Hello! My name is Julie Costa Langley, author of Nina And I, and welcome to my new book blog!
What makes someone want to write a book? For me, it's always been a childhood dream! I was a shy child at school who often had trouble approaching other children and making new friends. I also had some physical insecurities; I was tall and chubbier than most of my other classmates and often the subject of a lot of teasing. When I got older, I started writing stories about some of my classmates. My classmates enjoyed reading the humorous plots of my stories so much that they often asked me to write more. Their reactions to my stories made me feel more accepted, giving me the much-needed confidence to express myself in a way I once found difficult.
Through this book, I hope to convey that same message of acceptance to my readers. The following is a list of the key takeaway messages I worked to address in this book:
* Being different is acceptable, good, and wonderful!
Being different is all those things, but it can also cause a flood of insecurities. At the beginning of the book, Nina and Lisa face ridicule for just looking different. However, despite their differences, they discover how alike they truly are by the book's ending.
* Making new friendships can be hard!
Making friendships can be difficult, especially when there are so many misconceptions about who someone is. For example, Lisa misinterprets Nina's shyness as cruel, while Nina feels threatened by Lisa's actions and feels bullied.
*Children can learn how to problem-solve!
When Lisa recognizes her bad behavior, she is encouraged to correct it, and she succeeds in doing so!
*Make it believable and easy to understand!
My story, Nina And I, is an easy-to-read book for elementary-aged children. It is believable because it is a true story from my childhood. I hope that my story will brighten another child's life and bring a smile to their face.
I am thrilled to share my book with you! You can find it for sale in paperback at Barnes & Noble at Nina And I, and at Amazon Marketplace in both paperback & Ebook for your Kindle at the following link: Nina And I
You can send a request to receive an autographed copy of my book by simply sending me an email! I can be reached at julielangley66@yahoo.com
Thank you for visiting my blog! Come again! Book reviews are welcomed and encouraged!!
"For the record, the author is a relative, but I didn't know anything about the book until I read it, or even that she was writing it. To a child, this is simply a cute story about making a friend. But through the tale of an outgoing girl getting to know the quieter, more reserved Nina, this book shows kids the rewards of having friends who look or act differently than they do. It's a great message for school-age kids and would make an excellent addition to a school library or classroom reading."
Tom Prete
"This touching story about two young children explores a deep mystery about friendships. The author does well to capture the perspective of a child who wants to make friends with a classmate but doesn’t know-how. It’s a challenge all people face. This book shows two very different children overcoming their differences and discovering a deep and joyful friendship. I can’t wait to read it to my first-grade grandson."
Carol Morgan-Gohlke
"Love this book! It’s such a cute story and very endearing! Well written, beautiful illustration, and a good lesson for children of all ages. I highly recommend this book!"
Michael Yoshikami
"A great read for kids and an awesome short story of friendship. Highly recommend for classrooms and home reading."
Andrew Vicente
