I want kids to read, write and draw again.

From my most recent talk radio interview

SUBJECT: Kids should read, write and draw

LEAD IN: Kids need to explore their creativity, stretch their imaginations, and express themselves through their fantasies. Not sit and play mindless video games.

Discussion Topic

“No young child dreams of working in a dead end job for the rest of their lives. They dream of being pirates, princes and princesses. They wonder what it would be like to be a cowboy on the open range, an astronaut landing on a new and strange world, a ballerina dancing on stage in front of an adoring audience. Children have fantasies. Adults have fantasies. There are times to dwell in fantasy. There are times to deal with the harsh realities of life. Through the expression or announcement of one’s fantasies, one learns a great deal about a person and where they are heading; where they would like to go. Reality can be depressing. It can cause one to build walls to hide behind. It can steal the dream in your heart. Through fantasy, we can escape and live different lives. If done properly and with adequate perspective, the short escapes into fantasy allows us to deal more responsibly with the normal issues, like the angry boss, the bad hair days, the bully in the school yard,” says Simone.

“Reading, writing and drawing are wonderful ways to escape the madness of everyday life. It is through these activities we can often see possibilities for ourselves that may otherwise be hidden during the boring and uneventful routines of daily life. In our mind’s eye, other things are possible. There is hope, there are wishes and there are brighter things beyond the darkness. A child possesses a very unique aspect on fantasy. They are not yet constrained by a job they despise, by the stresses of a mortgage, or by that unappreciative mate. They are free to let their minds fly where it will; without limits,” continues Simone.

“For a child, all things are possible. They have no reality to deal with. I think it is critical that a child be encouraged to express themselves openly and unabashed. It is often through these fantasy expressions that we learn what is truly in the heart of a child; what makes them happy, afraid, and concerned. These days it is so easy for a child to escape into video games, or listening to music through headphones; separating themselves from the world around them. They are not required to express their likes or dislikes. For the parents it is any easy out for them to not have to deal with their child’s issues. Put them in front of a high definition television with surround sound and blu-ray dvd, or let them play their video games without supervision for endless hours, or listen to music at a damaging decibel through headphones with perverse and vulgar lyrics; just as long as the parents gets their downtime and their two-olive martinis before dinner.”

Through his website which promotes reading, writing and drawing, Simone hopes that children will rediscover their creativity and develop their abilities to express themselves more boldly and to good purpose. Through his books, Simone offers to help kids learn certain characteristics which can be important in life.

Talking Points

· What mistakes do parents make that stifles their children’s fantasies and dreams?

· Do the pressures of life today make the traditional role of parenting impossible?

· Does technology give the parents more tools or less in forming a child’s thoughts and goals?

· Does the entertainment business today stifle or promote imagination?

· In today’s economy are parents too wrapped up in their 9-5 jobs to be generators of imagination?

· What’s the basic message you’re trying to impart to kids and parents?

· What tips do you have to help parents feed their child’s imagination?

· What is the one thing you want parents and kids to take away after reading your books?


Topic Overview

“I want children to know that they have something important to say to other children and to adults. I want them to become fearless in expressing themselves. However, I think there is a great responsibility that goes along with expressing yourself. For most part the first amendment to our constitution grants us the right to say what is on our mind, however, the right to do something doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the right thing to do. I think we need to consider the broad aspect of anything that we say, publish or write about. Because I am an author, I take that responsibility very seriously. I think anyone in the entertainment business must be careful about what they do and say. When you are a celebrity, you expect to be followed, photographed, interviewed, and written about. People listen to celebrities. That is why celebrities are spokespeople for product or service companies. I believe that, along with the opportunity to be heard, goes a huge responsibility to be well spoken and correct about what you say, and more importantly, to conduct your time in public with a certain honor and integrity. Whether they like it or not, people imitate celebrity. Celebrities influence people and society.”

“What children see and hear, they copy. They understand that what others do opens a path for them to follow. That is why I think it is so very important to set children on the correct path as early as possible. I believe that there needs to be clear and ever present borders and boundaries in a developing child’s life. They need to understand that acceptable behavior is required, not merely an option.”

Simone sets about writing each book based on a very clear concept and with a very clear message. “I don’t think you need to dance around certain things. Children understand more than adults give them credit. They understand a clean and clear message. There is no real need to dress it up.” Kids freely explore their imagination. They dream of being superheroes, pirates or princesses, and then somewhere along the way, along the avenues of “growing up,” they lose that spark; that innocence. Somewhere along the way kids, with unique imaginations, become adults who forget how to imagine, fantasize, and dream. They end up defining themselves by what they do for a living instead of what they want to become.”

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About Val Edward Simone

Val Edward Simone is an author and publisher. He is the author of the “Ekidsland Series” currently containing six books and is currently at work on a novel for young adults. Simone has been writing for over 25 years including screenplays, novels, picture books, short stories, and poetry. Currently he is the owner of Ekidsland Publishing, of Lakewood, Colorado, specializing in publishing children’s and young adults’ books. Mr. Simone is most recently the author of “The Gingerbread Pony,” “Sammy Sparrow Spy,” Mean Muley McGrudge,” “Otto and Kevin,” “The Littlest Bell,” and “Felix.” The books are intended to impart certain behavioral characteristics in everyday life situations to young children. He currently lives in Lakewood, Colorado. www.ekidslandpublishing.com.

Ekidsland Publishing Blog

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This blog was created for kids. Ekidsland Publishing publishes kids ebooks. It is a site and company created for kids. Check out the "Author of the Month" and "Artist of the Month" contest. The contest is intended to inspire young children to read, to write and to draw. Let us know how we are doing. We appreciate all comments.