Show Notes/Brief Summary/Blog Post:

In this episode of the We Have Hope podcast, host Kim Dully interviews author Christine Devane about her children's book, Elephant Beach. Christine shares her journey from being a shy child to becoming a teacher and author, emphasizing the importance of understanding different personality types, particularly introverts and extroverts. The conversation explores the writing process, the significance of community support, and the challenges of navigating grief through literature. Christine also discusses her future projects and the impact of storytelling on children, encouraging patience and acceptance for shy kids.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Elephant Beach
• 02:00 The Inspiration Behind the Story
• 04:51 Understanding Shyness and Personality Types
• 07:20 Finding Your Voice and Overcoming Shyness
• 09:33 The Importance of Feedback in Writing
• 12:50 The Process of Writing a Children's Book
• 15:40 The Journey to Publication
• 18:07 Connecting with Young Readers
• 22:27 Engaging with Children in Classrooms
• 23:52 Future Writing Projects
• 25:55 Books on Grief and Loss
• 28:46 Navigating Grief in Children
• 31:28 Understanding Shyness in Children
• 38:14 Encouraging Individuality in Kids

Episode Highlights:

• Christine Devane wrote Elephant Beach to address the experiences of shy children.
• The book features a shy girl who learns to embrace friendship with elephants.
• Storytelling can help children understand their emotions and personalities.
• Community support is crucial for writers, especially in children's literature.
• Writing a children's book involves careful consideration of language and structure.
• Perseverance is key in the journey of publishing a book.
• Engaging children through interactive storytelling enhances their learning experience.
• Literature can be a tool for discussing difficult topics like grief.
• It's important for parents to accept their children's personalities without pressure.
• Children can learn to navigate social situations at their own pace.

Learn more about Christine Devane:

• Purchase Elephant Beach on Amazon
• Purchase Lola and Sophie’s ABC Adventure on Amazon
• Follow Christine on Instagram

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• Visit Our Show Notes Page HERE!
• Questions? Email Us! kim@loveyourschool.org
• www.loveyourschool.org
• Visit our Facebook HERE!
• Visit our Instagram HERE!

This show has been produced by Love Your School WV.