Inauguration Day: A Good New Beginning.

From the publisher:

Today is the inauguration of President Barack Obama. A turning point for many people and many things, and a bright spot on what is seemingly a dull horizon of 2009 to come. On behalf of Maren Green Publishing, I hope the inauguration is a sign of hope for everyone. And especially for children, their families, and our communities. When people are inspired, great things do happen. We need great things to happen.

I find Barack Obama inspiring. I hope children will be inspired by him, too.

I hope children will be inspired to be tolerant and accepting.

Support children in their efforts to be tolerant and accepting of others (and themselves!) with our award-winning and best-selling book Colorful World. This beautifully illustrated book celebrates differences and invites all children to be proud to be themselves. The song by six-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans (CD included) that inspired the book is a musical experience that will enrich the experience of any listener and help build bridges among cultures. Every child in every school, home, and library should have the opportunity to read this book.

I hope children will be inspired to be kind.

Our newest book, Kindness to Share from A to Z uses simple words and engaging illustrations to invite children to show kindness in their daily lives. Each letter, each idea is a step toward becoming more caring and compassionate...and making the world a better place to be. Helping children understand how they can share their kindness with others is one of the best investments we can make for the future of our world.

I hope children will be inspired to be healthy and helpful.

When you read our new books You Are Healthy and You Are Helpful with a child you will be letting them know you support their efforts to be healthy and helpful in ways that will last them a lifetime. And perhaps inspire yourself as well! Research has shown children are happier and more confident when they practice good health and understand they are competent and capable. Parents, educators, and librarians: affirm the positive efforts of children with these books every day.

And lastly, I hope children are inspired to have more fun and spend more quality time with family.

These are stressful times. Invite a child you know to a rollicking good laugh with our new book The Dirtiest Hair in the World. Any child (adult, too!) will enjoy this vividly illustrated rhyming tale about a little girl named Claire who makes a snap decision to not wash her hair. What ensues will have everyone laughing wildly. When Claire eventually decides she'll wash her hair (after she can't get out of her room because her hair is so big and tangled and dirty—with things living in it!), that's when the fun really begins. You won't believe what crawls, walks, falls, and flies out of Claire's hair! In the end, even though Claire decides she likes to wash her hair, does she learn her lesson? Trust me, you'll want to find out. The large panoramic detailed illustrations make this perfect for story time.

Till next post, be well.

Todd