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Big Feelings and Big Ideas
The Elf Who Didn’t Believe in Children centers around an elf who is sent into a spiral of doubt when she discovers a letter from a child who insists elves do not exist. Where did the idea for this story come from?
This title actually came from my family. In the 1980s, my grandmother went back to school alongside one of my aunts. In a writing class together, my aunt wrote a short story called The Elf Who Didn’t Believe in Children. The plot was completely different from mine, but the title stayed in my grandmother’s files for years. In the 1990s, while my grandmother was cleaning things out, she handed it to me because she knew I loved writing for kids. She basically said, “Maybe you’ll do something with this.” And I did. I ran with the title and built an entirely new story around it. The book is dedicated to my Aunt Virginia because without her, Flossy wouldn’t exist. As a parent, I was also inspired by the many philosophical debates my own children loved to have. We talked about belief constantly – belief in holidays, in magis, in the tooth fairy, in things we can’t see, and in larger spiritual questions. Kids are natural skeptics and profound thinkers at the same time. They want proof, but they also want to wonder. Flossy was born right at the intersection.
Flossy is a firecracker of a character. Are her traits and dialogue modeled after anyone in your own life?
Flossy is a delightful mash-up of so many people I love: strong-willed kids, big thinkers, skeptics, artists, and a little bit of me, too. I’ve always admired children who ask why and refuse easy answers. Flossy has that rebellious streak, but she also has a huge heart waiting to open. Her humor, her dramatic flair, her “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude – that all comes from real conversations I’ve had with my kids when they were younger, when they were trying to make sense of a complicated world.
What authors have most influenced your love for children’s literature?
I’m deeply inspired by writers who trust children with big feelings and big ideas. Roald Dahl showed me that stories can be mischievous, tender, and slightly subversive all at once. Madeleine L’Engle taught me that faith, doubt, and love can sit in the same room together. And Kate DiCamillo writes with such enormous compassion for lonely hearts. They never talk down to children. They invite them upward. That’s always my goal.
Can we look forward to seeing more work from you soon?
What are you currently working on? Absolutely! I always seem to have a few stories going at once. The next picture book I am currently working on is titled Hoggy, Foggy, and Their Terrifying Life with a Spider. At first glance, it’s funny and fast – a ghost afraid of a spider, a spider afraid of a ninja, and a ninja afraid of a ghost. Everyone is running from everyone else. Doors slam, feet pound, chaos erupts. But when they finally stop running, they talk. And that’s where the real story begins. The book gently explores loneliness, friendship, moving away, grief, and what it means to remember someone after they’re gone. It doesn’t try to explain death to children; it tries to reassure them that love stays, memories stay, and we can be brave in very quiet ways. I wrote it with my granddaughter, Moon, during a time when our family was navigating loss. There is laughter in the book, silliness, knitting jokes, and sliding down banisters – but underneath it is a promise to children and the grown-ups who read with them: even small things can carry big love a long, long way. So yes – more stories are coming, and they will continue to hold humor in one hand and heart in the other. (Flossy would probably approve of that.)
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Gentle Humour
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits features parallel stories: A squirrel and his family as they scramble to survive the brutal winter, and a young bookworm of a girl preparing for Christmas with her own family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Following the success of Stikki the Squirrel, book one in the series, I felt a strong desire to set pen to paper and begin another chapter in Stikki’s and Rella’s lives. The two young adult squirrels now had a family of four kits and had made many woodland friends on their first adventure together. So with that in mind, I began outlining the individual characters that had made an appearance in the first book. I chose to expand on these individuals, supporting characters I call them, to see who pushed themselves forward. So by the time I had finished the rough draft copy of the story, I was spoilt for choice, wondering who to bring to the forefront in the story of my new book, Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits. New animal characters also feature in the story, and as in book one, when they began to speak, their personalities and mannerisms just slotted into place. It was a weird and wonderful time watching my characters come to life on the pages. I know that might sound daft, but that’s how it happened from my perspective as a writer and artist. In this second book, I wanted to bring in a different kind of character, a human girl, twelve-year-old Sophie, her father, Evan, and her family, counting down the days leading up to Christmas. Bringing in humans (longlegs), I thought, would bring a new dimension to the story with relatable characters for children to understand and empathise with. In book two: Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits, time has moved on for the animals in Hazy Hills Wood, who now face a bitterly cold winter with very little food available to them. In the second installment, I have created an exciting action story for children and teenagers who enjoy imaginative, character-driven stories about friendship and the importance of supporting each other when times are tough. There is gentle humour that carries a subtle message about caring for our wildlife.
The book continues the enchanting tale of a grey squirrel called Stikki and his mate Rella, their four slightly scatty kits, and an array of woodland animals the squirrel family befriends. A tale of mystery, danger, and the wonders of magic found in the most unexpected places. Set in midwinter, amongst the tall trees of the magnificent Hazy Hills Wood, the story begins.
What do you enjoy most about writing children’s literature?
I suppose the answer is simple—I enjoy the genre. I must be a big kid at heart, even though I was a late bloomer to come onto the publishing scene. I’ve enjoyed reading books my entire life, so, unsurprisingly, in my retirement, all the wonderful stories I had read in the past must have inspired my imagination to have a go myself. To date, I have published four books.
My debut novel: GoldenEars: The Whispering Mountain, book one. Followed two years later by the sequel: GoldenEars: The Pale Skulls. Both books have won awards and earned themselves several lovely reviews as well. Both books are animal adventure fiction (wolves, with humans too), suitable for children aged ten years to young adults. Book two is rated a little older, for young adults to adult readers. My stories are about friendship, hope, and resilience.
I have discovered writing stories for children to be rewarding. Your young audience is usually appreciative of a good story, though they can equally be critical if you get it wrong in their eyes!
Young minds keep you on your toes. Children have no qualms about questioning the creation of your characters, or the setting, and the facts relayed about squirrels’ lives and their habitat. So I make a point of rigorously researching my subject before I begin writing anything new.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you share a little about the process?
The age group for which my books are intended governs the artwork involved to a certain extent. For younger children’s books, the pictures tend to be larger and in full colour forming the main part of the book with the accompanying text larger as well. For older children of eight years and upwards, story books that have pictures or sketches are usually created in shades of grey to black on a plain white background, or in some cases, a detailed sketch is necessary depending on the scene.
When I sit down to begin creating a new character, I take out my A3 sketch pad and a hard pencil, either an HB or a 2H, using light strokes over the paper to form the outline of the body of the animal character. My characters are neither cartoonish nor lifelike but somewhere in between. They are unique to me and have become a hallmark in the Stikki the Squirrel books.
For continuity, I have kept to the same style of artwork in both Stikki books. Hand-drawn sketches created in black ink with pencil shading ranging from 3B to 8B for added depth where necessary.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am in the process of story creation for Stikki book three. I have some exciting ideas, but first need to get these written down on a rough draft copy. From there, I can expand the plot by jotting down sections in each chapter as I go. At the moment, it’s all in my head.
When I do get in a position to begin writing in earnest, I always make a point of having my reading and writing buddy sitting beside me. His name is Big Patchy, a fifteen-inch-tall soft toy doggy pal with a cream-coloured body, black ears, nose, and tail, of whom I read aloud to as though he is a child. This may sound nuts to some people, but doing this helps me write with children in mind, so the words are appropriate for the age group intended. Reading aloud enables me to ‘hear’ the words and gauge how well these fit in with the story plot, interpretation, and fluidity.
With regards to the publication date, well, that is too far away to predict. But I will keep readers informed using my Amazon author page and also through my website.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Winter has arrived in Hazy Hills Wood, covering everything in a blanket of snow.
Food is hard to find, and the animals are getting hungry. To make things worse, there is a scary food thief on the prowl.
Stikki heads out into the cold to find his secret stash, but when he doesn’t come home, Rella goes searching for him. A frightening journey looms ahead as Stikki and Rella are forced to confront their enemies and the dreaded longlegs.
Deep in the heart of the ancient wood stands the animals’ sacred ash tree. When Brodboar the badger spots something strange high in the tree’s branches, he is shocked by the discovery and begins to worry. Is it a warning?
With Stikki and Rella still missing, can the woodland animals work together to find their friends before it’s too late?
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits
Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits follows Stikki, his mate Rella, their four kits, and a whole woodland of animals trying to survive a brutal winter while food runs out and foxes, hawks, and “longlegs” (humans) prowl around. In the middle of the snow and danger, a mysterious ancient ash tree wakes up, while in a nearby Welsh village a book-mad girl called Sophie gets ready for Christmas with her family. The story weaves between the cold, risky lives of the animals and the warm glow of Sophie’s cottage.
I really liked the way the writing feels cosy and old-fashioned, like a grandparent telling a long story by the fire. The language is simple but not babyish, with fun touches like calling humans “longlegs” and giving the animals big personalities. The woodland scenes are very vivid, all that deep snow and biting wind and creaking branches, and the chase with the foxes actually made me tense up. The tone swings between gentle and quite intense, so one moment you get cute kit chaos and the next you get a life-or-death scramble for a tree or a plunge into the freezing river. The black-and-white drawings scattered through the book match that feeling really nicely, with scratchy, lively lines that make Stikki look both adorable and a bit frazzled.
Underneath the talking animals, there is a strong “we are all connected” vibe, with the trees, the weather, the pigs who escaped a factory farm, the deer, the foxes, even the grumpy crow, all tangled into the same story of survival and kindness. I loved the reveal of the tree spirits as dragonfly-like beings who noticed Stikki’s bravery and his unselfish wish for food. The Sophie chapters add a different warmth: books stacked at the end of the bed, hot chocolate, a recovering aunt, and that Christmas feeling of everyone finally being in the same house again after a scare. It made the whole thing feel like two threads of hope, one human and one wild, running side by side.
I would recommend Stikki the Squirrel: Tree Spirits to kids who enjoy longer animal stories with a mix of danger and comfort, probably confident readers around eight to twelve or younger children as a read-aloud with an adult. It is also a sweet pick for anyone who loves winter tales, forest magic, and the kind of story that quietly nudges you to care about animals and trees while you are wrapped up in the adventure.
Pages: 175 | ASIN : B0GHZMQPC8
Peaches and Jake Celebrate Christmas
Peaches and Jake Celebrate Christmas is a sweet little story about two rescue pups waking up on Christmas morning to discover the surprises Santa left them under the tree. They each get giant bones and then two toys, a moose for Jake and a fox for Peaches, and the rest of the day unfolds with the dogs learning what to do with their gifts. Jake destroys his moose with pure joy, Peaches figures out that Foxie makes a perfect nap buddy, and their mom watches over the whole thing with so much love. It feels like flipping through a family photo album where every picture tells its own tiny story.
There is a softness to the writing that feels like someone talking to me from their couch with their dogs at their feet. The real photos of Peaches and Jake add charm because they are so expressive. I kept giggling at Peaches trying to figure out Foxie. And the whole saga of Moosie slowly losing limbs and stuffing had me cracking up. There is something sweet about how Jake loves that toy even when it becomes a little fabric scrap. It says a lot about how dogs attach meaning to things and how we do the same sometimes without even realizing it.
I also liked how the book shows the two dogs having such different personalities. Jake barrels into Christmas like it is the best day of the year. Peaches moves carefully and watches everyone else first. It reminded me of how different pets can be, even when they grow up in the same home. The photos on almost every page make it easy to stay engaged. Honestly, it felt a little like being invited into the author’s living room to watch a memory replay itself.
I think this picture book is perfect for young kids who like animals and for grown-ups who just want something soft and happy to read. It is especially lovely for dog lovers or anyone who enjoys holiday stories that feel real and cozy. If you want a children’s book that brings a smile without trying too hard, this one is a great choice. It is playful, sweet, and full of genuine affection, and that makes it a wonderful holiday read for families.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B0DFDWN1SN
Delaware at Christmas: The First State in a Merry State
Delaware at Christmas is a richly illustrated tour of how one small state has celebrated the holiday across four centuries. Author Dave Tabler moves from early Scandinavian and Dutch settlers to later British, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Black, and Hispanic communities and shows how each group brought its own Christmas customs into Delaware life. The book then shifts to 19th-century practices like eggnog, sleigh bells, mumming, and plum pudding, before moving into the Victorian period with holly-wreath factories, Christmas seals, and toy trains. Finally, it lands in the late 20th and 21st centuries with house tours, IBM punch-card wreaths, handbell choirs, Kwanzaa, and even Christmas in July, then closes with a reflective postscript on technology and sustainability. The structure feels like a guided walk through time, with short thematic chapters, archival photographs, and clear, accessible explanations that keep the focus on place, people, and memory.
I found the writing warm, steady, and very readable. The tone stays careful and professional, yet it feels like a neighbor telling stories over coffee, not a distant professor. I appreciated the way Tabler anchors each chapter in a concrete detail, such as the Sankta Lucia procession at Old Swedes Church, the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Wilmington’s Little Italy, or the oplatek bread on Polish Christmas Eve, and then pulls back to show how that custom grew from older roots. The references to specific churches, festivals, and streets gave me a sense of real neighborhoods, real people, real weather in December. The short chapter format keeps the pace brisk, and I rarely felt bogged down, although now and then I wished for a touch more narrative glue between topics, especially when the book jumps from one ethnic group to another in quick succession. Overall, though, the style carries a lot of research without feeling heavy, and that balance impressed me.
Emotionally, the book hit me in a quiet but lasting way. It is worth noting that Tabler does not treat Christmas as a simple feel-good backdrop; he lets harder stories in, such as Antebellum Black Christmas and the rise of independent Black churches, and he gives those sections space and dignity instead of pushing them to the margins. At the same time, there is a playful curiosity in chapters on holly wreath factories, punch-card decorations, and Christmas savings clubs, and I caught myself grinning at the sheer oddity of some of those details.
The closing pages, with their focus on Delawareans adapting to online services, digital cards, and greener holiday habits, felt surprisingly tender; they invite the reader to think about their own family rituals and how those might change, or already have changed, over time. I finished the book with a mix of nostalgia, respect, and a little itch to go hunt down a local church festival and hear handbells in person.
I would recommend Delaware at Christmas to readers who love regional history, to Delaware locals and expats who want to see their home through a festive lens, and to anyone who collects books on Christmas customs and folk traditions. It will likely appeal to genealogists, church groups, and teachers who need strong, specific examples of how culture, faith, and migration shape a holiday over time. If you enjoy dipping into short, well-researched vignettes that together build a larger picture, this will be a very satisfying read.
Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0F4NJ2KTZ
Fang, Bang and the Midnight Mouse: The Christmas Call
The Christmas Call, the latest installment in J-J Murray’s Fang, Bang, and the Midnight Mouse series, is tailor-made for cozy holiday read-alouds shared with family. Illustrated by Katie Tayler, the story opens on a snug Christmas Eve with the Jollie family, where cat detectives Fang and Bang are reveling in their favorite season. The warmth doesn’t last long. Trouble strikes at the Hill Inn when a prized wheel of Stilton cheese disappears without a trace. Summoned to investigate, the two feline sleuths follow a tantalising trail of crumbs far from home, all the way to Cambridge, where they come face to face with Midnight Mouse and her mischievous crew. What follows is a brisk, festive mystery packed with sharp twists, seasonal mayhem, and more than a few cat-astrophes.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how naturally it weaves together humor, intrigue, and genuine warmth. The pace is swift and confident, keeping young readers absorbed as Fang and Bang pursue clues through snowy streets, bustling museums, and even a Christmas carol service. The language remains light and approachable, sprinkled generously with cat puns that will prompt giggles from children and knowing smiles from adults. At times, the narrator speaks directly to the reader, posing questions and inviting them to think alongside the detectives, which adds a playful, interactive dimension to the story.
Katie Tayler’s illustrations brim with energy and charm. Every page feels alive with movement and warmth, allowing Fang and Bang’s distinct personalities to shine. The festive settings are richly imagined, and the artwork supports the text beautifully, guiding young readers through the action while deepening the cozy Christmas atmosphere.
Beneath the mystery lies a thoughtful message about generosity and empathy, particularly fitting for the holiday season. Midnight Mouse is not portrayed as a simple villain. Her motivations are handled with surprising tenderness, offering children a nuanced understanding that mistakes do not define a character’s worth. A brief section at the end exploring the history of Stilton cheese adds an unexpected educational touch, enhancing the story without interrupting its momentum.
Overall, this is a delightful choice for families seeking a festive tale that balances entertainment with heart. The Christmas Call is witty, inventive, and warmly inclusive, an excellent pick for young readers who enjoy mysteries, animal heroes, and Christmas adventures wrapped in charm.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FXNP9YC4
Let the Story Lead Itself
The Best Worst Christmas Ever follows a father and his three children trapped by a blizzard on Christmas Eve, who, after the power goes out, spend the evening on a magical adventure through their shared imagination. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
After writing five adult mysteries, I wanted to challenge myself with something completely different and decided to cross over to a fantasy. I started brainstorming ideas not long before Christmas, so it was an easy decision to choose a holiday setting. I thought it would be fun to see the story from different points of view as it progressed, and what better way to do that than to have it told by children of different ages with different ideas of what the story should be. The power outage was the only way I could think of to force bickering children to sit still and listen to each other talk. It also created more of a cozy atmosphere in the home.
Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
I have three daughters, all grown now, that I used to read to every night at bedtime. Much of their interactions with each other and reactions to the stories, including their likes and dislikes, found their way into the voices of the children in this story.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
I had my first novel all planned out, but by the third chapter, it had taken itself in a totally different direction, and I never used most of what I’d plotted in advance, so I’ve learned to just let the story lead itself as I write. Virtually all of the events in this book were the result of ideas that only entered my mind while writing the chapter before it. It’s surprising how different parts end up fitting together even without following an outline.
What is the next novel that you are working on, and when will that be available?
I wrapped up my five-mystery series in a way that would make it unfair to the characters to bring them back and put them in harm’s way again. Now, though, I’ve had several requests to write a prequel, including one from my editor. It’s an intriguing idea that I may pursue this winter, but at this point, it’s only a concept that will require a lot of gray hair to bring to reality, so the release of an actual book is hard to imagine at this stage.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
From the Back of a Donkey, Journey of a Lifetime – Second Edition
Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor’s From the Back of a Donkey: Journey of a Lifetime reimagines one of the most familiar stories in the Christian tradition, the birth of Jesus, through the eyes of Mary. The book blends biblical retelling, creative storytelling, and devotional reflection into a narrative that feels both ancient and deeply personal. Each chapter combines Mary’s imagined thoughts and prayers with scriptural passages and reflection questions for the reader, making it part story, part meditation, and part journal. The style is warm, vivid, and grounded in faith, giving life to moments that the Gospel of Luke only hints at.
Reading this book, I found myself unexpectedly moved. Minor doesn’t just recount events; she breathes humanity into them. Her Mary isn’t distant or saintly in the untouchable sense; she’s tender, curious, even a little scared, and wholly devoted to God. The writing feels like sitting down with someone who loves to tell stories by firelight, earnest and filled with wonder. There’s something beautiful in the author’s refusal to make Mary flawless. Instead, she lets her faith shimmer through her doubts and daily tasks, through her conversations with Joseph and her cousin Elizabeth. I loved that. It made the sacred story feel reachable, even intimate.
Stylistically, the book reads with a kind of musical rhythm, almost like a prayer. At times, I caught myself pausing just to let a sentence sink in. The writing is rich with sensory detail like the smell of baked bread, the roughness of wood, the brightness of stars, and yet it never drifts into heavy language. The author’s tone feels humble and heartfelt. Occasionally, the abundance of biblical references slows the pace, but it never feels forced; rather, it roots the story in the faith that inspires it. I could tell this book was written not only with literary care but also with devotion.
From the Back of a Donkey draws the reader into reflection, not just about Mary’s journey, but about their own. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to experience the Christmas story in a fresh, contemplative way. It’s perfect for believers who enjoy devotional reading, book clubs that center on faith, or anyone who wants to feel a deeper connection to the humanity behind the divine story.
Pages: 99 | ASIN : B0CP8WMQS4
