Children's Book Author Interview: Maria J. Andrade, author of 'Youngen Finds Her Song: An Inspiring Adventure From the Heart of Nature'

Maria J. Andrade is an author and licensed Marriage, Family Therapist. She has been writing books for children and adults on the themes of love, relationship, and earth stewardship, for over twenty years. Her novel based on a true story about three women’s lifelong friendship, Defiance and Redemption was recently published.

She believes peace in the world, begins under our own roof. Therefore, she wrote, Heart Magic, Keeping Love Alive & Well, a small guidebook for individuals to help them succeed in healthy, long-lasting relationships. These books are available in Spanish.

Her five books for children, including the eco-social book, Youngen Finds Her Song is an important and hopeful book for families to read together during these challenging times. It has been loved and enjoyed by children, parents, grandparents, and teachers across America.

You can visit her website at www.booksasfriends.com and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and LinkedIn.

About the Book:

A young thrush named Youngen is having trouble finding her song. As she spends time with her friends who have beautiful feathers and nicer nests than her own, she starts to doubt herself and her parents. Rufus, a wise old owl, notices her discomfort and decides to take her on a journey to learn about the world.

As she travels with Rufus, she learns many things about the animals in the forest and about Humans – those strange animals that make war with each other, but also build magnificent cities. And she learns that Humans can also be loving and compassionate, when she finds her own life in danger. As Youngen learns about herself and the world around her, she spontaneously bursts into song – her own unique and very beautiful song.

Author Maria J. Andrade has written a sweet novel of a young bird coming of age. She shares tidbits of wisdom about animal life and their habits along the way, to educate while telling her story. Respect for the earth and all animal and plant life is demonstrated through Youngen’s words and actions. An uplifting book with a positive and timely message.  Youngen Finds Her Song is a delight to read!

 —Alice Berger, Berger’s Book Reviews

Book Information

Release Date: October 7, 2008

Publisher:  Clara Publishing

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-0970634733; 108 pages; $29.59, Hardcover $12.01; E-Book, $7.99

Book Website: https://booksasfriends.com/books/

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B2Xmme  

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

I started out my career as a Marriage, Family, Child Therapist. I specialized in working with children. I  used the sand tray play method, stories, music, and poetry, to help children feel at ease in the therapy setting.  As the years went by, children showed me that there were many topics they were interested in and I found myself having a conversation with young people through the writing of stories. Often these stories focused on humor, the topics of friendship, and the wonders of the natural world around us.  I saw children responding to my stories so I decided to make them public for other children as well. It is such a delight when I am invited to a school to read one of my stories and I see and hear the children's reactions. I have written five children's books so far.

What was the inspiration behind your children's fiction, Youngen Finds Her Song?        

There is a lot of negativity that children are exposed to in the modern world. So I wanted to write a story that had hope and laughter in it and contained all the wonderful things we can be grateful for in our lives. This includes family, friends, community, the beauty and generosity of nature and the world ofSpirit which is in all that lives. So I wrote a book about a small, female, bird called, "Youngen" who has little self-confidence and doesn't appreciate herself or her family and I placed her on a fabulous, fun, filled, adventure to find her unique song. Actually, she discovers more than her song on this journey but it is her caretaker, an old owl, named, "Rufus" who suggests she start this adventure with him.     

 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 mentioned that I specialized in counseling children but I am definitely a kid at heart. I had three children of my own by the time I was twenty-two. I had a lot of fun with them because I was young myself. Now, I have five grandchildren but I love being around children of all ages. I write for young people from ages five to eighteen.    

What was your favorite book as a child?

Depends what age you are talking about. I loved limericks and poetry as a kid. I also loved the Mary Poppins books. When I was very young the first book I read is one I never forgot. It was, Ben (The life of Benjamin Franklin as told by the mouse who lived in his house). As I got older I also loved The Wind In the Willows, and later, Moby Dick. Its hard to pick one book!

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

Think of a story that you think children would enjoy and that would help them grow by reading. Even if it is a topic others have written about you can write it in your own unique style.What are your goals for the future?  More children's books?I have written a story based on a lullaby I wrote. The story will include the lullaby in the QR code in the cover of the book. So children can see the story and hear the song by scanning the code! I hope it will be published in 2023.