Ariyana Gibbon
Author ❖ Teacher ❖ Artist
ABOUT ARIYANA
“What is the message you are giving the children?”
That question was emblazoned on a billboard in one of my most vivid dreams. The entire billboard was made of bright, colorful beads. I came to realize that every bead was a story. It compelled me to return to writing the children's stories that only I can write—stories born out of my own creative journey and personal life experiences.
I write stories and books to nourish the hearts and minds of children: books that strive to leave healthy imprints that will help them grow, books that point the way to become contributing members of humankind who will plant the seeds for a better world.
Every story I write is an answer to the questions I pose to all humanity. “What is the message you are giving the children?” “What is the legacy you are leaving for them?” and “What is the world you are creating for our future generations?”
My stories are my gift, my legacy for the children of today and the children of tomorrow.
Books
Stories by Ariyana Gibbon
Starchild Ricardo
Starchild Ricardo
His Aunt Sophie said, “Ricardo you are star crazy.”
His teacher, Ms. Brown said, “Ricardo, you have behavior problems.”
But his Mother said, “Ricardo you are a Starchild. You were sent to the world to make us happier and help us to dream.”
Tara’s Dream
Tara’s Dream
Tara dreamt of a bright-red monster dancing, and howling, and eating everything around it. She woke to hear the swooshing, crashing noise of the wind outside. Jumping out of bed, she shook with fear and looked out the window.
In the light of the moon, she could see trash cans, bushes, and branches, being blown around by hot dry winds. The wind ripped her swing from the big Oak Tree. Tara had never seen winds blow this hard.
Jojoba’s Whaleheart
Jojoba’s Whaleheart
Jojoba, the Blue Whale, was King of the Whale Nation. He swam the oceans, caring for his whale family. His big whale heart had great love for all creatures of the sea.
For many years humans hunted and killed whales with sharp harpoons. They wanted the whales’ flesh for oil , food, clothing, and tools. King Jojoba was sad to see his whale family, young and old die year after year. He looked for a way to save them, but he could not find the answer.
Mayi’s Gift
Mayi’s Gift
Mayi left the store feeling hopeful that she would finally find the dolls.
The next day, Mayi went to the store on 33rd Street. But there were no rainbow dolls. Mayi asked the store manager, “Do you know where I can find rainbow dolls?”
The manager shook her head and asked, “Where have you seen them?”
“I saw them in a dream,” said Mayi.
“Oh,” said the store manager. “They are dolls from a dream. They don’t exist yet.”
Bio
Born on the Island of Billiton, Indonesia, Ariyana is of Indonesian/Dutch descent. Ariyana is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, 12 x 12, and has attended many Picture Book Summit conferences.
As an educator, she taught for over 15 years in San Diego private and public schools, grades preschool through 8th grade. She worked as an “Artist in Residence” with the “Young at Art” program in San Diego Unified Schools for 9 years. While there, she created a series of 100 ft. eco-peace murals with student participation at an Inner-City Middle School.
