Don't Feed the Animals

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”Marcus Aurelius : 

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”Marcus Aurelius

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We teach our children the “ins and outs” of the physical world…

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Now there’s a children’s book...

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That guides a child to an even greater understanding of their “inner world.”

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The mesmerizing images in “Don't Feed the Animals,” guide the reader through a young girl's challenges in a weird and wonderful zoo. With each obstacle on her path, her negative thoughts magically turn into “thought” animals that hug, grab and hold on tightly to her. Will she free herself of the burden of the animals? …only if she sees the signs and learns how to not “feed the animals,” i.e. her negative thoughts. This book gives parents and teachers the opportunity to help children realize; they have the power within them to CHOOSE their thoughts, change negative thoughts to positive thoughts, no matter what is happening to them in the outer world.

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An important message about self-esteem and loving oneself You probably remember that when you visit the zoo there are signs telling you: Don't Feed the Animals . This is meant to ensure that the animals receive the proper diets. It is also a safety issue to keep the public from getting too close to the animals and possibly getting harmed. The author, Tima Vlasto, saw this as a teaching opportunity. In this case the animals are negative thoughts or vibes that one carries in life. A young girl visits the “zoo of life” (this book came from Greece and I wonder if the author used this phrase deliberately, since “zoo” comes from the Greek word “zoos,” which means “life”; Like the New York Stories film vignette entitled “Life with Zoe”—same meaning). The “food” is the negative lines, thoughts, and feelings one takes to heart which “feeds” the animals attaching themselves to the person. It is a delightful tale and one I hope will help teach children to be positive and not to “feed the animals” that feed off negativity. Other descriptive items in the book are the Road of Obstacles, the People's Place, the Mountain of Challenges, and the Sea of Feelings. Subtly isn't the style of this book, but maybe the direct path is the best method of relaying an important message about self-esteem and loving oneself. Reviewed by: John L. Hoh, Jr. Rating: www.bookideas.com Connection… Connection to our universe, to our world, to others and ultimately to ourselves... Tima Vlasto's playful and intriguing illustrations invoke us to truly experience a journey through her "Zoo of Life" integrating emotion, intellect and spirit in "Don't Feed The Animals". The subtle narrative of the story with an empowering underlying message of self-efficacy awakens our awareness that we can choose how to relate to life events and that we can have an impact upon how we "travel" through the journeys of our lives. I am looking forward to exploring "Don't Feed The Animals" with my clients. Ronald R. Rein, Ph.D-Clinical Psychologist, Licensed By The State of New York-Member, American Psychological Association

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"Loved it" Dear Tima,Just received your book..."Don't Feed The Animals".LOVED ITCongratulations and best wishes for success.I will share it with our center in Sausalito.www.attitudinalhealing.org Love and peace and gratitude,Jerry Gerald Jampolsky, M.D.-founder of the Center for Attitudinal Healing in Sausalito, California-author of "Love is Letting Go of Fear ", "Shortcuts to God" and co-author of "Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All" "Excellent Learning Tool! “ Rating: Highly Recommended A young girl's imagination turns anxieties into strange creatures that “feed” on her fear. This wonderful children's book teaches children that they have the ability within them to change negative thoughts into positive ones. As a tool—parents can teach tots "not" to feed the animals, thus giving them more confidence and control. That no matter what occurs within the surrounding's – we have the ultimate power to change course as to how events will turn out. Author Tima Vlasto has created an entertaining “how to” for kids of all ages! Betsie Betsie’s Literary Page "Ingenious and artistically illustrated" Tima Vlasto has written an excellent children's book offering the potential to reshape a child's negative brain babble. Don't Feed the Animals is an asset to parents and teachers in conquering the ever present doubts in developing young minds. The author creatively transforms downbeat thoughts into vivacious creatures leading children to learn how "not" to feed the animals. Children will romp along on a journey through the Zoo of Life with a little girl as she starts to understand the results of self-defeating judgment. While visiting the Zoo of Life, she meanders through the Road of Obstacles, People's Place, Mountain of Challenges and Sea of Feeling . This is a perfect book to help open the right mindset for developing a solid good self esteem. Ingenious and artistically illustrated. Sherry RussellGrief Management Specialist Reviewer Midwest Book Review Florida Writer's Association Society of Authors and Writers

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“Unique!” “Don't Feed the Animals” by Tima Vlasto. Bright and beautiful illustrations guide you through this positive, different and quite unique book for children. A young girl takes a trip through a metaphorical zoo gathering animals symbolic of her negative thoughts. She chooses to transform her state of mind and be free of the clinging creatures. Very simple so suitable from very young upwards, though Daniel (13) and Charlotte (11) really enjoyed it too - Charlotte says she's going to have fun telling us 'not to feed the animals' whenever we say anything negative! Lucy Burnett www.veganfamily.co.uk “Wonderful tool” Don't Feed the Animals will guide you through a young girl's challenges in a weird and wonderful place called the ‘Zoo of Life.' Her imagination turns anxieties into strange creatures that “feed” on her fear. Romp along with her as she starts to understand the results of self-defeating judgment while walking down the ‘Road of Obstacles' where her negative thoughts magically turn into “thought” animals that hug, grab and hold on tightly to her. Will she free herself of the burden of the animals? …only if she sees the signs and learns how to “not feed the animals,” i.e. her negative thoughts! Other descriptive items in the book are the ‘People's Place,' ‘The Mountain of Challenges,' and the ‘Sea of Feelings.' This story can serve as a wonderful tool to help children with confidence and to be more aware of their thoughts. In turn it will help children realize that they have the POWER within them to CHOOSE their thoughts, change negative thoughts to positive thoughts, no matter what is happening to them in the outside world. Reviewed by: Erin Kelly-Allshouse Children of the New Earth magazine

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The book’s first run sold out in Greece in 2007, some of the final copies were distributed to children’s lending libraries in the villages of Greece after the forest fires. It was also awarded an honor by the Hellenic Book Society and on Starbucks list of recommended books for teachers in 2007. This book is looking for a new publisher . The author currently lives in NYC. Please contact: Tima Vlasto tvlasto@nyc.rr.com

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Tima Vlasto tvlasto@nyc.rr.com