Mindful, Happy Kids

Join an interview of Nicole Chen and Elisabeth Paige as we wrap up Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with an insightful interview featuring children’s author, Nicole Chen. Amidst Covid-related tensions, Nicole shifted her focus to portraying Taiwanese families, aiming to dismantle Asian stereotypes. Her debut, "How We Say I Love You," emphasizes actions over words in expressing affection across cultures. From challenging misconceptions in "Lily Xiao Speaks Out" to defying familial expectations in "It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li!," Nicole advocates using privilege to uplift others. Embrace Nicole's narrative journey, anticipating more enriching literature ahead.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

NYT best-selling graphic novelist and syndicated cartoonist Maria Scrivan have a lively discussion about Maria's process, her books and her comic strip, "Half Full." Maria lives her dream as both a syndicated cartoonist and graphic novelist, where everyday emotions blend into her creative canvas. Amid deadlines, she finds joy in her craft, using exercise and yoga to break creative blocks. Maria believes humor lightens even heavy subjects, infusing laughter into her storytelling. Pets hold a special place in her heart, adding warmth to her comics. Writing, to her, is a time capsule of history and emotion. In her Nat series, preteen Nat navigates who she is and coping with friendship issues, self-doubt, identity, romantic crushes, courage, and learning how to deal with an unexpected adventure 

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

 Picture book author and illustrator Steven Salerno has written and illustrated 5 books and illustrated an additional 32. His books range from initiating a conversation about death to a fashion designing carrot. He illustrated a book on the history of Hershey’s chocolate and a Ferris wheel as big as the Eiffel Tower. His future plans include writing nonfiction books, but so far, the books he has written are fiction. He has illustrated many nonfiction books.

We take a deep dive into his writing and illustrating process, taking classes with Maurice Sendak, and many of his books. He also gives us a peak into what we can expect of him in the future.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

Rebecca Balcarcel, award winning middle grade novelist and poet takes us into her life through her work. As a half Guatemalan woman, she believes it important to be authentic in her writing. Her characters, struggle with identity issues along with autism, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and even death. She believes that middle graders are ready to hear the truth and read about their own experiences both the joyful and the challenging.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

Jerry Craft, #1 NYT best selling author and only winner of the John Newbery Medal for outstanding contribution to children’s literature for a graphic novel as well as other awards speaks with Dr. Elisabeth Paige about his life, his writing and publishing journey, and his work. He wrote over 30 books, primarily for African American kids that were, in his eyes, less about what you usually see in children’s books targeting African American kids such as single parenthood, gun and police violence and slavery, and more about other issues confronting African American kids such as fitting into primarily white schools, differing socioeconomic statuses, parental relationships and friendships. As he hoped, the primarily African American characters in his trilogy, New Kid, Class Act, and School Trip have become iconic characters in kids lit. He began his adventures in children’s literature by starting his own publishing company where he published like-minded almost exclusively African American authors.                           

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

 Dr. LaRocca's joy and brilliance are obvious as we take a deep dive into her award-winning middle grade novels and her picture books. Her books capture her love of medicine, Shakespeare, cooking, baseball, math, and her SE Asian heritage. She confronts tough issues like cancer, anxiety, and loneliness and fun topics like magic and music. I can't recommend more highly her books for kids of all ages.

You can find my website at: www.mindfulhappykids.com.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

Yoga and mindfulness are helpful for anxiety, depression, strength training and exercise for both children and adults. Audrey works as a yoga and mindfulness practitioner with both adults and children. She talks about her own yoga practice and her teaching.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

In this exciting and energetic interview, #1 NYT best selling author Dan Gemeinhart talks with Dr. Elisabeth Paige about his writing journey, each of his five middle grade books, his upcoming books, and his advice for authors.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

In this engaging conversation between Dr. Elisabeth Paige and Chris Baron, Chris talks about his middle grade novels addressing sensitive topics such as body image, anxiety and other mental health concerns, eczema, and selective mutism. He writes in verse, narrative and multi-media. Any college student would love him as a professor.
You can find Dr. Paige on her website, "www.mindfulhappykids.com".

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

In this conversation between Kate McKinney and Dr. Paige, Kate talks about her new book, "When to Hold On" about female relationships, both love interests and friendships, grief and holding space for silence. The book also focuses on finding beauty in nature. Written in verse it's a wonderful read.
Spoiler alert: I highly recommend that if you are at all interested, that you read the book first as there are lots of spoilers in the interview.

You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.