Valerie Pfundstein is a local Long Island children’s author and Momee of three children. She is a former kindergarten teacher who now travels from school to school visiting with kids and reading her book: Veterans : Heroes in Our Neighborhood.

About the book:

 Veterans : Heroes in Our Neighborhood is a rhyming picture book and is well written for children of all ages.

“After learning about veterans in school, a young boy discovers that heroes live all around him: the butcher, barber, librarian, and many other members of his community who have helped protect our freedom and liberty by serving in various branches of the American military. Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood is an engaging rhyming picture book for readers of all ages that fosters mindfulness of and appreciation for the brave service men and women who are also our family, friends, and neighbors.”- http://valeriepfundstein.webs.com/apps/blog/

 

My Momee Friends of Long Island interview with Valerie Pfundstein:

The first two questions I had asked Valerie was; “how long did it take you to write the book Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood?  and  “What was your inspiration in writing the book?”

Within one year Valerie had written her first book and published it. Speaking with Valerie was wonderful and how she came to write the story is a great story in itself. While teaching a kindergarten class at Birch Lane Elementary School in Massapequa Park  she asked a veteran; Manny Jimenez to visit with her students. While he visited with the children he read them a book. The book was not about Veterans or Veterans Day because there was no books written about either subject. It seemed silly to her that an American hero (a veteran ) was not reading a book that related to him and the reason for his visit. Valerie made a promise to Manny that if he came back to read for her class the next year she would have a story about a veteran for him to read. And that is what she did.  The next year Manny came back and read to the students the story that Valerie had written.

The book is a rhyming picture book. What made you have the book rhyme?

Valerie: ” Being a kindergarten teacher I had seen that a book that rhymes are attractive to a young audience.”

When did your love for writing begin?

Valerie: “as a kid I did not like writing because I was told what to write. It was not until I found something I wanted to write about and liked did I enjoy writing. I enjoy to write something with a purpose.”

Where is your favorite place to be?

Valerie:  “Wherever my kids are is my favorite place to be. I love going to different fields where my kids are playing sports. I have never missed a game and I love watching them play sports they enjoy.”

What advice would you give aspiring children authors?

Valerie:  “Write to touch someone’s heart. If you give your story to your mother and she cries then it is a good story. My husband always says If you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life and that is so true.”

What is your overall message that you want your readers to get from reading your book?

Valerie: ” to find the hero veterans in their lives and find out their stories. Take the time to get to know them and thank them.”

Can we expect a second book from you soon?

Valerie: “Yes, I have written a book called Lucky Him. The story is about a fireman and the overall message is when I need help a fireman is there for me. Children will be able to read and sing along to the story. I asked Joe Guida who is known as the “singing bus driver” to help me by writing the song for the book. And a NYC fireman Josef Fischer illustrated the book.”

She will be publishing this next book on her own by her publishing company, Pfun-omenial stories.

Valerie loves traveling to schools and sharing her book with students. She wants kids to know the importance of veterans and their stories. She often compares our hero veterans to superheroes because kids love superheroes and the men and women who serve our country are protecting us from harm just like a superhero.  

If you would like to contact Valerie please email her: valeriepfundstein@gmail.com

or visit her website: http://valeriepfundstein.webs.com/

The book  Veterans : Heroes in Our Neighborhood is a great book and I highly recommend it as a book to add to your child’s collection. The story was written with passion and a purpose and kids will enjoy the story. The message Valerie wants our kids to get out of the book is a heartfelt one and I think kids will look at all the “superheroes” in our neighborhood with a smile and an interest to get to know them after reading this book. A Momee Friend of Long Island Favorite Book : )

A percentage of the sales of Valerie’s Book goes to Hope for the Warriors.  “The mission of Hope for the Warriors® is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families.”

Donate —-> click here

About Cpl. Manny Jimenez:

Cpl. Manny Jimenez is a veteran of the Marine Corps and became injured while serving our country. He is an American Hero and his story is inspiring. After losing his arm, losing hearing in one ear and some of his vision due to a mine explosion in Afghanistan in 2010.  Manny continues to live life with a smile and even decided to participate in the Marine Corps Trial a year after his injury. He is a true inspiration for kids and adults to look up to.

 

A big THANK YOU to Valerie Pfundsten for taking the time to speak with me and allowing my readers as well as hers to get to know her a little bit better.