Synopsis

We all have habits; some are productive, some are not.  It is the "not" category of habits that inspired me to write
The Tail of Max the Mindless Dog - A Children's Book on Mindfulness. Let me slow down, I am getting ahead of myself, because, the truth of the matter is, I did not create this book this book chose me!
January 31, 2014, I went to sleep and had a dream. 
Wait, that line has already been taken.  Anyway, in this dream, I was in an arena, reading a book to thousands of children and their caregivers.  The book I was reading was not one of the ten I had written the day before; I remember having a three persons discussion (with myself to myself about myself) saying that I was lying because I had not written “this” book.  After a very odd and lengthy conversation, it was time to wake from dreaming and do something; at 04:44 AM, fully awake, I wrote what I recalled reading while dreaming.  
I sent the draft via email to a dear friend of mine who knows more about Mindfulness than anyone else I know.  He was living in Japan and thankfully, was awake.  He read it, made a few recommendations, and encouraged me to move quickly.  By noon, I had formed Words to Ponder Publishing Company, LLC, purchased 100 ISBN’s, contacted Michelle Wynn– who was living in Hawaii and told her that I saw both of our names on the book in my dream; after reading it, she agreed that this was something she wanted to be a part of.  The rest, as they say, is history.

The tail of cute, adorable Max oftentimes gets hurt.  Not knowing the source of this discomfort, he decides to catch his tail and tie it in a knot, to elevate his pain. Though he is never able to actually catch his tail, he continues to try.  This trying leads to a habit of running around and around in circles,  chasing his tail.  Max misses out on all the fun filled events in life and his friends begin to worry about him.  One friend, Ross decides to do more than worry, he gives Max tools to use to stop his habit; he introduces Max to Mindfulness:  the Belly Breath, counting his breaths, and words of affirmation.  In time, not only does Max stop chasing his tail, he begins to experience the joys of living.  Max is asked to join his friends in their Championship baseball game. You will have to read the book to learn the ending!

In my dream, I saw myself, the name of the illustrator, the children, and their caregivers, but someone else was present: YOU! You are the driving force required to allow my team: illustrator, proofreader, book designer, Spanish interpreter, graphic artist, and myself to make this dream a reality. I am simply the recipient of the dream; together, we will make the dream come true!  

Join us and ensure that 
The Tail of Max the Mindless Dog, A Children’s Book on Mindfulness is placed in the hands of children everywhere so they may learn that, no matter what, when, where, or how their habits began, through Mindfulness: the Belly Breath, with words of affirmation, they can learn to "stop running around in circles, chasing their tails".

Outline

CHAPTER BY CHAPTER

Chapter One: Meet Max. The beginning of Chapter One is illustrated in Sepia tones for the first few pages, then transforms into full color. This chapter introduces the reader to adorable, tail chasing, Max.  It explains why Max chases his tail and reveals that it is because his tail is constantly injured.  Max believes that if he could catch his tail and tie it in a knot, it will stop hurting.  This is how the habit of chasing his tail begins.
Chapter Two: Max Learns a New Habit.  Ross, Max’s friend, questions him about his habit, asking why he chases his tail.  Max realizes he does not have an answer to this question - it is a habit! He learns that there is a better way to live.  Max to leap into the air...  Could it be true?  Could he live his life free of chasing his tail?  He would soon find out.
Chapter Three: Breathe In and Out.  Ross explains the Belly Breath and words of affirmation to Max - giving him a new habit!  Max is excited, but a bit apprehensive as to if Mindfulness will help; he has been chasing his tail all of his life.  Although uncertain, one thing is certain, he wants to live a full life free from chasing his tail.
Chapter Four: Itchy Twitchy.  Max has to put into practice all that Ross has taught him.  No sooner than leaving Ross’s presence, his nose starts to itch, his tail starts to wiggle, and Max is once again chasing his tail.  Rather than chasing it until he passes out, he makes the decision to use the tools he received from Ross.  He stops, closes his eyes, breathes in deeply while counting ten breaths in and ten out, and repeats the words Ross taught him.  To his utter surprise, the counting, breathing, and words of affirmation work.  He stops chasing his tail.
Chapter Five: Championship Game.  The non-tail chasing Max is standing in his newfound freedom while his friends, Olivia and Lauren pass by.  They are on their way to play baseball; it is their championship game.  They are down one player, and begin to discuss asking Max to play.  Believing he would not be a good choice due to him constantly chasing his tail, the decision is to not ask him.  It is then that they see a different Max.  They see a calm, relaxed, and alert Max and invite him to join their team; once again, Max finds himself so excited he leaps in the air.
Chapter Six: Home Run.  Max discovers that he is a good baseball player, when he is not chasing his tail.  His friends immediately want to know how he learned not to chase his tail.  He shares with them the amazing words his friend, Ross taught him.  His friends are so excited for him; they change his name from Max the Mindless Dog to Mindful Max.
Chapter Seven: Mindful Max.  Max is older and much wiser and while out on a walk, sees a young puppy running in circles, chasing his tail.  Mindful Max shares with the younger puppy, the tools that were imparted to him; thus preventing him from a life filled with chasing his tail and teaches him how to have a Mindful life.

Audience

AUDIENCE
The Tail of Max the Mindless Dog - A Children's Book on Mindfulness is designed to be read to/by children ages birth to age eight. The overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers who have purchased the eBook version echo that children and adults of all ages enjoy reading this book.

With so many distractions bombarding our children, this is the time when caregivers need to have a book such as Max to read to their children to remind them that they can be free of negative habits. 

To quote Colleen Clemens, Ph.D., assistant professor of Non-Western Literatures at Kutztown University in her article written for Noodle.com entitled,
Teach Mindfulness to Kids with These 10 Picture Books, she states,
"With cellphones, crammed calendars, and responsibilities of all sorts

clamoring for our attention, many of us cannot achieve mindfulness and
instead have overly full minds. Anxiety, depression, and overwhelming thoughts intrude on our ability to remain in the moment. A desire to teach our children a different way has lead to a surge of books about mindfulness — or, as defined by The Greater Good Science Center at UC–Berkeley  "maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment." The idea is that by tuning in to the present, we can tune out the chatter that takes over our minds and fills them with worry about the past and doubt about the future. After studies have indicated its positive effect on learning, more and more schools are incorporating elements of meditation and other mindfulness practices into the school day.

Equipping our children with the tools to manage all these distractions at a young age will enable them to healthily and productively cope with the chaos of the world in which they will grow up.

https://www.noodle.com/articles/teach-mindfulness-to-kids-with-these-10-picture-books[1]
It is my sincerest desire to add The Tail of Max the Mindless Dog - A Children's Book on Mindfulness to her list. 

[1]: https://www.noodle.com/articles/teach-mindfulness-to-kids-with-these-10-picture-books

Promotion

eBOOKS

Currently, all of my illustrated books are  in eBook form and are available on Amazon.com. I have individual Facebook pages designated for each book as well as list each on my website,
www.Florenza.org[1]  (which, is a work in progress).  I have five projects awaiting their Facebook pages once fully illustrated.
BOOK SIGNINGS

I have family and friends in several cities and states, who own their own daycare centers and have graciously volunteered to allow me to hold book signings and reading in their centers.  I have been invited to go to New York to come and hold a book signing in the community garden of a good friend she has downloaded the eBooks and reads them to her daughter daily. 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES/BOOK STORES

I contacted several of my local Public Libraries and gave them the overview of Max as well as the other books I have written and they are excited about the projects; once I have the printed versions, I have been invited to come and hold book readings.  I have spoken with the manager of my local Barnes and Nobles book store regarding a book signing with them and was given the green light. 

MILITARY BASES

As a military family, we have friends spanning the globe and I plan to speak with those in various locations to assist with hosting me as I go to their locations to have book readings and signings. 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

I have been in contact with school teachers, counselors, social workers, and clergy within my community who have all expressed a desire for me to come to have book readings and signings in their specific places of business. 

MEEETUPS

I have joined various Meetups in my area so that I may network and get more invites to come to hold book signings and so far, the response is wonderful.

SOCIAL MEDIA

In addiction to six Facebook pages, I have active accounts with WordPress, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, Periscope, and Pinterest. I am a walking networking machine!

FUTURE ENDEAVORS

Lastly, I have spoken with developers for a movie version of Max with a stuffed animal replica of Max and Ross to be sold as sets once the printed version is available; the response was very positive. 

I am in negotiations with a local singer to record an audio rendering of Max to include utilizing her music school's children for the voice overs; she and I are discussing creating a song of the words of affirmation Ross shared with Max.

[1]: http://www.Florenza.org

Competition

COMPLEMENTARY BOOKS

1. A Handful of Quiet presents one of the best known and most innovative meditation practices developed by Thich Nhat Hanh as part of the Plum Village community's practice with children. Pebble meditation is a playful and fun activity that parents and educators can do with their children to introduce them to meditation. It is designed to involve children in a hands-on and creative way that touches on their interconnection with nature. Practicing pebble meditation can help relieve stress, increase concentration, nourish gratitude, and can help children deal with difficult emotions.
A Handful of Quiet is a concrete activity that parents and educators can introduce to
children in school settings, in their local communities or at home, in a way that is meaningful and inviting. Any adult wishing to plant seeds of peace, relaxation, and awareness in children will find this unique meditation guide helpful. Children can also enjoy doing pebble meditation on their own.

2.  
What Does It Mean To Be Present? by Rana DiOrio.  Through stunning illustrations, this book helps children answer the title question — what does it meant to be present? Readers will explore concrete examples of what it means to be in the moment, and sharing the  book will take parents to a calm place as well. When I’ve had a long day, I find that reading this book (and others on the list) with my child helps me regroup.
3.
Take the Time: Mindfulness for Kids by Maud Roegiers The style and pace of this story will be soothing to young readers. With its soft colors and gentle brushwork, the book illustrates ways in which kids can slow down and appreciate every moment, from thinking about the effect their words will have on others to focusing on the feeling of receiving a hug.
4.
Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth. Muth's work on mindfulness for children began well before the Zen trend hit the bookshelves. Using Stillwater his trademark panda character — and thoughtful prose, his stories are a must for those wanting to cultivate calm in their children. This selection, honored by the Caldecott committee, features three siblings interacting with Stillwater as he tells them ancient Zen stories.
5.
Visiting Feelings




Hardcover

– September 15, 2013 by Lauren Rubenstein (Author),
Shelly Hehenberger (Illustrator). Gold Medal, 2013 Mom's Choice Awards. Silver Medal, 2014 Nautilus Award. Beautifully descriptive prose and delightful illustrations cultivate a message of mindfulness and emotional awareness to help children fully experience the present moment. Rather than labeling or defining specific emotions and feelings, Visiting Feelings invites children to sense, explore, and befriend any feeling with acceptance and equanimity. Children can explore their emotions with their senses and nurture a sense of mindfulness. Gaining this objectivity allows space for a more considered response to the feelings. Practicing mindfulness can also enhance many aspects of well-being, help develop insight, empathy, and resiliency.

COMPARISON

Of the five books listed above, all are on the subject of Mindfulness, but only my book,
The Tail of Max the Mindless Dog - A Children's Book on Mindfulness explores habits and how applying the Belly Breath, counting breaths, and words of Affirmation, can a child learn to replace negative habits with product ones. The beauty of all the books I've listed is that they work in unison and are not in competition with each other. They all represent tools that children can apply each and every day of their lives.