About Marika
Bullying Tips: New Children’s Book Shows How to Protect Your Kids
Perth, Western Australia – released April, 2011 – Children are being bullied – sometimes to death – with at least 14 suicides in 2010 (USA), according to ABC News.
The Cardboard Girl (http://www.acashic.com/the-cardboard-girl/) a new book by Social Worker, Marika Spaseska shows children, parents, teachers and school administrators how to protect children from being bullied in schools and playgrounds.
‘The Cardboard Girl’ has been quoted in 40+ American media sites, including Fox 26, ABC, CBS and The Best Writer's Place.
Details about Marika Spaseska:
Born in Macedonia, former Yugoslavia, Marika Spaseska arrived in Perth, Western Australia, at two years of age.
Despite friendly jibes from her peers that English is her ‘second language’, she commenced a journalism degree before switching to study Social Work.
Having worked for over 17 years as a Social Worker, Marika has well-recognised clinical, managerial and project/policy work skills.
She is passionate about children’s wellbeing and hope’s to empower them.
Inspired by a niece who experienced bullying at school, as well as her striking insight as a Social Worker, her first book has the potential to enable children to better deal with those that bully them.
She wants children to aim for the moon and reach it too!
More details:
Why do you want to buy the book?
This book will captivate any child or anyone who cares about children being bullied. It will also appeal to anyone who loved ‘A Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ by Jeff Kinney.
What influenced you to write?
I know it sound’s nerdy, but, I loved English at school – the written word allowed me to visualise my own, little world, the emotions and passions. When I got to University, I began studying Journalism and loved it. However, disheartened at ever getting a job in Journalism, I transferred and graduated as a Social Worker.
Mid-2010, I returned to Western Australia, after a trip mostly in the USA and a few months later, after seeing my niece still struggling to cope with being bullied, my feelings exploded onto paper and after about two months, I wrote my story, ‘The Cardboard Girl.’ I did promise myself that I would one day come back to Journalism/Creative Writing, but, I would never have guessed that it would be in this way.
I love kids. Not just because of or through my area of work. I love their honesty, their strengths and vulnerabilities, their self absorption and ability for enjoyment.
What was my childhood like?
Happy. My parents were supportive, loving, kind and maybe, a bit overprotective. My elder sister and I were quite happy for a number of years, before our little brother joined us, being the only one born in Australia. He was kind of okay as a baby, but, as he got older, our annoyance with him grew. We tried to convince him that our parents only wanted their daughters as we came first but somehow, he still thought he was the special one.
My parents were farmers in Macedonia until they immigrated in the 1970’s to Perth for a better life. I grew up with no books around, though us kids loved any story-telling. My parents taught me to work hard at things.
In my spare time, I like…
…Being right about most things. I love socialising, gossiping and letting off steam. I like stirring up my friends and having fun together.
As well as socialising, dining out and other such-like demands, I also get very tired from my coffee-staff training duties!
…Being funny. People think I’m funny – sometimes! So, pass on the humour and keep smiling.
My favourite food and drink?
I average either a chocolate or a piece of cake, daily, preferably washed down with a cup of coffee. I eat most cakes – me not fussy! – especially, chocolate and lime/citrus cakes. Not that I’m promoting that you should do this. Instead, go and eat carrots and your eyes, at least, will thank you for it.
I’m also very fussy about my coffee – where I drink it, the brand and how it’s made. I have had to assert strong self-control to reduce my coffee drinking down to about 3 cup’s/daily (I won’t say down from what)? As cafés can have a high, staff turnover, I have taken it upon myself to train new staff in the exact manner I like them to make my coffee- too hot to hold with no froth! My unofficial training has become alot of work and I’m exhausted by the end of the day and it’s amazing if I actually get any real work done!
I must share with you how easily I can get excited about things such as about a little, local café re-opening recently; a favourite haunt of mine.
My favourite person?
…Elvis Presley. He has the best looks, style, talent – that soulful voice and unique dancing. Do yourself a favour, visit Memphis, as I did in 2010 and pay homage to the great man. And remember, Elvis Rules!
My Pet hates?
I was annoyed with the kids at school who would create many nicknames from my surname. For example, instead of Spaseska, a nicer nickname was Spaz or Spaghetti!
I hate seeing kids hurt… I’d like to say this in every language in every country in the world (though, I’ll refrain for fear of boring you)!
I think we need to do better for our kids. Kids are our future.
Writing tips
Don’t have any, really. Just write, write, write…
What am I doing next?
I hope to write a screenplay and make a movie of ‘The Cardboard Girl.’ It’s close to my heart and I hope, it will become, close to yours, too!
I also plan to keep writing, focussing on a series based on my book. Oh, I also plan to keep drinking coffee…
Hearing from Readers
Hearing from my readers is very important to me. Only kind letters, accepted and lot’s of nice words, please. Nothing complicated, either: just say, ‘you wrote the best novel.’ Hoo ha!
I’ll even give you a personal reply with my very, nice signature. With my very, ethnic surname (prizes given if you can pronounce it correctly)!
Perth, Western Australia – released April, 2011 – Children are being bullied – sometimes to death – with at least 14 suicides in 2010 (USA), according to ABC News.
The Cardboard Girl (http://www.acashic.com/the-cardboard-girl/) a new book by Social Worker, Marika Spaseska shows children, parents, teachers and school administrators how to protect children from being bullied in schools and playgrounds.
‘The Cardboard Girl’ has been quoted in 40+ American media sites, including Fox 26, ABC, CBS and The Best Writer's Place.
Details about Marika Spaseska:
Born in Macedonia, former Yugoslavia, Marika Spaseska arrived in Perth, Western Australia, at two years of age.
Despite friendly jibes from her peers that English is her ‘second language’, she commenced a journalism degree before switching to study Social Work.
Having worked for over 17 years as a Social Worker, Marika has well-recognised clinical, managerial and project/policy work skills.
She is passionate about children’s wellbeing and hope’s to empower them.
Inspired by a niece who experienced bullying at school, as well as her striking insight as a Social Worker, her first book has the potential to enable children to better deal with those that bully them.
She wants children to aim for the moon and reach it too!
More details:
Why do you want to buy the book?
This book will captivate any child or anyone who cares about children being bullied. It will also appeal to anyone who loved ‘A Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ by Jeff Kinney.
What influenced you to write?
I know it sound’s nerdy, but, I loved English at school – the written word allowed me to visualise my own, little world, the emotions and passions. When I got to University, I began studying Journalism and loved it. However, disheartened at ever getting a job in Journalism, I transferred and graduated as a Social Worker.
Mid-2010, I returned to Western Australia, after a trip mostly in the USA and a few months later, after seeing my niece still struggling to cope with being bullied, my feelings exploded onto paper and after about two months, I wrote my story, ‘The Cardboard Girl.’ I did promise myself that I would one day come back to Journalism/Creative Writing, but, I would never have guessed that it would be in this way.
I love kids. Not just because of or through my area of work. I love their honesty, their strengths and vulnerabilities, their self absorption and ability for enjoyment.
What was my childhood like?
Happy. My parents were supportive, loving, kind and maybe, a bit overprotective. My elder sister and I were quite happy for a number of years, before our little brother joined us, being the only one born in Australia. He was kind of okay as a baby, but, as he got older, our annoyance with him grew. We tried to convince him that our parents only wanted their daughters as we came first but somehow, he still thought he was the special one.
My parents were farmers in Macedonia until they immigrated in the 1970’s to Perth for a better life. I grew up with no books around, though us kids loved any story-telling. My parents taught me to work hard at things.
In my spare time, I like…
…Being right about most things. I love socialising, gossiping and letting off steam. I like stirring up my friends and having fun together.
As well as socialising, dining out and other such-like demands, I also get very tired from my coffee-staff training duties!
…Being funny. People think I’m funny – sometimes! So, pass on the humour and keep smiling.
My favourite food and drink?
I average either a chocolate or a piece of cake, daily, preferably washed down with a cup of coffee. I eat most cakes – me not fussy! – especially, chocolate and lime/citrus cakes. Not that I’m promoting that you should do this. Instead, go and eat carrots and your eyes, at least, will thank you for it.
I’m also very fussy about my coffee – where I drink it, the brand and how it’s made. I have had to assert strong self-control to reduce my coffee drinking down to about 3 cup’s/daily (I won’t say down from what)? As cafés can have a high, staff turnover, I have taken it upon myself to train new staff in the exact manner I like them to make my coffee- too hot to hold with no froth! My unofficial training has become alot of work and I’m exhausted by the end of the day and it’s amazing if I actually get any real work done!
I must share with you how easily I can get excited about things such as about a little, local café re-opening recently; a favourite haunt of mine.
My favourite person?
…Elvis Presley. He has the best looks, style, talent – that soulful voice and unique dancing. Do yourself a favour, visit Memphis, as I did in 2010 and pay homage to the great man. And remember, Elvis Rules!
My Pet hates?
I was annoyed with the kids at school who would create many nicknames from my surname. For example, instead of Spaseska, a nicer nickname was Spaz or Spaghetti!
I hate seeing kids hurt… I’d like to say this in every language in every country in the world (though, I’ll refrain for fear of boring you)!
I think we need to do better for our kids. Kids are our future.
Writing tips
Don’t have any, really. Just write, write, write…
What am I doing next?
I hope to write a screenplay and make a movie of ‘The Cardboard Girl.’ It’s close to my heart and I hope, it will become, close to yours, too!
I also plan to keep writing, focussing on a series based on my book. Oh, I also plan to keep drinking coffee…
Hearing from Readers
Hearing from my readers is very important to me. Only kind letters, accepted and lot’s of nice words, please. Nothing complicated, either: just say, ‘you wrote the best novel.’ Hoo ha!
I’ll even give you a personal reply with my very, nice signature. With my very, ethnic surname (prizes given if you can pronounce it correctly)!
Bullying Tips: New Children’s Book Shows How to Protect Your Kids
Perth, Western Australia – released April, 2011 – Children are being bullied – sometimes to death – with at least 14 suicides in 2010 (USA), according to ABC News.
The Cardboard Girl (http://www.acashic.com/the-cardboard-girl/) a new book by Social Worker, Marika Spaseska shows children, parents, teachers and school admi... More
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(c) 2024 Marika Spaseska
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Last month I appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show regarding the book I wrote and self-published. Oprah discusses the importance of teaching children to tell someone if they are being abused. Tell a parent, tell a teacher, tell a police officer.
Please share the clip w... more