Unhappiness Is ... A Book that Takes a Fun Look at Everyday SituationsWith a little touch of Serious StuffFor Young & Older readersI created this book when I was fourteen years old. I have always tried to find the silly in a situation and this book does just that. It's mostly about the funny side of everyday life. Unhappiness Is ... has gone through a few changes over the years, yet it remains timeless! This version is for you, my readers, to illustrate 'cause I couldn't get mine to be what I wanted! And, I think it'll be great for you to be able to interpret the events your way and put your take on the pages!The sayings will make you chuckle, laugh and reflect. Most of the time, you will be able to think "Yep. That happened to me." Illustrating your thoughts may be a surprise to someone else, as well as yourself!A Note About IllustrationsAn illustration for a book is a way of putting an image on paper about the book's subject. It's the same as a person turning written words into a song.Illustrations may be drawn, painted, photographed, or glued - such as a collage.Therefore, you may illustrate these 150 sentences any way you like! We all feel things differently so be creative and have fun bringing your imaginations to the pages!"Every Cloud has a Silver Lining!"Dabs & Company 2013
About the Author: About the Author Karen E. Dabney, a native Detroiter, possesses a BFA from The University of Michigan and a BA from the University of Detroit Mercy, and The School of Hard Knocks. She has been/is involved with youth as a speaker, mentor, teacher, recreation supervisor, "cheer leader," and friend. Her publications as author, artist, and producer include: I am a YoungStar and I Love Me Some ME!; The Magic Pencil, its Curriculum Guide, and Black Language Glossary; 44th Barack H. Obama The Commemorative Edition; Michigan Chronicle; For My People newspaper; Journal of Non-White Concerns; The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Newsletter; The University of Michigan Dearborn's The Michigan Journal; To the Poet in You; The Poets' Band; I Said It... and I Meant It; Jenga; and Necessary Roughness. Karen attended writing workshops with the Voices of Our Nation's Arts Foundation (VONA) and The Hurston/Wright Foundation. She is a member of the International Reading Association, Gifted in Michigan; Michigan Association for Gifted Children; National Association of Teachers of English, The University of Michigan Alumni Association, University of Detroit Mercy Alumni Association, Urban Theater Magazine, Concept East, National Conference of Artists, The Southern Poverty Law Center, Motown Writers' Network, Broadside Poets' Theatre, and Concept East. The Magic Pencil is Karen's first novel for young adults. Although the book is geared toward the "tween" crowd, it is enjoyed by people of all ages. Through the story, Karen has inspired, uplifted, and captivated reluctant and uninspired readers. Her intentions have always been to stem the tide of youth falling through the cracks in life. The Magic Pencil imparts means and methods to increase their skills for successful navigation and mastery through self-determination and reliance. These qualities are fostered within the story by its empowering effect on the reader/listener. Karen feels she was born with a pencil in her hand. She wrote and illustrated her first "real" book, Unhappiness Is, at 14 years of age. The book sheds a comedic light on everyday situations and challenges and is appreciated by all who have read or listened to it. She has recently released an updated version where the reader will be able to do the illustrations! Karen is the owner of Dabs & Company; an organization dedicated to promoting literacy and keeping minds 'lit'.