Gigglet the Happy Little Piglet Goes to School follows a giggly young piglet as she goes through her day at school and back home. What was the inspiration for your story?

Let me first preface this by saying (this is going to sound a bit crazy, because well, it is…)!

I had been feeling really burnt out and uninspired in my day to day. I was missing the creative side of my life and wanting to do something, ANYTHING that would get me excited about SOMETHING! I felt the super joyful, happy-go-lucky me I’ve always been, slowly starting to slip away.

I went to bed with a heavy heart one night, asking the heavens above for a change. I was dreading facing another day of zero creativity and no inspiration, and I just felt lost. Then something crazy happened…

The next morning I woke up in a different frame of mind. I was hopeful and feeling positive and not dreading the day at all! I went to work, I was checking my emails and saw a spam email that said “Lit Gadget” in the subject line. My mind read the word as “Gigglet”. I did a double take, looked at the word once again and laughed out loud at myself! “Silly Amber, that doesn’t say Gigglet, it says Lit Gadget” LOL! 😂

I wrote the word Gigglet at the top of my notepad I had sitting in front of me, and then the story of “Gigglet The Happy Little Piglet” just came gushing out of my pen! I couldn’t control it, I couldn’t write fast enough, it was as if the story was writing itself! Once I was done writing, I read through everything and realized, OMG! I’M GIGGLET! I’m the happiest little piglet in all the land!

I guess I just needed a reminder about who I really am to the core of my being and a reminder that I can really do anything I allow myself to do, just as long as I don’t get in my own way. (Crazy, right? Can’t say I didn’t warn you, LOL!)

The art in this book is fantastic Gigglet is so expressive and draws in young readers. What was the art collaboration process like with Nifty Illustrations?

I’m so happy you asked this question! There aren’t enough words or enough hours in the day to describe how amazing and incredible it has been partnering with Nifty Illustrations. We are so in sync! The illustrations are everything I asked for and soooo much more! My partnership with Nifty Illustrations will be lifelong! I feel truly thankful and so very blessed that someone gets me and my visions, loves to explore and is open to all the creative possibilities! We have a true partnership! No idea is a bad one and we are simply free to imagine and create to our hearts content! Oh it’s such a joyful and beautiful thing, more than I could have asked for!

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

You will notice that from an educational perspective, Gigglet is creating and is being joyful while doing it. She is expressing herself in ways that make her happy. I also wanted to be sure to depict what a day at preschool or kindergarten might feel like to young kids. Whether Gigglet is writing, painting, dancing, etc. she is doing it from a place of joy, fun and love.

Do you have more stories planned for Gigglet, and if so, when can your fans expect the next story to be available?

I do! In fact, there is a spoiler alert on my new website http://www.ambkidsbooks.com for book #3 in the series coming out in Q1-Q2 2024. There is also a hint on my website in the World of Gigglet tab for book #4 as well! I have approx 8 Gigglet books lined up for publication at this time. I’m so excited for the world to meet Gigglet’s family and friends, and to go on many more super fun adventures with the happiest little piglet in all the land! 😊 🐷

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