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Creating Joyful Moments of Discovery
Where Are You Going, Little Max? follows a little mouse as he visits various farm animals to collect items to bring back to his family, always ensuring he uses good manners. What was the inspiration for the character of Max?
I wanted to create a character that young children could easily connect with through simple and relatable actions. Max represents a child’s natural curiosity and openness to the world. His politeness and kindness set a good example, helping children understand the importance of respecting others. I also wanted Max to feel like a warm and friendly companion, someone children could see as a caring friend.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I aimed to show little ones how wonderful and diverse the world around them can be. Through Max’s adventures, I wanted to convey that kindness and politeness help build friendships and make each journey more enjoyable. It was important to create joyful moments of discovery for children, introducing them to the sounds, colors, and images of different animals in a way that felt exciting and engaging.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My main goal as an author was to make the story simple and accessible for young readers. I focused on creating a plot that not only holds their attention but also teaches valuable life lessons. Additionally, I wanted children to learn something new about farm life and animals. The illustrations play an important role here, adding detail and helping to make Max’s adventures vibrant, easy to follow, and memorable for young readers.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
The series already continues in Where Have You Been, Little Max?, where Max embarks on adventures beyond the farm. He visits the zoo to meet lions, giraffes, and elephants, heads to the beach to see dolphins and crabs, and enjoys the fair with games and sweets. Max ends his day in the park, playing and watching squirrels.
I truly hope that the continuation of Max’s adventures will bring as much joy to children and their parents as the first book did. These new journeys are designed to be both entertaining and educational, encouraging young readers to discover the world alongside a kind and curious character.
Author Links: Website | Amazon
Do you want to engage them with rousing stories?
Take a look at this wonderful children’s book, which:
• is perfect for children aged 1 to 3 years
• contains cute hand drawn illustrations that children love
• is filled with love, support and care for our little fidgets
• consists of short stories that are ideal for reading together before bed or at any other time
• teaches your child the basics of friendship, kindness, and respect for others in an easy and engaging manner
• contains funny incidents and clever stories that will interest your child, who will want to go back to them again and again
• will take its rightful place in your family book collection
• is a good match for first-time readers, new parents, and primary school teachers
• is an ideal gift for birthdays, holidays or any other important events
Books are small steps towards a big future!
Take this step! Take this book with you! Give your child the gift of a wonderful story!
Explore and Discover the World
In Where Have You Been, Little Max?, a little mouse takes young readers on a journey of discovery through the zoo, the fair, and a local park as he encourages outdoor play. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to give young readers the opportunity to explore and discover the world alongside Max. His trips to the zoo, beach, fair, and park are filled with delightful places and new friends, helping children see the world as a place full of surprises. Each setting was carefully chosen to showcase the wonder around us and bring kids the joy of exploration.
What were some educational aspects you felt were important to include in Max’s tale?
In each story, Max helps children learn something new about the world around them. His simple adventures promote well-rounded development by broadening their horizons and vocabulary, introducing them to new places in nature, animals, and the wonders of their surroundings in an engaging and memorable way.
Do you have a favorite scene in the book? One that was particularly fun to write?
One of my favorite scenes is the beach, where Max plays with the waves and meets marine creatures. This fun and meaningful scene allows kids to experience the beauty of the ocean. The illustrations are especially vibrant here, bringing the beach to life and making each of Max’s encounters with his new friends memorable.
Can young readers look forward to more books featuring Max? What are you currently working on?
I’m thrilled to bring more of Max’s adventures to life! I’m currently working on new stories that will take him to even more amazing places where he can explore and learn. I hope each of Max’s adventures brings children as much joy and inspiration as his first journeys.
Author Links: Website | Amazon | Book Review
Max is a little mouse who loves to learn everything new and exciting.
When children meet him, he tells them wonderful stories.
Each Little Max story is a new discovery for the little explorers!
Who lives in the Zoo? How does the Elephant take a shower? What does the Zebra like?
What were the Dolphins doing while Max was building a sand castle? What did the Parrot say?
Who was sitting in the trees in the park? Why is the Fair so much fun?
What makes Little Max’s stories so interesting to children? They:
• are simple and understandable
• are perfect for children aged 1-3 years
• contain beautiful and cute illustrations created by hand
• are filled with love, support and care for our little fidgets
• describe funny and clever situations that will interest the child, leading them back to these books over and over again
• consist of short stories that are ideal for shared reading before bedtime or at any other time
• expand children’s vocabulary and improve their memory
• will be useful for young readers, new parents, and teachers
• will be an ideal gift for a birthday, holiday, any special occasion or important event
Children’s books are small steps towards great future achievements! Take this book with you! Add it to your cart! Give your child the gift of a new, wonderful story!
Where are you going, Little Max? The Magic of Discoveries for Kids
Where Are You Going, Little Max? by Ricardo Demi is a delightful and heartwarming tale that follows a curious mouse named Little Max on his adventure. As Max ventures out, he politely asks various farm animals for items to bring back to his family, using good manners and always saying “please.” Along the way, he gathers eggs, wool, and feathers, making his journey not just an adventure, but a valuable lesson for young readers.
This charming short story is ideal for keeping young children captivated, with its engaging narrative and simple, yet meaningful, messages. Demi cleverly introduces a range of farm animals, seamlessly incorporating the sounds they make, which adds an extra layer of fun for little ones. The author also subtly educates readers about where everyday items like milk and eggs come from, helping children understand the importance of farm animals in our lives. One of the story’s key lessons revolves around the importance of manners, Little Max models how to ask politely for things, a crucial behavior for young readers to learn. The illustrations are vibrant and full of detail, offering plenty for parents and children to discuss as they read together. The concise nature of the story ensures it holds the attention of even the youngest readers, making it a great choice for beginners just starting to explore books on their own. Another valuable theme in the book is sharing—Max doesn’t just collect items for himself, but generously shares them with his friends. This act of kindness serves as a gentle reminder to children about the importance of sharing and caring for others.
Where Are You Going, Little Max? is a sweet, educational read that offers both entertainment and valuable lessons, making it a wonderful addition to any young reader’s bookshelf.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0DCPZPX6Z
Where Have You Been, Little Max?
Where Have You Been, Little Max?, by Ricardo Demi, is a heartwarming and engaging tale that introduces young readers to animals, places, and outdoor adventures. Little Max, an enthusiastic and curious mouse, takes readers along on his delightful journey through various exciting locations. He starts at the zoo, where he meets lions, giraffes, and elephants, then heads to the beach to admire dolphins, crabs, and the vast beauty of the ocean. His next stop is the fair, a vibrant spot filled with games, sweets, and music. Max finishes his day at the park, playing on the playground and watching squirrels scurry around.
What makes Demi’s storytelling particularly enjoyable is the way he weaves in educational elements. As Max embarks on his adventures, the narrative provides simple explanations and definitions, helping young readers grasp new concepts. For instance, when Max visits the beach, Demi explains the beach and ocean in a way that’s easy to understand, and at the zoo, the animals’ unique traits are highlighted. The story feels like watching a child experience the joy of discovery, capturing the magic of learning through everyday exploration. I especially appreciated how the entire story takes place outdoors, encouraging children to appreciate the natural world. Demi’s focus on outdoor activities makes this book a great tool for showing young readers how much adventure awaits just beyond their doorstep. The illustrations are equally charming, depicting cheerful scenes full of togetherness and fun. Though the story is brief, Max’s adventures are filled with creativity and excitement, allowing children to explore a variety of environments in a short span.
Where Have You Been, Little Max? not only helps children identify different animals and habitats but also enhances their vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. This sweet, lively story is perfect for young readers eager to learn more about the world around them.
Pages: 52 | ISBN : 978-1963328585
Love is a Choice
Cozy Critters on the Ark follows a little mouse living in peaceful solitude who goes on an exciting adventure on Noah’s Ark and learns the meaning of friendship and happiness. What was the inspiration for your story?
My husband and I created the Cozy Critter world because of our love for small pets that make a lasting impact in one’s lives. Our guinea pig, Cooper, means a lot to us and we wanted to create a world where small creatures can make huge impacts in things and people around them. Kids can sometimes feel like they’re small and they don’t matter but our story hopefully teaches them that they do matter and their acts of kindness can change others and themselves.
The art in this book is fantastic, really bringing the story to life. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Michael Collazo?
Working with my husband was an absolute privilege and honor. We learned a lot about our marriage and working together as a team. Michael is a unique artist because he doesn’t use any image references when he illustrates and everything you see in our book comes from his heart. In this book, he would draw the images first and then we would both add words to it, which is normally the opposite of the story writing process. This made it so that the illlustrations became the primary focus and our story weaved in and out of them. Michael has never taken an art class in his life. He is truly a unique artist and I pale in comparison to him and have a more realistic art style.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Love is a choice and every day is full of choices to make. We can strive to make this world a better place by loving people just as they are, which is a biblical principle my husband and I try to live out daily and requires an internal decision of us even when it might be hard. Rufi has his flaws by taking on tasks harder than he expects, not asking for help, and letting his introverted nature create a barrier between him and people who might enjoy him. The Cozy Critters accept him just as he is and we did not want to change him- he is still a guarded little workaholic mouse. But he does learn a thing or two about the value of loving others and letting one be loved in return. Friends can easily become family, especially if you did not have a traditional family upbringing and this book also has friendship, belonging, kindness, and displacement themes.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Our next book in the Cozy Critter Storytime Series will focus around Henrietta, the bossy go-getter bunny. She will want to take over the Christmas planning and readers will see what happens when her long list of action items gets fulfilled. Although she is a bit of a control freak, she is just as fragile as Rufi and has endearing qualities we will be developing. The book, Henrietta Ruins Christmas, will be released in the Fall of 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
YOU are about to embark on an adventure with the world’s greatest friends, the Cozy Critters! Join us for the first heartwarming story in the Cozy Critters Storytime Series, which takes place alongside the biblical record of Noah’s Ark. The events that transpire will leave you saying…
“Why am I cheering and clapping for a mouse?!”
Rufi the workaholic mouse has friends but lives a solitary life. When he isn’t working hard, he enjoys reading a good book with a nice cup of coffee. His world is quickly turned upside down when he finds himself thrust into an adventure alongside new companions. When Rufi is displaced from his solitary treehouse, he may just discover that sharing the world with unexpected friends is what brings him true happiness!
Join Rufi as he is caught up in the action aboard Noah’s Ark and learns that any place can be a home if it is filled with love. This whimsical tale demonstrates a simple truth which is held dear by its authors, “Love never fails.” This book was created to support connection between children and the adults who are teaching them about life. While it contains fictional elements and absurdities, it aims to provide children with examples of belonging and kindness and demonstrate how friendship can rescue you from life’s biggest storms.
We understand that children navigate many of the same kinds of problems as adults, including finding ourselves in new living situations, situational family dynamics, and unexpected displacement. This book encourages children to broaden their ideas about belonging and helps them to see that they are surrounded by others who are willing to share their world.
Note: Side effects of this book may include wearing a red shirt, being a better friend, and cozy behavior.
LITERARY TITAN 