Daisy is already an accomplished author of post-secondary educational materials such as Interpersonal and Group Dynamics, 3rd Edition, and she continues to create new courses for educational institutions, develop supplementary resources for publishers, and review new textbooks prior to publication. Daisy’s first book, however, was actually Different is Good which she authored for a school project during her social service worker program. It’s been 20 years, but Different is Good is coming soon!

Daisy and I were fortunate to find a talented illustrator with a unique style for this project, Leland Harris! We each bring our own differences to the team and identify with various elements of the story, a story which is based on Daisy’s real-life experiences. This project has been a true collaboration in every sense of the word. What I enjoy about Daisy’s work and is that it has the power to start conversations. Daisy doesn’t shy away from challenging topics but approaches them with honesty, curiosity, and empathy. This book is a gift that allows children to appreciate and embrace their own differences and those of others. Congratulations, Daisy and Leland!

About the Book

Daisy-Mae is different. She doesn’t look the same as her friends and she doesn’t have the same things as her friends. She doesn’t even act like her friends do. Even her family tells her how to look and act. It takes a trip to another country to change her mind about herself. Everyone is different on the inside and outside. And being different is good!

“Different is Good” is based on real events in the author’s own life story.

About the Author

Daisy-Mae Hamelinck completed her Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology at McMaster University. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Wilfrid Laurier University), Bachelor of Education-Primary/Junior (University of Toronto), and a Social Service Worker Diploma (Fanshawe). Daisy’s first co-authored book, “Interpersonal and Group Dynamics: A Practical Guide to Building an Effective Team” (3rd Edition) was published in 2018 and is currently used in colleges across Canada. Daisy has taught for 20+ years in post-secondary settings and is currently teaching at Fanshawe College and Western University.

As a two-time cancer survivor, Daisy has presented regularly with the Terry Fox Foundation and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. She has appeared on local TV stations to discuss her health journey. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Irlen Syndrome. It is through these experiences that she often raises awareness and speaks about the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). She is also a primary caregiver for two aging parents with various mental and physical health issues. Daisy keeps herself balanced by spending time with loved ones, practicing yoga and meditation, attending church regularly, and travelling nationally/internationally.

Daisy strives to live her best life and enables others to do the same through workshops and one-on-one sessions at her success coaching business, Your New Leaf, helping participants develop life skills, set and achieve goals, and engage in creative problem solving using the 8 dimensions of wellness.

About the Illustrator

Leland Harris has been drawing for as long as he can remember. As a kid, he would go to the library and check out as many “how to draw” books as he could carry. Nowadays, he’s busy completing his Bachelor’s of Music and starting his Bachelor’s of Education, with the dream of teaching music or art. In his spare time, he likes to write music, crochet, and of course, draw.

As a transgender person, he is very excited to share the message that “Different is Good”, especially to every kid who feels different from everyone else. He has found joy in his different-ness, and hopes that everyone reading will as well.

This is Vince Burruano’s third nonfiction publication but this time he’s coauthored with Bob Greene. They bring their unique approach in business development to the legal field. Congratulations, Vince and Bob!

About the Book

This book is for attorneys who are now responsible for revenue generation even though the word “sales” is not in their job title. If you are responsible for helping to grow and maintain your firm’s practice, guess what? You are in sales. And, despite your belief to the contrary, you will now need a business development mindset to be successful.

Our intention is for this book to provide you with a functional overview of what it looks like to have a business development mindset. It will help you to understand what skills are necessary to become effective at creating new client relationships, retaining current clients, and increasing revenue from your existing clientele. It is not intended to make you a “salesperson.” Rather, it is designed to help you develop a positive mindset about promoting yourself in a respectable, professional, and compelling manner.

R.C. “Bob” Greene & Vincent D. Burruano

There’s so much more information and attention given to managing emotions now than when I was growing up. I often feel inadequately prepared to help my children with their emotions when I’m still learning about my own. Laura has created a book that helps children identify their feelings and understand them. Maddie describes what the emotion feels like in her body, and then she models for readers how to effectively use positive emotions to overcome negative ones.

I know I would have felt more comfortable talking to my parents about my emotions if I had this book as a child, and I hope my children feel the same. Congratulations, Laura!

And a big thank you to Cory Cole for the beautiful illustrations for this project, her third children’s book!

About the Book

Whenever Maddie sees other kids, she always wants what they have: presents, toys, ice cream, candy! This big FEELING comes over her and she doesn’t like it. It makes her say things like, “I want that!” What is that feeling and why does it make her feel so yucky? It’s JEALOUSY and it can only be conquered with GRATITUDE and KINDNESS. Learn with Maddie as she identifies and deals with her big emotions.

Follow Laura

lauramcjannetbrogan@gmail.com
https://www.lauramcjannetbrogan.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/laura_mcjannet/

Follow Cory

ccole@nexicom.net
https://www.instagram.com/lunchcartoons/
https://www.facebook.com/lunchcartoons

One of the things I love about this book is the beautiful imagery created with different angles and viewpoints inside and outside of Frank’s tank. I also love the many faces of Frank in this book. His personality shows more and more through his facial expressions and body language. Another thing I love is that like the first book, Frank the Fish Finds a Friend is based on a true story and a portion of all proceeds will be donated to a non-profit organization supporting friendship.

But most of all, I love the message. This book is a wonderful tribute to friendship, acceptance, trust, sharing, and humility. I try to teach my own children about friendship and while there are many books, shows, and movies about friendship, once again, Frank’s unique perspective gives the reader insight into both the complexity and simplicity of friendship.

The second book in a series is infinitely more challenging than the first. It’s important to maintain consistency in the characters and the world that’s been created. I am grateful to Sarah Burnett-Murray and Cory Cole for pouring their blood, sweat, and tears (of joy) into this project! Congratulations on this second publication!

A Brush With Reality is his first published novel, but he has others in development. He also has a collection of writing on his website: Roger’s Rhapsody – The Journey of a Renaissance Man (rogersheehy.com)

It is difficult to describe this book without giving too much away. I was intrigued by the idea from the first time Roger and I spoke. We’ve spent a significant amount of time with beta reviewers and fine tuning the story. There’s even some material that has been excluded from the book, but may appear in a spin off! What I will say is that this book has full and interesting characters, an detailed plot, and includes evidence of Roger’s wide body of knowledge from his life experience. All of this combined creates a page turner with a unique flavour. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a little bit of mystery and a great deal of creativity. Congratulations, Roger!

About the Book

An ancient curse or a family legacy? A scourge or a gift? What is that old saying…be careful what you wish for?

Things are rarely what they seem. Sean didn’t care. He just wanted a simple life, a normal life. He wanted his family back. Somewhere off the coast of Somalia, he made his decision. It was time to stop running, go home, and set things right. And when survival is on the line, a curse becomes a gift. But some things do not like to be ignored and a price must be paid.

There is a fine line between self-defense and excessive force, between justice and revenge. When you realize the power you have, do you choose to use it…or not?

Praise for A Brush With Reality

“Sean is running away from a secret. Roger Sheehy masterfully develops Sean, a relatable and interesting character, over this page-turner of a book. At the beginning, the author seems to be telling a simple but engaging story. We follow Sean’s adventures around the world, through New England and the Southeast, to the beaches of Mexico, and the Red Sea off the Somali coast. Along the way, Sean meets interesting and caring characters and develops lasting friendships and memories during his journey.

Eventually, Sean decides to return back to his family and to face his guilt and reveal his dark secret. But Sean’s secret has a twist. For the next several chapters, we find ourselves suspended between belief and disbelief. At this point, it was extremely hard to put the book down. The author continues to grab our attention until the last page. A Brush with Reality’s plot is really gripping. A joy to read, highly recommended. Five-star rating!”

– Mohamad Hindawi

“Sean has a tale to tell. One that, in Roger Sheehy’s debut, takes the reader along a path of discovery and disbelief, tragedy and humor, and with exquisite attention to detail that puts the reader in the moment. I had to laugh at Sean’s remedy to boarding Somalian pirates, but I also felt as I was there. At its base, the story is a classic tale of reward/payment due, and Sheehy even makes light of the manner in his work, but it is the character development that drives the reader to turn each page well past the time of normal sleep. Jumping in immediately with a grab-you hook, Sheehy then jumps to introducing the protagonist Sean in a classic yet ‘horrifying’ familial manner while hinting that Sean has a secret. A secret that even Sean doesn’t know in its entirety. And one that takes its pound of flesh when used. But power corrupts.

A page turner that is easy to read, the author obviously knowledgeable in his details, with an interesting protagonist and dark secret, I found Roger Sheehy’s A Brush with Reality to be a quality read and an author that I will definitely add to my list of must follow authors.”

– R. Robison

“Just finished A Brush With Reality from Roger Sheehy. This book is an easy-flowing page turner, perfect for a lazy Sunday by the beach, or curled up by a fire. Roger strings the past and present narratives together without overcomplication, and weaves them together into an imaginative story that subtly pulls you into its premise and locks you in. Balancing between playful and sobering moments, with characters to match, this tale will hold your attention from beginning to end. A Brush With Reality is a refreshing respite from the actual reality of our day-to-day world, and I highly recommend it for the reader in search of something ‘a little different’ for their collection.”

– Carl Scarborough, Blogger, Speaker, Cranky Old Man 

“Roger Sheehy’s novel, A Brush with Reality, is an intriguing story about a young man named Sean who is running from the secrets of his past.

The story is filled with rich detail that brings the reader into Sean’s world from the very first page. A wonderful first novel, and I look forward to many more titles from this author!”

– Angelica Shaw