My Home Filled With Love by Desiree Blanchard

I’m on tour today with The Children’s Book Review with My Home Filled With Love. This delightful book is ideal for children 3 years old and up. I’m thrilled to host an interview with Desiree to learn more about her and this book. I hope you enjoy and be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post!

About the Book:

This beautifully illustrated children’s book is more than just another cute rhyming story. My Home Filled With Love shows kids and parents what a nurturing environment at home is all about. With this story, kids will learn more about how much you, as their parent or caregiver, love them with every choice you make.

My Home Filled With Love is a must-have for new parents, old parents, and all the parents in between! Written by Desiree Blanchard, Positive Parenting Instagram Influencer and Early Child Interventionist, this book is a perfect gift for parents looking to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for their kids!

 

Interview with Desiree

What inspired you to write My Home Filled With Love?

Early childhood development has always been an area of interest of mine. Academically, I completed a master's degree in Human Kinetics, where my thesis project examined certain child health behaviors in daycare settings. I also work as an Early Interventionist, going into homes to help parents with their child's overall development. I decided to write this book when my first child was born and after having lived experience raising a child. I saw first-hand how influential parents can be on young children and how parenting can impact a child's behavior, learning and healthy development.

 

Where did the title come from?

Believe it or not, the book's original title was "Home is Where the Heart Is," but for a good year, while I continued revisions on the manuscript, that title never felt right. So I looked at the main themes throughout the book and built on them, and that's how I came up with the title "My Home Filled With Love," which better captures the story.  

 

What do you hope families will take from this book?

I hope each parent can discover at least one thing about what love looks and feels like for their child within the parent-child relationship. This book is a great opportunity for parents to learn what love can look and feel like from a child's viewpoint and prompt further discussion between the parent and child while supporting the attachment relationship.

 

You included several activity sheets for children with the book. What other ideas do you have to reinforce this book's message?

I plan to use my social media presence as an influencer and target educators and teachers to use the book as a learning tool in their centers or classrooms. So far, we've gotten some positive feedback from them. They play a valuable role in promoting a child's healthy development, and I would love their support.

 

Tell us about your writing process.

The writing process took a whole year, if not more. I started by thinking about the roots of what's important to me when brainstorming about child development, and it all came down to a healthy start in the home. I remember sitting on the floor coloring with my son, and I would have these ideas come to mind, so I immediately wrote them on his coloring pages, so I didn't lose the thought. I wrote ideas down for a while, and eventually, it all came together into a story.

 

What is your favorite part of writing?

My favorite part of writing is watching the story unfold. It starts with the main ideas with a few words, but with more thought and time, those words become sentences. It is a creative process but exciting watching it all unravel. 

 

What advice do you have for young aspiring writers?

You should go for it if you have passion and dedication and want to teach others through literacy. It can seem far out of reach when you start out but keep your hopes alive and start writing.

 

Are you working on writing another book?

I am actively not writing a second book, but the contract between myself and the publishers is to write a series. The writing journey will be starting soon, so stay tuned! 

 

Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a My Home Filled With Love tote, including stickers and a signed copy of the book!

My Home Filled with Love Book Giveaway

One (1) grand prize winner receives: A My Home Filled With Love tote including:

-A signed copy of My Home: Filled with Love

-Stickers

Two (2) winners receive:

-A signed hardcover copy of My Home: Filled with Love

Two (2) winners receive:

-A signed paperback copy of My Home: Filled with Love

About the Author:

Desiree Blanchard is an Early Interventionist and a Positive Parenting Practitioner. She completed her Master’s degree in Human Kinetics, where she evaluated certain child health behaviors in a daycare setting. Desiree also has many trainings and certifications in early childhood development.

For more information, visit https://www.tabletopteachingllc.com/author-desiree-blanchard