For children who need a little more time to join in
Some books are meant to be read quickly.
This one is meant to be felt—curled up close, turning pages slowly, as something gentle and unexpected begins to unfold.
For Children Who Are Shy
For some children it is not easy to play with others, or to make friends. Ella overcomes her shyness and finds confidence through a connection with an imaginary flying whale, Bristleback.
For Adults to Encourage Children
In a quiet field, a whispering forest, and a place where it’s safe to try, fail, and try again, Ella discovers confidence in small, steady ways.
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Hardcover Makes a Beautiful Gift
Breathtaking Illustrations
How the book came to be
A hardcover book wrapped in a beautiful dust jacket - a delight to read and hold.
It is a keepsake for your family, a gift to share, or to feature on your bookshelf or coffee table.
Journey through enchanting pages filled with vibrant illustrations and a touching narrative that captures readers of all ages.
Stella Maris, an award-winning illustrator, has brought beauty and life to this tender story of Ella.
The story of Ella came to Nanci in a dream. She woke up to an image of a pod of colorful whales flying over a landscape of mountains. Etched in her mind, she knew that landscape and those whales should be in a book.
She saw the book: a flying whale led journey with a lesson for her and her readers and the shy girl she once was, and still remembers.
About
For most of my life, I carried the quiet desire to write children’s books—and just as quietly I set it aside. As I saw my grandchildren growing, I decided it was time. This book is an offering for children with what I once needed to hear myself: “You are already enough. You always were.”
As a children’s book author, Nanci wants children to know they are a gift, they are wanted and needed, and they can let their love shine through!
Nanci lives in New York with her husband. She is a proud mother and finds her greatest joy in being a Nana to her grandchildren.
Stella Maris Mongodi began her earthly journey in Italy, where she pursued a degree in Ancient theatre, while exploring a passion for art and illustration. She dabbled with oils, experimented with acrylics, and wondered at watercolors, before settling on digital illustrations, steeped in “traditional media flavor”.
Eventually, Stella wandered off to the British Isles in search of kindred fairies. Between creating engaging imagery to delight young readers, Stella loves to explore her own inner child, sewing colorful skirts, and befriending her favorite creatures…owls, mice, and an occasional squirrel.