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✨As Seen in Lynchburg Living Magazine✨
✨ About the Book
From Bedtime Story to Family Treasure, then to Hearts Around the World
The Story Behind the Book 💦
The Inspiration: What began as a spontaneous bedtime story for Eliana's five grandchildren turned into a "family treasure." The grandchildren didn’t just listen; they helped shape the tale and continue to bring it to life to this day. Until they all agreed that Drops of Joy should be shared with as many children (and their parents) as possible! After all, “The more we share joy, the more we have it.”
“The Pen of the Heart" Legacy: Eliana carries a four-generation literary legacy from Brazil, including a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters. She writes with "the Pen of her Heart," a precious piece of advice given by her grandfather in her early childhood. This trademark style blends pure love and creativity with her international experiences.
💦 Book Description
Drops of Joy is a heart-warming chapter book about friendship, encouragement, and the power of spreading joy. In a rainy night, Lila has a wonder-filled dream in which mysterious raindrops bring amazing joy to everyone they touch. Where could those raindrops be coming from?
When she wakes, she longs to bring just one of those drops home to brighten her mom's heart and the family's "Just Another Day" routine. Unexpectedly, a series of exciting events draws together a captivating cast of characters: Lila and little Ben's busy mom, her best friend Olivia and her mom, the kind art teacher Mrs. Songbird and her speedy puppy Gigi, the grumpy park regular Mr. J.T., the cheerful grocer Mr. Dobson, and many other in their community.
Lila's dream, though, continues to be an impossible but hopeful wish. Inspired by her best friend's longing, Olivia has a brilliant idea, the spark that finally brings Lila's dream to life. Joy begins to spread from one heart to another, until drops of joy rain over the whole town and beyond. And best of all? Readers of all ages are warmly invited to live and share this dream as they continue to write the story in their own lives.
A Unique Reader Experience
💦 Interactive Narration: The author speaks directly to the reader in Italics, inviting them to think and comment as the story unfolds, building toward an uplifting "conversation" in the final pages.
💦 The "Jingle" of Life: Readers learn that while some days feel like "just another day," they are actually "justa-another-days," a rhythmic jingle that captures the heart and sings differently as the story unfolds.
💦 A Story Without an End: Readers, characters, and the narrator become like family. In the final pages, readers are invited to continue the story by bringing it to life in their own homes and schools, equipped with “tools” provided in the book to get started.
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Joy in Action
For Educators, Librarians & Homeschool Families
👩🏫 Educator’s Guide - For School Teachers & Homeschool Parents
A comprehensive, joy-filled activities guide designed to bring Drops of Joy into your classroom or home learning environment. Includes:
📋 Curriculum Connections
Aligned with the SEL CASEL Framework for social-emotional learning.
🎨 Extension Activities
Creative Writing, Art & Creativity, Social-Emotional Learning, and Community Connection.
📐 Cross-Curricular Connections
Science, Social Studies, Math, and Health & Wellness.
💧 And More Joy!
Author Visits - Joyful Times that Last
🏫 Schools
An interactive, joy-filled experience bringing Drops of Joy to life through storytelling and engaging activities tailored to each grade level with encouragement for a love of reading and writing. Students receive Drops of Joy bookmarks and stickers as a keepsake gift.
📚 Libraries
A warm, interactive storytelling experience celebrating the joy of reading. Perfect for after-school programs, summer reading events, and family read-aloud nights.
🎉 Community Events
Every gathering is unique! Eliana brings the spirit of Drops of Joy to your event with a joyfully tailored experience that leaves hearts full and smiles lasting.
💻 Free 20-Minute Virtual Visits!
Are you a long-distance classroom, library, or homeschool co-op reading Drops of Joy together this semester? Bring the story to life by hosting a free 20-minute live video Q&A with Eliana! To secure your date, choose “Book a Virtual Author Visit” in the contact form below.
💦 To inquire about availability and scheduling, please use the contact form below.
📚 Book Clubs
Discussion Guide - Read Joy Together
A fun, interactive guide with questions that spark meaningful conversations and bring the best out of every participant — from little ones to grandparents.
✨ Coming Soon!!
Drops of Joy Online Book Club
A five-meeting journey through the story, culminating in readers bringing the joy of Drops of Joy to life in their own homes and communities.
💦 To inquire about availability, scheduling, and registration, please use the contact form below.
✨Media
Featured in Lynchburg Living Magazine
I am thrilled to share that Drops of Joy is featured in the latest issue of Lynchburg Living magazine! In this beautifully written piece, Charlotte Farley captures the true heart of how a simple bedtime story for my grandchildren blossomed into a book meant to spread joy from one heart to another. The article features stunning photography by Ashlee Glen, all displayed in a beautiful layout design by Art Director Chris Meligonis. I am incredibly grateful to the entire team for bringing this story to life so beautifully.
✨ Milestones
#292
CHILDREN'S EMOTIONS & FEELINGS AT RELEASE
Top 300
CHILDREN'S CATEGORIES AT RELEASE CATEGORIES AT RELEASE
95
JOYFUL GUESTS - BOOK SIGNING LYNCHBURG, VA
100+
JOYFUL GUESTS - BOOK SIGNING MIAMI, FL
⭐️ 5 Stars
AMAZON VERIFIED REVIEWS
250+
STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF REACHED IN AUTHOR VISITS
💦 Amazon Momentum at Release
Within days of the official March 2nd launch, Drops of Joy reached the Top 300 in Children's categories, #12,899 overall in Books, #292 in Children's Emotions & Feelings, and #610 in Children's Family Life.
💦 Amazon Global
One week after the US launch, Drops of Joy became available in Brazil as an imported book, complete with a Prime badge, bringing the joy of Lila's dream to readers across the globe.
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💦 Local Launch, February 2026
The “Local Community, Friends & Family Launch” at Oakwood Country Club welcomed 95 guests, children and adults of all ages, who braved cold, rainy weather to celebrate. A real-life reflection of Lila's dream: books sold out, with advance purchases made for signed copies.
💦 Book Signing, Miami, FL, April 2026
Over 100 guests gathered in Miami to celebrate Drops of Joy, carrying its message of joy further south in the beautiful Miami.
💦 School Author Visits
Boonsboro Elementary, Lynchburg, VA - 4th grade
Samuel L. Gravely Elementary, Haymarket, VA - 150 third-grade students, May 2026
Haymarket Baptist, Haymarket, VA 50 kindergarten students, May 2026
✨ Reviews
What Readers are Saying
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Wonderful children's book for grown-ups!! Your book was so clever and inspiring!”
— W.G., BOOK SIGNING GUEST
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“We started reading it to all three children this week and are loving it… We all say ‘justa-nother-day’ together!”
— K&B, BOOK SIGNING GUESTS
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I am a retired teacher and, if still in the classroom, I would read it aloud and have students interact to answer the author's questions. It will captivate you and the child to keep reading.”
— D.B., AMAZON VERIFIED PURCHASE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“It sparks your curiosity in every chapter, it moves you, and it makes you reflect. It will surely help your child appreciate and recognize life.”
— F.S., AMAZON VERIFIED PURCHASE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A very sweet story that encourages readers to spread joy!”
— A.B., AMAZON VERIFIED PURCHASE
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“It's the kind of book that stays with you and makes you ponder.”
— A.C., AMAZON VERIFIED PURCHASE
✨ Meet the Author
Eliana Lessa Marcilio
Eliana's writing is a four-generation family legacy rooted in the vibrant culture of Brazil. Though her literary foundation was laid in her early childhood years, when her grandfather taught her to write with the “pen of her heart,” her perspective has been broadened by a life lived across many borders. Alongside her husband, Eliana's journey eventually led her to the Blue Ridge Mountains, where they have made it their home.
Writing has always been Eliana's natural way of expressing her heart, and her storytelling style is as relatable as it is authentic. Her life's work has long been marked by love and commitment to others. With a professional background centered on education and community service, she has spent years fostering growth in those around her. Today, that mission continues through her work as an author. For Eliana, Drops of Joy is not just a book to sell; it is a story to be shared. Having witnessed the story's unique power to inspire young (and not-so-young) hearts, she is now dedicated to spreading its message in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, striving to make it “rain joy” everywhere she goes.
Eliana's belief in the beauty of connection extends far beyond the page. She has been a familiar face on the tennis courts wherever she has lived, always finding purpose in both the game and the people, whether she is competing or serving as a volunteer coach for high schoolers and youth summer camps. A woman of profound faith in God, in Christ Jesus, she holds Biblical principles close to her heart, sharing them through the warm hospitality of her home and through digital outreach to friends in her native Brazil.
Whether she is traveling the world or enjoying quiet moments at home, being with her family makes her heart overflow with gratitude. To her, there is always an opportunity to live out the central theme of her work.
“Drops of Joy is our story… a story of all of us!”
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