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Family and Friends
Coco’s Tea Party beautifully captures the wonder of childhood imagination and family bonding. What inspired you to write this story, and is Coco based on a real child in your life?
My inspiration for this story was from my Coco’s Life Adventures book series, and I wanted to show my character growing up and meeting new friends who look different than Coco, which my Dad recommended to show on my book cover. I also love drinking tea and thought it would be fun for little girls and parents to be inspired to have tea parties of their own.
The tea-making tips and the fun guessing game add an interactive element to the book. How did you decide to include these features, and what do you hope young readers take away from them?
I thought of the tea games to make the tea party engaging and fun for the characters in my book and for the readers to also know the difference between hot and cold tea and have fun drinking tea with family and friends.
The ending, where Coco expresses gratitude to her mom, is particularly touching. Why was it important for you to highlight appreciation and meaningful moments in the story?
I believed this moment was special because it helps parents and children to see how important it is for parents to be creative with their children’s learning, activities, and social skills.
If a young reader were inspired to host their own tea party after reading Coco’s Tea Party, what advice would you give them to make it extra special?
I would recommend that young readers ask their parents to help them with learning about the purpose of drinking tea, how to plan a fun tea party, inviting family and friends, with special bakery treats, games, and gifts, and taking fun photos, to make it memorable for a time of bonding and sharing fun with the ones they love.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Exceptionally Ezra and the Tattle Tale
Exceptionally Ezra and the Tattle Tale is a delightful and energetic tale about two brothers, Ezra and Oliver, navigating the ups and downs of teamwork in the kitchen. The story begins with Ezra’s ambitious plan to bake “cosmic cookies,” but little Oliver wants to help. Chaos quickly ensues as their attempts to bake spiral into a flour-filled disaster. With Mom’s guidance, the brothers reconcile, work together, and ultimately create something truly sweet.
I loved how the story captured the messy reality of sibling relationships. Ezra’s frustration felt so relatable, especially when Oliver’s attempts to “help” ended in splattered batter and kitchen mayhem. It’s hard not to laugh at the chaos while also sympathizing with Ezra’s need for order.
The emotional depth surprised me, too. Ezra and Oliver’s argument hit close to home, showing how easily little conflicts can grow when feelings aren’t acknowledged. Oliver’s pouty “Me help, me mix! Cookies, I’m told!” made me feel for him—just wanting to be included. And Ezra’s eventual apology, “I’m sorry, little bro, for losing my cool,” added a heartfelt layer. It’s a touching reminder of how apologies and teamwork can turn things around.
The illustrations brought the whole thing to life. Frances Rose Español’s vibrant artwork perfectly captured the whirlwind energy of the story. My favorite illustration was when Oliver scattered colorful cereal all over the floor. It was cute and showed just how messy Oliver can be.
This children’s book is a great pick for families with young kids who love baking or simply enjoy a good laugh. It’s also a lovely reminder for parents and kids alike about the importance of patience and teamwork. I’d recommend this picture book for bedtime stories or as a fun read before a family baking session. It’s one of those books that leaves you smiling, and maybe craving cookies.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0DN3GX5LF
Empower Children
Octavia Can Do It! follows an independent little girl who wants to make cookies her way, which leads to a big mess, and she questions if the cookies will be good. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my story was watching my granddaughter, Octavia, make cookies with her mom. She always wanted to measure the ingredients by herself. Although she was guided by her mom, there was always a mess to clean up afterwards.
The art in this book is fantastic and really brings this story to life. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Amariah Rauscher?
The collaboration process was amazing! I love Amariah’s illustration style and how she represented the characters and story in the book.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One of the ideas was to empower children to do things on their own and ask for help when they need it.
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
In my second book, Octavia and Ludovic Welcome Baby Brother, Octavia and Ludovic must find ways to adapt to a new sibling. It was not as easy as they thought.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When Mama steps out of the kitchen, Octavia takes over with an “I can do it” attitude. But as flour and cocoa cover the walls, cabinets, and countertop, she starts to question herself.
Will her cookies turn out as good as Mama’s cookies?
Octavia Can Do It! is the humorous story of a young girl as she discovers that even the most independent people need a little help sometimes.
Octavia Can Do It! is a Mom’s Choice Award Winner.
I Played With Food For a Living
Can I Play With My Food? follows two sisters as they learn where Food comes from and how Food is used in science. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The book began as a passion project and a way to reconnect to some of the artistic things I’ve loved to do since childhood. I also used to tell people I “played with food for a living,” so I thought the title was perfect because what better way to learn than through play. I was inspired to create a character loosely based on my sister Alexis, who has Down’s Syndrome because I wanted to create an inclusive book where children who aren’t typically represented in literature can see themselves.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Taylor Bou?
Taylor was able to bring my vision to life by creating relatable characters who represent individuals in all of our lives. The collaboration was effortless because he confidently believed in the messaging and what this book means for BIPOC children and those with special needs.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It’s essential for BIPOC children, especially those with special needs, to see themselves and see what’s possible. The book also provides information about food sources and exposes children to the concept of food science as a career path.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Yes! I have a few other books in mind that feature more BIPOC children with Downs and share other elements of my life and career.
Date: TBD (I’m just basking in the moment of my first publication.)
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Can I Play with my Food?
Can I Play with my Food? is a fantastic picture book about two sisters, Nema and Lexi. Together, they learn about where their food comes from, how you can use food in science, and how cooking and baking are also science. The girls are amazed to learn that food does not start out at the grocery store. They discuss growing food on farms and in gardens and what animals can also be food. At school, they learn that food can be used for more than just eating as they work on a science experiment.
Author Ali Manning has written a creative children’s book that explores where food comes from while encouraging imaginative thoughts. The character Lexi is based on the author’s own sister, that has Down Syndrome. Lexi shows some traits of Down Syndrome, and the author uses this to promote compassion and acceptance for those with a disability.
While the girls are making a lava lamp in science, they realize all the ingredients to do the experiment are things that they can find at home in the kitchen. Even when the experiment doesn’t go as planned, the girls are not discouraged. This experiment gets Lexi imagining that she too could become a scientist one day.
Taylor Bou illustrates this light-hearted children’s book with colorful and charismatic images. Nema and Lexi’s inquisitive personalities show through as they go about their day asking questions and trying new things. Their bubbly nature is fun and relatable to children.
Can I Play with my Food? is a touching picture book that young elementary and kindergarten children will be captivated by. The expressive illustrations will keep them engaged, while the superb narrative will give them lots to talk about. This is a great inclusive children’s book that teaches morals and science that teachers will love to use this in the classroom.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B09NTX3JQD
LITERARY TITAN 