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More than a Story, an Adventure
Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue follows a kindhearted girl who rescues a baby squirrel and decides to bring him everywhere she goes, until a chaotic grocery store escape teaches her that love sometimes means letting go. What inspired the character of Floo Flocky Doo and her adventurous spirit?
In 2000, our youngest daughter, Hunter—just four years old at the time—slipped on an apron to help her mother prepare dinner. With a proud smile, she carried a plate over and declared, “Miss Floo Flocky Doo is here to serve YOU!”
In that joyful moment, our family knew this delightful character had the heart of a children’s story. Inspired by Hunter’s imagination, Miss Floo Flocky Doo was born. Twenty-six years later, that spark has come to life in my debut picture book, Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue!
Beneath the humor, the story touches on responsibility and letting go. How did you balance silliness with that quieter emotional lesson?
Beneath all the laughter and mischief, that quieter message really grew out of real life. The story may feel whimsical—with a runaway baby squirrel, blueberry footprints, and grocery store chaos—but at its heart, it’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest or most fun choice.
I was very intentional about letting the humor lead the way, especially for young readers. Kids connect first through joy, rhythm, and surprise. Once they’re fully engaged—laughing, predicting what might happen next—that’s when the deeper message can gently settle in without feeling heavy or forced.
So the balance comes from layering—keeping the story light, musical, and fun on the surface, while allowing the emotional lesson to naturally reveal itself through the character’s choices. For me, the goal was never to teach the lesson outright, but to let children feel it—and maybe even talk about it afterward.
What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?
A joyful burst of fun, smiles, and giggles! Kids will delight in the book’s whimsical rhymes and love joining in on the catchy, confidence-boosting refrain—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—as the main character faces each new challenge with imagination and heart. It also combines the musicality of classic rhyming books with a personal, grounded storytelling foundation, which gives it a warm and authentic feel.
If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?
If you’re going to choose just one book to share with a child this week, make it Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue—because it delivers exactly what kids (and parents) are looking for in a read-aloud experience: laughter, rhythm, heart, and a character they’ll want to visit again and again.
This isn’t just a story—it’s an interactive adventure. Kids quickly latch onto Floo’s playful catchphrase—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—and love jumping in to say it out loud. That kind of participation turns reading into a shared moment, not just a quiet activity.
It’s also packed with high-energy, laugh-out-loud fun. A mischievous baby squirrel on the loose, a chaotic grocery store chase, and a hummingbird with a clue create the kind of delightful mayhem that keeps kids fully engaged from start to finish.
But beneath the humor is something even more important: heart. The story gently weaves in themes of kindness, responsibility, problem-solving, and friendship—giving parents and educators something meaningful to feel good about and to discuss with their children / students.
And finally, Floo herself is unforgettable. She’s bold, imaginative, and full of joy—the kind of character children connect with instantly and want to follow into the next adventure.
If you want a book that makes kids laugh, invites them to participate, and leaves them smiling at the end…this is the one to bring home.
Will Floo and Lucky Lou return for more adventures?
Absolutely. In fact, we encourage young readers and adults to visit the book’s website, www.FlooFlockyDoo.com and vote for what adventure Floo Flocky Doo, should pursue in book number two!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
A runaway squirrel. A frantic chase. A hummingbird with a secret clue. And a brave little girl who knows just what to do!
Meet Miss Floo Flocky Doo—a brave, imaginative girl who loves helping others. When she discovers a tiny baby squirrel named Lucky Lou, she rescues him, loves him, and brings him everywhere she goes. But during a trip to the grocery store, Lou escapes and chaos breaks loose!
Kids will giggle as Lucky Lou jumps into a customer’s wig, races through the aisles, spreads blueberry jelly footprints, and hides in the fruit section. With the help of her hummingbird friend Peanut, Floo shouts her favorite magical phrase:“Hootie Hoo— I know what to do!”
This charming, rhyming picture book is filled with:A lovable, mischievous baby squirrel
A clue-finding hummingbird named Peanut
A brave girl who uses kindness and quick thinking
Silly, unforgettable grocery-store antics
Bright, delightful illustrations on every page
Already an international award-winning children’s picture book, Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue, is perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, and early readers who love funny animal adventures. Families will enjoy the heartwarming themes of caring, problem-solving, and the magic of friendship. Bring Miss Floo Flocky Doo along with YOU!
Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue
Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue is a buoyant and rhyme-driven picture book about a spirited little girl, Floo, who follows her hummingbird friend Peanut to a baby squirrel, rescues him, names him Lucky Lou, and then discovers that loving a creature doesn’t always mean bringing him everywhere. The story moves from cozy domestic play to mild chaos at the grocery store, where one sneeze sends Lou flying into Miss Nellie Faye’s hair and turns a simple errand into a comic chase through produce, jam, and aisles full of alarm. It’s a small adventure, but it has that enlarged picture-book feeling where every mishap becomes momentous, funny, and just a little breathless.
What I liked most was the book’s wholeheartedness. Floo’s voice is earnest and excited, and the writing understands the peculiar intensity of a child’s logic, especially that wonderful conviction that affection and improvisation can solve almost anything. I found the repeated “What should I do?” and “Hootie Hoo” refrains genuinely effective. They create a chant-like rhythm that feels made for reading aloud, and they give the story a playful musical spine. At the same time, the book’s emotional center is sweeter than it first appears. Under all the commotion, it’s really about care, attachment, and the moment a child realizes that good intentions aren’t always enough. That note of dawning responsibility gives the silliness a little weight.
I also think the illustrations deliver a great deal of the book’s charm. They have a soft watercolor brightness that suits the story’s gentle mischief, and they know when to lean into absurdity. The image of Lou tangled up with Miss Nellie Faye’s wig is the sort of visual joke that children will instantly seize on, but I was equally taken with the quieter scenes, like the baby squirrel tucked into a floppy shoe or Lou smugly sticky with blueberry jelly. Those details keep the book feeling fun.
Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue is endearing and relatable. It’s funny, warm, slightly chaotic, and rooted in a real fondness for family lore, which gives it more heart than many breezier picture books manage. It believes in imagination, in little messes, in love that learns as it goes. I’d recommend it especially for children who like animals, repetition, and read-aloud stories with a lot of motion, and for adults who don’t mind a picture book being a little rambunctious as long as it has tenderness to spare. This is a lively and affectionate children’s book that shows its heart right on the page.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0GPPGLK1V
Magic Into Meaning
The Magic Collar follows a confident tuxedo cat who, after landing in a loving home with a kid named Mav, gets a shiny red collar with magical abilities that takes him and Mav on exciting adventures. Why did you choose a cat’s point of view to tell this story?
Telling Pitty the Kitty through Pitty’s point of view was important because it immediately invites children into a world of wonder, curiosity, and heart — without adult filters.
When the story is seen through Pitty’s eyes, everything feels bigger, more magical, and more emotionally honest. Cats observe quietly. They notice small details. They sense feelings. That perspective allows the story to highlight moments children instinctively understand — nervous excitement, loyalty, mischief, bravery — in a playful, accessible way.
Pitty’s point of view also does something powerful:
1. It lowers defenses.
Children often open up more easily to animals than to adult narrators. A cat’s voice feels safe, friendly, and nonjudgmental.
2. It keeps the tone light and adventurous.
Even when something feels uncertain, Pitty can approach it with curiosity instead of fear. That keeps the emotional tone hopeful.
3. It models empathy.
Because Pitty observes the people around him, readers learn to notice feelings, too. Seeing Mav through Pitty’s caring eyes reinforces compassion.
4. It centers loyalty and friendship.
Animals symbolize unconditional love. By narrating the story, Pitty embodies steadfast support rather than control or authority.
5. It makes magic believable.
Adventure feels even more delightful when filtered through the imagination of a curious cat. The whimsy feels natural, not forced.
Most importantly, telling the story from Pitty’s perspective aligns with the deeper heartbeat running through the books — that courage, kindness, and adventure can be found in everyday moments.
The relationship between Pitty and Mav is at the heart of the book. Why was that bond so central?
The bond between Mav and Pitty is central to the Pitty the Kitty books because their relationship is the emotional anchor of every adventure.
The magic may come from the red collar. The journeys may take them to unexpected places. But the reason the adventures matter is their connection.
Here’s why that bond is so important:
1. It Models Unconditional Loyalty
Pitty doesn’t leave when things get uncertain. Mav doesn’t outgrow Pitty. They are a team. Their connection shows children what steady companionship looks like — supportive, trusting, constant.
2. It Makes Courage Safer
Big adventures feel less frightening when you aren’t alone. Mav can take risks because Pitty is beside him. Pitty can leap into the unknown because he trusts Mav. Their bond shows that bravery grows in relationship. Finding the treasure on Swag Island is a perfect example.
3. It Centers Emotional Security
Before magic, before quests, before lessons — there is belonging. That sense of “I’ve got you” gives the story warmth and stability. Children reading the books feel that safety too.
4. It Turns Magic Into Meaning
Without their friendship, the red collar would just be a device. Because of their bond, the magic becomes shared discovery. Every adventure strengthens their connection instead of distracting from it.
5. It Reflects Childhood at Its Purest
Many children experience their first deep loyalty through a pet. That relationship feels sacred — a confidant, a playmate, a comforter. By centering Mav and Pitty’s bond, the books honor that formative kind of love.
At its heart, the series isn’t just about magical travel — it’s about growing up with someone who believes in you. The adventures change, but their
relationship remains steady. That constancy and a little absurdity is what makes readers want to return again and again
The illustrations add a lot of personality, especially to Pitty’s expressions. How did you envision the visual tone?
The illustrators’ work enhances the story, particularly Pitty’s personality, a little brash, overly confident but devoted to Mav. The illustrations translate the emotional heartbeat into color, movement, and expression. Subtle closeness between characters — a glance, shared laughter, standing side by side — visually reinforces loyalty and inclusion. Even without dialogue, readers see connection. Subtle closeness between characters — a glance, shared laughter, standing side by side — visually reinforces loyalty and inclusion. Even without dialogue, readers see connection.
Do you see more adventures ahead for Pitty and Mav?
There are many more adventures ahead for Mav and Pitty!
Author Website
The Adventures of Mo
This charming children’s book follows Mo, a sweet and curious dog who finds a strange shiny object in the forest and soon gets swept into a huge adventure. Along the way, he meets Monta the Moose, a giant whale named Blue, and a nonstop-talking bird named Finchy. Before long, Mo is traveling across the United States on the roof of a delivery truck, visiting wild places, escaping danger, learning about humans, and trying to return the mysterious key to its rightful owner. The whole thing feels like a road trip mixed with a treasure hunt and a friendship story, all rolled into one.
Reading it felt warm and goofy and kind of chaotic in the best way. The writing has this bright, playful energy that made me smile a lot. I liked how Mo is always trying to be polite even when he’s scared or confused, and how Finchy never shuts up but somehow grows on you. Their friendship feels real. I found myself rooting for them while laughing at how often they got lost or sidetracked. The author slips in bits of real-world info about states and landmarks, and it surprised me how naturally it fit into the story. It felt like learning by accident, the way a kid would when traveling with a chatty adult.
Mo trying on human clothes had me laughing, and Finchy stealing a scientist’s “important” piece of paper only to discover it’s a grocery list made me snort. Then there were parts that were thoughtful, like Mo nearly floating away on a paddleboard or realizing how far he is from home. Those scenes had this soft ache to them. The book balances that feeling well, mixing silliness with little flickers of courage and homesickness. I liked that a lot. It kept the story from feeling too fluffy.
Mo is a little geography lesson wrapped in an adventure story. While kids follow Mo from Alaska to places like Missouri or South Carolina, they end up learning where these states are and how different parts of the country feel. The story drops in cardinal directions at the start of chapters, so readers start to understand north, south, east, and west without even trying. Teachers and homeschoolers can use Mo as a fun add-on to US geography because it makes kids want to look at a map and find out where Mo is headed next, which is a huge win for a subject that can sometimes feel a little dry.
I’d recommend this children’s chapter book to kids who love animal stories, big adventures, and characters who get themselves into wild situations but somehow wiggle their way out. It’s also great for adults reading aloud because the humor hits on both levels. If you want something light and sweet that still has heart, this feels like a good pick.
Pages: 313 | ASIN : B0BN29YX96
The Magic Collar; Pitty the Kitty Book 1
The Magic Collar follows Pitty, a confident tuxedo cat who tells his own story, from his scrappy street days to landing in a loving home with a kid named Mav. A shiny red collar turns out to be magical and pulls them into wild adventures together. They zoom through video games, fight villains as superheroes, and hunt treasure with pirates. Every chapter is a new jump into imagination, friendship, and play, all seen through Pitty’s smug and funny point of view.
I had a blast reading this children’s book. The voice hooked me right away. Pitty feels real and loud and full of attitude. I laughed a lot. The humor lands without trying too hard. It feels like listening to a cat who knows he runs the house. The writing is clear, smooth, and easy to follow. Each chapter moves fast and keeps the energy up.
The ideas really worked for me as well. I loved how everyday kid stuff turns into magic. Video games. Reading time. Playing outside. It all matters. Nothing feels preachy. The story celebrates imagination in a way that feels natural and warm. The bond between Mav and Pitty honestly made me a little soft. It captures that special kid and pet connection so well.
The artwork throughout the book is bright, playful, and full of personality. The colors pop without being overwhelming. I loved how Pitty’s expressions always matched his attitude. The pictures add so much charm and humor, and they really help pull you deeper into each adventure.
I would recommend this book to kids who love animals, games, and adventure. It feels perfect for early chapter book readers. It would also be great as a read-aloud. Parents and grandparents will enjoy it too.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0G2GV33YQ
Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street
Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street bursts with color, curiosity, and charm, a lively children’s story that transforms a simple neighborhood mystery into an unforgettable adventure. Shani T. Night welcomes young readers into the vibrant world of Bixby, a confident, radiant peacock who saunters through suburbia with effortless flair and a personality as bold as his feathers.
Bixby’s arrival on Maple Street immediately sweeps readers into a lively blend of whimsy and discovery. The rhyming text creates a rhythmic, almost musical flow, ideal for read-aloud moments with children ages 4–8. Night’s spirited word choices and vivid scenes spark laughter and wide-eyed fascination as Bixby weaves through gardens, sidesteps household pets, crosses busy streets, and carries himself as if the entire neighborhood is his personal stage.
Beyond its cheerful storytelling, the book quietly delivers genuine peacock facts, offering an engaging dose of learning within the playful narrative. This smooth fusion of imagination and information nurtures a child’s natural curiosity about the world, presenting knowledge in a way that feels inviting, light, and wonderfully accessible.
As part of the Interesting Tales series, Night once again turns everyday surprises into moments of magic. Bixby’s escapade reminds readers, young and old, that extraordinary wonders often wait just beyond the front door.
Bright, witty, and beautifully composed, Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street is a heartwarming celebration of exploration, nature, and the delight of storytelling. It deserves a spot on bedtime bookshelves, classroom collections, and in the hands of any young reader drawn to animals or unexpected adventures.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0FNGVM32L
Charli’s Pawsome Park: An Architectural Adventure
Charli’s Pawsome Park is about a curious girl who meets a landscape architect and instantly starts wondering what it would be like to design parks herself. The spark grows into a full-blown daydream where she imagines creating a dog park in her town. With her friends, some trial-and-error problem solving, and plenty of imagination, she sketches, models, and pitches her idea to the town council. In the end, her vision comes to life, and she learns that with creativity and teamwork, anything is possible.
I really enjoyed how this children’s book made a big idea like architecture feel fun and doable for kids. The writing has an easy rhythm, and the dialogue feels natural, like real kids talking to each other. I liked that Charli wasn’t perfect. She hit bumps, like realizing bushes blocked views or that a tunnel led dogs straight into a mess. Those little “oops” moments made the story feel alive. It didn’t read like a lecture on STEM. It felt like a playful adventure with just enough detail to spark interest without bogging kids down.
The theme of dreaming big hit me the most. I liked how Charli’s curiosity spun into action, and the story showed the whole process, from idea to fixing mistakes to presenting in front of grown-ups. It felt empowering, like a nudge saying kids’ ideas can matter too. The dog park concept itself was adorable, and the splash pad ending made me smile. The pictures also carried a lot of charm, like a Disney Channel cartoon. They pulled me into Charli’s world and made me want to cheer for her.
I think this picture book is a great pick for kids who love animals, enjoy drawing, or are just curious about how the world is built. It would be a fun read-aloud in classrooms, especially if teachers want to spark interest in STEM without making it feel heavy. Parents who want their kids to see that girls can design big, bold things will find it extra special.
Pages: 91 | ISBN: 978-1-964845-04-3
I’m Happy I’m Me!
Zeke thinks he’s stuck in a terrible day where nothing goes right. Then, to his astonishment, one of his socks begins speaking. The sock confesses envy; imagine being forced to endure the stench of feet all day. Soon, a cotton swab joins the chorus, admitting it, too, would prefer life as a boy. One by one, other household objects, baby wipes, toilet paper, and more, offer their own complaints. By the time they finish, Zeke begins to see his situation differently. Perhaps his life isn’t so bad after all.
I’m Happy I’m Me by Marsi Danielsen is a short, illustrated children’s book that recalls the playful, whimsical spirit of certain Dr. Seuss classics. Much like those stories, it begins with a child dissatisfied with life and evolves into a gentle lesson about perspective.
Parents will recognize the familiar challenge of a bored or unhappy child. Danielson captures that sense of restlessness through Zeke’s voice. Children often feel frustrated with who they are or what they have, and many adults wrestle with the same truth for years. The book’s charm lies in its message: learning to appreciate oneself is both difficult and deeply rewarding. Delivered with humor, sometimes silly, sometimes a touch gross, the story highlights that no matter how imperfect life feels, others may have it harder.
The use of inanimate objects as storytellers gives the book its delightful quirk. Combined with bright, colorful illustrations, the lesson becomes vivid and memorable. Although the book’s simplicity may not resonate with older children, younger readers will likely find it entertaining and meaningful. Ideally, they’ll finish the story feeling more comfortable in their own skin, with a new perspective on gratitude that may stay with them as they grow.
I’m Happy I’m Me succeeds as both an entertaining story and a gentle reminder about gratitude. Its playful premise and cheerful illustrations make it engaging for children, while its underlying message carries lasting value. Parents seeking a lighthearted yet meaningful read-aloud will find this book a worthwhile addition to their collection.
Pages: 43 | ASIN : B0FCYM18GK
