STARABELLA Audio-Picture Books with Music - Social Sensitivity for the youngest kids

“…to want to be just like everyone else ignores the person you are. Starabella teaches many things, especially self-esteem, which almost always results in respect and kindness for others…” Edward Asner

Starabellais a family production - a true labor of love. I am a proud mom of two adult daughters - Tara who has autism and Dana who is neuro-typical. Together we collaborated to produce the Starabella 3-book series of picture books with music.  We were inspired by the childhood experiences and dreams of my daughter Tara. Dealing with the challenges of autism, Tara was often teased and isolated in school. Her experiences were not unique. Too many children deal with bullying every day in school. Gifted musically, Tara came home and used her beloved piano to write magical, touching melodies and lyrics about a far more accepting world than the world she had to face each day. She wanted to share with others the idea that even though we do not always see love, compassion and acceptance, we know that they are possible.*The “Starabella”books reflect Tara’s belief in the goodness of the human spirit. The series provides a way for children to come together to help make Tara’s dream a reality.

The themes of the Starabellabooks reflect the benefits of Diversity, Compassion, Inclusion and Acceptance. We bring these values to children at their youngest ages – before negative thoughts have a chance to develop into destructive behaviors.  

Tara composed 17 of the 22 songs and melodies used in the series as a very young child. She performed these songs and instrumentals on piano and keyboard for the series. All of Tara’s songs are delivered from the viewpoint of the stories’ courageous heroine, Starabella.

One person’s plight in a family affects every member of that family. Tara’s sister Dana, a talented singer and songwriter herself, took an early interest in Tara’s circumstances and her music. She began writing lyrics to Tara’s music. She and Tara performed music together in our local Honolulu community throughout their childhoods, appearing on TV news shows, talk radio, shopping centers and educational venues. Their CD single, “A New Beginning” was sold in major music stores throughout Hawaii. For the Starabella series, produced in NYC, Dana narrated the stories, sang the songs, played many of the characters, and wrote additional songs reflecting the feelings of the stories’ parents and teacher.

I directed the project and wrote the words, tying together the messages in the music. My husband Marvin, believing in the importance of the project, supported and aided its production, making it all possible.

The Heroine Starabella

Tara went on to achieve an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. I was her study buddy. I became interested in learning about shared environments and inclusive education which inspired me to write interactive, fun-filled shows with socially sensitive messages for children. The shows incorporated Tara’s music and philosophy. Together we made props and scenery. Tara performed these shows singing, playing keyboard and guitar, in preschools, kindergarten classrooms, day programs, after-school programs and special needs classrooms. The Starabella character emerged from my observations of children's interactions in these settings. As a parent I noticed that anychild can become an object of bullying and ostracism.

Starabella is a specially gifted child dealing with the challenges of autism. Like Tara, she communicates best through music and song. When she’s happy, her eyes shine like stars! The series takes children on an illustrated musical voyage through three different stages of her early growing up: in her home, communityand school. Through another’s lens, empathy is awakened.

Children who listen to and view Books One and Two celebrate Starabella’s accomplishments, feel compassion for her extra challenges, root for her to reach her goals, and gain understanding of her emotions through her music. In this way they care about her by the time she becomes a member of an inclusive kindergarten classroom in Book Three. Starabella’s classmates are a lively group of children of various religions, ethnicities, physical and cognitive abilities and challenges, attitudes and dreams. Children reading and listening are offered a unique interactive way to solve the social dilemmas of Starabella and her classmates. Inspired by the messages in Starabella’s music they use a “Magical Mirror” in the book to make friendly choices to send to the characters in the class. They know they made the friendliest choice if they see a smile and that their eyes are shining like stars!

The Starabella series sends the message thatchildren do not all learn, function, or view the world in the same way. The stories emphasize the importance of creating shared environments that meet the social and emotional needs of the whole.

Through her special connection to the stars and the goodness inside her, Starabella magically transforms into a kindergarten rock star and leads her classmates and readers/listeners to a Bright New World where all their unique paths meet in HARMONY.

Audio/Visual Format

The multi-award-winningStarabella Series is a multi-media presentationof narration, song and illustration presented in the unique format of a musical play. 

There is a fully narrated audio CD with music to use in unison with the picture books. The CD is located inside the front cover of each book. The narrated story and music are also available online. Children sing, dance, dream, and imagine along with Starabella’s music.

The picture books:The Starabellastories have become visually alive through Anton Petrov’s sensitive, colorful, artistic interpretation. He sprinkled stardust throughout the pages of the books. Anton is an award-winning artist whose illustrations are published globally.

The audio CD:Producer/songwriter Joe Vulpis, CEO of AP Music, is an award-winning arranger and producer. He has worked with famous performers all over the world. He brought the Starabellarecordingto a level of excellence in the world of children’s entertainment.

?Both the bullying and violence in our schools and communities, and the discord around the globe compel us to share Starabella’s message of HARMONYwith children everywhere.

?The story of Starabella speaks directly to the place in ALL children that yearns for acceptance and understanding.

 ?“Starabella” is a winner of many awards including the Nautilus award for “better books for a better world.”

Sharon Fialco, Author

CONTACT and INFORMATION:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.starabella.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/starabellabooks

Instagram: starabella_bookseries

* Quote by Mara Sapon-Sheven