Addison’s Delaware Discovery follows a ten-year-old girl on a family trip who meets a young girl with Juvenile Disc Disorder and helps her connect with other kids in her town with the help of a local legend, the Delaware Swamp Monster. What was the inspiration for your story?

During my research, I came across the fascinating story of a swamp monster in Delaware, a legend that originated in 1964. A newspaper man who was eager to increase his sales created the hoax, and along with a local resident staged Bigfoot-like sightings in the Great Cypress Swamp. Despite the story being a fabrication, the tale grew, with creature sightings reported for years afterward.

Inspired by this quirky piece of folklore, I imagined the children in my story discovering an old newspaper article about the monster, which eventually leads them to create a mythical creature of their own.

Gaining experience as a volunteer working with an organization that supports adults with disabilities, I was motivated to highlight a disability that starts with the letter “d” for this volume of the Addison series. Daisy’s character emerged after researching various disabilities. Not only did I want her story to be informative, but also to encourage greater acceptance of those who may be perceived as different.

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

A core feature of every Addison book is the introduction of new vocabulary, which helps to expand children’s vocabulary in an engaging way. Each volume focuses on one specific letter of the alphabet, in this case the letter “d.” As children read at different levels, Addison books offer additional support by providing brief definitions at the bottom of each page. This approach ensures that young readers can better understand unfamiliar words without interrupting the flow of the story.

In addition to building language skills, every Addison book features a captivating adventure, with meaningful life lessons that young readers discover along the way.

I loved how the artwork brought the story to life. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Mariya Stoyanova?

She is a talented and wonderful artist.

Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Addison and the direction of the next book?

The next adventure in the Addison series follows Addison and her family as they embark on an expedition to Egypt, motivated to assist their mother’s friend during an emergency. Their journey begins with a flight to Cairo, but after they land, they must still hop on a train and board a boat before finally arriving at Elephantine Island. 

Addison and her family set out to help in their mother’s friend’s eatery. Their inexperience causes both errors and embarrassment as they attempt to prepare the food. With extreme determination, their efforts eventually pay off, as they succeed in creating edible Egyptian dishes. During their visit, Addison and her family explore markets and exquisite temples, but soon find themselves caught up in exhilarating escapades while discovering the wonders of Egypt. 

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