Blog Archives
The Wonders of Medical Science
Nurse Florence®, What is Myelosuppression or Bone Marrow Suppression? walks readers through red and white blood cells, platelets, chemotherapy, infections, symptoms, and even viruses that can cause this condition. Why was this an important book for you to write?
My illustrator chose the topic since it has affected her family. I try to team up with my illustrators to collaborate on topics so that they are motivated to do the large number of illustrations needed for many of the books.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Thoroughness is what guides the Nurse Florence® series. I present all the information in my medical research source documents so that everyone that may read the book will feel educated and empowered.
What was your process for taking a topic that is this complex and simplifying it enough that children can understand, while still keeping the terminology and science concepts fully fleshed out?
My main key is to focus on one big idea per page so that kids don’t feel overwhelmed.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Nurse Florence®, What is Myelosuppression or Bone Marrow Suppression?
The immune system is complex. We should be grateful when we are healthy and hopeful when we are sick that medical science has advanced enough to help us with many diseases.
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Helping Kids Understand Their Bodies
Nurse Florence, Tell Me About the Adrenal Glands breaks down the adrenal glands for readers, exploring these little hormone factories perched on top of the kidneys and all the important jobs they do, using easy-to-understand language.Why was this an important topic for you to write about for children?
I want kids to understand their body. It is very complex, but if we can break things down into smaller units of info, then they can understand. Understanding the body is important since we live in our body and need to learn ways to keep it healthy. Knowing yourself psychologically only is not enough. We must learn ourselves in the physical realm too. Learning signs and symptoms of diseases is important so that a person knows when they should go see a doctor. You cannot achieve your goals if you do not take care of yourself physically.
One of the things I enjoy about this series is the variety of illustrators you use for the books, which gives each one its own feel and prevents things from becoming monotonous. How do you go about deciding which illustrator is best suited for each topic?
It is usually random assignments except for every fourth book an illustrator does. Every fourth book is illustrator choice so they pick the topic and I do the research to get them their outline.
What is your least favorite part of being a writer?
Not having enough time.
After writing so many books, what do you feel are common traps for aspiring writers?
I feel aspiring writers should commit to write a certain amount every week/month so that progress is made. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Let us make our first step and focus on that next step in front of us so that we are always moving forward. Onward and upward!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
A Treasure Trove of Love
Quest for Cookies follows a cookie-craving gnome on a heartwarming adventure where he discovers that the sweetest rewards come from friendship, courage, and the timeless wisdom of grandparents. What was the inspiration for your story?
I am an MRI Technologist and often pull inspiration from my patients. Many elderly patients talk about how they wish they could see their grandchildren more often but that the kids are too busy in their own lives to make time. As I am close with my Grandma, I wanted to write a story that encourages children to visit their grandparents more often. Throughout the story, the main character reflects on valuable life lessons inspired by the wisdom of said grandparents—those often-overlooked heroes with a treasure trove of love, experience, and tasty recipes to share.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to use my Grandmother as an example for the story and describe ways that she has personally enriched my life. The messages about hard work, friendship, and kindness are all things she instilled in me. The raspberry muffins, lavender cookies, table of desserts, and stories in the kitchen are also pulled from real life (and yes, they are all are delicious).
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The most fun scene to write was the trip to the moon because I just found it so silly. The most fun scene (as most complicated) to draw was the spooky mushroom forest. I really wanted the mushrooms to look like lamps guiding the way.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Currently, I am working on two projects. One is a personal project for my daughter that will be a custom story and set of illustrations just for her. Only two copies will be printed. The other project I am working on will be available within the next few years. When I work, I tend to do the illustrations first and the story second. I have completed four of the 15+ drawings the book will require, so I still have some work cut out for me.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website
In Quest for Cookies, join Gnomey, a lovable little gnome with a heart as big as his sweet tooth, as he sets off on a delightful journey that’s about much more than finding the perfect snack. Along the way, Gnomey reflects on valuable life lessons inspired by the wisdom of grandparents—those often-overlooked heroes with a treasure trove of love, experience, and tasty recipes to share.
Gnomey demonstrates the power of kindness, the courage to face challenges, and the importance of cherishing the older generation. This whimsical tale blends humor, heart, and just the right amount of sugar to remind young readers that grandparents aren’t just cool—they’re legendary.
Packed with themes of friendship, bravery, dreams, and of course, cookies, Quest for Cookies is a magical celebration of the lessons passed down through generations—and the sweet memories made along the way.
Ideal for children ages 3-5 who love fun adventures, fantastic landscapes, and adorable little creatures.
Making Medical Information Accessable
Nurse Florence®, Tell Me About the Colon follows three friends who ask the school nurse about the colon, and she explains the parts, functions, and importance of the colon. What challenges did you face when writing this book?
The Nurse Florence® project publishes books as fast as the illustrators can produce drawings so the challenge I deal with is not being able to publish books in the project faster. We are aiming to complete the project of around 500 books in the series by the end of 2029.
With so many topics to cover with Nurse Florence, how do you decide which topic is the next one you will cover?
We partner with illustrators to help decide topics. Since the disease books can be so long, I usually ask the illustrator if there is a disease that affects their family that they want to cover. If not, then we have a master list of diseases that we pick from. Sometimes we pick a disease that is popular in the news at the moment, and every fourth book is a rare disease book so we have a list of those as well that we are going through.
Are there any authors you draw inspiration from?
Anyone that is thorough. I enjoy reading evidence-based research articles regarding health topics.
I have noticed that some of your Nurse Florence books come with a corresponding coloring book. How do you decide which topics will have a companion coloring book?
Companion coloring books are actually the choice of the illustrator. If they choose to take the time to take out the color and send me lined art, then we create coloring books. Over a third of the Nurse Florence® series has been turned into a coloring book edition. We want kids to learn another coping skill of drawing as they learn to relax and find peace.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
Science Is Fun!
Nurse Florence®, Why Do We Need Vitamin K? follows three friends and the school nurse who explore what vitamin K is, why our bodies need it, where to get it from, and even what happens if we don’t have enough. Why was it important to share this information with children?
I believe in the premise that children are capable learners and want to learn things as there are, as we know them to be. We should avoid using words that are “for kids” and instead present information accurately so that they grow to be very informed and educated adults.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
For me, it’s not having enough time. I would write three kids books a day if I was able to financially.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
I love to write all the Nurse Florence® books because it involves a lot of science. Science is fun!
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
Nurse Dorothea® presents Healthy Relationships and What to Do and How to Be to Maintain Them (www.nursedorothea.com)
Nurse Florence®, What is Long QT Syndrome? and Nurse Florence®, What is Batten Disease?
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Interview
Pop Pop’s Lets Go Mechanic-ing | The Wagon Ride
This sweet little children’s book follows a sunlit day in the life of three grandchildren—Greyson, Antonio, and Emerson—who visit their Pop Pop for a hands-on project: building a red wagon from scratch. Pop Pop welcomes the kids with open arms and gets right to work, guiding them through each step with patience and enthusiasm. There’s tool talk (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”), safety tips, and bursts of joy as the children help with wheels, paint, and even “hammer time.” It ends with a wagon ride to celebrate their hard work, followed by a hint at their next adventure.
I really enjoyed how down-to-earth and genuine this picture book felt. It just feels warm. The dialogue is natural, the scenes are colorful and fun, and the relationship between Pop Pop and the grandkids is the heartbeat of it all. There’s something comforting about the way Pop Pop gently teaches and includes each child. The author clearly wrote this from personal experience and love, and that shows on every page. It made me think of old summer days, of sawdust in the air, and of watching someone you love tinker with something in the garage.
The writing is simple and easy for young readers to follow or read on their own. It’s about capturing a vibe: quality time, working with your hands, and making memories. There’s real charm in the little details, like Pop Pop’s “cafe-o-le” or the kids’ nicknames (“Grey Grey,” “Tone Tone,” “Emmy”). The illustrations, also done by the author, are playful and fitting for young readers and fit the story well.
I’d recommend this kid’s book to grandparents looking for something heartfelt to read with their grandkids. It’s also a lovely choice for parents who want to share stories that emphasize creativity, cooperation, and cross-generational bonding. It’s not a wild ride, but it’s a good one—quiet, wholesome, and full of love. For anyone who values time spent building something together, The Wagon Ride hits home.
Pages: 26 | ASIN: B0DMZ358FL
Every Child Has A Gift
Willie’s Gift follows a little dog who is struggling and feels out of place with his large ears, who learns that what makes him different is actually what helps make him special. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As a teacher, I believe that every child has a gift that often needs to be cultivated in order to shine through. As an adoptive parent, I have also experienced, firsthand, the issues associated with “feeling different”, along with the importance of feeling accepted. Once accepted, confidence grows. Willie is a little dog who learns how being himself is actually a gift. It is a gift he can share with the people he visits, who are in need of love and acceptance themselves.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I strive to focus on diversity and inclusion in my children’s books. Also, I want to teach respect for others. In Willie’s Gift, Willie’s mom encourages him to learn to respect the folks that he visits, even though they may be different from him.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Maggie Sullivan?
The collaboration with my illustrator, Maggie Sullivan, was quite smooth. I picked her because I could relate to her style and felt that she would depict Willie exactly as he is in real life. Her attention to detail and sense of color blended with my own. She was quick to make adjustments, if needed.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am in the beginning stage of developing my next book for my brand, “CMBookWorks”. It will include a dog and will send an important lesson for children to learn. I have two previous books: “Justin’s Pet” and “Teddy’s Search” that are thoughtful stories that teach a child (and adults) a life lesson. Those books are presently available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble or through my website www.cmbookworks.com.
Author Links: Facebook |Website
Lamba’s Journey with Jesus
Lamba’s Journey With Jesus follows a little lamb with wanderlust who witnesses the birth of Christ, his ministry, and death and resurrection. What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My publisher is working on creating three separate books. Lamba’s Journey with Jesus is a three-part book, but now readers can purchase each separately. These will not be hardcover like the first, but softcover, paperback. They should be out in a few months. Available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook
Later, in Jerusalem, Lamba encounters Jesus, who tells him he has to go away but will return one day. One more time Lamba looks for Jesus only to find crosses on a hill and angels saying “He is risen” at an empty tomb. When his shepherd finds Lamba, they share the good news with all.
The birth of Christ, his ministry, and death and resurrection are told for children ages four through eight through the eyes of the little wandering lamb, Lamba. This three-part continuing story with delightful rhyming language shares the gospel and God’s love, and reinforces obedience in young hearts.
LITERARY TITAN 