Local woman pens story of her 'Magical' discovery

North Aurora, Ill.: Karen Carlson discovered a "magical" little secret while watching her three grandsons one day. Wound up after an active day with grandma, the boys struggled to calm down. Using her ingenuity, Carlson drew upon her many years of knowledge as a wellness practitioner. What happened next was nothing short of magic.

"I made up a little game with the eye pillows I use for massage clients," recalls Carlson. "I asked the boys to keep the pillows still by resting quietly for 2 minutes. To keep them focused, I encouraged them to breathe and be calm. They loved it! Even I was shocked!"

After sewing special pillows for each grandchild, Carlson realized they would be helpful for others. She created her own line of unscented eye pillows in fun, colorful fabrics. This month she launches her delightful children's book, Grandma's Magic Pillows, chronicling the story. It teaches the importance of taking a quiet break and how that discovery helped her grandkids.

"I adore my grandsons' energy!" says Carlson. "But all kids need calming moments, too. In today's overstimulated, 24/7 world, they need mindful breaks even more."

Carlson's 'magical' idea resonated with others. Parents and grandparents became customers, as did local counselors and classrooms. The 'magic' pillows encourage kids to practice calming breaks, something children - especially those with attention issues - struggle to do. That's when Carlson realized a companion book was necessary.

Filled with charming illustrations by local art teacher Laura Gilbert, Grandma's Magic Pillows depicts the boy's colorful thoughts as they take their magic pillow break. The storyline is told from the grandmother's point of view.

"It's been a labor of love," says Carlson. "The book describes my "Ah-Ha!" moment, but underneath it all, supports my belief that everyone should slow down and take a break."

Carlson's eye pillows and Grandma's Magic Pillow books are available through her website www.BeWellandRenew.com, Amazon, and local book and toy stores.

For more information, please contact Karen at Karen@Bewellandrenew.com.