SHELLY SISKIND ~ AUTHOR
I have dedicated my life to my family, building a career, improving my community and helping to empower those in need.
I am an Advocate, a Leader, a Teacher and an Author.
As a Community Leader, as a Board Member, Mental Health Advocate, National Block Parent Co-Chair or Educator, 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 communicating with each other in fun and creative ways. I had recently co-authored my first book, Uncharted Corners of Consciousness (a Guidebook for Personal and Spiritual Growth), and soon began to understand the power of my children’s poetry.
After writing 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 soon expanded, becoming Grandma to Isaiah, Benjamin, Owen, Jonah, Maya, Ava, and Evan. My Marvellous Muses provide so much inspiration for my writing. These poems were written for them - and reflect our treasured times together. They are my Magnificent 7 - stretching my heart and tickling my creativity.
And then.... along came ‘Magnificent Mimi’.
Now as a grandmother, I found myself experiencing my poems more as stories: happenings seen through the eyes of this confident, adventurous, inquisitive and loving 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 and Imagination - inspiring young girls and boys: encouraging them to ask their own questions, have great life experiences and adventures – and become ‘Magnificent’ in their own, special ways.
These works are dedicated to my playful husband Bob, my three loving children: Cathy, Michael and Heather, their devoted partners: Rob, Lissa and Josh, and my seven 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.
