Dzvinka Hayda’s books are filled with love, warmth, and timeless messages for young readers. Her beautifully illustrated works, Little Angel’s Journey and Dzvinya’s Gift for Mama, have earned her not just one but two Moonbeam Awards. For Dzvinka, these awards shine a light on her unique ability to create stories that warm the hearts of young readers.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Hayda to discuss her writing process, advice for authors, and what winning a Moonbeam meant to her.
An Unforgettable Moment
For Hayda, winning a Moonbeam Award was a big moment of joy and validation. “When I was notified that my very first book Little Angel’s Journey won the Moonbeam Award, I was ecstatic,” she remembers. “It took me 8 years to write and illustrate this book, and now it proved to be all worthwhile. That night, I slept with my book next to me.”
She went on to submit her second book, Dzvinya’s Gift for Mama, and was thrilled when it earned the Silver Award for the Holiday category in 2023. “I submitted my third book with fingers crossed. Well, to my great delight, it was awarded the Holiday Silver Award. I slept with that book next to me as well that night.” These wins are more than just awards to Hayda—they’re proof that her hard work and passion for storytelling are reaching others.
Where the Stories Come From
The inspiration behind Hayda’s books comes from both her life and the things she loves most. Little Angel’s Journey is a story she first told to her students, and seeing their reactions made her want to share it with the world.
“The book Little Angel’s Journey is the birthday story that I told my students all throughout my teaching years. Seeing the joy in the children’s eyes when it was their turn to hear this story convinced me that it had to go out into the world,” Hayda says. The tale of a little angel waiting for the right family felt so vivid in her imagination that she knew it had to become a book.
Then there’s Dzvinya’s Gift for Mama, a story inspired by Hayda’s Ukrainian roots and the memory of her mother. “This book is a work of love,” she shares. “I grew up with the tradition of Ukrainian Easter egg decorating (pysanka art) so it was a joy to write and illustrate this book.” The book is a heartfelt tribute to her mother and the loving relationship they shared, filled with the beauty of Ukrainian traditions.
The Creative Process: Bringing Stories to Life
Hayda’s creative process is a unique mix. “Since I both write and illustrate my books, the stories first come in pictures,” she explains. “Each book has 14 illustrations that I paint on canvas. I draw quick sketches of each page and then formulate the words.”
For Hayda, the words and pictures work together, so she spends a lot of time updating the text to match the illustrations. “The text is rewritten many, many times. I try to include as many images as are in the words so that children can find them,” she says.
Hayda’s home is the perfect place for inspiration. “What is most dear to me is that I live in an 1850’s house that is surrounded by gardens of flowers as well as a pond. Many of the flowers find their way into my illustrations,” she shares. Her surroundings give her the peace and quiet she needs to bring her stories to life.
Overcoming Challenges
Of course, creating books isn’t always easy. Hayda faced plenty of challenges, especially when balancing her teaching career and family life. “Finding the time when I still taught school was difficult. After all the day’s responsibilities were met, though tired, I continued with developing my first book,” she recalls.
And while Hayda had offers from publishers, they didn’t feel right for her, so she decided to self-publish her books. “I was offered several deals to publish my books with very small returns for myself. I turned them down and self-published. It proved to be to my advantage,” she says proudly. Now that she’s retired, she has more time to create and bring new stories to life.
What Hayda Hopes to Share With Kids
When it comes to her stories, Hayda wants children to feel safe, loved, and full of joy. “I strongly believe that children should believe that the world is a beautiful place that they can be safe in. Therefore, my stories are filled with gentleness and love,” she says. “The realities of life will come, but for this very short precious time, I would like the young child to feel love, kindness, beauty, and joy. That is the message my books carry.”
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Hayda has some excellent advice for aspiring authors: “Just Do It.” She believes that even small steps can lead to big things. “If one writes one sentence a day, within a month there will be paragraphs that will evolve into a book,” she says.
Her advice is to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just start writing. “Talking about it, wishing it, procrastinating about it, will not achieve the goal of being an author. Get it down on paper. Wrong or right, it is a beginning,” she says, encouraging new writers to trust themselves and take that first step.
What’s Next for Dzvinka Hayda?
Looking ahead, Hayda is excited about her upcoming book The Legend of the Dipper, which is currently in the works. “My next book The Legend of the Dipper is being printed as we speak. It is the retelling of a story that again relates to the love of a child for her mother,” she explains.
The story follows a brave little girl who sets out to fetch water for her sick mother. Her journey is full of courage and determination, and the story has a magical twist readers are sure to love.
Submit Your Work Today
For those considering submitting their work to the Moonbeam Awards, Hayda has some encouraging words: “Take the leap. Submit. If not awarded this time, maybe next time.”
She understands that submitting a book for awards can be nerve-wracking, but she believes the effort is always worth it. “With the award, your book becomes of greater interest when it is dubbed a Moonbeam Award book,” she says.
The recognition that comes with winning can also lead to new opportunities. “It opens more doors for it to be carried in stores. The Moonbeam Award makes the book stand out among other books.”
Hayda’s books are more than just stories—they’re heartfelt lessons about love, kindness, and the beauty of the world around us. With each book, she touches the hearts of children and parents alike, reminding them of what really matters. We can’t wait to see where her imagination takes her next!
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