-conceived child named Cameron who shares his family’s story with pride and honesty, even when offering a matter-of-fact explanation of conception. Being donor-conceived is just one way Cameron is one-of-a-kind.
This is a wonderful resource for friends and classmates of donor-conceived people. It seeks to promote a greater understanding of family diversity and encourage thoughtful discussion.
Comedy doesn’t minimize trauma; it makes trauma survivable by giving you a different lens to view it through.
Neroli Hajinakitas
In this interview, Neroli opens up about writing through adversity and transforming personal struggles into comedy that resonates with readers. From the unforgettable “share house” to the truth behind the “Instagram version” of parenting, Waterproof Mascara reminds us that sometimes laughter is the best medicine.
With Mother’s Day around the corner, Waterproof Mascara feels like an honest and funny celebration of motherhood in all its chaos and unpredictability. What inspired you to write so openly about the realities of raising children, rebuilding your life, and finding humour in the messiest moments?
It started during a high-conflict divorce. My psychologist suggested journalling. I laughed—but I did what was asked. After the divorce was finalized following two and a half years of living hell, I kept journalling, but shifted focus to the comical things happening around me. Rebuilding meant redefining everything—from “wife” to “share-house maid,” from married to mortgage-holder, from couple to solo parent. In my fifties, living in what felt like a share house with teenagers and young adults, I’d lost my authority as a parent and become their maid. Far better than the slave I’d been whilst married, but that’s another story entirely.
Neroli Hajinakitas’ Waterproof Mascara is a refreshingly honest look at motherhood, reinvention, and finding humour in life’s most chaotic moments. What began as a journal eventually evolved into a candid and deeply relatable book filled with wit, resilience, and the beautifully messy realities of family life. Get the book on Amazon.
The “share house” characters feel vivid and memorable. How much of their personalities came directly from real life, and how much was heightened for comedic effect?
The share house characters’ personalities are exact, with a little colour here and there for comedic effect. I’m known for telling a good story, but all stories need embellishment. The working title was Hyperboles of a Maid, which says it all really. The Knight, Thumbelina, the Little Prince, Wilma Washer, Doris Dishwasher—they’re all absolutely real. I’ve just given them the narrative treatment they deserve.
Your journey from struggling with dyslexia to becoming a published author is remarkable. How did past challenges shape your approach to writing a book?
By teaching me that there’s always another way to learn. I couldn’t read until I was twenty—labelled “stupid” throughout school—but completing my degree in adult education showed me alternative pathways exist. Learning about how adults overcome learning difficulties whilst simultaneously overcoming my own gave me unique insight into making complex ideas accessible. The degree taught me academic writing initially, but dyslexia taught me creative problem-solving—finding different routes to the same destination.
Do you find writing comedy helps you process difficult experiences differently than more serious reflection would?
Absolutely. Writing comedy processes difficult experiences differently than serious reflection because humour creates analytical distance whilst maintaining emotional honesty. Serious reflection can spiral into dwelling; comedy forces you to find the absurd angle, which is actually more truthful about how we survive impossible things. Finding the positive in what feels overwhelming aids traumatic recovery—my psychologist is now using my book as recommended reading for women struggling with similar situations. Comedy doesn’t minimise trauma; it makes trauma survivable by giving you a different lens to view it through.
Readers will likely see a bit of themselves in the beautifully messy moments throughout the book. What do you hope parents and families take away from reading Waterproof Mascara?
I hope parents and families take away the ability to sit back, laugh, and know that we all have the same struggles. The Instagram version of parenting is a lie. The reality is dishes that don’t self-clean, teenagers who believe Wi-Fi is a human right, and washing machines that hold grudges. If my mess helps someone else feel less alone in their mess, that’s the whole point. Good enough is genuinely good enough.
What was the biggest thing you learned during the publishing process that surprised you?
That writing the manuscript is the easy bit. What happens behind the scenes to publish a book is a whole new world—interacting with editors, cover designers, interior designers, organizing book launches, navigating marketing, understanding the world of online publishing . . . who would have known so much was involved? I loved every minute, even the stressful parts. Turns out getting a book from brain to bookshelf requires an entire village of professionals who understand things like ISBN numbers and metadata that I still don’t fully comprehend.
