SARASOTA, Fla., July 19, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier this month Sarasota children's book author Julie Woik released her first children's book in a series about self-esteem and optimism for children ages 2 and up. "The Garden Gathering," the inaugural book in the series titled "The Life and Times of Lilly the Lash," is quickly picking up steam and already has people asking, what's next?
The mission of the series doubles as its tagline: Life Lessons for the Little Ones. There are many things that make these books appealing to children as well as adults. The books' premise is based on Lilly, an eyelash who once lived on a little girl's face, and taught her important life lessons. Lilly becomes fairy-like and decides to journey from place to place, helping others to learn the basic principles of healthy living, and build strong self-esteem.
The book tells its positive messages of self-respect and acceptance in poetic rhymes and beautiful, color-rich images with a cinematic look and feel, illustrated by Marc Tobin of Factoryville, Pa. The characters, with life-like expressions and personalities, practically jump off the pages as Lilly tackles one goal at a time, in her own clever and whimsical way. The meaningful content is presented in such a way that the reader unknowingly learns the intended lesson, while he or she is busy getting lost in the excitement of the story.
The book is being sold online at www.lillythelash.com, and in specialty gift shops, select boutiques and independent book stores from Venice to North Sarasota, and has already gained tremendous momentum in popularity from the local community. Parents and teachers have been singing its praises and are already clamoring to purchase the next book.
Woik hopes to release the second book of the series in the next 10-12 months, called "The Toy Store," in which Lilly visits the Big Apple! Each book ends with a preview -- the first three paragraphs of the next story. Another feature to look forward to is the section in the back called "Fun Facts," which offers fun and interesting information pertaining to the book's theme. She is also creating lesson plans that teachers will be able to download for free from her website, based on the educational aspects of her books.
Another facet that makes this book collection so unique is that every book in the series will be designated to a specific cause, with a percentage of the proceeds going to a chosen charity. Some of the proceeds from the first book will go towards breast cancer research. Woik wrote a personal message/dedication in the book to a friend afflicted with the disease.
Woik expects there to be about 20 books in the series, as well as other Lilly-related items to be introduced by her company, Whimsical Wizard, Inc. in the future. "Lilly and I are looking forward to the adventures to come," she says. "You can never run out of positive messages for children, especially in today's world, where they are often bombarded with negativity and conflict from every direction." Woik came up with the concept late one evening after an eye lash she wiped from her cheek stuck to her finger, and the rest, well, we'll just have to wait and see. There's no telling how far Lilly will go with her mission!
About the Author
Julie Woik is a freelance writer and poet living in Sarasota, Florida. Having worked with young children as a teacher's aide, as well as in the field of psychiatry, Julie recognized early-on the significance of strong self-esteem. Armed with a contagiously dynamic personality, she has a unique way of acquainting others with the tremendous value of self-worth. Each brilliantly written book of the Lilly the Lash series reflects the child-like playfulness of her spirit, while providing a powerful Life Lesson we all need to learn as young children, and hold dear for the remainder of our journey.
About Whimsical Wizard
Whimsical Wizard, Inc. is a Sarasota, Florida-based company, providing the self-esteem based children's book series The Life and Times of Lilly the Lash. For more information about this book series, please visit www.lillythelash.com.