Blog Archives
The What-If Kid – First Day of School
The What-If Kid tells the story of Kale, a young boy whose wild imagination often spirals into anxiety and worry. We follow Kale on his nerve-wracking first day of school, where “what ifs” about the bus, getting lost, and making friends swarm his mind. With the help of his patient mother, an encouraging teacher, and a kind playground friend, Kale learns that new experiences aren’t so scary after all.
The writing is simple and rhyming, which makes it feel sing-songy and fun to read out loud. The rhymes do a great job of mimicking the pace of anxious thoughts, racing along in rhythm like Kale’s worries. There are some lines that really made me smile, like when Kale nervously wonders if the bus will fall apart or whether he will get lost in the sea of kids. The playful language will likely resonate with kids who can relate to Kale’s big feelings.
I loved how the book handled the theme of anxiety in a gentle and reassuring way. Kale’s mom, Ms. Martin, and even a friendly girl named Miley all chip in to soothe his fears, making it a story that highlights the power of kindness. Miley’s part, in particular, was a heartwarmer. She doesn’t just cheer Kale up but offers to guide him gently, a touch that will surely comfort kids who need a helping hand. This part stood out to me because it shows that support doesn’t have to be grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s just a kid-to-kid moment that makes a difference.
The illustrations are vibrant and full of expression, giving life to Kale’s worries. I found myself chuckling at how exaggerated some of his imagined fears are. The images add humor to what could be a heavy topic, lightening the mood and making the story more approachable.
The What-If Kid: First Day of School is a heartfelt and charming picture book for any child who has ever been nervous about something new. It’s especially perfect for young readers about to start school or try a new activity. Parents and teachers will find it a helpful tool for starting conversations about feelings and worries.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0DG5ZR5MC
Chess Heart
Chess Heart by Victoria Winifred is a charming children’s story set in the small town of Madison, Tennessee, centering around a Valentine’s Day luncheon at Forest Elementary. The story unfolds as the third graders meet the mysterious “Chess Lady,” who is soon revealed to be Miss Kay, a former chess teacher with a past that slowly unfolds. She captivates the kids, especially Justin, as she tells a whimsical tale about chess and teaches them the game. The story is about more than chess though, it is about connection, second chances and finding things you thought were lost forever.
I have to admit, I got hooked from the start. The way the author introduces Miss Kay, this enigmatic figure, riding her bike into the gym, makes it feel like magic is about to happen. I mean, who doesn’t want to meet someone called “The Chess Lady,” who swoops in with her black and white attire like a human chessboard? It’s one of those stories that wraps you up in a cozy, small-town vibe but throws in a dash of mystery. The kids’ excitement, especially Justin’s nervousness, is so relatable. I think we have all had that moment where we are just dying to ask someone something and it feels like the most important thing in the world.
I loved how Winifred used chess as a metaphor throughout the book. When Miss Kay sets up the chess pieces while weaving a story about kingdoms and knights, it’s more than just a game, it’s life. You get the sense that Miss Kay isn’t just teaching the kids chess, she’s sharing pieces of wisdom wrapped in the guise of rooks and bishops. And can we talk about the moment Justin places a heart-shaped chocolate on the board as a stand-in for the missing queen? That just hit me right in the feels. It’s such a pure, sweet gesture, and you can tell it means so much to Miss Kay. Winifred really knows how to hit those emotional notes without being over the top.
That said, the book has a sense of mystery that keeps pulling you in. Miss Kay’s backstory is hinted at throughout, and you’re left wondering what’s happened in her life to make her so guarded. The scene where Miss Kay hesitates to teach the kids, looking at the clock, was so well done. It’s like she’s carrying this invisible weight, and it’s not until the end that you feel like she’s finally found a little peace. The whole idea of “finding the queen” goes beyond just chess, it’s like Miss Kay has found a piece of herself she thought she’d lost forever. The writing here feels personal, like you’re hearing this story from a close friend, which I loved.
The art in Chess Heart, illustrated by Barry Davian, adds a whimsical and nostalgic charm to the story. The illustrations are soft and warm, perfectly complementing the heartwarming tone of the narrative. Each scene feels like a gentle, hand-drawn invitation into the world of Forest Elementary, with expressions that bring the characters to life—especially Miss Kay, whose poised yet approachable demeanor shines through. Whether it’s the vivid Valentine decorations or the chess pieces Miss Kay brings out, every illustration feels thoughtfully crafted.
Chess Heart is more than just a cute story about chess. It’s a heartwarming tale about community, friendship, and finding your way back to something you love. If you are into stories that feel like a warm hug with a side of gentle life lessons then this book is for you. Kids will love the chess adventure, and adults will appreciate the deeper themes of second chances and the power of kindness.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0DJWHBQ4N
Self-Confidence and Resilience
Jaimie’s Magical Words follows a young girl who begins her day with a series of uplifting affirmations, setting a positive tone as she embarks on her daily adventures. What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In Jaimie’s Magical Words, I wanted to emphasize the power of self-belief, positivity, and the importance of representation. It was important for me to share that words can shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions—especially for young children. I wanted children of all backgrounds, especially girls of color, to see themselves reflected in a story that encourages them to love who they are and to speak kindly to themselves. The affirmations in the book serve as a tool to help build self-confidence and resilience, which are crucial for navigating life’s challenges.
The art in this book is fantastic and brings your story to life. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Katerina Voytes?
Collaborating with Katerina Voytes was a wonderful experience. We were both passionate about ensuring that Jaimie’s world was vibrant, joyful, and reflective of her spirit. Katerina has a gift for capturing emotions and expressions, and that was incredibly important to convey my message in a way that felt authentic and relatable to children. We worked closely on each illustration to make sure it aligned with the vision of the story and would resonate with my younger readers. I am so grateful for Katrina’s attention to detail, talent, and dedication to this project.
Will there be a follow-up book to this story, maybe a book of child-friendly affirmations? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Yes, there will definitely be a follow-up book, but it won’t be focused solely on affirmations. While I don’t want to reveal too much just yet, I can share that the next project will continue to inspire and encourage my young audience—especially girls—that they can do and be anything. The new book will continue to build on the themes of empowerment and positivity that are central to Jaimie’s Magical Words while exploring new and exciting adventures. I’m excited to continue this journey and share more when the time is right! My hope is to create a series where each book becomes a tool that parents, teachers, and caregivers can use to nurture self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and more in children. Stay tuned—there’s more magic on the way!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Say hello to Jaimie, a cheerful little girl who relies on the power of daily affirmations to navigate through all of life’s moments. Jaimie’s affirmations become her guiding light – instilling confidence, kindness, and self-love. Through colorful illustrations and heartwarming storytelling, ‘Jaimie’s Magical Words’ inspires young readers to embrace positivity and the magic that lies within.
Education is Changing Directions
Theodore, the Sloth Who Wants to Race, follows a two-toed sloth who, unlike other sloths, dreams of winning a speed race despite the obstacles that are in his path. What was the inspiration for your story?
Sam and I have always chosen paths in life that others have tried to tell us won’t or can’t work. Sometimes those predictions were correct, and we’ve then found ourselves wishing in those low moments that we had chosen something else. But then, in other instances, in spite of the comments of naysayers, we have found the results of going our own way to be magical. And so, we were sitting around one night during one of those low moments of indecision, trying to sort out where to head next in our life direction, when one of us (we can’t remember which) commented that, “Sometimes, I feel like a sloth trying to be an Olympic sprinter.” We thought the analogy to be as funny as it was apt and then came up with Theodore as a way to entertain ourselves.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Probably the scene where Theo is racing the worm and then, in his moment of glory, realizes his big achievement never actually happened. Poor Theo!
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The primary lesson of Theodore is that life truly is a marathon and that you cannot give up. You don’t know what obstacles will come into your marathon-path, or how you might initially react to them. Sometimes you’ll have wins and other times losses, but the only way to really experience life is to just keep trying. You just never know what you can achieve!
In a purely didactic sense, we purposefully used vocabulary that one does not typically find in children’s picture books and then included a glossary at the end. Why? Because kids are smart and like to learn! And in this same vein, we also included some fun facts about sloths and the biology game, because we have noticed that when there is a relatable story behind learning, then kids are more engaged and able to absorb knowledge.
Also, it seems that education is changing directions, but when Sam and I were in our formative years, the message was definitely that learning is a chore and isn’t supposed to be fun. Sadly, this dogma becomes internalized and translates later in life to the idea that you can’t be a fun person and be a smart, successful, and serious person at the same time. We both think that learning is absolutely fun and critical to meaningful engagement in life.
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?
Right now, Theodore is a stand-alone, with no specific plans for a sequel, but that possibility has been discussed. One reader suggested the next book to be about Theodore’s club, so we’ll have to see!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Website | Amazon | YouTube
Theodore yearns to RACE, to EARN his wins, to prove his WORTH.
The only catch?
Well, he’s a sloth, the slowest mammal ON THIS EARTH.
But that can’t stop a dream.
With determination, a few good friends, and a touch of science, Theo sets out to overcome his obstacles.
Join him on his (two-toed) quest for athletic glory!
Appreciate the Differences
Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends follows a dog in a new class who has trouble making new friends until he gets the following advice: name the difference, find the good, and move on with kindness. What was the inspiration for your story?
My kids are the inspiration for the story. There was one specific situation that was the catalyst for the book. My kids were at the playground and a curious friend repeatedly asked what was wrong with one of my kid’s eyes. It upset one of my other kids and also caused the curious friend to walk away. This all happened around the time we found out that my child with the beautiful, and maybe a little differently shaped eyes, has a syndrome. I knew we would be getting more questions. How could my husband and I teach our kids how to navigate differences in a way that is kind and inclusive, instead of isolating and divisive? I wrote the story as a way to process everything. A poignant playground situation led to reflecting on how we are all different in some way. We all feel different at times. The characters are based on my kids and situations we have worked through together. The three-step process has been helpful for our family, but there are many ways to handle differences. My hope for the book is that it will encourage conversation about differences in an open, positive, respectful, and inclusive way.
I loved the unique characters you have created in your book, especially Layla Squirrel. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Thank you! All of the characters are based on my dog and 4 children. Willard is based on my dog, a German shorthaired pointer, who is not named Willard, but I always thought he looked like one. The four friends that Willard meets on the trail are based off of my kids and situations we have navigated with them. Each character has personality traits and gifts that I see in my kids. For example, my oldest wears glasses, and when he was 4 years old, he recruited two of his friends to help him bury his glasses in the mulch on the school playground. It took two days to find them. He really did not want to wear glasses. One of his gifts that is so fantastic is that he is a magic maker. He enjoys elevating any situation to make it extra special. This became Tommy Tiger. The character that I found the toughest to write was Layla Squirrel. I knew I wanted to have her bring everyone together, but went back and forth over what all these animals could realistically eat together. Throughout the story are bits and pieces of my family with a story behind the story.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
My mission was to write a story that promotes kindness and embracing differences. Each friend that Willard DoGooder meets on the trail, teaches him how we can approach differences, learn from one another, and appreciate each other. The world feels more polarized these days, and I think it is important for my kids to know that if you don’t think the same, or look the same, or act the same, you can be friends. Also, sometimes you may not have a friendship, but you can still be kind and appreciate the differences. My hope is that reading the book together will encourage conversations about difference in an open, curious, positive and inclusive way.
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?
This is my first children’s book and I am excited to write more Willard DoGooder books! Currently, I am working on a story about affirmations for kids. After that, I have a few ideas for the next Willard DoGooder tale.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Willard DoGooder has trouble making friends in his new class. Things are just … different. One day, he spots a magical trail and sets out on an adventure where he meets new friends, learns how to think through differences, and celebrate others just as they are.
Each friend that Willard DoGooder meets on the trail teaches Willard exactly how we can approach differences, learn from one another, and appreciate each other’s gifts. Over the course of the book, Willard learns a three-step process for approaching differences in others: name the difference, find something good about it, and move on with kindness.
With characters based on the author’s children and the real-life issues they’ve learned how to work through together, Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends is a fantastic adventure grounded with a message that we can all use in our daily life. Willard DoGooder and the Trail of Friends is a beautifully illustrated story about how our differences aren’t that different when we love and accept one another just as we are. Parents and caregivers will appreciate the book’s straightforward and simple message that show kids exactly how to treat someone when they notice a difference between them, and start conversations about appreciating and encouraging each other.
Deep and Lasting Connections
Willie Lost, But Not Really, follows a young girl from Maine who discovers a newborn harbor seal pup, and together, they learn about kindness and friendship. What inspired your story?
The inspiration for my story Willie, Lost But Not Really Comes from two main sources. First and foremost, it was inspired by my granddaughter, Alora, who has shown me a new and bright perspective on the world around me, especially a renewed appreciation for nature. Additionally, my deep-rooted connection to Maine, where I grew up on Peaks Island in Casco Bay, plays a significant role.
After spending eight years in the Southwest for school and staying on after graduating from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I returned to Maine and reconnected with my roots as an artist and sculptor. I began creating sculptures of harbor seals, merging them with ceramic and driftwood, and during this process, I educated people on the nuances of harbor seal behavior, particularly about when a seal appears stranded but is simply following nature’s course. These experiences with my granddaughter and my artistic endeavors in Maine inspired the creation of Willie’s story, blending my love for Maine, Harbor seals, and the insights from my granddaughter.
I found Alora to be a fascinating character. What was your inspiration for this character?
The inspiration for my character Alora comes from the beautiful spirit and fresh view of the world seen through the eyes of an eight-year-old. My granddaughter Alora, is a uniquely, insightful, intuitive, and imaginative child, very special and deeply in touch with nature. Alora’s sensitivity extends to her interactions with the environment, for example, she asks permission from a tree before taking anything from its base for our artwork. Spending time with her has opened my eyes to a very pure and appreciative way of viewing the world, which I aim to capture and share through my storytelling.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
One of the most special parts of the story is when Willie, now a mature harbor seal, returns to the harbor to find Alora. In this scene, they are together in the water, with me describing Alora as being up to her chest in the water, face to face with Willie. This reunion is deeply significant because it stems from the respect and kindness Alora showed Willie when he was just a pup. The illustration captures them almost nose to nose, bonding once again. It is a powerful depiction of their enduring relationship highlighting the theme that kindness to nature fosters deep and lasting connections. This scene where they meet again, matured and bonded by past kindness, really encapsulates the essence of the story.
Can you tell us about the next book in the series and when it will be available for fans to purchase?
I am currently working on a new series alongside continuing the Nana Dee and Ari series. This new project is called 12 Months of Harmony It is a collection of twelve interrelated volumes intended for young readers and adults alike. The first 3 months are currently available on Amazon: Grazie’s Peace Pasture, Lady of the Ferns, and Toby Rose.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
This beautiful tale intertwines a journey of discovery and the profound connections between life and the natural world, highlighting the impact of empathy and the essence of community where every being has its place.
Join Willie and Alora in a transformative journey that celebrates the wonders of nature and the bonds of friendship.
A Passion for Books
In Brotherly Bond, five-year-old twins learn valuable lessons in empathy and resolving differences when a trip to the bookstore results in conflict. Where did the idea for this story come from?
The idea for Brotherly Bond stemmed from a combination of my own children, when they were younger, who are also twins. From observing my niece and nephews and my many years of Early Childhood experience.
Did you include anything from your own childhood in your characters’ experiences?
Yes, I did include things from my childhood, as my parents would regularly purchase books for my sister, my brother, and myself. So, I grew up having a passion for books and a love for the bookstores.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. What was it like to collaborate with illustrator Sangi Parvin?
It was really great collaborating with Illustrator Sangi Parvin. She knew exactly what I was looking for just by reading my manuscript. I absolutely love the illustrations!
Can young readers look forward to more stories featuring brothers Alex and Tristan?
Yes, readers can definitely look forward to more stories featuring Alex and Tristan, as in a series. An idea is developing as I write this.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook
Brotherly Bond
In Brotherly Bond, by Nicole Atkinson, the adventure begins with five-year-old twins, Alex and Tristan, eagerly asking their mother to visit the bookstore. Their mother agrees, but only after she has put away the groceries. The bookstore is depicted as a magical haven filled with books, toys, and other delights, capturing the twins’ imaginations. Upon arrival, their mother allows them time to explore and discover treasures that spark their interest. Ironically, both boys are drawn to the same farm puzzle, a choice that frustrates Alex because Tristan has a habit of imitating his every move. This leads to a minor conflict. Back at home, Alex’s patience wears thin, resulting in a fight with Tristan. The story then explores whether Alex can empathize with Tristan’s feelings and whether they can resolve their differences and enjoy playing and reading together.
This touching narrative resonates deeply, particularly in its portrayal of sibling dynamics. Tristan’s belief that Alex doesn’t love him, leading to his solitary play, is heart-wrenching. Atkinson adeptly addresses these complex emotions, allowing young readers to relate to the characters’ experiences. The story encourages children to empathize with Alex and Tristan, guiding them through their emotions and fostering understanding and compassion.
Nicole Atkinson’s background as an Early Childhood Educator shines through in her storytelling. Her expertise in engaging and teaching children is evident, making Brotherly Bond both educational and entertaining. She skillfully crafts a story that resonates with young readers, encouraging them to reflect on their own sibling relationships. The vibrant illustrations by Sangi Parvin enhance the narrative, bringing Alex and Tristan’s experiences to life. The detailed and colorful artwork immerses readers in the twins’ world, effectively complementing Atkinson’s storytelling. Parvin’s illustrations capture the essence of the boys’ playful and occasionally contentious interactions, enriching the overall reading experience.
Brotherly Bond is a delightful and insightful story that will captivate both young readers and adults. Atkinson’s ability to weave a compelling narrative while addressing important emotional themes makes this book a valuable addition to children’s literature. Readers will find themselves engrossed in Alex and Tristan’s journey, gaining valuable lessons along the way.
LITERARY TITAN 