Skip to main content

Lifetime Child and Youth Advocate Launches First Children’s Book


I recently had the pleasure of beginning work on a book project with one of my best friends. We taught pre-school together in the early 80s and developed a bond over our love of children that expanded into our outside lives and continues on to this day. We also share a love of animals, and on August 15, my friend, and Halifax-based author, Barbara Ann Miller, will launch the first in a series of children’s books, Zig Zag Zeffy, that will teach themes such as inclusion and self-esteem. 

 “This wonderful early childhood book keeps the young reader’s attention as the love develops between a puppy and his Hu-Mom,” said Marg MacDonald, Recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education (2021). “The descriptive and fun story flows well, and is accompanied by colourful illustrations, providing many opportunities for teachable moments.” 

Zig Zag Zeffy is a heart-warming story of a Hu-Mom who adopts an energetic, fun-loving Puggle named Zeffy. It's a rhyming narrative that follows the pair as they develop an unbreakable bond. 
Barbara Ann Miller & Zeffy

“The story came straight from my heart as this little fur baby brought both happiness and havoc into our home!” said Miller. “I hope readers enjoy seeing Zeffy adapt and grow as he explores the world along with the feelings that go with his different experiences.” 

The author also hopes that parents and teachers will help young children identify their own feelings as they journey along with Zeffy and think about times they too were scared, missing someone, being mischievous, learning new skills, and being loved. 

Miller has a particular passion for children’s literature and has a Bachelor of Child Study from Mount Saint Vincent University. She spent over three decades working in the non-profit sector beginning her career with a primary focus on early childhood education and administration, followed by a lifetime of working and volunteering with children, youth and families from around the world, developing and leading community programs in child care, youth services, immigration, employment, and social justice. 

Zig Zag Zeffy is available for pre-order now from most online retailers, including Amazon US, Canada and UK, Barnes & Noble,  and more, and can be ordered into any local bookstore. Learn more about the author on the OC Publishing website. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

Paul tinkles the ivories with the Beatles 'Let it Be' Artists Inspire Artists  I was at my brother's piano recital yesterday and had a very interesting conversation with his 92 year old piano teacher and one of her students.  The student, who was an artist and had only started learning to play the piano, was talking about how she used sound to teach painting.  A long stroke was a 'shoosh' and making short, staccato brush movements went 'bup, bup, bup'.  I smiled and thought about how all creative types overlapped, embracing all elements of culture to enrich one's specific area of skill and passion.  A sculptor or painter often creates to music and, as a writer, I definitely pull from my cultural experiences, whether it's a symphony or an art gallery, to help formulate descriptions of feelings and senses to lay out on a printed page.   Nature Inspires Creative types see the world around them just a bit differently, which leads to the creation ...
5 comments
Read more

Guest Blog - Mari Barnes, Author of My Peace Place

I'm very pleased to host Mari Barnes today as part of her virtual book tour for her book, My Peace Place. Mari is participating in D'Vorah Lansky's Book Marketing Boot Camp , which is where we 'met'. Take it away Mari! Eye on the Why I read this recent post from a discouraged new author: My friends don't seem very excited about my new book. Does no one read anymore? I've sold 4 whole copies so far. That did more than ring a bell—it set a gong clanging in my mind. I remember those days too well. Some friends and family weren’t even reading gift copies of my book, much less actually spending money to support me. It created a hollow feeling unlike anything I can adequately describe but despair, disappointment and betrayal all come close. How could they not understand how important this is to me? Haven’t I bought every Girl Scout cookie--supported every sport, church and school fundraiser? When little Cindy Lou was selling crocheted key rings, who boug...
11 comments
Read more

Writing Process? What Writing Process?

Ah, the ever elusive 'writing process'. I've been a writer for years but as an author I’m a fairly new having published my first book in 2011 and two more since. Over the past three years I’ve been happily writing away, working towards my dreams of being a famous novelist, and feel pretty good about a strong ‘author voice’ that seems to be developing. The more you write the closer you get to finding the voice that’s uniquely yours, pulling bits and pieces from those you admire and drawing from your own experiences and mental meanderings. I think the same goes for landing on a writing process that works for you. However, I’m having a slightly more difficult time nailing that down. I read a blog a while ago that talked about famous writers’ writing processes. I found it fascinating as I struggle to find one that works for me day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year. I did a search to see if I could find that particular blog again so I could at least giv...
9 comments
Read more