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We Are So Loved and Extraordinary
Live Big: Catch-M is a heartfelt and whimsical journey through self-belief, love, and the power of positivity that encourages readers, especially children, to believe in their dreams and find strength in kindness, gratitude, and connection. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my Live Big Series came from my need to figure out how not to live in the dark when hard things happen. I lost a brother suddenly at the age of fifteen. I had no social and emotional learning or life skills to overcome such a hardship at the time. My parents did not either, and we struggled. Over the years, I went on a quest to discover ways back to my YES, to live my best life with meaning.
At a symphony with my husband, I do not know if you would call it God or divine inspiration, but it was like something whacked me over the head and said, “Kat, you need to write books about the power of a smile to help kids and everyone, live their best lives together.” I knew nothing about being an author. I was forty. I had never even met an author, but I honored the call. The best moments of my life are now watching kids hold my books like a lifeline. I hope my books help kids learn life skills to overcome adversity and live with full brave hearts, filling their heart’s treasure with the gift of CATCH-M love. How fun to all shine and share love’s wondrous power everywhere as we catch CATCH-M together!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The two most important ideas I wanted to convey in my Live Big Series were the power of our smile and how to live our best lives together. Our smiles are such outward expressions of how we live in our hearts. Our hearts are the wellspring of life. If we can fill our hearts daily with the gift of love’s wonder, the power of CATCH-M, we can live big in our magical kingdoms and achieve our wildest dreams together. Albert Einstein said, “If you look deep into nature you will understand everything better!” The African animals in my Live Big Series all pursue their wildest dreams. The readers watch these animals discover three powerful secrets to catch CATCH-M every day and build full brave hearts where they can live big together!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Jomike Tejido?
Jomike Tejido is an incredibly talented artist who started as an architect but found his spark by designing picture books. I have been fortunate to work with him because my Art Director, Neil Gonzales, recognized his talent. The three of us had a blast imagining how to convey the fear of a little spark, alone in the dark, facing its fear and becoming so brave-hearted that it could shine and share love everywhere. Jomike’s work takes readers on a wondrous journey through time where readers can consider how the universe, Mother Earth, and all its inhabitants came to be. What a gift to think each of us are chosen and designed to be here because we are so loved and extraordinary! If and when we believe, we too can shine and share love’s wonder everywhere!
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?
Live Big With CATCH-M is considered the first and last book in my Live Big Series. It explains the history of CATCH-M and how the gift of love’s wondrous spark came to live in all of our hearts. It can be the first book you read, in the middle, or the last. The book number on Live Big With CATCH-M‘s cover is an infinity symbol to represent the fact that love never ends and love always wins over fear. The next book fans can expect is a Live Big Playbook, a dynamic, fun workbook to inspire us to live our best lives as we catch CATCH-M every day together and build our heart’s treasure.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Book 1 of 4: The Live Big Series
Set long ago in history, in one of the best-illustrated children’s books in Kat’s best-selling, multi-award-winning Live Big series; readers follow a little love spark named CATCH-M who wakes up in the dark. No other sparks are there. CATCH-M feels alone and scared. After struggling with crazy emotions, CATCH-M finds his full braveheart and discovers how to think bigger, creating a magic moment that changes everything! BANG!
CATCH-M does good, shining and sharing love’s wondrous power everywhere. Millions of miraculous CATCH-Ms create wonders like Mother Earth, where we all can experience the fun of love and friendship. But in the wilds of East Africa, Baby Cheetah and Zebra struggle with crazy emotions too. Can they find the gift of CATCH-M, love’s wondrous spark in their hearts, and listen, using love’s powerful secrets to live big with full bravehearts?
Live Big with Catch-M’s inspirational message makes it the perfect gift for every age. Everyone, everywhere, will delight in learning love’s powerful secrets—shhh—DREAM BIG, LOVE BIG, and THINK BIG—to catch CATCH-M love every day and be extraordinary stars in our stories together!
Live Big
Kat Kronenberg’s Live Big: Catch-M is a heartfelt and whimsical journey through self-belief, love, and the power of positivity. Using poetic storytelling, vibrant imagery, and a cast of endearing characters, the book weaves an inspiring message about embracing one’s extraordinary self. At its core, it’s about overcoming fear, listening to one’s heart, and recognizing the boundless potential within. Through the metaphor of CATCH-M, a glowing love spark that fuels everything in the universe, the book encourages readers, especially children, to believe in their dreams and find strength in kindness, gratitude, and connection.
Right from the beginning, the book sweeps readers into an ethereal yet deeply personal experience. The protagonist, CATCH-M, starts alone, lost in the darkness, battling shadow thoughts. The depiction of fear and loneliness is surprisingly raw for a children’s book, but it also makes the transformation so powerful. When CATCH-M learns to embrace love, the darkness shifts and a newfound sense of self-worth emerges. The poetic rhythm and repetition, “Om, om, om” and “Smile big and believe,” create a soothing, almost meditative effect, reinforcing the idea that self-acceptance and bravery are daily practices rather than one-time epiphanies.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is how it merges science and storytelling. The references to Carl Sagan’s star-stuff idea, Earth’s magnetic field, and the formation of stars add an unexpected but delightful layer. When a baby cheetah finds courage, it’s compared to hydrogen atoms fusing into helium, a simple yet profound analogy about transformation. These details make the book feel not just inspirational but also subtly educational. They help ground its whimsical narrative in real-world wonder, making its message of love and connection feel cosmic yet deeply personal.
The writing itself is lyrical, almost song-like, and the rhythm makes the message feel uplifting. The phrase “CATCH-M’s love is always in your heart” appears multiple times, and while it reinforces the theme for younger children, this repetition likely serves as a comforting reminder.
Live Big: Catch-M is an inspiring and visually engaging book that radiates warmth and optimism. It’s perfect for children who need encouragement in moments of doubt, as well as parents and educators looking for a meaningful way to discuss self-love, bravery, and kindness. The book’s unique blend of science, storytelling, and emotion makes it a standout in the realm of inspirational children’s literature. If you’re someone who loves stories that encourage dreaming big and believing in yourself, this is a book worth sharing.
Pages: 40 | ISBN : 979-8-88645-341-6
LITERARY TITAN 