There are many topics that seem complex for children to cope with and yet, need to be discussed in an age-appropriate way. Adoption is a particularly important theme, which needs to be talked about with kids, and a book like the charming Mirror, Mirror by Zena Steele, is a perfect option for families to tackle the topic of adoption.
Mirror, Mirror is a sweet, beautifully illustrated tale that can suit a wide range of ages for kids and can also be enjoyed by adults who will find a lot of value in the story and the accompanying drawings. It’s a charming tale for all ages and comes from the mind (and the pen) of a pre-Kindergarten teacher who knows exactly how to talk to kids about tough subjects or complex experiences.
Mirror, Mirror is the story about a young girl who begins to compare herself to her family in regards to her traits, like her hair or eye color. When she learns about inherited traits, little Elysia begins to ask questions and wonders about how her traits and those of her family match and don’t match. Through this little journey, beginning with a simple question, Elysia will discover a lot about herself and her family. In particular, she will learn that being part of a family is not just looking like someone. It is so much more than that.
The book centers on the journey of Elysia, a beautiful, smart girl who loves going in search of adventures. Her hair and eyes are brown, and she is six. This is a relatable and fun character to follow, and her experiences become more engaging for the readers. Elysia is a character who feels real, possibly thanks to Ms. Steele’s experiences working with children.
You can find the book Mirror, Mirror available on Amazon:
In addition to an important, sweet, and simple story, hiding a lot of depth, the readers can enjoy the beautiful illustrations that make Elysia and the other characters come to life.
For Zena Steele, the story is very personal and meaningful, and it shines through in the empathy she has for her characters and how deeply she wants to share the ideas about family and adoption. With centered values, this is a read that is sure to please kids between five and ten years of age and their families. It can be a good option to understand adoption and discuss the topic of family, in addition to this, it touches on other useful ideas, such as inherited traits. But beyond this, the story is personal, vulnerable, and resonates with the readers.
The book is a great read to introduce the topic of adoption or to enjoy a story with a lot of sweetness, charm, and family values, offering gorgeous, detailed illustrations and a pleasant tale that families can have fun with together. The book can spark a conversation about what family is and isn’t, introduce the topic of adoption, and provide a heartwarming story for a cozy evening.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Zena Steele. Here are the excerpts from the interview.
Hi Zena, Great to have you with us today! Please share with our readers about your journey.
Hello! I am currently a Pre-Kindergarten teacher in New York. My book is called Mirror, Mirror, and it was written while I was taking a Childhood Literacy course in college. It is about a young girl who begins to compare herself to her family when learning about inherited traits during a conversation on the school playground. She begins to question who she may look like and learns not only who she looks like but that family is more than just physical characteristics.
Please tell us more about your book, Mirror, Mirror.
This is my first published book, and it is something I held close to my heart because of my own journey with adoption. I wanted to hold on to the book until I was reunited with my own birth daughter. After safekeeping my book, my husband encouraged me to publish it. His faith in me is what truly led me to believe in myself, and here we are!
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
When I wrote this book, it was something that I could relate to with my own personal journey. I was also able to think about the journey that families who adopt and their children may face when discussing their life stories. It was my hope to create a story that could be used for families that are going through their own adoption journey, or for other readers to begin to understand how to talk about adoption.
Any message for our readers?
I would say take a try at writing something. It’s therapeutic, and who knows, you can create something that will connect to readers worldwide!
Fantastic! So tell us, how can people find out more about you?
You can check out my author page at SthenoType.com or follow me on Instagram @zee_marie_crafts.
Thank you so much, Zena, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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