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Loraine Hayes is the author and illustrator of the Small Fry Spy Club children’s chapter book series. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with over 25 years’ experience as a psychotherapist. As a result, Loraine saw first hand how a resilient child can grow into a healthy and confident adult. By introducing simple lessons to children, their resilience can grow. To that end, Loraine set out to create a children’s chapter book series that could impart those lessons for children in a fun and exciting way.
Additionally, Loraine used her skill as an author and illustrator to create a children’s chapter book series that would help children navigate life with confidence, kindness to others, and self-respect. With this in mind, she created a group of diverse characters with which children could relate. Each of the characters uses their unique qualities to become positive role models to children. However, when the characters work together, they are an unstoppable group of friends!
Imagination
With attention to how children learn and grow, Loraine knew that using a child’s imagination was a powerful tool. She knew that if a child was having a bad day, reading and using their imagination could be a positive escape. But in good days and bad, if what they were reading fostered in them a desire to seek friendship, learn from their mistakes, motivate them to bravely take responsible risks, display kindness, label emotions to gain self-awareness, and be accepting, they were not far from becoming resilient. In addition, children can acquire a sense of belonging when they read about the adventures of these seven remarkable friends. Yes, Imagination can be a great healer, teacher, and motivator. Loraine hopes that her books can do all that and more after children experience the adventures of the Small Fry Spy Club. Because kids can never have too many friends!
Lastly, Loraine called upon her love of family to create fun and positive books for children that address many important issues. Some of them include: responsibility, bullying, self-esteem, friendship, forgiveness, honor, teamwork, respect, managing difficult emotions, and problem solving.