About
- Halina Schafer, Author -
As a retiree, I am into my third career, merging elements of the first and second, as the quintessential student. I have twenty-plus years working in medical pathology, the biological sciences. This was followed by twenty-plus years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist, utilizing the psychological and social sciences. Now, my plan for the next twenty-plus years as a writer/storyteller is to continue to build my craft and tap into classes such as Gotham (NY) Children's Book Writing, workshops, and membership/participation in professional support groups such as Alliance for Independent Writers (Alli/ national) and We Need Diverse Books, which "...promotes literature that reflects the lives of all young people". I am a member of the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC), because it is my intent to always write stories that enhance child/ family learning experience.
- Who Found Who? -
This is a "fictionalized" story, based on a true event, that happened in the Spring of 2017. The author, Halina (a.k.a "Hali") uses her imagination to make sense of the outcome of finding a Quaker parrot sitting on the roof of her SUV. It quickly became evident that this bird was hand-raised, not "wild". Where did he come from? How did he get out in the wild? What did he encounter along the journey and how long had he been on his own?
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The story addresses decision making, problem solving, trust and love for both, "Georgie," the main character, and "Hali." Georgie puts voice to his adventures in this five-chapter, fast paced book. Georgie must make quick decisions to stay safe when scary events start to happen. When Hali finds him, she needs to figure out how to help without scaring him away. And, once she does, then what?
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This story is an "easy reader chapter book" for children ages 6 to 9 years old and in the levels between 1st and 5th grade. As with all things, children's abilities and reading skills vary and develop at their own pace. This is a good introductory story that can be read aloud to a child until they begin to recognize letters, sounds and words. Children will naturally use their imagination, intellect and critical thinking as they begin to understand the story.
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For an update on how Georgie is doing. join me on Facebook: Halina Schafer, Author. I think you will enjoy the recent video about Georgie two years later. He can be a handful some days, but he does make life interesting!
- Fiona and the Extra-Special Invisible Gifts -
"Fiona and the Extra-Special Invisible Gifts" is research driven and written with both the child and the reader in mind. The story is narrated by a somewhat older (pre-school age) Fiona, as she begins to understand the gifts she learned of on her first birthday have been working together ever since. Fiona's family takes time every day to point out that her invisible Spirit energy, especially love, brings each of these invisible gifts together to bring out her best abilities. Fiona also learns that the more she uses and shares her gifts, the more she will get. The outcome is even more special when she learns she has new friends... but you'll have to read the story to see how that happens!
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The research that went into this book is based on the (neurological) development of hearing, sight, vocabulary and comprehension. The story is further enhanced with a subtle, Spiritual (non-denominational) component. All of these elements come together as a recipe for a successful child, student and global citizen. The story is designed for new parents at the beginning of the parent-child bond and continuing into the learning curve in just a few, meaningful minutes a day. It's also the perfect book for Grandparents and other childcare providers.
- You Can't Make Me! -
This book was inspired by the life-changing events across the country and around the globe. Halina began wondering how the "Tweens" age group (9 to 13+), in particular, were coping with "shelter-in-place," leaving boys and girls without their regular, developmental and social outlets. Given the rapid changes all families had to face, i.e.-unemployment, financial stressors, illness and more, her goal was to give both boys and girls an opportunity to explore, learn and take charge of their emotional lives. Studies show that the younger kids are when they start to learn about emotional self-regulation, the more successful they become as they get older and throughout life. Halina incorporates and encourages the use of Journaling in this book as a tool to understanding emootional self-regulation
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