Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue follows a kindhearted girl who rescues a baby squirrel and decides to bring him everywhere she goes, until a chaotic grocery store escape teaches her that love sometimes means letting go. What inspired the character of Floo Flocky Doo and her adventurous spirit?

In 2000, our youngest daughter, Hunter—just four years old at the time—slipped on an apron to help her mother prepare dinner. With a proud smile, she carried a plate over and declared, “Miss Floo Flocky Doo is here to serve YOU!”

In that joyful moment, our family knew this delightful character had the heart of a children’s story. Inspired by Hunter’s imagination, Miss Floo Flocky Doo was born. Twenty-six years later, that spark has come to life in my debut picture book, Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue! 

Beneath the humor, the story touches on responsibility and letting go. How did you balance silliness with that quieter emotional lesson?

Beneath all the laughter and mischief, that quieter message really grew out of real life. The story may feel whimsical—with a runaway baby squirrel, blueberry footprints, and grocery store chaos—but at its heart, it’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest or most fun choice.

I was very intentional about letting the humor lead the way, especially for young readers. Kids connect first through joy, rhythm, and surprise. Once they’re fully engaged—laughing, predicting what might happen next—that’s when the deeper message can gently settle in without feeling heavy or forced.

So the balance comes from layering—keeping the story light, musical, and fun on the surface, while allowing the emotional lesson to naturally reveal itself through the character’s choices. For me, the goal was never to teach the lesson outright, but to let children feel it—and maybe even talk about it afterward.

What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

A joyful burst of fun, smiles, and giggles! Kids will delight in the book’s whimsical rhymes and love joining in on the catchy, confidence-boosting refrain—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—as the main character faces each new challenge with imagination and heart. It also combines the musicality of classic rhyming books with a personal, grounded storytelling foundation, which gives it a warm and authentic feel.

If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

If you’re going to choose just one book to share with a child this week, make it Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue—because it delivers exactly what kids (and parents) are looking for in a read-aloud experience: laughter, rhythm, heart, and a character they’ll want to visit again and again.

This isn’t just a story—it’s an interactive adventure. Kids quickly latch onto Floo’s playful catchphrase—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—and love jumping in to say it out loud. That kind of participation turns reading into a shared moment, not just a quiet activity.

It’s also packed with high-energy, laugh-out-loud fun. A mischievous baby squirrel on the loose, a chaotic grocery store chase, and a hummingbird with a clue create the kind of delightful mayhem that keeps kids fully engaged from start to finish.

But beneath the humor is something even more important: heart. The story gently weaves in themes of kindness, responsibility, problem-solving, and friendship—giving parents and educators something meaningful to feel good about and to discuss with their children / students.

And finally, Floo herself is unforgettable. She’s bold, imaginative, and full of joy—the kind of character children connect with instantly and want to follow into the next adventure.

If you want a book that makes kids laugh, invites them to participate, and leaves them smiling at the end…this is the one to bring home.

Will Floo and Lucky Lou return for more adventures?

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage young readers and adults to visit the book’s website, www.FlooFlockyDoo.com and vote for what adventure Floo Flocky Doo, should pursue in book number two!

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