The Children’s Book Review | December 19, 2015
Which five words best describe Tales for Your Monkey’s Mind?
Whimsical, Inspirational, Imaginative, Entertaining, and Philosophical.
If you had to take a vacation with one of the characters from Tales for Your Monkey’s Mind, who would it be? Why?
I would love to take a vacation with the Shadow Mountain Witch. While many appear to be frightened of her, there is more to her than people think. Some say she never leaves her cottage on Shadow Mountain, so I’m not sure she would be up for a vacation. If she were, I would make sure she left her rabbit potion at home, or I might find myself a bit smaller, and more furry, from the trip.
What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?
It would have to be from my high school English teacher, Mrs. Sharon Cole. When I was seventeen years old, she helped me overcome my fear of writing by encouraging the use of my imagination without punishing me for my inability to spell. It is because of her that this book was ever written. I mentioned her in the book’s dedication, and then sent her a copy. After reading it, she sent me this, “You know how working with students and children as you also do, we are never sure if anything we do or say impacts them in any way. So I thank you for this.” She went on about how she loved the book, and I deeply value her opinion. She also said that her seventeen-year-old son is a terrible speller, and she would share my story with him.
What’s on your nightstand? Any books?
On my nightstand sit a few books and a light to read them by.
“So Human an Animal,” by Rene Dubous
“A History of Children,” by A. R. Colón, P. A. Colón
“The Wisdom of Insecurity,” by Alan Watts
“The Tao of Pooh,” by Benjamn Hoff
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” by Roald Dahl
For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?
I drink a lot of tea. When I finish a story, I have a cupcake to celebrate.
Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?
I usually begin a story with a notepad and a mound of unorganized post-it notes. After I have some idea of how I want it to go, and its theme, I begin writing the story on my computer. In the first draft I tell myself the story. When the draft is finished, I move on to the next story. After about six months I re-read what I wrote and then edit it until it says exactly what I want it to say in the way I want to say it. With as much editing as I do, I try to use my computer as much as possible for fear that my perfectionism could lead to the deforestation of a small country.
Can you tell us one more thing we may not know about Tales for Your Monkey’s Mind, your writing style, or yourself?
When I was younger, I wished I could write like Douglas Adams, Ray Bradbury, and other authors I had come to admire. They each had a writing style that made their books special. When I began writing Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind, I wanted to create my own writing style, something unlike anything anyone had read. I wanted it to be memorable. I experimented with tone and rhyme, and then read my stories in groups, and on stage, to see how people reacted to them. In doing this I created a writing style that I am truly proud of. I find myself waking up each day excited to see what I’ll write next. When I began this journey, I thought I would write only one book, but one book has now turned into four. Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind became the first in a series I wrote using this writing style, and it looks like I will be writing more books in the future. Finding my writing style was like finding my voice, and it looks like I might have a lot to say.
But what I will say and what it will be,
that my dear monkey, is another story.
Written by Steve Michael Reedy
Publisher’s Synopsis: Hey little monkey come down from your tree.
Inside this book are wonders to see…
A Mysterious Toy Factory
A Town Full Of Castles
Magical Storybooks
A Witch’s Spell
A Town Built For Clowns
And Much, Much More…
Tales For Your Monkey’s Mind is a collection of stories for monkeys of all ages. Each story will take the reader on a whimsical journey through the puzzling world of humans with hypnotic prose and fairytale fantasy.
Alex daydreams of working in the Wallerwood Toy Factory, and he sets off to learn the secrets kept hidden behind the factory’s front doors.
Jessica wants to become the best clown that Clown Town has ever seen. Then she learns that being a clown is not as much fun as she thought.
Angela worries about what will happen to her when she dies, until she discovers there are others things to think about instead.
Andrew wants a magical storybook of his very own, but then he hears a story that may change his mind.
Josh and Kalyn accidentally break a witch’s spell that was cast over the children of their town, and they set off on a journey to make things right.
Little Fey searches for something to make her happy one-day, but she realizes that her search is pushing her happiness further away.
Reedy’s fantastically quirky debut is capturing the hearts of readers young and old. His richly imagined world is an enchantment all its own, and the journey through each tale is well worth the trip.
Ages 10+ | Publisher: Balboa Press | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-1504332132
“ales for Your Monkey’s Mind is sure to appeal to deep thinkers and philosophers, both young and old. What a nice reminder to keep in touch with one’s childhood and to keep a fresh mind.”—The Children’s Book Revie
Add this book to your collection: Tales for Your Monkey’s Mind
About the Author
Steve Reedy, MA, LPC, began writing at age ten when his younger sister asked him to write a short story for her English class. The story went on to win his sister several awards. Later he decided to write his own stories and win his own awards. He received his undergraduate degree in Theatre, Film, and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received a master’s degree in counseling at Argosy University’s College of Psychology and Behavioral Science in Dallas, Texas, and is a licensed professional counselor. Reedy also holds licenses in varying forms of bodywork and teaches classes in Reiki, yoga, and meditation. He teaches as an adjunct professor, and has experience teaching and counseling children, the latter lead him to be featured in “Dallas Child Magazine.” For more information, visit: www.monkeymindtales.com.
This interview with Steve Michael Reedy about Tales for Your Monkey’s Mind was conducted by Bianca Schulze. Follow along with our content tagged with Books with Life Lessons, and Speed Interview to discover more great books.