I am so excited to have the opportunity to share a guest post from the author of the book, Kevin Meehan. Isosceles' Day is the first children's book for this author and we really enjoyed the book and look forward to sharing with our youth reading group this Summer.
With the eyes of a child we learn how to see!The concept for Isosceles' Day is based upon the innocence we humans frequently have as children; often lost as we become educated adults. I wanted to capture the essence of seeing animal's possible interactions removed from our common sense of reality. Instead of a linear story traditionally told, I introduced silly, fun, whimsical behaviors and interactions of our domesticated pets with unusual friends not normally seen in an ordinary story. Shaking up reality in a fanciful, untraditional way. I feel that in many ways I was able to achieve this; primarily through the illustrations.
I feel that literature is often times restricted to a variety of things; the culture in which it was developed, the education of the reader, and the direction the author wants to lead the reader. We have often heard the term "lost in translation", applying to a translated written format from one language to another. The original meaning of the text has an opportunity for being misunderstood from one culture to another. My personal thought is that nothing is lost with a visual illustration. It can be observed by someone from Asia and another person from Norway without any fragment "torn" from its original proposal. I really don't feel this is entirely possible with many forms of literature.
My opinion is, any form of material conveyed in a format for "the educated reader" is restrictive in itself, removing those with little or no education; such as young children; from engaging in the printed material. I have some experience in this as I have authored many scientific monographs, research papers and patent applications in the medical field that are a challenge to grasp for those who have no education in science or medicine. They are often left excluded from experiencing the premise of the subject. I wanted this book to abandon traditional restraints we sometimes put on our imagination as we grow-up and lose our playfulness. I wanted to allow the reader of any age to enjoy the journey into the child which lays within all of us.
Lastly, I did not want a plot to direct the reader in any direction other than the one they wish to take themselves; how they may desire to experience their own pet's activities beyond their visual observation.
As this is a first in children's books for me, I hope that this brings smiles to children's faces as well as recaptures the eyes of a child to the "playful minded adults".
About the Author: Kevin Meehan
As a child, the author experienced a similar life condition as Isosceles. Not having much of a home, love or sense of protection and safety, he has a very special understanding of Isosceles' early years. As a diplomat of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and an integrative health care practitioner for almost three decades, he recognizes the importance of the compassion essential in helping others; people and animals. The author's commitment to helping animals and humans, coupled with his passion for biochemistry, lead him to design a unique, patented, line of canine orthomolecular supplements to nurture dogs back to health in a natural way. One of his favorite quotes is, "With the eyes of a child we learn how to see"!
Pick up your copy of Isoceles' Day at bookstores nationwide or click on the image below to be taken directly to the Amazon.
Do you have a pet? How has having a pet changed your life?
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