Above photo by Adobes Stock / WavebreakMediaMicro. Book photos courtesy of their respective companies
Two local authors build self-esteem through The Book of Normanisms, a collective of life lessons, and Say It With Me, a bilingual tale.
The Book of Normanisms
By Norman Goldstein
Momentous Publications, Inc. (2020), 99 pages (pbk)
Norman Goldstein, a trained mediator, business coach, and Global Goodwill Ambassador affiliated with the UN, drew upon his own struggles with ADHD and a lifetime of humanitarian work in his new book, The Book of Normanisms. Here, the longtime Scarsdale resident shares life lessons learned through his humanitarian, business, and mentorship experience. Some of these lessons may seem familiar yet are universal in scope. With friendly illustrations paired to each sentiment, one can picture, ponder, and extrapolate from Goldstein’s heartfelt aphorisms.
Say It With Me (Dilo Conmigo)
By Nancy S. Torres
Illustrated by Zey Black, Wheat Penny Press (2021), 22 pages (pbk)
Childhood educator, meditation guide, and mom Nancy Torres pens gentle yet effective affirmations that all children deserve to hear in her new bilingual children’s book, Say It With Me (Dilo Conmigo, in Spanish). Alongside charming illustrations from New Jersey-based artist Zoey Black, South Salem’s Torres uses an engaging call-and-response style that engages both parent and child in the English and Spanish translations. The meaningful goals are brief in essence but substantial for children’s self-esteem, with such affirmations as “Mama tells me I am powerful. I stand tall and say, ‘I am powerful!’” With wise words from Torres and cheerful artwork from Zoey Black, the text allows parents and kids to bond over the practice of self-love in two languages.
