Honored for Excellence by the Mom's Choice Awards
A thought-provoking tale of the journey of a royal palm born on a tiny island surrounded by mysterious waters. This tender story explores the world of someone wrapped up in herself. Protected by her cousins, the short plain palms, the royal palm grew up beautiful, but very self-centered. Dreaming about life outside the island, she did not bother with her friends, who lived as one big family. Immersed in her own beauty, she only cared for herself, until one day a hurricane struck the tiny island. Then the royal p lam discovered the true meaning of family and real friendship. Inspiring story with valuable lessons to be learned and shared.
An award-winning author, Olga D'Agostino (known as Mrs. D.), grew up on a farm by the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine, surrounded by nature. Her childhood featured an imaginary world that she filled with characters from books she read. In 1992 she and her two small daughters immigrated to the United States. In 2011 she pursued a career as a writer, focusing on children's books that provide valuable lessons. Two of her books, The Trees Have Hearts and Good Morning, World! have won a Mom's Choice Award. She is a member of SCBWI, speaks many languages, loves reading, writing, gardening, and traveling. Her books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular e-devices. For additional information, please visit her sites www.mrsdbooks.net or www.mrsdbooks.com.
The Story Behind This Book
The gate opened suddenly, and the gardeners brought a bunch of new trees into the garden. A stunning silver palm drew my attention immediately. Intriguing and mysterious, the slim tree was leaning against the brick wall, waiting penitently for her turn. There was something captivating and beautiful about this gorgeous specimen, something familiar—something I already knew and relived, something I experienced when I was uprooted from my native land. Some sad and happy memories were connecting me to this exquisite newcomer. Maybe it was nostalgia for the past, sympathy for my dead dreams, lost happiness and friends, fears and guilt, and excitement for the new beginning. Watching the gardeners planting the silent palm into the warm soil, I felt as if it was me, once again, reliving my ordeal and following my uncertain destiny. The quiet palm trembled in the wind, slowly unfolding green leaves, reaching toward the sun, which was bathing her elegant body. She shyly hid her green crown between other trees in the garden, as if she was unsure of her own choice, frightened of her future and of what her life would be like inside this glorious garden.
