By L.A. Story Hudson
Staff Writer, Daily Corinthian
A little Shetland Sheepdog has been winning awards for being a product of outstanding quality that supports family values.
Local children's author, James Beverly, has won awards in two categories of the Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award for his children's book "The Adventures of Seamus the Sheltie."
Beverly's book was released a few months ago and Seamus's adventures have been attracting attention ever since in the form of positive feedback, reviews and -- most recently -- the award. The book was recognized in the Children's Book category and the Gifts for Children category of the 2008 Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards.
According to media information provided by Parent to Parent, these awards are given to exemplary products that entertain and teach, while inspiring imagination and creativity. The Award Committees are comprised of experts from across the United States who are involved with children on a daily basis. The products must meet committee approval before being forwarded to family testing groups for testing, reviewing and evaluation.
"I am thrilled with the award," said Beverly. "I was intimidated when I saw the list of reviewers. The book will have the Golden Circle Seal alongside recognized names like Disney and PBS ... it's amazing to be in that group."
"The Adventures of Seamus the Sheltie" became a reality as Beverly shared seven years of adventures with his dog Seamus (pronounced shay-mus), and turned those events into a set of engaging stories starring Seamus' character alter ego -- a talking Seamus, whose innocence and gentleness teach valuable life lessons to young children. It is Beverly's hope that the stories will serve as a springboard of communication between parents/caregivers and children.
Beverly used his education in clinical child psychology as he found ways to address the morals that accompanied each story. The book brings to light simple and specific values such as: Going to one's parents when something odd is happening; the importance of being oneself; not to be afraid of people who are different; carefully helping animals that are in trouble; trips to the doctor are important; being with family is great; obeying one's parents; how to behave when in public and many more. Seamus' character is brought to life by Beverly, who even created a realistic language unique to Seamus, based on the actual mechanical capabilities of a dog's mouth. The stories are accompanied with illustrations by Linnea Carlson of Chicago, Ill.
Currently, Beverly said he working on a second "Seamus" book. At the suggestion of parents, he will be addressing even deeper issues -- all with the challenge of a sense of humor and innocence that are Seamus' trademark -- such as "death of an older family member;" "poverty;" "growing up in a poor family;" "being born different" and "adoption."
"Most of the parents' feedback has been that they enjoyed the discussions using the book as the framework. But ... my favorite feedback stories are the cute reactions that people will tell me about," said the author.
He went on to talk about a parent that said her child sleeps with his copy of the book. Another toddler in Holly Springs brings the book to his mother and points to his lips -- indicating that he wants her to read it to him, the mother told Beverly. Another tale was of an older woman who fell in love with Seamus and had to buy a copy of the book for herself.
"All this helps motivate me ... it's the equivalent of a great round of applause and it helps keep me going," said Beverly.
"The Adventures of Seamus the Sheltie" are available now online at Click here; Click here; Click here and Click here. Locally, it can be purchased at Spice of Life Books and Gifts.