Tag Archives: Fly Anyway

Celebrating Labor Day with Books

Labor Day is a celebrated holiday in the US, Canada, and many other nations around the world. It honors the workers who have made significant contributions to the development and growth of the nation. Apart from the parades and barbecues, this holiday represents the resilience and hard work of the working-class population. To help you celebrate your hard work and achievements, what better way than to indulge in some good books? In this post, we will be discussing a hand-picked selection of books that not only represent the working-class but also showcase the evolving nature of people and resilience. How they are inspiring others with their works.

Mark T. Mahaffey, a living legend in Saint Petersburg, Florida, shares the story of his life-long journey as The Pathfinder. More than the name behind the iconic Mahaffey Theater, Mark Mahaffey is the patriarch of one of the largest, family-owned, real estate companies in Florida. Reflecting on the road that brought him to where he is today, he recognizes the defining moments that were the tailwinds to his success. Finding the right path is never easy, but with the support of his family, friends, and some key mentors along the way, Mark confidently navigated through some of life’s most challenging obstacles. The Pathfinder is a loving tribute to all those people who helped pave the way of the Mahaffey legacy and the friendships that have blossomed along the way. From growing up in Indiana and attending the University of Notre Dame, to serving in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, to growing the Mahaffey Apartment Company, to exploring the world with his closest kin and kith, Mark Mahaffey hopes to inspire his readers to live life to the fullest.

It is normal for students to experience BIG feelings that are sometimes hard to manage at school. Riley’s story is designed to validate and inspire young students to be open and honest with their trusted adults about big feelings. This educational resource helps cultivate emotional intelligence, develop empathy, and enhance resiliency in our youngest scholars. Join Riley on her journey of self-discovery and her excitement to share what she has learned with the other pupils.

Legend has it that there is a quote that hangs in the halls of NASA that reads, “Aerodynamically a bumble bee’s body is not made to fly because the breadth of it’s wings is too small to keep it’s huge body in flight. The good thing is, the bee doesn’t know that and flies anyway.” This is the story of a little bumble bee who dreams of flying but from the start is told all the reasons why she can’t. Determined, she sets off on a journey that takes her from the beach, to the mountains, to the jungle and lots of places in between. Along the way she learns through friendship and perseverance to believe in herself and fly anyway.

Everyone is dealt a ‘deck of cards’ at birth. That deck can represent people’s personalities as much as disparate situations. Each card/person has a role to play in the game of life. Interdependence is key to our individual and collective survival, whether it’s finding one’s professional niche, handling difficult customers, or developing creative ideas to stop climate change. Everything and everybody affects each other. Building from the principle that we often exist in solitary ‘silos,’ Ullven provides 180 Silo Secrets which readers can immediately apply in their daily lives. She helps readers identify their “superpowers” and use those to impact their personal lives, professional lives, and local communities. Perhaps most importantly, she emphasizes that no one person can do it all, nor should anyone attempt to do so. We’re all part of a greater whole and the tools she’s provided, ranging from personality assessments to top ten lists of tips, aim to help people feel empowered, rather than overwhelmed.

An inspirational memoir of a man who escaped war torn Liberia to eventually find asylum in America. However, it was not an easy road to travel. As a child, it took Pitman and his family almost two months to walk on foot from their country into Sierra Leone. With nothing but the clothes on their backs, they had to hide from rebels who were on a rampage amputating and murdering anyone who they thought were connected to the government. In his debut book, Kennedy takes you along his journey of being a refugee from a 3rd world country to becoming a successful businessman in the states.

Books are an excellent way to celebrate Labor Day, honor the working class, and gain an understanding of the current socio-economic issues. Labor Day is a time for people to celebrate their hard work and dedication to their respective jobs. While some use the holiday as an opportunity to relax and unwind, others spend the day reflecting on how they can improve their work. Whether you are an employee, an employer, or a student, you can benefit from reading books.

See all of the amazing stories we have published on Amazon!

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Fly Anyway TV Interview & Book Signing!

Tampa best friends write children’s book teaching kids to believe in themselves. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Legend has said, aerodynamically, bumblebees shouldn’t be able to fly.

“Their bodies are too big for their little wings,” says children’s book author, Amy Quezon-Wilde. “It goes on to say that bees don’t know anything about the laws of physics and they fly anyway.”

That is the concept behind a book she and her best friend, Kelly Jo Terry wrote, called, “Fly Anyway.” The two have been best friends for 25 years. The book is a learning lesson for children, teaching them no matter what anyone says they can do anything!

Fly Anyway is a labor of love, but it stemmed from heartbreak. Kelly lost her oldest son suddenly in 2020, just before the pandemic.

“My world shut down and the entire world shut down,” says Kelly.

She also put down the paintbrush. After her son, Sam, died, she didn’t paint anything for 10 months. All the while, Amy would send her uplifting pictures of bumblebees.

“My son that passed away loved bees and was a huge environmentalist, and was very concerned about the world we lived in,” says Kelly.

Then, one day, Amy sent a picture of a bee to her friend that sparked something, and Kelly picked up the paintbrush again.

Fly Anyway the book

“You don’t feel allowed to feel joy, but she gave me joy,” says Kelly.

The two created Fly Anyway, which explains the story of Bea, who is told by other animals that can fly– she cannot.

It’s not until the end, she realizes she’s been flying all along. After writing it, they realized it mirrors the story of Kelly’s grief.

“Kelly was bee,” says Amy. “Kelly was flying anyway. She was doing things that she didn’t even realize she was doing to help other people.”

Meantime, Kelly says Sam was always her biggest fan and would be smiling at their success.

“He would be over the moon. He is over the moon, we know. He shows himself to us all the time,” says Kelly.

The authors will be doing a live reading & book signing at the Barnes & Noble located at 128 Westshore Boulevard in Tampa on August 26th 2023 from 11am – 1pm. The book can also be purchased online here: https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Anyway-Amy-Quezon-Wilde/dp/1954094345

Barnes & Noble book singing

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Bees & Baseball… Just in time for summer reading!

Summer is here and there’s no better way to make the most of it than with a great book! Whether you’re lounging by the pool, taking a road trip, or just looking for an escape from reality, these books are perfect for your summer reading list. From captivating real life stories about baseball to children’s books about bees , there’s something for everyone. Now’s the time to grab our new releases and dive into some summer reading! Who knows—you might just find your new favorite book while you’re at it! So don’t wait—get lost in a great story this summer and make the most of your time away from work and school. Happy reading!

The Last Dance by Edward Porcelli
THE LAST DANCE: The Eagles’ Rise to Extinction by Edward Porcelli

For the baseball lover. A true story about college players. On February 11th, 2021, The North Carolina Central Baseball team walked into a meeting with the university’s athletic director, expecting to be told they were canceling the upcoming season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they were told their school was canceling baseball altogether, and that the 2021 season would be its last for the Eagles. Across the nation, historically black colleges and university baseball programs, are on the chopping block. This is the true story of the events leading up to that fateful day and how the NCCU baseball family persevered over the following months. Assistant Coach and author, Ed Porcelli, gives a first-hand account of how the players, coaches, friends, and baseball alumni of NCCU baseball, dealt with the loss of its program. What was the real reason as to why the administration decided to drop baseball? Was this really a financial decision due to the covid pandemic, or were there other factors at play? Be in the dugout, with the players and coaches, as Central enjoys its best and last season representing the Eagles. Presidential photographer Al Drago illustrates the many different emotions of the players during their final season, capturing the last moments of the Eagles, before their inevitable extinction.

Fly Anyway by Amy Quezon-Wilde and Kelly Jo Terry
Fly Anyway by Amy Quezon-Wilde  (Author), Kelly Jo Terry (Illustrator)

For kids story time. Legend has it that there is a quote that hangs in the halls of NASA that reads, “Aerodynamically a bumble bee’s body is not made to fly because the breadth of it’s wings is too small to keep it’s huge body in flight. The good thing is, the bee doesn’t know that and flies anyway.”

This is the story of a little bumble bee who dreams of flying but from the start is told all the reasons why she can’t. Determined, she sets off on a journey that takes her from the beach, to the mountains, to the jungle and lots of places in between. Along the way she learns through friendship and perseverance to believe in herself and fly anyway.

Summer is all about relaxation, and what better way to unwind than by escaping into a good book? These books are our top picks for summer reading and are sure to keep you entertained, inspired, and engaged. You can check out all of our published books by clicking here. Whether you prefer light-hearted romance, empowering memoirs, or thought-provoking fiction, there’s a book on this list for you. So, grab a cold drink, snag a comfortable chair, and get ready to indulge in some top-notch summer reading!

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