Enchantment of Learning The Dance of Gagi The Unicorn

   Today the weather here wasn't the best; so I decided to take advantage of a nice walk indoors. That is, a lovely journey into The World of Gagi The Unicorn, Book Two "Look At Me".

   Have you ever felt like you just knew something was off but you couldn't put your finger on it as to why?  Frustratingly, this is how I have been feeling about one of my illustrations for Book Number Two. It just really didn't seem right. I kept revising and changing it; yet knew it could be far more than what I had interpreted it to be. Interestingly enough I decided to walk away from it and just let it be. Or did I?

    One foot in front of the other I left my writing and illustration room only to turn right around.  Sometimes the simplest solutions are right in front of you, literally, my dancing feet showed me this :)

How I am moved
How I am guided
How I tango in
Awaited revelation
How I dip
How I spiral 
In life's dance
With and without frustration
How I allow
To hear
Like music in greatest of affirmation
How I know
How I am given
The greatest in spiritual translation


Though I have many more revisions to make to my illustration; I know it will dance when it hears the music play  :)

Please continue to follow my blog Gagitheunicorn.blogspot.com and visit my website: www.gagitheunicorn, Pinterest and Twitter  @marylandmcat

Whispers among the clouds Hope from beyond the Stars and Look At MeGagi The Unicorn

        When is the last time that you took the opportunity to close your eyes and wish for inner peace?

   Many of us share the commonality of multiple stresses each and every day; but have you ever thought about what it would be like in the midst of a storm to just look up and whisper words of thanks and praise among the clouds? How lovely would it be to be made aware that there is hope from beyond the stars.
   I know life can be hard! I have struggled with many very emotional challenges; seemingly all at once. So many times I would ask "Why?" instead of "How?" I have learned over the years that the moment I begin to cry, I understand  how important it is to just let it go and look up to the wondrous sky and ask "How do I learn from this?" Somehow, it immediately makes me smile and realize:

             My eyes remain to see the light from the sun and the shimmer from the stars
             My hands and feet can still move and feel the coolness of the lively earth
             My ears hear promise and peace in turbulence and in calm
             My senses smell and taste good things to come and
             My heart beats on
                                             and for that; truly...I am blessed

 When is the last time you took the opportunity to close your eyes and wish for inner peace?

How about taking the time to whisper a breath of thanks and praise among the clouds for your health and ask for healing from far and beyond the stars for those who are so sick and weak.

Inner peace will come- It will come :)

   I am finalizing the last five pages of the second book in the Gagi The Unicorn Children's Book Series. This is a very special book and is very near and dear to me. I hope is touches you as it touches me. The book is called "Look At Me". It is about a sick little unicorn that is in the hospital. Gagi The Unicorn may have no hair ( due to Chemotherapy) and although Gagi spends most days in a hospital room; the sweet little unicorn continues to have such a lively, happy and playful spirit. Gagi wants the reader ( and patient)  to know that in dealing with sickness; a positive and energetic attitude can change everything!
 
     I have worked for the past two years on the illustrations and Page 22 still makes me cry every time I see it.  My goal is to have you share this book with every single child, sick or well.  And for every book you purchase, one will be donated to a Children's Hospital. This is a large colorful picture book and will not be sold in stores. There are 28 pages to this book!

    Until all copies of the first book "Into the World Of Gagi The Unicorn" are sold, this will not be released. It is available proudly at BN.com, Amazon.com, Kindle, and the website.

    The third book entitled: "Goodnight Gagi" has been written and the illustrations are complete ( onto graphic colorization !). This book is what started the series in the first place. More to come, More to come :)          

   Please check out my website: www.GagiTheUnicorn.com for the latest updates and @marylandmcat on Pinterest for the latest "Look At Me" secret upload illustrations.

G'day and Hola Gagi How are ya?

  
                                                  Hi and G'day Gagi! Hola Gagi tambien!

   Gagi the Unicorn became International today! Into The World of Gagi the Unicorn, the first book in a children's picture book unicorn series, is now available through my website and can be shipped outside of The United States ( International First Class USPS) to: Mexico, Australia, and Canada.
   Please allow 1-2 weeks for Mexico and Canadian residents and 2-3 weeks for Australian residents ( The shipping times are probably a lot shorter and I will update once I have shipped to these countries. Please bear with me as this is a work in progress; it's always a work in progress :)

    There will be ten books that will complete the entire collection. The large 8"x8" glossy board books are  for children ages three to six. They will love all of the bright, shiny and colorful illustrations.
  
    What's neat about The Gagi the Unicorn series is that a child gets to decide whether Gagi ( pronounced Gah-Gee) is a boy or girl! The intention of the series is to ignite a child's own personal interpretation and in turn create their own magical story!
  
   The book's printing quality and format was very important to me; you will see why when you get your own copy! ( The format is the reason why I named my company 'Just Hold Me Books LLC'... you will see why  :)
     
    Check out my website for more information and for the most current updates regarding the second book in the series; "Look At Me". (This is a very special book and will be part of the Gagi The Unicorn Giving Program. See my site to see what it is all about :)


                                               

To the One Who Knows...."The Memories of Night Trees..." Here's to a great year and now 2015!

   Our world is made up of the most wonderful imaginations and dreams. We have and are who we are because someone decided to believe in what they envisioned, someone decided to act on what they passionately felt, and someone bravely risked taking that leap of faith so that we, you and I, could partake, expand, and explore in our own possibilities.

   I remember when I was a child, I kept thinking about how old I would be in the year 2000. (It's 2015!?!?:)  That didn't even seem real nor did what my future could possibly hold. I had no idea who I would become or what I would be though I did know; even then, that something magical would happen. I was in a high school Advanced English class and the assignment was to write a poem or prose that spoke to you. I went home, thinking, "What speaks to me?" It was funny, because one of my best friends at the time called me and said," This assignment is stupid. I am just going to write something like 'Roses are red, violets are blue, I hate this class and maybe you too". I thought to myself; hmm.. "What speaks to me....ROSES!! What is more beautiful on this on the earth, and for that matter, it must be here for a reason or for someone!"  I loved poetry from then on and to this day, many of my poems on twitter ( @marylandmcat ) have that same essence in earth, nature and beauty.

    Its a New Year and it's time to explore your path, both old and new! We all know there will be obstacles but never forget; you and your dreams ARE truly worth it. (How curious is trying circumstance in the moment; so seemingly dire, yet in outcome, quite contradictory and even glorious! How wonderful is vision in all capacity and in all senses when driven passion is acted upon so adamantly that somehow it is knowing,  it is sure it is creating something magical in our universe.)
   
 I hope that you will visit my website for updates on Gagi the Unicorn including the newest project of "Look at Me". I am working on creating a Gagi the Unicorn Giving Program where a child will be given their own copy when they are admitted into the hospital. This program will be because of your generosity. When you purchase a book one book will be donated to the hospital of your choice.
   
   This project will not get off of the ground unless I gain exposure to it. What that said; I am hopeful ( with many prayers backing it) in 2015 to find a someone who can help me endorse this program. ( Someone who loves children and magical unicorns! Calling all celebrities??? :)

    On that note; I leave you with this.... ( I think it is quite fitting....)

 A New Year's Poem: ENJOY! :)

" The memories of night trees
The shadows in forests too
Look to the light when you gaze up to the moon
The barren desert fields
That meet even the bluest of skies
The heavens never forget your tearful cries
What imagination that comes
When you learn to let go
What dreams to follow
Somehow they just show
The memories of night trees
The shadows in forests too
In Everything
A purpose
Including
Beautiful YOU "

- Mary Catherine Leakan


  

Gagi The Unicorn Wishes you and yours a Happy Happy HAPPY Holiday Season!

Hi there!
   What a busy holiday it is! Gagi The Unicorn is looking forward to the New Year with YOU! Please check out www.gagitheunicorn.com Events page to see what Gagi will be up to next!
     Plan on seeing Book Two "Look At Me" release date, author signing appearances/dates, specialty retail outlets carrying Gagi the Unicorn Series, the latest news on upcoming books, book festival appearances, and much, much MORE!
   I wish you peace and kindness this holiday season! Please don't forget those who are less fortunate and those who ask for nothing other than our love: the earth's precious animals!

Good Luck Gagi The Unicorn: "Happy Trails to You" You're on your way to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan!

   Gagi The Unicorn is traveling to many places (due to the many book orders - thank you!) and now Gagi's new adventure is to pack it up and head to New York City!
   "Into The World of Gagi The Unicorn" ( Book One of Gagi the Unicorn Children's Book Series)  is on its way ( via Priority Mail USPS today- hee hee ) to the largest retail bookseller in the United States, Barnes and Noble!  Will they consider placement in their 658 United States retail stores? I guess only time will tell!
   As I patiently wait, I will keep Dale Evans' (a.k.a. Roy Rogers) "Happy Trails" playing in my head and heart; Gagi The Unicorn style:

"Happy trails to Gagi, until we meet again.
Happy trails to Gagi, keep smilin' little unicorn until then.
Who cares about the wait when in my mind it'll all come together?
Just sing a song and think about being in Barnes and Noble together.
Happy trails to Gagi, 'til we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the rainbow that counts,
Here's a happy one for you Gagi.

Happy trails to Gagi, until we meet again.
Happy trails to Gagi, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the wait when in my mind it'll all come together?
Just sing a song and think about being in Barnes and Noble together.
Happy trails to you, 'til we meet again...."

Until we meet again Gagi...maybe, just maybe, in Barnes and Noble- together again! ( I now see me riding a unicorn into the sunset.....ha ha ha!)

Picture Day!

Hello!
   Today Into the World of Gagi The Unicorn ( Book One in the Gagi The Unicorn Series) revealed it's more polished professional side. These pictures show the actual board book. Look how bright the colors are :) I wish you could see the size and feel of the book ( well; you can by ordering one ha ha).     
     I read this book to a little girl just the other day and after I was done reading it; she politely asked if she could take the book so that she could read it to her baby doll. It's the perfect size for a child to feel like they are the parent and in way that they know they are really holding onto something special!
    There are just a few advanced signed copies left and are available at www.GagiTheUnicorn.com