December: Guest #1 ~ Laura Lee Scott ~ Christmas Stories for Kids ~

Hi Everyone! Happy Holidays and Merry early Christmas!!  

I LOVE Christmas and I especially love holiday stories for kids! As you probably know, I’m an “Indie Author,” which means I’m especially fond of, and supportive of, my fellow “Indie Authors!” For this holiday and Christmas season, I’m interviewing several of my fellow authors who are sharing their delightful Christmas stories for kids.   Enjoy!!  

Guest #1: 

This week, I’d like to introduce you to children’s author, Laura Lee Scott.  Laura is the award winning author of: The Santa Switch, a delightful, modern North Pole Christmas story with a “positive, gender-empowering message” for kids and families.  I love this!    The Santa Switch is the recipient of two Mom’s Choice Awards, a Cascade Writing Award, and a Beverly Hills Book Award.  It is beautifully lllustrated by Cheryl Crouthamel, who also illustrated the second book in this series titled, A Trip for Mrs. Claus.

Grammy Pags:  Laura, what was your inspiration for writing The Santa Switch?  Could you give us the back story?

Laura:  My kids provided the initial inspiration for the series. My youngest son, Ben, couldn’t wait for Santa to arrive, and we started talking about Santa and Mrs. Claus. Ben asked me what her (Mrs. Claus’s) first name was.  I realized then, that I didn’t even know if she had one. That seemed a little unfair to me and my kids, since Mrs. Claus just HAD to be working hard alongside her husband. We talked about how, if she’s like most women, she’s probably the one doing most of the work!  I was proud of my boys because they also thought she should receive more love. Without their input, I doubt this series would have happened.

Grammy Pags:  So tell us a little more about this very special Christmas book.

Laura:  First of all, this book is intended for ALL ages, from the very young to the young at heart.  It’s a “family” book in every sense of the word.  In The Santa Switch, Mrs. Jessica Claus finally sheds her wallflower image to become the fabulous tour-de-force she’s always had the potential to be. This modern version of Mrs. C. believes in equality, compassion, and continued education. She loves her good-natured, big-hearted husband, and they share the same philanthropic vision – but she’s definitely his equal partner.  She’s the “doer” to his “dreamer!” Jessica Claus is CEO (Chief Elf Optimizer) of the world’s most successful, top-secret toy production facility.  She also loves to don her favorite slippers and bake her way into the New Year . . .  spreading peppermint-flavored joy to anyone willing to believe in a little Christmas magic.

The positive, gender-empowering messages, lovable spins on legendary characters, and colorfully detailed illustrations found in The Santa Switch and its newly-released sequel, A Trip for Mrs. Claus, are sure to warm hearts and tickle funny bones of the young AND the young-at-heart, making this fresh, award-winning series the perfect literary adventure for everyone who loves Christmas!

Grammy Pags:  This is so interesting and fun, Laura.  Where can readers purchase your books?

Laura: 

• Readers can order hard copies of the books through my website:jessicaclaus.com, as well as through my FB book page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSantaSwitchChildrensBook/
• A Kindle version can be found on Amazon here:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GO36GE6/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o02_?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• There’s also a digital audio book of THE SANTA SWITCH available on iTunes.

Grammy Pags:  Thanks so much, Laura!  I love dear, sweet, traditional, cuddly Santa Claus in your darling story, The Santa Switch, but it’s Mrs. Jessica Claus who is the rock star!! She’s an empowered, modern woman and a, don’t-take-her-for-granted role model for girls and women!  I LOVE her!!  I think kids and families will enjoy “Jessica Claus” and your rhyming tale too!!  You’ve tucked lots of fun in the colorful illustrations and some sweet surprises in the story like “Lichen corn pies,”  the “Gratitude Supper,” and so much more.  Check it out, readers!  The Santa Switch – it’s an updated, totally fun story for the Christmas / holiday season by author Laura Lee Scott!  Thanks for stopping by, Laura and friends!!

AND – here’s a little holiday fun from Grammy Pags Stories for Kids – The Woozler’s Christmas (Book #3 in the Meeda and Me series.)

Synopsis: Sofie and Meeda are excited! Christmas is coming and it’s time to get ready! The girls are having fun when Sofie starts to think about the Woozler. That old, grouchy Woozler lives in a hole under the apple tree in their backyard. It’s cold outside, the snow is falling, and Sofie’s worried. Will the Woozler be okay? Will he ever become friends with Sofie and Meeda? Well, Sofie and Meeda have a plan to brighten the Woozler’s Christmas!  For kids 3 – 8, beginning reader, includes extended learning activities in the back of the book.

Merry Christmas, Woozier has received a “Mom’s Choice Award” for Excellence.  Available from Amazon for Kindle & Paperback:   https://www.amazon.com/dp/150564223X

Rhonda Paglia ~ “Grammy Pags” ~ is a retired elementary teacher from Pennsylvania.  She and her husband have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little pup named Bella.  To date, Grammy Pags has penned 13 stories for kids.  She has received awards for several of her stories:  a “Moms Choice Silver Award,” a 2015 “Gittle List Top 10 Children’s Picture Book Award,” a 2015 “Inkspokes Select Book Award,” and a 2016 “Readers’ Favorite Book Award Winner, Honorable Mention.”   Ms. Paglia is a member of SCBWI, PennWriters, and WestPA Authors.

Visit Grammy Pags Stories at:   Grammy Pags Stories Website

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Twitter:  @grammypags1