The Magic Paintbrush
Purple Cotton Candy Arts,
2014 Early Reader Chapter Book Ages 4-8 Illustrated by Kathrina Iris ISBN-13: 978-1500701598 (CreateSpace-Assigned) ISBN-10: 1500701599 |
For a signed copy, please pay below and email me at [email protected] to let me know who the book is for.
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Alexa’s greatest wish is to paint flowers, trees, or the sky, but she just couldn’t do it right. One night, a magic paintbrush named Picasso grants her three wishes each day.
What wishes will Alexa make? Will all her wishes come true? A magical story which will make your young readers want for me. |
This is the first book trailer I every did! I got carried away and made it too long. I still love it, though. As a video artist, I must learn how to edit and delete parts of my work.
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Awards
The original version of The Magic Paintbrush (online and without the illustration) won the People’s Choice Award in 2011 - #1 in the top 7 knowonder! stories as voted by the readers. Knowonder! is an online children's publication aimed at driving literacy.
The original version of The Magic Paintbrush (online and without the illustration) won the People’s Choice Award in 2011 - #1 in the top 7 knowonder! stories as voted by the readers. Knowonder! is an online children's publication aimed at driving literacy.
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TV Appearances
Tina Macuha of Good Day Sacramento featured my book on March 10, 2018. Here’s the link -
Weekend Book Club (cbslocal.com)
Reviews
TV Appearances
Tina Macuha of Good Day Sacramento featured my book on March 10, 2018. Here’s the link -
Weekend Book Club (cbslocal.com)
Reviews
This was a review written by Kathy Uyen Nguyen from Texas, USA, which was published in Filipino Fiesta (November 28 - December 28, 2014), a Filipino-American newspaper based in Elk Grove.
The Magic Paintbrush by Villa is a genuinely heartwarming story for children of all ages. I had the pleasure of reading Villa’s story when it was originally published online via knowonder!, which won the People’s Choice Award in 2011. Readers will get a chance to meet a magical paintbrush named Picasso who has genie-like powers to grant Alexa, the female protoganist, three wishes per day. Through her lively painting adventures, Alexa discovers the power she has with Picasso by her side and learns the true meaning of goodness and beauty through her artwork.
In this book, Villa captures the essence of childhood joy and innocence, which serves as a simple reminder to all of us who are artists throughout all walks of life (e.g., poets, writers, musicians, etc.). Furthermore, this book taps into our intentions of doing good in the world through the gifts we are given. Not only this, we are oftentimes faced with obstacles or people like Alexa's best friend, Nikki, who can lead us astray. And then again, when things do go awry, this book teaches us that there is always something we can fall back and rely on as therapy, a form of self-healing and self-reflection to find that silver lining, or in this case, "a sun peeking from the clouds," in the darkest moments of our lives. This book can be used as an educational tool for children as it teaches multiple life lessons in which I only mentioned a few here. Really, the interpretations are endless with this book.
As a yoga teacher who teaches children’s yoga, I would say that Villa's book is a great addition to children’s literature because I always incorporate and emphasize the values and themes of peace, loving kindness, goodness, adventure, and play, etc. into the games and stories I tell the kids during yoga classes.
The Magic Paintbrush is written in a clear and concise manner with a simple yet effective storyline for all ages and backgrounds as mentioned earlier. Villa’s childlike and vibrant spirit is captured within the pages of this book, and the storyline is enhanced further by the whimsical and adorable (and equally vibrant) illustrations by Kathrina Iris. Both the storyline and illustrations complement each other well.
To conclude, if you are a parent looking for a good book for your little bookworm, I highly recommend Villa’s book, The Magic Paintbrush.
The Magic Paintbrush is available to purchase online through Createspace and Amazon. If you want a signed copy of the book, you can purchase it on the author’s website - http://christinevilla.weebly.com On her website, she is also selling The Magic Paintbrush t-shirts, notebooks, and necklaces. These are great ideas as gifts or stocking stuffers for your little ones this Christmas season.
About the Author:
An animated storyteller and an artist by nature, Christine L. Villa dabbles in children’s writing, short form poetry, and photography. Her first children story is a DVD entitled The Eskalets. The story follows four American robins from birth to first flight, and includes true-to-life photos, video clips, and music background. An award-winning poet, her haiku and haiga (haiku and artwork) have been published in various international journals and e-books. You can read more of her poetry on her blog http://blossomrain.blogspot.com.
She is the founder and editor of Frameless Sky (http://framelesssky.weebly.com), collaboration of haiku and tanka poets, visual artists, and musicians. The premier issue will be available this December.
When she isn’t writing, one of the things she loves to do is making jewelry. Her unique products are available to purchase on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/PurpleCottonCandy
The Magic Paintbrush by Villa is a genuinely heartwarming story for children of all ages. I had the pleasure of reading Villa’s story when it was originally published online via knowonder!, which won the People’s Choice Award in 2011. Readers will get a chance to meet a magical paintbrush named Picasso who has genie-like powers to grant Alexa, the female protoganist, three wishes per day. Through her lively painting adventures, Alexa discovers the power she has with Picasso by her side and learns the true meaning of goodness and beauty through her artwork.
In this book, Villa captures the essence of childhood joy and innocence, which serves as a simple reminder to all of us who are artists throughout all walks of life (e.g., poets, writers, musicians, etc.). Furthermore, this book taps into our intentions of doing good in the world through the gifts we are given. Not only this, we are oftentimes faced with obstacles or people like Alexa's best friend, Nikki, who can lead us astray. And then again, when things do go awry, this book teaches us that there is always something we can fall back and rely on as therapy, a form of self-healing and self-reflection to find that silver lining, or in this case, "a sun peeking from the clouds," in the darkest moments of our lives. This book can be used as an educational tool for children as it teaches multiple life lessons in which I only mentioned a few here. Really, the interpretations are endless with this book.
As a yoga teacher who teaches children’s yoga, I would say that Villa's book is a great addition to children’s literature because I always incorporate and emphasize the values and themes of peace, loving kindness, goodness, adventure, and play, etc. into the games and stories I tell the kids during yoga classes.
The Magic Paintbrush is written in a clear and concise manner with a simple yet effective storyline for all ages and backgrounds as mentioned earlier. Villa’s childlike and vibrant spirit is captured within the pages of this book, and the storyline is enhanced further by the whimsical and adorable (and equally vibrant) illustrations by Kathrina Iris. Both the storyline and illustrations complement each other well.
To conclude, if you are a parent looking for a good book for your little bookworm, I highly recommend Villa’s book, The Magic Paintbrush.
The Magic Paintbrush is available to purchase online through Createspace and Amazon. If you want a signed copy of the book, you can purchase it on the author’s website - http://christinevilla.weebly.com On her website, she is also selling The Magic Paintbrush t-shirts, notebooks, and necklaces. These are great ideas as gifts or stocking stuffers for your little ones this Christmas season.
About the Author:
An animated storyteller and an artist by nature, Christine L. Villa dabbles in children’s writing, short form poetry, and photography. Her first children story is a DVD entitled The Eskalets. The story follows four American robins from birth to first flight, and includes true-to-life photos, video clips, and music background. An award-winning poet, her haiku and haiga (haiku and artwork) have been published in various international journals and e-books. You can read more of her poetry on her blog http://blossomrain.blogspot.com.
She is the founder and editor of Frameless Sky (http://framelesssky.weebly.com), collaboration of haiku and tanka poets, visual artists, and musicians. The premier issue will be available this December.
When she isn’t writing, one of the things she loves to do is making jewelry. Her unique products are available to purchase on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/PurpleCottonCandy
Love this book! My daughter got the book as a gift while going through her first round of chemo. She adores it!! Can't wait to read more from Chrissi. (Christine Thompson, Manager of Piercing Instincts, CA)
Love this book! So much fun for the kids. (Ashley Lynn Schroeder-Vega, CA)
Hundreds of stories for children deal with the elements of magic and dream worlds-- and yet, children can't have enough of such stories. The Magic Paintbrush by Christine L. Villa is a welcome addition to this treasure trove because it reminds us that the most heartfelt wishes can only be rooted in goodness and generosity. (Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad, author & professor on Children's Literature, University of the Philippines, Philippines)
Christine L. Villa’s tale about a whimsical little painter will enchant young readers with its mix of innocent pranks and magic. (Marivi Soliven, author of The Mango Bride, California)
Delightful! Not only is it imaginative, but it also touches the heart with a beautiful life lesson! (Vinnie Mendiola, programmer for IT, Guam)
Enchanted by this magical story, children will be rushing to try out their own paint boxes. (Maureen Sudlow, author and poet, New Zealand)
Very sweet and heart-warming! Adorable illustrations! (Janella Malazarte, eLearning Specialist, Canada)
One of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. Children will surely enjoy this book. (Charlotte Galfano, retired nurse from Shriners Hospital for Children, California)
Fantastic story full of imagination and charm! (Dena Wetlaufer, mother and businesswoman, Iowa)
I like the part where the girl got more jelly and I like the paint brush and the little girls. I love it! Thank you for letting us read it. (Addy Goshay, four-year old ballerina, daughter of Mary Hohlman, California)
Love this book! So much fun for the kids. (Ashley Lynn Schroeder-Vega, CA)
Hundreds of stories for children deal with the elements of magic and dream worlds-- and yet, children can't have enough of such stories. The Magic Paintbrush by Christine L. Villa is a welcome addition to this treasure trove because it reminds us that the most heartfelt wishes can only be rooted in goodness and generosity. (Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad, author & professor on Children's Literature, University of the Philippines, Philippines)
Christine L. Villa’s tale about a whimsical little painter will enchant young readers with its mix of innocent pranks and magic. (Marivi Soliven, author of The Mango Bride, California)
Delightful! Not only is it imaginative, but it also touches the heart with a beautiful life lesson! (Vinnie Mendiola, programmer for IT, Guam)
Enchanted by this magical story, children will be rushing to try out their own paint boxes. (Maureen Sudlow, author and poet, New Zealand)
Very sweet and heart-warming! Adorable illustrations! (Janella Malazarte, eLearning Specialist, Canada)
One of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. Children will surely enjoy this book. (Charlotte Galfano, retired nurse from Shriners Hospital for Children, California)
Fantastic story full of imagination and charm! (Dena Wetlaufer, mother and businesswoman, Iowa)
I like the part where the girl got more jelly and I like the paint brush and the little girls. I love it! Thank you for letting us read it. (Addy Goshay, four-year old ballerina, daughter of Mary Hohlman, California)
Let's keep in touch! Contact me at [email protected].