Purple – Cynthia Reyes

New Stuff to Tell You About

December 12, 2023 Cynthia Reyes

Hello Friends:

First, let me share some uplifting news:

After publishing nothing new for a few years, my co-author Lauren and I have just released two things that we hope will delight anyone who loves the colour purple, or notebooks.

Or, (for the young ones in their lives), the Myrtle the Purple Turtle book series because you’ll see a purple turtle on the cover below! Perfect Christmas present – wink, wink, nudge, nudge!

My Purple Notebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0991837967

My Purple Sketchbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPBYZ51L

Second, I returned to teaching writing this fall after 4 years away. It was only 1 course of 8 weeks, once a week, focusing on Memoir Writing. And what a joy my group was! 8 persons over 50, none of them with writing experience, but hungry to learn. Members of previous groups have won writing competitions and published books and stories after the course, so I know that writing can be learned. The group both amazed and uplifted me.

As you and anyone who follows this blog knows, it’s been a tough couple years and I’ve blogged very little while trying to support my family and improve my own health. I have more appointments than I can count!

But life does go on, and as, always, I give thanks for the key blessings of love from family and friends. That, by the way, includes the friends I’ve made here through my blog, who have checked in on me and my family or replied to my quite rare blog posts. Blessings come in many different forms, and I thank you for yours.

I’m determined to post again soon so will send my Christmas greetings then. But for now, I wish everyone who celebrates Hanukkah, Advent, Winter Solstice (or other sacred days) the best of the season. And if that doesn’t apply to you, I hope you will find something to celebrate.

Blessings come in many forms. Some are tiny – like the amaryllis bud above that we accidentally severed from the plant, but which grew and grew in water and is blooming like crazy on a day when it’s cold and grey outdoors.

My best,

Cynthia.

2018 Colour of the Year, A Good Home, Myrtle The Purple Turtle, Purple

The Future is Purple

December 8, 2017December 18, 2017 Cynthia Reyes

So says Pantone, the colour people. (But they call it ‘ultra violet’, mind you.)

And so declared Lauren, for whom Myrtle was originally written. She promptly created this image using a picture from Myrtle the Purple Turtle.

Image may contain: text

I seem to be spying purple everywhere these days! Here’s Queen Elizabeth, looking very fashion-forward:

And what’s better than a box-fort? I love this photo of Nadine Janetta’s two daughters Ella (4) and Leah (2). (Eldest daughter Brooklyn is only partly in the photo.)

Nadine, who lives southwest of Toronto, says, “It was the perfect cozy place to cuddle up with your book.”

Blog Photo - Myrtle being read by girls in box

“The girls have fallen in love with Myrtle and her friends in this well-told story of self acceptance – Myrtle the Purple Turtle has become the most read and asked-for book in our home.”

Ella, who is 4, says she likes the picture of me in the book. (Thanks, Ella!) She likes the book “because Myrtle falls asleep on her back” and “because she wants to be the same as the other turtles because she is purple”.

Brooklyn, who is 8, says: “It shows me that everyone’s different and you can’t change that.”

Nadine is one of three winners in the Myrtle giveaway in October. The others are bloggers Alethea Kehas (New Hampshire) and Brad Volz (Arkansas).

Their responses to Myrtle are lovely.

Alethea says Myrtle is “a beautifully written and illustrated tale of friendship and acceptance. I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it as much as my niece!”

Brad calls Myrtle “a timely and timeless story most needed in our troubled world. Myrtle the Purple Turtle is a delightful book to help teach children to embrace both their uniqueness and shared humanity.”

Thank you all! And remember: #loveyourshell!

A Good Home, Children's Books, Illustrated Books, Myrtle The Purple Turtle, New Children's Books

Purple Toenails and … Myrtle Becomes French?

November 19, 2017December 13, 2017 Cynthia Reyes

I’m moving at the speed of turtles this week (to quote Oscar at Hermit’s Door), but it’s been a turtally wonderful time for Myrtle (to quote Gallivanta).

First: Is this not the sweetest face?

Blog Photo - Myrtle book held by Aggeliki - 6 yrs old - mother Theano takes photo

Meet Aggiliki, 6, whose photo was taken by mom Theano, of Whitby, Ontario. Thank you, Theano and Aggiliki, for this delightful photo, and for loving Myrtle the Purple Turtle!

Second: Myrtle has been translated into French, thanks to Jean Long and Jessica Charnock.

When they first read Myrtle the Purple Turtle, Jessica noticed that Jean was translating the words into French as he read. They quickly offered to do a written translation for publication, and of course I said, “Yes, thank you very much!”

Blog Photo - Jean and Jessica

You may remember Jean and Jessica. A French-Canadian couple, he’s a former teacher and vice-principal, and she’s a former high fashion model, secretary and wine importer. Both are extremely creative (see my blog posts about their remarkable creations).

Myrtle will also get a French name! More on that later.

Blog Photo - St Thomas' Church Ext New and Old

Third: At my family church, St. Thomas’ Anglican in the village of Brooklin (northeast of Toronto), 7 year old Makayla marched up to me this morning. She clearly and politely requested her very own copy of Myrtle, paid for it, and waited as I signed it.

Blog Photo - Myrtle fan at St Thomas church

It was part of a successful fundraising book-sale at St. Thomas’ today. Money raised will benefit the parish’s good works.

Fellow author Paul Mason also kindly contributed books to the sale. We both feel privileged to do this. Our families have both experienced the loving kindness for which this church is known.

Blog Photo - St Thomas' Church LOVE stained glass — Above 4 photos by Hamlin Grange

Fourth, Myrtle has been blessed with more positive reviews. I’m over the moon with gratitude to these terrific bloggers who took the time to read Myrtle the Purple Turtle recently and review it. This is a magnificent gift and I thank you all:

Sally Cronin

Wendy Macdonald

Gallivanta

Sheryl Normandeau

Oscar Larson

And finally, an elegant, well-known friend of mine, who — to protect the guilty — shall only be identified as Rita D, decided to one-up my friend Mandy and me after we painted our fingernails purple. Yes, she had her toenails painted purple.

Blog Photo - Myrtle and Rita Purple Nails