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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
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Scottsdale businesswoman debuts her book in Spanish who was often referred to as “tiny ninja” by her two brothers, Finn and Indy. It tells the story of Milo, who doesn’t ast fall, Sasha Graham’s of�ice was like mornings and deliberately ignores �illed with new merchandise for his Tiny Ninja, who tries to help him her company, Tiny Ninja Books, wake up. “Milo” is the �irst in a series of Tiny and her children’s book, “Milo Does Not Ninja Books targeting children ages 4 Like Mornings.” This year, the Scottsdale resident and to 8, with the central idea of each book business owner has added new items being “we are born with our own tiny to her online shop that include not only ninja who is the bravest, strongest, face masks but also her soon-to-be re- most awesome version of us.” “It’s that little voice; when you are leased new book, “A Milo No Le Gustan las Mañanas,” the Spanish language edi- scared or uncertain or debating what to do, if you listen to your tiny ninja, it tion of “Milo.” “Spanish has woven its way through all becomes clear,” Graham explained. “For years, I wrote stories about my life since childhood, and I am delighted to have the chance to bring Milo tiny ninjas,” the former Walt Disney and his Tiny Ninja to Spanish-speaking Studios executive explained. “Somekids and their grown-ups,” said Graham. times [Odessa] was the tiny ninja, Slated for release Sept. 29, “A Milo No sometimes it was imaginary; and then Le Gustan las Mañanas” can be pre-or- about a year ago, it suddenly occurred to me that the tiny ninja was internal dered on Amazon. The book was inspired by her chil- and suddenly it all just really worked.” Graham hoped to have her second dren, including her daughter Odessa, book “Whitney Wins Everything” published this month but because she was not able to promote it properly due to COVID-19, she postponed its release to next August. “Book promotions typically involve lots of in-person appearances: schools, bookstores, and community events. With the constraints of COVID, it would not have been possible to publicize and promote ‘Whitney Wins Everything’ in the way we wanted so we decided to go forward with the Spanish translation of ‘Milo’ instead,” Graham explained. Published by Gatekeeper Press, Slated to release Sept. 29, “A Milo No Le Gus- both books include four “seektan las Mañanas” is currently available for pre- and-�inds” that invite readers to order on Amazon. (Tiny Ninja Books) �ind the ninjas. They are illustrat-
BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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ed by Uzbekistanbased Angelina Valieva. “For pre-readers, it’s really important to engage kids in books before they’re even able to read the words, that it becomes a much more active experience,” Graham explained. “That’s a lot of the feedback I’m getting is the kids love these pages.” For the Spanish edition, however, Graham worked with Graciela Rodríguez de Hernández on the translation. “And I am thrilled at the way she has made the translation sing,” Graham said, adding, Scottsdale resident Sasha Graham is the author of chil“While I am very dren’s book, “Milo Does Not Like Mornings,” and the eager to introduce Spanish edition, “A Milo No Le Gustan las Mañanas.” the world to ‘Whit- (Tiny Ninja Books) ney,’ the release of this Spanish edition is a dream come resonates with my children and we true. The musicality of Spanish re- can apply it to different aspects of our ally lends itself to the story, and I day. What would your tiny ninja do? think Spanish speaking kids and their This is a must have and we look forgrown-ups are going to love it.” ward to many more books from this “Milo Does Not Like Mornings” was series.” originally published in English on Graham is a longtime volunteer at Aug. 22, 2019. Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship Since, it has received rave reviews, and a board member of the Giving including on Amazon, where it cur- Group AZ. rently has a five-star rating. She and her husband, Alan, encour“The writing is just as fun as the il- age each other and their children to lustrations,” wrote one reviewer. “I “always listen to their Tiny Ninjas.” love how the message of this story Information: tinyninjabooks.com
