Taneesha's Treasures

Books by M. Lavora Perry

Wu-Lung and I-Lung / Successful self-Publishing / Taneesha’s Treasures of the Heart

By M. LaVora Perry

Illustrated by Chris R. Seaman

Reviews

In author M. LaVora Perry’s Taneesha’s Treasures of the Heart, the main character, Taneesha Bey-Ross, learns about diabetes at the urban Hospital where her mother is a nurse. When Taneesha’s best friend, Carli, is taunted by a bullying older girl because of her physical disability, Taneesha defends Carli and becomes the bullying girl’s target. With faith, hope, courage and friendship, Taneesha helps the bullying girl uncover kindness inside her own heart.

Suzanne DeGaetano, Mac’s Backs Books, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, United States “.…a way to learn about world religions.…will touch your heart with its message of enlightened tolerance and kindness….should be in every library and school.”

Jan Godwon, Author of Family Fun in Florida “I feel enriched for meeting Taneesha….What with violence in schools, a book that offers concrete ideas on everybody getting along together, ought to be highly sought out by schools & families.”

Kathy Bernetich, Former Executive Director, Editorial, American Greetings Corporation®, Cleveland Ohio, United States “...a warm and beautiful story of friendship and kindness.”

Katsuji Nakamura, Lecturer of Japanese Language, School of Arts and Sciences, United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya “carefully constructed...full of humanism…easy to read.”

Melissa Bradford, K-8th grade Teacher, Shorewood, Illinois, United States “My 9 year-old said, ‘I loved everything about this story.’ My eyes teared up when I read it.’”

Ted Lardner, Associate English Professor, Cleveland State University, United States “How lovingly these best friends are created.”

Jeanette Velez, Physician Liaison, Huron Hospital, East Cleveland, Ohio, United States “I think this story will really motivate kids.”

Sue Garrett, Photographer and Web Designer, Pataskala, Ohio, United States “Children will love this book for its honesty.”

Susan Andrus, Author of Beyond Mars and Venus: Lessons in Dialogue and Peace “…touching and powerful . . . clearly shows the pain behind many bullying situations.”

Jamie Upton, Timbuktu Bookstore and Afrikan Gallery, Cleveland Ohio, United States “…a fresh approach to peer conflict.”

Tour Schedule

September 20 Saturday	New York, 12pm - 6pm, Harlem Book Fair,
	The QBR, A Black Book Review Event, Freeport Recreation Center
	130 Merrick Road, Freeport, Long Island, New York, 212.410.2678

October 1 - Wednesday	Ohio, 6:30pm -- Thomas Jefferson Elementary School,
	1455 E. 260th St., Euclid, Ohio -- 216.797.4458

October 4 - Saturday	Ohio, 4pm -- Timbuktu Bookstore and Afrikan Art Gallery
	5508 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio -- 216. 391.4740

October 9 - Thursday	Ohio, 6:30pm -- East Cleveland Public Library, North Branch
	1425 Hayden Ave., East Cleveland, Ohio -- 216.268.6284

October 13 - Saturday	Ohio, 12pm -- Joseph-Beth Booksellers
	13215 Shaker Square, Cleveland, Ohio, USA -- 216.751.3300

November 22 - Saturday	Maryland (Tentative), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
	Sibanye Bookstore -- African-American Children's Book Fair
	Grove Park Elementary School, 5545 Kennison Avenue
	(northwest Baltimore near Rogers and Wabash Avenues)
	Baltimore, MD 21215 -- Robin 410.358-5806

Taneesha's Treasures of the Heart ($9.00) ISBN 0-8059-6049-X, paperback. Publication Date: June, 2003

M. LaVora Perry former actress has appeared in film and stage productions in New York and Europe. In 1995 she graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. That same year she became American Greetings Corporation’s® (AG’s) first African-American staff greeting card writer. Since then her writing has appeared on gift items in six countries and on three continents. She was the lead editorial conceptor for AG’s innovative In Rhythm card line. While at AG she earned Creative Excellence awards in the years 1999 and 2000 for writing and editing.

In the 1990’s LaVora was awarded in Cleveland Free Times and Ohio Writer Magazine contests for her short story, “Forgiving.” She has been a contributing writer for Living Buddhism journal and the World Tribune newspaper.

She also seeking a publisher for her new titles, Wu-lung & I-lung, a tender retelling of an ancient Chinese legend of a son’s loyalty to his deceased father and Pictures of My Days: An Art & Writing Book—a lively illustrated work book that helps the young and young at heart imagine and create the tomorrow of their dreams.

LaVora lives with her husband and their three children in Ohio, where she was born and raised. Visit her website www.fortunechildbooks.com for informative articles on Eastern wisdom, pages for children, teachers, parents and everyone and to learn more about her upcoming titles.

Chris R. Seaman is from Canton, Ohio. In fifth grade he once had a detention for drawing pictures instead of doing class work. However, he grew up to graduate at the top of his class at the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Chris illustrated the Harry Potter® collectable card game for Wizards of the Coast® in association with Warner Brothers Studios®. He currently is lives in his hometown of Canton, Ohio and is illustrating new books.