STARABELLA NARRATED MUSICAL PICTURE BOOKS

I feel at this time of horrible social division, demonstrations, and unleashed hatred, the Starabella children's Series of respect for all and peaceful social conflict resolution is very much needed for the youngest children – before negative thoughts escalate to destructive behaviors.

PLEASE READ THIS LETTER TO TEACHERS:

Sharon Fialco ? Fialco Productions, Inc. 67-15 102nd Street ? #4N ? Forest Hills, NY ? 11375[email protected] ?????

“Starabella” Award Winning Audio Musical Picture Books of #EMPATHY, #ACCEPTANCE and #SOCIAL HARMONY

By Sharon, Tara and Dana Fialco www.starabella.com

Dear Teachers,

I’d like to introduce you to the Starabella Audio Musical Picture Book Series of social and emotional learning -  for children in preschool through 1st grade.

Through these books, children are welcomed to a Bright New World where they all accept and celebrate differences rather than excluding, fearing, and bullying those perceived as “different.” They recognize what makes themselves and each other special.

Children listening to and viewing the “Starabella” booksenter the world of others. Through another’s lens, empathy is awakened. They experience that friendliness rewards them with a positive sense of self.

These entertaining books relay their messages through tender stroytelling, engaging music, sound effects, and colorful art.

We are proud that the STARABELLABOOKS HAVE WON MANY AWARDS including a Nautilus award. The Nautilus book awards “inspire the reader to new possibilities for a better world.” The award promotes books that “connect our lives as individuals, communities and global citizens.”

The bullying in our classrooms, the divisiveness in our politics, and the discord and violence around the globe, compel us us to share Starabella’s messages of #SOCIAL HARMONY with children at their earliest ages. The intention is to prevent negative thoughts from escalating to destructive behaviors.

1 - Background

Starabella is a family production - a true labor of love.

I am a mom of two adult daughters - Tara who has autism and Dana who is neuro-typical. Together we collaborated to produce this 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 encourage children to come together to help make Tara’s dream a reality.

Tara composed 17 of the 22 songs and melodies used in the series as a very young child. For this series, Tara performed these songs and instrumentals on piano and keyboard. All of Tara’s songs are delivered from the viewpoint of the stories’ 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 community throughout their childhoods.

For the Starabella Series, 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.

2 -The heroine Starabella

Starabella is a courageous, musically talented little girl with learning differences, whose eyes shine like stars when she is happy. Does she have a special connection to the stars? “It’s a Mystery.” Starabella strives to overcome obstacles to meet her goals, inspiring other children to do the same. Through the goodness inside her, her wonderful imagination, her special connection to the stars – and of course her music – Starabella leads her classmates and listeners to the “bright new world” of her dreams.

3 - Audio/Visual Format

The Starabellaaudioportionis presented in the form of a musical play. Some say it is like “listening to radio theater.” There is a fully narrated audio CD with music located inside the front cover of each picture book. To fully experience the stories, it is necessary to listen to the audio. Children sing, dance, dream, and imagine along with Starabella’s music.

The picture book contains vibrant illustrations sprinkled with stardust throughout the pages! Each page contains excerpts taken from the narration and page-turn instructions to help children follow along with the story.

  4 - Plot Overviews

Starabella is divided into 3 books.The books take our heroine through three different stages of her early growing up:

Book One, “Starabella: Mystery Girl of Music”  (Starabella at Home)

Mr. and Mrs. Oclaif bring home their baby girl to find she is full of mystery and surprise. Her eyes shine like stars when she is happy.

Her parents start to recognize her challenges and marvel at her abilities. They express their unconditional love and support of her through the melodic tune and touching lyrics in the song, “It’s a Mystery.” Children listening to the audio and viewing the pictures in the books are empowered, since all children deal with challenges and possess abilities.

With the gift of a piano from her grandparents, it is revealed that Starabella has amazing musical talent. Besides being able to play any music she hears, she soon composes her own music. Through music she is able to share her emotions with others. She also shares her awe in the discoveries of the wonders of the world around her. An example is her instrumental, described as a musical picture,  “The Seasons Flow With Music.”

Book Two, “Starabella: New Adventures and Mixed Emotions” (Starabella in the Community)

Book Twois a story of determination and victory of the human spirit. It is told from the perspective of both Starabella and her parents.

Starabella, a little bit older, ventures into the community with her parents. She has a wonderful time but runs into difficulty meeting expectations for appropriate behaviors and following the rules. Starabella’s parents face confusion about how to react.

At her first trip to the circus, Starabella imagines herself a trapeze artist soaring above a cheering crowd to her musical interpretation, “The Exciting Circus.” Children laugh aloud with her as she makes up funny music, complete with outrageous sound effects, “The Clown.” But she later reacts to oversensitivity to the bright lights and loud music. She tantrums which evokes disapproval from other audience members. Her parents must decide whether to stay or leave.

To make sense of her emotions, Starabella expresses her feelings one at a time in the beautiful instrumental, “A Mixture of Feelings.” Children identify and share the feelings in the music.

 Our determined heroine is not to be discouraged. Just look at her in acrobatics class! Inspired by the determination and abilities of the circus performers, she strives to reach one of her goals. Focused on just her goal, she disregards the rule: “Safety First.” Her parents stress the importance of following the rules. However, recognizing her unique talents and abilities they realize that the most important thing is for Starabella to BELIEVE IN HERSELF.

Join the Oclaifs in their victorious celebration of family. Dance and sing with them to their triumphant song, “Ta-Da!”

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 through her music. In this way they acquire empathy for her by the time she enters kindergarten.

Book Three, “Starabella: Welcome to a Bright New World” (Starabella at School)

In Book Three,Starabella is a member of a diverse kindergarten classroom. Her classmates include students of various races, religions, physical and cognitive challenges and abilities, attitudes and dreams.

Bullied, feeling she doesn’t fit in, Starabella retreats under a table and looks out. From her hiding place she observes the social dilemmas of other classmates.

This book includes a unique interactive segment to deal with bullying issues. Children listening at home or at school are asked to make friendly social choices by observing their facial expressions in a “magical mirror” found in the book. They send their thoughts to help the students in Starabella’s class resolve their individual social conflicts.

Starabella becomes a catalyst for unity. She shares her song, “Welcome to a Bright New World.” Her classmates enter the world of her imagination and envision a world of friendliness. They want to make her dream a reality.

Starabella and her classmates come to model the behavior of children who embrace diversity in their friendships and make empathetic social choices. Together they create an environment where each child is welcomed, safe, valued, and encouraged to share what is special inside them. They become a “classroom family.”

Magic mixes with reality and imaginations soar! Children listening and viewing the books share in wonder as Starabella, surrounded by starglow, transforms into a kindergarten rock star. Singing the rock song, “Follow Me” she leads children everywhere to a bright new world “where they play and get along and are accepted for exactly who they are.”

Starabella is a heroine for all children. If we can teach children at an early age to practice empathy and appreciate each other’s differences and abilities, they grow into adults who can achieve a better, more peaceful world.  

So, “GET READY TO ROCK!” Starabella is leading the way to a bright new world where everyone’s unique paths meet in HARMONY. Please, FOLLOW HER THERE!

Sincerely,

Sharon Fialco

Author, Director

Starabella Audio-Picture Books with Music

Fialco Productions, Inc.

Books available at: www.starabella.com

School and organizations - purchasing information - please contact Sharon Fialco directly:

Email: [email protected]