Australia, 17th Sep 2024, -
Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez's book, The Love Tank: A Book About Empathy, Kindness, and Self-Awareness for Children Ages 4-8, has been named the BREW Children's Book Excellence Award 2023 "Book of the Year." The book also received the BREW Seal of Excellence, adding to its growing list of accolades. These include the 2024 Nautilus Award (Silver) for Small Press Children's Picture Books, the 2024 Book Excellence Award for Children's Inspirational/Motivational, and the Literary Titan Gold Book Award, among others.
The Love Tank introduces children to emotional well-being through the metaphor of an invisible "love tank." It guides young readers in recognizing how love, kindness, and empathy play a vital role in their lives. The book has been praised for its approach to emotional education, with reviewers highlighting its ability to explain complex emotional concepts in a way that children can understand. According to one review, The Love Tank "uses imaginative storytelling to convey important lessons on empathy and kindness."
The book’s illustrations, created by Rita Nilson, have also been well-received, contributing to its appeal. As one review noted, "Nilson’s vibrant and colourful illustrations complement the story, making it engaging and relatable for young readers."
In an exclusive interview via The World’s Best Magazine, Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez shared that The Love Tank was directly inspired by a conversation with her young daughter: "The Love Tank was inspired by a conversation with my 3 (almost 4)-year-old daughter. Sometimes children ask difficult questions and it is really hard to explain why, for example, others may behave hurtfully." She explained further, "I was trying to explain why I was sad after hearing about the tragic news of a school shooting. I explained that we all have a love tank inside, which is filled by giving and receiving love. And when our love tank is full, we are able to act kindly and lovingly with others. But when our love tank is empty, it is much harder to be kind and loving." This emotional moment sparked the creation of her critically acclaimed children’s book. Mendoza-Vasconez adds, "A few days later, I woke up and the story was in my head, so I wrote it down and eventually published it as a children’s book."
The book has been lauded by readers and critics alike, with one reviewer describing it as “an essential read for children and a valuable tool for parents and educators.”
The book is available on major retailer sites. On Amazon, here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Tank-Self-Awareness-Wholesome-Awareness-ebook/dp/B0C7BVN1FZ.
To read the book’s full review, visit https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/2024/08/07/book-review-the-love-tank-by-andrea-mendoza-vasconez/.
About Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez
Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, Ph.D., is an award-winning children's book author, behavioural scientist, and advocate for emotional well-being. Her work focuses on fostering empathy, kindness, and self-awareness in young children. With a background in behavioural science and a passion for storytelling, Mendoza-Vasconez creates resources that help parents and educators nurture emotional intelligence in children. Her books, including The Love Tank, reflect her dedication to these themes, providing tools for meaningful conversations about emotions. As a mother and educator, she continues to inspire others through her writing and workshops, making a lasting impact on families and communities.
Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez has also appeared on the cover of The World’s Best Magazine, now available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWHCWSG7/.
For more about her insights, read her exclusive interview here: https://theworldsbestmagazine.com/2024/04/29/nurturing-empathy-and-self-awareness-the-love-tank-and-andrea-mendoza-vasconez/.
About the BREW Children's Book Excellence Award
The BREW Children's Book Excellence Award is a distinguished honour that recognizes exceptional contributions to children's literature. This award celebrates books that excel in storytelling, creativity, and the promotion of positive values, leaving a lasting impression on young readers. For nominations or more information about the awards, visit https://thechrysalisbrewproject.com/the-brew-awards/.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, please contact her via andrea@wholesomechildrenbooks.com.
