Kiki Howells talks about her new children's book "What Are You Afraid Of?"

I have known Kiki Howell online for well over a year now. Kiki is an awesome person and writer. She loves helping to promote her fellow authors and giving advice to new authors when asked. I have asked her advice a few times. When I saw she was writing a children's book after following her writing on erotic and paranormal books; I thought well, way to go Kiki! It's seems she has found another genre niche she is good at.


I'm handing my blog over to Kiki today. So grab your favorite cup/glass of drink and settle in to read about her new children's book What Are You Afraid Of?

Kiki Howell

Where Do I Fit In? Good Question! No idea what the answer is!!! LOL Hopefully most of the places I try I will have some success. What am I talking about? *giggles* Well, I’ve been recently called a very diverse writer having published stories from adult, paranormal romance to now a children’s picture book.  Guess just like I read in different genres, watch movies in different genres and yes watch TV shows in different genres, I write in them too. I mean yes I have kids, but I’ve liked watching their shows with them at every age, having been just as excited when a new episode comes on. Okay my kids are a bit older now, but right now I like watching everything from House of Anubis with my youngest son to True Blood which of course I watch alone, and everything in between. I even have been known to read a Dr. Seuss book on my own from time to time.

I’m diverse, and it isn’t because I get bored easily either, I just have varied tastes. I am sure there are some out there that say since I have established myself as an erotic author of romance and that I have no business writing a children’s book. I try to be very clear as to what someone is getting with one of my books, genres and warnings all clearly labeled on my website, but I don’t want to be boxed in to one genre let alone one age group.

What will I write next? Well, I have plenty of ideas. I have another children’s book idea on inspiring kids to try. I have a mainstream novel working itself out in my head about a Vietnam Veteran told from his daughters’ eyes forty years after the war. I am currently under contract to write several more paranormal erotic romances. And, from there who knows! Guess whatever pops into my head and lies on my heart really. That is how a story gets written around here. I have so much going on that they have to practically start writing themselves until I say, “Okay, okay, I’ll write you!” LOL

I do have high hopes for my children’s book, What Are You Afraid Of ?, though. I think the subject is a very important one, to be able to help children deal with their fears without crushing the creative mind that came up with the fear in the first place. The subject is very important to me having grown up a quite fearful child into a creatively driven adult.

So here is a little about my very first children’s picture book…

BLURB:

“Why does the night have to be so dark?” the big dog named Drake gave a low bark.

Not everyone likes Halloween. In fact, the big dog named Drake is afraid of the costumes and the decorations and the dark. He really only likes the candy his boy drops.

Lucky for Drake, the old dog named Zoe is there to help him forget his fears with a fun game.

Drake and Zoe can’t wait for you to play along. 

Note From The Author to the Parents:

What Are You Afraid Of? is more than a story to help children overcome their fears. What Are You Afraid Of? is a book about acknowledging a children's fears and dealing with them in ways that do not stifle a child's imagination and creativity. So, indulge me while I state a few ideas.

Children can easily be made to feel small and defenseless in this big
world, while at the same time, children have very vivid imaginations, which can cause further anxiety over things that are intangible, confusing, and scary. Therefore, how we deal with a child's fears may have tremendous implications on how we foster, or hinder, their creative growth.

While fear can be a manifestation of imagination, so too can compassion and empathy. Compassion is a product of the imagination as well, being able to ‘see’ ourselves in another’s shoes. So, it only stands to reason, that if we stifle the imagination, we may be stifling the child’s potential to care for the world around him later on. A creative mind is a terrible thing to waste.

We all know that fears or phobias cannot be easily coerced away by mere rational or logical arguments. Instead, it seems a better approach to acknowledge a child's fears and show him or her that you know how he or she feels. We can try to diminish the fears by making light of it and making the child laugh. Ah, laughter is the best medicine! I have read psychologists who recommend playing with fears by role playing until the child laughs or by drawing silly pictures of the object of the fear with the same intention.

With all of this in mind, I came up with this story. I hope the idea of a big dog being afraid of witches and ghosts is silly enough to begin with, along with the playful Halloween-ish images and the funny rhyming patterns. But more, I hope the games the old comes up with will be games your child can also play to eliminate his or her own fears. Most of all, I wish for you and your child to enjoy the story. May you laugh!

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Reviews for What Are You Afraid Of?:

 “This book is beautifully written with bright photos and poetry woven throughout.  The author has written in such a way that the child can identify with Drake and if he can overcome his fears then of course, the reader can... the idea of "picturing in your mind" is well put and easy to understand. I recommend this book to parents for their little ones who are still grasping at things they don't quite understand yet. As a teacher, it is always good to find a book that a child and parent can share to get life's lessons taught in a good and positive way." ~Paulette L. Harris, Teacher

“I'd say the book is an excellent children's book that teaches kids of all ages how to overcome fears and insecurities. I read "What Are You Afraid Of?" with my two children ages 10 & 12, and both enjoyed the book very much. The book seems to be one which will work for multiple age groups. Kiki Howell does an excellent job of sparking interest through the illustrations and the rhyming passages throughout the story. I would not be surprised to see many more children's books released by this multi-talented writer.” ~Emily Martinez at http://emilysfrugaltipsforclarkcounty.blogspot.com/


"I thought this book was an adorable and refreshing read. It goes over a very real problem that every child faces and gives a simple but fun way to deal with it. We are dog lovers in our house and have two ourselves, so we can also appreciate the characters and the wonderful pictures. The kids really love the rhyming especially since Mama adds the fun voices when reading it. Hopefully this was the first of many children's books we see from Kiki Howell. " ~Crystal at http://www.inspiredlangley.com/

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