Award-winning author, artist and art therapist Sandra Magsamen is a “living with heart expert” who uses her own creative spirit to fashion gifts and collections that help people express themselves and connect with others. She also shows us how to bring that same powerful creative spirit into our own lives as we express ourselves in our own authentic and unique ways. Sandra calls this approach to life living artfully and she shows us how we can access our creativity and use it to live more fully. She reminds us to explore and experience each day with more heart, meaning, purpose, and joy. With her vibrant and expressive works that affirm and celebrate life, Sandra has touched millions of people, one heart at a time.
Her widely popular collections include a range of books, ceramic gifts, serve ware, stationery, home décor items, greeting cards, scrapbooking materials, and calendars and is collected by and given to people of all ages. Sandra Magsamen’s Messages from the Heart™ plaque sales have topped tens of millions.
Sandra launched a new baby program called Sandra Magsamen’s Messages from the Heart Collection: Inspired Words to Grow By. Her cloth book series from LB Kids, an imprint of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, debuted in September with two books, Baby Love and My Blanket, which were awarded the Platinum Book Award, the highest honor bestowed by The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio. My Blanket won a Gold Award in the book category of the 2006 National Parenting Publications Awards. Also in stores are Sandra’s baby gifts from Department 56, including frames, photo albums, melamine dish sets, framed art, mini-plaques, and message plaques.
In her early work as an art therapist, Sandra met individuals whose words failed to express what was in their hearts and minds. Working with Alzheimer’s patients, deaf children, criminally insane men, and troubled adolescents, she witnessed the extraordinarily diverse and creative ways people express themselves and attempt to share who they are and connect with the people in their lives.
“For me, painting became a very fluid means of visually presenting my thoughts and feelings,” Sandra says. “I found my voice in color, design, and verses that shared my appreciation of, and passion for life.” Sandra also began to recognize, celebrate and document the simple truths and phrases that were meaningful and universal. From this work she created a collection of pottery for her newborn daughter as a gift of life lessons. This gift became the essence of her life work, to share messages from the heart.
Sandra believes her Messages from the Heart can make life more enjoyable by reminding people to embrace the world with their own genuine style, showing them that the way they approach daily activities can be creative and life affirming. She calls this “living artfully,” to express her concept that we all give meaning and purpose to our lives everyday through our own individual words and actions.
Available worldwide, Sandra’s products have been warmly embraced for 19 years, touching millions, as have her many contributions to charitable organizations including Maryland Dyslexia Association, Hearing and Speech Agency in Baltimore, breast cancer outreach, support for battered women, and the disabled. She serves as board chairman for the American Visionary Art Museum.
BOOK DESCRIPTIONS:
Sandra Magsamen has touched millions with her inspirational words of love and caring. Now, for the first time, these heartfelt sentiments will reach the youngest and cutest of all audiences-babies!
Baby Love
Pub Date: September 2006
Format: Cloth (rage book)
ISBN: 0-316-16633-2
Baby Love is a truly unique touch-and-feel experience. The accordion-style, quilted book features a bright red heart on the cover with an embroidered title. Inside the book, there are a variety of soft and furry animals for babies’ tiny fingers to pet and lift-up to reveal text printed underneath. Best of all, the book can be opened up and hung as a wall decoration and spells out “LOVE” on the back panels. There is also a special message of love from Sandra to moms and dads. The beauty of these high-quality cloth books is sure to set them apart from the rest.
My Blanket
Pub Date: September 2006
Format: Cloth (rage book)
ISBN: 0-316-01459-1
My Blanket is the softest, snuggliest, coziest book imaginable. The quilted cover features a fleecy star and embroidered title. Inside the book, there are three “blanket” panels with text printed underneath for babies to lift up and crinkle with their tiny fingers. Best of all, the book opens into a baby-sized patchwork blanket with touch-and-feel hearts all around! On the back on the book, there is a special message of love from Sandra to moms and dads. The beauty of these high-quality cloth books is sure to set them apart from the rest.
PURCHASING:
For inquiries about the availability of a specific title in the U.S. or overseas, retailers and wholesales please send email to customer.service@hbgusa.com.
Success Through Play™ comments:
We would like to thank Little, Brown and Company Book for Young Readers and Mixed Media Group, Inc. NY, for sending us review copies of these books.
Baby Love:
This award winning book opens up to reveal a double sided panel! The one side features adorable textured animals (bunny, cat, dog and a heart shape) while the other side has the word “LOVE” spelled out in colorful designs and patterns. Encourage baby to explore the different textured animals while you read the story out aloud! An older baby will love to lift the flaps and seek underneath. The book is framed with a black and white pattern which will help baby to focus on the “pages”. This book doubles as a fantastic, stimulating tummy time activity on the floor.
My Blanket:
This innovative and delightful book opens into a patchwork blanket. This blanket boasts a variety of textured heart shapes which provide baby with an opportunity for tactile exploration (furry, bumpy, smooth). The reverse side of the blanket reveals 3 slim panels which baby can explore. A rattle is tucked inside the middle panel providing auditory stimulation! The blanket is soft to the touch and baby will love to snuggle and cuddle with it.
These well designed books are clearly deserving of their awards and we applaud Sandra Magsamen for designing innovative books which offer babies a wonderful opportunity for tactile stimulation . We hope to be able to feature additional books by this author during 2008.