Book teaching children safety written, illustrated, and published in Fallbrook

FALLBROOK – A book teaching children safe practices has been written, illustrated, and published in Fallbrook.

Author Milena (Sellers) Phillips has written the book in rhyming verse. It tells the story from the perspective of a young bird named Stella. Stella leaves home to meet a friend by the creek and there she is greeted by a kind-looking cat. The cat seems gentle and asks for Stella’s help, but Stella remembers the advice her mother gives her every time she goes out, "Stella remember, keep your distance from strangers, stay alert, and when you don't know what to do, Always Fly Away." Following this advice saves Stella's life when the cat shows his true intentions as he tries to grab her, claws extended.

In the story, Phillips is able to bring Stella home safely – a wish she has for every child after suffering the loss of her son, Jonathan Sellers. Jonathan and his friend, Charlie Keever, were both murdered in 1993 by a sexual predator. Following that, The Jonathan Sellers and Charlie Keever Foundation was formed with the mission of increasing safe practices in children.

Phillips has made it her quest to try and help children understand how to best protect themselves on a daily basis – not with tiny hands, but with simple survival techniques like running away from strangers.

The book also includes study questions at the end, so that a deeper understanding can be achieved.

Illustrations in the book were done by Fallbrook resident Katie Johnson. Deborah Dorn assisted Phillips with the writing.

The book is now available on a pre-sale basis through locally owned www.reflectivepublishing.com.