Why A Children's Book?

First, let me thank Katheryn for having me and Kathy at I Am A Reader Not A Writer for hosting the Got Great Giveaways Hop. Thanks also go to Candace's Book Blog for hosting the Saturday Situation Giveaway linky. This is the fourth stop on my blog tour for the release of Lionel's Christmas Adventure. To see a full list of tour dates, click here. Make sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a 3-pack of my ebooks. Now, onto my post.

“Why a children’s book?”

 That’s a question I’ve been asked and have asked myself many times. I’ve thought about it before, during and after writing a children’s book and the only definitive answer that I have come up with is, that there is no definitive answer.

There are all types of children’s books. There are picture books, beginning chapter books, folk tales, fairy tales, fables, legends, and the list goes on. There are children’s books with educational themes, such as Dr. Seuss’s ABC book. There are ones that are enjoyable and entertain us, like the classic Charlotte’s Web. There are also books that reinforce and help children learn lessons. Goldilocks and the Three Bears is an example of this. Goldilocks does learn a thing or two about wandering off all alone didn't she?  
  
Again, there are countless children’s books and genres, but what do (or should) they have in common? In my opinion, it is getting children to read. The benefits of encouraging and getting them to read are countless. Some benefits I have listed above, the others are too numerous to discuss in this post. So, back to that nagging question,“Why a children’s book?”

I loved reading while I was growing up and particularly enjoyed Robert Arthur’s The Three Investigators series. These books entertained me and took me off into another world, a world where I could be anything and do anything that I wanted. What is wrong with that? Nothing, of course! I wanted to create something along those lines. I wanted to create a work that would make children use their mind, entertain them, and most importantly, impart a lesson that would be mutually beneficial to children and adults alike.

One thing I chose to do is use an earlier setting for my book. I chose the late 1960’s, a time when children found themselves with fewer distractions than today. Today’s children are bombarded by electronic media, computers, tablets, mobile phones, video games, you name it. By setting my story in an earlier time, I tried to strip away those distractions for the reader and just focus on the main character and his personal interactions and adventures.  

 I wanted to create a loveable character that everyone can relate to. Everyone has known a ‘Lionel” when they were growing up. I hope that my book will entertain children (and their parents), make them use their imagination, encourage them to read, and teach them a valuable lesson. So, I guess that is the answer to that question that I have asked myself, been asked, and will continue to be asked, “Why a children’s book?”

Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed my post. If you want to learn more about Lionel, make sure to pick up Lionel's Christmas  Adventure: Lionel Learns the True Meaning of Christmas, available now on Amazon. Also check out the first two books in the Lionel's Grand Adventure series: Lionel and the Golden Rule and Lionel Turns the Other Cheek. Click on any of the images to go to Amazon for purchase.

For more information about author Paul R. Hewlett click here. He co-authors a children's/YA blog at SherAHart: My Written Art. You can also keep up with what's new on Lionel's Grand Adventure FB page.

Again, many thanks to Katheryn for hosting me, I had a blast! Thank you! My next stop on the blog tour is tomorrow on Suzanne Purvis-Passions and Pursuits. If you haven't already, be sure to check out Katheryn's books The Royal Sheikh and Her Latin Lover. Now onto the giveaway. As a thank you to the reader's, I'm  giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and 3-pack of my ebooks. Be sure to leave a comment!

    

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