Blog Archives
Unquestioning Companionship
Whisper (Book One) follows a young girl who leaves the turmoil of her family’s home with the gentle guidance of a clever dog, the first creature in her life to ever put her at ease. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I wanted to challenge myself in writing about something quite different to what was contained within any of my earlier works, in the process tackling several reasonably serious or thought-provoking themes which are concerningly becoming far too common a problem in the real world, all while keeping its use of language, and descriptive tone regarding quite sensitive subjects, aptly suitable for a younger aged audience.
Is there anything from your own life included in Britney’s traits and dialogue?
Not that I am significantly aware of. Unless you include her general love for animals, whose unique bonds with humans I always enjoy exploring in my writing, especially that of ‘man’s best friend’ and the invaluable role dogs play in their undying loyalty and unquestioning companionship with humans. While some of the themes in this book may reflect what I’ve observed in the real world, I don’t think there is anything specific that stems from personal experience besides that.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I always enjoy writing about issues such as friendship, and these books are all about how unique individuals relate to those around them, whether they’re connected by blood or circumstantially joined together through the kindness of strangers. This series wonderfully illustrates the love that can flourish between different kinds of people, young and old, when their differences are clearly put aside, and only willing acceptance and open acts of kindness are freely offered in their place. Recovering from childhood trauma and abuse are key aspects of this book, but several reviewers have expressed appreciation for how these issues have been approached with gentle sensitivity and respect, without losing any of their weight in emotional depth and overall meaning.
Can you give us a peek inside Book 2 in this series? Where will it take readers?
With Lucas (Book Two), I really appreciated having the opportunity to give readers another chance to better get to know the man who eagerly took the vulnerable Britney under his wing. Understanding more about Lucas’ background lends credence to the idea that his own childhood years had also been extremely difficult for him to overcome, which is likely a huge part of the reason why he didn’t like seeing another distraught child being caught in a similar position and quickly jumped at the prospect of taking responsibility over her care. Despite being orphaned at a young age, Lucas finds his place with a caring older couple who model compassion and kindness every day of the week, which in turn consistently serves to teach him to always treat others with the same amount of endless love and unbridled respect that they do. By continuing the series, readers will have the chance to see things from another point of view, this time from Lucas’ perspective rather than Britney’s.
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My Grandma Lives in Florida
My Grandma Lives in Florida, by Jeanne E. Rogers and Katharine A. Rogers, is a sweet picture book about a child visiting Grandma in Florida and all the things that make those visits special. She and her dog Stella go on sunny walks, spot birds and animals, and take in the flowers, trees, and warm air around them. The story moves through one gentle day and then opens up into extra pages with facts and photos about the animals and plants in the book, so it feels like both a story and a little nature tour.
This tale gave me that cozy, slow-morning vibe right away. The red hat, the leash, the walk, the pond, the backyard, the lemonade. It all felt warm and easy. I also appreciated that the book keeps its eyes on simple moments. Nothing huge happens, and that is part of the charm. It made me think of the kind of outing a kid would remember for years, just because it was with someone they adore.
The writing is direct and easy to follow, which works well for a picture book. It reads almost like someone talking to a child while pointing things out on a walk. The real standout for me, though, is the idea behind the book. It quietly mixes family love with curiosity about nature. I also loved that the back of the book adds glossaries with animal and plant facts and photos. The story ends, but the exploring continues.
I came away from My Grandma Lives in Florida feeling cheerful and a little nostalgic. I think it would be great for young kids who love animals, grandparents who want a cozy read-aloud, and families with ties to Florida or trips there. It is also a nice pick for children who enjoy learning little facts without it seeming like homework. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a gentle, affectionate picture book with a sunny heart.
Pages: 80 | ASIN : B0GHJ1PWGZ
Truly See
Luna’s Colour Quest follows a little fox who receives a vintage camera and a simple challenge from her grandmother, who discovers that the most beautiful moments aren’t always captured on film, but felt with the heart. What inspired you to create Luna’s story?
I was inspired to create the story of Luna when I would daydream about spending time with my daughter, and wanted to create something that I could share with her when she gets older.
The story explores the difference between looking and truly seeing. Why was that important to you?
I believe that to “truly see” is to allow yourself to be present in a moment, which can sometimes get lost in the noise of technology today, so making that distinction was very important to me.
The watercolour illustrations are very soft and nostalgic. What did you want children to feel when they open the book?
I wanted the world of Willowbrook to feel “lived-in,” so when a child opens the book, they’re dropping straight into Luna’s life, as it’s happening, and they feel a sense of anticipation and excitement along with Luna.
Will Luna return in future adventures?
I honestly thought of this being a one-off story, since I’m a first-time author, but after finishing, I’ve been motivated to explore future stories for Luna.
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When Luna receives a beautiful old film camera from her Grandma Fox, she’s given a simple challenge: “Look closely at the world around you.”
As Luna sets off on a colourful picture-taking adventure, she soon discovers that seeing is just as important as capturing.
Luna’s Colour Quest is a heartwarming picture book and the beginning of a gentle adventure about curiosity, creativity, and learning to slow down and notice the magic in everyday moments.
Perfect for children ages 3 – 7, this story celebrates imagination, colour, and the loving bond between grandparents and grandchildren, reminding young readers that some memories are best captured with the heart.
Gentle Humour
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits features parallel stories: A squirrel and his family as they scramble to survive the brutal winter, and a young bookworm of a girl preparing for Christmas with her own family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Following the success of Stikki the Squirrel, book one in the series, I felt a strong desire to set pen to paper and begin another chapter in Stikki’s and Rella’s lives. The two young adult squirrels now had a family of four kits and had made many woodland friends on their first adventure together. So with that in mind, I began outlining the individual characters that had made an appearance in the first book. I chose to expand on these individuals, supporting characters I call them, to see who pushed themselves forward. So by the time I had finished the rough draft copy of the story, I was spoilt for choice, wondering who to bring to the forefront in the story of my new book, Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits. New animal characters also feature in the story, and as in book one, when they began to speak, their personalities and mannerisms just slotted into place. It was a weird and wonderful time watching my characters come to life on the pages. I know that might sound daft, but that’s how it happened from my perspective as a writer and artist. In this second book, I wanted to bring in a different kind of character, a human girl, twelve-year-old Sophie, her father, Evan, and her family, counting down the days leading up to Christmas. Bringing in humans (longlegs), I thought, would bring a new dimension to the story with relatable characters for children to understand and empathise with. In book two: Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits, time has moved on for the animals in Hazy Hills Wood, who now face a bitterly cold winter with very little food available to them. In the second installment, I have created an exciting action story for children and teenagers who enjoy imaginative, character-driven stories about friendship and the importance of supporting each other when times are tough. There is gentle humour that carries a subtle message about caring for our wildlife.
The book continues the enchanting tale of a grey squirrel called Stikki and his mate Rella, their four slightly scatty kits, and an array of woodland animals the squirrel family befriends. A tale of mystery, danger, and the wonders of magic found in the most unexpected places. Set in midwinter, amongst the tall trees of the magnificent Hazy Hills Wood, the story begins.
What do you enjoy most about writing children’s literature?
I suppose the answer is simple—I enjoy the genre. I must be a big kid at heart, even though I was a late bloomer to come onto the publishing scene. I’ve enjoyed reading books my entire life, so, unsurprisingly, in my retirement, all the wonderful stories I had read in the past must have inspired my imagination to have a go myself. To date, I have published four books.
My debut novel: GoldenEars: The Whispering Mountain, book one. Followed two years later by the sequel: GoldenEars: The Pale Skulls. Both books have won awards and earned themselves several lovely reviews as well. Both books are animal adventure fiction (wolves, with humans too), suitable for children aged ten years to young adults. Book two is rated a little older, for young adults to adult readers. My stories are about friendship, hope, and resilience.
I have discovered writing stories for children to be rewarding. Your young audience is usually appreciative of a good story, though they can equally be critical if you get it wrong in their eyes!
Young minds keep you on your toes. Children have no qualms about questioning the creation of your characters, or the setting, and the facts relayed about squirrels’ lives and their habitat. So I make a point of rigorously researching my subject before I begin writing anything new.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you share a little about the process?
The age group for which my books are intended governs the artwork involved to a certain extent. For younger children’s books, the pictures tend to be larger and in full colour forming the main part of the book with the accompanying text larger as well. For older children of eight years and upwards, story books that have pictures or sketches are usually created in shades of grey to black on a plain white background, or in some cases, a detailed sketch is necessary depending on the scene.
When I sit down to begin creating a new character, I take out my A3 sketch pad and a hard pencil, either an HB or a 2H, using light strokes over the paper to form the outline of the body of the animal character. My characters are neither cartoonish nor lifelike but somewhere in between. They are unique to me and have become a hallmark in the Stikki the Squirrel books.
For continuity, I have kept to the same style of artwork in both Stikki books. Hand-drawn sketches created in black ink with pencil shading ranging from 3B to 8B for added depth where necessary.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am in the process of story creation for Stikki book three. I have some exciting ideas, but first need to get these written down on a rough draft copy. From there, I can expand the plot by jotting down sections in each chapter as I go. At the moment, it’s all in my head.
When I do get in a position to begin writing in earnest, I always make a point of having my reading and writing buddy sitting beside me. His name is Big Patchy, a fifteen-inch-tall soft toy doggy pal with a cream-coloured body, black ears, nose, and tail, of whom I read aloud to as though he is a child. This may sound nuts to some people, but doing this helps me write with children in mind, so the words are appropriate for the age group intended. Reading aloud enables me to ‘hear’ the words and gauge how well these fit in with the story plot, interpretation, and fluidity.
With regards to the publication date, well, that is too far away to predict. But I will keep readers informed using my Amazon author page and also through my website.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Winter has arrived in Hazy Hills Wood, covering everything in a blanket of snow.
Food is hard to find, and the animals are getting hungry. To make things worse, there is a scary food thief on the prowl.
Stikki heads out into the cold to find his secret stash, but when he doesn’t come home, Rella goes searching for him. A frightening journey looms ahead as Stikki and Rella are forced to confront their enemies and the dreaded longlegs.
Deep in the heart of the ancient wood stands the animals’ sacred ash tree. When Brodboar the badger spots something strange high in the tree’s branches, he is shocked by the discovery and begins to worry. Is it a warning?
With Stikki and Rella still missing, can the woodland animals work together to find their friends before it’s too late?
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits follows Stikki, his mate Rella, their four kits, and a whole woodland of animals trying to survive a brutal winter while food runs out and foxes, hawks, and “longlegs” (humans) prowl around. In the middle of the snow and danger, a mysterious ancient ash tree wakes up, while in a nearby Welsh village a book-mad girl called Sophie gets ready for Christmas with her family. The story weaves between the cold, risky lives of the animals and the warm glow of Sophie’s cottage.
I really liked the way the writing feels cosy and old-fashioned, like a grandparent telling a long story by the fire. The language is simple but not babyish, with fun touches like calling humans “longlegs” and giving the animals big personalities. The woodland scenes are very vivid, all that deep snow and biting wind and creaking branches, and the chase with the foxes actually made me tense up. The tone swings between gentle and quite intense, so one moment you get cute kit chaos and the next you get a life-or-death scramble for a tree or a plunge into the freezing river. The black-and-white drawings scattered through the book match that feeling really nicely, with scratchy, lively lines that make Stikki look both adorable and a bit frazzled.
Underneath the talking animals, there is a strong “we are all connected” vibe, with the trees, the weather, the pigs who escaped a factory farm, the deer, the foxes, even the grumpy crow, all tangled into the same story of survival and kindness. I loved the reveal of the tree spirits as dragonfly-like beings who noticed Stikki’s bravery and his unselfish wish for food. The Sophie chapters add a different warmth: books stacked at the end of the bed, hot chocolate, a recovering aunt, and that Christmas feeling of everyone finally being in the same house again after a scare. It made the whole thing feel like two threads of hope, one human and one wild, running side by side.
I would recommend Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits to kids who enjoy longer animal stories with a mix of danger and comfort, probably confident readers around eight to twelve or younger children as a read-aloud with an adult. It is also a sweet pick for anyone who loves winter tales, forest magic, and the kind of story that quietly nudges you to care about animals and trees while you are wrapped up in the adventure.
Pages: 175 | ASIN : B0GHZMQPC8
Luna’s Colour Quest
Rayhaan Jay’s Luna’s Colour Quest is a picture book that feels comfortingly familiar, yet still nudges readers to see the world with new eyes. From the first pages, the fairytale-style illustrations create instant warmth. They make the story easy to settle into. I especially love the watercolour backgrounds. They lend each spread a calm, softly dreamlike glow. Children will be drawn to the richness of the palette. Adults may feel a quiet pull of nostalgia.
At the centre is Luna, a little fox who receives an old film camera from her grandmother for her birthday. A simple prompt follows: photograph things in her favourite colour. That small idea opens into something larger. Luna begins noticing details she once skimmed past. Dew resting on a spider’s web. The fine curve of petals on a flower. Tiny moments that often vanish in the rush of the day. Each discovery becomes a lesson in attention. Not just looking, but truly seeing, then choosing what to hold onto.
The message that lingers is gentle and clear. The book encourages children to appreciate what’s around them. It also offers a quieter reminder. Not every moment needs to be captured to matter. Some experiences are valuable simply because they are felt. Seen. Lived. That idea lands with real emotional clarity, especially now, when so much is processed through screens.
There’s also something moving in knowing the author is a photographer with a deep care for preserving memory. That background gives the story a personal undertone. It feels rooted in a sincere desire to help children observe more closely, and to meet the everyday world with creativity and wonder.
Visually, the book is truly lovely. My favourite part is the way the colours bring softness and life to every page. The effect is calm. Immersive. Inviting. Young readers will linger over the illustrations, hunting for small details in the same spirit as Luna.
Luna’s Colour Quest is a warm, thoughtful picture book that balances simplicity with emotional meaning. It invites children to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty already present in their everyday lives. I loved the visuals, and I think children will too.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0GF92L551
Helping Matters
Cruise of a Lifetime: Mac in Montevideo follows Macaroni Penguin who manages to become the star entertainer on a cruise ship after sneaking aboard to search for food. Where did the idea for this book come from?
Author Alexandrea Kleinsmith came up with the idea of Mac wandering onto a cruise ship for food after following her own nose on a tour of a cruise ship.
I thought it would be great for Mac to became the star entertainer after winning over the hearts of both the crew and passengers at the talent show.
Do you have a favorite scene in Mac’s story? One that was particularly fun to craft?
I loved crafting Mac fixing the eyebrow-less penguin parade float in Montevideo. It is chaos with purpose. It’s funny for everyone. Kids can laugh at the silliness. Adults can laugh at the absurd logic.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Helping matters. Mac notices the float is missing eyebrows. Which is meant to demonstrate that you don’t need permission to care. Small problems are worth fixing. And helping can be joyful and creative.
You can be brave in small, everyday ways. Mac doesn’t save the world. He saves a parade moment.
Can we look forward to more adventures from Mac? What are you currently working on?
Cruise of a Lifetime: Mac in Rio de Janeiro will be published on February 13th.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
On a voyage to Montevideo, Uruguay, Mac dives beak-first into a string of hilarious misadventures involving sushi, syrup, and one very surprised crowd. When he spots a parade float shaped like a penguin-without eyebrows-Mac knows he has to help. What could possibly go wrong?
Full of laugh-out-loud humor, colorful international flavor, and adorable chaos, Mac in Montevideo is a warm, funny early chapter book perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly, Magic Tree House, and The Bad Guys.
Will Mac save the day-or the parade? Either way, it’s sure to make a splash!
Lost in Bone Cave
The Adventures of Syd: Lost in Bone Cave tells the story of a girl named Syd who joins her scientist father on a real caving expedition in West Virginia. What starts as a planned research trip to observe bat colonies turns into a long, muddy, sometimes frightening journey through Bone Cave, complete with tight crawls, glowing rock walls, wildlife encounters, and a moment where things go genuinely wrong. The book follows Syd as she moves from curiosity and doubt into courage, responsibility, and trust in herself during an underground adventure that tests both her nerves and her judgment.
What struck me first was how grounded the writing feels. Author Danielle Simone clearly knows this world, and she takes her time letting readers learn it alongside Syd. The explanations about caves, bats, and equipment are woven into conversations instead of dropped like lessons, which makes them easier to absorb. I liked that Syd does not magically become brave overnight. She complains. She gets scared. She makes mistakes. The fear in the Devil’s Pinch crawl is especially well done. You can almost feel the dust in your throat and the panic tightening your chest, and it never tips into melodrama. It feels honest, like the kind of fear kids actually experience when something goes beyond what they expected.
I also appreciated the author’s choice to center the story on a parent and child working together. Syd’s dad is capable but not perfect, and that matters. Adults in this book do not have all the answers, and sometimes they get hurt too. That balance gives Syd room to grow without turning her into an unrealistic hero. The science elements, especially the focus on bats and White Nose Syndrome, add weight to the adventure. This is not danger for fun. There is a purpose, and that purpose keeps pulling the story forward.
Lost in Bone Cave fits squarely in the children’s adventure genre, with a strong thread of nature and science exploration running through it. I would recommend it to middle-grade readers who like outdoor stories, animals, and realistic challenges rather than fantasy quests. It would also be a great pick for kids who enjoy learning how things work while following a character their own age. If you have a reader who loves hikes, caves, or asking big questions but still feels nervous about new experiences, this book will likely feel like a steady hand on their shoulder, saying you can be scared and keep going anyway.
Pages: 104 | ASIN : B0FQDCNFDX
