Hello Friends!
Well, I guess it's been a while since I've written anything here in this blog!  I will say that 2022 has been a busy year!  As you can see, my newest book, Bea Beluga's First Yoga Class, has been out for a few months which is very exciting.  It was published just before the start of the new school year which was perfect timing.  While the book does focus on Bea's first yoga class, it also translates easily for any new class or activity that a child may be trying for the first time (school, sports, class, etc.). 

Since August, I have had the pleasure of reading Bea's newest story to our kids at ADK Dance Studio, as well as some new friends at the Hanson Library and Soul Purpose-Halifax.  I love doing story time with a craft that ties into one of the Bea Beluga book stories.  My favorite craft is the "moving" beluga whale plate, but I have a few fun crafts up my sleeves for the other books!  With Bea Beluga's First Yoga Class, I have the opportunity to combine two things I love -- children's books/reading/stories AND children's yoga!  After all, the book was written as a yoga companion book as well. I like to incorporate a lot of story books into my children's yoga classes, and I hope this book serves that purpose for others that like to use books to help teach yoga to this new generation. 

I am excited to continue reading to children, writing new stories, and coming up with some new adventures for Bea!  If you'd like to have me come read her stories to your groups  and/or do a short companion yoga lesson, let me know ... I love meeting new book loving friends!

Blessings,
​Carolyn

Ever wonder about the person who illustrated my Bea Beluga books? Wonder no more! Here is a little illustrator bio ...

Annabelle Zhang is a tutor and children's book illustrator raised in Wayland, Massachusetts. She discovered her passion for art at the young age of 4 and has two cats. It is even more impressive that Annabelle is still in high school!!!

I could say that I was very luck to find Annabelle, but luck would be a massive understatement.  Blessed may be a more appropriate expression!  Annabelle was able to take both of my stories, see the vision behind them, and create these amazing characters!  She literally brought Bea to life, added her friends and family, and put on paper what was only imagined in my mind.
 
I hope you enjoy and share the beautiful illustrations Annabelle created in Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu, and Bea Beluga Makes a New Friend!  

​Well, here we are in the last week of 2021!  If anyone had told me in January that I would write a children’s book this year, I would have laughed and thought they were crazy!  And yet, here I am, 50 weeks later, and I have just published my second children’s book – a new Bea Beluga story – and I still can’t fully wrap my head around it.  I do know, however, that it makes my heart happy and full, and I feel very blessed! 
 
Bea Beluga Makes a New Friend follows Bea as she goes on vacation with her family, meets Marnie Manatee, and then must work together with her new friends to find a way to keep in touch once she goes home!  Bea and Marnie get some help (actually they receive a lot of help!) from their friend, Gesi Gull!
 
This sweet story centers on the importance of friendship and keeping in touch with those we love!  Sometimes this is easier said than done … we have good intentions of staying in touch, but let’s face it - life is busy. 
 
As we enter this new year, lets make 2022 the year of connecting, reconnecting, and appreciating our friendships – both old and new!  I would love for you to join Bea Beluga on her travels in this new book as she explores new waters, meets new friends, faces disappointment, and finally finds a happy solution to her long-distance friendship!
 
I can’t wait to start sharing the book with our readers in the coming weeks!  It takes a lot of hands to spread the word and I would be grateful for your help in sharing and liking my posts!  I would also love to do a special reading of Bea Beluga Makes a New Friend, as well as the first book, Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu!  Just let me know when and where, and I am there!
 
Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this and following me on this journey!
  Xoxo,
Carolyn

Can you believe that it’s October already?  I am amazed how fast the years go by as I get older, and it seems this year is flying by in the blink of an eye!  It’s been 4 months since the release of my children’s book, Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu.  This cute little children’s story has led me to some beautiful new people and experiences! 
 
This week I had the pleasure of reading my book and doing a fun craft at the Holbrook Public Library with an amazing group of kids.  We read about Bea’s excitement about starting dance, her wonder at the beautiful sparkly magic tutu, her dedication to practicing her sport, her perseverance and trust when faced with adversity, and ultimately her most important life lesson – to always believe in herself!  As you can see in the picture, I had the perfect whale sweater in my closet for the occasion! (I guess you could say I have had a love of whales for a very long time!)
 
I’ll be the first to admit that the book looks a little bit girl-oriented and dance specific (think pink fluffy tutu!), but let me assure you that the message the book shares with our readers is that if you work hard and surround yourself with people you trust, you will accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to!  This is a message that anyone can relate, and one that kept me going earlier this year as I worked through the logistics of writing and publishing a children’s book and finding the perfect illustrator.
 
So, what’s next?!?  I will have my books on display at the Brockton YMCA Fall Family Festival on Saturday, October 9th from 10:00am-3:00pm, so come on by and visit and pick up an autographed book!  I will also be doing another author reading (and craft) at Thayer Public Library on Thursday, November 4th at 4:00. 
 
I will leave you with some exciting news!!  The second Bea Beluga book is currently being illustrated, so keep a look-out for updates on Bea Beluga Meets a New Friend – due out later this year! 
 
Be well!
Carolyn

​Last weekend, my friend Tina and I set out for an overnight trip to Connecticut - just a fun little getaway before the summer drew to a close.  We started with a visit to the Foxwoods Casino, played a few games, ate a little dinner, and settled back at the hotel for the night.  I was eagerly anticipating the next morning, when we planned to visit the Mystic Aquarium and my beloved beluga whales! 

Let me start by saying how much I love the Mystic Aquarium!  Their beluga whale exhibit is nothing short of AMAZING(!), along with the other great outdoor exhibits (sea lions, seals, penguins, turtles, etc.).  Once you've finished exploring the outdoor exhibits, you can enjoy the inside tanks, touch a shark exhibit, plus so much more!

Of course, the first thing we did was visit the belugas.  It is such a joy to see how they interact with all of the people at the tank windows and especially the kids!  Sometimes it's just a swim by, and sometimes there's a whale photo-bomb and a big smile!  It's just awesome to watch them and see how big and beautiful they are.  Tina was my gracious "photographer" for the morning, trying to capture a picture of me with one of the whales, posing with the Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu book.  Thank you Tina!  As you can see, she got a couple of cute photos!

While visiting, I also took advantage of the raffle campaign that the Mystic Aquarium has going on right now.  The aquarium recently acquired several new belugas from a facility in Canada and they are raising funds by raffling off a chance to name one of their new resident belugas.  Any guesses what I would choose for the beluga's name if I won?  Bea Beluga could be famous!

If you're looking for a fun day-trip, I highly recommend Mystic, CT and a visit to the Mystic Aquarium.  You too could bring along your copy of Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu and see if you can get an adorable beluga photo-bomb picture!  Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!  

Peace,
Carolyn
Photo thanks: Tina Thursby (you can see her reflection in the tank glass!)

Hey friends!
Things are definitely getting exciting here!!!  It's so hard to believe that it's been TWO months since I first published my book!  The love and support I've received since then has been nothing short of amazing ... truly humbling as well!  
I've witnessed the joy of children's reactions to Bea's story - had the chance to reconnect with old friends - and met some wonderful new friends since the May who have truly enriched my life.
As we move along, I am hoping to find some new places to share Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu, via a book reading or story time or sharing the books in a retail setting ... so if you hear of any opportunities please keep me in mind and reach out!  
NOW for the most exciting news so far!!!  Bea's next book is in the works and should be released mid-fall ... so get ready for some sneak previews over the next couple of months!
Please reach out with any joys, pictures, questions, or just to say hello ... and enjoy the last few days of July!
Blessings,
Carolyn XOXO

appy July 4th! 
What a great weekend to slow down a bit and reflect on our thoughts, including our faith, our nation, and of course our family and friends.  

The past couple of weeks have brought me mix of news, some sad (lots of prayers) and some joyous.  It serves as a good reminder to be thankful for what we have in the moment. 

I continue to feel enormous blessings for the continued outpouring of support for my new book venture!  I have had the opportunity to connect with old friends who have purchased a book, as well as met many lovely new friends who have shared the book with their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews!  You can check out some of their pictures on this homepage as it scrolls through!  Some of those pictures are priceless and make my heart so happy to see the joy on their faces as they read about Bea Beluga and her story of strength and determination!

On July 14th and July 22nd, I am holding a FREE story & craft time where I will read the book and then we will do a Bea-related craft following the story.  The first 5 children registered will receive a little gift from me too!  So please share this with anyone you think would have fun joining me!

In the meantime, I hope today brings many new memories for you to hold dear.  Have a safe and happy July 4th!  

XOXO,
Carolyn

What a special feeling it is to have so many little ones enjoying Bea's story about believing in herself and being brave!  While I love to read (mostly funny murder mysteries), I never thought I would actually write a book.  And while it's just a little book - just 24 pages - I hope that Bea's message of trust and perseverance continues to find it's way into the hands of lots of children, parents, teachers, and dancers of all ages!  
For those who have already enjoyed Bea Beluga and the Magic Tutu, I already have Bea's next book in the works and hopefully ready this fall!
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive!  If you would still like to purchase a copy of the book, I will be at ADK Dance Studio again this Wednesday morning, June 16th, from 9-11am if you'd like to stop by and pick yours up!
Feeling blessed,
Carolyn