Why I Wrote the Story

Growing up in New York, I had a weekly nightmare…to babysit my ADHD brother. The only way I could keep him quiet was to take him out on the roof. Rather dangerous as I look back on it now, but as we sat on the roof looking at the stars, I would make up a story interlaced with cryptic messages on how he should be quiet. Was I a perfect little girl? No way. I told him stories so he would stop driving me nuts. However, after I told him the story, my brother would actually incorporate the messages into his life, and so I discovered that I liked to tell stories with a message.

Today, our children's development into becoming productive, creative and happy members of society is constantly being threatened by the negativity touching their lives. And although it may come in many forms, the basis for all negative thought and action is fear. Include in this scenario the emergence of A.I. which is usurping the power of using one's own mind for creative and critical thinking, and this negative environment deepens.

Think of the power a child could have over their lives if they were able to understand and overcome negativity and actually diminish fear and use it to make their lives better. Where they use their own mind power and intuition to enhance problem-solving. A life where children could be living in a constant positive energy flow that encompasses great self-esteem, joy, peace, and happiness in whatever they do.

Now, take this a step further and imagine our entire world without fear. Can that world exist? Maybe not today, but here's my theory - it CAN exist in the future if children are given the right tools. I wrote The Kaleidoscope World to be one of those tools, and since I like a good, fun story - I threw that into the mix. I mean, my brother would never listen to me if I just told him to be quiet, right? But by showing him the why and how to be quiet, without actually saying it, well now, that worked really nicely.

There is a scientific basis for my theory since Quantum physics has now shown that we are all energetically connected and this connection can be influenced by the way we think. Today, more than ever before, it is imperative that we learn as a society (and a world) to continue to use the real intelligence of our mind to think positive because it affects each individual, our entire world, and especially the children.

I was a datacom engineer for 18 years and actually gave input to Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in the late 1980s. Now that it is released, I see the way they developed A.I. can have the unintended impact to take away actual mind-intelligent reasoning, critical thinking, and creativity in a way that can hurt children in the long run. I feel that A.I. gives kid's a wrong message that it is an easy fix to problems and companionship. What disturbs me most is that children could be led to untruths by default.

I originally wrote The Kaleidoscope World to help children (and adults) understand universal truths and human spiritual values. But since the story uses the power of the mind to manifest these things, in an unobtrusive, non-religious way, the book becomes a subtle way to counteract the negative effects of A.I. by encouraging the use and trust of their own minds. Each chapter gives children the tools for self-empowerment.

Children learn the underlying causes of negative thought and how to change a negative thought into a positive one. They find out how to acknowledge fear, take positive action, and walk through it. They learn how to live in the moment; develop trust, faith, hope, charity, and respect for all living things. They discover why it's important to take responsibility for their actions, and how to develop the power of positive thought through intention, intuition, perseverance, balance and creativity. Finally, they learn why love is the most powerful weapon of all. Most of all, they are entertained and get to use the messages even later in their everyday lives. This was proven by the marketing studies I did with a class of thirty-five Lawndale school children.

Bottom Line... It's a great story with a message. My brother, well, he loves the story. He's 70 now.

PRESS RELEASE

Teaching Kids Positive Tricks at 76

Los Angeles, CA, April 14, 2026... With negative emotions climbing nationwide taking its toll on mental health, wellness and happiness, an age-appropriate book is offering kids 9 -13 -- and adults -- strategies to help cope, stay positive and thrive.

The Kaleidoscope World, by awarding-winning author and 76-year-old grandmother Linda Mackenzie, is an enchanting children's book, also available as an eBook and audio book. The work is also accompanied by a 12 'staying positive' song album, also entitled The Kaleidoscope World.

Imagine combining the action elements of the Princess Bride with the magic of Harry Potter; add a smidgen of the odd characters in Alice In Wonderland; a dollop of music like in the Wizard of Oz; and teach the Universal Principles of how the power of love, positive thought and facing fear can actualize dreams, and you have - The Kaleidoscope World.

"I am on a mission to help children stay positive and think for themselves." said Mackenzie. "By giving them tools in a fun, engaging story, children learn what stops positive thought, which leads the way to a more positive, joyful, connected life. It's an added plus that adults like the book and songs too!"

Linda expertly combines a fast-paced, entertaining, well-written, rich in character, relatable story destined to be a classic in how to actualize positive thought.

This book, and album, comes at a time when educators are reporting increased negativity, distraction and stress levels among students. Current data for 2026 indicates that approximately 45% of U.S. adolescents aged 9-13 report experiencing negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, or sadness. These studies highlight the emotional challenges faced by young people today.

In addition, TheKaleidoscopeWorld.com website has educational activities, tools and events to help young readers explore their own feelings, while giving parents, teachers and counselors activities and a structured way to start meaningful conversations about negative emotions and fear.

Mackenzie has worked in the positive thought arena since 1995, as a radio host, TV personality, national lecturer and Founder of the 24 year HealthyLife.net Positive Talk Radio Network, which reaches over 177 million yearly listeners.

"By giving children, and adults, proven strategies to successfully navigate away from negative thought and transcend fear, they don't need to wait to improve their lives." Mackenzie added. "Anyone can learn to deal with negative emotions if they have the tools. This book and album are two of them. I like to think this could be the start of a Staying Positive Movement. Where positive overtakes the negative worldwide for the greater good of all. Now wouldn't that be positive!"

The Kaleidoscope World
A Randy-Amanda Adventure
Publisher: Creative Health & Spirit
Paperback: ISBN-13: 979-8-9867179-7-5
Album: UPC#: 7-54068-0090-6

 

PRESS RELEASE

Kaleidoscope World Characters come to Life -
Linda Mackenzie's Debuts 12-song Album

Linda Mackenzie fulfills 58 year dream with release of The Kaleidoscope World: Joyful Songs for Staying Positive, offering music to help children and adults cope and thrive in difficult times.

Los Angeles, CA, April 14, 2026...Creative Health & Spirit is pleased to announce the release of The Kaleidoscope World: Joyful Songs for Staying Positive. A fun for-all-ages modern folk album that ignites the whimsical characters of Linda Mackenzie's newly released The Kaleidoscope World: A Randy-Amanda Adventure book to come alive with unforgettable melodies and life changing lyrical messages.

"Growing up in New York City I was a contralto in the school chorus from the 6th - 12th grade, occasionally performing on stage, and always on the corner singing A capella with my friends. At eighteen I was offered a contract with Columbia Records, but when the Producer said, "Can't wait to get you on the road," I knew what he meant and chose a different life path, which still includes radio. So it's such a kick that at 76 I got to produce and sing the melodies and lyrics I wrote and make this album with some really talented people to recognize that dream." says Mackenzie.

Each track contains a character that represents something that stops positive thought. Everyone knows, or may actually be: an always in control In the Know Joe; a Babbling Barbara spouting negative words; a Scary Mary McFairy who insists she's always right; a Wilma Worry or Fretting Fran that need to learn to Live in the Moment and the other characters on each track. The lyrics are crafted not only to realize the negative trait, but how to overcome it and stay positive.

Linda gathered a wonderful group of vocalists and musicians like Charis Rey, who enjoys a 30 year career as a professional singer and toured the globe as a backup vocalist for Gloria Gaynor and sang with Enya on the David Letterman. Jesimiel R. Jenkins is still pursuing his dreams of being an accomplished stage and film actor who sings in off Broadway plays and productions nationwide. Daniel Alexander is both pianist and keyboardist, who has worked with a stylistically wide array of artists and talent that have included the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra to rock 'n' roll's iconic originator Little Richard and everything in-between. Dennis Glines (aka Jay Cruz) comes from the radio industry and is a bass guitarist who has performed with several bands, recently with 'Five Long Years'. Kim LaChance was in Hawaii's first heavy metal band VIXEN. Linda herself sang several solos, a duet, and of course in the chorus - where she once started.

The record was recorded with Steve Ornest at Total Access Studio where Journey, Nirvana, Duran Duran, Iron Butterfly and so many others recorded.

"It still thrills me to think I may have stood in the exact spot that Van Morrison recorded 'Moondance.' says Mackenzie. "This is my first album production and my hope is that both children and adults, alike, have as good of a time listening to these songs as I had in creating them."

The Kaleidoscope World: Joyful Songs for Staying Positive album is available as digital downloads and in CD format at thekaleidoscopeworld.bandcamp.com and TheKaleidoscopeWorld.com

Part of the proceeds of the album goes to fund economically disadvantaged school classroom and assembly visits to teach kids the power of positive thought and values to uplift their life.

The Kaleidoscope World: Joyful Songs for Staying Positive
Producer: Creative Health & Spirit
Album: UPC#: 7-54068-0090-6
Available in .mp3 and .wav Digital Download and CD formats
thekaleidoscopeworld.bandcamp.com
TheKaleidoscopeWorld.com