One of my favorite authors is back again with another blog tour. Raven Howell joins us again for a blog tour of her newest book Grandma Yogini. This book is perfect for kids (and parents) who like to embrace and promote the positive effects of community sharing and diversity. It’s also ideal for encouraging children concerning exercise and relaxation.
Join us as we celebrate the launch of her blog tour! We'll be interviewing Raven as well as giving away a copy of her book.
Before we get to that, here's more about her book:
Henry and his sister, Meredith can hardly wait for Grandma to arrive for a visit. But what should they expect? Among the children's diverse friends and their grandmothers who bake, create art, and speak Spanish, will Grandma be able to share something unique and fun with the kids?
Henry's fears are alleviated when, not long after arrival, they flutter like butterflies, slither like snakes, and enjoy other challenges of stretching their muscles and calming their minds. This is no run-of-the-mill grandma, and when it’s time for goodbye, the kids know this was the BEST grandma visit ever.
Publisher: Nymeria Publishing
ISBN-10: 8991699372
ISBN-13: 979-8991699372
Print Length: 30 pages
You can purchase a copy of Grandma Yogini on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. Make sure you also add it to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author, Raven Howell
Raven Howell is an award-winning children’s book author. She works as a writer, journalist, columnist, poet, and publishing advisor. Raven's work is featured in magazines including Story Monsters Ink, Ladybug, Highlights for Children, Humpty Dumpty, and The School Magazine.
Her books have won several awards, including Excellence in Children's Literature, Creative Child Magazine's Best Children's Book, Mom's Choice Award, and the NYC Big Book Award. She writes preschool storybooks for educational publishers worldwide.
Raven enjoys library and school visits and has been practicing yoga for over four decades.
You can find her online at:
-- Interview by Nicole Pyles
WOW: Congrats on your new book, Grandma Yogini! What inspired your graphic picture book?
Raven: The stress level in our society can run high these days. Yoga is a wonderful tool to calm down and relax, while at the same time, a terrific exercise for strength, flexibility and balance. I was inspired to share a practice that’s both fun and healing with kids of all ages.
The concept of introducing yoga to children is written in an accessible and playful way. It was terrific to support that angle with other themes regarding family, community, sharing and love.
WOW: I love that. This is such a charming picture book to help children learn the benefits of exercise and diversity. Why are those such important lessons to learn?
Raven: It's valuable to learn the benefits and practice of yoga to balance the heavy focus these days on having our noses in our phones or eyes on computer screens. I hope Grandma Yogini motivates kids to try something different.
Yoga can be practiced either alone or with others, and promotes clarity and harmony. So while internet surfing, hours spent texting or on social media can cause brain fuzz, yoga instigates the opposite.
Another super advantage is its suitability to offer health and wholeness for anyone- both males and females, young and old, and for any ethnic background. It incites an atmosphere of oneness not only in our neighborhoods and around the world, but in our hearts.
WOW: You are absolutely right. If I was to aspire to any level of writing success, you represent my dream. What have you learned along the way that you can share with others on how to keep going during the ups and downs of writing?
Raven: It’s easy to get trapped in old beliefs about “ups and downs.” First, be aware of how you’ve judged “ups and downs.” What does a “down” mean for you? If you’re feeling bummed, change your perspective. For instance, if a writer feels that not being inspired by a new idea for 6 months is a “down,” then that’s exactly how it will be experienced. Yuck! But if you look at it from another angle, you can discover you may have needed those 6 months to cultivate or experience something else. Trust in that. Trust in the universal flow. Be kind to yourself and your writing and writing habits. Be honest and look with gentleness. During that “down” period, maybe it allowed you the time to sort out several projects, or take a writing course you were curious about.
Dive deeper and you’ll uncover how you were inspired in other ways. You might find that although you weren’t motivated to write for 6 months, you were inspired to build a darn good-looking bird house for your yard. Maybe you were inspired to pull out and finish kitting a scarf you had started years back. Ha! And then, as things start to clear for you and you see the abundance in everything, you may find your next book idea involves building bird houses or writing an article about knitting!
The “ups” are celebrations and come in many forms, like abundance in the form of financial support, a surprising award or an upbeat critique. Bottom line? It’s ALL good, so keep going!
WOW: You gave me such a great perspective on that. How did you come to enjoy yoga? Have you enjoyed it for a while or was it a newly discovered love?
Raven: I began practicing yoga in my teen years. It wasn’t very popular at that time and was considered a bit off the beaten path, but I always enjoyed both the exercise and mindfulness. And the ultimate goal of aligning with one’s serene center was alluring to me.
I still practice yoga daily. It keeps me tuned up and is a great reminder to move to my heart center when the world’s vibe is a little frantic.
WOW: That's amazing. It must be so rewarding to visit children in classrooms to talk about your books. What do those visits teach you about yourself, your characters, and/or your readers?
Raven: There are a couple of books I’ve had published in the past few years that are frequently requested for story time in classrooms and libraries. I’ve learned that some characters just tend to particularly connect with children more than others (a cute mouse who is learning to count!), and some topics remain classic favorites (trucks!).
Author visits are the best part of my career as a writer. The time spent with students or kids - reading, singing, and creating arts & crafts - makes me feel as if I’m living a charmed life. I’m grateful for their wonderment, curiosity, and openness to possibilities. Those are guaranteed gifts children always offer.
WOW: What a blessing that must be! Thank you so much for joining us today, and for joining WOW again for your blog tour.
-- Blog Tour Calendar
August 4 @ The Muffin
Join us at WOW! Women on Writing as we celebrate the launch of Raven Howell's newest children's book Grandma Yogini. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
August 8 @ FanFiAddict
Visit Isabelle's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell.
August 10 @ Boys' Mom Reads!
Visit Karen's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell.
August 11 @ Tracey Lampley's Blog
Join Tracey for a guest post by Raven Howell about the connection between yoga and spirituality.
August 14 @ School Librarian in Action
Visit Zarah's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You'll also have a chance to read Jodi's response to our tour-themed prompt.
August 14 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You'll also have a chance to read Jodi's response to our tour-themed prompt.
August 15 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra's blog for her spotlight of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell.
August 15 @ Musings of a Literary Wanderer
Join Angela's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell.
August 17 @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog for a guest post by Raven Howell on how to make your own stress balls.
August 18 @ A Wonderful World of Books
Stop by Joy's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell.
August 23 @ Sarandipity
Join Sara for a guest post by Raven Howell on how to make a Yogi gift bag – a perfect present any time of year.
August 25 @ Chapter Break
Stop by Julie's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You can also read a guest post by Raven Howell on how yoga benefits us at various ages – from kids to grandparents.
August 27 @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog for an interview with Raven Howell about her book Grandma Yogini.
August 28 @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog for her spotlight of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell.
September 1 @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine's blog for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You'll also have a chance to read Katherine's response to our tour-themed prompt.
September 3 @ Word Magic
Visit Fiona's blog for a guest post by Raven Howell on her favorite post-yoga snacks.
September 4 @ Jill Sheet's blog
Visit Jill's blog for an interview with Raven Howell about her and her book Grandma Yogini.
September 5 @ Leslie's Blog
Join Leslie for her review of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell. You'll also have a chance to read Leslie's response to our tour-themed prompt.
September 5 @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post by Raven Howell on how to practice yoga at home, outside of a yoga studio.
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****
Enter to win a copy of Grandma Yogini by Raven Howell! Fill out the Rafflecopter form for a chance to win. The giveaway ends August 17th at 11:59 CT. We will choose a winner the next day and announce it in the Rafflecopter widget as well as follow up via email. Good luck!
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