From: Margo Dill's Read These Books and Use Them!

Magical Matthew by Penelope Anne Cole, Illustrations by Kevin Collier

*Picture book, fantasy, preschool to third graders
*Young boy as main character
*Rating: Magical Matthew is a sweet story for children about magic and friendship. Kevin Collier’s illustrations make this book fun for children to read on their own or for their parents/teachers to read to them, too. My two-year-old loves flipping through it.
Short, short summary: Matthew is a young boy who realizes he has a magical power to fix THINGS. He doesn’t tell the adults in his life because he knows they really don’t believe in magic anymore. He is even scared to tell his friend Lily, who is in a wheelchair, because he doesn’t know if she’ll understand. Matthew tries to “fix” Lily, but he soon realizes he only has the power to fix nonliving things. But that doesn’t bother sweet and wonderful Lily, who soon discovers by the powers of observation, that things just seem to work better when Matthew is around. Throughout the story, Matthew winds up confiding in two people ,and then he also gets older. What happens to his magic when he is no longer “young”? How do the people around him react to the news that he has magic powers? Is anyone else in his family “magical”? Find out by reading this sweet book about friendship, family, and magic!

So, what do you do with this book?
1. If children had a magical power to fix THINGS, what THINGS would they fix? Would it be something at their house? At school? In the world? For younger students, start with, “If I could fix something, I would fix ____________________.” They fill in the blank and draw a picture. Older students can write a paragraph or even their own story and illustrate it.

2. In the story, Lily and Matthew are friends. Matthew is such a wonderful friend, and so is Lily. They both have something that makes them unique and also that they worry makes them different–Lily is in a wheelchair and Matthew has a magic power. Discuss with students/children how each one of us has things that are different about us and that makes us unique. That’s what makes the world go around. Ask students to name something that is unique about them. Ask children if they worry about being different. Have a CELEBRATE OUR DIFFERENCE DAYS and read Magical Matthew as part of your celebration. It is our job as parents and educators to help children see that our differences–no matter if they are magic powers or a physical attribute–help make us special–not strange or weird!

3. Penelope Anne Cole, the author, has some coloring sheets on her blog, and she also has some education resources and ideas. To find out more, go to her website: http://magical-matthew.blogspot.com/

Featured on the GAP Family Blog

THE GAP FAMILY

---

GAP FAMILY BLOG WELCOMES Penelope Anne Cole, AUTHOR OF Magical Matthew.

Posted: 16 Dec 2012 12:00 AM PST

Congratulations on the release of Magical Matthew.  Please tell us more about it.

About the book: 

Matthew has a big secret.  He can fix things magically with his mind.  Matthew secretly uses his magic to fix things for his family and friends.  Later, he expands his magical good deeds by fixing things in his neighborhood.  Matthew’s friend, Lily, suspects something is special about him.  Matthew must decide whether to tell her the truth or not.

What was the inspiration for this book?

Penelope: My book was inspired by my friend's son, Matthew, when he attained "double digits."  I thought, “How Magical is that – he’s not a kid anymore!”  Which led to, what if he really had magic?  What would he do?  And would he tell people, or keep it a secret?.

What is your favorite moment from the book?

Penelope: There are two special moments for me.  First, when Matthew confides in his Grandma Nonie, showing he’s comfortable sharing his secret with a trusted adult.  And, second, when he realizes he has abilities and talents beyond magic. 

Is this your first published book?

Penelope:  Yes

Congratulations! We’d love to hear more about you.

I’ve had a few careers:  my longest was in government service Human Resources (HR), next as a teacher of adults and children, and now as a writer and book reviewer.  In most of my positions, I’ve been able to write and teach others.  English Literature was my undergraduate Liberal Arts major and Education my Masters program.

Do you have any book signing events or book tours scheduled for Magical Matthew?

Penelope:  For now I’m visiting fellow author’s blogs and Magical Matthew is being reviewed.  I hope to visit local schools, libraries and bookstores.

How can our readers learn more about you and any upcoming Magical Matthew events?

Penelope:  I will post them on my blogs: 

http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com and http://magical-matthew.blogspot.com.

Thank you for stopping in to share Magical Matthew with us.  Readers can purchase their copy here. We are proud to add it to the ever-growing line of quality titles from Guardian Angel Publishing.

Delightful Review up on Amazon

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical Indeed, December 11, 2012

By 

Allison Olson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Matthew (Paperback)

This book sends such a delightful message of coming to terms with your strengths and realizing your connectedness to your family. I really enjoyed reading it with my son. If you have younger children, this is a must read.

Review of Magical Matthew by Linda Derkez

Good, fun beginning.  What kid hasn't wished for magical yet practical powers!  The relationship between the main character and his wheelchair bound sweet friend is endearing and unique. The message that we can all do wonderful things that seem magical if we work together and care about the world around us is timely and necessary.  The artwork is captivating and fun.

My 4 year old daughter sat on my lap as I read it to her on my iPad.  She loved it.

Linda Derkez

Author of:  Chip's Sharing Day and One Large Peanut Butter Sandwich to Go.

Review from Connie Arnold's Blog

Monday, December 3, 2012

Magical Matthew

Children are fascinated by things that seem magical, and Matthew certainly fits into this category in this delightful book by Penelope Anne Cole. Matthew has a special talent that many people would love to have. When something is broken, he just thinks about it being fixed and it is.

But although Matthew has the magical power to fix objects, he discovers he can't fix everything. His young friend Lily is in a wheelchair and can't walk. He wants very much to make that happen, but he can't. He soon learns a valuable lesson about what can be accomplished without resorting to magic and in spite of handicaps as friends work together for a common goal of helping others and making things better.

The bold and colorful illustrations by Kevin Collier add to the attraction of the story for children, who will likely be asking for this book over and over, enjoying Matthew's gift, thoughtfulness and the surprise at the end. 

 From:

 http://childrensauthorconniearnold.blogspot.com/

 

Posted by Connie Arnold at 8:22 AM 0 comments

Here's Another Amazon Review!

5.0 out of 5 stars It is fun to do good, November 29, 2012

By 

susan,mt.view, CA - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Matthew (Hardcover)

I can see my son in this story. As a child, he identified with superman to the extent that he wanted to wear his superman pajamas, all day every day. He is not alone in his desire to have super powers. How wonderful to able to get things done, with the wink of an eye, like a genie. In Ms. Cole's story, Matthew discovered he had magical powers at the age of four, to be able to fix things. He loves fixing things clandestinely, using his powers for the benefit of himself (fixing broken toys, mending clothes) and his family (repairing things around his home). We see him mature with his gift, having compassion, by wanting to fix the legs of his paralyzed friend, Lily, but sadly discovering that there was a limit to his powers. Since he spent a lot of time with her, she eventually suspects his secret power. This story of Matthew lifts our spirits, as he is a kind and thoughtful boy delighting in making his world a better place. Ms. Cole uses her story as a means of teaching children that they are not helpless, nor alone. She unveils the close relationship he shares with his grandmother, in showing that he trusts her enough to tell her his secret. She empathizes with him of the difficulty and necessity of keeping his powers secret. But, she points out that other people can be trusted too, but not everyone, asking him if he thinks he can trust his secret to Lily. He thinks about this and decides that she is trustworthy. Because Lily is trusted with his secret, they both learn that more can be accomplished by working together. They delight in their daily neighborhood search for things that can be improved. This story is not scary. There is no Lex Luther, or monster, to give your child nightmares. Instead, they will gain the confidence to discover the gifts that they were born with. Unfortunately, there are no Magic Matthew pajamas for your child--the author will have to work on that one. I am looking forward to reading more stories by Penelope Anne Cole.

One More Amazon Review

5.0 out of 5 stars It Takes More than One Person, November 28, 2012

By 

Jacky - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Matthew (Hardcover)

It was inspiring to read how a young child can feel empowered to fix things in his or her own mind, but mostly be able to fix things when they allow someone else to come into their world. I enjoyed the positive message this story tells.

Another Amazon Review

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical Matthew is Magical!, November 23, 2012

By 

Lisa M. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Matthew (Hardcover)

I was pleased to be one of the first to hear Magical Matthew read to me. It's a cute story about a boy who has magical powers to fix things -- he fixes things secretly. This is a big secret he keeps from his family. He has a friend in a wheelchair, Lily. He tries to fix her, but he can only fix things. They work together to find and fix things in their neighborhood. Later in the story he loses his magical powers and has to face life as a normal kid. His Grandma helps him understand that we can still help and fix things even without magic. It's a nice story for kids to see that we don't need magic. We can help fix things and do good just by trying our best and working together. I liked the surprise at the end, too.

Nancy Stewart's Books - Blog Review:

Children's Book, Magical Matthew, by Penelope Anne Cole

 

Magical Matthew, a lovely and thoughtful book by Penelope Anne Cole, was launched in October, 2012, by Guardian Angel Publishing. 

It is the story of young Matthew, a boy who realizes he has magical powers, is confused by them in the beginning, but then he tries to use them to do good.

Matthew's good friend, Lily, is a young girl who must use a wheelchair. One day as Matthew and she are talking, Lily notices some strange and wonderful occurrences around Matthew.  She thinks she needs to understand him better and decides to watch him closely.  The book ends on a happy and hopeful note and will leave the reader with a fine feeling about life in general.

Magical Matthew, Ms. Cole's debut book, is about goodness and sharing and caring for friends.  This is a book that has a marvelous message for young children.

The artwork by Kevin Collier is whimsical and colorful.  The children's faces are joyful and full of life. The combination of Cole and Collier join to make a winning book for children and parents alike!

You can learn more about Ms. Cole, her books and what is coming next at:  http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com/

Mr. Collier's work may be found at:  http://kevinscottcollierhomepage.blogspot.com/

Posted by Nancy Stewart at 8:59 PM 8 comments: Links to this post

Three Times A Charm with Penelope Anne Cole

Kai Strand:  Strands of Thought:  kaistrand.blogspot.com

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the children’s publishing industry.

This week we are visiting with author, Penelope Anne Cole. Penelope, can you share a little about yourself? 

I'm Penelope Anne Cole, author of "Magical Matthew."  I’ve had various positions in government service Human Resources (HR) and in teaching both adults and children.  Now I write and review children's books.  I love reading to children to encourage them to read on their own and love literature.  I live in Silicon Valley with my family and our rescued cats and dogs.  I enjoy dog walking, reading, gardening, church activities, singing in choir, and watching select TV shows: drama, comedy, romance, crime solving, and happy-ending movies.  I have a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Masters in Education.

Impressive credentials! And thank you for the support you show other authors and illustrators with your reviews.

Tell us about Magical Matthew.

Magical Matthew is my first published book.  It was inspired by my friend's son, Matthew, when he attained "double digits.”  That milestone marks the magical transition that children make from being an elementary "kid," to a middle school "tween."  They lose their childhood “innocence” but gain a growing maturity.  From there the idea developed about a boy with magical powers to fix things with his mind.

Now for the threes. Share your top three to the following to help us know you better.

• Top 3 books you’ve read in the past year.

Since the J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series ended, I’ve been looking for another series -- stories I can’t put down.  Last month I finished Michael Scott’s six book series, The Alchemyst, which begins with The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel.  Scott blends myth and fantasy with historical characters.  It’s a very satisfying series.  That’s ended, so I found another series.  I’m reading N.D. Wilson’s The Dragon’s Tooth:  Ashtown Burials.  It’s another engrossing fantasy series.

• Top 3 leisure activities.

            My three favorite leisure activities are (1) reading fantasy and myth stories, (2) watching well-written “Who Done it” crime-solving TV shows, and (3) spending time with my family.

• Top 3 professions you wanted to be when you grew up.

            I wanted to be a writer, a critic, and a teacher.  I’ve been fortunate to engage in all three of these professions.

Penelope, where can our tech-savvy readers go to keep up with you and your work?

My blog:  http://penelopeannecole.blogspot.com

And for my book:  http://magical-matthew.blogspot.com

Thanks for joining us on this week’s Strands of Thought, Penelope. Best of luck with your writing!

THANKS!

I am always looking for guests for Three Times A Charm. Especially lately since I’ve been really busy and haven’t been able to recruit guests! GUESTS WANTED! If you are an author, illustrator or book reviewer, an agent or an editor. If you have something related to children’s publishing that you’d like people to know about, feel free to contact me about a future appearance.

2 comments:

1. 
   Kelly BakshiNovember 21, 2012 11:39 AM

   What an amazing concept for a book for kids at such a tender age and what an amazing author, reviewer and teacher Penelope is! Best of luck Magical Matthew!

   Reply
2. 
   Margot FinkeNovember 21, 2012 11:58 AM

   Fun interview, Kai. Penny is a lovely lady and a growing writing talent.
   
   Margot's FREE 13x BOOK CATALOG:
   http://tinyurl.com/d8ppylg

   Reply

Magical Matthew Reviewed by Barbara Bockman

Stories a la Mode

A Blog by Barbara Bockman

15 Nov 2012 9 Comments

by barbarabockman in Book Reviews, Guardian Angel Publishing, Interviews, Sites for Writers Tags: children's picture books, Guardian Angel Publishing, kids helping kids, Magical Matthew, Penelope Anne Cole

It is my pleasure to introduce Penelope Anne Cole and her picture book for kids ages 4-9, Magical Matthew.  This books is published by Guardian Angel Publishing
 
Penelope Anne Cole is an observer. When she noticed a child moving into “double digits,” she wondered how she could put this aging process into a book for children. Magical Matthew is the result. She herself is much like Matthew; she has worked helping people as a Human Resources person and as a teacher. Ms. Cole has a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Jose State University and a Masters in Human Development Education from the University of Maryland.

What kid wouldn’t want to have special powers—like the one Matthew has? Matthew can magically fix things, but he keeps it a secret for a long time. It’s important that whoever learns about the secret can be trusted. Lily, Matthew’s good friend, helps him find things that need to be fixed. When she figures out about the secret power, Matthew shares everything with his grandma. Grandma wonders if Lily can be trusted and Matthew says he thinks she can. But suddenly Matthew no longer has his power. He lost his last baby tooth and this is a signal that he’s getting too old. At first he’s angry, but Grandma convinces him there are other ways to fix things, even though those ways take more effort. He and Lily will continue to do good deeds. But the power to fix things isn’t lost. When you read the book you will see how the spirit of helpfulness lives on!
Kevin Collier’s illustrations show just how excited and astonished Matthew is when he realizes he has this power and later, his disappointment when he outgrows it. It’s very interesting the way Kevin interpreted Penelope’s poem about the way Matthew sees himself. Together, Penelope and Kevin have created characters whom young readers will be happy to know and parents will find trustworthy.

disclaimer: I purchased a copy of Magical Matthew from Guardian Angel Publishing http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/matthew.htm in order to review it. I enjoyed it and think it is a worthwhile book to  add to any child’s collection. The book is also available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

MAGICAL MATTHEW and the BIG FIX!

Reviewed by Margot Finke: 

I am thrilled to introduce a book by 

new author,

Penelope Anne Cole

Penelope Anne Cole, after various positions in HR and Teaching, now writes and review children's books.  Her reviews and book news can be found HERE.  One of her special joys is reading to children, and encouraging them to read on their own and love literature.  Penelope lives in Silicon Valley, California, with her family and their rescued cats and dogs. She enjoys dog walking, reading, gardening, church activities, singing in choir, and watching select TV shows: drama, comedy, romance, crime solving, and happy-ending movies.

Although she has written throughout her life, "Magical Matthew" is her first published children's book. It celebrates the magic of childhood and the milestone of attaining "double digits."

MY REVIEW

Magical Matthew is a delightfully told story about  a young boy with a unique ability. When Matthew discovers he can magically fix what is broken, he sets out to fix things that need fixing.  Yet his magic can only fix things - sadly, not his best friend, Lily. With Grandma and Lily as allies, Matthew follows good family values. This makes even his trickiest problems come out right. The story also shows that confiding in a trusted adult is a good thing. Matthew is such a likeable little boy, that kids everywhere will root for him to succeed. A surprise at the end makes it very likely there will be an equally enjoyable sequel coming soon.

Kevin Collier's lively and colorful illustrations are the perfect compliment to Cole's magical theme.

I recommend this picture book for the fun read, but also for the gentle way it nudges children down the path of doing the right thing. 

I am sure YOUR copy of  Magical Matthew will soon
become dog-eared with many readings.

 http://www.margotfinke.com

Margot Finke's Blog:  http://hookkidsonreading.blogspot.com

Review by Janet Ann Collins

Magical Matthew

Penelope Anne Cole has written a book based on a creative concept. Magical Matthew is about a boy who has a magic power, but it's unlike any magical power I've ever heard of before. He can fix broken things by simply wishing them whole.

One thing Matthew can't fix is his friend, Lily, who uses a wheelchair because she can't walk. But that doesn't keep them from being friends, and Lily eventually learns about Matthew's secret power.

Unfortunately something happens to destroy Matthew's magic. His friendship with Lily lasts and he realizes he may be able to fix things without using magic, but that's not the happy ending of the book. I don't want to spoil it, so you'll have to read the book to find out what that is.

The colorful illustrations by Kevin Collier capture the cheerful mood of the story perfectly and lots of kids will enjoy reading Magical Matthew or having it read to them. Maybe some of them will even be inspired to find ways to help others.

Posted by Janet Ann Collins  
 http://onwordsblog.blogspot.com

Another Review of Magical Matthew! By Susan Hornbach

Magical Matthew

Magical Matthew is an entertaining story that will draw children into the yarn.  As they read they will find themselves wanting to acquire Matthew’s abilities.  This child has a special uniqueness that brings help to others.  Matthew enjoys making others happy with his unique powers, but finds he does have some limitations when trying to help his friend.  Matthew finds disappointment in what he thinks he has lost, but then realizes new gifts he does possess. His special new gifts reflect in the older boy he has become.  

The story has a bit of a twist and surprise that involves Matthew’s baby sister.  This is a wonderful book for children of many ages, as it is a fun read for younger children, as well as children a bit older.  The story reflects how a child can feel secure in telling an adult a secret, and also how things can change as they grow older.  It shows a child, that growing up does not mean you lose what you had as a younger child, but that you have found new treasures to add to your already beautiful and unique you.

Magical Matthew will not disappoint, and would be a wonderful addition to any child’s library. The author Penelope Anne Cole, has included in her creative story, valuable life lessons to help children trust in those who love them, and to move smoothly to their next level in life.  The illustrations by Kevin Collier are colorful, expressive to the story in detail, and will certainly engage children to an enjoyable read.  Magical Matthew shows love in all his actions.  This book is a keeper with five *****

Magical Matthew was reviewed by Susan Hornbach, author of children’s literature:  http://bagfullofbooks4kids.blogspot.com/

Review of Magical Matthew by Stacey Marshall

Penelope Anne Cole’s Magical Matthew is a wonderful story about a boy with a secret magical power—the ability to fix anything from broken toys to flat tires.  However, he doesn’t fix things in the typical way.  He simply wishes them repaired, and they become “like new again.”    Matthew’s only dilemma is that he doesn’t know if he should reveal his unique, magical gift to anyone, namely to his friend Lily.

Much to Matthew’s disappointment, Lily, his good friend and wheelchair-bound neighbor, is not “fixable.”  As much as he wishes for her to be well, his magic will not work on his friend.  However, Lily seems to cherish Matthew’s friendship and his ability to repair her things.  As the two spend time together, Matthew must decide if he should reveal the secret way he fixes things to his friend.  Then, one day, everything in Matthew’s world drastically changes… 

Penelope Cole’s story will grab the readers’ hearts and keep them wondering what will happen next.   Kevin Collier’s delightful illustrations compliment the text beautifully, bringing the magical story to life.  But Magical Matthew is more than just a story about magic.  It’s also a story about friendship, empathy, and kind deeds.  Between the clever tale, including catchy verses, and the colorful illustrations, the reader will be engaged from start to finish.  This book is a great read for both children and parents and will leave a smile on the face of every reader.

-Stacey Marshall, Author of Captain Courage and the Fear-Squishing Shoes 
Available from www.guardianangelpublishing.com/captain-courage1.htm

Guardian Angel Publishing October 2012 Releases

ANNOUNCING GUARDIAN ANGEL PUBLISHING OCTOBER 2012 RELEASES

============
 

CHANCES ARE
Academic Wingshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/chances-are.htm

by Sue Bangert-Wood, artist Jack Foster
An entertaining alphabet book with unusual animals doing zany things, aardvarks, komodo dragons, and many more incredible creatures. The comical illustrations will capture the imagination while building reading skills at many levels. Also included are activities for parents/teachers to do with children.   

DOODLE GIRL

Academic Wingshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/doodle-girl.htm

by Jennifer Bond-Reed, artist Jack Foster
Rachel loves to doodle on walls, on her school books, and on her back pack. Anywhere Rachel can doodle she does, but it gets her into big trouble. She tries to draw and color in other places. She learns she can mix colors and make more colors. Suddenly, Rachel’s doodling becomes a lot more fun! Educational page, too.

 

MAGICAL MATTHEW hardcover & softcover
Littlest Angelshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/matthew.htm
by Penelope Anne Cole, artist Kevin Scott Collier
Matthew has a secret. He fixes things magically. Matthew secretly uses his magic to fix things for his family and friends.  Later, he expands his magical good deeds by fixing things in his neighborhood. Matthew’s friend, Lily, suspects something.  Matthew must decide whether to tell her the truth or not.

 

ONCE THERE WAS A MONSTER
Littlest Angelshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/monster.htm

by Marilee Crow, artist Jack Foster
Every child at some point in their lives has a fear of monsters. Through charming, funny rhyme, see how one child conquers her fear of the monster in her room. Read what happens when the child finds out that monsters have fears too. 

 

THE SMILING BURRO  English  (Spanish Edition-coming soon

Littlest Angelshttp://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/smiling-burro.htm

by Mary Esparza-Vela , artist Kevin Scott Collier
A tiny burro shows up at a little boy’s house and becomes a real asset to the family. The day he disappears, they never expect to see him again until he prances in one dark spooky night.

AND ONE BEING HELD FOR SPECIAL RELEASE.

Lynda S. Burch, Publisher http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com
www.guardian-angel-kids.com GAP's online interactive ezine for kids!
http://guardianangelfamily.blogspot.com

First Review of Magical Matthew on Amazon

Today I'm sharing the first review of Magical Matthew on Amazon.com:

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Good "Magic" for kids!, October 28, 2012

By 

Peggy J Dile - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magical Matthew (Hardcover)

I am a Christian Education Director and have read many books to children over the years. I just read "Magical Matthew" to the children at church. They loved it! What a wonderful story to show love and compassion for others as Matthew tried to "fix" his wheelchair bound friend Lily. The story also gives a perfect example of caring for God's earth as together they work their magic to fix things in their neighborhood, beach, and park. My children all want a copy of "Magical Matthew" for Christmas so that they can read it over and over again! And they wonder what will happen with Matthew's little sister Mea as she "inherits" the magic? We want more and look forward to the next book in the series.

Magical Matthew and Sequels

              

           My first book, Magical Matthew, a children’s storybook illustrated by Kevin Scott Collier, will be a GAP October 2012 release!  I’m excited about this with more to come.  I'll tell you about my Magical Matthew “sequels” in progress. 

·                                
What is the working title of your book?

·                                 . Magical Mea is contracted with GAP for a release in 2013.  Mea is Matthew’s younger sister.  Matthew wants to guide her but Mea has her own ideas and they are not always “helpful.”  Mea runs Matthew ragged as he tries to set right the things she’s “messed with.” 

·                                 Then when Matthew and Mea are almost grown up, there is a surprise addition to their family.  My work-in-progress is called Magical M and M.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

·                                 The idea for the first book, Magical Matthew, came to me when my neighbor’s son, Matthew, attained double digits.  How magical that milestone is – he’s not a kid anymore.  What if a kid really did have magical powers?  What would he do?  The story unfolded from that premise.

What genre does your book fall under?

·                         

Magical realism or realistic magic – which sound like opposites.  My story is realistic with the tiny exception that the main character has some magical power.  It could also be considered Fantasy -- since it has magic in it -- though magic isn’t the main focus.  What’s really important is how the characters use their magical powers.  Just as we all have talents and abilities, what’s important is what we do with our talents – how we use our abilities.  Do we use them for personal gain?  Or do we use them to help others and try to make our world a better place for everyone?   ·                           

          Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

• I don’t know any child actors, but it would have to be someone who looks a bit like “the little Dutch boy” for Matthew – blond tousled hair and blue eyes.  Also someone who could age successfully in the movie.  We might need two kids for when Matthew is very young and later when he’s older - “double digits.” 
• For Mea, she looks like my daughter, so a girl with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes – with an impish grin and mischief in her eyes.  She could be about four, five, or six.
•  For Markie and Mickey, two little guys with brown hair and eyes, identical twins.

·   What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book(s)?

Matthew has a big secret -- he has magical power and secretly uses his magic to fix things for his family and friends.

Mea is Matthew’s little sister who uses her magical power to play tricks on people and has fun making mischief.

Will Markie and Mickey -- the little brothers of Matthew and Mea -- have magical powers, too? 

 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

• Magical Matthew is being published by Guardian Angel Publishing as an October 2012 Release. 
• Magical Mea may come out in 2013.
• Magical M and M will be finished soon.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Magical Matthew practically wrote itself -- very quickly, in my head -- in a few days.  Then polishing it took several months.  The same for Magical Mea and Magical M and M.  Ideas are the easiest part – the sweat and tears of the writing, rewriting, and editing process always takes much longer than you think it will. 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I don’t know other books exactly like mine.  I see my books, Magical Matthew, Magical Mea, and Magical M and M, helping kids see that whatever their talents and abilities, they can use them for good -- to help others, and make this world a better place.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

Matthew, the namesake for Magical Matthew, inspired the first book when he reached the magical age of 10 -- double digits.  Matthew is now in middle school.  He has his school years to find his talents and abilities.  I trust he will use them to help others and make a positive difference in the world.  I wish this for all of our children.

 

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

It’s hard to keep a secret.  We want to “tell all.”  In my books, the main characters try to keep their magical power secret.  Also, there’s a little surprise at the end of each of the stories!