Blog Archives
The Kindness And Love They Show
Dirt Dog Invites Prissy Poodle to the Prom is a sweet tale of a little dog who runs into one messy obstacle after another on his way to impress his Paw Party prom date. Where did the idea behind this story come from?
The idea originated with my husband and our silver Lab. One evening, they came home from hunting and tracked mud and dirt all over my freshly cleaned floors. Being a bit of a clean freak, I fussed about it—lightheartedly, of course. My husband laughed and said, “I guess we’re just Dirt Dog and the Nasty.”
We both laughed, and I immediately thought, There’s a story here. A few days later, I sat down to write Dirt Dog Invites Prissy Poodle to the Prom, and the story flowed faster than I could type.
What makes it even more interesting is that I had never planned to write children’s books. At the time, I was working on several other writing projects. Those have now been put on hold while I focus on the Dirt Dog and Friends series, along with activity books and audiobooks that will be available in Fall 2026.
What do you think children will identify with most in Dirt Dog’s experience?
I think many children will identify with the fear of rejection or being called names. At the same time, I hope they see the value of kindness, helping others, and persevering through challenges while always doing their best.
Most of all, I hope children come away understanding that their worth is not based on their appearance. Through the lesson included at the end of the book, I hope they learn that God sees their value through the kindness and love they show to others.
How do you approach incorporating faith into a children’s story in a way that feels natural and accessible?
I believe it’s important to let children first enjoy the story and connect with the characters. Afterward, parents, teachers, or caregivers can use the discussion questions and lessons to help reinforce the book’s themes. In some cases, questions can even be asked before reading to encourage children to think about their own experiences related to the story.
I never want my books to feel preachy or pushy. My goal is for Dirt Dog and Friends to help build godly character through stories that children can relate to. In books three and four, planned for 2027, I will again include Scripture and lessons that support themes such as welcoming others, teamwork, humility, and sharing.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Tiny Tot Tiger Says Happy Birthday, America! is the second book in the Dirt Dog and Friends series and was released in June. In this book, I introduce young readers to the meaning of patriotism, the branches of the U.S. military, and the freedoms Americans enjoy. The story also reflects the belief that our freedoms are God-given and that America is “one nation under God.”
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Dirt Dog has finally worked up the courage to ask an important question. After getting cleaned up and ready, he sets out to invite Prissy Poodle to the Paw Party Prom.
But when the day does not go as planned, Dirt Dog faces one challenge after another. Instead of giving up, he keeps choosing kindness, courage, and care for others.
Through Dirt Dog’s story, children learn that confidence does not come from looking perfect. It grows when we do the right thing, even when things feel hard.
Perfect for ages 4-8, this heartwarming picture book is designed for read-alouds at home and in the classroom. Parents and educators will appreciate a story that encourages character, empathy, and confidence in a gentle, reassuring way.
The Fruit of The Spirit
Pari the Panda Learns About Patience follows a young panda whose frightening escape from a trap teaches her some important lessons in patience. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I wanted to write a series of picture books for children based on The Fruit of The Spirit. I also wanted to use different animal characters that children would be interested in learning about. I already had a beta group of children and took suggestions from them as I developed each story in the series.
What drew you to using a panda as the character who learns this lesson?
I also found it fun to use an animal that began with the same letter as the fruit: P for Panda and Patience.
Why do you think patience can be such a difficult lesson for children to learn?
Many people, young and old, find themselves in a bind because of acting on impulse. Waiting for what we desire while trying to remain in good spirits is tough.
What do you hope readers remember most about Pari long after they finish the story?
I hope readers will contemplate their actions, recognizing the potential for negative repercussions from hasty choices. I also hope that kids will embrace the “safety first” mentality.
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to do everything.
One morning when Pari decides to swim right after breakfast and suffers
from a stomach cramp, she decides to lie down to rest on a grassy bank.
But little does she know that her simple choice has just led her into a scary
situation. Pari the Panda is about to learn a hard lesson about the importance
of patience in keeping herself safe.
In this cautionary story for children, a panda bear learns the hard way that
being patient in life will help her avoid potential dangers.
Maybelline Has A Very. Bad. Day.
Maybelline Has a Very. Bad. Day. follows a playful young goat on The Finca as one small disappointment turns into a whole tumble of troubles. Maybelline misses Ellie, the girl who usually brushes her, then gets bonked for sneaking hay, pricked by blackberry thorns, stuck in a fence, blamed for spilling snacks, startled by a vet shot, nipped along by the herding dog, and finally soaked in the rain. By bedtime, though, she’s safe in the barn with her mama, who gently reminds her that bad days happen, but they don’t last.
What I liked most about this book is how honest it feels about a child’s emotional world, even though the main character is a baby goat. Maybelline’s bad day isn’t one grand dramatic event. It’s the kind of day made of little stings, embarrassments, unmet wants, and bruised feelings. Some children’s books rush too quickly toward the lesson, but this one lets Maybelline actually have the hard day first. The writing is simple and accessible, with a nice rhythm in the repeated “bad day” feeling, and I appreciated that the comfort at the end doesn’t erase what happened. It just gives her somewhere soft to land.
The artwork brings a lot of the tenderness. Olena Kharkovenko’s illustrations have that gentle farm-life warmth I always enjoy in picture books, with soft fields, expressive animals, muddy little mishaps, and cozy barn scenes that make the world feel safe even when Maybelline is having a rough time. I especially liked the contrast between the wide, cheerful pasture scenes and the quieter images of Maybelline looking droopy or overwhelmed. The book also has a sweet amount of visual detail for children to notice, from the goats’ personalities to the little ladybugs and flowers tucked into the pages.
I found this to be a warm and reassuring children’s book with a kind heart and a very relatable emotional core. It’s funny in places, tender in others, and quietly wise about the way children process frustration, discomfort, and disappointment. The concluding thought lands gently: today may have been awful, but tomorrow still gets to be new. I’d recommend this book for preschool and early elementary children, especially kids who love animals, farm stories, or need a comforting read after one of those days when everything seems to go wrong.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0H1T5J8DL
The Universal, Unspoken Love
I’ll Be This, You’ll Be That! centers around a little boy whose mother helps him understand and cope with his big feelings when he becomes angry with his grandmother. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story was inspired by the everyday moments I share with my child. The honesty, stubbornness, affection, and playful teasing between a mother and her little one naturally shaped the heart of this book. I wanted to mirror those tender dynamics through elements of nature that share the same nurturing, protective bond. In the rush of daily life, we often overlook how powerful and grounding these small connections can be. This story brings those quiet, caregiving moments into focus and celebrates the universal, unspoken love between a mother and her child.
What do you hope children learn from seeing the boy move through his anger rather than simply being told to stop feeling it?
Children are often called innocent because they don’t naturally hide or shut down their feelings, even the big, messy ones like anger or jealousy. Moving through emotions is an essential skill, and it begins early. When children feel heard, understood, and loved, their anger softens quickly; it doesn’t need to be forced away or suppressed.
I hope young readers see that being expressive is healthy, and that emotions aren’t something to fear or silence. Kids need space to feel, and caregivers play a powerful role in gently guiding those feelings in the right direction. When we allow children to express themselves and support them through the process, we nurture stronger relationships and help them grow into emotionally aware, resilient thinkers.
Did each transformation carry a specific emotional meaning for you?
Yes. Each transformation carries a very personal emotional meaning for me, it’s my perspective of motherhood. As a mother, I see each form as a reflection of what I hope to be for my child. The soil and grass represent my wish to keep him grounded. The flower and hummingbird speak to sharing, gentleness, and reciprocity. The mountain stands for the steady strength I want to offer when his emotions feel like strong winds. The rock and beetle symbolize home, the comfort of knowing we belong to each other. And the bird mother embodies nurturing, guidance, and unconditional care.
Together, these transformations express the many ways a mother loves: by teaching, supporting, grounding, and always being there, no matter the shape that love takes.
What do you hope a child feels when they reach the final hug between mother and son?
I hope children feel that warm exhale, that moment when connection returns and everything feels safe again. The final hug is meant to reassure them that no matter how big their feelings become, love doesn’t disappear. Anger, jealousy, irritation, and frustration are temporary; love is the constant. I want children to feel deeply, unquestionably loved, and to understand that a difficult moment doesn’t change that. That last hug is the gentle reminder that big feelings pass, but the bond between a mother and child remains steady and forever.
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Category Finalist — Children’s Book International Awards 2026
When big feelings swirl and little hearts overflow, pretend play becomes the bridge that brings Mommy and her child closer again. Through clouds, rivers, mountains, and birds, they discover that no matter how stormy the moment, love returns, soft, steady, and sure.
ALEX’s SCUBA DIVING THRILLS: Discovering Fish Species
Alex’s Scuba Diving Thrills: Discovering Fish Species follows young Alex as he dives into a bright underwater world with Tony, his sea turtle companion, meeting jellyfish, blowfish, trumpetfish, tuna, lionfish, parrotfish, squid, lobsters, crabs, sharks, and a gentle seahorse before returning to shore. It’s part adventure, part ocean creature tour, and part reminder that wonder often comes with caution, curiosity, and respect for the world around us.
What I appreciated most was the book’s big-hearted sense of discovery. The story has a sweet, almost dreamlike rhythm, with Alex gliding from one sea creature to the next as if the ocean itself is opening little doors for him. I liked that the book doesn’t just make the sea look magical. It also quietly teaches boundaries. Don’t touch the jellyfish. Give the eagle rays room. Stay low when sharks pass overhead. Those moments gave the adventure a steadier, more thoughtful feeling, and I could see them sparking good conversations with a child who loves animals but is still learning that admiration and respect belong together.
The writing is enthusiastic and colorful. The language has a cheerful, eager quality, like someone telling a bedtime story with real affection in their voice. The artwork throughout the book is fantastic. The pages are saturated with the ocean’s deep blues and glowing corals, smiling turtles, and schools of fish that make the ocean feel inviting. Some scenes are almost too busy, but for a young reader, that abundance may be part of the fun. There’s always something to point at, name, count, or ask about.
Alex’s Scuba Diving Thrills is a tender and visually rich ocean adventure with an earnest educational heart. It has charm, momentum, and a genuine love for marine life. I’d recommend it for children who are fascinated by sea creatures, especially preschool and early elementary readers who enjoy bright illustrations, gentle adventure, and stories that make learning feel like play.
Alex the Circus Clown: Learning Colors is Fun!
Alex the Circus Clown: Learning Colors is Fun! follows Alex through a lively circus world where each new clown friend introduces a pair of colors through balloons, toys, circus acts, and playful rhymes. The book moves from familiar shades like red, blue, yellow, and orange into more specific colors such as maroon, violet, copper, tan, aqua, rose, olive, and cream. By the end, Alex and his bright little troupe have turned color learning into a full circus performance, complete with a maze and word search for extra fun.
As a parent, I appreciated the book’s big-hearted enthusiasm. It has the feel of someone genuinely trying to make learning feel like celebration, not homework. The writing is simple, repetitive, and very direct, which works well for young children who like knowing what comes next. The rhymes are abundant. The book doesn’t whisper its lesson. It tosses confetti, blows up balloons, and says, “Look, you know this now!” I found that kind of encouragement warm, especially for kids who respond to praise and repetition.
The artwork is easily the book’s strongest pull. Every page is packed with glossy color, smiling faces, patterned costumes, balloons, circus lights, and cheerful motion. This is a book about color, after all, and the illustrations lean all the way into that promise. I liked how each clown has a distinct look and personality, even when the story itself stays focused on the learning pattern. The images give children plenty to point at, name, and talk about, which makes the book feel more interactive than the text alone.
I found Alex the Circus Clown to be a bright, earnest, high-energy color book with a lot of affection behind it. For preschoolers who love clowns, balloons, movement, and bold pictures, it has real charm. I’d recommend it especially for parents, teachers, or caregivers looking for a cheerful read-aloud that reinforces color recognition in a playful, visually rich way.
