Meeting the cousin of the angry squirrel

Yesterday, I had a book reading at the YMCA in down town Toronto. Being in a hurry, I took a short cut through the lane-way. I met a squirrel, who came right up to me and tapped the toe of my left boot.
He told me he was happy that I was talking to the children about the environment.
After that, he ran off and swished his bushy tail.

Signing my book on the subway!

Last week, I handed out a few flyers to promote my book. I had given my flyer to a mother with her daughter. She read the flyer and then asked me where she could buy the book. I told her on my web-site, but I could show her what the book looks like. ( I had a few copies with me) When she saw my book, she was very excited about it and wanted to buy it right away.After she bough it, she asked if I could sign the book for her daughter.
So, here I was, signing my book on a Toronto subway train going east.

My Press Release

A Winter Solstice Celebration

New Children’s Story Shows Environmental Impact Through Animal’s Eyes

TORONTO – Just in time for winter, children’s author DiDi LeMay pens a colorful tale that unites families in the spirit of the coming holidays while touching on important environmental themes. A Winter Solstice Celebration (published by AuthorHouse) takes young readers deep into the forest, where they discover how seemingly harmless human activities can wreak havoc on the natural world.

Set in a village on the edge of a forest, the time and place are left to the reader’s imagination. Miya, a young village girl, sets out one wintry day to feed the forest animals. This sensitive child has always been concerned about her wild neighbors. Every winter she makes it a habit to ensure they have food. On this particular day, Miya is in for a big surprise.

Deep in the woods, Miya encounters a talking squirrel who demands she leave the forest. As soon as she gets over the shock of talking to a squirrel, Miya ponders why she is so unwelcome in this place she loves. Trying to find her way home, she becomes lost and stumbles upon an animal meeting led by a haughty owl. Here, she discovers why humans are so disliked and mistrusted among the creatures of the forest. Encouraged by a kindly crow, she becomes determined to change the way humans and animals get along.

As the story unfolds, Miya must find a way to make peace between the village community and the forest dwellers. The upcoming solstice is the perfect opportunity to take a stand. A Winter Solstice Celebration follows Miya’s adventures as she returns to the forest with a bold idea to start a new winter solstice tradition among the villagers—one that doesn’t involve so much destruction to the forest.

“A Winter Solstice Celebration has a universal appeal as it gives insight into the potentially devastating impact of humans on the environment through the eyes of the animals,” says DiDi. “Young readers will be so captivated by Miya’s adventures, they will not realize they are learning multiple lessons: respect for the environment and for each other, the importance of standing up for your beliefs and the need to conquer your fears.”

Beautifully illustrated by Jacquie Campbell, A Winter Solstice Celebration invites children to cheer on a brave young heroine as she learns a valuable lesson from her new forest friends.

More information is available at www.didisbooks.com

AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit www.authorhouse.com.

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