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NEWS & EVENTS

 

+Further updates to this section are in my free monthly newsletter.  Go to the NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP tab above.  

Oaxaca FilmFest Review of "The Orange Chihuahua"

October 22, 2020

I entered my screenplay for "The Orange Chihuahua" to the Oaxaca FilmFest to get a review quote to use for advertising purposes.  This is the review I have been working for!  The judges got what I was going for in the story.  Yeah!

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"The Orange Chihuahua" Has its First Video

October  24, 2019

A Best Scene from "The Orange Chihuahua" was read at the WildSound Family and Drama Film Festival in Toronto, Canada on October 10, 2019 and posted a week later.  It was read by Canadian Actor, William Poulin (An American Dream:  The Education of William Bowman, Treading Water, Flashpoint and The Listener); British Actor/Writer, Steven Holmberg (Sleep Buddy, Part of the Game and The Zero Sum) and Actor, Fabio Abreu (Robophobia, The Locksmith Rises and Monsterhood).  It was narrated by Canadian/American Actress, Cynthia Crofoot (10-57 and Advocate).   All seemed to have fun with the reading.  What an honor!  Hit the button below to watch.

The Orange Chihuahua Photo.jpg

Contest for Fourth Book Extended

July 20, 2019

The fourth and last book of my anti-bullying series is in the works, but will be delayed a little longer than I had hoped.   So here is the contest:
The first five people who can tell me the color and animal this book will represent via my Contact tab on this website will get a free, autographed copy.  Just communicate your guess and the name and address you want the book sent to.  Let the race begin! 
Boot Camp
"The Yellow Sea Lioness" is a Quarterfinalist in the StoryPros Screenplay Contest

 

November 26, 2018

Yes, it is true!  I just got notice today that "The Yellow Sea Lioness" is a Quarterfinalist in the StoryPros Screenplay Contest. 

Cover - The Yellow Sea Lioness.jpeg
More Book Stores are Selling My Books, Including Canada

November 26, 2018

About a week ago, I discovered that my three books are sold in Indie bookstores in most Canadian provinces.  Last night, I read a Facebook announcement from a friend that she was going to do a character education presentation at the Read Between the Lynes Bookstore in Woodstock, IL.  I looked them up and they sell my books.   This morning, I received a Twitter message by  Towne Center Books in Pleasanton, CA.  I checked them out and they sell my books as well.  My books are going places!  Yeah!  Feeling lucky and blessed!

Director of Southern California Screenplay Competition
Called
November 16, 2018
Last night, I received my very first phone call from a screenplay competition.  Theo Davies, Director of the Southern California Screenplay Competition called me to tell me that my screenplay for "The Orange Chihuahua" had been chosen among others to read by a committee of producers and other industry professionals.  The semi-finalists will be announced on January 5, 2019.  What an honor!
Mr. Davies and I discussed my background and the inspiration behind "The Orange Chihuahua."  He was a delight to talk to and very informative.  I am learning new things every day about the film industry.  I am so appreciative  of Mr. Davies' time and consideration.
The Orange Chihuahua Photo.jpg

Beebopaloopa, Scriptapalooza!

August 6, 2018

I just received notice that my screenplay, "The Orange Chihuahua" was a quarter-finalist in the Scriptapalooza Screenplay Contest.  This is quite an honor, considering it was my first screenplay contest entered and I competed with 300 others in my genre.

The Orange Chihuahua Photo.jpg

"The Green Tom," "The Yellow Sea Lioness" and "The Orange Chihuahua" Are Now  Sold Nationwide

July 4, 2018

 

A good friend in Toronto told me she Googled Sherman’s Bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine when she heard the news of my sales there.  She saw all three of my books in their inventory.  A few days ago, I decided to check on all the bookstores I petitioned to. If you are on a vacation with kids or have a special child in your family, you can find my books in Indie bookstores in most every State of the Union.  Most allow you to order online in advance of your trip.  Check below for an Indie bookstore near you.  Support the independent bookstores that promote the independent ventures of an author!  Happy Independence Day!  I owe thanks to:

 

ALASKA

Hearthside Books, Juneau

 

ARIZONA

Antigone Books and Mostly Books, Tucson

 

CALIFORNIA

Northtown Books, Arcata; Books Inc., Burlingame; Face in a Book, El Dorado Hills; Laguna Beach Books, Laguna Beach; A Great Good Place for Books, Oakland; Cellar Door Bookstore, Riverside; Orinda Books, Orinda; The Reading Bug, San Carlos; Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz; Chaucer’s Bookstore, Santa Barbara; Green Apple Books, San Francisco and Hicklebee’s, San Jose.

 

COLORADO

32ndAvenue Books, Toys & Gifts; Book Bar and City Stacks Books & Coffee – all in Denver.

 

GEORGIA

Little Shop of Stories, Decatur

 

ILLINOIS

Bookends & Beginnings, Evanston and Women & Children First, Chicago.

 

INDIANA

Viewpoint Books, Columbus; Kids Ink Children’s Bookstore, Indianapolis and Main Street Books, Lafayette.

 

IOWA

Dragonfly Books, Decorah and Book People, Sioux City.

 

KENTUCKY

Blue Marble Books, Fort Thomas and Carmichael’s Kids, Louisville.

 

LOUISIANA

Garden District Bookshop, New Orleans

 

MAINE

Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers, Farmington and Sherman’s Bookstores in Bar Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Damariscotta, Freeport and Portland (they added "The Yellow Sea Lioness" since my visit last month!).

 

MARYLAND

The Ivy Bookshop, Baltimore

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Trident Booksellers & Café, Boston; Eight Cousins Books, Falmouth; Storybook Cove, Hanover; Readmore Bookstore, Taunton and Wellesley Books, Wellesley.

 

MICHIGAN

Common Language Books, Literati Bookstore and Nicola’s Books in Ann Arbor; Curious Book Shop, East Lansing; Cottage Bookshop, Glen Arbor; The Bookman, Grand Haven and Bookbug, Kalamazoo.

 

MINNESOTA

Wild Rumpus, Minneapolis and Valley Bookseller, Stillwater.

 

MISSISSIPPI

Square Books Jr., Oxford

 

MISSOURI

Main Street Books, St. Charles

 

NEBRASKA

The Bookworm, Omaha

 

NEW JERSEY

Little City of Books, Hoboken; Word Bookstore, Jersey City and Sparta Books, Sparta.

 

NEW MEXICO

Collected Works Bookstore & Coffee House, Santa Fe

 

NEW YORK

Lift Bridge Book Shop, Brockport; Word Bookstore, Brooklyn; Battenkill Books, Cambridge; Scattered Books, Chappaqua; Merritt Bookstore, Millbrook and Bank Street Bookstore, New York City.

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Quail Ridge Books and Music and Read with Me Children’s Book & Art Shop – both in Raleigh.

 

OHIO

The Bookshelf, Cincinnati; Cover to Cover Bookstore, Columbus and Learned Owl Bookshop, Hudson.

 

OREGON

Annie Bloom’s Books, Portland

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Let’s Play Books, Emmaus; Newtown Bookshop, Newtown; From My Shelf Books & Gifts, Wallsboro and Otto Bookstore, Williamsport.

 

SOUTH DAKOTA

Mitzi’s Books, Rapid City

 

TEXAS

Interabang Books, Dallas; Brazos Bookstore, Houston and Absolutely Fiction, Lufkin.

 

UTAH

The King’s English Bookshop, Salt Lake City

 

VERMONT

Next Chapter Bookstore, Barre; Village Square Booksellers, Bellows Falls; The Bennington Bookshop, Bennington; The Vermont Bookshop, Middlebury and The Norwich Bookstore, Norwich.

 

VIRGINIA

Prince Books, Norfolk; Scrawl Books, Reston and Winchester Book Gallery, Winchester.

 

WISCONSIN

Redbery Books, Cable and A Room of One’s Own Bookstore, Madison.

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"The Green Tom" and "The Orange Chihuahua" Sell Throughout Maine, Thanks to Sherman's Book Stores!

June 17, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just got back from a wonderful cruise vacation with my husband.  We went up the St. Lawrence River, down the New England Coast to Boston and then off to Bermuda.  We walked the church my Canadian-borne grandmother walked as a young child, did a lot of sight-seeing and got to meet my grandmother, an aunt, my daughter and her boyfriend for breakfast just outside of Boston.  One thing I did not expect was to find out how well my books are selling in a series of bookstores in Maine.

 

My husband and I tendered to Bar Harbor, Maine an hour early of our bus tour.   We decided to walk the streets a little and eat lunch at the port. We walked up Main Street and I spotted a bookstore I remembered marketing to over a year ago.  I remembered how quaint it looked and I remembered the name, because as a young girl, I had a crush on Bobby Sherman.  It was Sherman’s Book Store, the oldest bookstore in Maine!

 

On a lark, I decided to ask if my books were selling in this bookstore.  I was a little embarrassed at first, but I asked the young man at the counter anyway.  He acknowledged receipt of my email pitch and explained that while they were out at the moment, they were expecting a shipment of “The Green Tom” and “The Orange Chihuahua” at the beginning of the week.  He said they were quite popular at this location.  Not quite sure if he was just humoring an older lady, he could read my expression.  The young man turned his monitor around so that I could see that they indeed carried these two titles.  He also pointed out that my books are sold in five other locations of their bookstore throughout Maine.  I could see how many of my titles were available at each store.  He offered to write down their addresses for me so that I could visit and see for myself.  As I had a tour to catch before tendering back to our cruise ship, I could not take advantage of his offer.  I smiled from ear to ear, thanked the young man and told him that he made my day! He truly did!

Ingram Book Company is Now Distributing My Books to You
June 22, 2017
Due to the feedback I am receiving from potential buyers, Ingram Book Company  is now an additional  source of distribution for "The Green Tom," "The Yellow Sea Lioness" and "The Orange Chihuahua."
Ingram Book Company's slogan is "Getting More Books to More Places in More Ways."  It sells books to wholesalers, retailers,  libraries and schools internationally.

90-Minute Seminar, "The Antidote to Bullying: Character Education" -- Details Revised

Last edited:  April 16, 2018

I am now offering my seminar  at the reduced cost of $4,000 ($2,000 in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties) and will make myself available at your facility on Saturdays ( I have more flexibility with days during the summer vacation).  Your cost will include $1,000 for between 33 and 34 copies of each of my three books; cover my travel, hotel and food expenses; and pay for my services.

You are able to opt out of the book sale.  If you choose to opt out of the book sale, your balance will only be $3,000 ($1,000 in the Tampa Bay Area).  Please place the words, "SEMINAR W/ OPT OUT" on your check.

I am very open to the pooling of costs between schools, districts and various groups or organizations.  Only one check is necessary for the full amount 30 days prior to your event.  Please send a check or money order to Kelly Ann Guglietti - Author, P.O. Box 683, San Antonio, FL   33576.  Please include a short note on letterhead representing at least one of your groups attending the seminar as well as contact names and email addresses I may send a confirmation and thank you to.

If you require more information, please contact me via the Contact page on my website.  Hope to see you soon.  To a more literate and compassionate tomorrow!

Local Authors of Pinellas Book Promotion Event at the Palm Harbor Public Library, FL

January 21, 2017

I had the privilege to promote "The Green Tom," "The Yellow Sea Lioness" and "The Orange Chihuahua" at this event.

Second screenplay, "The Orange Chihuahua" is done!  Double yeah!

January 10, 2017

Screen Agent Found for "The Yellow Sea Lioness."  Another Yeah!
June 29, 2016
I am not sure if I am to divulge his name yet.  But his words, "This is good, Kelly" were so great I just had to share.

Screenplay for "The Yellow Sea Lioness" is done!  Yeah!

June 13, 2016

What an Honor!

 

May 1, 2016

 

Dear Ms. Guglietti:

 

It was a pleasure meeting you at the Meet the Author event at the Cross Creek Library a few weeks ago. I am trying to put together a mini writers' workshop on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 - 11:00 am at our local mosque. The event would be for a home school co-op which I head. We have 19 students in Gr. 3 - 7, but I would expect that only 12-15 would attend, as has been the case in our weekend enrichment programs. I am reaching out to you and two of the other children's/young adult's authors from the event and hope that you and at least one other author would be able to come out and give the students a bit of background into what led you to write, the process of getting started, how the process reaches fruition, etc. Please let me know if you would be available and interested.

 

Sincerely yours,

Magda S.

Local Author's Fair at Land O'Lakes Public Library, FL
 
April 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Just finished my second author's book fair; this time in Pasco County.  Thank you, Robert Speich, Public Services Librarian, for inviting me to participate in this event.  It was quite successful!
Sharing Literature at the Local Author Meet 'N Greet at the Cross Creek Public Library in New Tampa
 
April 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It was an honor to be one of twelve authors invited to this event.  It started out with a meeting introducing us to the Florida Writer's Association.  Then we were allowed to sell our books on the library floor.  It was a pleasure to share literature with the wife of Dr. Frederick Essig, author of "Plant Life."  His pictures are absolutely breathtaking!

Coming Soon to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System:  "The Green Tom," "The Yellow Sea Lioness" and "The Orange Chihuahua"

 

February 9, 2016

 

Hello Ms. Guglietti,

 

I received copies of your books, The orange Chihuahua, The Yellow Sea Lioness, and The Green Tom, and am delighted to inform you we will be adding them to our collection. Tampa-Hillsborough County Library is pleased to support local authors and, with that in mind, we will be purchasing a copy of your books. If you would like me to return the copies you provided for review, please let me know and I will make them available for you to collect. If you are willing to donate the copies you provided us, we will also add them to our collection.  You can expect to see your titles in our catalog soon.

 

Thank you again and best regards,

Michelle Michaud, Senior Librarian

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library

 

KinderCare Visits

July 20, 2015

 

Just did a second reading at KinderCare, Clearwater - Clearwater, FL. The kids remembered me as "the auf-ter that was here before." I read "The Green Tom." The children were quick to pick up that Cat could not become a prince. One little boy noted at the end that "Cat did not need to become a prince anymore because he found a cat wife." Pretty cool observation!

 

July 9, 2015

 

Had a blast at KinderCare, Dunedin - Dunedin, FL this morning. I read "The Orange Chihuahua." The kids loved howling with me to beckon Chile's fellow party pups. They were very well-behaved 3-5 year-olds. One little boy predicted Chile started to turn orange because he ate too many chile peppers from the produce store. What a hoot! The kids were so thankful that their classes received copies of all three of my books. They wanted me to stay and read all three. What a delightful encore!

Thanks to Christie and Meghan (the Director and Assistant Director respectively) for having me and thanks to the teachers who have obviously instilled a joy for stories among the children.

 

July 8, 2015

 

Just read "The Yellow Sea Lioness" to kids at KinderCare - Coachman Road in Clearwater this morning. A favorite part of one of my listeners was when Croaker and Eddy barked their rendition of "Shanana." You've just got to get the book to find out what that is all about! Off to KinderCare Dunedin tomorrow to read, "The Orange Chihuahua!"

 

June 30, 2015

 

Just read "The Yellow Sea Lioness" at KinderCare, Webb Road - Tampa, FL yesterday.  The students showed great interest and laughted at the goofy singing I had to do in this book.  The school agers really got the message of not measuring yourself by the accomplishments of others.  What a success!

 

The Director, Ms. Galvin, had the older students adopt a KinderCare out of state to send their postcards recommending the book. They chose a KinderCare in Ohio. What a nice gift!

 

The students will be listening to me on radio this Thursday. I am excited for them and me! What an opportunity!

 

AuthorHouse Recommends "The Orange Chihuahua" Be Considered for Full-Feature or Animated Film Production

 

 

Hollywood Coverage Date: 3/18/15

 

Title: The Orange Chihuahua

Author: Kelly Ann Guglietti

Genre: Children’s

Best Medium for Adaptation:  Feature Film or Animated-Feature Film

 

Logline: A humble Chihuahua assumes an exciting alter ego by night, thanks to a pair of magic slippers.

 

Setting: Mahahual, Mexico

 

Period: Modern Day

 

Brief Summary:

After spending his days beside his owner, a Chihuahua named Amador slips on his master’s 

enchanted slippers and transforms into bright orange Chile by night. The boisterous and outgoing 

Chile is the life of the party, although some of the other dogs begin to grow tired of his antics 

and ego. One day, Amador discovers that his master has gotten a new pair of slippers and he is 

no longer able to transform into Chile. He goes to his friends and tells them the truth about his 

charade, but they reply that, given the choice, they would prefer to spend time with him rather 

than Chile. Amador becomes more confident and comfortable as himself.

 

Synopsis:

In Mahahual, Mexico, a Chihuahua named AMADOR lives with his owner SEÑOR PEDRO. 

Pedro runs a small souvenir shop, and Amador spends his days napping in the shop or 

accompanying his master on walks down to the docks to eat lunch and play with the other dogs. 

Amador befriends other local Chihuahuas, including ALITA, NOVIA, ‘JOLES and RIZ.

At home in the evenings, Amador snoozes lazily at the foot of Pedro’s easy chair. However, after 

Pedro has fallen asleep for the night in front of the TV, Amador secretly slips into the man’s old 

woven slippers.

 

Upon putting on the slippers, Amador transforms into his alter ego, Chile. His normally sandy 

brown coat turns bring orange, and he sprouts a magnificent bushy moustache. Donning a 

sombrero, serape and a garland of chili peppers to complete the look, Chile marches off into the 

night to party. 

 

Summoned by a call that only they can hear, all of the local dogs flock to Chile’s side and a 

raucous party commences. Chile sings and dances passionately, and regales all of his fellow 

canines with exciting tales of stowing away in tourists’ luggage to get on board cruise ships and 

explore the other Mexican ports. 

 

Many of the other dogs are thrilled by Chile’s lively antics and stories. Others, however, grumble 

behind his back, calling him pompous and a complete phony. They doubt his outlandish claims 

and plan to expose him. 

 

One evening, when Amador goes to make his big transformation into Chile, he runs into a 

problem. Pedro has replaced his worn, old slippers with a brand new pair. Amador tries on the 

new slippers, but they have no magic and he is unable to become Chile, perhaps forever.

Forlornly, Amador treks out to the party spot as himself. He feebly calls out into the night, and 

his four friends soon appear. They express surprise at seeing him out so late and wonder aloud 

where Chile is.

 

Amador reveals the entire story of his secret identity and the now-missing magic slippers. His 

friends admit that Chile was fun and exciting, but they assure Amador that they much prefer to 

spend time with him as Amador. Chile was a bit full of himself and not a very good listener. 

Amador is happy to relax, without the pressure of having to be Chile, which tended to be a bit 

exhausting. He learns to be himself around his friends and figures out the simple things that he 

actually enjoys doing. Amador accepts who he really is on the inside, and his friends do, too.

 

Concept: Good

Story: Fair

Characters: Fair

 

Comments/Suggestions for Adaptation:

The visually rich setting and endearing animal characters in THE ORANGE CHIHUAHUA

seem well-suited for a cartoon adaptation. In order to work as a feature-length film, the story 

would have to be developed and expanded, both to increase its scope and scale, and to fill the 

allotted run time. 

 

Chile’s tales of stowing away on cruise ships offer numerous opportunities for expanding the 

narrative. While the implication is that these boastful stories are fabricated, it might be fun to see 

the dashing little dog actually executing such a daring plan. Taking Chile out into the world 

would infuse his journey with a bit more adventure and excitement, perhaps putting him in 

jeopardy and forcing him to think fast and act bravely in order to return home safely. However, 

the story would have to account for Señor Pedro’s reaction to his dog (and his slippers) going 

missing for a day or two. 

 

As Chile is out in the world, having his adventures, it might also be interesting to play up his 

reluctance to return home and take off the slippers at the end of each night. Amador sees Chile as 

a better, more exciting version of himself, and it would make sense that he might consider the 

appeal of staying that way all of the time. 

 

Chile is an interesting character to explore and develop. He first appears entertaining and 

impressive, but gradually, his boastfulness and self-centered nature can become grating. The 

other characters, and by extension, the audience, must both like and dislike him. Finely tuning 

this delicate balance and transitioning it at the proper time is important.

 

The magical slippers could also be explored. There might be some Cinderella-esque element to 

them. For example, they might only transform Amador into Chile until sunrise each morning, 

which would of course lead to one or two mad scrambles to slip away and get back home before 

his secret is discovered. 

 

As for the resolution of the story, the message that Amador must leave Chile behind and become 

comfortable in his own skin is a wonderful and apt lesson to teach young viewers. To expand 

upon this, it might be nice to show Amador doing a bit more than just earning the acceptance of 

his peers and settling into a happy, normal life. It could be empowering to watch him find the 

courage to be the adventurous hero, sans-slippers. He might not be as flamboyant or dashing as 

Chile, but showing that he can still do great things when the need arises would be a welcome 

addition to the uplifting message.

 

Aside from Amador/Chile, the other characters could be more fleshed out and allowed to 

contribute uniquely to the story. Each of Amador’s friends might react differently to his absence 

and have differing opinions on Chile and his antics. It would also be good to create a named 

antagonist to lead the Chile-detractors among the other dogs. A nemesis and henchmen plotting 

to expose and humiliate Chile would add another layer of intrigue and adventure. Watching 

Chile foil the plots could be fun and exciting. Amador could then win some decisive victory over 

them without the slippers, thereby proving that he no longer needs Chile.

 

Recommendation: Consider

 

AuthorHouse Recommendation for Animated Film Production, "The Yellow Sea Lioness"

 

Hollywood Coverage Date: 12/06/14

 

 

Title: The Yellow Sea Lioness

Author: Kelly Ann Guglietti

Genre: Children’s

Best Medium for Adaptation: Animation -- Feature Film

 

Logline: A shy sea lion finds her literal and figurative voice by discovering her many talents and gaining self-esteem. 

 

Setting: Imaginary Sea Lion Community on the California Coast

 

Period: Modern Day

 

Brief Summary:

Sea lion Lu-sea is fond of singing in private as a child, but she gets terribly nervous around others and clams up. Despite her hesitance to perform, she grows up and finds fulfillment as a coach and teacher of younger sea lions, spurring them on to great athletic achievements. Lu-sea earns everyone’s respect and gains the confidence to be herself, she even sings in public.

 

Synopsis:

On the Pacific Coast near Santa Barbara, a young sea lion named LU-SEA is born. In the privacy of her own room, she delights in singing. She has a passion for a variety of different musical genres – classical, show tunes, gospel, pop – and she delivers rousing renditions of many of her favorite tunes.

 

However, once she enters music class at school, Lu-sea begins to feel nervous about her singing. Lu-sea’s friend BUBBLES shows no shame while belting tunes at the piano during gatherings. SANDY, another of Lu-sea’s friends, croons soulful ballads in a flawless soprano voice.

 

Class clowns CROAKER and EDDY entertain them all with their unabashedly goofy musical antics.

 

Lu-sea’s incredibly talented classmate MARILU is equally adept at filling a concert hall with

soaring sound and getting the other students dancing after class.

 

Watching her peers perform with flair and gusto, Lu-sea only grows more self-conscious. She clams up at a big public performance at the pier, worried that her talents cannot compare with those of her friends.

 

Lu-sea takes some time to discover that she possesses remarkable talents in other areas. She has considerable athletic prowess, a great sense of humor and a real knack for relating to the younger sea lions.

 

When Lu-sea grows up, she finds her calling as a coach. She begins teaching swimming and volleyball at the school. She is beloved by the STUDENTS on her teams, many of whom go on to earn accolades of their own.

 

After a long and fulfilling career in teaching, Lu-sea retires happily. Lying on the docks, she looks back on her accomplishments and is so contented that she begins to sing. The lovely sound carries and other sea lions soon take notice and join her in song.

 

With her newfound confidence, Lu-sea decides to perform at an upcoming karaoke event. Word quickly spreads and many of Lu-sea’s friends and former students turn up to listen to her sing.

 

Concept: Good

Story: Fair

Characters: Good

 

Comments/Suggestions for Adaptation:

Sea lions are entertaining film subjects and underused in the pantheon of animal-centric movies. The human-like world the author imagines for them in THE YELLOW SEA LIONESS is engaging, and the small artistic touches that set their aquatic world apart from that of humans are delightful.

 

The variety of recognizable costumes and impersonations represented in the book are breezy and amusing as they fly past in rapid succession. The style is something akin to Robin Williams’s madcap morphing talents as the Genie in ALADDIN. The rapid fire rhythm would obviously be altered in the translation to film, which would likely want to stretch each vignette into at least one full song and dance number or a sizeable excerpt.

 

The message of embracing one’s strengths and gaining confidence that lies at the core of the story is relevant for a young audience. Presenting the message in a convincing and relatable manner is essential to any adaptation. Lu-sea’s journey of self-discovery should be realized in such a way that kids can understand each step of growth along the way, and hopefully see a bit of themselves reflected in her struggles and triumphs.

 

In expanding the story to fill an entire feature, the various supporting characters will need to be further developed and given their own story arcs. Lu-sea’s musically gifted classmates could be revealed to have hidden fears or foibles of their own. Also, as Lu-sea grows up and assumes an authority role, her students will have struggles to face. It will fall to her to help them succeed, even as she continues to learn and grow.

 

THE YELLOW SEA LIONESS is an engaging tale with a message. The author presents the story in an entertaining and creative manner. In order to sustain a feature film, the story’s vignettes will need to be expanded. In addition, the supporting characters and Lu-sea’s students should be explored in greater depth. If these areas are addressed, the book has the potential to become an entertaining animated children’s feature film.

 

Recommendation: Consider with Development

New Hampshire School Counselor Association Newsletter Gives a Thumbs Up to "The Green Tom"

 

Book Review

March 2014, Volume 18, No.3

“The Green Tom” by Kelly Ann Guglietti

AuthorHouse, 2014 36 pp

By Lynn Merlone

 

Educator Kelly Ann Guglietti has begun writing and publishing books for children on character education topics. She just released her debut, The Green Tom, available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and authorhouse.com. This fairy tale tells the story of a cat who grows up with a princess, and becomes sad and jealous when she starts dating princes. He decides he wants to be a prince so she will marry him, and the princess agrees to give him lessons. The comical result is the cat realizes he is not meant to be a prince, and when he meets the cat love of his life, he decides he is happy to be who he is.

 

The author provides four follow-up activities to the story that are appropriate for a classroom or small group lesson for young students. The topics include one on how the princess communicates with the cat, two about jealousy, and one on how the story might have ended differently. 

 

This charming book on self-acceptance and overcoming jealousy would be a welcome addition to any elementary school counselor's library.

 

 

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