Submitted by Connie Bombaci
(June 17, 2022)— Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG) has named the best indie books of 2022 and named local, international award-winning author, Connie Bombaci of Killingworth, the finalist award for Hogan’s Hope: Discovering Fun and Favorite Things. Illustrated by Bombaci’s daughter, Heather Ferrer, this non-fiction children’s book received recognition in the Animals/Pets category. This is the second time the duo has collaborated on a children’s book, the first being Hogan’s Hope: Finding a Forever Home of Love and Acceptance, which also was recognized as a Reader’s Favorite 5-Star read for children in 2020.
Bombaci’s mission is to broadcast the inspiration of hope and the belief that we must love and accept each other, no matter what. Children get to read how a deaf dog named Hogan explores his world of silence to find his favorite fun activities and shows us that anything is possible with hope. Children learn that being different makes us special and that “fantastically fun” things can fill our lives.
The books are finalists of the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest international book awards program for independent publishers and self-published authors. The winners and finalists will be honored Friday, June 24, at a gala event at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, coinciding with the American Library Association Annual Conference.
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards are judged by leaders of the indie book publishing industry, including many with long careers at major publishing houses. Their love of a great read and experience in the publishing arena identify books deserving a wider audience.
Catherine Goulet, Founder and Co-Chair of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, states, “Like other independent artists, many indie book publishers face challenges that the industry giants don’t experience. The indies must work much harder to get their best books into readers’ hands. Authors and publishers who compete in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards are serious about promoting their books,” adds Goulet. “They aim to stand out from the crowd of millions of books in print.”
Additionally, Bombaci’s new book receives a warm literary welcome with 5 Stars from Readers’ Favorite. Readers’ Favorite announced the review of the Children’s – Christian book “Hogan’s Hope” by Connie Bombaci and illustrated by Heather Ferrer, Bombaci’s daughter.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They also are fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers’ Favorite: “Hogan is a young Dalmatian that is adopted into a forever family, which consists of a mom and dad (both human) and a sister (another dog). Then the family adopts another dog, and the family is complete. Hogan has what many would think of as a problem, but as Hogan shows, being deaf is not an issue. In Hogan’s Hope: Discovering Fun and Favorite Things, Connie Bombaci lets the world know that being different is good. We are all different in some form or fashion. Hogan may be differently-abled, but that makes the point that he is able, just in a different manner. For example, Hogan may not understand verbal orders for all the games at doggie day camp. Still, he had learned primary sign language and could perform all the activities like the other dogs. This story will help children understand that differently-abled people are as worthy as normal people. Help your children learn to be accepting and loving to those who are different.
“Using a story based on the real life of Hogan, Connie Bombaci helps children to understand that everyone deserves a chance to be included. Hogan is a dog that is adopted into a forever family that loves each other, no matter what differences they have. Hogan’s Hope teaches many lessons about hope, love, and acceptance. Hogan is deaf, but instead of using his difference as an excuse, he is encouraged to participate in all the activities and he is not left out. Many children are different and just want the chance to be loved and accepted. Many children have no parents and need a forever home. Use this book to start discussions with your children concerning how to accept those who are different. If your child is differently-abled, use this book to teach them that they are just as important and worthy as other children. This book entertains, teaches, inspires, and hopefully motivates. Spend time with your children going over all the lessons found in this story.”
Readers can learn more about Connie Bombaci, Heather Ferrer and Hogan’s Hope at https://readersfavorite.
Photos courtesy of Connie Bombaci
