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Meaningful Journey
Truth Seeker traces the life of Zoroaster, blending legend, humor, and moral reflection as readers watch him grow into a teacher who challenges superstition and fear. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Toni Morrison once said, “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” I was searching for an accessible, engaging book about Zoroastrianism for young readers, and I realized there weren’t many resources that introduced this ancient faith in a way children could connect with.
I wanted to create a story that would open a door for young readers—not only for those interested in Zoroastrianism, but for anyone curious about wisdom, kindness, and the search for truth. This book took me nearly 20 years to complete, but I am grateful that I was able to finally bring this story to life.
Why did you choose to frame the story as playful historical fiction instead of a more straightforward biography?
Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest faith traditions, but it is still unfamiliar to many people. My goal was to introduce young readers to its values without making the story feel like a lesson or a lecture.
I chose historical fiction because stories allow children to connect emotionally with a person and a time period. Through humor, imagination, and adventure, readers can experience Zoroaster’s curiosity, his questions, and his journey toward wisdom.
Joy and laughter are important elements of Zoroastrian thought, and I felt that a playful approach reflected both the spirit of the tradition and the curiosity of young readers.
Was it important to show Zoroaster as someone who grows into wisdom gradually, through questioning and discomfort?
Definitely. I wanted young readers to see that even people who become great thinkers and teachers are not born with all the answers. They learn, question, struggle, and grow.
Zoroaster’s journey shows that asking difficult questions and seeking truth requires courage. I hope young readers understand that uncertainty is part of every meaningful journey, and that one person’s choices can help create a better world.
When young readers finish Truth Seeker and remember one lesson from Zoroaster’s life, what do you hope it is?
I hope they remember the importance of seeking truth, thinking independently, and staying true to their values.
Zoroaster’s message reminds us that truth is not always the easiest path, but choosing honesty, kindness, and wisdom can make a meaningful difference in the world.
Most importantly, I hope readers leave the book feeling inspired to ask questions, think deeply, and practice Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds in their own lives.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Blending history with a dash of magical realism and plenty of warm, kid-friendly humor, Truth Seeker: The Story of Zoroaster follows one of the world’s greatest thinkers as he discovers ideas far ahead of his time—freedom of choice, kindness toward all living beings, nature of divine and caring for the earth (long before recycling bins were cool).
Perfect for curious kids ages 8–12 who love adventure, big ideas, and stories that mix history, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Great for classrooms, libraries, and anyone who’s ever wondered where our earliest ideas about truth, wisdom, and justice came from.
Plus, at the back of the book, kids can test their wits with fun word games, scavenger hunts, and puzzles inspired by Zoroaster’s world.
Whether you’re a young reader, a teacher, a history nerd, or a grown-up who secretly loves middle-grade books (no judgment), this story is packed with courage, laughs, and the reminder that determination—and a brave heart—can make all the difference.
Teaching Through Action
Babies on Board Part 2 follows an iguana, a parrot, a squirrel, and a mouse who band together to visit the beach in the middle of the night to help sea turtle hatchlings safely reach the ocean. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I moved to Florida in 2013, and I started to take notice of all the wonderful wildlife and sea creatures that live here in this amazing state. My first residence was right on the beach, and it just happened to be sea turtle nesting season, which occurs May through November ( also Hurricane season). I first noticed the poles with yellow tape all along the beach, and then I met actual volunteers who sit next to the nest at night and wait for the hatchlings to break free from their shells. This occurs exactly two months after the female turtle lays her eggs. The baby sea turtles must make the long trek from their nest to the water, where they will swim to freedom. Only half of the baby turtles survive because there are many predators on land ( crabs, snakes, birds) and sea (sharks, dolphins, barracuda, grouper) waiting to gobble them up. Also, the babies do get confused by the street lights, if there are any around. They instinctively crawl toward the moonlight, which is always over the ocean. This magnificent journey inspired me to educate children about these adorable little sea creatures who are the greatest of survivors.
How did the concept of teamwork among such different animal characters first develop?
The concept for my series started out with a friendship between Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot. Afterwards, neighbors in Flamingo Park were introduced into the storyline, like Mr. Squirrel and adopted friend, Little Mouse.
Do you have a personal favorite character to write scenes for?
I love all the characters because they each have their own individual personality. Grumpy is the brains. Green Parrot brings sensibility. Mr. Squirrel is a perfectionist, and Little Mouse is a kid who used to be scared but is now fearless.
How do you balance storytelling with factual environmental education?
I try not to preach, and by teaching through action, I think children will be more willing to absorb the message.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Babies on board (part 2) continues the story. Grumpy and friends return to the beach, only this time it is in the middle of the night. They are there to make sure that all of the baby turtles make it safely to the sea where their father anxiously awaits their arrival. But as we all know, nothing ever goes smoothly when it comes to
Grumpy the Iguana, the Green Parrot, Mr. Squirrel and Little Mouse. Follow along and watch as our heroes fight against time and a street light to help the baby sea turtles find their dad..
Babies on Board Part 2 (A Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure)
Babies on Board Part 2, by Susan Marie Chapman, follows Grumpy the Iguana, Green Parrot, Mr. Squirrel, and Little Mouse as they return to the beach in the middle of the night to help a giant sea turtle’s babies make it safely to the ocean. What begins as a moonlit rescue mission becomes a gentle lesson about sea turtle hatchlings, artificial light, teamwork, and the quiet courage it takes to do the right thing when small lives are depending on you.
I liked how the story balances adventure with tenderness. There’s a real sweetness in watching these four friends hold hands in the dark, admit they’re scared, and still keep going. It’s such a small moment, but it says something lovely about bravery: children don’t have to be fearless to be helpful. The writing is simple and earnest, with bits of humor from Mr. Squirrel and Little Mouse that keep the story from feeling too serious. The book feels like it’s trying to comfort and teach at the same time, and mostly, it succeeds.
I appreciated that Chapman introduces children to sea turtle conservation without making the lesson feel cold or lecture-heavy. The danger of artificial lights confusing hatchlings is woven into the plot in a way that children can understand, and the instruction not to touch the baby turtles gives the story a nice sense of responsibility. Natalia Loseva’s artwork has a soft, hand-drawn charm that suits the nighttime setting beautifully. The deep blues, sandy browns, moonlit water, and tiny turtles create a calm, watchful mood. Some pages are sparse, but that openness works, especially when the beach feels wide and dark, and the baby turtles seem so small against it.
I found Babies on Board Part 2 to be a warm and thoughtful picture book with a sincere environmental message and a tender emotional core. It feels like the kind of children’s book I’d read aloud slowly at bedtime, letting my child linger over the moon, the ocean, and the little turtles finding their way home. I’d recommend it for young animal lovers, families who enjoy gentle adventure stories, and parents looking for a sweet way to start a conversation about helping wildlife and caring for the natural world.
Pages: 237 | ASIN : B09GV6TCNQ
I Have a Voice
“To all those who have silenced their inner voice, remember that it is never too late to rediscover it.”
Heidi Solomon-Orlick’s I Have a Voice is a rare children’s book with the power to resonate with both children and adults. Warm, empowering, and genuinely moving, this is a “book of listening” in the truest sense. It invites young readers to turn inward, recognize the voice they were born with, and understand just how deeply it matters.
The story’s message is simple yet profound: every voice matters. Some children have been told to be quiet. Others have felt unseen. Some may have lost touch with their own inner sense of self. I Have a Voice gently reminds them that it is never too late to rediscover what has always been there. The book teaches children that their voice is not only the sound they make. It is the part of them that knows they are loved, that they matter, and that they have a place in the world. It is also the quiet guide that helps them move through life. When we stop listening to that inner voice, we can lose our way. Still, we can always find it again.
One of the most memorable aspects of the book is its surprisingly immersive artwork. I expected charming illustrations that would pleasantly accompany the words. Instead, the visuals do far more. Each page is filled with rich, detailed, and lush imagery that draws the reader directly into the story. The illustrations do not simply echo the text. They deepen it. They add emotion, texture, and meaning, making each page feel less like something to read and more like something to experience. This is the kind of artwork children will want to linger over, returning to favorite pages just to look a little longer.
The activity pages at the end are another brilliant touch. They encourage children to explore their own emotions and discover their own voices in ways that feel playful, thoughtful, and engaging. This creative addition extends the reading experience beyond the story itself. It transforms a beautiful book into something children can carry with them, revisit, and use as a gentle tool for reflection.
I Have a Voice is highly recommended for parents, caregivers, and educators looking for a children’s book that does more than entertain. This is a meaningful story for young readers learning about themselves, their minds, and the quiet power of the voice within them. It is also, quite honestly, just as valuable for the grown-ups reading alongside them.
Pages: 54 | ISBN : 978-1965541982
A Boy and His Lion
A Boy and His Lion follows Kadence, a young boy from Indonesia, as he invites readers on a jungle adventure with his best friend, Jay the Lion. Together, they meet a lively cast of animals, including an orangutan, a sea turtle, an elephant, a chimpanzee, a tiger, and a Komodo dragon, while taking time to rest, share jackfruit, and dream about a future safari in Africa. It’s a simple, friendly journey built around curiosity, companionship, and the joy of noticing the natural world.
I liked the book’s open-hearted sense of wonder. The story doesn’t rush toward a dramatic conflict, and I actually found that gentle pace comforting. It reads like a child telling you about the best day ever, where every creature is a discovery and every stop matters. The writing is direct and easy for young readers to follow, with a conversational rhythm that makes the book feel like an invitation rather than a lesson. Some of the animal facts are tucked in lightly, which gives the story an educational spark without weighing it down.
The artwork gives the picture book much of its warmth. The bright jungle greens, soft blue rivers, and cheerful animal expressions create a safe, welcoming version of adventure, one that feels imaginative. I liked the sweetness in Kadence’s friendship with Jay the Lion, especially in the quieter picnic scenes, where sharing jackfruit becomes a small but meaningful moment of closeness.
A Boy and His Lion is a tender and colorful children’s book with a sincere love of travel, animals, and friendship at its center. It has the feel of a bedtime adventure, calm enough to soothe but bright enough to stir a child’s imagination. I’d recommend it for preschool and early elementary readers, especially children who love animals, jungle settings, and gentle stories about exploring the world with a trusted friend.
Pages: 25 | ASIN : B0GHZ7GTG4
Truth Seeker: The Story of Zoroaster
Truth Seeker: The Story of Zoroaster tells the story of Zoroaster from his mother Dugdav’s frightening vision to his own lifelong search for truth, kindness, wisdom, and justice. Author Rebecca DesPrez frames the book as playful historical fiction for ages 8–12 rather than a strict biography, blending legend, imagination, humor, and moral reflection as Zoroaster grows from a laughing baby into a teacher whose ideas challenge cruelty, superstition, and fear.
I liked how much heart this book has. As a parent, I’m always drawn to stories that trust children with big ideas, and this one does. It talks about fear, social rejection, animal cruelty, courage, and moral choice without becoming heavy in a way that would shut a young reader out. The writing has a bouncy, conversational energy, with jokes tucked into serious moments, and that helps soften the darker scenes. Sometimes the humor is broad, almost goofy. I appreciated that the silliness never erased the emotional core. Zoroaster’s compassion for animals, his restlessness around injustice, and his insistence on asking hard questions all felt genuinely moving.
The artwork by Vishwamohini Sengupta adds a gentle, storybook warmth to the book. The images have a soft, rounded quality that makes even the mythic scenes feel accessible, especially the glowing figures, animals, village settings, and palace moments. I found the illustrations especially effective when they brought calm into the story, like visual pauses between danger, exile, storms, and confrontation. The book’s ideas are also unusually rich for a children’s picture book: truth over lies, kindness over cruelty, wisdom over fear, and the courage to stand apart from the crowd. I liked that it doesn’t reduce Zoroaster to a distant historical figure. It imagines him first as a child who notices suffering, asks questions, and can’t quite accept easy answers.
Truth Seeker is thoughtful, lively, and emotionally sincere. It’s not a quiet bedtime book, exactly; it has too much adventure, danger, and mischievous humor for that. But it’s the kind of book I’d want to read with a child and talk about afterward, especially because the back matter offers discussion questions, activities, and historical context for families and teachers. I’d recommend it for curious middle-grade readers, especially kids who enjoy ancient history, moral questions, animal-centered moments, and stories about brave people who keep choosing goodness even when the world pushes back.
Pages: 86 | ASIN : B0GTNJKB5Q
Dragon Island: Football Season
Dragon Island: Football Season by Lisa Jacovsky is a creative and action-filled children’s picture book that combines two exciting worlds: dragons and football. The story takes place on Dragon Island, where six football teams, each with six dragon players, compete in a unique and energetic season. One especially fun detail is that the dragons can change their colors to match their team uniforms, adding imagination and visual excitement to the story.
One of the dragons I liked, both visually and in the story, was Blayze, a creative dragon. Ember, who is a deaf dragon, has the ability to create clever plays. Her character adds meaningful representation to the book while showing young readers that everyone has valuable strengths to contribute.
The highlight of the story is the thrilling football game between Team Firestorm and Team Thunder. The match is full of teamwork, clever problem-solving, and exciting twists that keep readers interested until the end. The dragons all bring their own talents to the game, which gives the story plenty of intrigue and helps show how cooperation can lead to success.
Dragon Island: Football Season is a fun and original picture book for young children. It promotes healthy competition, teamwork, diversity, inclusion, friendship, and problem-solving in a way that feels entertaining and engaging. With football-playing dragons, strong friendships, and an exciting game at its center, this children’s book makes a great bedtime story and the perfect read for families.
Pages: 24 | ASIN : B0GS5HKP82
O Tubarão Que Queria Surfar / The Shark Who Wanted To Surf
The Shark Who Wanted to Surf by Isabel Ricardo is a fun, fact-filled story about a blue shark named Carmel who dreams of surfing like the “two-legged creatures” on the surface. Each time he swims close enough to learn, the humans panic and flee. Carmel is left disappointed. Still, he refuses to let fear or doubt wash away his goal. That persistence gives the book a heartfelt, encouraging tone.
Ricardo introduces a variety of sea creatures who become part of Carmel’s world. Along the way, readers pick up engaging facts about anatomy and behavior. Those details deepen the underwater setting while also tracking Carmel’s emotional journey. Some animals dismiss his dream as silly. That response may feel familiar to young readers who have ever been discouraged for wanting something different. Others respond with warmth. Fizz the dolphin and Tentaclaude the octopus stand out as steady sources of support. Their kindness shows how far encouragement can go when someone is learning, growing, or trying something new.
A standout feature is that the book is bilingual, which adds an extra layer of value to the reading experience. Seeing the story presented in two languages supports vocabulary growth and language confidence without interrupting the flow. It also invites shared reading between children and adults who may be stronger in one language than the other. In a story centered on reaching across differences and refusing to give up, the bilingual format feels especially fitting. It widens the audience, strengthens comprehension, and makes rereading even more rewarding.
The backgrounds are detailed and adorable. The underwater scenes feel lively and full of personality. The color and small visual touches make the setting welcoming, even when Carmel hits setbacks. The illustrations also strengthen the emotional moments, especially when Carmel feels hopeful and determined because his friends believe in him.
I would recommend The Shark Who Wanted to Surf to young readers who enjoy ocean adventures, and especially to anyone who needs a reminder that dreams are worth chasing. Even when others disagree. It’s a gentle, uplifting story about friendship, courage, and self-belief.
Pages: 109 | ISBN : 978-1962185783
