Blog Archives
Paisley and Posie’s Adventures: Splish Splash Surprise
Paisley and Posie’s Adventures: The Splish Splash Surprise, by Maria Cedolini Thompson, is a joyful romp through a hot summer day with two irresistibly mischievous golden retrievers. This story is a perfect blend of playful chaos, heartfelt lessons, and charming illustrations that bring Paisley and Posie to life.
When left alone for just a short while, Paisley and Posie give in to temptation and take an impromptu dip in the backyard pool. What unfolds is a wonderfully soggy mess, full of splashes, tail wags, and comedic panic when they hear the front door swing open. The tension of their last-minute attempts to “hide the evidence” will have kids giggling and turning pages eagerly.
What makes this book more than just a tale of cute canine mischief is its thoughtful underlying message. Young readers are gently reminded that curiosity and mistakes are part of growing up, but love and forgiveness are always waiting on the other side. The story handles these themes with warmth and grace, making it a valuable addition to any child’s library.
Parents will appreciate the way the book encourages discussions about accountability, consequences, and teamwork without ever feeling heavy-handed. Meanwhile, children will be drawn in by the humorous antics and expressive artwork that capture every splash and shake.
Whether read aloud at bedtime or explored independently by early readers, Paisley and Posie’s Adventures: The Splish Splash Surprise is sure to make a splash in any home. It’s a charming tale that proves even the biggest messes can be cleaned up, with a little help and a lot of love.
Pages: 31 | ASIN : B0FBS5PGPG
Everything Just Clicked
Ella Minnow P. follows a bright little girl on her first day of school who is teased because her name sounds like part of the alphabet song, and uses this to teach her classmates about kindness and empathy. What was the inspiration for your story?
My children inspired me to write this book. Three years ago, we were saying the ABCs one night in bed, and my oldest daughter kept saying what sounded like “Ella Minnow P.” at the LMNOP part, and then my kids would giggle. I immediately thought it sounded like a girl’s name. Everything just clicked, and I thought of the storyline. When I sat down to write the story, it only took a few hours. Then I had to get it all to rhyme.
As for the storyline and message of the book, again, my children inspired it. As a military spouse, I’ve guided our three children through five relocations and nine schools in nine years. Through this journey, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of kindness, courage, and inclusivity in children. Their love and acceptance as they learn and grow together are qualities I hope to inspire in other families. Like Ella, I’ve taught my kids that it takes both bravery and kindness to navigate any new chapter in life, especially the first day of school! These are lessons I share in my book to help others do the same.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I absolutely wanted the book to rhyme because I just feel like rhyming books hold kids’ attention and are cute. Your review said, “The writing is bouncy and rhyming, and the story moves along at a perfect pace for young readers.” And that is exactly what I was aiming for! While the message in this book is extremely important, I wanted this book to be one that children can learn to read from. That is why this book is recommended for ages 0 to 6 as a read-aloud, but also for 5 to 8-year-olds as an early reader. My kindergartener is actually learning to read with this book! The sentence structure is simple and rhythmic, making it fun to sound out the words. The text also highlights different, simple vocabulary words.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Emanuela Mannello?
Here is an article that was written in a local publication. Thus far, this is the first and only article that includes an interview with Emanuela. She was absolutely incredible to work with. I had been working with another illustrator, but I had to end that partnership because it was taking so long. It just wasn’t a good fit. I found Emanuela because she was the illustrator of the book Unicorn Wishes, which my children loved. I thought, “If my kids love the artwork in this book, why not just ask her to illustrate mine?” So I googled her and figured out how to get a hold of her, and the rest is history! She lives in Italy, and we did everything via email.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
We are in the middle of yet another military move, but I have ideas for more books involving Ella’s character, and the manuscripts are underway 🙂
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Coronado Eagle | Coronado Times | Amazon
Perfect as a baby book, toddler book, or preschool book, Ella Minnow P. is a great read-aloud for storytime or bedtime. It’s also an ideal kindergarten book or first grade book, especially for children facing those first day jitters. This story encourages confidence, friendship, and the idea that learning can be fun when you stay true to yourself.
Written by Trisha Fleming and illustrated by Emanuela Mannello, this charming children’s book is filled with rhymes, giggles, and colorful scenes that bring Ella’s classroom to life. Whether you’re looking for first day jitters children’s books, kindness books, or one of the best kindergarten read about books, Ella Minnow P. belongs on your child’s bookshelf.
Recommended for ages 0 to 6 as a read-aloud and 5 to 8 as an early reader. Great for classrooms, libraries, and home collections, this juvenile fiction story will keep kids coming back to the alphabet again and again with confidence and a smile.
Ellie’s Dancing Shoes
Ellie’s Dancing Shoes, written by Scott Sollers, tells the sweet and heartfelt story of Ellie, a young girl living in New York City who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Though she practices daily, her self-doubt keeps tripping her up. That changes when her parents give her a pair of her grandmother’s “magical” ballet shoes. With the shoes on her feet, Ellie suddenly finds herself dancing with grace and confidence. But when the shoes are lost right before a big audition, Ellie must face her biggest fear: dancing without them. In the end, a surprising truth comes to light, and Ellie learns that the real magic was inside her all along.
What struck me first was how honestly this children’s book portrayed a child’s inner struggle with self-belief. The writing is simple and clear, but it never talks down to its audience. It’s gentle and warm, with a rhythm that makes it perfect for reading out loud. I loved the way Sollers used the “magic shoes” as a symbol for confidence. The twist at the end, that the shoes weren’t magical at all, felt earned and uplifting. It was one of those rare moments in a children’s story that made me pause and smile. There’s also a great emotional arc: we see Ellie grow, stumble, rise, and eventually stand on her own two feet.
The illustrations by Bryan Janky add a lovely touch. They’re full of motion and emotion, with Ellie’s expressions capturing everything from joy to frustration. The whole picture book carries a warm, nostalgic glow, like a cherished bedtime memory. I also appreciated how the parents supported Ellie, not by solving her problems, but by helping her find her own strength. There’s something really touching about how they carefully recreate the “lost” shoes just to keep her confidence going.
I’d definitely recommend Ellie’s Dancing Shoes to parents, teachers, and anyone raising or working with kids who need a little boost of self-esteem. It’s perfect for children aged 4 to 8, especially those who have a passion, whether it’s dancing, drawing, or just dreaming. It reminded me that a little belief can go a long way, and sometimes the best kind of magic is the kind you make yourself.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0DSGKG1JL
Parents Are People Too
Saanvi’s Bad Day follows a young girl who is having a very bad Tuesday and how she learns to deal with her overwhelming emotions. What was the inspiration for your story?
When I write, I always have my children in mind. I have 2 children, a 5-year-old daughter, and a 7-year-old son. I think about lessons that I would like them to learn about. I always try to find books to help introduce new or difficult topics. And while there are plenty of books about managing a bad day, I hadn’t come across a children’s book that highlights that grown-ups have bad days too. I wanted this book to emphasize that parents are people too, and can have similar emotions and experiences.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I really wanted to focus on tools that can be used to turn bad days around. I think it’s important for children to feel empowered, and to realize that these tools can be used by anyone at any age.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?
I love Anais! She was the illustrator for my first book, Saanvi’s Family Tree, and she perfectly captures the feelings I want to convey on every page.
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?
My first book was entitled Saanvi’s Family Tree which was released by Mascot Kids in May 2024. It deals with the taboo subject of familial estrangement which is a very rare topic in children’s literature. I wrote that book for my son to explain my own difficult family dynamics. My next book will be released in 2026 and will focus on the topic that grown-ups don’t have all the answers and are also life-long learners! Another lesson I would love to teach my children!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Join Saanvi as she learns the different ways to turn her bad days around. When Saanvi has another bad day at school the next week, will she be able to tackle her unhappiness in a positive way?
Feeling of Isolation
Little Bear and the Big Hole follows a young bear struggling with his grief over the loss of his father, who sees his absence as a literal hole—vast, lonely, and invisible to others until a friend shows up and helps him process his pain. Why was this an important book for you to write for children?
I was 35 when my husband died – not a child, but at a time in my life when I knew no one like me. It felt like everyone else my age was in the blossoming of life – new marriages, having children, having fun, etc. and I was at an end of some kind. I didn’t know anyone like me – a widow in her mid-30s – and it felt very isolating. This feeling, that your world has stopped while everyone else’s around you is still joyfully spinning, made me feel so terribly alone on top of all the other heavy feelings of grief. Also, I found that most people (unless very, very close friends or family) tended to avoid talking with me about grief because I think they just didn’t know how to, which made them feel uncomfortable. Children are also at an age/life stage where it is less common to experience a profound loss, so they would very likely encounter this feeling of isolation as well. When I learned that 1 in 12 children will suffer the loss of a parent or sibling by the age of 18 I was astounded, and I wanted to write a book that would help them feel that they are not alone, that their feelings are normal and that grief will eventually transform into healing. I also wanted the book to show others how to be a friend to someone who is grieving.
The artwork in your story brings the concepts to life so that children can visualize Little Bear’s emotions. What was the collaboration process like with Mirjam Siim?
My publisher does not allow direct communication between the writer and the illustrator, but they did allow me to communicate through an art director due to the sensitive nature of this book. One of the main points of discussion was the concept of the hole, as it was very important to me that the hole appear, at least in the beginning, like it was boundless. I knew that if we didn’t get the hole right, the concept would fall flat, and I think Mirjam did a beautiful job depicting the hole and all of the big emotions in the book. Interestingly, I have since commissioned Mirjam to do the artwork for my website (so fantastic!) and a few other projects. She is a joy to work with and so very talented!
What was the most challenging part of writing Little Bear and the Big Hole?
There were so many things I wanted to convey in this book and I think the hardest part was making only the choices necessary for this story. I had to tell myself that there are so many facets of grief, and my one story cannot address them all. Even if it did (this would be a very long book), it would lessen the impact.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
You are not alone.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Saanvi’s Bad Day
Saanvi’s Bad Day is a sweet and honest look into a young girl’s very bad Tuesday and how she learns to deal with her overwhelming emotions. After a series of small but frustrating mishaps—forgotten homework, spilled lunch, a lost umbrella, and a final splash of humiliation in the school parking lot—Saanvi comes home soaked, mad, and defeated. Her father gently listens and shares a story of his own tough day, guiding Saanvi through the process of naming her emotions, accepting them, and finding simple ways to feel better. Later in gym class, Saanvi draws on these lessons to navigate another tough moment with courage and calm. It’s a story about the everyday emotional hurdles kids face and the quiet strength that comes from love, connection, and a little bit of perspective.
What I really liked about this children’s book is how tender and grounded it is. The writing is straightforward, but there’s a warm rhythm to it, like a conversation between a parent and child after a long day. The dialogue feels real. Saanvi talks the way actual kids talk when they’re upset. Her dad’s calm, understanding tone never feels preachy. He doesn’t swoop in with a magical fix; he just offers empathy and tools. That small moment of emotional coaching felt big. I love that this picture book treats children’s emotions with seriousness but not drama.
Teaching kids to name their emotions and give themselves permission to feel them was such a valuable lesson, and Sharma delivers it in a way that feels safe and relatable. No big lectures, just lived experience and gentle encouragement. I especially liked the follow-up scene at gym class—how Saanvi uses what she learned. It’s hopeful without being cheesy.
I’d absolutely recommend Saanvi’s Bad Day to parents, teachers, or anyone with a kid navigating big feelings. It’s perfect for ages 4 to 8—especially the ones who come home after school a little soggy in spirit. This book doesn’t just tell kids it’s okay to feel upset, it shows them how to ride it out and bounce back.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0DSJYJRQP
Little Bear and the Big Hole
Little Bear and the Big Hole is a quiet and tender story about grief, healing, and connection. It follows Little Bear, who is grappling with the loss of his Papa Bear. He sees the absence as a literal hole—vast, lonely, and invisible to others. That is, until Squirrel shows up. Through shared sorrow, gentle words, and quiet presence, Squirrel helps Little Bear process his pain. Together, they slowly fill the emptiness with memories, music, drawings, and love, watching as the hole gradually transforms into something new and alive—a growing tree that carries both memory and hope.
What really got me was how this children’s book doesn’t try to fix grief or explain it away. It just sits with it. The writing is sparse but deep, almost like a poem. Every word feels picked with care. That kind of restraint makes the emotions hit harder. I actually got choked up when Little Bear screams, “I just want my Papa Bear back!” It’s raw and real and relatable. I also love how Squirrel never tries to cheer him up or make it better—she just shows up, and that’s everything. That message, especially for kids, is gold.
Visually, this book is a dream. Mirjam Siim’s illustrations are soft and warm with just the right touch of whimsy. The way the hole slowly changes in the pictures mirrors the emotional shift so beautifully, you almost don’t notice at first. It sneaks up on you, like healing often does. I wish more picture books handled hard feelings like this—with this much heart and honesty. It doesn’t feel preachy or pushy. It just breathes.
If you’re looking for a children’s book to help a child (or even yourself) make sense of loss, this is the one. Little Bear and the Big Hole would be perfect for families navigating grief, for therapists, or even just anyone who wants a beautiful story with real emotional weight. It’s gentle, but it’s not light. And I’d hand it to anyone who needs to remember that while grief is big and heavy, it’s not something you have to carry alone.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 1760362328
A Common Childhood Struggle
Leo Gets His Nighttime Zzzs follows a busy boy and his diverse group of friends as they discover the power of teamwork and relaxation to overcome sleepless nights. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
All our Kids Can Club Collection stories are inspired by the fact that children often face difficult problems and emotional struggles as they grow up. They can feel helpless and believe no one else shares their challenges. We felt it was important to introduce young readers to characters who are experiencing the same issues they are and then find the strength and motivation to seek solutions and share these solutions with others.
Leo’s problem, his losing sleep at night because his mind fills up with Important Things to Remember and Worries, reflects a common childhood struggle. A review of literature reveals that up to 25% of children experience difficulties with sleep. Research studies have demonstrated that the Progressive Relaxation exercise (our “Scrunch Up Five – Unscrunch”) is an effective relaxation-promoting tool.
We want young readers to see themselves in the Kids Can Club kids. Leo, Clementine, Clara, Iris, and Nico are each unique, with varying ethnicity, backgrounds, skills, interests, and styles, and are also relatable to so many real kids. Both the child and adult characters in our book series are based on people we know, our own experiences, families, and friends.
What was the process of collaborating with Dana Regan to create illustrations that enhance the story?
We worked with Dana on our first book, Clementine Gets UNSTUCK! (published in 2022) and were so excited she partnered with us again in 2024 for Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs! Dana is an amazing artist and has so much experience with the book printing and publishing process. She not only illustrated our stories, but she also developed the layout and created the final files to the publisher’s specifications for both Paperback and eBook versions.
For both stories, we connected with Dana and provided her with a detailed character background/description document and the manuscript, along with our general thoughts about pagination and visuals. We also discussed font choices and variations for emphasized words and phrases. Dana provided us with an initial sketch version, then, after we reviewed, color versions with pages and text outlined, adding so many of her own amazing ideas! We had multiple rounds of reviewing, proofing, and commenting, with Dana always open to feedback. Due to busy schedules, it took about eight months from when we sent the initial manuscript to Dana to the date each book was published.
We are so appreciative that Dana takes the time to really understand our characters. This is reflected in the wonderful details she includes in her illustrations. We are lucky to have Dana on our Kids Can Club Collection team!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Through the personal experiences of the Kids Can Club kids and their club Missions, described in the first pages of Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs, we wanted to engage young readers and introduce them to multiple themes: 1) Universality-that we all share similar challenges, thoughts, feelings and are not alone with our struggles; 2) Empowerment and Agency-that we have the strength and ability make positive changes in our lives and environments; 3) Empathy-understanding and considering the feelings of others; and 4) Teamwork-learning that we can do so much for others and our community if we work together.
Can you share more about the Kids Can! series and its mission to empower young readers?
Our Kids Can Club Collection will continue to grow, with characters facing additional childhood challenges and finding THEY CAN find solutions for themselves and others. We are planning for a series of at least five books. Our series mission currently expands through our KidsCanClub.com site. Here we offer free activities, games, and additional wellness exercises. We also show kids (with the participation of their trusted adults) how to start their own Kids Can Club.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
