Elaine Ambrose

Bestselling Author, Ventriloquist, & Humorist

You are here: Home / Archives for children’s books

children's books

120 Women Empowered to be Published Authors

By

My company, Mill Park Publishing, survived 16 years of productivity and empowered more than 120 women to become published authors. The company also donated money and books to various charities, organized writing retreats, was an annual sponsor for the Idaho Writers Guild conference, created a YouTube channel for writing tips and book promotions, and sponsored live comedy shows in Boise. The company published 18 books, 16 eBooks, and four audiobooks. The books received 26 national writing awards and multiple glowing national reviews.

 

No batteries required.

2004 – The Red Tease – A Woman’s Adventure in Golf

(2008 – (I fulfilled a publishing contract to coauthor Menopause Sucks published by Adams Media.)

2010 – Daily Erotica (Featuring Gretchen Anderson, Rachel Hatch, Liza Long, and Elaine Ambrose)

2011 – Mother Knows Best by Patti Murphy

2011 – The Backyard Chicken Fight by Gretchen Anderson

2011 – Little White Dress (Compiled by Liza Long featuring 26 writers)

2012 – Drinking with Dead Women Writers (with Amanda Turner)

2012 – Drinking with Dead Drunks (with Amanda Turner)

2013 – Mother Knows Better by Patti Murphy

2013 – Angel of Esperanza by Judith McConnell Steel

2014 – Midlife Cabernet – Love, Life, and Laughter after Fifty

2016 – Feisty after 45 – The Best Blogs from Midlife Women (Anthology featuring 45 writers)

2016 – Midlife Happy Hour (Published by Brown Books Publishing Group. Mill Park published eBook and audiobook.)

2017 – Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories (Edited with new illustrations and audiobook.)

2017 – The Magic Potato – Storybook in English and Spanish (Edited with new illustrations)

2017 – Angel Bumps (Anthology compiled by Anne Bardsley with 50 writers)

2018 – Frozen Dinners (Memoir published by Brown Books Publishing Group. Mill Park published eBook.)

2019 – The Glamorous Life of Josie Marie by Angie Meyer Olszewski

2020 – Melody’s Magical Flying Machine (Published by Brown Books Kids. Mill Park published eBook and audiobook.)

So, what’s next? Here’s the working cover for a new humor book to complete the Midlife Trilogy titled, Midlife Reboot – Humorous Stories of Rest, Resilience, and Renewal. Yes, I realize I passed midlife a few decades ago, but I could live to be 140. So far, I’m still in the reboot stage and waiting for a creative download of energy.

Here are photos of a few of the books and donations: (Click on the photo to see the caption.)

Authors of “Daily Erotica” met at a writer’s group in Eagle, Idaho. Their free readings entertained groups across the valley.
Amanda Turner and I met for Christmas lunch in 2011 and wrote an outline on a cocktail napkin for “Drinking with Dead Women Writers.”
Proceeds from Patti Murphy’s book were donated to Women’s and Children’s Alliance with Beatrice Black, WCA executive director.
A portion of proceeds from Judith McConnell Steele’s book was donated to the Writers in the Schools Program sponsored by The Cabin in Boise.
Liza Long wore her abandoned wedding dress to read her essay at the premiere party. Proceeds were donated to Dress for Success.
Nancy Oppenheimer, a former nun, describes her wedding dress in “Little White Dress.”
Money was donated to Wassmuth Center for Human Rights so 200 local school children could see the documentary, “He Named Me Malala.”
Publishers Weekly wrote, “Midlife Cabernet” is laugh-out-loud funny.
“Feisty after 45” featured 45 midlife bloggers.
Sherry Briscoe reads her essay at the premiere party for “Feisty after 45.”
I used an average-sized Idaho potato to promote the children’s writing contest for New Year’s Eve.
Student winner of children’s writing contest at the Idaho Potato Drop.
Books and 3D toys featuring “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine” were donated to Idaho Special Olympics and Family Advocates.
Anthologies and books enabled 120 women to become published writers.
No batteries required.

“Melody” Wins Third International Writing Award

By

The NYC Big Book Award® recognized Melody’s Magical Flying Machine by Elaine Ambrose as a Distinguished Favorite in the category of Children’s Fiction.

The competition is judged by experts from various aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers, and professional copywriters. According to officials from the New York City Big Book Award program, the elected award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are based on overall excellence. Worldwide submissions came from journalists, well-established authors, small and large press as well as first-time indie authors.  Entries were from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

Illustration of Melody

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine introduces a delightful 10-year-old girl who loves telling stories and dreaming of adventures. She also has Down syndrome. She meets a talking bird, and they create a flying machine using a 3D printer. To accompany the book, two toys were designed by a 3D printer in Nampa, Idaho. The book is a beginning chapter book for early readers.

Other Awards and Reviews

Earlier this year, the book also won two other international awards. The book won the 2021 Silver Medal for Children’s Literature from the Moonbeam Book Awards program. The book also was named Distinguished Favorite from the Independent Press Book Awards program. National reviews have been positive.

Publishers Weekly named the book an “Editor’s Pick for a Book of Outstanding Quality.” The review mentioned “vivid prose” and “imaginative tapestry that is Melody’s magical adventure.” The published review stated, “Melody’s ensuing adventure, while seemingly simple, is delightfully whimsical, yet still provides space for surprisingly accurate, age-appropriate scientific explanations of both Down syndrome and 3-D printers. Also included are frank depictions of Melody’s health and early challenges, including being born with a bad heart. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, Melody displays an abundance of self-confidence and character. Not only is she sure of her abilities, she’s popular, has an exhaustive list of talents such as hugging and humming, and has a wide range of interests including swordplay and cute clothes. (She takes pride in demonstrating that fun and adventure have no gender.) The review concluded: “This charming flight of fancy with an equally charming protagonist will delight readers who want to be both educated and entertained.”

Kirkus Reviews wrote, “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination. Melody is an engaging narrator whose cheerful affection, knack for happiness, and zestful imagination express themselves in every line.”

Other reviews came from five children who read the original manuscript and offered critiques. One suggestion inspired the increased presence of a little brother named Jack who tells knock-knock jokes. The book is illustrated by Idaho illustrator Caroline Zina. The paperback was published by Brown Books Kids.

Melody and JuJu use a 3D printer to make a flying machine.

The book makes the perfect holiday and Christmas gift. There are no supply chain issues because the author’s books are written in Idaho and published in the USA. Books can be ordered through independent bookstores, online, and from the author. The paperback is $7.99.  The audiobook is $6.08.  The eBook is $4.99.  3D toys of the girl and the flying machine are $4 each, available from the author.

Elaine Ambrose is the bestselling author of ten books, a viral blogger, and webinar speaker. Her books have won 12 international writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. She wrote one of the most-read essays in the history of The Huffington Post. Elaine, a third-generation Idahoan, lives and writes stories in Eagle.

Melody the Daydreamer

“Don’t forget me, Sweetie Pie.”
Three 2021 International Awards for Children’s Fiction

 

 

Find Myself on Your Shelf

By

Flummoxed and bewildered about what to give for Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other celebration of choice? Buy and give books! Books last for years, they aren’t fattening, and they allow you to escape beyond your quarantined bedroom. I have a dozen award-winning, bestselling books in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. Buy them, and we’ll all be happy.

#1 New Release

My latest book, Melody’s Magical Flying Machine, debuted as the #1 New Release in a category on Amazon and features a delightful girl with Down syndrome who uses a 3D printer to create a flying machine. In addition to the paperback, eBook, and audiobook versions, toys were created with a 3D printer so children can use them in role-play activities. Toys can be purchased from me for $10 each. Proceeds from the November release resulted in a $2,000 donation plus books and toys to Special Olympics Idaho.

Order books, eBooks, and audiobooks through local bookstores such as Rediscovered Bookshop in Boise, retail stores, online, or from me. During the last six years, these books have won several regional and nine national writing awards in addition to receiving bestseller status and excellent national reviews.

Nine national book awards in five years.

For a tenth award, Midlife Cabernet was selected as a winner for the Top Shelf Book Award for Humor. Publishers Weekly reviewed the book as “Laugh-out-loud funny.”

“Midlife Cabernet” was a winner in the Top Shelf Book Awards for Humor.

I can deliver autographed, personalized books and 3D toys downtown in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Garden City. Stay safe and happy this holiday season, and find myself on your shelf for a better New Year. For more details, email me at elaine@elaineambrose.com.

“Melody” Ready for Pre-Order in Paperback and eBook Formats

By

Sample eBook page for “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine”

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is almost ready to fly into the hands and hearts of adults and children eager for a positive, imaginative story. The book, eBook, and audiobook read by the author will be available in November, but orders are being accepted now.

Click here for the paperback edition available for pre-order.

Click here for the eBook edition for Kindle.

The story features a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome who meets an enchanted talking bird. Using a 3-D printer, they create a magical flying machine pulled by two dragons so she can soar freely through the air, amaze her friends, and scare a group of bullies. Kirkus Reviews wrote “the book is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

Kirkus Reviews wrote illustrations by Idaho artist Caroline Zina are “beautifully textured and shaded, with a magical quality that deftly matches the text.” The manuscript was professionally edited and published by Brown Books Publishing. The author employed the assistance of five children between the ages of eight and twelve to make suggestions and approve the final version. Talented people at DesignWorks Creative in Boise designed the interior layout for the eBook. With the release in November, the author will offer 3-D toys for purchase to accompany the book. The toys are being manufactured by Slant 3D in Nampa. The audiobook will be produced by Drew Allen Brown of Nampa. The cover art by Wayne Anderson is courtesy of Bridgeman Art Gallery in New York. Proceeds from the initial launch in November will be donated to Special Olympics Idaho.

Children’s Book Stars Delightful Girl with Down Syndrome

By

I’m excited to announce my latest children’s book, Melody’s Magical Flying Machine, will be released in September. The chapter book for children ages 7-12 introduces 10-year-old Melody, a spirited girl with Down syndrome. Written in first person, the story describes how Melody meets an enchanted bird named JuJu who helps her create a magical flying machine pulled by two green dragons. Melody blossoms with confidence and a sense of adventure as she soars over the playground to amaze her friends, frighten the teachers, and terrorize a group of bullies.

Melody’s creative ability in storytelling empowers her to entertain other children while sharing her tall tales. She also proves why she is the most marvelous hugger in all the Universe. The character is entertaining, energetic, and funny.

Few books feature a main character with the perspective of a child with Down syndrome. A comparative book would be Wonder, the New York Times Bestseller by R.J. Palacio, published in 2012.

The cover illustration by award-winning British illustrator Wayne Anderson, is courtesy of Bridgeman Art Gallery of New York. The captivating interior artwork is being created by Caroline Zina. The 100-page book will be released by Brown Books Publishing. The publisher intends to market and distribute the book to hundreds of bookstores, schools, and libraries.