Royce Saves the Day follows a ten-year-old boy who finds a magical propeller cap in a little shop in South Korea and discovers that it will transport him and his little sister to extraordinary places and adventures. What was the inspiration for your story?

The inspiration for the first Royce story began with my grandson Royce’s trip to South Korea to visit his grandparents. The idea that ordinary objects can hold extraordinary possibilities. He sent me a photo of the cap he had purchased. A simple propeller cap — playful, colorful, and a little nostalgic — became the perfect symbol of childhood wonder. It represents curiosity, courage, and that moment when a child dares to believe something simple could change everything.

The setting in South Korea was inspired by the powerful feeling of travel — being far from home, surrounded by Korean grandparents, a special trip with just Mama, new sights, sounds, and culture. The thought of Royce discovering the cap on his final day of an unforgettable trip captures that bittersweet moment when adventure is ending… yet something new is just beginning.

The sibling bond is the emotional heart of the book. Why was that relationship so important?

The relationship between Royce and Yoey is special because it isn’t built on sameness — it’s built on loyalty, empathy, and a shared spirit of adventure.

Royce is often the one who steps forward into adventure first. He’s curious, imaginative, and willing to take risks. Yoey, especially knowing her journey includes being born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, represents quiet strength — resilience, perseverance, and a different way of experiencing the world. When you place those two siblings side by side, something beautiful happens: adventure becomes inclusive.

Their bond shows children that:

• Strength looks different in every person.
• The best adventures are the ones you share.
• Royce doesn’t “rescue” Yoey. He supports her. And Yoey doesn’t need fixing — she brings heart, perspective, and depth to their journeys. Together, they model a relationship rooted in respect rather than sympathy.

That dynamic is powerful for young readers because it normalizes inclusion. It tells children:
“You belong in the story.”
“You belong in the adventure.”
“You belong in the friendship.”

And that message — especially in early childhood literature — is lasting.

Every adventure circles back to helping others. Why did you center kindness as the driving force?

Kindness is the driving force in the Magic Propeller Cap series because it is the quiet power that makes the magic matter.

The propeller cap may launch the adventure, but kindness determines what happens once the adventure begins. Without it, magic would simply be spectacle. With it, magic becomes transformational.

In Royce’s world, courage isn’t about being the loudest or the strongest — it’s about choosing compassion. Each journey presents moments where characters must decide how to treat others: whether to include, to forgive, to stand beside someone who feels different, or to act with empathy instead of fear. Those choices are what truly move the story forward. Finn, the leprachaun, Luna, the tooth fairy, rescuing Bootsy, the cat, and the Sasquatch family allow Royce and Yoey to offer kindness and make the world better. 

It also reflects a deeper belief that adventure is not just about faraway places — it’s about the heart. In a world where bullying is real, children reading these stories are not just watching magic happen; they’re learning that their own choices carry power.

And perhaps most importantly, kindness is something every child already possesses. The series gently reminds children that the greatest magic is in how they treat others.

Do you see more adventures ahead for Royce and Yoey?

There are more than a few more adventures ahead for Royce and Yoey for sure! 

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