Kimberly Wickham
Millbrook Road
Margaretville, NY 12455
(845) 586-4982
For Immediate Release March 2008
Attn: Arts/Book Editor
Children’s Author Explores Innovative Teaching Methods In Book Series Featuring Angels, Horses and Quantum Physics
Margaretville, NY — The best children’s books skillfully weave a spellbinding tale while seamlessly passing along a message about life.
Such is the case with the first two enticing tales in a multi-book series by author Kimberly Wickham of Margaretville. Angels and Horses and its follow-up, Summer of Magic Horses take readers on a magical and engrossing ride following the experiences of nine-year-old Tina.
Through a series of adventures involving her beloved horse Dancer and visits by her guardian angel, Marguerite, Tina learns important lessons about herself and others. The term “quantum physics” is not usually something associated with children’s books. However, the author does a masterful job making the principles of quantum physics a focal point of these tales, breaking down these complex themes into easily understandable concepts through Tina’s experiences.
Readers follow Tina as she deals with real-life issues such as the illness of a loved one and peers who present difficulties through their actions.
Marguerite visits Tina periodically, providing insights and guidance to Tina as she encounters a variety of everyday situations. The primary lesson that Tina learns, with the help of Marguerite, Dancer and other recurring characters, is that each of has the power to change the path of our lives through our own actions and thoughts.
Bold ideas
It’s a simple concept, but through Tina‚s adventures, Ms. Wickham skillfully employs the principles of quantum physics — which essentially teaches that the nature of the universe as being much different then the world we see — into explaining the consequences of our actions and our thoughts.
Ms. Wickham is able to achieve the difficult task of illustrating the basics of quantum physics through Tina’s daily interactions. The key to the book series is that Ms. Wickham is able to incorporate these themes through the actions of a nine-year-old and her everyday experiences. The books are geared toward readers ages 8-11, but adults will learn from and enjoy the writings as well.
“Reading Angels and Horses with my children opened up conversations that allowed us to explore what we believe, and what we create in this world. This is one of those rarest of books that draws you right in, entertains you tremendously, and, ultimately inspires you to be more of who you are. We didn’t want it to end!” wrote Deb Busser, inspirational speaker and metaphysics teacher.
Educational quest
The book series is the latest foray in Ms. Wickham’s lifelong quest of adventure and learning. She spent much of her early life living in Europe and both her love of horses and art began during her time in Italy. Upon returning to the United States at age 18, Ms. Wickham began her practice and study of art. Her first major commission, at the age of 20, included glass art designs for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Margaretville, near her Catskill Mountain home.
While working as a glass artist, Ms. Wickham was also pursuing advanced degrees in art and education. She subsequently began a 20-plus year career in teaching.
Ms. Wickham’s other lifelong passion has been the study and love of animals, particularly horses. She has earned certification in Equine Sports Massage Therapy, as well as many other naturopathic therapies.
In recent years, Mr. Wickham’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge has led her to the study of both meta and quantum physics. Through her books, Ms. Wickham’s interests in education, art and horses have been combined into an easy-to-read series of tales that is entertaining and thought-provoking. Ms. Wickham’s third book, Angels, Horses and Other Worldly Lessons, is scheduled for release in 2008.
New teaching method
The author explained that her book series is the predecessor to further involvement in the theories of quantum physics and related subjects.
Ms. Wickham has begun working with a group of educators from around the world, who share similar viewpoints on teaching, to develop an alternative curriculum for students ages 8-12.
“I believe that kids are different — they are more visual learners in today’s world, because of their constant exposure to things like television and computers,” Ms. Wickham explained. “And they tend to be people who are conceptual thinkers. Many of today’s young people are visual/spatial and complete concept learners. They don’t necessarily need information delivered in an auditory, linear fashion.” Because visual learners cannot learn in the traditional linear teaching fashion (but not vice versa), Ms. Wickham has teamed with a number of educators who feel it‚s important to offer a alternative means of presenting material to students.
She is currently in England working with educators from various countries as they begin to map out the various curricula they are developing. They eventually hope to introduce students around the world to this learning method via the Internet.
“It will be a downloadable format that features written material, videos and games. The curriculum will really be geared toward the visual aspects of learning,” she explained. “We want to make learning come alive.”
As an example, Ms. Wickham said that a student who loves baseball, but has a difficult time learning mathematical concepts in the classroom, may be more successful processing these ideas if they are presented in relation to the sport.
Learning option
The people with whom Ms. Wickham is working ultimately hope to engage educators from all fields who can translate their expertise into visual elements that are more easily learned by students. “The goal of this curriculum will be to help the kids and the parents of the kids who are not surviving school in the classic way. We hope it’s a resource for those types of kids,” she noted.
Ms. Wickham said the initial portion of the curriculum is expected to take about two years to complete. Once underway, the curriculum will continually be enhanced and expanded.
“Ultimately, we hope that parents will press the schools to utilize our teaching concepts as a supplement to the standard educational process,” Ms. Wickham pointed out.
“You never know where students‚ brilliance is — this type of learning will help it emerge,” she concluded.
Additional information about the author is available at: www.kimberlywickham.com or call 845 586- 4982 to learn more.