An American writer with over twenty-two years and counting of experience, Leela Hope is a children’s writer who has a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Knowing exactly what it is that children are looking for when it comes to reading, she seeks to educate and entertain her young readers. This will then provide them with a whole score of different stories, all in-depth, whilst appearing simple and easy to access upon the surface. It is her imagination that also compels readers to become more heavily invested within her stories as well, allowing her audience to almost escape into them. Creating much loved characters as well, she definitely manages to create a style that is easy to relate to, whilst also saying something on a deeper level.
Whilst she has immersed herself in other genres over the years, it is always children’s literature that she comes back to, as this her first love. Setting up whole entire worlds, she manages to paint a broad picture, with highly vivid and believable landscapes, despite how far-fetched they may seem otherwise. This is something that she continues to love and appreciate, with more titles set to arrive in the following years to come.
Early and Personal Life
Born in San Diego in the United States, Leela Hope would grow up with a strong passion for storytelling. This would evolve throughout the years, taking shape, as she would come to evolve her style for her writing career that was to follow. Studying English Literature at Berkeley, she would go on to achieve her degree in 1989, which would see her move her style forwards too.
Fascinated with children’s fiction, she would quickly fall in love with the genre, telling plenty of stories in the process. This she would refine and hone as a skill throughout the following years to come, with plenty of stories that would inspire and entertain. Currently living in an urban area of San Diego, she continues to write to this very day, with plenty more stories to come yet.
Writing Career
Starting out originally writing children’s stories from the outset, Leela Hope would begin by publishing ‘Winter Muddle Puddles’. This would then lead the way to a whole host of story picture books being released between 2013 and 2014, many featuring similar themes. Always having a strong moral to each of her stories, she would also illustrate her novels in a clear and highly distinctive style. This is something that appears set to continue for a long time to come too, with plenty more stories to be published in the near future.
The Bear Who Loved Chocolate
Originally brought out in 2014, this was first released on the 2nd of September, arriving to much acclaim and anticipation. With a whole host of books already behind her, this was essentially a picture story-book for young children, and one with a moral to it. Using full-color illustrations throughout, it was initially released on the Kindle as well, lending itself to a whole range of different platforms.
Working primarily as a learning book for young children, this is set to teach them about the joy of new foods. Using fun and colorful visuals to populate its story, it definitely manages to bring to characters and the world to life, giving it a real sense of vibrancy in the process. The central character of the bear is also an easy one to relate to as well, showing a clear learning curve through his character arc. Not only that, but the world that it inhabits is a fun one too, using a simple design so younger readers don’t feel to lost or overwhelmed by it all.
Only ever wanting to chocolate, the Chocolate Bear has one goal in life and that is to eat as much chocolate as he possibly can. Whatever time of the day it is he will eat it, regardless of whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, but then, one day, he runs out, leaving him upset. Looking for more chocolate he finds that he may have to turn to other foods instead of chocolate, something which is new and scary to him. Not knowing whether he can or not, he must be brave and attempt to step out of his comfort zone, exploring new and exciting foods. Will he be able to do it? Where will his exciting food journey take him? What will become of the bear who loved chocolate?
Leonard The Clever Lion
Released on the Kindle once again, this manages to engage its young readers once more, with another stand-alone picture story-book. Illustrated as well, it uses an animal as its central protagonist once more too, allowing the younger readers to follow his progress throughout. Published on the 26th of September in 2014, it was released not long after the publication of the previous title as well.
Once again working as a parable for young children, this definitely manages to convey its message in a clear and accessible manner. Allowing its distinctive visual and engaging style of prose to immerse its audience in the story, it really works at managing what it sets out to achieve. The character of Leonard as its central protagonist is also a fun one, with a real personality that will be sure to capture the attention of children. Getting to the heart of its subject matter, it really has a colorful visual style, and one the lends itself to the overall story well too.
Worried he might be living in the shadow of his more handsome, stronger and braver brother, Leonard the Lion doesn’t have too much confidence. That’s when he attempts to use his brain instead, along with his caring heart, as he raises his confidence by solving various different problems. This leads to the other jungle animals electing him as their leader, with him becoming the King of the Jungle and leading them all. Finding himself, he attempts to become everything he truly can be and more, whilst realizing his own inner strength and sense of being. Will he manage to overcome his lack of confidence and become the true king? Can he make the most of himself? What will become of Leonard the clever lion?
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