391: Chatting about Exploring the Heart of Children's Literature With Debra Westgate_Silva

In this episode of Chats from the Blog Cabin, Melissa Vera welcomes back Deborah, a children's author, to discuss her new book, 'Daisy's Near Catastrophe,' and her previous work, 'Bethlehem Barn.' They explore Deborah's background in education, the importance of research in writing, and the themes of friendship and empowerment in her stories. Deborah shares her journey as a writer, her commitment to giving back through book sales, and her aspirations for future projects, including pursuing an MFA in writing for children.Helpful LinksGrab Bethlehem  Barn https://amzn.to/3D0a1JTGrab Daisy's Near CATastrophe https://amzn.to/3BgaUxlWebsite www.debrawestgatesilva.comTakeawaysResearch is crucial to ensure accuracy in storytelling.Daisy's Near Catastrophe is based on a true story of a lost kitten.The bond between pets is a central theme in Deborah's writing.Deborah incorporates educational elements into her children's books.A portion of book sales is donated to organizations supporting therapy dogs.Bethlehem Barn retells the Nativity story from the animals' perspective.Deborah's writing journey was influenced by her background in education.The importance of teaching children about empathy towards animals.Deborah plans to pursue an MFA in writing for children.Engaging children through storytelling can empower them.