My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me follows a little boy who loves monster trucks and, after a day of playing at Grandma’s house, discovers his favorite truck is missing. What was the inspiration for your story?

The inspiration for my story came from my then-three-year-old grandson, whose boundless love for monster trucks sparked the idea. Every day, we played together—building ramps, creating challenges, and laughing joyfully. We took monster trucks everywhere. We cheered monster trucks and their drivers at our county fair’s  Monster Truck Shows.The sounds of roaring engines filled our hearts with excitement.

When I had the opportunity to write a story for a contest, I quickly drafted a tale celebrating Dylan’s joy. As I wrote, I experienced an “ah-ha” moment; this was the perfect story I had longed to share since earning my Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Community Studies from Madonna University. During a class assignment, we were tasked with selecting a picture book and using our ASL skills to sign it. I went straight to the library, hoping to find a book featuring children using sign language. I was shocked to discover that there were none available. 

This realization highlighted a crucial need for a children’s book that represents children and families using ASL.

That realization became the foundation for my award-winning picture book, My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me – Illustrated in American Sign Language, to fill that gap. 

And so, the rest of the story unfolded, reflecting not just our play but a vision for inclusive storytelling.

This activity book seamlessly integrates ASL into the story and activities, making learning fun while providing an inclusive experience for children. How did you decide what activities to include in your book?

Thank you for the kind words about our Monster Truck fun! ASL is an untapped resource with limitless potential, and learning should be a playful and enjoyable experience. Many ideas came directly from children during author visits, where they enthusiastically shared how they use ASL in their daily lives, whether it’s counting or signing to friends. Their excitement inspired me to explore how ASL could enhance play and learning, leading to the creation of our new 77-page My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book. 

To enrich the original story, we added time-telling activities using ASL numbers and included mazes for their fun and problem-solving aspects. I aimed to cater to all children, offering simple coloring for younger kids and engaging challenges for first- and second-graders, ensuring success and joy at every level.

With the help of Sue Mohr from The Inner Vizion, we drafted pages in Canva that included trucks, houses, and everyday scenes from My Monster Truck Series, along with matching games, math, journaling prompts, and coloring activities. Alexa Ang from Saflor Graphic Design Services then polished the pages, creating a natural flow alongside My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me, illustrated in ASL.

The variety of activities invites children to explore their creativity and connection through language. My goal is to make learning ASL fun, meaningful, and a journey of discovery for every child, allowing them to build on their strengths while gently challenging them to grow.

What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

Our My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book is crafted to challenge children aged 3 to 8 across various subjects. Whether your child enjoys creative activities or has a knack for math, our book strikes a perfect balance. It gives kids the chance to explore different areas and succeed. One of our main goals is to foster a love for learning by offering activities that appeal to a wide range of interests, whether in the arts or mathematics.

A significant element of our educational approach centers around the benefits of American Sign Language (ASL). In our blog at ASL Picture Books, we frequently highlight how ASL boosts language skills, enriches vocabulary, enhances cognitive abilities, and fosters respectful relationships. With 95% of children born deaf coming from hearing families, it’s essential to emphasize that early access to any language—spoken or signed—is crucial for a child’s development.

A recent heartfelt email from a mother of newborn twins born deaf shared how our book impacted her family’s perspective. Initially filled with uncertainty, her hearing family found comfort in the relatable characters of My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book, who communicate using sign language. As they worked through their hesitations, they embraced ASL, opening new communication channels and deepening their bond with their children. This journey highlights how ASL nurtures relationships and deepens the love that grows when families embrace their unique journeys.

The activities in our book are thoughtfully designed to cater to children of various ages and skill levels. For instance, the mazes are simple enough for younger kids, while the math challenges cater to those looking for something a bit more challenging. Feedback from my five-year-old twins confirms this approach, as they excitedly announced that the mazes were “way too easy!” Meanwhile, our eight-year-old dove into the math problems first.

We wholeheartedly invite families to explore our My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book  at ASL Picture Books. It’s a delightful way for children to learn through fun stories and engaging activities while developing empathy and respect for the DHH community.

Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?

Yes, there’s more to come! I’m currently working on another story — something a little silly and full of heart. Expanding the Monster Truck series is definitely a possibility, as families and teachers continue to share how much their children love it.

Each project I create shares the same goal: to inspire curiosity, build connection, and celebrate the beauty of ASL. Together, we can open more hearts and minds to the limitless potential of language and love.

If you’re interested in staying updated on upcoming projects or want to learn more about the Monster Truck series, visit ASLPictureBooks.com. You can also download our free ASL Starter Kit, filled with an alphabet chart, signing basics, and coloring pages — a great way to start learning and sharing ASL at home or in the classroom.

And don’t forget to join our email list for sneak peeks, exclusive content, and exciting updates. What kinds of stories would you like to see next? Your feedback is invaluable!

Thank you, Literary Titan, for this wonderful opportunity to share our new My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me – Coloring and Activity Book with you. We are truly honored by your thoughtful review and grateful for your support in celebrating inclusive stories and the limitless potential of ASL!

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