May
12
2010
“Margaret the Magnificent” is a heartwarming story to read at any time, but, especially relevant when children are embarking on new experiences like summer camp, moving to a new house, changing classrooms, teachers, and/or schools. Margaret is an enormous, shaggy, black and white sheepdog who possesses magical powers. She not only barks like a typical dog, but, is also able to speak like you and me. The lovable dog is known as, Margaret the Miracle Maker, because of her ability to travel the globe assisting children and animals; the amazing sheepdog feels when children and animals need extra doses of love, friendship, and guidance.
In this adventure, Margaret travels to visit with a little girl who is frightened about beginning classes at a new school. The lovable sheepdog’s friendship and encouragement enable the child to have the self confidence and sense of adventure necessary for success.
As we adults know, self confidence is a gift that we give ourselves which enables us to move forward even when circumstances are unclear, scary, and/or novel. In order for our children to feel self confident, they must have positive experiences that bolster their self image. Reading “Margaret the Magnificent” as well as other books that enhance self image, will communicate the message that we believe in our children. If we show our children that we have confidence in them, they will feel competent and ready to tackle age-appropriate challenges and new experiences.
Stories written by Donna Mavrides are available thru her web site, www.magicalms.com
- “Margaret the Magnificent”
- “Margaret the Magnificent visits the Everglades”
- “Forever Love”
- “Room for One More”
Magical Educating!
Donna Mavrides
Magical Moments
www.magicalms.com
Oct
23
2009
Forever Love by Author Donna Mavrides
Illustrated by Ann Pilicer
Dedication:
Forever Love is dedicated to children whose lives have been or will be touched by Cancer, as my own children, Nicole and Jamie and nieces, Lauran and Erica have been. Both my husband and sister were diagnosed with dreadful forms of cancer that FOREVER challenged our beliefs and transformed our family. Throughout each of their gallant battles to beat the dreadful disease, my sister, Karen and husband, Steve, comforted us we comforted them. Their committment to life, to understanding, to courage, and to family continues to live within our hearts and souls. I hope that your lives are FOREVER free from teh evils of cancer, but if a loved one is diagnosed, please ease your child’s fears and answer his/her questions as honestly as you are able. Provide your child with age appropriate information in the format of stories that you read together like Forever Love. My family and I wish all of you great health, resolve to give each other strength, and the power to ease each other’s heartache and pain.
Magical Educating!
Donna Mavrides
Magical Moments
www.magicalms.com
Oct
22
2009
Forever Love by Author Donna Mavrides
Illustrated by Ann Pilicer
Forever Love is a gentle, yet emotional story depicting the strength of the loving bond between a father and his child. Through honest and age-appropriate discussions, the dad describes his disease and his resolve to fight the cancer that has invaded his body. Together, the father and the child discuss physical changes, dreams, and the FOREVER LOVE that exists within each of their hearts and souls.
Magical Educating!
Donna Mavrides
Magical Moments
www.magicalms.com
Sep
18
2009
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought that the timing was right to share how my experiences with the deadly disease have motivated me to help families discuss cancer, grief and eternal love. Throughout the past seven years, both my sister and my husband have died, after gallantly battling deadly forms of cancer. We all hoped and prayed that the outcomes of their battles would have been different, but, that was not to be. As I have said in the dedication of my book, Forever Love, I hope that your lives are forever free from the evils of cancer, but, if a loved one is diagnosed, please ease your child’s fears and answer his/her questions as honestly as you are able.
Two years after my husband, Steve passed away, I wrote Forever Love. It is a gentle, yet emotional story about the loving bond between a parent and his child. The book uses honest, yet age-appropriate vocabulary, to describe what cancer and chemotherapy are. Ann Pilicer’s art work provides children with beautiful pictures that increase understanding and decrease fear. In my story, the child and the father talk about the physical changes that the disease and treatment cause, dreams that the two have, and the Forever Love that will always exist within their hearts and souls.
Even when it is difficult to discuss tough issues with children, it must be done. Affective communication allows the parent to separate facts from fiction as it empowers the child to question what is happening. Discussing serious issues with children must be done calmly and appropriately. Make sure not to give more information than is necessary. Make certain that you assure the affected children that they will be safe and the family will manage the challenges that it is presented with.
In the event that a beloved family member dies, we must continue to provide children with honest information as well as an ear for listening. We must be available to help them deal effectively with changes and sadness. We must help them express their grief in appropriate ways. Children who are not encouraged to deal with their feelings associated with a loved one’s death may blame themselves for their loss. We must make certain that children understand that cancer is a physical disease, not something mysterious. Love and understanding will motivate little ones to continue to grow, play, laugh, and learn as they are encouraged to treasure memories throughout the grieving process.
Magical Educating!
Donna Mavrides
Magical Moments
www.magicalms.com
