Testimonials - Gloria D. Gonsalves

"A delightful picture book for young children that sparks imagination at every turn. Good sportsmanship, acceptance and having the courage to persevere are all valuable life lessons skillfully imparted throughout the story. Ng’ombe’s colorful and expressive illustrations invite young children to identify vibrant colors, images and actions. Although a child’s picture book, Jai the Albino Cow is a moving story for all ages, and would be an excellent book for parents and children to share together."

— Self-Publishing Review

What a beautiful story and what stunning illustrations, giving a strong sense of African myth and folklore. The rich colors and small details give an appropriate feel of the African setting and will encourage young readers to spend time discovering each panel...I’d recommend this for parents, teachers, librarians and tutors to use to get kids interested in reading something unique and special. A story that will no doubt be read over and over.

— Fiona Ingram, Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite

Gloria D. Gonsalves’s Jai the Albino Cow is an enchanting fable that addresses the serious problems facing albinos in some parts of the world where they are considered, like Jai, to be cursed or to be the bringers of bad luck. I loved the introduction to Swahili that this book provides and found myself going from the English to the Swahili translations to try to determine which words were which.

— Jack Magnus , Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite

With a serious nod to the story of The Ugly Duckling, Jai the Albino Cow by Gloria D. Gonsalves is a lovely message for children to receive; that we should revel in and celebrate our differences rather than shun and hide them. How appropriate this message is in today’s world of division and hatred. Sweet and delightful drawings accompany the text.

— Grant Leishman, Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite

Throughout the book, the author teaches about the plants, their characteristics, their healing properties and more. Young readers should be ready to embrace the botanical world around upon completion of Danloria.

— Judge, 25th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards

Gloria D. Gonsalves has written two short, charming books that are a good introduction for very young children to the world of mushrooms. Lamellia: The Kingdom of Mushrooms describes the inhabitants of Lamellia. Many Americans fear wild mushrooms, so the friendliness of those in this book may serve to interest youngsters in searching out wild mushrooms for themselves, and learning about nature by experience. The second book, Lamellia: The Wicked Queen, is a rewrite and extension of the first...has only 6 illustrations, equally charming, and the 21 pages of text have more content.

— Susan Kayser, Reviewed for the Illinois Mycological Association and North American Mycological Association (NAMA)

A charming story with the talented brushstrokes of Katerina Brunot bringing color and depth into this imaginative book for children. Like most fables, the lines between good and evil are clearly drawn in Lamellia, but Gonsalves takes it a step further by introducing concepts of kindness, tolerance, and the ability to love despite obvious differences. Lamellia: The Wicked Queen works well as a first reader or as a longer bedtime story. Engrossing and educational, it’s sure to encourage young readers to explore the natural world around them.

— Marta Cheng, Reviewed for Self-Publishing Review

Taken together, the text and the illustrations combine to create a distinct and striking world in Lamellia. I can imagine there are more stories from this flamboyant land for Gonsalves to tell, and I look forward to reading them.

— Jill Murphy, Reviewed for The Bookbag

Lamellia: The Wicked Queen by Gloria D. Gonsalves is first and foremost a beautiful metaphor of our world and of the acceptance or rejection of difference. However, it is also a very enjoyable and original story for young readers as well as for parents who will no doubt tremendously enjoy reading it to their little ones.

— Marie-Hélène Fasquel, Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite

Children who like to read fantasy stories will enjoy Lamellia: The Wicked Queen, which describes an event that occurs amongst the mushrooms. I think readers will like the unexpected twist in the fifth chapter. Parents will enjoy reading this book with their children, and children reading on their own will find Lamellia: The Wicked Queen easy to read.

— Barbara Fanson, Reviewed for Readers’ Favorite

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