Carpinello's Writing Pages opens this new beginning to author interviews with a unique woman who has been writing books for children and adults on the themes of love, relationship, and earth stewardship, for over twenty years. She believes peace in the world, begins under our own roof. Born in Ecuador, Maria lives in California. Please join me in welcoming Maria Andrade!
Here's a bit about Maria:
Maria Andrade is a bilingual author. She began to write books for children and adults
as a Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in children three decades ago. She found that books could not only entertain readers, but could also teach, inspire, and leave a world of positive possibilities not always spoken of in our day-to-day world.
Why did you pick to write books for children/MG/YA?
I write for ages five to eighteen. The themes are often eco-social and focus on the power of love and friendship whether with humans, animals, or the natural world. My books have humor, surprise, and happy endings becauseI believes it is important to leave young readers with hope.
What types of books do you like to read, and what do you do when you are not writing?
I like well-written novels. I just finished reading, Gabriel Marquez’s book, Love In the Time of Cholera. I also like books about physics such as those by Brian Swimme. I love poetry books and books about unknown worlds. When I am not writing I like to cook for family and friends, and I most enjoy my garden. I am presently growing holly hock and giant sun flowers.
Tell us about Youngen Finds Her Song and how the story came to be.
Youngen Finds Her Song, An Inspiring Adventure From the Heart of Nature contains everything I most value, love, family, friendship, gratitude, finding your unique gift, the spirit in all that lives.
I wanted to create an adventure in which a young, bird with low self-esteem, goes on a journey with her owl friend and mentor, to find her unique song. In the end, she discovers the magic and beauty of nature, the mystery of “human beings” and the soul of the universe. Pretty big order! But if you read the book, whether you are 5 or 105, you will see that it touches on all of that.
Here's a peek at Youngen Finds Her Song:
A young thrush named Youngen is having trouble finding her song. As she spends time with her friends who have beautiful feathers and nicer nests than her own, she starts to doubt herself and her parents. Rufus, a wise old owl, notices her discomfort and decides to take her on a journey to learn about the world.
As she travels with Rufus, she learns many things about the animals in the forest and about Humans - those strange animals that make war with each other, but also build magnificent cities. And she learns that Humans can also be loving and compassionate, when she finds her own life in danger. As Youngen learns about herself and the world around her, she spontaneously bursts into song - her own unique and very beautiful song.
How do you go about researching for your stories?
I wanted to expose children to information about birds, insects, certain plants, evolution, and some information about outer space. So, I had to leave my research in footnotes in the book which is rare to find in children’s stories.
Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.
My most recently published novel, Defiance and Redemption, A Lifetime
of Unbroken Bonds, is based on a true
story about a woman who lived in the early 19th century and who
overcame the misogyny and oppression at that time when she has a child
out of wedlock. By standing up at the age of seventeen to the authority
figures around her and with the support of her two lifelong friends, the
three women eventually create a new world of opportunity for themselves
and generations to come. It takes place in the exotic country of
Ecuador. The historical period is both glamorous and
devastating. This is the 1920s to the 1940s when there is the tragedy of
two world wars. (Also available in Spanish).
I have written a book for cat lovers named Jennifer Magicum, The Vanishing Cat. The cat in this story is like a guru for a family whose life gets out of order. For dog lovers, I wrote Scrapper’s Christmas Story about a street dog who sleeps in a manager and finds love and a home on Christmas day. These are books for kids six to twelve years of age.
For younger readers, my funny story Why Dear Mrs. Sullivan is Distressed! is written in rhyme about a hippo who keeps finding insects in her bathtub. Also, Hero, The Brave Lizard is a limerick about a boy whose pet lizard is unwanted in the family, but who stops a robbery in progress and becomes famous in the town.
For teenagers sixteen to eighteen, I wrote The Return, When Nature Seeks Justice. This is a science fiction story in which Mother Nature or “Gaia” as she is called in the tale, begins to evaluate humans and chooses to transform those in power who are causing earth’s destruction. Great surprising changes take place on earth and humanity is very scared, but it all works out.
What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?
I wrote a lullaby, “Settle Down Little One,” which will be made into a book. I hope it will be published in 2023. In the cover, the young reader will hear the song which will be activated with a QR code!
What advice do you have for other authors?
If you have an idea for a story, start writing! Try to do a small amount daily until the story is finished. Make your corrections, edit, edit, edit by sharing it with a friend, a writing group, or a paid professional editor. Then try to get an agent and have it published or publish it yourself.
Where can readers find you and your books?
Website: They can contact me for dedicated books. Readers can find my children’s books and the other books I have written.
Anything else you want readers to know?
I believe my books, especially, Youngen Finds Her Song and my recent novel, Defiance and Redemption, are relevant to the age we live in. In both stories, one for children, the other for adults, the characters are facing a crisis as we are today. We are facing both a personal and collective crisis with the pandemic and with global warming. My stories emphasis the power of determination and courage and getting mutual support to overcome the greatest challenges. These are stories of hope because I believe in our ability to find our way to a better world!
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