Self-Published Author Propels Children's Book Onto International Stage

Author M. LaVora Perry's tireless promotional efforts have gained her self-published children's book, TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART, national and international attention and sales. The book is currently in its third printing. The story features an African-American urban girl who relies on friendship, courage and her Buddhist faith to face a bullying child. The author has written an unpublished prequel titled Taneesha's New Family Tradition.

East Cleveland, Ohio (PRWEB) December 31 2003--M. LaVora Perry's enthusiastic efforts to promote her self-published childrens book, TANEESHAS TREASURES OF THE HEART has led to her appearance on National Public Radio's Tavis Smiley Show (July 23, 2003), to TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART being featured in the November-December issue of Black Issues Book Review and and to the book's inclusion in the curriculum of public schools in the African nation of Zambia.

In addition, the leaders of the largest Buddhist organization in the U.S--Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA)--elected to sell TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART in the 71 SGI-USA bookstores nationwide and online from the organization's Web site, www.sgi-usa.org. A list of the book's further successes is listed at the end of this release.

Synopsis of TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART

Taneesha Bey-Ross, is an African-American Buddhist girl who learns about diabetes at the urban Hospital where her mother is a nurse. When Taneeshas best friend, Carli, is taunted by a bullying older girl because of her physical disability, Taneesha defends Carli and becomes the bullying girls target. With faith, hope, courage and friendship, Taneesha helps the bullying girl uncover kindness inside her own heart.

Reviews of TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART

...wonderful book...We are going to avail TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEAERT to...Zambian pupils in the...public schools." Dr. D.M. Kalabula, Director, Department of Sociology, Psychology and Special/Inclusve Education, University of Zambia

The power of understanding to unlock kindness in the human heart is a core theme of this inspirational and highly recommended story." Midwest Book Review

...a warm and beautiful story of friendship and kindness" Kathy Bernetich, Former Executive Director, Editorial, American Greetings Corporation®, Cleveland Ohio, United States.

...carefully constructed...full of humanism...easy to read." Katsuji Nakamura, Lecturer of Japanese Language, School of Arts and Sciences, United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya

"Stories of loyal friendships and strong family ties are interwoven with the principles of Buddhism." Black Issues Book Review

"...touching and powerful....clearly shows the pain behind many bullying situations."

Susan Andrus, School Psychologist, Author of Beyond Mars and Venus: Lessons of Dialogue and Peace

...valuable lessons about how to act towards all people regardless of their

differences." Jennnifer James, Director, National African-American Homeschoolers Alliance

...a sincere story that deals with the topic of bullies....an excellent read for all ages!"

Marlive Harris, Librarian, Founder of G.R.I.T.S Kidz Book Club,Texas USA

...a much needed treat that should be placed in every classroom across the country."

Tee C. Royal of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Author's Bio

M. LaVora Perry has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Cleveland State University. In 1995, she became the first African-American staff card writer in the worlds largest publicly-owned greeting card company-American Greetings Corporation® (AG). Since then, her writing has appeared on gift items in six countries and on three continents.

While at AG she earned Creative Excellence awards in the years 1999 and 2000. Her 2003 and 2004 AG Healthy Living and African-American Almanac Day-At-A-Time desktop calendars include quotations from historical and contemporary figures-such as UN Peace Medal recipient Daisaku Ikeda and jazz artist Herbie Hancock. In the 1990s M. LaVora Perry was recognized in Cleveland Free Times newspaper and Ohio Writer magazine contests for her short story, Forgiving." She has been a contributing writer for Living Buddhism journal and the World Tribune and Plain Dealer (Ohio) newspapers.

M. LaVora Perry lives with her husband and their three children in Ohio, where she was born and raised. She is currently available for school, childrens group and bookstore appearances. For online information refer to her to her e-zine: www.FortuneChildBooks.com.

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TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART ($9.00)ISBN 0-8059-6049-X, paperback. Publication Date: June, 2003. For review copies, please call 1.800.788.7654. For book orders, please call 216.761.8316 or visit http://www.fortunechildbooks.com/taneesha.htm#order. Please direct book sales questions to sales@fortunechildbooks.com.

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>>>M. LaVora Perry nominated for inclusion in Whos Who in America, 2005

>>>TANEESHA'S TREASURES OF THE HEART featured on NPR's Tavis Smiley Show, July 2003

>>>Taneesha's... included in Zambian schools' curriculum (Africa)

>>>Taneesha's... featured in November-December 2003 Black Issues Book Review

>>>Taneesha's... listed in October 2003 Newsletter of the Black Caucus of the

American Library Association

>>>Taneesha's... Performed on stage in Cleveland Playhouse literary showcase,

May 2004

>>>Taneesha's... on the reading list for Ohio's largest school district--Cleveland Municipal School District

>>>Taneesha's... among selection of Ohio's largest library system--Cleveland

>>>Taneesha's... featured in the international Buddhist magazine, SGI Quarterly

>>>Taneesha's... illustrator designed Harry Potter collectible cards for Warner Bros®