UK Cypriot Maria Symeou launched her new book in the series The Charlotte Learning Collection on 29 April 2023. The series helps teach children understand essential life values.
Following the success of the first book in collection – Charlotte Learns to Forgive, Maria is launching Charlotte Learns to Share.
In the story, Charlotte has been asked to share one of her two sunflower seeds with the new boy, Charlie. Charlotte knows this will reduce her chance of winning the Sunflower competition, which she has been looking forward to the whole year! It’s just not fair, why does she have to share her seed? This is causing her much upset! Can she learn that sharing is a gift which brings happiness to others?
The stories in the Collection follow Charlotte along her journey on understanding life values such as forgiveness, sharing, not following wrong advice and much more. Maria, inspired by her children and hoping to teach them some important life-values, began work writing the Charlotte Learning Collection.
Maria lives in Hertfordshire with her two children and four laying hens. When not writing, she enjoys entertaining family and friends – any excuse to eat, drink and laugh!
The official book launch took place on Saturday 29 April 2023, at The Dugdale Arts Centre, in Enfield.
For further information please visit www.charlottelearningcollection.co.uk
At the book launch, Maria read extracts from the story and signed copies for individuals.
We asked Maria questions
1. Maria what inspired you to start writing children’s stories about life values?
My inspiration is that writing these stories, would help encourage children to make right choices, but never to lose hope that if they make a wrong choice, it is not the end but rather the beginning of a positive life change. Inspiring them to do good and nurture the wonderful gift of love within them.
2. How are your stories relatable to children, can you give me an example?
I write stories that most children will experience a similar situation. For example, in Charlotte Learns to Share, she is asked to hand over one of her two sunflower seeds, but this will reduce her chance of winning the sunflower competition, which she has been looking forward to the whole year. Why does she have to share and no one else. All this is causing her to experience different emotions which she will need to process and deal with.
3. How do parents benefit by reading these stories their children?
By reading the stories with their children, it helps parents reinforce the life value being gently taught in the story. It also helps remind parents that with love and patience much can be achieved in guiding and correcting the child, planting good seeds in their hearts and minds.
4. What next can we expect for The Charlotte Learning Collection?
Charlotte will continue learning life values through her adventures. The next book in the collection is Charlotte Learns Not to Follow Wrong which will be available later in the year. All details about the collection and how to purchase the books can be found on www.charlottelearningcollection.co.uk
