
Hi Robbie, it’s wonderful to be on your lovely blog. I’m thankful for your generosity to host my Book Release Tour and allow me to share my process from pen to publication with your readers.
The Making of Tina Lost in a Crowd, Part 1
When Did I Write Tina Lost in a Crowd?
In 2006, I took an online writing course at the Institute of Children’s Literature for a year. An instructor corresponded with me to provide feedback and suggestions on my assignments and revisions. The Institute also provided the marketing tools and an annual catalogue of 800 magazines accepting submissions. The goal of the course was to have my essays published.
The Institute suggested the children’s literature writers to observe the children. If the writers were not teachers or adults with young children at home, they could volunteer at the organizations such as library or Boy/Girl Scouts to get a first-hand experience to understand their behaviors and language.
At the time of taking the writing course, my interaction with the elementary school students was still fresh in my mind.
There were many fun memories of activities with my daughter, Mercy. I combined one story about Mercy, my understanding of the children’s behaviors, and the writing skills to write my first assignment entitled “Tina Goes to Hollywood Bowl.”
I kept the stories written during this course in a folder for many years. Early in year 2020, during the lockdown, I revised the Tina story to prepare for publication.

Blurb
Tina invited her friend Erica to attend a popular Tchaikovsky’s Spectacular concert on a summer evening with her parents. During the intermission, her dad left the seat to buy some snacks. Tina and Erica followed him wanting to use the restroom. The shoving crowd pushed them away, and they lost sight of him. It would be impossible to fight through the 18,000 people to find him or go back to Tina’s mom. What would the girls do?
This story tells about what happened to Tina and Erica after they got lost. Children can adapt to the learning from different situations they may observe or encounter. Adults could have discussions with the children about the situations to help them develop problem-solving skills.

Purchase links
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091M586M7
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940162309741

My review
Tina Lost in a Crowd is a charming book for children about two young school friends who attend a busy concert with Tina’s parents and get lost on their way to the restroom.
I enjoyed the character of Tina, a lovely and friendly girl who demonstrated politeness and respect towards both her teacher and her parents as well as consideration towards her friend. She has sufficient presence of mind not to panic in the scary situation of being lost in a big crowd.
The depiction of Tina’s family life and her mother’s interest in her and eagerness to plan some fun family outings for the summer vacation are heart warming and lovely to see in a children’s book. I liked the fact that Tina’s mother made a picnic for her family and Tina’s friend, Erica, to enjoy at the concert with good, wholesome food.
The illustrations in this book are a real treat and every page is a visual delight. I would recommend this book to parents and caregivers who like books that encourage good family values and level headedness by children in difficult situations.
About Miriam Hurdle

Miriam Hurdle is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She published four children’s books at twenty-six years old. Her poetry collection received the Solo “Medalist Winner” for the New Apple Summer eBook Award and achieved bestseller status on Amazon.
Miriam writes poetry, short stories, memoir, and children’s books. She earned a Doctor of Education from the University of La Verne in California. After two years of rehabilitation counseling, fifteen years of public-school teaching and ten years in school district administration, she retired and enjoys life with her husband in southern California, and the visits to her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters in Oregon. When not writing, she engages in blogging, gardening, photography, and traveling.
Find Miriam Hurdle
Website/Blog: https://theshowersofblessings.com
Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/Miriam-Hurdle/e/B07K2MCSVW
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17252131.Miriam_Hurdle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhurdle112
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Miriam-Hurdle-Author-100123351515424

Hi Robbie, thank you so much for hosting my book tour today. This is a real treat for me. I’m very excited to be here to share my children’s book.
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Hi Miriam, I am delighted to host you with this wonderful book. I wish you great success with it.
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Thank you very much for your review, Robbie! It’s very encouraging. When schools open again, I may visit the schools and read my book to the students.
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Thank you again, Robbie. We changed to Daylight saving time. So it’s one hour off when I checked the clock!
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Congratulations, Miriam!
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Hi Ritu, thanks for visiting. This is a great book for children. The illustrations are wonderful.
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😊
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Thank you very much, Ritu! I’m excited!
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Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
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Thanks for sharing, Ed.
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Thank you for reblogging, Ed. I appreciated your sharing.
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It sounds like an utter delight, Miriam – wishing you great success. Toni x
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Hi Toni, a lovely book. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m very happy with how the story turned out, Toni. I was also very pleased to have found a talented illustrator. Thank you for stopping by!
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I’m very happy for Miriam and look forward to hosting her on my blog on Tuesday.
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So good to see you stopping by and support, Pete! I appreciated your help, and look forward to your post tomorrow evening.
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Hi Pete, I look forward to your post tomorrow. This is a lovely book and one I am proud to share here.
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Congratualtions, Miriam. This book sounds wonderful and I love the illustrations. A great review, Robbie. This will be a good book to share with kids in schools.
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Hi Darlene, you are right that it would work well in schools. It has some very good messages. Thanks for visiting.
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Hi Darlene, I’m very pleased with the illustrations. It took me six months to find one I liked. Yes, I’m planning to visit schools when they reopen especially the school district where I worked for 25 years. I’ll introduce my book to the administrators and read it to the students.
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That sounds wonderful, Miriam. Something to look forward too.
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This sounds like a lovely book. The illustrations are wonderful. Congratulations to Miriam! Thanks for hosting today, Robbie.
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Hi Jill, my pleasure, I am delighted to host Miriam with the lovely book for children.
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The illustrations are watercolor, the style I like, Jill. Thank you for your comment.
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I wish Miriam success with her new book, and have shared this on Twitter, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete, thank you, I appreciate your share and support.
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I appreciate your sharing, Pete. Thank you so much for your wishes and support.
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Your book looks great, and I feel sure kids of the right age will love it! 🙂
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I think so, Pete! Thank you for your kind comment. 🙂
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Many congratulations Miriam. Wishing you many more sales and reviews.
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Hi Brigid, so lovely to see you. Thank you for visiting and supporting Miriam.
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Thank you Robbie. My pleasure.
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It’s good to see you here, Brigid. Thank you for your support and wishes. Hope all is well with you!
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Thank you Miriam. Yes, doing a lot better.
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It’s good to hear that, Brigid! It sounds like retirement is good for your health!
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It sure is Miriam. It is lovely.
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I’m loving my retirement also, Brigid.
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I’ve ordered my copy of Miriam’s story and am looking forward to reading it. It must be released soon, I guess.
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Hi Norah, I know I received the ebook to my kindle, I think it was on Friday last week. I’m not sure about the paperback, but Miriam will respond later when she is on-line again.
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Hi Robbie, I know you’re interested in the paperback. It’s now published in Amazon UK.
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Thank you, Miriam.
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Oh. I pre-ordered for Kindle, I thought. I must check again. Thanks. 🙂
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I just checked. It’s there. I’ve been reading another and hadn’t checked my library. 🙂
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Hi Norah, both the eBook and the paperback are published. The paperback is published a couple of days ago. Thank you for your order and hope you’ll receive it soon. Let me know what you think of the book. If there’s any delay or problem, please let me know. Thank you so much for your support.
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It’s in my Kindle library, Miriam. I hadn’t checked. I’m finishing Plunge first – nearly there. Your book will be next. 🙂
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Thank you so much for supporting the children’s books and providing the educational resources. Your services are so valuable. 🙂
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Thank you, Miriam. It’s a lovely story. I like a happy ending. 🙂
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I like happy endings too. I can’t sleep with sad endings. 🙂
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Wonderful review, Robbie – this one’s on my list for this week. Congrats to Miriam!
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Hi Teri, that is great. I look forward to reading your review and will look out for it. An excellent book for children.
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It’s great to see you here to support me, Teri. Thank you for reading my book this week! Let me you what you think!
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Congratulations Miriam. Writing for children is rewarding. I look forward to reading Tina Lost in a Crowd.
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Hi Ann, my apologies for my lateness in releasing your comment. I just couldn’t do it from my ipad. Thank you for visiting and commenting on this post. A lovely book.
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How lovely, Miriam. My heartfelt congratulations! After reading the review and seeing the beautiful images, I can only imagine that any child would love your book. Thank you, Robbie, for showcasing Miriam and her precious book. 💗
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My pleasure, Gwen. I am delighted to showcase Miriam’s beautiful book here.
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Robbie’s review warms my heart, Gwen. I’ll read this book to my granddaughters when I see them during Mother’s Day week. I’m sure Autumn would like it. Thank you for your lovely comment and support. I’m grateful to be here on Robbie’s blog sharing with her readers. ❤
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I am sure Autumn will be very proud to have a good your grandmother wrote, Miriam.
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I know, Robbie. I think my daughter wants me to give her a copy with my autograph!
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Hearty congratulations to Miriam for her first children’s book. It is lovely–and I finished it way too fast! It’s wonderful of you Robbie to kick off her tour.
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Hi Jacqui, it is a gorgeous book with such wonderful and positive messages. I read your review on Amazon.
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It’s my privilege to have your review all over the places, Jacqui, to bring my book to #1 in Children’s book. I’m grateful for Robbie’s support from the beginning of writing the story to the book tour. Thank you for supporting me!
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#1 in Children’s book–that is just amazing!
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I got that right after your review!
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Terrific review, Robbie. Congratulations, Miriam.
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Thank you, John.
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Robbie’s review warms my heart, John. Thank you for your support.
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Congratulations to Miriam on the release of Tina Lost in a Crowd, and also the great review. The illustrations are fabulous and the story sounds like a winner!
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Thank you, Mae, this is a delightful book for children. The illustrations are outstanding.
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It’s good to see you, Mae. I’m excited about my book – the story and the illustrations. Robbie did a wonderful review. Thank you for cheering me!
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Wonderful to see you here, Miriam! Congratulations, and best wishes for a fabulous book tour. Thanks so much for hosting and sharing, Robbie. Cheers to you both! 🙂
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Hi Natalie, so lovely to see you here. Miriam did a terrific job with this book.
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I feel a warm excitement today, Natalie! Thank you for stopping by with your cheering and wishes. I’m thankful for Robbie to host my book tour!
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How perfectly lovely. Congrats to Miriam. Thanks for sharing this Robbie. The little girl in the promo image is adorable, and I’m sure the story is even more so. Hugs all around!
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HI Teagan, thank you for visiting and cheering Teagan on. This is a lovely story for children.
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I’m pleased with my children’s book, the story, and the illustrations, Teagan. I can’t wait to read it to my granddaughters and eventually the students. Thank you for cheering!
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Always great to see terrific Authors supporting each other!
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This is a great community, John. Thanks for visiting and cheering Miriam on.
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Exactly, John. Robbie is a terrific supporter of hosting my book tour. Thank you for your support.
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Just read the book… Loved the story and illustrations as well. Celebrating your every success!!
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I’m thrilled to hear that, Annette, it is a lovely book.
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You made my day, Annette. I’m excited to hear you loved the story and the illustrations. I can’t wait to hear what you think! Thank you so much for your cheering support!!
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Congratulations Miriam. Tina Lost in a Crowd is a lovely book. I ‘ve read it and would be sharing my review with the promotion of your book on Wednesday. Thanks Robbie for a wonderful start to the blog tour.
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Hi Balroop, I’m delighted that you also enjoyed this book. I will look out for your post and review on Wednesday.
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It’s wonderful to hear your comment about the book, Balroop. I can hardly wait to see your post for the tour on Wednesday along with your review. Robbie did a terrific job starting the book tour. I’m surrounded by enthusiastic supporters.
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The illustrations and cover are enticing. Many children can relate to being lost in a crowd, as can the parents who are desperately looking for them. Best wishes, Miriam, and thank you, Robbie, for featuring this author today. 🙂
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I appreciate your comment, Marian. Yes, when I shared the story, many friends had their stories to tell me! I’m grateful for Robbie featuring me and shared her book review. Thank you for your cheering! 🙂
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Hi Marian, thank you for visiting and commenting. I can remember being lost myself in a clothing store. It is a very scary experience for a child. My boys are very sensible and have never been lost so I haven’t experienced the parent side of this experience, but the idea is dreadful for me. Miriam did a great job of providing a subtle lesson on what to do in a situation like this.
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Wonderful review and book release post, Robbie. Congratulations, Miriam! I love Tina… ❤
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Good to see you stopping by to support me, Bette. I’m glad you love Tina. I’m thankful for Robbie to host me today! ❤
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Thank you, Bette, it is a delightful book. I am glad you enjoyed this post.
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Congratulations to Miriam on the launch of Tina Lost in a Crowd and the great review! The description of Tina’s loving family is very appealing. I concur with the other commenters that the illustrations are lovely.
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I appreciate your support, Liz. I’m glad you liked the illustrations. Robbie did a marvelous review of Tina Lost in a Crowd. Yes, Tina has a loving family. Thank you for your great comment!
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You’re most welcome, Miriam!
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🙂 ❤
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Hi Liz, I particularly noted the loving family and respectful attitudes. When I ran out of books that I knew from my own childhood to read to my sons, I looked around for modern books that were unknown to me. The attitudes of the kids expressed towards parents and authority figures in a lot of the modern books shocked me. Such rudeness and disrespect. That was one of my triggers for writing the Sir Choc series. I thought children needed some better role models.
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I know exactly what you meant, Robbie. My husband watched some home videos of toddlers. Some showed the kids yelled at the parents. The parents thought it was cute. They had the guts to post those videos on YouTube! They shocked me.
When I was teaching, some students even said if their parents spank them, they could call the police!
There are certain children’s books my daughter wouldn’t read to Autumn.
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A huge congratulations, Miriam! I read the book today and loved it! Thank you for hosting, Robbie.
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I’m grateful for your support, Jan. It’s wonderful to hear you loved the book. Robbie is a great friend and supporter!
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Hi Jan, I am delighted to hear you enjoyed this book. A lovely one for children. Thanks for visiting.
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Lovely review, Robbie!
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Thank you, Jennie. I enjoyed this book.
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You’re welcome, Robbie. 🙂
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Thank you, Jennie. Robbie did a fantastic review!
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You’re welcome, Miriam. She did!
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❤ ":-)
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Excellent review, Robbie and the cover of the book too is awesome. Congrats to Miriam for this lovely book.
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Hi Kamal, thank you for visiting. Miriam has done a lovely job with this book.
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Yes Robbie I completely agree with you Miriam is a great writer😊😊😊😊
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I’m glad you liked the cover, Kamal. Thank you for stopping by!
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Always welcome dear Miriam ❤️🌹🌹
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❤ 🙂
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😊😊😊🙏🏻🙏🏻
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It sounds like a great children’s story with lovely illustrations! Thanks Robbie for bringing Miriam’s book to us here so we can learn more about it 🙂
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My pleasure, Christy. I am glad this post and book caught your eye.
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It’s lovely to be on Robbie’s blog, Christy. I’m thankful to have wonderful support. 🙂
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Congratulations to Miriam! A very interesting book. A very interesting book. Now I cannot remember ever having heard of the processing of this subject in such an instructive way. Michael
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I guess the production of a fully illustrated book takes a few more steps than a partial illustrated or non-illustrated book, Michael. In a sense, I documented my process and thought I might as well share “behind the scene” of the bookmaking. I hope you’ll find it interesting when I talk about doing the illustrations. It was new learning to me.
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Certainly a very arduous undertaking, Miriam! Thank you for taking up this challenge. It is very interesting to follow this process of creation. Best wishes, and have a nice day! Michael
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Hi Michael, Miriam certainly did a got job of imparting her message in an interesting and natural way.
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For sure a great one! Thank you for introducing, Robbie! Have a beautiful week, and please stay save. Now it seems we are getting more the Indian, then the SouthAfrican virus strain. Thats globality! 😉 Michael
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Oh dear, the Indian variant sounds quite bad. You stay safe too, Michael.
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It’s interesting that you wrote this book so long ago, Miriam. I, too, revisited an old work of mine from a decade ago during the pandemic. I’m grateful we both were given time to revisit those pieces. Thanks for hosting, Robbie! 🙂
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It was a wonderful thing happened during the pandemic, Yvette. Prior to the pandemic, I had weekly meetings and classes and hardly kept up with the routine. It’s good to hear you revisited some old pieces also. 🙂
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I sometimes feel as if I’m the only person in the world who worked non-stop throughout lockdown 😉. I’m glad you both found time to visit old works.
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