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Children Learn With Their Entire Bodies
Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop! transforms learning the alphabet into a colorful, movement-filled adventure that invites young readers to say, dance, laugh, and hop their way from A to Z. What inspired you to turn the alphabet into such an active, movement-based experience?
As we all know, children don’t just learn with their eyes, they learn with their entire bodies. Traditional alphabet books are wonderful, but I wanted to tap into the natural energy of young kids and bridge the gap between reading and physical play. Growing up, I never sat still long enough to read a single sentence, let alone an entire book! I was intensely energetic and active, and I would much rather have been playing outside than sitting still in a classroom.
By turning letters into active movements, we use gross motor skills to help anchor cognitive learning. When kids are hopping, giggling, wiggling, and dancing their way from A to Z, learning the alphabet stops feeling like a lesson and becomes pure fun. That joyful association is the best way to spark a lifelong love of reading.
How did you choose the words, settings, and activities that represent each letter of the alphabet?
Honestly, I just tapped into my inner big kid! When I was brainstorming, I asked myself: If I were diving into an alphabet adventure right now, what would I want to see, where would I go and where would my imagination take me? When I have readings at schools and events, I always ask the kids what they want to see as well. They have great imaginations and sometimes it’s up to us as adults to help them unlock and explore their creative mindset.
My extremely talented Illustrator and I wanted the settings and activities to jump off the page and to feel alive and playful. But beyond that, we paid a lot of attention to the pure joy of language, specifically, which words are just plain fun to say out loud, especially when you repeat them three times. For example, saying ‘yo-yo’ three times fast is so fun; we dare anyone to try it without giggling! That kind of playful rhythm is what makes the alphabet stick in a child’s mind well after they have closed the physical book.
What led you to include the “Alphabet Hop” dance and QR code as part of the reading experience?
Books don’t have to stay flat on the page anymore. I wanted to build a bridge between traditional reading and the digital world that kids love today, while keeping them physically active.
The QR code brings the ‘Alphabet Hop’ dance to life right on screen, giving little ones a guide to match the physical actions in the book. It transforms storytime into an interactive, whole-body experience where parents, guardians, teachers and kids can dance and laugh together. When reading feels like an event, it creates memories that make kids want to pick up a book again and again.
I didn’t have anything like this growing up, and I think I would have loved to learn the alphabet in such a fun, interactive way. I want kids to feel empowered and excited about coming up with their own dance moves to the bouncy rhythm. Ultimately, I hope it encourages children to collaborate, spark new friendships, and have fun creating something together.
Why was it important to include an English-Spanish vocabulary chart at the end of the book?
Language learning was a huge part of my upbringing, my parents and teachers always encouraged us to explore other languages. Plus, during my background as an opera singer, I had the incredible joy of learning and performing in multiple languages, and Spanish has always been an absolute favorite of mine.
There is such a profound sense of joy, pride, and connection when you can interact with others in their native tongue. Because I do a lot of readings in predominantly Spanish-speaking areas, I wanted to ensure those communities felt included and celebrated right on the page. Ultimately, providing this resource is about giving kids an approachable way to discover another language and supporting childhood literacy for families who might not otherwise have access to beginner bilingual tools.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Meet Gigglet and Wigglet, two high-energy piggy siblings who believe that learning should never sit still. In this vibrant and interactive tale, join big sister Gigglet as she takes her enthusiastic baby brother, Wigglet, on a joyful journey to discover the true magic of the alphabet. But this isn’t your average, quiet storytime book―it is a full-body, high-energy experience designed to encourage children (and adults!) to giggle, wiggle, and hop their way from A to Z.
Turn Storytime Into a Dance Party! Why just read the alphabet when you can dance it? This “piggy perfect” adventure turns every letter of the alphabet into an absolute party.
*Interactive QR Code: Packed with modern fun, readers can scan the built-in QR code to unlock guided, kid-friendly dance moves that bring the story to life.
*Bouncy Rhythm & Rhyme: Prefer to set your own pace? Create your own groove to the book’s infectious, bouncy rhythm that naturally gets little feet hopping and bodies wiggling.
*Active Learning: Perfect for burning off extra energy, this book seamlessly blends early literacy with motor skills, making it a dream for beginning readers.Bonus Bilingual Learning Inside!
The fun doesn’t stop at the letter Z. Flip to the back of the book to find a special A to Z learning chart featuring both English and Spanish translations for every single letter. It’s the perfect tool for building vocabulary, introducing a second language, and reinforcing everything your little one learned during their dance-along adventure.
Whether you are a parent looking for a way to make reading more engaging, a teacher wanting to liven up circle time, or just a fan of irresistibly cute piglets, Gigglet and Wigglet are ready to jump off the page and into your heart.
Are you ready to shake up your reading routine? Grab your dancing shoes and join the piggy party today!
Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop!
Gigglet and Wigglet’s Alphabet Hop! by A.M. Berkowitz turns learning the alphabet into an energetic trip from A to Z. Each letter is paired with a familiar word, such as apple, bubbles, dinosaur, ice cream, rocket, and zebra, while Gigglet and Wigglet act out a playful scene connected to it. The repeated wording invites children to say each word aloud several times before joining in with the recurring “Hip, hop, hooray!” saying. That predictable pattern makes the picture book especially easy for young children to follow and participate in.
The book has a strong read-aloud quality because it treats the alphabet as something children can say, move to, and enjoy rather than simply look at. There’s even a QR code near the beginning that introduces an “Alphabet Hop” dance, encouraging readers to create their own movements along with the rhythm. The word choices also give the book plenty of variety. One page might send the characters into the jungle, while another puts them on a train, at a party, in a garden, or riding a unicorn. That constant change of setting keeps the alphabet sequence lively without making the basic structure difficult to understand.
The illustrations are bright, colorful, and packed with cheerful details, with the two pig characters changing costumes and activities to match each letter. For F, they appear around a bright red fire truck, while R sends them into space in a rocket, and Z has them dressed in zebra stripes beside a zebra. The pictures often add little visual jokes and story details beyond the main vocabulary word, so children have plenty to notice even after they know the alphabet pattern. Large letters and color-coordinated vocabulary words also stand out clearly on each page, helping connect the printed letter with the object or idea shown in the illustration.
There’s also a useful bonus at the end: an English-Spanish vocabulary chart covering the alphabet words from the book, giving families another way to revisit what they’ve read. Alphabet Hop! feels built for participation. It combines repetition, movement, colorful scenes, and simple vocabulary in a way that should work especially well for preschoolers and beginning readers. It’s the kind of children’s book that invites a child to speak up, point at the pictures, bounce along, and probably ask to start again once Z has had its turn.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0H8WZ453R
Wonderfully Mischievous
Bubble Gum Rocks follows three sisters spending a summer at their grandparents’ Kansas farm, who stumble into the long-forgotten magic of bubble gum rocks. What inspired the adventure the sisters go on?
The core inspiration for Bubble Gum Rocks is drawn directly from my own childhood, and it’s a very heartfelt, authentic memory for me. My grandparents own a farm that dates back to the 1800s, and for my sisters and me, that farm wasn’t just dirt and fields—it was a landscape of untapped magic.
The ‘bubble gum rocks’ themselves are very real. They are the rocks that look like chewed-up pieces of bubble gum that we would hunt for tirelessly. And when we found one, we would treat that rough diamond like it was pure gold. That simple act of discovery—the feeling of unearthing a secret treasure—became the foundation for the book’s central, forgotten magic.
But the adventure truly began with my uncle. My sisters and I were, let’s just say, wonderfully mischievous. We were constantly pushing the boundaries and getting into trouble. My uncle was the brilliant mind who channeled all that youthful energy. He would invent these elaborate, imaginative games to keep us entertained and, frankly, out of the way of farm work. It was his playful spirit and the inherent adventurous nature of exploring an ancient farm that inspired the sisters’ journey.
So, the book is really a love letter to that time: to the bond between sisters, to the creative genius of a loving adult, and to the idea that even the most ordinary-looking farm can hide the most extraordinary secrets if you just know where to dig.
What was your inspiration for the characters and their relationship?
My inspiration for the characters and their relationships is rooted in the most honest place possible: they are 100% real and based on my own family. While I’ve changed their names to ‘protect the innocent’—as the saying goes—their personalities, quirks, and the complex, wonderful dynamic between them are completely true to life.
For me, the personalities are the heart and soul of the book. I wouldn’t have had the amazing, adventure-filled childhood I did if it weren’t for the unique combination of my sisters, my uncle, my mom, dad, and my grandparents.
We’re a family that truly puts the ‘fun’ in ‘dysfunctional,’ and oh, what fun it is! You have:
- The older sister who tries to maintain order but is secretly the first one to break the rules.
- The middle sister, who is the creative, mischievous dreamer. (That’s often me!)
- The younger sister who looks up to the others but always surprises them with her free spirit and bravery.
It’s the way they tease each other, the way they fall back on each other when they’re in trouble, and the way they speak in their own little family code that brings the story to life. By basing the characters so closely on my family, I wasn’t just writing fiction; I was capturing the electricity of a real bond—a bond filled with deep love, playful rivalry, and shared mischief. That genuine relationship is what makes their on-page adventure feel so real and relatable.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Without a doubt, the scene I had the most fun writing was the moment Avianna makes her wish, and the magic of the bubble gum rocks finally ignites.
It was a joy to write because it wasn’t just a turning point in the plot; it was the moment the book itself underwent a magical transformation. I envisioned the first part of the book in a kind of subdued, sepia-tone atmosphere—it represents the quiet, sometimes overlooked, reality of the farm and the mundane start to their summer.
Avianna makes that wish, and the long-forgotten magic truly awakens; the pages burst into beautiful, vibrant colors. Writing that shift felt like going from watching an old film clip to seeing the world in full HD.
It was the moment when the potential of the farm became reality. It’s where the secret Avianna was searching for finally manifests, and it felt incredibly rewarding to write. It’s where my real childhood memories of seeking treasure finally got to become a spectacular, larger-than-life fantasy on the page.
Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I’m thrilled to confirm that Bubble Gum Rocks is the very first book in The Magical Farm Mysteries series!
When I finished writing the girls’ first adventure, I realized there was so much more untapped magic on that old Kansas farm that their story was far from over. The world felt too rich and the characters too real to leave behind after one summer.
I am already deep into planning and writing the next installment. Readers can certainly expect the three sisters to stumble into many other adventures with even more magic, unexpected twists, and fun new hidden secrets. It’s an ongoing journey, and I can’t wait for readers to follow the girls as they uncover the full scope of their family’s magical legacy.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | AMB Kids Books
When three curious sisters – Avianna, Avery, and Ainsley – spend the summer at their Grandma and Grandpa’s farm, they stumble upon a magical and sparkly surprise, bubble gum rocks! What mysterious powers do these magical stones hold?
Join the sisters as they discover the wonders of the magical farm in their delightful first mystery of The Magical Farm Mysteries series!
Perfect for ages 6-10
Full of heart, humor and a touch of farmyard magic!
The Magical Farm Mysteries: Bubble Gum Rocks
Bubble Gum Rocks follows three sisters spending a summer at their grandparents’ Kansas farm, where they stumble into the long-forgotten magic of bubble gum rocks. A single wish tossed into the old oak tree sparks something wild, leading to glowing storms, piles of magical rocks spilling from the tree, and even a mysterious old key that hints at deeper secrets beneath the farm. It’s a cozy little adventure wrapped in family love, wide open fields, and just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages.
The writing is warm and sweet. The author leans into nostalgia, and that really resonated with me. I loved how the girls each had such different personalities, and the farm felt alive in a simple, magical way. Some moments made me grin like an absolute goof, especially Ainsley’s little kid comments. Other parts gave me that warm feeling, the kind you get from stories about believing in something even when it seems silly.
I also liked how the story didn’t try to be complicated. It felt honest and heartfelt, and that made the magic feel even more real. I caught myself slowing down just to soak in the little details, like the glowing storm, the cracked oak tree, and all the colorful rocks pouring out in the morning sun. And the ending with the key in Avianna’s pocket left me smiling and kind of excited for whatever comes next. It has that “there’s more out there” feeling, and I’m a total sucker for that.
The illustrations feel warm and homey. The soft, sketch–style lines and gentle shading give everything a nostalgic, storybook charm. The attention to detail makes the scenes feel lived-in and loved, adding to the book’s overall sense of family, comfort, and simple magic.
This children’s book would be perfect for kids who love gentle mysteries, magical adventures, and stories that celebrate family. It’s also great for adults who want a cozy read that makes them feel like a kid again. If you enjoy warmhearted magic with a whole lot of charm, this children’s chapter book is a sweet pick.
Pages: 76 | ASIN : B0FSQ7C34J
That Beautiful Mix
Welcome Baby Wigglet! is a joyful children’s picture book about Gigglet the pig learning to embrace her new role as a big sister with love, pride, and giggles. What inspired you to create Gigglet and Wigglet’s sibling story? Was it drawn from your own family experiences?
Yes, the story was inspired by my own family experience! When my little brother was born, I remember feeling just like Gigglet—worried that I might be “replaced.” (Spoiler: I wasn’t… my parents still needed someone to sneak cookies off the counter.) But the moment he arrived, all those worries melted away. He instantly became my favorite “real-life baby doll,” and I couldn’t wait to protect him, love him, and teach him everything I knew—like how to build the best blanket forts! That beautiful mix of nerves and love is what I wanted to capture in Gigglet and Wigglet’s sibling story.
How did you balance addressing children’s worries about new siblings while keeping the story playful and lighthearted?
I approached it the same way I imagine a parent might—acknowledge the worries, then smother them in love, reassurance, and a little silliness. Because while big feelings are real, so is the joy of discovering that a new sibling isn’t competition—it’s a forever friend to love, teach, and laugh with. Gigglet’s story shows kids that it’s normal to wonder if things will change, but also that love grows bigger, not smaller.
The illustrations are so vibrant. Can you tell us about your collaboration with the illustrator and how you brought Gigglet’s world to life?
Working with Nifty Illustration is pure magic. We’ve been together long enough to fall into this beautiful rhythm where she just “gets” what I’m imagining. It’s like we share one creative brain—she brings the heart, the color, and the sparkle that makes Gigglet’s world leap off the page.
What do you hope parents and caregivers will take away from reading Welcome Baby Wigglet with their children?
I hope parents and caregivers take away the reminder that love multiplies—it never divides. Welcoming a new sibling isn’t about losing your place, it’s about expanding the circle of love and creating lifelong bonds. My wish is that families feel encouraged to embrace the big emotions, celebrate the little joys, and remember that even in moments of worry, love always grows bigger.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Welcome Baby Wigglet!
Welcome Baby Wigglet is a heartwarming and joyful children’s picture book that beautifully captures the excitement, curiosity, and emotions surrounding the arrival of a new sibling. Perfect for early readers ages 0–6, this story continues the adventures of Gigglet, a lovable little pig, who faces one of the biggest milestones of her young life, becoming a big sister.
At the heart of the story is Gigglet’s worry that her new baby brother, Wigglet, might take her place in the family. Mama and Papa gently reassure her, reminding her that she will always be their “little baby” while also showing her the pride and importance of her new role. This simple but powerful perspective shift makes the story so effective for children, turning feelings of uncertainty into joy, pride, and love.
The narrative is honest yet reassuring, making it an ideal resource for families preparing their children for a new arrival. It acknowledges common sibling concerns but frames them positively, helping kids feel included and excited about their role.
The illustrations are vibrant, engaging, and irresistibly adorable. Each page is filled with warmth and color, perfectly matching the cheerful, giggly tone of the story. The simple, easy-to-read words make this book accessible for beginning readers while keeping younger listeners captivated.
What sets Welcome Baby Wigglet apart is its relatability. Gigglet embodies the very questions, curiosities, and emotions that many young children have when a new baby joins the family. The story balances humor, tenderness, and playful surprises to keep little ones engaged. Parents and caregivers will appreciate how naturally it sparks conversation, giving children the chance to express their own feelings about a new sibling. It’s a story that is not only read once but returned to again and again, whether as bedtime reading, a gift, or a treasured keepsake in moments of family transition.
Welcome Baby Wigglet is a celebration of family, love, and the special bond between siblings. With its colorful illustrations, gentle storytelling, and heartfelt message, this book is a must-have for families preparing to welcome a new baby. Whether read aloud to toddlers or enjoyed by beginning readers, it delivers endless giggles, wiggles, and joy. Highly recommended for parents, grandparents, and anyone looking for the perfect sibling gift book.
ASIN: B0FLZ6L3SZ | Pages: 32
