Blog Archives
Hello, Denmark!: A Captivating Viking Adventure and Cultural Journey for Curious Kids Ages 4-8 (Sophie & Stephie: The Travel Sisters Book 9)
Ekaterina Otiko’s Hello, Denmark! offers young readers a delightful blend of adventure and education. This enchanting children’s book follows Sophie and her younger sister Stephie, affectionately called the Travel Sisters, as they journey from California to Denmark with their magical globe, Globik, and their beloved pets. The sisters meet up with their Danish friends, Erik and Erika, and together, they explore the country’s iconic landmarks, including the national gallery, Hans Christian Andersen’s museum, and even historic castles. Along the way, the children uncover fascinating facts, historical tidbits, and cultural expressions, all woven seamlessly into their thrilling escapades.
The author’s approach to storytelling is commendable. By focusing on the children’s playful exploration, Otiko creates a story that feels both natural and engaging. Each adventure is packed with educational content, yet it never feels forced. The story’s lighthearted tone, combined with its rich vocabulary and the inclusion of Danish expressions, makes it both enjoyable and enriching. Conveniently, foreign words are accompanied by pronunciation guides, enhancing the learning experience without disrupting the story’s flow.
Every page unfolds a fresh, captivating scene that keeps young readers eagerly turning pages. The illustrations elevate the book further, showcasing diverse and vibrant depictions of Denmark’s landmarks and cultural moments. From rainy-day walks to sunlit amusement park adventures, the artwork captures the essence of each scene. While some illustrations feel a touch crowded due to the abundance of details, they remain visually compelling and add depth to the story.
What stands out most is the cultural significance of Hello, Denmark!. Otiko’s passion for sharing the wonders of a new culture is evident on every page. This picture book inspires curiosity and fosters a love of exploration, inviting children to embrace the beauty of diversity and the joy of discovery. Hello, Denmark! is a passport to adventure, encouraging young readers to embark on their own cultural journeys while immersing themselves in the magic of learning.
Pages: 35 | ASIN: B0DP3BGS6X
Safety Dog Diego Gets Adopted
Set in the city of San Diego, Safety Dog Diego Gets Adopted tells the story of an adventurous French Bulldog named Diego. While chasing a butterfly, Diego stumbles into a construction site, where he meets the Safety Guy. After Diego causes chaos due to his eagerness to explore, Safety Guy places a safety vest on him and gently explains the importance of being cautious. Through a series of events, Diego learns that “Mistakes help us learn.” By the end of the story, he puts his newfound safety skills to use, saving the day and bringing joy to everyone on the construction site.
This charming children’s book delivers an empowering message about safety and awareness, emphasizing that making mistakes is part of learning and growing. Young readers, especially those prone to feeling discouraged when things go wrong, will find comfort in the story’s positive outlook. The theme of sharing what we learn to help others is woven seamlessly into the story, making it both relatable and inspiring for kids.
The writing is simple yet engaging, making it ideal for early readers to tackle on their own. At the same time, the vibrant illustrations make this book perfect for parents reading to younger children. Diego’s expressive face and adorable safety gear will bring plenty of smiles and giggles. The artwork is eye-catching and colorful, perfectly capturing Diego’s emotions and adding to the story’s charm. It also cleverly reinforces the message that safety gear can be fun and essential.
Safety Dog Diego Gets Adopted is a delightful and educational read that’s perfect for parents, teachers, or anyone looking to teach kids about the importance of safety and awareness. It’s also a great choice for fostering a positive perspective on mistakes and helping kids understand that learning from them is what truly matters. And, of course, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves adorable puppy stories!
Pages: 42 | ASIN: B0DLY87WYR
King of the Condors: El Rey de los Cóndores
Justin T. O’Conor Sloane’s King of the Condors is a spellbinding folktale that soars as high as the mighty birds it celebrates. Rooted in the Andes of Ecuador, we learn about a young boy’s mysterious disappearance during a blizzard, setting the stage for an extraordinary transformation. Years later, a struggling village plagued by drought and hunger encounters miraculous deliveries of food, courtesy of condors led by a regal, otherworldly figure. Blending wonder with cultural homage, a mesmerizing revelation culminates about resilience, connection, and nature’s bounty.
The writing is enchanting, I was struck by how vividly Sloane described the plaza overflowing with food from Ecuador’s diverse landscapes. The author’s prose carries a rhythmic, almost songlike quality that feels timeless, as though whispered through generations. The seamless switch between description and visual splendor made me linger on every page, soaking in the magic.
That said, what makes this book special is its themes. At its heart, the tale celebrates unity and hope, showing how the kindness of one mysterious savior can uplift an entire community. The young man on the condor, his hair shimmering “like dark waters,” feathers entwined, embodied a balance between strength and humility. It reminded me of folklore heroes who leave a lasting imprint not just through power but through grace. These themes resonate universally, yet they remain deeply rooted in Andean culture, which makes the story feel both personal and profound.
Stephanie Suter’s illustrations deserve their own standing ovation. The intricate ink-on-silk artwork is hauntingly beautiful, enhancing the mystical tone. Her depiction of the condors circling the moon was breathtaking, and the image of the young man riding the largest condor is unforgettable. The synergy between Sloane’s words and Suter’s art transforms the book into an amazing reading experience.
I recommend King of the Condors to anyone who loves folktales, cultural narratives, or just alluring stories that linger in your heart long after the last page. It’s perfect for kids and adults alike; families will love reading this dual-language story together. Sloane’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in the natural world and is a reminder that sometimes magic really does exist.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0DP5Q1FVG
A Divine Calling
Bella Brown’s Messier than Messy Room follows a creative but messy girl who wants to go to the butterfly garden she finds out she can not till she cleans her room. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for Bella Brown’s Messier than Messy Room came through an unexpected series of events in November 2021. I woke to a divine calling to write a book about butterflies for children. I wiped sleep from my eyes. “Write a book about butterflies for children?”
“Yes, write a book about butterflies for children,” boomed in my head.
I shrugged it off, went to work, and that same day received my second divine calling when my director insisted I take two weeks of vacation, which led to a zany butterfly research road trip across America. I visited butterfly farms in seven states – Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Texas. Each stop added layers to my understanding and vision for the story.
In Texas, I was pulled over for speeding. After explaining my cross-country butterfly research mission and showing the officer my GPS history of butterfly farm visits, he offered to waive the ticket if I promised to include a police officer in my butterfly book. Of course, I said “Yes.”
When I returned home, an author I didn’t know contacted me on Facebook asking if I wanted to participate in their online writing class.
I said, “Sure, I can always learn something new, and might be able to incorporate what I learn into the next book I’m writing. So, what’s your online class about?”
“Erotica” was their response, which I declined.
A story about a girl named Bella who has to clean her room if she wants to visit a butterfly garden is one thing. But a story with a plot twist where Bella and her Grandma Yetta disappear in a hail of bullets as they get caught in the middle of a shoot-out between law enforcement and a drug-dealing cult of strippers may send the wrong message to kids and their parents.
Ironically, it was the third divine calling, a near-death hospital stay that became the catalyst for revisiting and revising the manuscript that previously sat gathering dust over two-and-a-half years, that would become the first two books in the Bella Brown series.
This dedication paid off when Bella Brown’s Messier Than Messy Room became a Golden Book Award Finalist, with its book trailer garnering 5.1K views in just eleven days. The book has also received five-star reviews from both Chanticleer Reviews and Literary Titan Reviews.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
At its heart, the story addresses a universal challenge: feeling overwhelmed. Eight-year-old Bella faces the seemingly impossible task of cleaning her room before she can visit the butterfly garden. Through her journey, I wanted to share an important life lesson: large, overwhelming tasks become manageable when broken down into smaller, controlled steps.
The story demonstrates how Bella, with her grandmother’s guidance, transforms an intimidating challenge into achievable goals. This approach resonates not just with children facing messy rooms, but with anyone encountering seemingly insurmountable tasks in their lives. It’s about building confidence through strategic problem-solving and celebrating small victories along the way.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Anastasiia?
The collaboration with Anastasiia was facilitated through Get Your Book Illustrations, where all communication went through a project manager. While I never directly communicated with Anastasiia, her methodical approach to bringing the story to life was impressive.
The process began with character development, where Anastasiia created and refined illustrations of all the story’s characters. She then moved on to draft storyboards, which underwent revisions before establishing the final layout.
The last stage involved creating individual illustrations and two-page spreads. Interestingly, it was only after adding color that minor revisions were needed, and the final illustrations turned out uber-awesome-fantastic.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
The next book in the series, Bella Brown—Grandma’s Missing Butterfly Locket, follows Bella and her Grandma Yetta on a journey through memories of their butterfly adventures around the world.
When Grandma calls asking for help finding her missing butterfly locket, they reminisce about their incredible experiences: witnessing ten thousand Red Wing Butterflies take flight in China, encountering a mystical white butterfly at a Japanese temple, meeting a curious Blue Morpho butterfly in Colombia, and dancing among migrating Monarchs in Arkansas.
The story weaves together their precious memories while building to an unexpected and heartwarming surprise.
All eight books in the Bella Brown series will launch between September 2025 and January 2026 on the following dates:
Wednesday, September 03, 2025 – Book One: Bella Brown’s Messier Than Messy Room
September 27, 2025 – Bella Brown—Grandma’s Missing Butterfly Locket
October 27, 2025 – Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm
November 19, 2025 – Bella Brown Meets Pip the Domovoi
January 14, 2026 – Bella Brown–Dragonfly-Dragonfly-Dragonfly
January 21, 2026 – Bella Brown–Pip’s Perfect Purple Present
January 28, 2026 – Bella Brown’s Ten-Moon Mysteries
January 31, 2026 – Bella Brown’s Baking Bedlam
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
With Grandma’s loving guidance, what starts as a dreaded chore becomes a delightful adventure. One mountain of clothes, four stuffed animals, a tower of games, and a bed to make – can Bella conquer the mess before butterfly garden time? Together, grandmother and granddaughter discover that even the biggest tasks become manageable when broken into smaller steps, sprinkled with love and encouragement.
This heartwarming story celebrates the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren while teaching valuable lessons about responsibility, persistence, and the joy of accomplishment. Through Bella’s journey, young readers learn that sometimes the best help comes from someone who loves you, and the sweetest rewards are those you earn yourself.
Perfect for children ages 4-8, this beautifully illustrated picture book:
*Shows how to tackle overwhelming tasks one step at a time
*Demonstrates problem-solving with a positive attitude
*Highlights the special connection between grandparents and grandchildren
*Encourages independence while showing it’s okay to ask for help
*Features warm, engaging illustrations that bring Bella’s world to life
Join Bella on her clean-up adventure and discover that with a little help, determination, and love, even the messiest room can become a masterpiece!
My Crazy Love For A Fun Little Fireball
Where Is Charlotte? Or Where Is __? follows a feisty young girl playing Hide-and-Seek and leading others on an adventure while learning to be assertive. What was the inspiration for your story?
This book was inspired by my crazy love for a fun little fireball. More specifically, 3 yo Charlotte was visiting her grandmother (my partner) and had brought a toy that had the children’s classic, Frere Jacque melody, as background music. Upon hearing the tune, I immediately thought, “I can write lyrics to that… But what?” When it hit me: Charlotte loved to play Hide-and-Seek. And I knew I wanted our hero to be a spunky character. Even at a young age, this little trickster had a confident and assertive voice. And original, simple, and lively poetic lyrics and hiding places simply poured forth. I’d say 90% of the story flowed in one sitting. I believe the book’s magic results from the synergy of pairing a classic children’s song with a universal children’s game, with added spice of vibrant illustrations. Also, writing the book allowed this author to consciously and unconsciously revisit and transform his own childhood angst and hidden self into a vital young character. From initial conception to professionally illustrated, story-song book publication took about a dozen years.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Six key ideas:
- The book’s main themes involve a little girl, a little shy at first, discovering her own voice – whether saying “No She’s Not!” or demonstrating confident body posture and movement while playing Hide-and-Seek.
- Where Is Charlotte? also illustrates our hero becoming more adventurous, going from inside hiding places to “climbing up the big trees” and “floating on a light breeze.”
- By changing Charlotte’s image, age, and physical representation throughout the story, a wide variety of children (and adults) will see themselves in the book’s diversity.
- Charlotte is an assertive, adventurous, and independent spirit – a “child of the wild” who roars like a tiger and gives wolf-like howls. Yet, our plucky protagonist ultimately wants loving “bear hug” connection. Independence and intimacy dance together.
- Along the way, I understood the family and even classroom joy that could be released and shared by replacing “Charlotte” and singing an individual child’s name, allowing each child to be “the star of the story.” (And little boys love to hear and imagine themselves as storybook stars as much as their female counterparts.)
- Finally, I wanted to create a New KISS – Keep It Short & Smart – Book, that would pack a verbal and visual, playful yet meaningful punch that quickly captures and sustains the attention of children and adults in our distracting/distracted times.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I believe the most fun scene/theme involves verbalizing and visualizing Charlotte’s bold spirit, especially when our little hero finally emerges from hiding, announcing:
Where is Charlotte?
Here is Charlotte!
Here I am!
I’m shouting BOO!
And then, Charlotte, really projects her self–confidence and imagination, declaring:
Even though your bigger.
I’ll ROAR like a tiger.
Then I’ll give a wolf-like howl… OWWOOO!
Or maybe a bear-like GROWL…
And the visual depiction of hyper-vibrant wildlife imagery and vivid jungle or mountain settings add to the captivating, left- and right-brained experience!
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?
I’m working on a new illustrated, tweens to adults’ story-song book series, Little Charley’s Big Secrets. These lyrical, New KISS, books quickly capture emotional and mental health challenges, struggles, and triumphs of Little Charley at home, at school, with peers, etc. Little Charley is depicted as two separate characters, a girl and a boy, in the same classroom. And the books will be sung to the tune of classic children or folk songs, e.g., “London Bridge Is Falling Down,” “Oh Susanna,” etc. While this story-song book targets readers ages 8-10+, its substance and style will also engage the heads and hearts of older teens and adults.
However, with the warm reception of Where Is Charlotte?, I suspect there will also be a new adventure for our plucky protagonist!
Author Links: X | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website
In addition, with the changing of Charlotte’s image throughout the story, a wide variety of children (and adults) will see themselves in the book’s diversity. Charlotte’s escapade will inspire authenticity, self-assurance, and a sense of adventure in all with a youthful heart. Oh yes, and loving “bear hug” connection. Finally, Where Is Charlotte? animates the author’s playfully-affirming mantra: To be your fullest self without being (too) full of yourself!
The Person We Love Most
Transparent Like Tears follows a young boy’s journey to self-discovery as he supports his sister through her battle with cancer, uncovering the courage and self-worth he never knew he had. How did you approach portraying Aiden’s emotional journey authentically?
My daughter suffered brain cancer. I was young, 23, when she was born, already ill. I was also weary, having never before approached raising a child. When she was finally diagnosed by age 5, I felt certain I would break and did for a while.
That pain didn’t stay. It wasn’t like that at all. In reality, a mother goes on auto-pilot making appointments for specialists, labs, and clinics. I wrote this from a brother’s standpoint so that I could finally feel those feelings and put them to rest. Yet, it had to be through a sibling’s eyes, so that I could remove myself and see clearly. As a mother I was still too close to the fear to see the miracle of the cure.
Was there a specific moment or character in the book that was particularly challenging for you to write?
Writing the piece where Torah is banging her head bloody on the wall, in order to, “Bang the headache out” was the absolute worst scene for me. My daughter had done that a thousand times and it was terrifying. It was as if it had happened only yesterday. That pain has remained untouched after all of these years.
Can you share any insight into how you developed the sibling bond between Aiden and Torah?
The only way I was able to do that was to carefully navigate all of the loony things that I thought up to comfort my child. We become quite inventive when the person we love most is suffering. We learn to empathize on a deeper level. We design comfort for our loved-ones at that point.
What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from Transparent Like Tears?
My daughter lived. She beat cancer, graduated 16th highest in the state and recently married in my home. You CAN win this one! I wish I could give that message to anyone being diagnosed. Keep the faith, because in that faith lies a great many forms of healing.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
As Torah’s illness consumes him, Aiden wonders if he even matters… except to her. Why do some friends vanish when times get tough? Through the heartache, Aiden learns that in order to truly help his sister, he has to learn to see himself beyond the invisibility he feels. He’ll need to be strong, open up, and face the fear inside him, all while being the brother Torah needs him to be.
This powerful and emotional story is about family, friendship, and the strength to face life’s toughest challenges. Based on a true story, this book will educate and comfort. It also strives to give hope to family, friends and those affected by the disease.
Transparent Like Tears is a story that speaks to the heart and reminds us all what it means to truly be seen.
The Gift of Friendship
The Cabin tells the story of two children who become attached to the mystique surrounding a cabin in the woods and the sense of loss and subsequent resilience upon its destruction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This story is inspired by a true event that took place on Hog’s Back Mountain in Upstate New York. Summers spent on my grandmother’s farm provided a real time experience of life, play, and death. Due to our wonderful experiences, we blossomed as human beings while there.
Is there anything from your own experience found in the characters of Keith and Cynthia?
Haha! Actually, yes! We are the characters and I could not be happier with what they discover through unexpected friendship, loss, and the continuance of their rhythm of farm life.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you tell us a little about your collaboration with illustrator Alex Bigatti?
Alex understood and loved the story from the start. I wanted the medium of watercolor to convey a sense of wistfulness and she agreed. Neither of us knew much about doing art for a children’s book, but she was persistent and did her research. Alex’s insight and passion for her art is clearly seen in the illustrations and she was so easy to work with. She captured the emotional world of the characters and the story!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The theme of resilience was the top theme for me. It emerged as I did the rewrites: Resilience in the face of loss. What also came out was the importance of rhythms in our life…rhythms that can carry us through difficult and wonderful times, but are always there. The gift of friendship also seemed important. The joy and surprise as well as the fragility of them is clearly seen and felt in The Cabin.
Author Links: Instagram | Website
LITERARY TITAN 