Family sows seeds of creativity with children's books | Eidse
A new picture book plunges a young reader into a world full of mishaps and trials that she cannot control. When her baby brother draws on her favorite sweater with a marker, how does she respond? Not with anger, but with affirmations repeated daily: “I am strong, I am kind, I am awesome, I can do anything.”
"I Am Inspired: A Day of Children's Affirmations" by Dylan Mills (East 26th Publishing, 2022) uses rhyming lyrics and whimsical illustrations by Mills’ sister Shelby Koehler to captivate readers. Meet the author and illustrator at a book launch from 1-3 p.m. Saturday hosted by Hearth and Soul, 1410 Market St., D1, Tallahassee.
Based on the daily affirmations the author repeats with her own daughter, "I Am Inspired" teaches kids how to turn negative situations into experiences for growth and inspiration every day. From the story’s spunky narrator to the pointy-eared dog and crawling brother, this uplifting tale hooks any new reader with the promise of trial and triumph.
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“When we were growing up,” Mills said, “my mom always found ways to foster our creativity — and keep us out of trouble. Any ideas we had, she immediately encouraged. We would spend our free time making up games, filming made-up news programs or performing skits we wrote ourselves.
"Our road trips took us on adventures through read-aloud books as we curled through the mountains. She instilled a love for reading and poetry at a very young age. With this kind of support and atmosphere, it’s no question we all have this creative bug.”
Mills’ mom is award-winning author Susan Koehler, a retired teacher who has written four professional books for teachers and five nonfiction books for children. She has also published two novels for young readers. The three women support and collaborate on each other’s creative endeavors. Shelby Koehler also illustrated Susan Koehler’s most recent middle-grade novel, "Nobody Kills Uncle Buster and Gets Away with It" (Turtle Cove Press, 2021).
Mills’ first book, "Inspired: 7 Steps to Living Your Most Inspired Life" (East 26th Publishing, 2019) became a number one Amazon best-seller. “I sent Mom the first chapter and she cheered me on and encouraged me every step of the way. I decided to take the positive self-talk teachings from my first book and combine them with the daily affirmations I do with my children, which is how my second book was born.”
To illustrate her children’s book, Mills turned to her sister. “When I wrote this book, I knew there was no other choice for illustrator,” Mills said. “Shelby has always been the artist of the family — effortlessly excelling at any art form she attempts. She perfectly captures the essence of this book, and gives it the exact light and playfully colorful feel it deserves.”
Mills also has high praise for her mom. “It’s been so inspiring to see her in her element — encouraging writers of all ages along the way, just as she did with us our entire childhood,” she said.
In addition to "Nobody Kills Uncle Buster and Gets Away With It," Susan Koehler is the author of "Dahlia in Bloom" (Turtle Cove Press, 2019), a work of historical fiction that won first place in the Royal Palm Literary Awards and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. "Uncle Buster," a fun and quirky middle-grade mystery, has stunning, dream-come-true cover art and interior illustrations by Shelby Koehler.
“To me, there is no greater gift we can give the world than the beauty we create," Susan Koehler said. "Our family could never claim to have the cleanest, neatest house on the block, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more creative crew. There were always multiple projects in process around here. It's just the way we lived, and I wouldn't change a thing.
“Each of our children has developed an appreciation for literature, art and music, and they've each found their own unique and authentic brand of creativity. They make the world a better place, and I couldn't be prouder.”
Both Susan Koehler and Mills started their teaching careers in Gadsden County and are working with Ferst Readers to get books to preschoolers in Quincy. “It's a little seed right now that we hope will grow into something wonderful for children in the area,” Susan Koehler said. All three women nurture the seeds of creativity in their own family, resulting in literary and visual treats for young readers.
Book launch
Meet author Dylan Mills and illustrator Shelby Koehler at a book launch for "I Am Inspired: A Day of Children's Affirmations" from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, hosted by Hearth and Soul, 1410 Market St., D1, Tallahassee.
Award-winning author Faith Eidse has published five works of fiction and nonfiction and recently submitted her memoir, "Deeper than African Soil," to TouchPoint Press.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Children's book 'I Am Inspired' accentuates the positive
