Mrs.D. Olga Dagostino

Mrs.D. Olga Dagostino

About

Mrs. D. (Olga D’Agostino), award-winnig children's author, grew up in western Ukraine as the daughter of a forest ranger. Inspired by the beauty of nature, she loved to write stories and poems in her native language and dreamed of becoming a writer. She finished Lviv business college and in 1992 immigrated to the United States with her two small daughters. In 2011 she started to pursue her childhood dreams, among them writing books for children. She is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), speaks several languages fluently, and loves reading, writing, gardening, and traveling. She lives in Smithville, New Jersey, with her husband, Patrick, and an adventurous cat named Nyda. Her books are available in print on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and as e-books for most popular e-devices. For updates on Mrs. D.’s books, please visit her websites: www.mrsdbooks.net

Through the Eyes of Maria: Choices

Through the Eyes of Maria: Choices

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Description

<p>Maria hits the streets of New York in search of the love denied by her alcoholic father and indifferent mother. When Sergio, a dark, worldly stranger, lures her with diamonds, brand-name clothing, and undivided attention, Maria sees a way out of her dysfunctional home. Seduced by Sergio’s charm and the promise of wealth and recognition, Maria ignores her panicked intuition and wanders into his lair.<br /><br />But in a world where ambition and deception go hand in hand, where dreams are shattered and innocence crushed, Maria discovers she’s trapped in a hell much worse than the one she left. And now, there is no escape. The price for betrayal is blood.<br /><br />Destiny intervenes when Maria meets Christian, a handsome law student haunted by a dark family secret. With her life at risk and time running out, will Maria find the strength to save herself and convince Christian to go against all reason and risk everything to help her?</p>

Story Behind The Book

Critics often criticize children’s books that do not have happy endings. Good Morning, World!, my award-winning book, falls into this category. It almost landed me on the “Grandpa’s Hit List” because I made the character of the grandpa slightly grumpy and negative. This story takes the reader to the park, where Grandpa and his little grandson are taking a walk one fine morning. The day was hot, and Grandpa did not enjoy the outdoors as much as Baby Thomas did. Every little thing that amused Baby Thomas bothered grouchy Grandpa. Obviously, Grandpa woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. However, his little grandson had a wonderful time, while collecting “good mornings,” meeting people, animals, birds, and other creatures in the park. Baby Thomas looked at the world through the eyes of an innocent child. Beautiful examples to all of us: Open your eyes and celebrate each moment! The world has so much to offer; we just must look for it as children do. Grandpa, on the other hand, did not share the baby’s happy attitude. He did not like the hot sun baking him like a cupcake. His negative disposition robbed him of the fun his grandson enjoyed so much. Sometimes we grown-ups fail to see the beauty this world has to offer. Often, I am as guilty as Grandpa.

Reviews

<p><strong><span style="font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite</span></strong><br style="padding:0px;font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><br style="padding:0px;font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><span style="font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">Good Morning, World! by the mysterious Mrs. D, is a classic children's book. The illustrations were rendered superbly, in brilliant and vivid colors, by Eladziem. This is not another “A-B-C” book, or “1-2-3” learner. In fact, what this book teaches best is reading! I find it noteworthy that the text seems geared to an older audience than do the illustrations. That arrangement is ideal for when an older sibling wants to read to “the baby”. Mrs. D. has crafted a superb children’s book in Good Morning, World! </span><br style="padding:0px;font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><br style="padding:0px;font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><span style="font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">The entire story revolves around Baby Thomas being pushed in his stroller by his grandfather through the local park. Baby Thomas is a very cheery, happy little boy, who shouts out a “Good Morning” to everything he sees, including the sun and clouds, trees and flowers, frogs and lizards, birds and puppies, joggers and mommies. Meanwhile, Grandpa is a disgraceful excuse for a grandfather. Rather than cherish time with his young grandson, he gripes about everything, even to the point of griping about things that aren’t even happening, such as the imaginary crocodiles sunning themselves along the trail! </span><br style="padding:0px;font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><br style="padding:0px;font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" /><span style="font-family:Tahoma, Arial;font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);">This book provides an exceptional opportunity for teaching children about attitudes and the choice each of us has to be happy or dismal. The vibrant, compelling illustrations perfectly complement this story, providing much opportunity for teaching numerous other facts, such as having the child find the frog, or the sun, or the flowers, or the ladybugs. Mrs. D. and Eladziem work very well together, in producing an all-around great story book for stimulating young brains and teaching them concepts.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Good Morning,World! is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. </strong>The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. <br /><br /> Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling Author and; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. </p> <p><span style="line-height:1.6em;">It gives us great pleasure to inform you that the item below has been named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height:1.6em;">Item / Award Description:</span></p> <p><span style="line-height:1.6em;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1457521547/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=1457521547&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=wwwmomschoice-20" style="line-height:1.6em;">Good Morning, World! </a></p> <p>by Mrs. D.<br /> Illustrated by Eladziem<br /> Dog Ear Publishing<br /> Juvenile Level 1 (Ages 5 – 8) Books: Fiction – General<span style="line-height:1.6em;">Silver</span></p>