Blog Archives
Career in Education
Can We Get a Rhinoceros? follows a young boy with an active imagination who wants to convince his mom to get him an unusual pet while she tries to be more practical. What inspired your story?
I retired from a career in education (teacher and administrator) but have substituted in retirement. While working in a long-term second-grade assignment, the kids were working on animal projects. They chose some of the more interesting animals, and one student said he told his mom he wanted an elephant.
Your characters are wonderfully emotive and relatable. Were you able to use anything from your own life to inform their character development?
Most definitely. I grew up in farm and dairy country, and we had animals (chickens, goats, cows, show Herefords). I was a precocious child and wanted a penguin (we had been reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins in class). My mom asked pretty much the same questions that the mom in this book did.
I loved the discussion between the mother and son about the pros and cons of a rhinoceros. What was your favorite scene in this story?
That’s a little difficult to answer because I had so much fun with this story. If I had to choose one, I would say the conclusion because I didn’t have an ending until I read it to my second graders, and one of the students said he had a dog that he dressed up for Halloween.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Actually, I have several stories I am working on and not sure which will be the next book in the Chris Kueng Library Collection. I have several stories in progress. When I tire of working on one story or get “stuck,” I go to work on another story. Fortunately, I have flow maps that plot out the stories. This makes it easier to overcome writer’s block. The books I have been working on are:
1. Granddad’s Treasures
2. Honey, the Sleeping Beauty Bee
3. Can We Get a Giraffe?
4. Winston and Cooper
5. The Principal Wore Polka Dots
My goal is to have a book out every one to two years.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon
Where would you keep it?
Where would you keep its food? And
How would you get rid of all the poo he poops?
Then, if not a rhinoceros, how about a whale? a tiger? Or even a blue-footed booby? Mom finally makes a suggestion for a more suitable pet. What could it possibly be?
Simple Questions With Positive Responses
Play With Me follows a young child and their companion who go on a picnic adventure and explore their world and invite young readers along to join them. What was the inspiration for your story?
Do you want the official answer or the truth? Official answer: I saw a TED talk about how kids learn to talk with questions. Someone asks, “What’s your name?” They answer. Someone asks, “What color do you like?” They think about it and answer. It’s how most conversations begin—a question and an answer. So that’s what I wrote. (That’s all true, it’s just not the full truth. For that…see below.)
The secret, unofficial answer is that I watched a relative reading to my granddaughter and was surprised that he just read the words. There was no pausing, no interacting, no questions with the child. That’s when I realized many people don’t know how to “read” a book with a toddler or how to engage the child in the book. So, I wrote the questions and the interactions to help the adults engage with their child and the book together.
And I’m thrilled, thrilled, thrilled with how it turned out!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Lorraine Nam?
That was all RISE publications. My incredible editor Nicole Fox chose Lorraine, and I was over the moon. Lorraine made sketches that the art director critiqued. I was shown them, but mostly said, “OMG that’s gorgeous!” And voila, beautiful book!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I needed the book to be interactive. Simple questions with positive responses. My editor and I discussed what activities to portray. I was happy with all her suggestions because, for me, it’s about the question/answer format of the book.
Will this children’s book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
A series! (A Playdate Series)
Book 1 – Play With Me. Releases April 2, 2024
Book 2 – Play with Me Outside Releases June 11, 2024
Book 3 – Play Games with Me. Releases Nov 11, 2024
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.
The Little Regenerative Farmer & The Amazing Garden
The Little Regenerative Farmer & The Amazing Garden, by Lauren Lovejoy, is a wonderful children’s book that charmingly captures the essence of childhood curiosity and joy. The story follows Lina, a young girl, and her helpful pet chicken on an unexpected adventure. Lina’s journey begins with a simple game of ball, which inadvertently leads her to discover a neighbor’s enchanting garden. This encounter leads her to learn more about nature, particularly plants and bees.
The narrative is beautifully complemented by Yana Gorbatiyk’s stunning illustrations that bring Lina’s discovery and excitement to life. The vibrant images are a visual treat, making the story engaging for its young audience. Lovejoy does an excellent job of weaving educational elements into the story, subtly teaching children about the importance of gardens, the role of bees, and the balance of nature.
Beyond its educational value, the book is a heartwarming tale about sharing one’s passion. Lina’s dream to recreate the beauty of the garden at her school is a testament to the impact that a single experience can have on a young mind. The story is exceptionally crafted, balancing its instructive goals with a narrative that captures the hearts of its readers.
Lauren Lovejoy’s The Little Regenerative Farmer & The Amazing Garden stands out as a delightful read and a valuable educational tool. It’s a perfect picture book for young readers and offers a unique blend of entertainment and learning with its engaging storyline and rich, colorful illustrations.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0B1G8S969
Every Contribution Has Value
The Knight, The Pig-Wizard, and The Dragon follows an unlikely quartet who embark on a quest that, in addition to being a great adventure, teaches them about self-acceptance and friendship. What inspired the setup of your story?
I’m disabled and, in a sense, I’ve given each adventurer a small “disability.” Some strange talent they had to find a resourceful way to use. The only question I asked myself was, “How far can silly go?” That worked wonders in creating the adventurers. After that, I challenged each to show their best selves. “How much can you achieve?”
The unlikely friendship that this group finds is inspirational for children to read. What was the inspiration for the relationship that develops between the characters?
Even though each is very unique, they still have something of importance to contribute. Every contribution has value. I wanted to show children that even when we are feeling like the odd man out, we all have a gift that we can give to others.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I really wanted to show kids that a little hard work can improve life and life skills. Everyone has a talent, yet it is unlikely that personal talents extend as far as we’d like them to. I also wanted to show that no matter where strength lies (even weird strengths) they will become useful, sometimes even mandatory when solving problems. Everyone has a place and it is of importance.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, the second in the series is entitled, Quest For the Pig-wizard. The quest at the beginning is to find the wizard who accidentally vanishes himself. Then feeling invisible, sets out to find himself. But the adventurers, as usual, find a higher calling along the way. In the next book, the heroes must stop a war. (Which is sometimes hard to do when armed with pot roast.)
Disclaimer: No pork chops were harmed in the writing of this interview.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Will they slay the dragon? Will they find a way to stop an oncoming war? Will they save the Five Kingdoms Over the Wilds? Or will they turn into bacon? It’s anyone’s guess, in the book, The Knight, the Pig-wizard And The Dragon.
Kids With Anxiety are Not Alone
In Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths, a young boy finds himself in a battle to save his friend from the clutches of otherworldly entities as he fights an inner battle with anxiety and self-doubt. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This was important because my son struggled with anxiety for many years. In fact, his anxiety became so severe, I had to quit my job as an engineer and homeschool him. When I asked him what the daily panic attacks feel like, the level of hopelessness and dread he shared with me was shocking. I knew I needed to tell this story so other kids would know they are not alone. While writing this book, I worked with a team of child psychologists. They read the book, then gave me all of their anxiety coping strategies, terminologies, and breathing exercises they use with their patients. I wove all this information into the story. So, when a child with anxiety reads this book, they’ll not only hear the teachings of their therapist in the story, but will also see the main character, Cameron, put the anxiety coping strategies into use, sometimes successfully, and sometimes not.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
In writing this book, I gave the main character my son’s anxiety symptoms, and as I wrote the book, I realized that I’d felt some of these symptoms when I was a kids . . . that was unexpected. This helped me as I could more easily put myself in the head of Cameron as he was struggling with his fears.
I find the world you created around Cameron fascinating. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I’m a HUGE fan of the movie Goonies, but I also love it when fantasy intersects with the real world. So my goal was to merge these two world together, kinda like a mashup of Goonies, Gremlins, and Stranger Things. I chose New Orleans because I was going to include some information about Ley Lines, and there is an intersection, or a vortex, near New Orleans, but as I wrote, I realized that I didn’t need to include the Ley Lines information; kids don’t care why the monsters are there in the swamps of Louisiana; they just want to go on an exciting ride. I’m hoping that’s what I gave them.
Can fans look forward to a third installment? If so, where will it take Cameron next?
There is a third book in the series, called The Gargoyle’s Revenge. I’m working on other things right now, so I don’t know when I’ll put quill to parchment for this book . . . hopefully soon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Shadow-wraiths from Agartha have crossed over to Earth and are executing an evil scheme, starting with abducting Cameron’s friend, Jessie. Because of last year’s battle with Malphas and his monster horde, everyone thinks Cameron is a heroic figure who can easily save Jessie from the clutches of the terrifying wraiths, everyone, that is, except for Cameron. His anxiety, or his Beast as he calls it, is still very much a part of him, filling him with fear and uncertainty. But Cameron knows, he has no choice. He must save his friend, even if it costs him his life.
With his friends at his side, Cameron will journey across the swamps of New Orleans, confront an army of alligators, battle against shadow-wraiths, and watch a dear friend perish before he finally reaches his goal, the Swamp of Forgotten Souls. At the Swamp, Cameron will be forced to confront his fears and failures in order to use the Earth-magic he desperately needs to save all his friends.
But does he realize Malphas is watching from the Void and waiting for Cameron’s failure?
Just like in Facing the Beast Within, Cameron must confront his anxiety, his Beast, while fighting an army of Shadow-wraiths in a hopeless battle to save his friends.
Buckle up and get ready for a thrilling ride.
Titan’s Smelly Adventure
Titan’s Smelly Adventure by the remarkably talented 5th-grade author Ally Wilburn is an engaging and educational tale that captures the challenges and delights of personal hygiene through the eyes of Titan, a young tiger with an aversion to baths. This charmingly narrated story sees Titan’s sister, Talia, employing various creative strategies in an attempt to address his reluctance and improve his scent, from rolling in flowers to frolicking in fragrant fruit. It’s a journey that culminates in an enlightening and enjoyable discovery for Titan about the pleasures of bath time.
Wilburn’s narrative is both entertaining and instructive, offering young readers a subtle yet effective lesson on the importance of cleanliness. The story is brought to life by vivid illustrations, which add a layer of enjoyment and engagement to the reading experience. Titan, with his playful nature and initial obliviousness to his body odor, is a character that children can easily connect with, while Talia’s supportive and understanding approach embodies patience and ingenuity. Together, these characters form a relatable duo that young audiences are sure to find appealing and memorable.
Titan’s Smelly Adventure is a delightful and instructive tale for young readers. Wilburn’s skill in creating a narrative that is both educational and entertaining is commendable, especially considering her young age. Her ability to connect with her readers and convey essential life lessons through the adventures of Titan and Talia is a notable achievement in children’s literature.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0CSXKSHLY
It Is Ok to Fail
Madam Hitch’s School for Witches follows a struggling witch who can not seem to master even the simplest spells or enchantments, so she returns to Witches School. What inspired your story?
The women in my life in particular my mom inspired the character of Ms. Witch. She had a knack for failure but she never gave up. She sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer but was always after me to do something with my art. I like to think she would be very proud of the book and get a chuckle out of the similarities.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
So much pressure is put on children to succeed and to win. I wanted to create a story that shows children it is ok to fail. We all do, but good things happen when we keep trying and don’t give up.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to use hand-drawn illustrations, and I wanted the book to have an old-school feel. Again, the theme of failure and that it’s ok to fail, just don’t give up. Another idea is that when you use your talents and gifts to do good things, you truly never fail.
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?
Yes, this is the first book in the series. I have three stories planned and just finished the second book. You will get to see more of the castle and meet a fun new character. Something unexpected happens in the second book. Ms. Witch has to face a couple of new obstacles.
Author Interview: Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon
Poor Ms. Witch. She had failed again. Failed at the simplest of evil tasks! She failed at casting spells. Failed at enchantments. Why she even failed at taking over a kingdom. What kind of witch can’t even take over a little itty bitty kingdom. It was no use. She was going to have to just throw in her hat. There was only one thing should could do now. Go back to school! She would be joining two other witches at Madam Hitch’s School for Witches. Will she and the other students have what it takes to be a real witch?
From Gray to Colorful
The Gratitude Goggles follows young children as they discover the concept of gratitude and the pitfalls of comparison and want in how it impacts their mental health and well-being. What was the inspiration for your story?
Since I became a mother five years ago, I have been working on myself and trying to be the best version of myself. I have explored many resources (e.g., books, workshops), to learn and to grow spiritually. One lesson that I have learned during my journey of personal growth is the importance of gratitude to support our wellbeing. I wanted to share this message with my children and with other children. The idea of goggles that we can wear to change our perspective (from gray to colorful) came to mind as a way to explain what gratitude can do in our lives.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The core idea in this book is that gratitude can help to bring back some color into our lives when everything looks dull and gray; there is extensive research supporting the positive effects of gratitude on well-being and on physical and mental health. Another message I wanted to relay in this book is that many times we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others or we may think that buying new things or changing something about ourselves will make us happier, which is not the case. We are constantly bombarded by messages (through ads or social media, for example) telling us that we are not enough or that we don’t have enough, which may make us feel inadequate and even depressed. Gratitude can help to combat those feelings of inadequacy and the ensuing depression.
The art in this book really brings the concepts to life for young children through the visual representations. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rita Nilson?
I am so grateful to be able to work with Rita Nilson on these books. I explored collaborations with different illustrators, and Rita was a perfect fit. Not only is she an amazing artist, but she is also a mother and she has a sensitive and kind soul. Thus, she perfectly understood the intimate and tender feeling that I want to convey with The Gratitude Goggles and other books in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series.
Regarding our collaboration, we usually discuss ideas before she starts creating a storyboard. Sometimes, I will quickly sketch things that I have in mind and send sketches to her; she then takes those ideas and runs with them, adding her beautiful artistic touch.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The following book in the Wholesome Children: Self-Awareness series is called The Puzzle Piece, and it talks about authenticity and loving ourselves just the way we are. We have not officially announced the launch date yet, but it will be in May this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The Gratitude Goggles guides children as they imagine a special pair of goggles that can appear by simply feeling gratitude. These are goggles that reveal the world in its true, colorful splendor. The book explains the pitfalls of comparison and want, which can cast a gray pall over everything—as if we were wearing gray goggles. But fear not; we can always trade our gray goggles for the sparkling gratitude ones, thereby illuminating life’s wonders!
LITERARY TITAN 