The call comes from best-selling author Dr Carol Soloway, whose latest book with granddaughter Aria Soloway, has already hit Amazon No. 1 New Release.
Speaking in the lead up to International Children’s Book Day (4/2/20), Dr Soloway said it was now as crucial as ever, to give children a place to escape from feelings of isolation and despair.
“With schools closed across the State, birthday parties, holidays and play dates cancelled, many children are not only feeling lonely, but depressed,” said Dr. Carol, 73, of Costa Mesa.
“While parents can’t replace a child’s social peers, they can spend quality one-on-one story time each day and provide an avenue for a healthy escape through books.
“And this can include grandparents too – who can share a book via video conferencing. This will not only help the children but extended families who are also feeling increasingly isolated.”
Dr. Soloway said one of the reasons she penned the book, The Surprise Circus – a motivational story of hope about a young girl who builds a circus in her backyard – was to teach children that “when believe in yourself and are hungry to succeed, then you can achieve anything.”
“So many children’s books (with the exception of Dr Seuss) lack an inspirational message for children,” Dr. Soloway said.
The Surprise Circus has an important message – it’s never too early to be “hungry” – which caught the eye of one of America’s most influential motivational speakers Les Brown, who wrote the foreword to the book.
Les Brown said he was thrilled his message of self-confidence was being presented to children.
“The stories we tell our children are powerful, not only for them but for the world,” Mr Brown said. “It is my belief that children need to desire greatness; to be hungry for it and be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals.
“We need to empower our children to believe they can achieve their dreams- just like little Aria does in the book.”
The Surprise Circus is based on the character Aria, named after the young author, who uses her mom’s phone to call the ringmaster after the circus fails to come to town that year.
Week after week circus characters start turning up at her front door, including a strongman, juggler, fire eater, trapeze artist and dancing bear.
Dr. Soloway said the entire project from concept to completion took just 8 months, with local teen Olivia Targett also providing 27 original illustrations.
“We not only have a six-year-old author but a 15-year-old illustrator,” Dr. Soloway said.
“It just goes to show you what children truly are capable of when you give them the time, space and support, to think big and create.
“Instead of using the time in lockdown to binge watch Netflix, or let kids lose themselves on their screens; grab a book, inspire them, and teach them to be hungry!”
The Surprise Circus is currently available for preorder on Amazon.
About Carol Soloway
Dr. Soloway, a former English teacher, is now a State Appointed Qualified Medical Examiner in chiropractic, a National Board of Chiropractic Examiner and International Association of Women (IAW) Orange County Chapter President. She is a chiropractor to the stars and last year received the IAW’s Woman of Achievement Award as well as being named the IAW 2019-2020 Influencer. Author of the bestselling novels, Gracie’s Gone and The Surprise Circus, Dr. Soloway is a mother of three, grandmother of 12, and plays a mean game of competitive tennis.
Dr. Soloway is available for interviews and photographs. Photographs are also available on request.
Media Contact:
Dr. Carol Soloway: (949) 812.1110 or drcarolsoloway@gmail.com / www.carolsoloway.com