SHELLY SISKIND ~ Author, Teacher, Advocate, Leader
I have dedicated my life to raising my family, building a career, improving my community and helping to empower those in need.
As a Community Leader, Mental Health Advocate, National Block Parent Co-Chair or active Board Member, my focus has consistently been on the betterment of conditions for children and their families.
As a Mother, I have always been inspired by the innocence and wonder in which kids view their surroundings. I loved to watch the world as it burst through the eyes of my own children - and started to write poems and stories that captured the magic of those moments and memories.
I am a lover of life and endeavour to inspire kids and parents alike to enjoy connecting with each other in fun and creative ways. After I had co-authored my first book, Uncharted Corners of Consciousness (a Guidebook for Personal and Spiritual Growth), I soon began to understand the power of the poetry I was writing for children.
With hundreds of poems, I had many thematically linked collections: Feelings, Pretending, Creepy Crawlies, Animals and Environment. Whether Dinosaurs or Snails, Raccoons or Butterflies, all my characters are sparked by the everyday experiences of the very young – and the young at heart.
My own universe expanded gloriously when I became Grandma to Isaiah, Benjamin, Owen, Jonah, Maya, Ava, and Evan. My Marvellous Muses provide so much inspiration for my writing. These poems were all written for them, reflecting our treasured times together. They are my Magnificent 7: stretching my heart and tickling my creativity.
And then.... along came ‘Magnificent Mimi’.
As a grandmother, I found myself experiencing my poems more as stories: happenings seen through the eyes of a confident, curious and adventurous young girl. Magnificent Mimi quickly blossomed into the proud personification and loving combination of ALL these little humans I hold so dear. Mimi believes that the voices of children are important, and need to be heard, respected and amplified.
Mimi leads us through her Limitless World of Wonder, Magic, Curiosity and Imagination - inspiring young girls and boys alike. She encourages them to ask their own questions, have great life experiences, go on exciting little adventures – and become ‘Magnificent’ in their own, special ways.
These works are dedicated to my devoted husband Bob, my three loving children: Cathy, Michael and Heather, their dedicated partners: Rob, Lissa and Josh, and my 7 inspirational grandchildren.
Gratitude to Nancy Weisler, Collaborator, and Joe Brooks, Illustrator - without whom Mimi would have remained a one-dimensional character, living within the notes of my journal..
Written with affection and adoration to all children - and for those who love them absolutely and unconditionally.
