Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Interview with Children's Book Author Helen Hipp @rosiethepinkhippo


Approaching life with excitement and energy, Helen works hard to help people achieve exuberance! Born in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1959, Helen is the middle child of five. Her father, whose work demanded strong problem-solving skills and mother whose interest in art, provided Helen with endless opportunities to look at things from different perspectives.

Today, Helen continues to take advantage of an imaginative mindset that creates opportunities out of obstacles. A concept she fostered in her children, one of whom has special needs. As Helen explored career opportunities, she connected her personal experiences (parenting a child with special needs) with her beliefs, professional skills, and aspirations.

Helen received her M.A. in counseling and began her career as a psychotherapist to help people find answers for their life problems. Her work eventually evolved into a coaching practice, WithinU Life Coaching, focusing on helping individuals with special needs reveal their innate ability to solve difficult situations. Inspiration and fun, is Helen’s motivation and her life’s fuel.

Helen explains her enthusiasm as, “each day is an opportunity, waiting to be shaped and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.”

Helen has authored articles for Family Works and Washington Family Magazine and written multiple self-help articles published by ezine.com where she is viewed as an expert in her field. 

In addition to her work, Helen has written two children’s books creating a very effective way to motivate kids of all ages to meet their challenges with self-acceptance, confidence and understanding.
Her debut children’s book, A Different Kind of Safari, released in 2013 addresses the many questions life asks by offering up lighthearted, ever-changing perspectives that transform personal challenges into opportunities. Once again, the engaging safari family led by Rosie the Pink Hippo inspire, and help you see your life differently in her new book, Rosie and Friends Positively Different. With a cast characters experiencing real-life issues, her books provide children with the opportunity to identify, understand and feel supported by the characters handling of similar fears, interests, and concerns.

Rosie and Friends Helping Children to Understand That Their Uniqueness Is Not a Weakness.

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About the Book:

Embark on a new safari with Hornsby the rhino as he comes face-to-face with losing his sense of
belonging. No longer accepted by his herd, Hornsby searches for companionship. With the help of his new buddies, Hornsby learns that his life is one of a kind, and that spreading his kindness is a good way to make new friends!

ORDER YOUR COPY:

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Thanks for this interview, Helen. I’ve always wanted to write children’s books. When did you determine that writing for children was for you?

It really was not a personal decision to write but a was a string of events that led to my writing of children’s books. My debut book A Different Kind of Safari released in 2013 was really just a story that I needed to tell, about my family’s own experience while on safari in Africa. I didn’t really intend to become a children’s book author. I knew, though, that the real-life lessons learned by my son, were both significant and relatable to other children with special needs and their parents. Publishing it was something I really did in the hopes of reaching out to and helping others.

The popularity of A Different Kind of Safari, recognized as one of the top ten autism books by Special Needs Book Review in 2015, feedback and reviews enthusiastic from readers, and a growing fan base endeared to the main character, Rosie the Hippo made the writing of the Rosie Adventure Series a natural progression.

The first book in that series, Rosie and Friends Positively Different released in 2016. And now with the 2017 release of Rosie and Friends One-Of-A-Kindness my career as an author of children’s books is well underway.
 
What was the inspiration behind your children’s book, Rosie and Friends One-Of-A-Kindness?

The main character TLC (known as the tender loving crocodile) was inspired by my father who was a wise man. The lesson of kindness he left me to pass on in this story is that kindness is a key. A key that when found and used correctly will help anyone see the value of being kind to oneself and to others.

How do you get into the mind of a child to create a fun reading experience?  Are you around kids?  Are you a kid at heart?

I guess you can say I am a child at heart, and yes, I am lucky enough to have young children around reminding me of life’s simple pleasures.

Nothing like children to keep your heart young!

What was your favorite book as a child?

Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” is a book full of inspiring colorful monsters which I liked but I also liked “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey and “Angels on Horseback” written by Norman Thelwell. Simple yet compelling relationships brought the muted characters to life for me because they were relatable and believe it or not, I continue to enjoy all of these books immensely.

What kind of advice would you give writers who would like to write children’s books?

Do what you love and love what you do? My words may sound hokey, but I truly believe the life of a story comes from a passion, not the ink of a pen.

What are your goals for the future? More children’s books?

For now, yes there are more books to write, but as far what the future holds, your guess is as good as mine.

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