The Falco Family Closes Trilogy With Guidance in Making Choices by Children...

Starabella: 

Welcome to a Bright New World

A Narrated Story with Music - Final Story in Trilogy

The final story is perhaps the most important - but then again - our lives are formed right from the first day we are born... Starabella was a little special star born to a loving family. Her family never knew until she was 21 exactly why she was special...

So there was never any thought about having her attend school with all the other children...

"Starry wished so much that she could have a friend to
play with. Not knowing she could be heard, she sang
out to the other children:
"Believe in Me
"Starry stepped out into the classroom with the help
of her new friend.
"Tomiko and Starry beamed as they saw the circle of
smiling faces around them.
~~~

At first she was excited, and when her mother took her to meet her new teacher Miss Maradise, she thought she was very nice! 

And wait until you meet her new schoolmates:

Emilio, Josh, Tomiko, Jeremy, Julian, Elizabeth, Malia, Zandrina, and Lifisha...

They all began to play and have fun but after a while, Starabella was beginning to be uncertain... afraid...would they play with her?

Now, if you've already read books 1 and 2, you'll know that when Starabella wasn't sure what to do, she would start humming or singing...

What About Me?

The children had called her a baby because she couldn't understand some of the instructions said while others were talking. So, wisely, Miss Maradise took immediate action to help the children learn!

And readers are invited to participate in a game of questions and answers which involve a "magic mirror!"

The key thing about these books, for me, was that they are able to show that all children across the world need to learn to interact with others, even the bullies! Pictures of children are illustrated over and over and take part in helping children to learn about children with any type of special needs, children of other nationalities, children who need to learn how to interact with others, and most of all for them to understand and empathize with the feelings of others with whom they interact.

I loved the inclusion of a little boy--see him in the back with the hat? Readers never do see who that little boy is, but for whatever reason, he chose to always hide his face, even when he began to be able to play with the other children...

There are other lessons to be learned--and sometimes, we adults, may learn new things by helping our children read and listen to these books. This trilogy may be centered on a little girl whose special need was autism...but the books are just as important to help us learn acceptance of all others with whom we might have to interact.

And when they are bullies, we learn not to be afraid to speak out against what that bully is doing!

Now the mechanics of this book:

The CDs are exceptionally well done so that it's almost like watching television--but they are teaching reading, songs to sing and so much more! I plan to pass my copies on to my niece who is a special needs administrator, for her use as well as to share with her son! The vocalists and musicians are wonderful, as is the narration. It is well articulated, slow and easily understood. I've included some of the internal pictures so that you realize that the front covers are just the beginning of the fantastic art work in these books. Even the stars in Starabella's eyes are not there alllll the time! The whole presentation has been created to be entertaining and fun for the readers, even while they are learning so much! Kudos to all that were involved!

Yes, not only highly recommended in general,for all children; but some families should consider them must-reads!

GABixlerReviews

Dana Falco 
Vocalist/Composer
Lyricist/Narrator
Associate Producer

Tara Falco 
Composer/Lyricist
Pianist/Keyboardist

Marvin Falco
Publisher/Significant Contributor

Sharon Falco

Author/Producer
Lyricist
Character Wardrobe Designer

 Illustrated by Anton Petrov
 CD recording by Joe Vulpis, AP Music, Inc.

 And a Cast of Others!

 Note: I tried to figure out how to get a sample of the music...the following is as close as I could get. Look for it on the link! 

Click Play Button to hear a sample of this track

A New Beginning 00:30 

Performing Artist: Dana and Tara Fialco
Composer/Songwriter: Dana and Tara Fialco
Artist's WebSite: http://starabella.com/
This Track is Licensed: Copyright Protected

http://11radio.com/archives/4100

Or Check out Web Site

Second in Trilogy by the Falco Family Provides Guidance in Emotional Situations for Children~

Best Books Award Finalist by USA Book News
Benjamin Franklin Finalist Award by Independent Book Publishers Association

Starabella:

New Adventure and
  Mixed Emotions

By Sharon, Tara, and Dana Fialco

Illustrated by Anton Petrov

Recorded by Joe Vulpis

Imagine as a child that first big event you experienced--for Starabella that was the circus! The Music, The Clowns, The Animals... Starabella loved the trapeze artists best and she began to imagine what it would be like to fly through the air! She was thinking so hard that all of the other noises and activities got in her way and she began to feel sad...then bad...

But when they left and went home, Starabella could begin to remember how she was so overwhelmed with everything at the circus. She started laughing and ran through the house--Laughing, Laughing, Laughing!

So much that her parents began to worry about her. Finally though, her mother shouted to ask her why she was laughing...Her response was that she didn't know!

Finally, she was able to play the piano to express her feelings...

Starabella was not diagnosed with autism until she was 21. Fortunately, she had discovered a way to help share her feelings through her piano.

Book 2 in this trilogy shares about the first time that Starabella had gone to a big outside event. It brought so many feelings to her that she was overwhelmed! 

I personally believe, though, that all of us, including children, get overwhelmed at times, and this book helps us deal with our emotions at that time!

A special note that all of these books include a diverse group of people of different races which provides further ability to discuss social issues as children are experiencing new things.

This book really allowed the impact of the accompanying CD to be made. Not only do we read about the circus, we hear all the sounds, the music, the vendors shouting...

And then we can also hear the various emotions that are shared when Starabella had so many mixed feelings that she had to stop and experience them one at a time, maybe twice, until she began to get back to her normal daily events.

But then another event occurred and almost the same thing happened! Starabella was so involved in climbing a ladder that she moved too fast and away from her mother! That time, she needed help to get back down! Wow! She had become so intent on reaching the top that the danger of her actions were not even considered...

And sometimes any child may have that happen, so these were all good lessons to be shared and discussed with children... It's always important to be extra careful when something new is introduced, isn't it?

I think your child is going to be just as excited to read about Starabella's adventures, especially when she can hear the sounds and even learn some new songs!

Here's a part of a song that I especially liked!

Trapeze artists Kia and Lindsay at Circus Smirkus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ta-Da!

Ta-da; Ta-do!

When you're feelin' scared
inside and don't know why
When you feel like you may
event want to cry
All you have to do is give it
your best try
Then throw your hands up
to the sky and shout, Ta-Da!
~~~

Highly Recommended! Look for reviews for Books 1 and 3 as well!

GABixlerReviews!

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