Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove follows a young girl struggling to control her anger who learns how her brain responds to emotions and what she can do to control them. What inspired your story?

Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove was inspired by my experiences as a teacher, a mom, and an aunt. I’ve seen firsthand how children, including my own, often struggle with big emotions, especially when they don’t fully understand what’s happening inside their brains. Teaching has shown me how important it is to not only recognize emotions but to offer kids the tools to manage them. As a mom and aunt, I’ve had plenty of moments where I’ve had to help little ones work through their feelings, and I wanted to create a story that does just that—explaining emotions in a way that children can understand and relate to. This book blends my love for education and my experiences as a parent to offer a resource for families, teachers, and caregivers, helping kids navigate their emotions with compassion and knowledge.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Maham Ali?

I am so incredibly grateful for Maham Ali and her talent in bringing Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove to life. The collaboration process with her was an absolute breeze—she’s so skilled and creative, and she captured the essence of the story beautifully. Even though we weren’t in the same place, technology made it possible for us to connect and share ideas as if we were in the same room. I’m really thankful for that because it allowed us to create something special together. I can’t wait to work with her on future projects, and I’m excited to see what else we’ll come up with!

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

In Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, it was really important for me to show that everyone experiences emotions, and it’s not about avoiding or suppressing them, but about how we handle them. I wanted kids to understand that it’s okay to feel big or small emotions, but what really matters is how we respond so we don’t cause harm to ourselves or others. That harm can be physical, but it can also be emotional or mental, which is just as important to recognize.

I also wanted to make the brain’s role in emotions more tangible for kids. I tried to break down the parts of the brain and how they interact with emotions in a way that children could easily grasp. It is really gratifying knowing it is working as my godson, who’s in preschool, asked his older sister recently after reading the book if she was in the “upstairs or downstairs of her brain house?” when she was feeling emotionally overwhelmed. That moment really validated for me that kids can understand these concepts, and it sets them up for emotional resilience and intelligence.

Lastly, I wanted the book to offer resources for families and educators. At the end, there’s a section with vocabulary and strategies tied to social-emotional learning, so they have practical tools they can use with kids, anywhere, anytime. It’s about making these conversations and techniques accessible for everyone.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?

Yes, “Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove” is the first book in the series, and I’m already working diligently on the next one! I actually have a few drafts for the next installment with Elsie. If you noticed the gray balloon floating on the last page, that’s a little teaser for what’s to come. In the next story, that balloon will represent anxiety—specifically the anxiety that comes from big changes like moving and going to a new school, something a lot of kids can relate to.

The next book will dive into how Elsie learns to recognize and manage her feelings of anxiety as she navigates a new environment. Just like in Brainy Cove, the goal is to give kids a way to understand their emotions and the tools to work through them. I’m really excited to continue this journey with Elsie, and I can’t wait to share more soon!

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website