Blueberry Books- Introduction

I am at the very beginning of my journey to become a published author. First thing's first- find out if anyone else has already published books similar to, or exactly like, the ones I intend to write. Those first few days of research were intense. Heart-pounding with excitement and anxious with fear, I flew open the doors and ran into bookstores like the long-awaited day had finally come- my chance on Nickelodeon Super Toy Run.

After weeding through the hundreds of titles in the picture book section, I had narrowed it down to a mere fifty or so that I needed to purchase. No big deal. I squared up with the cashier and settled into an itty bitty chair at a tiny round table held up by four large crayons and started studying. I couldn't help but flash back to elementary school and remember all the circle time, story time, and D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) time. (I wish I had kept the "book" of mine about an airplane that was laminated and displayed in publisher's corner in the second grade. Funny.)

Thus far, I have only found a handful of books that have similar ideas as mine. Lucky for me, none have been identical and the similar ones still aren't close. I have given myself the green light to forge on with my original conception. But while I chip away at this iceberg, I have the privilege to immerse myself into children's literature for the first time since the 90s. I will be discovering many titles some of you may already consider classics for the first time. Since it will be more an unearthing for me, and because I love to share with other parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and educators, I'd like to post about our favorites along the way. Please, do not think I'm trying my hand at becoming a book critic. These are simply recommendations from a mother of two. I was trying to come up with a more interesting banner than "Book of the Week," and decided these special works celebrated here will be called "Blueberry Books."

For those of you who have spent any time at our home or with our children, you know that blueberries are vital and revered in our family. Either one of my girls can go through a carton of those little suckers in a single sitting if the mood hits them right. Blueberries are low in calories, hard to beat in number of anti-oxidants, are able to neutralize harmful free radicals, prevent and restore brain health, preserve vision, improve digestion, dissolve bad cholesterol, reduce belly fat, and they're tasty. Not only are they absolutely delicious by themselves, but also they enhance any pie, pancake, waffle, granola, oatmeal, bagel, bread, yogurt, smoothie, tart, scone, empanada, cheesecake, bundt cake, jam, jelly, compote, ice cream, popsicle...even a martini, and especially a muffin. (Yes, I just one-upped Bubba's shrimp list in Forrest Gump.) Just make sure you put, "an equal amount of blueberries in each muffin!" You wouldn't want to make Robert DeNiro upset, now would you? (One of my favorite moments in Casino) Nourishing and delectable, blueberries are the perfect analogy for the newly treasured books in our household. I can't wait to share our Blueberry Books with you!