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A New Book, A New Direction..."Boston,You're My Home!"

2/3/2014

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Traditionally over the past few years, The Beantown Tales Children’s Book Series has centered on the core concepts of environmentalism, humanitarianism and endangered animal preservation.  I created these story lines to mirror the importance of these issues with the intention to not only teach, but to also inspire a child to react to these topics with thoughts of improvement and change.  Chapters such as “The Land of Chocolate Cosmos”, “The Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom” and “The Candy Roses of Cape Care” were written in response to my desire to enchant a young reader with magical places while conveying messages that they too, could effect the world with their ideals, creativity and perseverance.  This was my plan from the very beginning, a premeditated platform where words would be strung together in poetic language, hopeful to stimulate just one curious mind into believing, “maybe I can…”

Although nothing has given me more pleasure than to continue The Beantown Tale fables, unforeseen experiences can sometimes assault original plans and veer you towards another direction.  Writers, painters, musicians, sculptors, photographers and other artists use their means of “expression” to respond to situations, sometimes giving reason and understanding to themselves and possibly to others as well.   That’s exactly what happened to me after seeing a city I loved undergo the April 15th  Boston Marathon bombing.

It was almost a year ago that I received a call from my publisher at Mascot Books and discussed the aftermath of the horrifying events that took place during one of Bean Town’s most beloved time honored traditions.   From watching nurses on the television assisting injured runners and spectators to the city’s lockdown (my home at the time had been included in the zone), we talked in disbelief as many others were doing across the globe.  As the conversation continued, I was asked if I would consider writing about the experience.  Was it feasible to write a children’s book reflecting Boston’s atmosphere without stimulating the negativity of the incident throughout the pages?  
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I honestly didn’t think it was possible.   He asked, “Maybe you could write about Boston’s strengths reflecting the “Boston Strong” slogan?  Think of ten ideas and see what you come up with.”  I remember being extremely torn in making a decision.   Mulling over the idea, I was unsure if I would be able to find the words and even if I could, should it be written in the first place? My stomach flipped back and forth struggling over the concept, in fear of how the book would be received.  Would young readers, parents, teachers and my community as a whole, acceptably tolerate my perception of Boston’s Strong and how I would explain it?
I agreed that I would try.


The book was strangely easy to write.

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It took me only three weeks to build a plot, characters and ten reasons, which I believe make “Boston Strong”(although there are millions of reasons that exist).  I’m not sure why, except I have learned the truth in the knowledge that the things we love and understand the most in life are the easiest topics to reflect in our writing.   It is within these subjects that our opinions (both positive and negative) are best conveyed and have the greater potential to be convincing to others.  

With all author profits donated directly to the One Fund, “Boston, You’re My Home” will be released in spring 2014 with the intention of conveying my perception of the strengths, ambitions and pride that this city reflects so magnificently.


Storyline
Caroline is a little girl struggling with the change of soon moving to her new home in Boston.  Concerned with the city’s size and the uncertainty of the unknown, her fear converts to excitement when her parents tell her a bedtime tale comprised of ten reasons, which make “Boston Strong”.   The character visits several special places throughout the tale, convincing Caroline that she will love saying, “Boston, You’re My Home!”

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The Pictures
Roberto Almanza is the talented illustrator who completed the artwork found within the pages of “Boston, You’re My Home!”.  Being a Bostonian himself, Almanza created beautiful images of Bean Town’s most cherished locations such as the Emerald Necklace, The Isabella Stewart Museum and of course, Fenway Park which no Boston book could ever be completed without.  
Fun Facts
*All author profits made from the book, “Boston, You’re My Home!”, will be donated directly to the One Fund.

*The Union Oyster House (featured within the book) was where I had my 1st book party after the release of “The Candy Roses of Cape Care”. 
They really do have the most delicious clam chowda’!

*The Isabella Stewart Museum is my favorite artistic realm, not only possessing beautiful exhibits but stunning gardens and a titillating mystery surrounding stolen paintings.

*“Caroline” was inspired and created after a dear childhood friend of mine from Andover, Massachusetts.  Not only did her name emulate Fenway’s long tradition of singing “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway but she also reflected the curiosity and endearment in nature that I was searching to mirror in the fictional character.  Roberto did a wonderful job capturing her image and spirit through actual photographs .

*The puzzle piece placed in the frame next to Caroline’s bed was drawn to honor all children effected by autism, a topic held closely to my heart.


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Beantown Tale Beach Book For Kids Launch

6/27/2012

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Summer is finally here and so is The Beantown Tales final chapter of the “Green” segment, “The Candy Roses of Cape Care”!  With an official release date of July 1, 2012, this beach read tells the tale of a group of children who are determined to save their sandy cove’s enchanted candy producing roses from falling victim to water pollution.  Written and illustrated to reproduce the beauty of Massachusett’s cherished coastline, “The Candy Roses of Cape Care” is expected to successfully close the environmental chapter of the children’s series with fun but educational messages meant to empower young readers to make key changes within their own society.

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As many writers, illustrators, publishers, agents and book lovers know, launching a new title takes a little planning and strategy.  Common marketing techniques include book signings, mass emailing, website design and immediate product placement.  While these “have to” marketing tactics are absolutely necessary for every author to tackle, there are other helpful incentives to encourage book-buying to begin.  Over the last two weeks, “The Candy Roses of Cape Care” was extremely fortunate to experience two favorable factors instrumental in generating interest towards The Beantown Tales…


1st Award
The New York Book Festival
June 22, 2012

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The 2012 New York Book Festival

“The Candy Roses of Cape Care” has officially won its first award of an Honorable Mention in the children’s division of the 2012 New York Book Festival!  With an award ceremony, which took place on June 22 at the Grolier Club in Manhattan, literary figures from across the industry joined together to enjoy the recants from honorees discussing the background to their literary publications.   Winners received plaques, Internet observance and a multitude of other helpful merchandising prizes to further the success of their books not to mention the pleasure of networking within one of New York’s most beautiful historical venues.


The Beantown Tales Book Party
June 22, 2012

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Release Party at The Union Oyster House

Although there is no doubt that a Manhattan awards ceremony would have been thrilling, I found myself elsewhere with the coincidence of throwing my first ever Beantown Tales book party at the Union Oyster House also on June 22nd.  Reflecting the charm and tradition of Boston, no other place could have been better to celebrate “The Candy Roses of Cape Care’s” release.   Having a catered menu of New England’s finest clam chowder, a raw oyster bar and favors of chocolate, popcorn and antique swirly lollipops, it was a fantastic night to remember surrounded with family and friends.


Now that the "Green" segment has been completed, keep an eye out for the "Do Good" books of the series dedicated to teaching children about HUMANITARIANISM!

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The Finale to The Beantown Tales "Green" Segment

5/7/2012

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Beach roses flourish on many New England seacoasts due to the sandy soil and salt infused air.

The Beantown Tales is set to release the third and final chapter of the series "Green" segment this May 2012 featuring all new magical flowers and a predicament that only our earth friendly heroes and heroines can solve!  "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" is the whimsical story about a beautiful sandy cove which grows enchanted roses capable of sprouting sweet treats for all summer visitors.  Danger strikes when tourists begin to leave candy wrappers on the beach causing the potion-making ocean to become polluted.  When the coast becomes consumed with trash, threatening the existence of the roses, six cousins decide to devise a plan to clean up there beloved home.  

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Suzie's favorite sweet treat!
Themed after the environmental holiday, "Earth Day", readers will once again learn about the importance of "Going Green" while being entertained by mouth watering flowers sprouting lollipops, M&M's, licorice and more!


Fun Facts 
About 
"The Candy Roses of Cape Care"
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Long Beach, Gloucester, MA
1.  The location of the story was intentionally written and illustrated after Suzie's love of beach's, namely Long Beach of Gloucester, MA.   Having spent years of her childhood playing, swimming and dreaming on the rose bordered cove, she now brings her two sons to enjoy the very same gifts that the cherished beach possesses.

2.  "Candy Roses" are an actual flower (as all of the previous books have featured) which commonly grows along the sea, flourishing off of the well drained soil and salt air.  

3. "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" is the first book in the Beantown Tales to introduce a second flower into the same story.  Readers will be surprised to find yet another bewitched bloom to add extra fun to the adventure.

4.  Many of the treats found bursting from the roses are the author's favorite candies, particularly Gummy Bears and Reese's Pieces.  Other treats which are mentioned in the tale that hold special meaning are the Candy Ring Pops, her son, Ryan's, preferred indulgence.

5.  Similar to "The Land of Chocolate Cosmos" and "The Popcorn Hydrangea of Poppingtom", the main charters featured in the final piece of the environmental puzzle are molded after the children who have inspired her the most in her life.  "The Candy Roses of Cape Care" will be dedicated to her six nieces and nephews; Amanda, Kristina, Johnny, Michael, Maria and Briana.  Once again, the talent of the illustrator, Kevin Coffey, was able to sketch the charters similar to the their actual appearances.
Hope you all enjoy 
"The Candy Roses of Cape Care"!  
Reviews are welcome to be sent to beantowntales@aol.com
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    Author

    Suzie Hearl Canale is the author of the children's book series, The Beantown Tales.

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