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The Birdfish and the Secret of Crystal Island
What if you discovered you had a secret power? This enchanting middle-grade novel reveals the strengths that lie in our differences.
Being half bird and half fish, Staraku has never fit in. But when she leaves her home in search of a place to belong, she discovers a guide on a mysterious island who teaches her about a power she never knew she had.
“Young readers will be delighted by this story of Staraku, a courageous, small Birdfish who runs away from her problems only to meet friends who help her discover her power to face them. This story also helps parents talk to their kids about the challenges they face in our changing society. As a storyteller and author, I was captivated. As a former children's literature instructor, I will be recommending this to teachers!”
—Janyne McConnaughey, PhD, Trauma-Informed Author & Advocate, Author of the Brave Series
“Being an educator who works with intercultural students, I believe The Birdfish and the Secret of Crystal Island will help kids identify their own challenges and find value in their uniqueness."
—Rebekah Sharp, International Educator
“I like this book because it showed that the Birdfish didn’t need to be like everybody else to belong. The story was really fun to read.”
—Elena, 9 years old, Nebraska
Awards
• Moonbeam Children's Book Award – Silver Award for Juvenile Fiction – Early Reader / First Chapter Books
Author Katsura Suzuki
Katsura Suzuki, MBA, DBA, was born in Japan as “the tea ceremony master’s daughter.” Expected to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a master herself, she was trained in the Japanese meditative arts for thirteen years, starting at age five. However, when she was eighteen, Suzuki decided to carve her own path, going on to build an extremely distinguished thirty-year career in finance, based in Switzerland. Dr. Suzuki started her career with Ernst & Young, ultimately heading the Japan desk in Zurich for over twenty years. She has since supported the Swiss government, Japanese authorities, and large companies in bridging the intercultural business communication gap between Switzerland and Japan. Recently, she has shifted to investment, focusing on the technology and health sectors through her own business, Katsura Suzuki GmbH. She was a managing director in a California-based private equity company and is President of a family office services company in Switzerland. She has been on the board of directors for seven Japanese-owned client companies and is a well-recognized mentor, accompanying partner firms on their journey to growth. Dr. Suzuki has introduced a science-based, inclusive mindfulness approach called The Invisible Gift Method. Her unique and timely message empowers adults and children alike to thrive in an increasingly globalized world. The Birdfish and the Secret of Crystal Island, written for children ages 8 – 12 and The Invisible Gift, written for adults, teach mindfulness and emotional intelligence principles drawn from the Japanese tea ceremony: hospitality, tranquility, purity, respect, and harmony. Dr. Suzuki received her BA in English Literature from Tokyo’s Toyo Eiwa Women’s College, her MBA from EU Business School in Switzerland, and her DBA from the University of South Australia in Adelaide.