Alexandria,
VA, February 14, 2000-A new children's
book author, known by the pen name "Rainey," is pioneering
children's book writing and publishing with Monsters in Your
Bed…Monsters in Your Head (DreamDog Press, www.dreamdog.com,
March 2000), the first in a series of 12 engaging children's
stories to empower preschoolers and young children to work through
their fears and problems through easy to understand rhyming
solutions. Although she has adopted the moniker, Rainey, she
is known in the legal profession as Lorraine Friedman, a nationally
respected attorney dealing in children's rights issues.
Rainey's approach to entertaining
children sets her apart from other children's authors through
a seemingly effortless skill and an undetectable ability to
weave fun whimsical rhymes with beautiful illustrations to empower
children to solve their own problems, while educating them about
social issues. Her unwavering passion and concern for children
and the myriad stresses that today's world often brings them,
is the foundation for DreamDog books. Each book will explore
different life lessons through the series' recurring character
Jazz the DreamDog™ who helps guide the Rainbow Kids to
find the answers to problems within themselves.
Speaking recently to a
national radio audience on David Essel Alive! Rainey explained
that, "The life lesson of the first book, Monsters in Your
Bed… Monsters in Your Head is fear. Fear is often a natural
consequence of growing, up, of children learning about themselves,
others, and their world. As parents and teachers, we can help
children by providing a safe environment where their fears can
be discussed." When asked by Essel as to why she used monsters
to teach about fear, Rainey explained, "Sometimes, if children's
feelings of anxiety can't be expressed in real-life terms, they
may surface in many ways, such as fear of the dark, or perhaps
imaginary creatures. A majority of children between the ages
of 3 to l0 experience nightmares."
Rainey also told listeners,
"This book comes alive with vibrant and even friendly looking
monsters and creatures that the children ultimately realize
just need a place to live and a place to belong to stop them
from haunting their bedrooms at nighttime. And, herein lies
the opportunity for parents to begin a dialogue with their children
about homelessness and that we can all make a difference in
the lives of others." The book offers assistance to parents
and teachers through an insightful and useful "Note to
Parents and Teachers" section that has five interactive
activities for parents and children to do while they read the
story.
Says Alive! Host Essel,
"I'm very pleased that I could help Rainey and Jazz the
DreamDog™ get their unique approach to child empowerment
and social responsibility out into the world. Rainey has a tremendous
and much needed message for children, their parents, and society.
It's heartening that her zest for helping children within the
legal system has inspired her to help all children and their
parents in this very enchanting and inspirational way."
After obtaining her law
degree from Georgetown University, Rainey worked as a child
advocate and attorney for non-profit agencies representing homeless
and disabled children and their parents. She served as the Director
of Advocacy for People with Development Disabilities, helping
hundreds of homeless and disabled children fight for and obtain
needed educational and social services. After starting a family,
Rainey created the Jazz the DreamDog™ series of children's
books as a way of continuing her life's work of helping and
advocating on behalf of children through rhyming life lessons.
About DreamDog Press
DreamDog Press makes a difference in the lives of our young
readers through fun, inspiring and beautifully illustrated children's
picture books. Jazz the DreamDog™ is dedicated to empowering
children who are touched by our books to solve their problems,
and to making a difference in the lives of others. DreamDog
Press is donating twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the
Monsters in Your Bed…Monsters in Your Head book to organizations
that work with homeless children.
Advance copies of Monsters
in Your Bed…Monsters in Your Head can be purchased by calling
toll free 1.877.2.RAINEY (1.877.272.4639) or on the Web at www.dreamdog.com.
DreamDog Press can be reached at 703.535.1545 or by email at
rainey@dreamdog.com.
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