Helen Tinsley
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Me and My Grandma - A story for children about AIDS

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Me and My Grandma - A story for children about AIDS is a juvenile fiction story geared at readers from 10 and up. It is published by Nefu Books. Me and My Grandma...is an intergenerational story focusing on a nine-year-old girl named Ayesha, who is being raised by her grandmother and her experiences learning about her mother' s struggle with addiction and AIDS.

It is an important story because it not only tells the story of so many people (regardless of race or background) who got caught in the web of addiction; but also because it validates the experiences that many children deal with everyday. It lets them know they are not alone, and inspite of the challenges in their lives, they are okay! Me and My Grandma - A story for children about AIDS is geared for children from 10-13;


                 Tell your story                        

and the beat goes on - 
poems, thoughts and snippets along the journey 
by Helen "Habeebatullah" Tinsley

Hot Off The Press - Get Your Copy Now for only $15.00

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and the beat goes on - poems, thoughts and snippets along the journey 

by Helen "Habeebatullah" Tinsley 


This is a 125 page collection of poetry and prose that reflect thoughts, personal experiences, national occurrences, significant events and people who made an impact in my life. Included in this collection are poems, narrative, monologues, haiku’s, snippets and 7 full-covered images. 



An excerpt from - and the beat goes on

poetry

this is not a poem
not as in metaphorical language or rhythmic phrases
not as in rhyming, haiku or i love you’s
not as in compare, contrast or describe.
no, this is not a poem in the usual sense of the word,
not as in typical style, form or genre
not as in lines or stanzas.

so what is poetry?
is it traditional structure & obedience to form
following conventions & predictability?
no that’s not what poetry should be.

poetry should be…
words rolling off the poet’s tongue,
penetrating the ear, mind & heart of the listener
poetry should touch the soul, move mountains & change the world
poetry should tell the stories, energize, agitate & educate
& move people to reconcilate & eliminate hate
poetry is cosmic energy in words
poetry is the divine expression 
of the creator in literary form
poetry makes connections to the crossed over souls
& utters ideas from ancestors of long ago
poetry celebrates legacies, questions stories 
& dreams of possibilities in an infinite world. 
poetry is power…poetry is life


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Please contact Helen Tinsley via email: imaniinstitute@gmail.com, or by phone anytime (908) 249-8485 to schedule a book talk and or book signing for your group or in your area.



 
 



Bright Ideas for Young Children...Hot off the press...
now available with 5% online discount for only $14.25.

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Bright Ideas for Young Children is a hands-on activity book that guides parents, caregivers and teachers in doing fun things with children that will help develop their skills in language, literacy, self-awareness and independence. This activity book is the perfect tool to work with your child, grandchildren, students in any setting. It makes a great birthday or holiday gift as well. There is a discount available for multiple copies. Bright Ideas for Young Children can also be used as a fundraiser for your school, community or religious group.

Purchase Bright ideas for Young Children -
with 5% online discount  for only $ 14.25.

Excerpts from Bright Ideas...

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Getting the most out of this Activity Guide

  This book is designed for parents, caregivers and teachers. I list parents first because parents are truly the child’s first teacher. Whatever we expose our children to directly or indirectly as a parent or teacher serves as a teaching for them. Therefore, we must be mindful of exposing our children and students to positive role models and activities that affirm who they are and what their potential is.

 v  The activities and interactive pages in this book are designed to guide you as the parent, caregiver or teacher in doing fun things with your child or student that will help develop their skills in language, literacy, self-awareness and independence. They will have fun while learning and you will learn simple ways to excite, motivate and promote learning with your child or student in everyday situations.

v  The activities in this book vary. Some of the activities are designed for you to do with children and there are also pages that encourage independent work. For the art pages and interactive pages, give children crayons, colored pencils and writing pencils to complete the activities. For children that are pre-writers (beginning scribblers) let them draw or write to the best of their ability and praise their efforts. If necessary, have them “dictate” or tell you about their picture and write it on the page for them. 

 v  For all children: These activities will help them learn about themselves and their family, give them a good foundation for reading, writing and mathematics,  feel comfortable using writing and art materials ― “school tools,” develop their eye-hand coordination and build their self-esteem. 


Enjoy the children ― our most precious resource!

Anthology  - Visions of Black life.... Purchase your copy today.

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An anthology produced by Africana Homestead Legacy Publishers that will make young and old, laugh, smile, get mad, get busy, think, and learn more about African and Black culture ... 
             
featuring "Poet in the Spotlight" Helen Tinsley

Description:
A diverse group of twelve contributors offer insightful verse and short fiction about womanhood, love, city and suburban life, raising youth, immigration, the African homeland, relationships, and plain fun and humor. A quiz on African, African American, and Caribbean culture will test the best minds and those who love to learn.

ISBN-13: 978-0-9825842-8-6
Binding: perfect bound softcover
Pages: 80
Publication date: June 2010
Price: US $16.00
LITEARY COLLECTIONS / American / African American; POETRY /American African American; POETRY / African

A Preview of what's inside:
“...the source of powerful civilizations that erupted on the rich, fertile banks of the Nile River...” “Who Am I?

"I am colored and I am free, My dear husband, Robert, is not...” “Anna Maria and Robert”

“God only knows, how bad I feel today...” “God Only Knows”

“In case of a flash mob, wear running shoes...” “Philly Emergency Instructions”

“I thought you loved me, from the look on your face...” “Problem Solved”

For the brave—50 questions to test your Culture Connection

Africana Homestead Legacy Publishers Inc.
811 Church Road, Suite 105
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Click here to go to the new release sale at www.ahlpub.com

Use this book as a fundraiser for your group. Visit ! www.ahlpub.com  today!

Spirit Rising - Poetic Reflections
Available for $12.00 (online special) - Currently out of stock

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Spirit Rising is a collection of 22 poems that shares the experiences Helen Tinsley has had and lessons she has learned while trying to stay grounded "in spirit." 
                    
Prologue
…my evolutionary journey to this place

Reading
has always been my comfort…a special means of transporting me through time and space to new horizons…a way of finding relaxation…a solace when dealing with a difficult issue or challenge…a pat on the back when I found words that validated my experiences and a place to seek answers to the myriad of questions that constantly enter my mind. I became a lover of books at a very young age and easily became one in my imagination with the characters of the books I read. I envisioned myself living the lives I read about, experiencing their stories and dealing with their realities. It was a way for me to visualize characters and life experiences that differed from my own.


Writing, on the other hand stimulated a far different aspect of my creativity. It was a vehicle and a tool for releasing feelings, thoughts, ideas and dreams. Writing was a way for me to think “out-loud” about my journey on this planet and reflect back on where I had been, what the lessons were and the next steps I needed to take.

On my journey thus far, I have spent many years in relationships that brought tears and joy and raised my children —4 Black children — an Empress and 3 Warriors. The experiences I encountered while trying to safeguard my children in a world that threatens their very existence, in conjunction with my mission of instilling in them the knowledge of self and the truth of our history, along with the fight for their education — left me choked beyond words many days and nights. The battles I have fought and uncharted waters I have crossed, as a Black female educator fighting for the survival of Black and inner city children (whose very essence is being extinguished in public schools by the people in power), forced me to write to keep my sanity. Those were the timeswhen my struggles and challenges were expressed via black lines in my journal — the only safe place I could turn to that couldhouse the constant thoughts crowding my mind. I had to release them to make room for new ideas with positive solutions and affirming energy. My journal was the place to express my experiences and plans in standard literary language… sentences…questions…and outlines.

However, my poetry became my true freedom…and thus a necessary staple on my journey. My poetry is…was…and will always be a way to release fragments of my mind in free flowing form without the need to follow any grammatical rules, conventions or requirements.

I am a divine work in progress, and I am happy to share parts of my journey with you through poetry. May the Creator bless these words to reach your mind and touch your heart and soul.

 In spirit, Helen

2008

Oceanside

gazing at the magnificent mother
with her wide array of temperaments
i recognize her greatness, bow at her power
& i am humbled by the divinity she displays
her gentle waves with white crested tops
breaking softly at water’s edge
bringing forth the Creator’s gifts
brilliant shells full of life
glistening rocks polished smooth
 add calmness to my heart and soul.
inhaling your sweet yet salty essence
i bear witness to the duality
the bitter & the sweet
the masculine & the feminine
the yin & the yang
the duality that results in polarity
the perfect balance
that exists in all of Creation.
the endless ebb and flow
sun rising & sun setting

In the beginning there was darkness & God said let us make light.
Adapted from the Holy Bible - Genesis; Chapter 1 


About the Author: Helen Tinsley

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Helen Tinsley is a former Public School Teacher and Administrator. She is currently employed as an Education Program Development Specialist by the New Jersey State Department of Education. She is passionate about ensuring that children of color and inner city children receive an education that will empower them with the necessary skills and tools to make quality life choices.

Helen is a multi-dimensional artist and her works include literary works (poetry, essays and children's books), customized collages and ornamental picture frames. Spirit Rising - Poetic Reflections is a collection of poetry that shares the experiences she has had and lessons she has learned, while trying to stay grounded "in spirit." Helen earned dual master's degrees from Bank Street College of Education in New York City in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and Educational Administration. She currently resides in Philadelphia, Pa and is the mother of four adult children and four granchildren.

 

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