It‘s not just a kid’s book. It leaves a mighty philosophical lesson: the last consciousness you have will transform you into that higher realm, and leaves behind the same positive energy to your loved ones. The book changed me forever.
Anvil Kids publishes Life is Good A Tale of Two Elephants by Yvette Fernandez and Jackie Fernandez Suntay and illustrated by Isabel Roxas
By Marivir R. Montebon
New York – The 37-page book takes 10 minutes to read, and will change your attitude towards life forever. In the beginning of the story, one would think this is a typical children’s book. But wait till you get to the middle of the story. You will scream, and scream some more. The book will take you downhill, down to sorrow. You may sulk, and your heart will be sad. But in a few, you will soar high, and smile. There is hope and redemption after the saddest moment.
This is Life is Good A Tale of Two Elephants. And this must be the shortest book review I have ever written. I am the authors’ captive reader, and admittedly I am changed after reading it.
Yvette (middle) and Isabel (leftmost) with Analisa Balares (3rd from left) and the women of Womensphere Salon at Hudson Hotel’s library lounge.
Anvil Kids may have published a book that is classified for kids, because of the allegory of the elephants, and the perfect artistic rendition by New York-based artist Isabel Roxas. But it is for the young and not-so-young alike. It is a gentle reminder for us to be appreciative of the little marvelous things around us. And most of all, it leaves a mighty philosophical lesson: the last consciousness you have will transform you into that higher realm, and leaves behind the same positive energy to your loved ones.
Read the book in ten minutes and you will know what I mean.
The Life is Good Book Launch in NYC
One of the two authors, Yvette Fernandez, editor in chief of Town and Country Philippines, launched the book one rainy Friday here, together with Isabel Roxas, at the Hudson Hotel library lounge. Put together by Analisa Balares, CEO of Womensphere Inc., the gathering of nine women and two men was fascinating, the first time for most of us.
Yvette had told us that the other author, her sister Jackie Fernandez Suntay, had passed away a day after she wrote the story together with her. It was her last message of hope to the world. Jackie, a doctor, just finished her fellowship at a Harvard Medical School hospital when she was diagnosed with cancer. Yvette shared their story to us, adding more pinch in my heart.
Instantaneous synergy. Thanks to Analisa Balares (rightmost) of Womensphere Inc.
This little book took Yvette to finish ten years, because of the pain of missing a little sister it brought. “It’s been shelved and shelved. I have published 15 children’s books already,” she told us. Like her, Isabel had been postponing her illustrations of the book, because of the sadness of the story. But finally one day, it just happened, she found the magic in her heart to illustrate the two elephants.
During the launch, I’d like to think that author Jackie blessed us with lots of refreshing rain with the onset of summer. (Featured photo: Yvette Fernandez (right) and Isabel Roxas; The book is available in the Philippines at www.anvilpublishing.com; proceeds of the book go to Carewell Community Foundation which provides information and support to people living with cancer.)
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