Fabemol Hears the Heart: A Story About Listening & Empathy is a 2026 Children’s Book International Category Finalist in Children’s Literature.
Written by Mary Ann Domanska and Illustrated by Gabriela Guadalajara
Honored and grateful for this recognition. This story is very close to my heart, and I’m grateful to see it honored in this way. I’m excited to continue sharing this story with young readers, families, and educators.
Join us for a joyful celebration of the new picture book Fabemol Hears the Heart – A Story about Listening & Empathy by Mary Ann Domanska, illustrated by Gabriela Guadalajara.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
🕛 12–2 PM
📍 BOOKED. in Chestnut Hill
8511 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Come meet the author and illustrator, enjoy some activities, and be among the first 10 guests to receive a Fabemol sticker sheet! Perfect for families, educators, and fans of meaningful storytelling.
Can’t attend? Order online starting Sept. 27 at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and all major booksellers.
👉 Visit chalkandwonderpress.com for more details!
Fabemol Hears the Heart is a story that reminds us what it means to truly listen. In a world saturated by noise, Fabemol Hears the Heart cuts through with rare quietude — a beautifully illustrated tale (thanks to Gabriela Guadalajara) about empathy, the unseen struggles we carry, and the magic of tuning in, not just to words, but to what lies beneath them. Written with an open heart, this book invites readers of all ages to slow down and connect… with themselves, with others, and with the often-overlooked whispers of the world around them.
We are so excited to share this book with the world, and I can confidently say: Fabemol doesn’t just hear the heart — he touches it.
Official release date to be announced soon!
Let me know if you’d like a preview — or let’s talk about how stories like this are needed now more than ever.
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Fabemol Hears the Heart: A Story about Listening and Empathy
In a vibrant world of colors and musical trees, Fabemol is a quiet soul who hears more than most. He listens to his friends’ feelings without trying to fix them.
With whimsical illustrations and a heartfelt story, Fabemol Hears the Heart invites young readers on a journey of empathy and emotional connection, celebrating the beauty of simply listening. Perfect for social-emotional learning at home or in the classroom.
Stay tuned for the release date!
You can listen to the podcast with the link below.
Catch me on The Author’s Show!
I’ll be sharing the stories behind my latest children’s book and what inspires my writing. Don’t miss it! Visit the link TheAuthorsShow.com on May 22 to catch it when it airs.
The Author’s Show is a podcast featuring authors from various genres, providing a platform for them to share their work and for readers to discover new books. Since 2005, it has been a pioneer in publishing industry podcasting.
Yesterday, April 19th, 2025, I shared my new picture book Nge and the Magical Drums. I was surprised to see some dear old friends and visited by current and former students. It was a joy to have this opportunity. Thank you to Debbie Gress Jansen for helping me celebrate the occasion!
If you have not pre-ordered my book directly through me, you can now purchase Nge and the Magical Drums directly through the publisher (though much less money will come to me or ultimately to The Lemong’o Project). Just scan the QR code or click this link: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=I2l0F5UdgDszDkvaobdwwthQyZQWATJbRFi8rXBPxQy The cost is $12.95 before taxes.
Mary Ann Writes For Kids 