03/11/2025
Community Call
Dear Friends,
Two years ago I wrote Darion’s Gifts — a story created to help children understand themselves better, to know that it’s okay to be different, and to rediscover the magic of the natural world around them.
Since its creation, Darion’s Gifts has grown into something far more than just a book. Through school visits, workshops, and festival storytelling — complete with dragon eggs, puppets, and a sprinkle of magic — I’ve watched children open up, find confidence in who they are, and begin to see the beauty in both their uniqueness and their connection to nature.
The story has also come alive through the voices of local children in a free audio drama(available to listen to here: https://youtu.be/egVizw48otc), and copies of the book have been lovingly donated to schools and libraries so that every child, can have access to its messages of self-belief and belonging.
I’m reaching out to ask for your help in sharing these messages further. Darion’s Gifts is a story for growing — a book that opens conversations about kindness, courage, and connection between children and the adults who guide them.
If your child has taken part in a workshop, read Darion's Gift's, been inspired by a visit, or enjoyed the audio drama, I would be deeply honoured if you would consider nominating me for The Queen’s Reading Room Medal — an award that celebrates those who champion reading and help stories take root in their communities.
Nominations are open from April 1, 2025, and close in December 2025
If you would like to support this work by submitting a nomination, my details for the form are:
Name: Nina De La Mare
Email: SoulPathwaysPublishing333@gmail.com
Thank you, from my heart, for your time and support — and for helping the messages of Darion’s Gifts reach more children, so they can grow in confidence, kindness, and the understanding that they already hold everything they need to shine.
With love and gratitude,
Nina
