Children’s Book Author Kathy Brodsky Celebrates Bilingual Literacy Month with Release of 10th Book; First Spanish Edition

Arlington, MA - Award-winning children's book author Kathy Brodsky celebrated Children’s Book Week and the start of Bilingual Literacy Month with a reading at Henry Bear’s Park in Arlington, Mass. on Saturday, May 6. The reading coincided with the release of her 10th children's book, “El Cuento de Don Gato Pez,” or “A CatFish Tale,” which offers a comical chronicle of an unlikely friendship between a fish and a cat that will have parents and children alike chuckling. But most importantly, the tale weaves empowering, positive and inspirational messages in rhyme throughout the story, themes Brodsky is passionate about.

“It is important to me to encourage kids to read, write, and use their imaginations to tell stories, and by publishing ‘A CatFish Tale’ in Spanish, we hope to reach new audiences and amplify the importance of literacy,” Brodsky said. “You never know where an idea will come from, and I hope that the new translations of my books will inspire many, new ideas and friendships.”

“El Cuento de Don Gato Pez” is the first of three of Brodsky’s books that will be translated into Spanish. The next two will be printed with both English and Spanish translations on the same page, helping build bilingual reading skills while encouraging kids and their parents to read together. Brodsky’s unique voice and trademark rhyme sequences are preserved in the translated version. It chronicles what happens when Penguin heads off to Penguin University, and his pet fish are left in the care (and paws) of his good friend (and unconventional caretaker), the cat

“A CatFish Tale” debuted in 2013 to an enthusiastic response and a lot of laughter, with praise garnered thus far from Boston to Wisconsin, very much in keeping with the book’s own geographic route. Soon after, the title won “Book of the Year” from Creative Child Magazine, and was ranked as a top 10 selection of 700 books chosen by the Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice Awards.

“Unusual animal friendships are always fun and inspiring,” said Tony LaCasse, spokesperson for New England Aquarium. “Pack together one loyal cat friend with three fish and their fishlings on a trip from Cape Cod to Wisconsin; It's a whale of a cat-fish tale!” said Margaret Garner, children’s librarian at Boston Public Library.

“A CatFish Tale” also teaches important lessons about responsibility and compassion and ends with a discussion of thoughtful questions for use by older children, parents and grandparents, educators and librarians.

“Through rhyme, illustration and probing questions, Kathy Brodsky offers up a delightful tale of friendship and kindness that will help nurture positive social skills in our children,” said Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Fine artist and illustrator, and longtime collaborator, Cameron Bennett once again brings Brodsky’s words to life with whimsical, hand-painted artwork featuring guest appearances by many of the characters from Brodsky's earlier books.

Brodsky, a New Hampshire psychotherapist for over 40 years, is a licensed clinical social worker who writes and promotes quality books that are timely, visually exciting, entertaining, and educational and fun. She tells more than just a funny story in “A CatFish Tale” and uses her professional experience to tap into universal emotions of people of all ages with themes that are evident in her books. All of her books offer socially conscious messaging as well as gentle lessons wrapped neatly in rhyming verse and colorful, highly appealing illustrations. Often seen through the eyes of animals and usually inanimate objects, children connect with the themes and ideas.

Brodsky’s books include fan favorite award-winners like “A Horse Named Special,” “Stover,” “The Winner Is...,” “My Bent Tree,” “The Inside Story,” and “High Wire Act.” They are published by Helpingwords, and can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble (BN.com) and other retailers, and at kathybrodsky.com. Brodsky regularly visits bookstores, schools and nonprofit organizations to share her books and love of reading as a guest author, speaker and writer-in-residence, most recently as a presenter at the Granite YMCA of Downtown Manchester’s Early Learning Center as part of a Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) program to promote literacy for at-risk children and during Children’s Book Week at Henry Bear’s Park in Arlington, Mass.

Teachers have often used Brodsky’s messages for furthering social awareness in their students. Her books have earned positive reviews and awards from Children’s Book Council, The Huffington Post, and others, and Kathy is involved with many efforts to promote literacy for children and families. To learn more about Brodsky’s work, upcoming appearances, or to purchase any of her books, visit kathybrodsky.com. Contact Brodsky at 603.668.1975 or kathy@kathybrodsky.com.

Photo caption: New England author Kathy Brodsky read to children and their parents on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Henry Bear’s Park in Arlington, Mass. as part of the store’s celebration of Children’s Book Week. Brodsky, who has written 11 children’s books, all with positive and empowering messages, offered ideas for families to share the joy of reading together and the importance of encouraging others to tell stories. She works with a national nonprofit literacy organization to give inspiring presentations to children across New England and beyond, and regularly participates in events that help kids get excited about stories and reading. Brodksy recently released a new book, “High Wire Act,” which was awarded Creative Child Magazine’s Book of the Year Award, and released a Spanish edition of her earlier book, “A Catfish Tale.”

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