As a kid, playing outside and building things in a sandbox are indescribably joyful activities. But the physical, emotional, and intellectual impact of play and physical activity in one’s early years continue to influence us even when we grow up. Observing this as an early childhood educator, Kristina Nearchou wrote a picture book that communicated these ideas, called My Muddle Puddle. In this episode of EstoCast, hear about the entrepreneurial path of self-publishing a picture book, how attending camps at Jõekääru Estonian Children’s Camp and Kotkajärv shaped the story, and more! In this episode of EstoCast, hear from children’s book author, educator, and entrepreneur Kristina about: ✅ how the various locations and camp activities around Jõekääru Estonian Children’s Camp influenced the content of her latest book My Muddy Puddle ✅ what she has observed about the value of outdoor play as a teacher ✅ the challenges and triumphs of self-publishing and distributing a book ✅ how the way she reads the book out loud differs from the way other books are read out loud ✅ the books from her life that have shaped her own writing ✅ the professional groups and events out there that can help aspiring authors and illustrators   Content mentioned in this episode includes:  -Kristina’s picture book My Muddy Puddle, available in ebook, hardcover, and paperback formats: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000171790729/Kristina-Nearchou-My-Muddy-Puddle -The book’s illustrator, Tiffany Everett: https://www.tiffanyeverett.com/about-me   -Jõekääru Estonian Children’s Camp: https://joekaaru.com/en/summer-camp   -Seedrioru Estonian Summer Camp: https://facebook.com/Seedrioru/   -Camp Kotkajärve: https://facebook.com/Kotkajarve/  -The official website of the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP): https://www.canscaip.org/AboutCANSCAIP  -The official website of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI): https://www.scbwi.org Estonian Music Week IG + FB: @estonianmusicweek                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek                                                                                         VEMU FB: https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca/                                                   Eesti Elu/Estonian Life IG + FB: @eestielu.ca                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca