Heidi Dehncke
Email: heidi.dehncke@yahoo.com
I am an author, illustrator, artist and journalist with a diverse body of work. At this time I have authored and illustrated two children's picture books which are available for purchase. My first novel, a suspense thriller, is in revisions. I am also busy working on a third children's book and am also focused on my fine art. https://heididehncke.wixsite.com/my-art-life. My children's page from this site is https://heididehncke.wixsite.com/my-art-life/children-s-books.
I am also the filmmaker responsible for the film "Dust to Dust:The Health Effects of 9/11," which premiered on the Sundance Channel in 2006, filmed, wrote and edited more than 700 videos for About.com (The New York Times), and was the editor for Jenna Orkin's, "EnGaged: Carolyn Gage On Stage and Off." EnGaged received awards from Top Indie Film Awards, L.A. Shorts Awards, Move Me Productions Quarterly Online Short Film Festival, and NY Short Film Tuesdays @ BAIA.(2017). I received my MS in Journalism from Columbia University in 2000.
Prince Lazaro and the Magic Scales
Prince Lazaro and the Magic Scales is a tale of adventure and timeless friendship. Journey with lonely Prince Lazaro as he rescues and becomes friends with Deluthian the dragon. The duo manage to keep one-step ahead of Deluthian's captors as they adventure together. The dragon enlightens Lazaro about the importance of gratitude, love, selflessness, and how precious our time together really is. A bit less lonely now, the prince and Deluthian race against time as they lure the villains into their trap.
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Review:
"Prince Lazaro and the Magic Scales by Heidi Dehncke is a wonderful tale of adventure for young children. Lonely Prince Lazaro wanders around looking for a playmate. While out and about, he stumbles into a different world where he finds Deluthian - a chained up dragon. Prince Lazaro frees him but his captors return. Deluthian befriends the Prince and takes him on a series of adventures as the two try to stay one step ahead of the dragon’s captors who are in pursuit...
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Dehncke’s language is vivid and gives clear pictures about what is happening. From bold actions like, “zoomed into the air” and “romped through the fields” to descriptions like “shimmering grass surrounded by mountains”, the words are rich and should capture children’s attention and imaginations easily...
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For those children who enjoy stories about families, animals, magical worlds and lots of adventure, Prince Lazaro and the Magic Scales should be a joy to read." -reedsy discovery - https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/prince-lazaro-and-the-magic-scales-heidi-dehncke#review
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Rating: 4 out of 5 STARS
Opinion:
I really enjoyed reading this tale. Even though the story was short, the author managed to include multiple plots. I liked how at the end of the story both plots were combined, and we got a happy ending for both! I also really enjoyed the illustrations in this book, and I think they added to the magical aspect of the story. Another thing that I liked was that this book had a lesson about how gratitude and happiness are something that should be shared. I think the author did a good job of portraying this message. The only thing that I did not like about this book was that I felt there wasn't enough context at the beginning. Overall, I highly recommend this book to young children!
Come and Play!
Exploring Animal Friends
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Kids love animals -- and they love picture books about animals, too. Come and Play! Exploring Animal Friends takes children on a tour of fifteen types of animal friends. Discover what makes pandas, raccoons, spiders, cats, and frogs unique (just to name a few). Whether or how they play, and what makes them special. While this children's animal book gives interesting and surprising facts, it is the original illustrations which makes this book a treasure. The animal illustrations magnify the beauty and distinctive qualities of each creature. Ultimately, kids learn they share many similarities with animals (both feelings and behavior), and they learn about the world around them.
Reviews:
Come and Play! Exploring Animal Friends is a vibrant picture book about various types of animals. The picture book explores different animals across the globe and takes readers on an educational journey to discover interesting and unknown facts about specific animals. The facts even relate to humans! From beginning to end, this picture book will interest readers with education, nature, and fun!
Opinion:
Come and Play! Exploring Animal Friends is a picture book that is perfect for young readers who are interested in the world around them as it focuses on different animals in various environments. The author does a fantastic job of weaving educational and fun facts about different animals in the world. From the size of a colossal elephant to a tiny bug, this book will give young readers a new perspective on nature and enhance their scientific vocabulary. This book is perfect in the classroom or before bedtime, and it can take readers on a journey outside of the animals they may or may not see every day. Not only is the book educational, but the book also encompasses glorious illustrations that give a new look to nature’s creatures. Throughout the book, the illustrations mirror the animal facts, so the book offers readers a vivid picture of animals’ actions in nature. Ultimately, this picture book is a prime example of an educational and vibrant experience for young readers to enjoy.
Rating: 5 stars