Blog Archives
The Little Details
Our Butterfly Walk is a warm, interactive picture book that follows children and their grown-ups on a nature-filled walk, inviting young readers to notice the small wonders of the outdoors along the way. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration was taking grandkids for walks; they enjoy seeing the sights mentioned, but most of all, when I asked what the favorite part of the walk was, it was stopping by the house with flowers that attract butterflies. They held the butterflies in their hands. They were also able to put little stickers to track migration.
How did you decide on the interactive questions woven throughout the book, and were they based on real conversations with children?
We interacted with the grandkids with most questions, but I knew I would be going to schools and libraries to read to the kids. I didn’t want the book to just be read, but also interactive as a short program also. It’s so fun for the children to see the little details.
Did any of the scenes in Our Butterfly Walk come directly from your own family walks or memories?
Yes, they came from personal memory, and I grew up in the country, so I also added a couple from my childhood experience. Most were from grandkids’ walks with us.
How closely did you work with the illustrator to make sure the little hidden details in nature stood out on each page?
My illustrator is amazing; he did my illustrations for both my children’s books. I gave him an exact description of what what I wanted, from the number of kids and adults, to colors of clothing. Also, the number and color of flowers and everything in between. He listened to my needs. The things we would see while on a walk here in Northern MN. The birds, bees and everything in between.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
This project was made possible by a grant provided by Five Wings Art Council with funds from the McKnight Foundation.
Dale Defeats the Dark
Dale Defeats the Dark is a heartwarming children’s book about a little deer named Dale who learns to conquer his fear of the dark. Set in a vibrant forest, the fable-like story unfolds as Dale, who is initially terrified of night’s shadows and noises, decides to face his fears. With a blanket of armor, a leaf helmet, a cute stuffy, and his trusty lantern, Dale transforms into a brave knight, ready to make the dark fun and manageable.
Author Blaina Tallent Best’s writing is sweet and simple, making this book accessible and engaging for young readers. What stood out to me the most was how Dale’s journey is filled with small, relatable victories. For instance, when Dale gives his favorite stuffed animal a squeeze to muster courage, it reminds me of my own childhood coping strategies. These small details add a layer of realism to Dale’s fantastical adventure, making it all the more touching.
The illustrations deserve a shoutout, too! They are as lively and colorful as the story and perfectly capture Dale’s emotions. The moment when Dale wakes up to a special treat is drawn so warmly that it almost makes you want to reach out and hug him. This harmony between illustrations and text enhances the storytelling, making the dark seem less daunting and more like a canvas for imagination.
What I particularly appreciate about this picture book is its message that fears can be transformed into fun, adventurous experiences. The strategies Dale uses to defeat the dark, like turning on a lantern or squeezing his stuffy, are practical and easy for kids to emulate. This empowers children and gives them the tools to deal with other fears they might face.
Dale Defeats the Dark is a delightful children’s book that tackles a common childhood fear in a nurturing way. I’d recommend it to any parent whose child might be struggling with fear of the dark or to anyone who enjoys a story of triumph and bravery.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0D7QPNWGV
New Hopes and Dreams
Little Melvin… The Pig That Could Eat the World follows a young pig living on a farm whose hunger gets out of control, sending him on an out-of-this-world adventure. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Anyone (even a cute little pig) can break free from his/her confines in search of new hopes and dreams and adventure!
Also, not everyone has visited a farm, particularly younger children, and this book may give them an early view of how a farm can look.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
To successfully create an enjoyable picture book that could be enjoyed between parents and young children during reading times together.
I was also hopeful that the book could attract the interest of a traditional publisher or literary agent.
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?
There may be another Little Melvin coming to market. If so, I envision him returning to Earth to share his adventures from outer space where he learned important ways, on other planets, to improve our planet (instead of devouring it)!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
But Melvin’s simple, everyday world is about to change forever.
Melvin’s deep love for his farmers delicious food takes over, and his need for more food leads him to a place he could never have imagined!
You might say that Melvin’s new adventure is truly, “out of this world”!
Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book
Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book, an engaging coloring and activity book written by Rachel Vogel and illustrated by Anthony Richichi, is an ideal addition to any child’s summer vacation toolkit. This delightful book invites young readers to bring the story of six raccoons on their first river rapids adventure to life with their own creative touches on the black-and-white pages.
As an educator, I am particularly impressed by the inclusion of blank speech bubbles that encourage children to craft their own dialogue, enhancing the raccoons’ lively tale. This feature not only stimulates imagination but also fosters budding writing skills, allowing children to create unique conversations and exchanges between characters throughout the book. Vogel’s open-ended activity is a brilliant tool for inspiring young writers to develop original adventure stories.
Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book goes beyond storytelling by incorporating a variety of activities that promote learning. The book concludes with adventure badges, a hidden picture puzzle, a maze, blank pages for story writing, a word search, and two informative pages about the Hudson River and raccoons. These additional features make it an excellent resource for both rainy-day indoor activities and long car rides.
Young readers who enjoy a blend of fiction and nonfiction will find Vogel’s work captivating, relishing the opportunity to participate in the story construction themselves. I highly recommend Raccoons Go Rafting: Coloring and Activity Book to families seeking an educational book that ignites the imagination and creativity of their young readers.
Pages: 42 | ISBN : 978-1955568289
A Champion for Nature
Raccoons Go Rafting follows a group of mischievous and adventurous raccoons as they go on a rafting trip over the summer. What was the inspiration for your story?
This summer “tail” is based on my adventures as a NYS Whitewater Raft Guide on the Hudson River. The raccoons featured in Raccoons Go Rafting (RGR) are based on guide friends I formed amazing friendships with. Nugget was the nickname I was given on the water by Bandit, the rascally red-vested raccoon. In real life, Bandit was the one who taught me how to raft!
The art in this book is vibrant and entertaining, making readers wish they were right there on the river with the raccoons. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anthony Richichi?
I have been very fortunate that the indie publisher, Saratoga Springs Publishing (SSP), has such talented illustrators available to her authors! While in the storyboarding process with SSP, we realized that RGR needed an illustrator with a passion for nature and animals as well as a sense of adventure. Anthony possesses all of those traits! During our collaborations, it was amazing to see my stick figure raccoons turn into the adorable furry adventurers featured on the pages of RGR.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In my debut book, I wanted the Hudson River’s beauty and strength to shine. As a guide, I fell in love with the River and the animals that call it home, therefore I wanted to create an engaging and educational picture book that could grow with young readers. On the first read, this “tail” is very vibrant with short bursts of text but on your second, third, and later reads the different rapids and animals within the pages start to pop. The call of conservation as seen on the map’s signs “Take only memories” and “Leave only pawprints” is another aspect that I like to expand on during my author readings. It is very important that our youth begin to not only experience and fall in love with our vibrant Earth; our youth must also become active in conservation so that they can continue to be a champion for nature as they grow up.
What future adventures do readers have to look forward to with these mischievous raccoons, and when can they expect the next story?
This gang of raccoon friends isn’t done exploring yet! The Raccoons Go Rafting series will be expanding this summer with a trip down the Sacandaga River! This new adventure, Raccoons Ride the Dragonback, will be splashing onto shelves later this summer. Nugget and her friends still have many other river adventures ahead of them with the Moose River, Niagara Falls, and even rivers outside of Nugget’s home state, New York, on their TBR (standing for To Be Rafted) list! Follow our adventures on Facebook for the inside scoop!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
Grow in Self-Esteem and Kindness
Bee-Coming Strong follows a free-spirited bee with a corkscrew antenna and glasses, which make her feel self-conscious in her hive who learns valuable lessons in self-confidence. What was the inspiration for your story?
The idea of the story originally came to me while I was living on Palomar Mountain. I noticed that children were often scared of bees that would come to drink at the little water fountain in the back of the restaurant where I worked. They would scream and run away. My experience was so different. When I would meditate outside, these little creatures would regularly walk around on the palms of my hands, exploring in a sweet and ticklish way. I thought I might one day write a Dr. Seuss-type book to help children become more curious about bees.
After I had to retire early due to a rare autoimmune disease and once Covid had started, I remembered the idea of the book and reached out to a few friends of mine who were therapists and caregivers. I asked them what children were dealing with these days and the answers I received were all very similar — and heartbreaking. They spoke of severe anxiety, bullying, poor self-esteem issues, and fear of change. I then knew I couldn’t write a cute little book but had to find a way of addressing these issues or give up the project entirely.
Nature was a haven for me during a troubled childhood which gave me a life-long appreciation of its wonder and healing power. My love for nature and my nearly 40 years of studying with a yoga master form the basis of Bee-Coming Strong. By combining my experience and knowledge of the two, my deepest desire is that it enables many children to gain confidence, kindness, and connection to one another and the natural world.
The art in this book is fantastic and really brings the character of Jazianzza to life. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Akiko Martinache?
Working with Akiko was truly wonderful. She is a good friend of my Indian astronomer friend, Garima Singh. One day Garima was walking with Akiko in Nice, France, when they saw some bees flying around a bouquet at an outdoor restaurant. Garima remembered that I had started writing the book and was trying to find an illustrator, and that was the beginning!
Akiko and I worked back and forth on every illustration until we were both satisfied with the outcome. Her patience and skill made it a joy to work with her. Akiko’s website is: https://akikomartinache.com/.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wrote the book on several levels; I wanted to afford children some simple yoga breathing techniques to become calm, and thus grow in self-esteem and kindness. I also wanted to provide enough facts about bees to inspire children to want to know more about not only bees but other aspects of nature.
In addition, at times little Jazianzza notices things like the difference in the way her wings work compared to the flapping of her new friend Lydah Butter Fly. I am hoping that this will inspire children to become more inquisitive about life around them. Paying attention to the details of nature can be enchanting. Hopefully, it will reduce their inclination to bury themselves in their devices. As a child growing up, I didn’t have that kind of distraction. Research is showing how destructive it can be to the welfare of our children, as well as ourselves.
I also alluded to the challenge presented by climate change and habitat loss for our pollinators. I’m hoping that children becoming more interested in bees and other wildlife at a young age will help them grow into young adults who will want to protect nature and be better stewards of it than the previous generations. I feel this is crucial to the survival of our planet.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your young readers expect in the next story?
Yes, it does seem that another book is emerging, this time focused on a Monarch caterpillar who has a lot of fears of change and has very poor self-esteem. Jazianzza gets a chance to teach him all the lessons she has learned from the queen bee, MamaQueenzieBee. When-oh-when will it come out? Hopefully next year! Readers can find more information about my books and sign up for my monthly newsletter at https://anandamayibaker.com.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
She’s got a corkscrew antenna and must wear big glasses. Will she always feel awkward in her hive? Will the wisdom of MamaQueenzieBee and her friend Tree be able to help her know that she is important just as she is, or will she forever have a sense that she is out of place?
A honey bee learns to navigate bullies, build self-confidence, and foster inner peace in this illustrated children’s book.
Jazianzza Azzaza Buzzabee is a young honey bee who cares for all creatures, including her new butterfly friend, Lydah, who recently had a scare after being chased by a hornet. Jazianzza is concerned, as is the rest of her hive, with the dwindling number of flowers to drink from and must cope with the bullying ways of her sister Sisizza and her gang. But luckily, MamaQueenzieBee (aka MamaQB) is there to help Jazianzza learn new ways to handle stress from without and within. MamaQB suggests that, just as bees shake off water from their wings, so should Jazianzza “shake off any sadness you feel. Shake off anything that isn’t you. Just because they’re not always happy doesn’t mean you should be the same way. Be Jazianzza in your own beautiful way.” The young bee later learns breathing techniques via a pollen ball placed on her stomach in order to emphasize the slow in-and-out breaths used to calm down. Everything Jazianzza discovers comes into play when she unexpectedly faces a hornets’ nest and must save her hive. Baker’s tale provides a compelling introduction to relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation—with readers being encouraged to try Jazianzza’s methods themselves—as well as different ways to approach bullying and learning to believe in yourself. The hero’s childlike wonder is adorable (and pairs well with the cartoonlike color illustrations by Martinache) and will spark a giggle or two, as when she’s remembering Lydah’s transformation into a butterfly: “She said that first she was an egg, and then a cat or a pillow or something like that, and she walked on the ground with a whole lot of legs!” This entertaining story delivers an engaging platform for adults to discuss meaningful issues with young audiences.
The World of Children’s Literature
Dogs: A Counting & Comparing Book introduces beginning readers to popular dog breeds while teaching them numbers and the skill of making comparisons. Where did the idea for this book come from?
I have always loved dogs, well any animal really! As a child we always had animals around us – dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chickens. My grandfather had a farm – so there were even more animals there. My first picture book was a counting book about Monsters (Monster Counting Book 1 to 20) and it remains a best seller for me – so I thought it would be great to complement this book and create another counting book about my favourite animal – dogs.
How has your experience as a teacher influenced your writing?
My experiences as a teacher have greatly influenced my writing career. Being a teacher enabled me to explore the world of children’s literature and to experience first-hand how children react to stories and what they enjoy most. So when I started writing my own books I wanted to make sure they were educational in some way – but most importantly – that they were fun to read.
The illustrations in your book make me smile. Can you tell us a little about your illustration process?
I am not an illustrator. I wish I was! So I have to rely on finding illustrators that match the vision for my books. I tend to choose illustrators that create funny images. I want the children as well as the adults to get a giggle out of my books.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is a non-fiction book about the smallest animals in the world. It will have information about each featured animal as well as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activity to encourage children to become problem-solvers and creators.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
This book is a delightful parade of comical pooches bounding through a world of numbers; crafted to captivate the eager minds of 2 to 5 year-olds. This is where learning feels like play, and every page turn unfurls a new layer of fun.
Dogs of all breeds and sizes leap from the pages, teaching your child to count from one to ten. But it doesn’t stop there—the loveable canines bring comparisons alive: long versus short, young versus old, tall dogs juxtaposed with short ones, happy pups with sad ones, and energetic dogs sprinting past those drowsy and dozing.
Your challenge? Find all the dog breeds listed at the back of the book!
Whether snuggled up for bedtime stories or learning in early years’ classrooms, this book promises to be a treasure trove of giggles and learning. Prepare to watch your little one’s understanding of numbers and comparisons blossom, hand-in-paw with their newfound four-legged friends. So, ready for the pawfect count-along? Let the tails begin!
Dogs: A Counting & Comparing Book
Dogs: A Counting and Comparing Book, by Frances Mackay, emerges as a delightful and educational experience for children, cleverly intertwining the joy of canine companions with fundamental counting skills. This book transcends the typical format of a counting book and engages young readers in more than just number recognition by bringing an array of dogs to life on each page. From Dachshunds to Pugs and Shar Peis to Terriers, young readers will find Mackay’s book a delight.
Mackay’s approach is far from a mundane enumeration. Instead, each page overflows with vibrant energy as a variety of dog breeds playfully guide children through numbers. The book’s structure, alternating between counting and comparing the different breeds, maintains reader engagement and adds an educational layer, encouraging observations about the dogs’ diverse characteristics. The art style in this book is both friendly and contemporary, resonating well with modern young readers. It successfully captures the essence of classic children’s literature, reminiscent of authors like P.D. Eastman, yet it stands out with its own unique flair. One particularly memorable moment is the depiction of an “extremely long dog” stretching across an entire page, showcasing the book’s creative and humorous side. The book is accessible and enjoyable for early readers and their families, fostering a fun environment for learning.
Dogs, A Counting & Comparing Book is an excellent choice for young readers who have a fondness for dogs and learning. It skillfully blends entertainment with education, making it a noteworthy addition to children’s literature in the genre of counting and comparison.
Pages: 34 | ISBN: 0646890042
