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A Star Named Sky and Flynn the Firefly
A Star Named Sky and Flynn the Firefly is a tender and uplifting tale that will leave both children and parents smiling. The story introduces Flynn, a little firefly who senses something is terribly wrong; his glow has vanished. Overcome with sadness, he begins to cry, but hope arrives in the form of Sky, a compassionate star who drifts down from above. Through a playful game filled with affirmations and encouragement, Sky gently reminds Flynn of his worth. With every uplifting word, Flynn’s light begins to shine again, and Sky leaves him with a lasting truth: never forget who you are.
Author Vincent Watson has crafted a beautifully inspiring narrative that speaks directly to young readers. The message is clear yet profound: every child is special, and recognizing their own value allows them to help others feel special too. The game Sky teaches Flynn becomes more than a moment in the story; it is an empowering tool for children learning self-love and self-expression. The simple yet powerful phrase, “I love me,” carries weight, especially for little ones navigating complex emotions.
The illustrations add another layer of magic, vibrant and full of life, almost as if the pages themselves were animated. A particularly delightful detail is the chorus of frogs in the background, cheering on Sky and Flynn with infectious joy. By the end, the bond between star and firefly has blossomed into a nightly ritual of encouragement, love, and friendship, a reminder that shining together makes the light even brighter.
Heartwarming, visually charming, and deeply affirming, this story is more than just a bedtime read, it is a gentle guide to embracing purpose, resilience, and self-love.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0C6RBPF4G
Whimsical Tale
How Flowers Got Their Colors follows a young shepherd living in a quiet valley where the world is stuck in just three colors, who dreams of capturing the colors of the rainbow to brighten the meadow. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This and 18 other stories I made up as nighttime tales for my younger daughter when she was 6 and 7 years old, and is now 36 and has been CEO of the Company! I began the publishing process when I began to have grandchildren!
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
This whimsical tale is intended to convey the power of “sticking to it” or persistence when trying to accomplish something, and a willingness to listen and take a suggestion to heart and follow through to accomplish a goal.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Alejandro Echavez?
When Amplify Publishing and I commenced working together, I was sent a list of 25 artists with samples of their styles. I was asked to pick five, and then those artists sent their interpretation or rendition of a frame or two from one of my stories. Once I had those frames, I was asked to pick two, and Alejandro was one of them. His work is rich and presents the storyline beautifully. He has completed my fifth book, The Lost Locket, and is working on my sixth, Way Up North, a coming-of-age story of a young Eskimo who lives near the North Pole. Alejandro is very accessible and revises and updates his artwork through dialogue and mutual collaboration.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have completed The Lost Locket, a tale about a little girl who loses an heirloom necklace on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is collected by a pigeon and returned 30 years later when the little girl, now a mother, returns to the Bridge with her daughter. This book will be shipped in several months. The next book, Way Up North, is a story about a coming of age for a young Eskimo who lives near the North Pole and learns how to hunt whales. Alejandro is currently working on the artwork frames for this story, and the book ought to be available sometime early next year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Join the shepherd in How Flowers Got Their Colors, a heartfelt story about how dreams, persistence, and a touch of magic can change the world around us. This charming story reminds us that even the simplest wishes can bring remarkable change.
Someone Needs to Explain This Stuff
Humans Are Awesome! is a lively and colorful children’s book that sets out to explain the difference between human abilities and artificial intelligence in a way that feels both playful and empowering. What was the inspiration for your story?
You know that moment when your kid asks Alexa if she has feelings, and you realize you have NO idea how to explain AI to a six-year-old? That was us. We were watching our kids interact with technology like it was magic – or worse, like it was human – and we thought, ‘Someone needs to explain this stuff before an entire generation grows up thinking Siri is their best friend.’ Cal knows AI inside and out, and I know how kids’ brains work. It was like peanut butter meeting chocolate – we HAD to make this book happen.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The biggest thing? We wanted kids to know that THEY’RE the boss, not the iPad. You know how kids can get totally zombified by screens? We’ve all seen it – that glazed look when they’ve been watching YouTube for three hours straight. We wanted to snap them out of it and remind them that technology is supposed to work FOR them, not the other way around. Plus, we needed to tackle the scary stuff – like not telling ChatGPT where you live – without making kids paranoid about every piece of technology. It’s like teaching them about fire safety without making them afraid of birthday candles.
I loved the activities that were incorporated into this story, giving the lesson an interactive quality that can last beyond the time it takes to read the story. How did you come up with the activities? Also, I would love to see printable resources for teachers and parents that they could use to help reinforce these lessons. Is this something you have considered?
Honestly? We tested everything on our youngest daughter. She was our guinea pig – poor kid! We’d come up with an activity and she’d either be totally into it or give us that look that says ‘this is lame, Mom.’ Kids are brutal critics, which is exactly what we needed. The activities that made it into the book are the ones that got her excited enough to drag her siblings into trying them too.
And YES on the printable resources! Teachers have been asking for them since day one. We kept this first edition short because, let’s face it, kids’ attention spans aren’t getting any longer. But we’re already working on downloadable worksheets, discussion guides, and even some games that parents and teachers can use. Should be ready by the holidays!
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?
“The Try Again Kid” is coming out in late November, and honestly? This one’s personal. We watched so many kids during the pandemic just… give up when things got hard. They’d try something once, fail, and decide they’re ‘just not good at it.’ Meanwhile, they’ll die 50 times in a video game and keep going! So we thought – how do we transfer that video game resilience to real life?
This next book is all about failing spectacularly and getting back up. Think of it as the antidote to participation trophy culture. We’re teaching kids that messing up isn’t just okay – it’s NECESSARY. And yeah, we might have snuck in some lessons about growth mindset and perseverance, but mostly it’s about making failure fun instead of terrifying.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
“Humans are Awesome! A Kid’s Guide to Staying Smarter Than AI” empowers children ages 5-11 with crucial digital literacy skills through an exciting superhero journey.
What Makes This Book Special:
Transforms AI safety into a fun superhero adventure
Teaches 5 “superpowers” that make kids uniquely human
Includes practical safety rules kids will actually remember
Features vibrant, engaging illustrations throughout
Perfect for independent reading or family discussion
Your Child Will Learn:
Why their creativity beats any computer
How to protect their personal information online
When to trust their “gut feelings” about digital content
The difference between AI suggestions and real thinking
How to maintain healthy screen-time boundaries
Created by Experts Who Understand:
Cal Lopez: Technologist and acclaimed sci-fi author
Natalia Ulloa: Educator with 25+ years experience
Abdel Hassam: Talented illustrator bringing concepts to life
Don’t let technology intimidate your family. Give your child the confidence to navigate our digital world while staying wonderfully, powerfully human.
Encouraging Young Minds
Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky follows a pair of curious siblings and Dr. K and her magical time portal, who travel back to Renaissance Italy to meet Galileo and experience firsthand the wonder of his telescope and discoveries. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration came from my desire to make science and history feel alive for children. Galileo’s discoveries changed how we understand the universe, yet for many young readers, history can feel distant or abstract.
By introducing a magical time portal and pairing the story with two inquisitive siblings, I wanted to create a bridge between today’s readers and the past.
The setup allows children to see history not as dusty facts in a textbook but as living experiences full of curiosity, wonder, and adventure.
I enjoyed your characters, especially Dr. K. What was your favorite character to write for and why?
Dr. K was certainly the most rewarding character to write. She is both a guide and a fellow traveler, modeling how to ask questions, nurture curiosity, and balance seriousness with a sense of wonder. Through her, I was able to weave together elements of science, history, and imagination.
She is not only a mentor to the children in the story but also a representation of my own lifelong passion for encouraging young minds to explore the world around them.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to emphasize both Galileo’s scientific process and the cultural context of his discoveries. Children learn not only that Galileo built a telescope and observed the moons of Jupiter, but also that these observations challenged established beliefs of the time.
The book highlights critical thinking, perseverance, and the courage to question accepted truths.
I also included a “Science Primer” at the back of the book to give readers and educators additional resources, ensuring that the story supports learning in both classrooms and homes.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Dr. K and the direction of the second book?
The second book, Marie Curie’s Radiant Quest, transports readers to Paris at the turn of the 20th century.
In this story, Dr. K and the siblings meet Marie Curie and learn about her groundbreaking work with radioactivity.
The narrative continues to blend adventure with science, showing not only Curie’s discoveries but also her perseverance in the face of challenges as a woman in science.
The series as a whole will continue to introduce children to great scientists across time, always with an emphasis on curiosity, resilience, and the wonder of discovery.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Katherine Korkidis | Amazon
In the awarding-winning Galileo’s Points of Light in the Night Sky, the first book of the captivating Dr. K’s Portal Through Time series, Jennifer, a vivacious 10-year-old, and her intellectually curious 8-year-old brother, Daniel, embark on an exceptional voyage through the annals of time. Guided by the enigmatic and brilliant scientist, Dr. K, they are transported to the heyday of Renaissance Italy, straight into the workshop of the iconic astronomer, Galileo Galilei.
As they traverse the time portal, Jennifer and Daniel experience firsthand Galileo’s groundbreaking observations of the celestial expanse through his innovative telescope. They are enlightened about the significance of questioning established norms and the audacity needed to defy the status quo. The siblings witness Galileo’s unveiling of the cosmos’s wonders and his revolutionary proposition that our Earth is not the center of the universe.
Throughout their journey, Jennifer and Daniel support Galileo in chronicling his pioneering discoveries. They confront challenges that enhance their problem-solving abilities and deepen their grasp of the scientific method. Their adventure cultivates an appreciation for the quest for knowledge and the potency of curiosity.
This enthralling tale seamlessly blends history, science, and adventure. It offers young readers a captivating, educational narrative, introducing them to the mesmerizing world of astronomy and the enduring contributions of one of history’s most illustrious scientists. The story of Jennifer and Daniel will inspire the readers to question, explore, and cherish the pursuit of knowledge, just like Galileo did. The book, while being a thrilling read, also helps foster a love for STEM disciplines in young, inquisitive minds, making it a perfect addition to any child’s reading list.
At the end of Book 1 is a QR code for the Science Primer, a comprehensive, free downloadable guide over 100 pages long, written specifically for parents and teachers. It also includes a complete Teacher’s Guide with detailed lesson plans, a glossary of terms, and an extensive list of resources such as books, videos, websites, and other online Resources for teaching about Galileo and his discoveries. The primer is designed to make science education engaging and accessible. Each of the books written for the series will feature its own tailored Science Primer. Book 1 itself also includes a glossary of terms and resources designed specifically for children ages 8-12, complementing the exciting adventures of Jennifer and Daniel.
A Touch of Fantasy
Bugs That Bug You is a rhyming story centered around a young boy frustrated by the numerous bugs that inconvenience him at every turn. Where did the idea for this story come from?
Yes, I experienced bugs who bugged me at the time. A very annoying fly would buzz around my head every morning and wake me up. Then a cockroach flew directly towards me. This is what inspired me to write the book.
What is it that draws you to write children’s literature?
I love the fun of it all. Usually, children’s literature has a positive tone to it, and you can add a bit of fantasy to it. This is why I love childrens literature, you can almost come up with anything you like 😊
Is there anything from your own childhood included in Fred’s character or his experiences?
Yes, we had weasels in our oats when I was a child; that’s why I added the weasels to Fred’s breakfast.
Can young readers look forward to seeing more from Fred? What are you currently working on?
At the moment, there’s nothing more from Fred. But you never know I might come up with in the future. I’m currently working on “Oh Dear, There’s Gum in My Hair,” a series of “Oh No, There’s Poo on My Shoe.”
Thank you, I hope you enjoy my books. Thanks Again
Author Website
It all begins when a fly buzzes around his head first thing in the morning. Then come the weevils in his breakfast, a moth that munches a hole in his favourite jacket, and an ant that crawls up his pants!
As the day goes on, more and more bugs appear, and Fred is getting fed up. But Mum has some wise words: don’t let the bugs bug you – enjoy the rest of the day!
A fun, rhyming story full of pesky pests, giggles, and a gentle reminder to shake off the small stuff and keep smiling.
Everyone Has Something To Offer
No Books For Benjamin? introduces young readers to a lovable little worm who lives and works at the Library of Congress and finds himself heartbroken when a mysterious illness forces libraries across the country to close. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I originally did not plan a sequel to Books For Benjamin. However, in visiting schools and talking to kids, many asked if there would be another Benjamin book, as they liked the character. The idea for this second book came during the pandemic, when so many libraries had to close their doors. I remember feeling how strange and sad it was not to have that space open, and I thought about what it would mean for someone who lived and breathed books every day. The book is my nod to librarians who personally witnessed as a teacher come up with creative ways to get real books into the hands of children. They are the real-life heroes! I thought it would be fun to have Benjamin and friends take on this role.
Do you have a favorite scene in this book? One that was especially fun to write?
It’s actually not one scene, but starts with Ginger, the ant, offering to help deliver books by flexing her muscles and declaring how strong ants are. This is followed by scenes of Whizby, the dragonfly delivering books by air, as dragonflies are super-fast fliers, and Dotty, the ladybug, contributing by landing up and down on a spray disinfectant can. I imagined writing funny scenes where there are a few hiccups with this (For example, the ant group falls like dominoes when one ant ignores “halt” because he is reading a book, one dragonfly accidentally drops his parachute of books on a dog’s head). But ultimately, the plan works. The message I hoped to impart to kids is that everyone has something to offer, no matter how small.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you share with us a little about your collaboration with illustrator Uliana Barabash?
Uliana was incredible to work with. From the very beginning, she just got Benjamin—his warmth, his curiosity, and that spark of determination. We talked through ideas, but honestly, she always surprised me with details that made the illustrations feel alive. Seeing her bring Benjamin’s world to life was one of the most rewarding parts of this whole process. I just get a big smile every time I look at this purple worm she illustrated with his crazy hair and funny expressions. Kids have often thanked me for writing a story about a not-so-often-loved character, but I really know it is Uliana’s magical illustration and choice to make him purple that turned this character into a lovable one.
Can you give us a glimpse inside the next book in the Benjamin and Friends series?
Yes! In the next book, Benjamin ventures outside the library and starts to discover that stories aren’t only found in books—they’re in people, places, and even in the adventures we have. He meets some new friends who help him see the world in new ways. It’s really about friendship, resilience, and finding stories everywhere you look. I am also trying to imagine a story where Benjamin helps reluctant readers find the magic in books!
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
Benjamin the worm loves his job at his favorite library – reading, organizing, and receiving letters from kids who share their favorite books. Yet, everything changes when a strange illness sweeps across the world. Schools close. Libraries shut their doors. And suddenly … no more books!
With the help of his clever and determined friends, Benjamin sets out on a mission to bring books back into children’s hands.
Because stories matter. And heroes come in all shapes … even squiggly ones.
LITERARY TITAN 