Hildegard Caringi

and welcome to my website. You have arrived at Hildegard Caringi Books, where tranquility, harmony and enchantment reigns, where the world is painted with love. Looking for relaxation and cool things to explore? Then come on in. Leave your shoes at the door with the others. Slow down and unwind. Release all tension by focusing on breathing deeply, slowly canceling out conflicting thoughts.

Visit for a while and celebrate life with joy and a new passion.

Let me draw you into a universe that allows you to connect with your own creative imagination, causing it to burst with delight. Before you know it, we'll unite in perfect harmony, hearing the music all around is... soft and velvety... from which miracles are made.

While exploring the world of make-believe, taking a lazy stroll down to fantasy lane, you might uncover an upside-down reality. But don't take it to heart. Let yourself go. Enjoy! It's merely entertainment and good fun. As you climb a rainbow filling your cup with invigorating sunshine, a new and higher rhythm is released within you, inspiring me with your passion and your joy, a new unique story is born.

Finally, the time will come for you to move on. My sincere appreciation goes out to you for visiting my site. And, should you feel blue or lonely, drop in again... soon... I'll be waiting...

Praise for Hildegard Caringi

In her book, The Joy of Being, author Hildegard Caringi presents a series of short stories and poems that are put together to portray a unique compilation that is part memoir and part prose. Revealing how she conquered adversity to discover the joy of living, Caringi shares a personal story of struggle and survival. Readers are taken back to post World War II Germany where the author is a young child trying to survive the treacherous aftermath and extreme hardships that she and her family endured. Her journey is one of growing up in the most challenging situations to eventually immigrate to the United States. Caringi provides a candid and in depth of account of the suffering she endured that included losing her father and other family members, worries of starvation, as well as fears of being killed. Throughout the harsh conditions that she faced, her mother was the strength that held the family together. Caringi reveals that her mother provided the unconditional strength and love that helped the family survive the most difficult times. Within her poems, the author brings her deepest feelings and thoughts alive to impart messages of love, courage, resolve, friendship, and family unity. The poems are rich in rhyme and colors with images of love, faith, and liberation that are written to those who touched her in the most meaningful way. Rooted in her poems are important life lessons: "The joy and fullness of living is found in your soul through generous giving." "The moral is not to give into your greed, whenever you think you're in the greatest of need." Caringi is able to draw on nature and its inspirational beauty to deliver heartfelt poems of faith, peace, friendship, and spiritual renewal: "Ah nature! Bring calm to my spirit and peace to my door. I know you won't fail me you bring so much more." Hildegard Caringi has lived a remarkable life filled with fear, loss, friendship, and unconditional family love that shaped her character and faith. As a story written over a lifetime, it reveals the true spirit of living that will touch the hearts of all readers.

Book review for "Once Upon a Sandcastle"
by Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services

When writing Juvenile Fiction, one has to be able to tap into the creativity, imagination, and attention of young readers. In Hildegard Caringi's new novel, Once Upon a Sandcastle, she takes readers on a journey of the mind and spirit. Savannah and her best friend Holly are two young girls full of curiosity, energy, and adventure. While visiting their Aunt in Malibu, the girls come across a young boy in a wheelchair on a beach. Jacob is a shy and introverted boy with a troubled family past. Jacob meets a man by the name of David and the two develop an instant bond. David teaches Jacob a song that will allow him to enter a magical sand castle. Jacob, Savannah, and Holly sing the song and enter the enchanted world. When Jacob arrives at this mystifying place, he discovers that he is no longer with the two girls. The three find themselves facing mysterious dark creatures, an angry Queen, and a multitude of lively and colorful characters. With Jacob, Holly, and Savannah confronting many obstacles and ominous characters, Once Upon a Sand Castle is an action-packed fantasy adventure full of surprising twists and turns. The story is rich in color, creative characters, and fundamental themes that include: courage, compassion, overcoming physical and emotional challenges, as well as acquiring and developing friendships. Settings were vividly described to allow one to expand the imagination. The story is enhanced by the wonderful illustrations provided by renowned Argentina artist, Fernando Molinari. The book will inspire readers to draw on their imagination and encourage creative thought. There is a helpful list of questions at the end of the book that will motivate parents and children to discuss the various plots and themes. Once Upon a Sand Castle is a very entertaining story filled with imaginative adventures and spell-binding characters. It is a must-read for any adventurous spirit--young and old alike!

Book review by Gudrun Stutz, Sherman Oaks, Ca.

"THE JOY OF BEING" - An apt title for a book that through its sparkling kaleidoscope of poems and short stories instills hope, compassion, and love in its reader. At times soothing, other times disquieting, but always uplifting, "The Joy of Being" is one of those books that will have an eternal shelf life, a book that you might keep next to your reading chair in your living room, sometimes even take into your bedroom to flip through before sleep. You may have had a tough day, feeling down and out. Go ahead, let any page fall open - and there you will find just the right words that you need to give you hope, solace, or inspiration.

There is an amazing collection of poems, alternating with touching short stories, words that freeze moments of sadness, challenges, but most of all the joy that colors even the smallest slice of life with a precious patina of wisdom and kindness. And the more you read this book, the more you find that it bonds with your heart, and you want to read it over and over again. Poems about not only Caringi's mother, but also your own. Poems about friendship and loyalty, poems about lost childhoods and the agony of losing loved ones, but most of all poems reflecting the miracle of life and love and hope. Then there are poems celebrating the holidays, Christmas, Fourth of July - and finally a delightful trip into a fantasy world of magical beings and into the dream world of nightmares and possibilities.

If you want to let friends or loved ones know how much you care for them, give them "The Joy of Being" as a special gift on Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, even `Friendship Day' - or any other day you feel connected.

And if any reader is interested in German history, not just the politically correct facts, but in the drama behind the scenes on the home front, this book gives a fascinating aspect of civilian life in war-torn Germany. Caringi tells her heart-wrenching story through the eyes of a child, matured before her time, caught in the unforgiving torrent of WWII. We learn about the plight of the `other side,' the civilian population. I was incredibly moved by the description of the tremendous suffering and outright terror experienced by the author and her family. And yet, Caringi is without judgment. She just puts it out there. It is her history lesson in humanity the way she experienced it, a testament to a gifted author's hope and spirit, believing as her mother often reassured her that "with every end comes a new beginning."

Caringi's "The Joy of Being" is a reminder to the reader that we all have the strength to overcome obstacles by keeping our passion to fight for life - and win. And the prize for winning this fight is pure joy. We may become quiet and reflect on how very precious life is. As we read Caringi's intriguing poems and stories, we may even choose to accept the joy she is offering. It is her gift to us. It is there for us to grasp, and if we do, the joy of being becomes a part of each of us.

"The Joy of Being" captures the richness and complexity of spirit and life. A wonderful addition to any collection of poetry.

"Once Upon a Sandcastle"
Tolles modernes Fantasy Buch mit viel Spannung, Abenteuer und tollen Figuren in die man sich sofort verliebt. Einmal angefangen, moechte man das Buch gar nicht mehr aus den Haenden legen. Sehr schoen bebildert, so kann die eigene Fantasie auf die Reise gehen. Einfach super!!!! Ein muss fuer Jung und Alt.