Linda Valderrama Presents Brush Barry Brush

Today I am pleased to host Linda Valderrama and her book, Brush Barry Brush, as part of her World of Ink Book Tour.

Linda Valderrama R.D.H. has over 25 years experience as a dental hygienist. She has treated patients from ages two to one hundred years old and has successfully developed preventative oral hygiene programs tailored to individual needs. Linda is a strong believer that good oral hygiene habits lead to good overall health and that these daily habits must be acquired early in life. She is working towards developing programs for schools, assisted living facilities and healthcare institutions to enable them to offer more effective oral hygiene programs.

I asked Linda some questions about her and her book, Brush Barry Brush.

Kai: What age range is Brush Barry Brush for?
  

Linda: The age range is for children 3-6 yrs old.

Kai: Can you share a memory of yours or a story of you from when you were within this age range?

Linda: I always had good experiences at the dentist. I remember that he gave away good prizes at the end of an appointment, and I actually had fun when I went there. I remember my mom limiting candy around the house. At that time there was not ever any discussion about plaque or brushing after eating.
  
Kai: How has life changed for children today than when you were that age?

Linda: Now, we know exactly why cavities happen. Preventative measures can keep teeth healthy for a lifetime. I think that most parents know about the importance of early childhood education and try to teach their children more, at an early age.

Kai: How is life still the same?
  
Linda: Parents love their children and want the best for them.  They want them to have the best chance of living a healthy, long life.

Kai: What was your favorite toy or activity when you were that age?
  
Linda: I do not remember a favorite toy but in old family movies it looks like I was always doing cartwheels!

Kai: What inspired Brush Barry Brush and how did you decide on this age range for your story?

Linda: Early Childhood Caries (decay) is at a crisis level even here in the United States. Fifty percent of young children have cavities before they reach second grade. It is one of the most prevalent chronic childhood diseases, yet it is preventable. Since this is my area of expertise. I wanted to write a book that would get across the very simple idea that tooth brushing after eating whenever possible is very important. Anyone can do it and it is a key factor in preventing decay. In the first five to six years kids are most impressionable and able to learn easily. They will establish daily routines that stay with them forever.

Kai: Finally, I have four kids. Over the years they’ve attended a lot of birthday parties. I love the idea of building a theme gift around a book. If you were to give a gift basket to a child based on your book, what else would be in the basket besides Brush Barry Brush?

Linda: I would include in a brightly decorated basket:

a tube of children's toothpaste in a great flavor

several  colorful children  size toothbrushes

a decorated mirror

      a minute sand timer 
      some crayons and activity sheets like a maze (http://www.shirleysgirlpublications.com) and age appropriate coloring pages and/or materials to color and make a placemat. 
      words to brushing songs
      an extra sheet of stickers  
The basket could be personalized depending on boy or girl and the child's age and interests.

Kai: You can find out more about Linda Valderrama’s World of Ink Author/Book Tour schedule at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/LindaValderrama.aspx. There are giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Please feel free to interact with Valderrama and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions. Valderrama will be checking in throughout the tour and is offering an additional giveaway for those who leave comments throughout the tour.

In addition, listen live, TODAY, July 18, 2011 at 2pm EST (11am Pacific) to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. Hosts VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Chirstopherson and Irene Roth will chat with Linda Valderrama R.D. H. about her book, writing, the publishing industry and experiences with virtual tours.

Thank you, Linda, for visiting with us today. Keep up the good work!