Today, I'm chatting about how the dog rescue picture book, Angel's Forever Home came to life.
Long before Angel leapt off the pages of Angel’s Forever Home, Angel’s true story began in the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake when a dog rescuer saved him. Transported to the United States his dog rescuer began making contact with potential adoptive families. Unfortunately, many could not take on the expense of a badly injured dog. Until the day Rita Gigante was introduced to Angel. Immediately falling in love with Angel, Rita brought her wife Bobbie Sterchele-Gigante back the next day to meet Angel. Bobbie too, felt her heart fill with overwhelming love for Angel and they adopted him.
For years, Rita and Bobbie chatted about creating a children’s book telling of Angel’s story for children to enjoy and to learn that each of our differences is what brings us together. While the book idea was put on the backburner for many years, new friendships developed and Rita intuitively knew this was now the time to invite Renie De Mase and myself in for a collaboration project.
I had the privilege of meeting Rita and Bobbie about ten years ago at a local psychic fair event they were hosting and we have remained connected ever since. So when Rita presented this opportunity for me to co-write and Renie to illustrate Angel’s story we both jumped at the chance immediately.
You may be thinking by now, wow four people collaborating on one book project, it must have been difficult with everyone’s opinions. It was quite the contrary. Our give and take during our brainstorming and writing sessions went swimmingly. Of course, the three of us left Renie to her expertise in illustrating once we discussed our visions.
We are beyond pleased of the finished book product and we all hope you enjoy Angel’s story as well.
For autographed copies contact Rita at spaceofgracehealing@gmail.com or order at Amazon.
A glimpse into Angel's Forever Home...
Thank you for your time and interest.
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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older
Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
