Blog Archives
Silas on Stage
Silas on Stage follows a theater-loving child who dreams of being the sparkling angel in a Christmas pageant, only to be cast as a shepherd instead. At first, Silas is crushed, but as rehearsals unfold, they begin to notice all the quiet helpers who make the show possible. When the chosen angel panics right before curtain, Silas steps into the role they were given in the most generous way, helping Max feel brave enough to go onstage.
I really liked how gentle this story is with disappointment. I recognized that little ache in Silas right away, the feeling of wanting the shiny part and having to sit with the less glamorous one. The writing doesn’t scold Silas for wanting to sparkle, which I appreciated. It lets that desire be real, then slowly widens the idea of what shining can mean. The repeated focus on helpers gives the story a steady, comforting rhythm, and the payoff feels earned because Silas doesn’t simply “learn a lesson.” They act from it.
The artwork has a soft and expressive warmth that fits the story beautifully. Silas’s slumped shoulders, Max hiding in the closet, the glitter floating under the stage lights, all of those details carry emotion without needing much explanation. I especially loved the contrast between the big theatrical moments and the quieter backstage ones. The illustrations make the church pageant feel cozy and communal, not overly polished, which gives the book a lived-in sweetness. There’s also a lovely inclusiveness in the cast of children and adults that feels natural rather than pointed.
By the end, what stayed with me most was the idea that sparkle isn’t something you have to win, wear, or be assigned. Sometimes it comes from noticing someone else’s fear and choosing tenderness. Silas on Stage is a warm, thoughtful picture book with a big heart, and I’d recommend it for children who love performing, kids working through disappointment, and families looking for a gentle story about empathy, teamwork, and finding your place in the spotlight without needing to stand there alone.
Pages: 28 | ISBN : 978-1-957833-23-1
Kiki Finds Her Way
Peni Clark’s Kiki Finds Her Way, illustrated by Penny Weber, is a delightful addition to the Courage to Be Me series. It carries its message with grace and charm: real courage often begins when we learn to embrace the very things that make us different. From the opening page, Weber’s adorable illustrations draw readers into Kiki’s underwater world. I found myself just as enchanted as young children are sure to be.
The story follows Kiki, an octopus beginning her first day at Sea Floor School. Almost immediately, she becomes the focus of curious stares and unkind teasing, largely because she has eight arms while her classmates do not. Her natural octopus abilities, such as camouflaging and squirting ink, only make her feel more embarrassed. Instead of feeling special, Kiki wishes she could disappear into the crowd. Many children will recognize that tender, familiar ache: the longing to belong.
What makes this story especially memorable is the way it transforms Kiki’s differences into strengths. When her classmates face danger, the very traits that once made her feel ashamed become the tools she needs to help them. Her camouflage, her ink, and her many arms allow her to act with courage when it matters most. Kiki’s journey from embarrassment to self-acceptance unfolds naturally, without feeling rushed or overly instructive. The story delivers its lesson gently, allowing the heart of the narrative to speak for itself.
As part of the Courage to Be Me series, Kiki Finds Her Way fits beautifully within a trilogy devoted to helping children build confidence in who they are. Its message is simple, powerful, and deeply worthwhile: our differences are not flaws to hide, but gifts waiting to be recognized. That is a lesson every child who has ever felt out of place deserves to hear.
Penny Weber’s illustrations deserve special praise. They are warm, vibrant, and full of personality, bringing Sea Floor School to life with color and movement. Even the wiggliest young readers will find plenty to hold their attention. Kiki herself is wonderfully expressive, and her emotional journey can be seen clearly in every shift of her face and posture.
A charming bonus appears at the end of the book: a page of fascinating octopus facts for curious minds, along with a fun sing-along song that extends the reading experience beyond the final page.
Kiki Finds Her Way is a heartwarming read brimming with personality, compassion, and quiet wisdom. I would happily recommend it to families, teachers, and anyone seeking a gentle, engaging way to talk with children about embracing their differences. It is a wonderful reminder, for kids and adults alike, that what makes us different is often exactly what makes us shine.
Pages: 40 | ASIN : B0H535SB51
Just a Dot? I Think Not!
Just a Dot? I Think Not! by Heidi Solomon-Orlick is one of those children’s books that manages to say something quietly profound without ever raising its voice. Vibrant, joyful, and bursting with color on every page, this story speaks directly to the hearts of children and adults alike.
At the center of the story is Dottie, a dot with a mission: to connect the world, one dot at a time. What unfolds is a gorgeous celebration of difference and belonging. Each dot comes in a unique color, shape, and size, and the story reminds readers that these differences are not something to hide from or fear. They are something to celebrate. Every dot has its own personality, its own traits, its own place in the world. When they come together, they create something even more beautiful: new colors, new connections, and a rainbow of possibilities.
What stands out most is the lightness and warmth with which the story delivers its message. There is no heavy-handedness here. No lecturing. No forced lesson. Instead, the book lets its theme bloom naturally through rhyme, color, and joy. The emotional impact is real, but it arrives wrapped in playfulness, making the message easy for children to absorb through delight. I believe that this is exactly the kind of subtle yet powerful storytelling young readers need today: a gentle but clear rejection of hatred toward those who look different from us, paired with a reminder that we are stronger, happier, and more complete together. For adults, the message resonates just as deeply. There is something moving about seeing unity and acceptance presented with such clarity and joy.
The illustrations are a burst of color and a feast for the eyes. Each page radiates energy. The dots leap from the artwork with personality and charm, and the visual storytelling carries much of the book’s magic. This makes it an excellent choice for very young readers, who will be drawn in by the sheer visual joy before they fully grasp every word. The short, easy-to-follow rhyming sentences are perfectly suited for little ones, while the rhythm makes the book a pleasure to read aloud.
A lovely bonus follows the story, with pages of fun activities that extend the experience and allow children to carry the book’s joyful spirit into their own play and creativity. Just a Dot? I Think Not! is a wonderful choice for families with young children, classrooms, and anyone who believes in the power of stories to teach empathy and connection. Dottie’s message is one the world could use much more of right now.
Pages: 58 | ASIN : B0FPSVCPX4
The Lonely Loon
The Lonely Loon follows a blue-eyed young loon in Maine who gets separated from his family, asks for help, and is rejected by other loons because he looks different. With kindness from a wise heron and courage of his own, he finds his way through fear, a storm, and a painful choice: whether to help the very loons who hurt him. In the end, he returns home steadier in himself, carrying the lesson that belonging doesn’t require sameness.
The writing is tender and direct, in the best picture-book way. The rhymes have a comforting bedtime rhythm, but the story doesn’t shy away from the sting of exclusion. As a parent, I appreciated that the message isn’t just “be nice.” It goes deeper than that. It shows how fear can make others unkind, and how a child can still choose compassion without pretending the hurt didn’t matter.
The artwork has a handmade softness that really suits the story. The art feels misty, quiet, and a little melancholy, especially in the lonely river scenes and storm pages. I liked that the blue-eyed loon is visually different but not exaggerated. He’s still simply a loon, which makes the book’s central idea land gently. The author’s note added real emotional weight for me, too. Knowing the story was inspired by Henry and by the ache of seeing a child misunderstood made the whole book feel more personal and grounded.
I thought The Lonely Loon is a sincere and compassionate picture book with a clear heart and a quietly moving sense of purpose. It’s especially good for young children who are beginning to notice differences, for families talking about inclusion, disability, empathy, or bullying, and for kids who need reassurance that being different doesn’t make them less worthy of love. Its loveliest gift is its reminder that kindness can be brave, and that a child’s truest self is something worth protecting.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0GVLVPHD2
Boost Mental Health
Healthy Relationships presents a thoughtful and approachable exploration of what helps relationships thrive, walking readers through the core ingredients of healthy connection, communication, boundaries, empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Mental health is an important subject for me especially because I work as an inpatient psychiatric nurse. We all could use more help with our journey to stable mental well-being, including myself. I learn things from every Nurse Dorothea® book I write. We plan to produce about 80 Nurse Dorothea® books (currently there are 15 as of April 2026), so it was time to cover this topic.
Relationships are complex, and I appreciate that you covered friendships, family ties, romantic partnerships, and online relationships. How did you approach writing about such a diverse topic, but still presenting meaningful information without being overwhelming?
I practice the skill of synthesis of reading a lot of research-based information and combining it all to create a thorough product. The Nurse Dorothea® books are much harder for me to write than the Nurse Florence® series since I am combining information from many different source documents.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
There were many, but one important one discussed by Harvard Health was how a variety of relationships can help boost mental health.
What is the next book in the Nurse Dorothea series that you are working on?
One of the next books to be published is Schizophrenia. We need to play our part to destigmatize mental illness just as Dorothea Dix did in the 1800s.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Essay Contest | YouTube | Dow Creative Enterprises® | Nurse Florence Project | LinkedIn | Amazon
If society wants something we have never had, we’re going to have to do something that has never been done.
You Are Always in My Heart
You Are Always in My Heart, by Rebecca Choy, is a tender and honest children’s book about love, loss, and the power of memory. It’s told from both a grown-up’s and a child’s perspective, showing how they each face the idea of death and saying goodbye. Through gentle words and warm illustrations, it explains that while death means someone can’t come back, love never goes away. The story also gives children comforting ways to remember someone, by writing, drawing, hugging a favorite toy, or looking at photos. It’s bilingual, too, written in both English and Cantonese, which adds a special cultural touch.
This is a heartfelt children’s book. The language is simple, but the feelings are big. I found myself tearing up more than once, especially when the child wonders if the parent will die and how they’ll cope. The way the author handles that fear is so real and compassionate. There’s no sugarcoating, just honesty mixed with comfort. I also loved how it quietly teaches emotional resilience, reminding both kids and adults that it’s okay to cry, to be angry, to be scared. The writing feels like a soft hug during a hard talk.
What really stood out to me was the cultural layer about Cantonese traditions and how death is often not talked about. That part felt so important. It makes the story not just about love and grief, but about breaking the silence and giving children permission to ask tough questions. It’s thoughtful and brave, but still full of warmth. And the illustrations, crafted by Choy and her daughter Bella, are full of heart. They draw young readers into the story with a beautiful simplicity.
I’d recommend You Are Always in My Heart to parents, teachers, or anyone who wants to help a child understand loss in a gentle way. It’s not just for kids who have experienced grief, but for any family that wants to build openness and empathy. This is the kind of picture book you keep close, maybe even read together when life feels a little too big. It’s tender, healing, and full of love.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 978-1-7389652-1-2
A Gentle Giant
In Barney, the Big Brown Dog!, a Labrador Retriever’s life is changed when his elderly owner must give him up and he begins his journey to find a new family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Barney was such a love and his day-to-day presence and routine always put a smile on my face! After he had passed, I said one day that I would write a story about him, and I kept my word. Just like his presence, I loved every minute writing this story about him and so pleased to come to this moment and be able to share this story with children and families. One other thing I would like to add. Due to Barney’s quiet demeanor, I was able to bring him where ever I went. He was by my side almost anywhere. I never had that opportunity with a pet before.
Barney was a gentle giant, a Labrador with a heart as big as his frame. He came into our lives at just the right time, a silent, loving way about him when we needed him the most. With his shy and his lumbering gait, he seemed to walk through life with the innocence of a child and with his soft large brown eyes asking for acceptance and love.
He wasn’t just a dog, he was a large, brown bear who found his way into our family’s rhythm, offering affection in his own special way. Barney never barked which was part of his charm and shyness! Every room he entered was greeted with the subtle thud of his paws, or the thump of his tail beating against the floor, letting you know how he was happy to see you; in addition to the unspoken promise that his presence would never be a burden, only a comfort.
Is there anything from your own life included in Barney’s story?
Receiving two hours’ notice before his arrival was very true! Our cat graciously accepted Barney and this was not the norm for her at all. The two were like close buddies. The children, including our neighbors adored him.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Rebecca Popp?
Among any of the illustrators whom I interviewed, Rebecca could read me. We connected very well. Her samples reflected just what I was looking for…one particular sample of her art had a scenery with greens and blues and her sketches of the animals and children were life-like. I wanted a presence of family, home, colors that were inviting, not scary or intimidating, and Rebecca did just that! When I gave Rebecca a description to reflect a chapter, she provided everything I requested including a little humor too.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
With trying not to give away too much, I have drafted two books.
Barney meets two dogs (pups) who become service dogs. This is in memory of my older brother who became blind at the age of five. I hope this story will be published December 2025 or by February 2026.
My other book is Hunter and Spencer are curious to learn more about their religion and of their friends’ religions and beliefs. Learning about the diversity and understanding of various religions and learn that they can believe. Barney and Charlie are in the background of this story too! This story is one that I am most excited about creating. My timeline for this book is hopefully by April 2026.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Barney, the Big Brown Dog!
In Barney, The Big Brown Dog by Patrice LeMoine, readers are introduced to Barney, a lovable yet uncertain brown Labrador Retriever whose life is about to change. His elderly owner can no longer care for him, and as a result, he is being driven to a new family that will take him in temporarily. However, at the last moment, plans fall through, leaving Barney unexpectedly homeless. The driver, after some reflection, decides to reach out to her sister and her family, hoping they might provide the shelter and care Barney so desperately needs. Fortunately, they welcome him, offering a temporary haven.
Upon arrival, Barney’s sheer size astonishes everyone. This massive Labrador, though affectionate, is undeniably clumsy, often struggling in tight spaces. Despite this, his new family does their best to accommodate him, understanding that Barney has nowhere else to go. The central question lingers: Can Barney adapt to his new surroundings? Will this temporary home become permanent?
I found this story deeply touching, and I have no doubt that children will be equally captivated. The heartache of Barney losing his original home due to circumstances beyond his control tugs at the emotions, making readers yearn for him to find the love and stability he deserves. When he is taken in at the last moment, hope blossoms that this family will ultimately become his forever home. The story beautifully conveys a powerful lesson: appearances and first impressions should never dictate judgment. Despite Barney’s imposing size and initial awkwardness, what truly matters is his loving nature and his earnest attempt to fit into his new environment.
Initially, I worried that Barney’s size would hinder his chances of finding even temporary shelter. My concern deepened when he was relegated to sleeping in the den alongside Charlie, the family’s cat. Would they get along? Would Barney’s occasional mishaps jeopardize his place in the home? With every misstep, tension builds, making readers anxious about his fate. Yet, despite the challenges, the ending is heartwarming and fulfilling, imparting an invaluable lesson to young readers: perseverance and patience can lead to beautiful outcomes, even when life takes unexpected turns.
The book is further enhanced by the vibrant illustrations of Rebecca Popp. Her colorful, expressive artwork breathes life into Barney’s adventures, making each page a delight to explore. Readers will find themselves grinning at Barney’s endearing expressions and laughing at his playful antics. Impressively, this book marks Ms. Popp’s debut as a published illustrator, a noteworthy accomplishment given her lifelong passion for the craft.
Barney, The Big Brown Dog is a heartwarming tale that resonates with readers of all ages. It’s a story of resilience, love, and the simple yet profound desire for belonging. From start to finish, Barney’s journey is one that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.
