Additional information
by Stasha the Dog (Author), Tomi Jill Folk (Author)
OK, so this is a story told by a dog and written by her person. But it's so much more than a delightful story about hot air balloons. It's a story about dreams and difficult choices. Since Stasha moved to New Mexico, she was fascinated by hot air balloons and very quickly became obsessed with them. The story not only deals with her secret dream, but provides a lot of information about the art of ballooning. There's also a message about caring for each other. This is a great book for the whole family to read together, then discuss the ending. This book makes a great souvenir of a visit to a Balloon Fiesta, or your own ride in a hot air balloon. It can also be used in the classroom, community programs, a children's hospital, and any other place where children might enjoy a good story. Not only is it easy to read, it's delightful when read aloud, or in the hands of a good storyteller. The colorful photos of hot air balloons against the bright blue New Mexico sky will inspire many to dream of their own future flight.
Author Biography
Tomi Jill Folk is a poet, photographer, public speaker, writer and publisher who had the joy of sharing life with a little white dog named Stasha. Tomi and her husband Hank Bruce have lived with many rescued animals, but Stasha was something special. This little Bichon/Maltese cross discovered hot air balloons when the family moved to New Mexico. The story of Stasha's love of all things ballooning was written by Tomi as the dog's health was in decline, but never her spirit. In addition to being the main editor/designer for Petals & Pages Press, Tomi and husband Hank invested many years with their nonprofit organization Hunger Grow Away. This cause gave them many opportunities to work in the area of increasing food security both close to home and through people on the other side of the planet. An example of that comes from their children's book "Miracle of the Moringa Tree" that introduces a tree that has very nutritional and tasty leaves, but also has seeds that can purify water. This book has helped children and families in Africa, South America, Australia and Asia learn to add Moringa to their diets. The seeds are used in small amounts to purify a bottle of water, or in mass quantities layered with sand to make a filtration system to meet a family's needs. Earlier in life Tomi graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN with a degree in elementary education, while also spending much time in camping ministry. She then went on to Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN where she earned her Master of Divinity degree and was ordained as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. She served in that calling until health difficulties made it no longer possible. Little did Tomi know that in leaving normal parish life, she would be given the opportunity to help feed people and provide clean drinking water through the gift of writing and the internet. She has also served as a hospice caregiver and volunteer, and assists Hank in his work as a horticultural therapist.
