A dynamic, must hear interview with the venerable Deepak Chopra on Sirius Radio.

Deepak lauds the book and positions Where Peace Lives as a major voice of peace globally. The core/key messages came through like a magic carpet ride as our mission of unification and mission of peace replacing the war on terror language!  

Deb’s interaction with Deepak Chopra was respectful and lively, as well as interesting. Together they brought forth a stimulating interview well worth the listen. Click here to listen

• Part One: About Debbie and how the book came to be
• Part Two: The books mission
• Part Three: Easy ways to change the world

'The National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks," as it originally was known, or "Patriot Day" as it was proclaimed in 2002 by President George W. Bush (with similar declarations every year since) is what most of us refer to as "9/11."

Bush asks that Americans fly their flags at half-staff and observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., marking the first plane crash. There is also an e-mail movement encouraging everyone to display our flag on Sept. 11.

(Patriot Day is not to be confused with Patriot's Day, which commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord during the Revolutionary War.)

Although commemorating 9/11 is important ("lest we forget"), I prefer to focus on preventing terrorist attacks in the future. I doubt that all the airport security in the world will accomplish this. I believe that waging peace is a labor-intensive process that succeeds one person at a time.

Children who understand and desire peace are our hope for peace in the future. "Where Peace Lives" by Debbie Robins draws on the universal teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., Siddhartha Gautama (founder of Buddhism,) Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus Christ, Moses and Muhammad the Prophet. The story describes a magical journey to free the imprisoned angel named Peace. During the course of the mission, the "keys" to liberating Peace are discovered to be acceptance, love and forgiveness.

My favorite quote from the book: "It's okay not to like what everyone says. ... It's okay not to like what everyone does. ... What isn't okay is to hate them for it. Because hate makes more hate — and nothing good comes from hate."

The book includes short summaries of the teachings on which the book is based and an "Exercise to Strengthen Your Peace Muscle." This book is appropriate for third grade and up.

"Four Feet, Two Sandals" by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed is a beautifully illustrated picture book that introduces young children to the dilemma of refugees — in this case, children who are the human byproducts of terrorism and wars.

"One Green Apple" by Eve Bunting is a picture book for early elementary grades that gently encourages children to accept other children who may look different or dress in an unusual way.

In the aftermath of 9/11, e-mails almost buried my inbox. One e-mail advocated "bombing" Afghanistan with large amounts of butter and other friendly food products.

If only! One way to "Visualize Whirled Peas" is to provide the peas. And the desire for "peace."

Reach Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.

Where does peace come from? It isn’t something born of war, or won through argument. Author Debbie Robins explores peace and finds three keys to it in her book, “Where Peace Lives.” A book for all ages, children and adults, it is sure to become a classic along the lines of “The Little Prince.” More than that, it is a delightful read, and a tool for spreading some very valuable lessons.

The narrator is worried about the world and wonders why everyone can’t just get along. One night, a visitor comes and insists that the angel, Peace, needs to be set free. Peace is trapped in a glass box and three keys are needed to open the lock. They need to find the keys, and they begin by looking in the City of Right and Wrong. There, terrible things are happening. The residents are divided and each side insists that the other side is wrong. What’s even worse is that the Cube of Bitterness hovers above and devours those who are the “right ones”. Donkeys and elephants play tug of war, only it isn’t a game. It looks like there is no hope for peace. However, Mister Buddha, a poetic cat, is sharing a potion called Acceptance, and so there is hope after all.

Mister Buddha introduces our narrator to the concept of acceptance and the fact that kindness begets kindness, and also to his best friend, Mahma. The adventure continues with a story of understanding and Oneness, and then on to the Sea of Forgiveness, where two orangutans, Chris and Mo impart more wisdom. Through a desert and to a waterfall, and up a mountaintop, the keys are sought. Will they be found in time to set Peace free?

A parable, the story can be taken at face value, with lessons still understood. Upon further reflection, deeper meanings come to light and the reader can see how important choices are. The colorful characters’ teachings are inspired by and reflect those of Ghandi, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad and Martin Luther King. With exquisite illustrations, a delightful cast of characters, and a most important plot, “Where Peace Lives” rates my highest recommendation. Additional biographical information on these key people is included at the back of the book, as well as journaling space and an exercise to “strengthen your peace muscle’. Well written and enjoyable to experience, this book is a must read for everyone you know.

Where Peace Lives
by Debbie Robins
ISBN-10: 0978721373
Review by Heather Froeschl

Today is the international day of peace
Sep 21, 2007

Where Peace Lives by Debbie Robins helps Girlawhirl keep it all in perspective. It’s a book for all ages, written as a perfect bedtime story, but certainly smart enough for any adult to read as well. And since today is the International Day of Peace, Girlawhirl’s making sure to share this treasured book with all of her Super Pals…
In the story, an angel named Peace is trapped, and three keys are needed to set her free.

The action takes place through a dream with Scrooge-inspired visits from netherworld characters. Readers learn from an overstuffed bear, a Siamese cat, a ferret, and more animals, who visit locations that range from the City of Right and Wrong to the Sea of Forgiveness, and finally discover how Peace can be set free.

Girlawhirl doesn’t want to give it all away, but she’s happy to report that the story doesn’t just end with a happy ending. It gives readers everywhere the tools for a new beginning and a way to incorporate peaceful practices into their lives.

Girlawhirl found Where Peace Lives by Debbie Robins in her online shopping mall at barnesandnoble.com.

Coffee Break for Writers recently had the honor of doing an e-mail interview with Debbie Robins, author of “Where Peace Lives”.

Merely one week after Robins published her book, it hit #4 on Amazon.com's best-seller listin the children's category! In addition, "Where Peace Lives" also rose to #2 on Barnes & Noble's best-seller list. In this interview Robins shares with Coffee Break for Writers  some of the techniques she used to help her reach #4 on Amazon.com's best-seller list. Click here to read this really great interview.

TCM Reviews
'TCM Reviews for Book, Ebook, Audio Book, and Braille Reviews in Every Genre'

Where Peace Lives Debbie Robins Cambridge House PressISBN: 0-9787213-7-3Fiction, Spiritual, Children, Middle Grades Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady Like all of us, the main character in Where Peace Lives longed for   true peace. Each night she wished for peace and then fell into a deep sleep, as if wrapped in the arms of an angel. However, when she awoke  each morning, she returned to reality. It seemed to her that despite everyone wishing for peace, that end seemed impossible

A knock at her door would change everything. There stood Luther the  Bear. Luther was king of The Mountain Where Dreams Are Made. He came with news that the angel Peace had been locked in a glass box and only the three keys to peace could set her free. The two set off to The City of Right and Wrong where the debate over milk had completely divided the city. Their real journey was about to begin.

Where Peace Lives is a beautifully woven entertaining tale from which we can all gain insight. The story and the characters are inspired by and based upon the historic Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesus, Moses, and Muhammad. I love the interfaith quality of the story showing that we may all think and believe differently but ultimately we all want to be treated fairly and live a peaceful life.

Where Peace Lives
by Debbie Robins
ISBN-10: 0978721373
Review by Heather Froeschl

Where does peace come from? It isn’t something born of war, or won through argument. Author Debbie Robins explores peace and finds three keys to it in her book, “Where Peace Lives.” A book for all ages, children and adults, it is sure to become a classic along the lines of “The Little Prince.” More than that, it is a delightful read, and a tool for spreading some very valuable lessons.

The narrator is worried about the world and wonders why everyone can’t just get along. One night, a visitor comes and insists that the angel, Peace, needs to be set free. Peace is trapped in a glass box and three keys are needed to open the lock. They need to find the keys, and they begin by looking in the City of Right and Wrong. There, terrible things are happening. The residents are divided and each side insists that the other side is wrong. What’s even worse is that the Cube of Bitterness hovers above and devours those who are the “right ones”. Donkeys and elephants play tug of war, only it isn’t a game. It looks like there is no hope for peace. However, Mister Buddha, a poetic cat, is sharing a potion called Acceptance, and so there is hope after all.

Mister Buddha introduces our narrator to the concept of acceptance and the fact that kindness begets kindness, and also to his best friend, Mahma. The adventure continues with a story of understanding and Oneness, and then on to the Sea of Forgiveness, where two orangutans, Chris and Mo impart more wisdom. Through a desert and to a waterfall, and up a mountaintop, the keys are sought. Will they be found in time to set Peace free?

Robins, Debbie Where Peace Lives
Cambridge House. May 2007. C.112p. ISBN
0-9787213-7-3 (ISBN 978-0-9787213-7-4).
$19.95. REL

It is not every book that arrives at LJ’s offices with testimonials from Jane Seymour, Arianna Huffington, Penny Marshall, and that saint of secular humanism, Gore Vidal, but such is the fate of this new work by former television and film producer Robins. Aimed at children but a delight for all readers, it is a kind of animal-story allegory that draws on and fuses insights from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, as well as those of Gandhi, in the pursuit of, and praise of, peace. Whether its teaching mission is too heavyhanded to prove satisfying to children only time and child readers themselves can tell us, but Robins’s sincere writing, assisted by Victor Robert’s charming pen-and-ink wash drawings, should initially attract a wide audience. For most collections.

Author: Debbie Robins
Illustrator: Victor Robert
Publisher: Cambridge House Press
ISBN: 0-9787213-7-3

Debbie Robins had one wish and that was to ‘inspire the world to choose peace’. Having been an accomplished TV and film producer for more than twenty years, a president of Roland Joffe’s Warner Brothers company Lightmotive, a vice president at Hollywood Pictures/a division of Walt Disney Entertainment and finally a producer partner with director John McTiernan, it is fair to say that Debbie knew her stuff.

Being surrounded by literary legends and artists, her parents always encouraged her to write and from these roots she has successfully published Where Peace Lives. Within just one week from its publication date it became second on the Amazon.com Bestseller list, only outdone by Harry Potter. It was also a best seller on Barnes and Noble and has received praise world-wide.

Debbie also very kindly gave away preview copies of her debut book to more than several hundred school children and in return had many letters sent to her, all saying how much they appreciated her work. Some said her book provoked wonderful visions of worlds far from ours, others loved her literary usage and some vowed to be more peaceful in the future and respect others. This is sure to have given Debbie the response she desperately wanted,children and young people were reading her book and it was making a difference.

Where Peace Lives is an enchanting story about the journey to free a beautiful angel named Peace who has been locked in a glass box and cannot get out. In order to free her, the Three Keys must be obtained, but how? Within these pages the reader must travel and discover the unusual and vivid characters that play a part in these unique worlds. From those ones who fight over right and wrong, to perhaps the most memorable of all - the Cube of Bitterness.

We get to meet Mister Buddha who is trying to help the people by selling his wonder potion called Acceptance. There’s also Ah who comes from the Land of La and respects all living beings. This is a journey into a fantasy where peace abounds.

Debbie has created a very thought-provoking book alive with strange and mysterious creatures. In almost every page there are underlying proverbs, from The City of Right and Wrong onwards to the rough turquoise ocean.

However I am not too sure about the quirky illustrations of some of these characters. Some look rather grotesque and might well be scary to young children although there are some pictures that are extremely pretty and delicate. The Roomy Tea Garden design is elegant, architectural and floral all mixed into one. I think most people will find it an image as attractive as it is believable.

The real question is will Debbie manage to convert as many people as she hopes? I don’t think that many children and young people will be changed just because they chose to read this tale. While I love the idea that Debbie has, I don’t believe one book will be enough to have the effect she wants.

This is however an enjoyable fairytale taking you on a voyage of self-discovery through the mystical lands of peace and hatred.

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts: Jessica has been a book reviewer for a newspaper and a national women's magazine and is working on a novel.

PEACE OUT, AND DRINK YOUR MILK

Would you be able to find the keys to peace? Would you even know what they were if you found them?

In "Where Peace Lives," the narrator, with no age or sex designation, is on a mission to free Peace, an angel that's been locked in a box. Only the three keys will free it.

Oh, the places the narrator goes. And thanks to author Debbie Robins, the journey is a lively and inspiring adventure.

A corporate, executive and career coach and former Hollywood producer, Robins creates a narrative replete with grace, charm and wit for the children in all of us who aspire to "strengthen their peace muscles."

Robins creates an enchanting yet troubled world, including a place where living things are divided into two opposing and fitful sides -- those that drink milk and those that don't (including elephants and donkeys, hm, a political allegory?).

There also are colorful spiritual characters such as Luther the Bear, Mister Buddha, Mahma the Ferret, Chris and Mo, and Ah from the Land of La, whose peace teachings are inspired by the lives and work of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus Christ, Moses and the Prophet Muhammad.

It's charmingly illustrated by Victor Robert, who's done a lot of film, advertising and publishing work with clients that range from Burger King to Nickelodeon and Mattel.

At 80 pages, it seems a hair too lengthy to hold the attention of today's overstimulated children, but with a little help from parents the book would make a satisfying afternoon reading project, especially with the short bios of peacemakers such as Gandhi and Jesus Christ and the writing space and review exercises included at the end of the book.

"Where Peace Lives" reminds us that peace is a discipline -- and a choice -- that needs to be practiced every day.

****1/2 Stars (out of five)

Grade Level: 5 (All Ages)

Themes: peace, acceptance, forgiveness, kindness, respect, mercy

Comments: In the enchanted world of Where Peace Lives, an angel named Peace is locked in a glass box and can't get out. To make matters worse, Peace's wings have started to droop and the Peacedust has begun to fade. The fate of the world may be at stake. On this magical journey to find the three Keys to set Peace free, we meet Luther the Bear, king of the Mountain Where Dreams Are Made; Mister Buddha, an old Siamese cat selling a potion called Acceptance; Mahma the Ferret, who does unto others as he would like them to do unto him; Chris and Mo, orangutan ferrymen on the Sea of Forgiveness; and an essence named Ah from the Land of La who respects all living things. This is one of those books that you will want to read over and over. There is so much symbolism, it is hard to catch it all the first time around. Highly recommended!!!

Where Peace Lives
By Debbie Robins ‘78
Cambridge House Press

Why can’t people just get along? Debbie Robins takes up this question with a slender children’s fable whose simple lessons invite further pondering. A nameless narrator who is “worried about the world” dream that the angel Peace is imprisoned, whereupon a wise brown bear appears with a flying canoe.

What follows is a fanciful quest in which a series of other animal-teachers offer the keys to quelling strife.

There’s Mister Buddha, for example, a Siamese cat who offers a potion called Acceptance that magically ends enmity. Simplistic? Perhaps, except that the magic involves finding “a place beyond right and wrong” and learning to “watch one’s thoughts” ─elusive notions that can lead into deeper, more subtle territory. One of the messages here is that, even (or especially) in a world of so much external conflict, the way toward peace lies within. Robins ends her book with brief sketches of Martin Luther King Jr., Buddha, Gandhi, Christ, Moses, and Muhammad, and one can imagine young readers initially intrigued by the flying canoe who go on to learn more about these spiritual leaders.

Proceeds from sales of the book support City Hearts, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that seeks to draw children away from gangs and drugs through art education.

BOOK LOONS REVIEWS KIDS

Where Peace Lives  by Debbie Robins & Victor Robert
Cambridge House Press, 2007 (2007)
Hardcover

Though Debbie Robins' Where Peace Lives looks like a picture book from the outside, the volume and complexity of text inside orients it to older readers - pre-teens and up. Victor Robert's black and white illustrations, while sparse, are beautifully rendered. Presented as a children's fable for all ages, the book offers important insights on how to live in a way that promotes peace, tolerance and compassion for others.

The story opens as the narrator shares a concern about world peace, and about why people can't get along - 'The world calls it "war." I call it crazy' - and dreams of an angel named Peace with 'a smile as brilliant as a sunset.' Then there's a knock on the door - a brown bear, Luther, has come asking for help to set the Peace angel free from 'an unbreakable glass box'. Three Keys are needed. They journey to the City of Right and Wrong - whose animal inhabitants are in conflict over milk - in a flying canoe. Siamese cat Mr. Buddha offers an Acceptance potion that gives critters empathy for each other's diffences. Those who lack Acceptance are swept away by the frightening Cube of Bitterness, while the narrator travels on with the old cat. Mr. Buddha explains 'why war can never make peace' and introduces a very forgiving ferret.

Stops on the journey include the Sea of Forgiveness, the Land of La, and the Waterfall of Mercy. Along the way to The Mountain Where Dreams Are Made, the Keys are found, and Peace is freed. Was it just a dream? Let's hope not. At the back of this rather lengthy but illuminating book are brief bios of great leaders and prophets who have worked for peace, along with Exercises to Strengthen your Peace Muscle and journal pages for the reader's own Peace Journey. Part of the proceeds from sale of Where Peace Lives go to City Hearts and Earth Rights Institute.