Tali and the Toucan - (Tali's Tales) by Mira Z Amiras (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Set against the vibrant backdrop of San Francisco, Tali and the Toucan follows a young girl whose fears hold her back from joining other kids as they tumble, swing, and play across the city--from the neighborhood park to the gymnastics studio and the aikido dojo. At night, however, Tali can soar freely in her dreams--until one evening, a surprise guest swoops into her imagination and inspires her to turn those dreams into reality."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Follow Tali in this heartening tale where children are encouraged to face their fears and embrace bravery with wide-spread wings.

"Using magical realism and dreams, this lovely picture book shows how the main character Tali gains courage to try the things she has been too afraid to attempt." --School Library Journal

"Validates children's fears before gently encouraging them to face them." --Foreword Reviews

Set against the vibrant backdrop of San Francisco, Tali and the Toucan follows a young girl whose fears hold her back from joining other kids as they tumble, swing, and play across the city--from the neighborhood park to the gymnastics studio and the aikido dojo. At night, however, Tali can soar freely in her dreams--until one evening, a surprise guest swoops into her imagination and inspires her to turn those dreams into reality.

With lush, captivating illustrations that evoke the charm of San Francisco's landscapes and Tali's vivid inner world, Tali and the Toucan speaks to every child (or parent) whose worries stand between them and their dreams--whether that's trying a new sport, making a friend, or conquering the jungle gym.

Review Quotes

"Using magical realism and dreams, this lovely picture book shows how the main character Tali gains courage to try the things she has been too afraid to attempt. . . A good choice for libraries needing books to support social-emotional learning, persistence, and confronting fears."-- "School Library Journal"

"In this soulful and beautifully illustrated tale, a humble chicken becomes a magical toucan, a fearful child becomes confident, and dreams become an obtainable reality. Tali and the Toucan will enchant, comfort, and inspire dreamers of every kind."--Elisa Kleven, Award-Winning Author and Illustrator

"Emotive illustrations track the transformation of a girl as she moves through her fear and finds resolve. Tali longs to tumble and soar like the other children at gymnastics or the dojo, but fear always stops her from trying. Through a series of dreams, she discovers her courage--and herself. The illustrations artfully capture the shifting, high-stakes sensation of dreams and the all-consuming nature of anxiety in this picture book that validates children's fears before gently encouraging them to face them."-- "Foreword Reviews"

". . . a stunningly illustrated tale of nighttime inspiration and transformation that will do young readers the great service of filling them with hope and tuning them into their dreams."-- Lael Gold, Ph.D., founder of Productive Slumber

"As we mature, we don't appreciate the trepidation kids go through when trying something for the first time. This book personifies the thrill and uncertainty that comes with embarking on new experiences."--Mike Wietecha, American Sumo wrestler, teacher and graphic novelist, Zhengzhou Normal University

"Through poetic words and lively illustrations, Tali and the Toucan introduces children to the power of dreams, animal spirit helpers, and puns to heal and transform daily life. It also quietly carries a deeply important message from Jewish mysticism, Tikkun Olam."--Tina Asherae Fields, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Ecopsychology, Naropa University

"Tali and the Toucan is a heartfelt tale about a girl who discovers how powerful her dreams are in overcoming her fears and anxieties. Wonderful story for children looking to recognize their true potential."--Karin Blais, FNP-C, Denver, CO

"This beautifully illustrated story is more than a children's book. It is a story about being human, and the human relationship to the universal emotion of fear. [...] This book is a reminder that if we pay attention, we can find something or someone to teach us how we can step out of the fear and into power."--Dr. Rayna Savrosa, L.Ac, DACM Moonshadow Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, San Francisco, CA

"This wonderful new book portrays, both through remarkedly sensitive text and spectacular illustrations, fears secretly harbored by so many children. While I think it would be of particular value to kids who are anxious, shy or reluctant in any other way, the book has a potential to create empathy that could benefit even those who are not so besieged."--Geri Alpert, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Harvard University

About the Author

Mira Z. Amiras is an anthropologist, author, and award-winning filmmaker. She was raised on her mother's accounts of the Inquisition and Holocaust, her father's tales of the creation and beauty of the universe, and her grandparents' foods, folklore and music of ancient Sefarad. Mira has lived, studied, and traveled throughout the Middle East and North Africa, camped out 7,000 miles through Africa, and traveled overland from Istanbul to the Nepalese border. She received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley and is Professor Emerita of Comparative Religion and Middle East Studies at San Jose State University. Mira is past president of the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, and was a member of the Executive Board of the American Anthropological Association. She lives in San Francisco with her family.

Multi-award-winning illustration team Chantelle and Burgen Thorne are eclectic bookworms who delight in the magic of stories. Quick-draw, deft wielders of the digital brush, they have many titles out in the world. Now they're going ultra-edgy and working on their first author-illustrated picture book as well as a graphic novel--whoo-hoo!! They live in the countryside with their two girly dogs.