Guest Blog by Joe Moore

I am the author of “Maxwell, the Raindrop Who Wouldn’t Fall” and “Maxwell the Raindrop: Am I Still Me?” picture books. I recently moved to Ohio after having lived in Johnstown, PA for 20+ years. I still have a strong connection to the area as I created the Maxwell character and wrote both stories in Johnstown. When I decided to self-publish, I received a lot of valuable advice and direction from the Director at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, and I even met my very talented illustrator Jaclyn Donnelly there. 

Before the pandemic, I partnered with CACCC to offer scholarships for Kid’s Create camp. The purpose is to help several less fortunate elementary students from the area. Their art teachers would nominate them based on their life circumstances, interest in the arts, and their financial need. (The students must be eligible for the school lunch program). There were many touching stories from young people who really needed something positive in their lives, even if it was something as small as a week at an art class to discover some creative outlet in themselves. I really enjoyed the feeling of doing something positive for these students. 

So many times, when I visited a school, I would ask if there were any artists in the room. Without fail, nearly every one of the young students would raise their hands. Most kids believe that they are an artist. Unfortunately, at some point, that feeling of being an artist begins to fade. I think that it’s important to find ways to encourage them to help them grow in the arts. 

I’ve always believed that art is for everybody. All young people have the potential to find joy in creativity, but unfortunately, so many lack the ability to discover that because they don’t have the resources to attend classes and get the instruction, so I’m happy to bring the scholarships back this year. I’m grateful for the ability to help a few young people. 

Both Maxwell books have positive messages that encourage self-acceptance. A portion of the sale of each of these books will go to the scholarship. 

Community Arts Center will send student nomination forms to local schools.

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If you would like to support the Scholarship, please donate at Kids Create (caccc.org), or purchase a book locally or online at www.maxwellraindrop.com. Book locations can be found at www.maxwellraindrop.com

Glomma Monna Monstra

Do you ever look in the mirror and feel like you’re not enough? I know I have. That mean ole reflection tells us we are too fat, too thin, our nose is too big, or our teeth are just too… You get the idea.

But we can change the way that reflection thinks by changing the way WE think.

I remember being about 4 or 5 years old, dancing in front of my grandma’s full-length mirror and being thrilled by how my body moved and how I looked as I moved. But a few years later, that reflection in the mirror was glomming on to me, telling me a QUITE different story.

That’s why I wrote Glomma Monna Monstra. Glomma is a reflection in a mirror that thrives on the tears he causes when he tells people they are “Too ___ (fill in the blank).” But all that changes one day when a little self-determined girl looks in the mirror and gives Glomma a change of pace.

It’s written for children ages 4 to 8, just at that crucial development phase. Expertly illustrated by my friend, Emma Silverfeather, Glomma Monna Monstra is sure to be a hit with small children.

Our release date is Tuesday, July 16th.