My Book
I wrote a book to learn about publishing.
Fortune Cookie Surprise! originated from an essay I created based on my enjoyment of fortune cookies and the wonderful messages inside them. Many of my happiest memories connect to sharing and laughing over fortune cookies with my family and friends at our favorite Chinese restaurant.
The book is about a girl named Emily who realizes over dinner at her favorite Chinese restaurant that she is much like a fortune cookie—she adds the finishing touch to her family just as the cookie adds a final touch to the meal. She is even more surprised by her realization that people are similar to fortune cookies, each unique and special.
The process of taking an idea and developing it into a short story has taught me every aspect of book publishing, including writing, editing, illustrating, and printing. Publishing this book took initiative, commitment, and countless hours of revisions. I appreciate all the guidance provided from my family, friends, mentors, and teachers.
For more information visit rosebudpublishing.com
Now available for purchase at Amazon
Readers’ Favorite - Book Review by Stacie Haas 5/21/18:
4 out of 5 stars!
Fortune Cookie Surprise! by Jacqueline Prata is the story of a young girl named Emily who is on her way to one of her favorite activities: eating Chinese food with her family. The addition of Chinese food at their favorite restaurant makes everyday life extra special, especially when there’s something to celebrate. Read full review.
Online Book Club Review – 6/9/18: 3 out of 4 stars!
What’s with kids these days? Aren’t they busy enough with Algebra, Chemistry, and Physics, varsity sports, and proms?
Of course, I am jealous! In my youth, my father would brag to his friends, “My daughter has been reading books since she was this tall!” Now, a typical SMS message from one teen to another would be, “Hey, fam! Wats d l8tst book u wrote?” Read full review.
FOREWORD REVIEWS
forewordreviews.com
Foreword Reviews – 8/23/18: 3 out of 5 stars!
Easy language and an imaginative layout make for a reader-friendly book. The text follows Jacqueline Prata’s illustrations well. In an amusing twist, the text is written as if it is on fortune cookie strips. Pictures are creative and colorful. Emily and her family are consistently drawn. Their faces are expressive as they laugh at their silly fortunes.
Fortune Cookie Surprise is a picture-book reminder that all children are loved and special; it reinforces the importance of love. Read full review.
Kirkus Book Review - 8/31/18
Jacqueline Prata based this heartwarming story on an essay she wrote about fortune cookies, and while the tale is plot light and message heavy, the moral is simply stated and not overdone. The author’s illustrations combine pencil drawings and watercolor backgrounds. Prata’s text reads as genuine and heartfelt.
A sweet story by a teenager about the importance of children—which may inspire other young writers. Read full review.
“I always tell students to save whatever they write because you never know what you might want to use in the future, and Jackie's experience bears this out. And it also shows just how powerful an insightful metaphor can be in communicating complex, abstract ideas like love and family relationships. Fortune Cookie Surprise! is a great message for young children, presented in a way they can easily grasp.”
— Marc Maier, 7th Grade English Teacher
“A delightful read, filled with great lessons and loving reminders for children and families everywhere. Kids will enjoy sharing Emily’s adventure as she embarks on her Fortune Cookie Surprise and reminds us that every child serves a unique and special role in their family.”
— Abigail Abrams, Artist
“Fortune Cookie Surprise! by debut author and illustrator Jacqueline Prata is a joy to read. The story begins by sharing one child’s traditions within her own family. The child realizes that the love she experiences in her family is a gift that she can share with others. Readers are reminded that they themselves are special and that they add so much to their own families. Everyone can also make the world a better place through organizations like the ones listed. Prata’s illustrations are authentic, bright and bold, and bring the story to life. Fortune Cookie Surprise! is a reminder of the importance of family and the ways in which small actions can make a big difference.”
— Louisa Polos-Condon
“I read the book to my 5 year old son. I didn’t give him any details about getting the book from work. Two days later at bedtime he says “I want to read this book again, I love it and I love Fortune Cookie Surprise.”
— Laura Saavedra, Editor Portal Magazine (first bilingual magazine in Westchester, NY)
“I got the books today and was so impressed. It is awesome, I can assure you that the museum copy will be displayed prominently in the Wreaths Across America museum ... I knew when we first met, Jacqueline was a young lady going places.”
—Wayne Merritt, Vice Chairman, Wreaths Across America
“My kids all loved Fortune Cookie Surprise!. We read the book two nights in a row. It is our daughter’s new favorite bedtime story. And she’s been talking a lot lately about all the love she has in her heart and how she gives it to everyone. She totally gets the message of Fortune cookie surprise and my sense is that the message of the book resonates on a very deep level with her. It’s kind of amazing. What a beautiful book and inspirational message. Jackie is simply remarkable!”
Emily Fontana, Mother and Children’s Book Author, “Echo Comes Home”
“Life lessons await quietly all around us, and little Emily finds hers in her favorite restaurant. As she eagerly awaits the grand finish to her Chinese meal, Emily begins to realize people are much like that anxiously awaited cookie: Each one special, and holding a personal revelation to the one that takes it. She also realizes that she too is that special finishing touch to her parents, making it a complete and delightful experience.”
Darleen Wohlfeil, Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Story Monsters Ink® is the literary resource for teachers, librarians, and parents that offers the latest news on award-winning and debut books and products, author interviews, book reviews, reading lists, and more.
The Story Monsters Approved! book designation program was developed to recognize and honor accomplished authors in the field of children’s literature that inspire, inform, teach, or entertain.
Books must pass rigorous judging by industry experts followed by a panel of youth judges. A Story Monsters seal of approval means children their own age enjoyed the book and are recommending they read it too.
Fortune Cookie Surprise! earned Story Monsters Approved! designation in the following categories:
Picture Books (Ages 3–8)
Young Author Fiction
Family Matters: Books that deal with issues affecting the family.
Congratulations to Jacqueline Prata our 2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards winner for Best Fiction Youth Author, and Honorable Mention for Picture Books 5 & Younger and Best Cover Design!
The Purple Dragonfly Book Awards is an international book competition that was created in 2009 to celebrate the best in children’s books, recognizing accomplished, up-and-coming, and younger published authors in the field of children's literature.
Events
On July 21st 2018 Book Launch and Signing at Elm Street Books in
New Canaan, CT with 5 times the bookstores expectations of sales!
On August 11th 2018 Book Launch and Signing at Womrath Books in
Bronxville, NY with 8 times the bookstores expectations of sales!
Special guest at Resurrection Enchanted Forest Book Fair in Rye, NY on September 30th, 2018.
Harrison Public Library - Children's Discovery Center Tween Tuesday - Fortune Cookie Making and Book Reading on October 9th 2018.
On October 9th, Jackie was an invited guess speaker at Harrison Library. She read Fortune Cookie Surprise! and answered questions from over 20 children and their parents about the book creation and publishing process.
On October 17th, Jackie was an invited guess speaker at Parkway School - Greenwich Public Schools. She read Fortune Cookie Surprise! and answered questions from over 40 children, parents, and teachers about the book creation and publishing process.
“It was wonderful to have our students hear your story and learn how you took an idea from a school assignment, and with a strong vision and resolve, transformed it into a published book! Fortune Cookie Surprise truly captures the energy and enthusiasm of its creator” - Principal Mary Grandville
On October 20th, 2018 Jackie spoke to over 40 middle school students that are part of the outreach program, Saturdays at Sacred Heart (SASH). These children represent 28 public schools from Fairfield and Westchester counties. Jackie read and discussed Fortune Cookie Surprise! and conducted a raffle for her books!
On November 10th, Jackie enjoyed spending the afternoon at Rye Ridge Shopping Center signing her book Fortune Cookie Surprise! Extra special thanks to Win Ridge Realty for hosting and coordinating. A special thank you to Dusty Rose women’s fashion clothing store, Learning Express Toys, and Totally Hott Salon. Excited to now have Learning Express Toys carry her book in their store! Thank you to Portal Magazine for stopping by and featuring an article in their Winter Issue. Jackie sold over 15 copies of Fortune Cookie Surprise, despite the brisk temperature including first snowflakes of the season!
On December 5th, 2018 Jackie was part of a panel of authors speaking about the self-publishing process. She shared her experiences in the writing, illustrating and publishing process and at the same time gained some new ideas from fellow authors and self-publishers.
Interview with the International Literacy Association
The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a global advocacy and membership organization. Its mission is to empower educators, inspire students, and encourage leaders to make literacy accessible for all. The organization is made up of over 300,000 educators and researchers across 86 countries. They publish Literacy Daily a blog that posts on ILA news and recently interviewed Jackie for their “5 Questions With…” series. Notable authors including Megan McDonald (Judy Moody) and Tanya Lee Stone (Girl Rising) have been questioned in the past, so it was a real honor for Jackie to be included in their company.
On February 20-22nd 2019, Jackie sold copies of her book at the Sacred Heart - Greenwich Book Fair in Greenwich, CT.
On March 1, 2019 Jackie visited with Harrison Girl Scout Troop 2464 and discussed her story.
Silver Hill Hospital is a top psychiatric hospital for adults and adolescents located in New Canaan, CT. I was fortunate to be able to share my story and sign over 50 books for patients on March 21st and 24th and also participate in origami fortune cookie making! Thank you to Anne Romano, Director of Library Services, and volunteers Tracy Nguy, Jacqueline Sweeney, and Lisa Conlin. I could not have felt more welcome.
Jackie was featured in the June 2019 edition of Story Monsters Inc. magazine on how she turned her school essay into Fortune Cookie Surprise. Jackie described the hard work it took to see through to completion, and the the significant lifelong benefits she gained during the writing, editing, and publishing process.
A special thank you to Melissa Fales for taking the time to speak with me and writing the article.
On June 1st, Jackie was featured in Booked Parties’ Mini Movers and Shakers Showcase featuring young entrepreneurs. This event allowed for the sharing of innovative ideas and for visitors to learn about young emerging businesses and how they got started. Thank you to to Meryl Lefkowitz and Claire Gilvar of Booked Parties, and special guests and sponsors - Sam Levine, founder of Auburn Jewlerers, Octavia Ford, VP of Partnerships at Girls Scouts of America, Gary Wawrycki, from Wells Fargo and Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins for all the support and encouragement!
On July 17, 2019, NYC’s P.S. 229 and NIA Community Services Network welcomed Jackie to their 3rd-5th grade summer class to read, discuss and distribute books to the students. Thank you to Ms. Elaysel German, NIA Community Services Network Literacy Manager, P.S. 229 Site Director, Ms. Linda Panza, along with the entire staff in Brooklyn, NY. NIA Community Service Network’s mission "Building strong children, strong families and strong communities,” was apparent in the programming that they are doing and the children’s excitement, appreciation and insightful questions for Jackie. NIA Community Services Netowrk is a not-for-profit community service organization dedicated to programming that supports children and families across New York City’s most diverse and underserved neighborhoods.
