Q: First tell us something about yourself.
Hello, my name is Cherese “Talena Skye” Bracey” I am an Early Childhood Teacher, Song Writer, Voice Over Artist and Author. I have been an educator for many years. My years in early childhood education inspired me to create an early learning reading enrichment program. My mission is to help children fall in love with reading, by making books their friends.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I always had a love for making children laugh while teaching them valuable life lessons. I began my literacy club in the early 2000’s to give quality storybooks to children and fun story time adventures in programs who served disadvantaged children who needed our services the most.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not? I decided to write my first children’s book “Story Time Friends” in 2010. Story Time Friends is a reading crew series featuring main characters “Reesie Reader & Bookie that loves storytime.
Q: Tell us something more about your books.
The characters from the Reesie Reader & Bookie series, embark on imaginative reading journeys, while encountering life lessons from bullying and compassion in “Story Time Friends”, to taking care of books in “The Case of the Withering Books and learning about entrepreneurship in “Reesie Reader Little Entrepreneur.” These previous works are published and online with new revised editions and extra story additions coming soon.
Q: Why do you choose kids as your reader?
I love to write books for any age however, children are my favorite audience. When something I write brings laughter and a smile to their faces, it’s a joy that fills my heart knowing that they love something I wrote for their enjoyment.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
The character Reesie Reader was created from my love for reading as a child, and developed into a nickname for me. Bookie is her little book character who is the King of book world, and story time adventure buddy. Most characters are inspired from teaching times playful learning experiences while teaching. My mom would read to me all the time and when I was 2 years old, she told me she would change up my favorite story “Cinderella” to see if I would know the difference. I would happily correct her each time. She explained that fun storytimes made me creative when learning to read. Today, I teach children that reading is food for their brains, and sparks creativity.
I want parents of young children to know, no matter how much you read your child’s favorite book, you are helping their brains grow in creativity. There is no such thing as reading a book too many times. Reading is a wonderful pastime for children and an imaginative world away from their own.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
My new book “Farm Animals Turn Up!” is about a happy farm of animals who love music and dancing so they planned a surprise party for themselves and friends, when the farmer was away.
My first voice-over project is the new song I wrote for this book-“Farmer Fred’s Farm Turn Up!” Both the song and book can be found on Amazon and online, where books and music are sold. Also, check out my program’s song titled “Story Time Friends” to promote reading.
Find time daily to read to your child…Reading Reaps Rewards Early Childhood Enrichment.
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