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Everyday Moments
Yoey Does It Her Way follows a determined little girl who learns at her own pace and has her family’s support as they cheer her on every step of the way. Why was it important to focus on joy and everyday moments rather than challenges?
Focusing on joy and everyday moments in Yoey Does It Her Way was important because it shifts the lens from limitation to celebration.
Children who live with differences — including those born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome — so often have their stories told through the framework of challenge. Appointments. Diagnoses. Milestones measured against charts. While those realities exist, they are not the whole story. Joy is.
By centering the book on everyday moments — trying something independently, laughing, discovering, persisting — the message becomes empowering rather than sympathetic. Yoey is not defined by what is hard. She is defined by who she is.
This approach:
- Normalizes inclusion instead of spotlighting differences
- Shows capability before difficulty
- Allows children to see similarity first
- Models confidence rather than struggle
It also invites all children — not just those with disabilities — to recognize that doing something “your way” is a strength. Independence looks different for everyone. Progress looks different for everyone. Success looks different for everyone.
Joy makes the story accessible. It allows readers to connect with Yoey as a child first — playful, determined, unique — rather than as a diagnosis.
And ultimately, joy tells a child reading the book:
“You are not a problem to solve. You are a person to celebrate.”
Yoey is curious, busy, and proud of herself. How did you shape her personality on the page?
From the beginning, Yoey has her own personality and will. She is non-verbal but still manages to express her opinions! Yoey Does It Her Way was built around her voice: determined, joyful, observant, and quietly confident. Rather than writing about what others expected of her, I tried to follow what she chooses to try, how she approaches a task, and how she defines success.
Her personality shows up in several intentional ways:
- Determination in Small Moments
The story focuses on everyday actions — making friends at the park, swimming, riding a scooter, trying again and again — because that’s where her resilience shines. The language mirrors her steady persistence rather than dramatic struggle. - Joy as a Default Setting
Yoey isn’t written as fragile or overwhelmed. She is curious, playful, and proud. Her reactions emphasize delight and discovery, shaping a tone that feels uplifting instead of heavy. - Independence with Confidence
The phrase “her way” is central. It reinforces that independence doesn’t mean doing something like everyone else — it means doing it in a way that works for you. That belief guided the pacing and phrasing of each scene. - Strength Without Spotlighting Difficulty
Instead of centering the diagnosis, I wanted the readers to experience Yoey through her personality traits — spirited, brave, thoughtful — rather than through medical language and understand the support she gets from her family to find success. - Gentle Repetition and Rhythm
The structure likely echoes her steady, determined energy. Repetition reinforces her persistence and builds a celebratory cadence as she succeeds in her own time.
What conversations do you hope this book sparks between children and adults?
Yoey Does It Her Way can open the door to some of the most meaningful, gentle conversations between children and adults — because it centers on everyday life, not lectures.
Here are powerful conversations it can spark:
- “What does doing it your way mean?”
- Children can reflect on:
- What feels easy for me?
- What feels hard?
- How do I solve problems differently?
- Adults can reinforce:
- There is more than one right way to do something.
- Everyone’s timeline looks different.
- Children can reflect on:
- “What makes you proud of yourself?
- The book invites children to notice small victories:
- Trying again
- Speaking up
- Being patient
- Finishing something independently. This builds internal confidence instead of comparison.
- The book invites children to notice small victories:
- “How can we be a good friend?”
- Children may naturally ask:
- How can I help someone without taking over?
- How do I include someone who does things differently?
- Adults can model:
- Support without rescuing
- Encouragement without pity
- Respect for independence
- Children may naturally ask:
- “What makes each person unique?”
- The story allows space to talk about:
- Different abilities
- Different learning styles
- Different personalities. It shifts the focus from “Why is someone different?” to “What makes them special?”
- The story allows space to talk about:
- “What feels big or new right now?”
- Because Yoey celebrates everyday milestones, children may open up about:
- Trying something new
- Feeling nervous but brave. The book becomes a bridge for emotional honesty.
- Because Yoey celebrates everyday milestones, children may open up about:
- “How do we celebrate effort?”
- Rather than only praising outcomes, adults can ask:
- Did you try?
- Did you keep going?
- What did you learn? This fosters a growth mindset naturally.
- Rather than only praising outcomes, adults can ask:
- “What is something you do your own way?”
- This question empowers all children — not just those who relate to Yoey’s experiences. It reinforces autonomy and self-worth.
- The book doesn’t spotlight diagnosis or difficulty — so conversations stay rooted in:
- Capability
- Joy
- Respect
- Inclusion
- Confidence
It allows children to see: “I’m not behind. I’m not different in a bad way. I’m growing in my own way.”
And for adults, it offers language that feels celebratory instead of corrective.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
From playground fun and family swings to swimming, frozen yogurt, and learning new skills, Yoey embraces life with a bright smile and a big spirit. Some things take her longer to learn, but with hard work, loving support from her brother Royce and her parents, and her own fierce determination, Yoey keeps growing and shining. Yoey is many wonderful things—curious, sweet, busy, brave—and most of all, she wants to be your friend.
This story gently invites young readers to understand and appreciate differences through Yoey’s experiences, while the final page offers helpful information for adults about Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome.
Magic Into Meaning
The Magic Collar follows a confident tuxedo cat who, after landing in a loving home with a kid named Mav, gets a shiny red collar with magical abilities that takes him and Mav on exciting adventures. Why did you choose a cat’s point of view to tell this story?
Telling Pitty the Kitty through Pitty’s point of view was important because it immediately invites children into a world of wonder, curiosity, and heart — without adult filters.
When the story is seen through Pitty’s eyes, everything feels bigger, more magical, and more emotionally honest. Cats observe quietly. They notice small details. They sense feelings. That perspective allows the story to highlight moments children instinctively understand — nervous excitement, loyalty, mischief, bravery — in a playful, accessible way.
Pitty’s point of view also does something powerful:
1. It lowers defenses.
Children often open up more easily to animals than to adult narrators. A cat’s voice feels safe, friendly, and nonjudgmental.
2. It keeps the tone light and adventurous.
Even when something feels uncertain, Pitty can approach it with curiosity instead of fear. That keeps the emotional tone hopeful.
3. It models empathy.
Because Pitty observes the people around him, readers learn to notice feelings, too. Seeing Mav through Pitty’s caring eyes reinforces compassion.
4. It centers loyalty and friendship.
Animals symbolize unconditional love. By narrating the story, Pitty embodies steadfast support rather than control or authority.
5. It makes magic believable.
Adventure feels even more delightful when filtered through the imagination of a curious cat. The whimsy feels natural, not forced.
Most importantly, telling the story from Pitty’s perspective aligns with the deeper heartbeat running through the books — that courage, kindness, and adventure can be found in everyday moments.
The relationship between Pitty and Mav is at the heart of the book. Why was that bond so central?
The bond between Mav and Pitty is central to the Pitty the Kitty books because their relationship is the emotional anchor of every adventure.
The magic may come from the red collar. The journeys may take them to unexpected places. But the reason the adventures matter is their connection.
Here’s why that bond is so important:
1. It Models Unconditional Loyalty
Pitty doesn’t leave when things get uncertain. Mav doesn’t outgrow Pitty. They are a team. Their connection shows children what steady companionship looks like — supportive, trusting, constant.
2. It Makes Courage Safer
Big adventures feel less frightening when you aren’t alone. Mav can take risks because Pitty is beside him. Pitty can leap into the unknown because he trusts Mav. Their bond shows that bravery grows in relationship. Finding the treasure on Swag Island is a perfect example.
3. It Centers Emotional Security
Before magic, before quests, before lessons — there is belonging. That sense of “I’ve got you” gives the story warmth and stability. Children reading the books feel that safety too.
4. It Turns Magic Into Meaning
Without their friendship, the red collar would just be a device. Because of their bond, the magic becomes shared discovery. Every adventure strengthens their connection instead of distracting from it.
5. It Reflects Childhood at Its Purest
Many children experience their first deep loyalty through a pet. That relationship feels sacred — a confidant, a playmate, a comforter. By centering Mav and Pitty’s bond, the books honor that formative kind of love.
At its heart, the series isn’t just about magical travel — it’s about growing up with someone who believes in you. The adventures change, but their
relationship remains steady. That constancy and a little absurdity is what makes readers want to return again and again
The illustrations add a lot of personality, especially to Pitty’s expressions. How did you envision the visual tone?
The illustrators’ work enhances the story, particularly Pitty’s personality, a little brash, overly confident but devoted to Mav. The illustrations translate the emotional heartbeat into color, movement, and expression. Subtle closeness between characters — a glance, shared laughter, standing side by side — visually reinforces loyalty and inclusion. Even without dialogue, readers see connection. Subtle closeness between characters — a glance, shared laughter, standing side by side — visually reinforces loyalty and inclusion. Even without dialogue, readers see connection.
Do you see more adventures ahead for Pitty and Mav?
There are many more adventures ahead for Mav and Pitty!
Author Website
The Greatest Magic
Royce Saves the Day follows a ten-year-old boy who finds a magical propeller cap in a little shop in South Korea and discovers that it will transport him and his little sister to extraordinary places and adventures. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for the first Royce story began with my grandson Royce’s trip to South Korea to visit his grandparents. The idea that ordinary objects can hold extraordinary possibilities. He sent me a photo of the cap he had purchased. A simple propeller cap — playful, colorful, and a little nostalgic — became the perfect symbol of childhood wonder. It represents curiosity, courage, and that moment when a child dares to believe something simple could change everything.
The setting in South Korea was inspired by the powerful feeling of travel — being far from home, surrounded by Korean grandparents, a special trip with just Mama, new sights, sounds, and culture. The thought of Royce discovering the cap on his final day of an unforgettable trip captures that bittersweet moment when adventure is ending… yet something new is just beginning.
The sibling bond is the emotional heart of the book. Why was that relationship so important?
The relationship between Royce and Yoey is special because it isn’t built on sameness — it’s built on loyalty, empathy, and a shared spirit of adventure.
Royce is often the one who steps forward into adventure first. He’s curious, imaginative, and willing to take risks. Yoey, especially knowing her journey includes being born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, represents quiet strength — resilience, perseverance, and a different way of experiencing the world. When you place those two siblings side by side, something beautiful happens: adventure becomes inclusive.
Their bond shows children that:
- Strength looks different in every person.
- The best adventures are the ones you share.
- Royce doesn’t “rescue” Yoey. He supports her. And Yoey doesn’t need fixing — she brings heart, perspective, and depth to their journeys. Together, they model a relationship rooted in respect rather than sympathy.
That dynamic is powerful for young readers because it normalizes inclusion. It tells children:
“You belong in the story.”
“You belong in the adventure.”
“You belong in the friendship.”
And that message — especially in early childhood literature — is lasting.
Every adventure circles back to helping others. Why did you center kindness as the driving force?
Kindness is the driving force in the Magic Propeller Cap series because it is the quiet power that makes the magic matter.
The propeller cap may launch the adventure, but kindness determines what happens once the adventure begins. Without it, magic would simply be spectacle. With it, magic becomes transformational.
In Royce’s world, courage isn’t about being the loudest or the strongest — it’s about choosing compassion. Each journey presents moments where characters must decide how to treat others: whether to include, to forgive, to stand beside someone who feels different, or to act with empathy instead of fear. Those choices are what truly move the story forward. Finn, the leprachaun, Luna, the tooth fairy, rescuing Bootsy, the cat, and the Sasquatch family allow Royce and Yoey to offer kindness and make the world better.
It also reflects a deeper belief that adventure is not just about faraway places — it’s about the heart. In a world where bullying is real, children reading these stories are not just watching magic happen; they’re learning that their own choices carry power.
And perhaps most importantly, kindness is something every child already possesses. The series gently reminds children that the greatest magic is in how they treat others.
Do you see more adventures ahead for Royce and Yoey?
There are more than a few more adventures ahead for Royce and Yoey for sure!
Author Website
Blending family warmth with fast-paced fantasy, this chapter book introduces young readers (ages 7–10) to a world where imagination takes flight, and one curious boy discovers that every adventure begins with a twist of wonder.
Yoey Does It Her Way
Yoey Does It Her Way follows Yoey through her everyday joys. The playground. The swings. Swimming and frozen yogurt. Picture books and music. Bedtime moments. This picture book shows a child who learns at her own pace and keeps going. Her family cheers her on. The story ends with a clear message. Yoey is more than her challenges, and she is proud of who she is.
The writing is simple and direct. That works well here because the book is for young children. I liked how the focus stays on what Yoey loves instead of what she struggles with. It keeps the tone positive. I love how it treats learning differences as one small piece of a whole kid. That line stuck with me. It feels kind and true. The pride from her brother and parents were emotional moments that young readers will be able to see through the emotive images. The ending note for adults adds depth and meaning.
The illustrations on each page are bright and colorful and full of life. Yoey appears in many different scenes, like the playground, the beach, and bedtime, and each one feels cheerful and warm. I loved how her smile, focus, and excitement change from page to page and help tell the story without many words.
I would recommend this children’s book to families with young children. Especially families who want stories about inclusion and kindness. It would be great for classrooms and therapy spaces, too. It feels best for early readers and read-aloud time. This book celebrates kids being themselves.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B0G54CW1G6
The Magic Collar; Pitty the Kitty Book 1
The Magic Collar follows Pitty, a confident tuxedo cat who tells his own story, from his scrappy street days to landing in a loving home with a kid named Mav. A shiny red collar turns out to be magical and pulls them into wild adventures together. They zoom through video games, fight villains as superheroes, and hunt treasure with pirates. Every chapter is a new jump into imagination, friendship, and play, all seen through Pitty’s smug and funny point of view.
I had a blast reading this children’s book. The voice hooked me right away. Pitty feels real and loud and full of attitude. I laughed a lot. The humor lands without trying too hard. It feels like listening to a cat who knows he runs the house. The writing is clear, smooth, and easy to follow. Each chapter moves fast and keeps the energy up.
The ideas really worked for me as well. I loved how everyday kid stuff turns into magic. Video games. Reading time. Playing outside. It all matters. Nothing feels preachy. The story celebrates imagination in a way that feels natural and warm. The bond between Mav and Pitty honestly made me a little soft. It captures that special kid and pet connection so well.
The artwork throughout the book is bright, playful, and full of personality. The colors pop without being overwhelming. I loved how Pitty’s expressions always matched his attitude. The pictures add so much charm and humor, and they really help pull you deeper into each adventure.
I would recommend this book to kids who love animals, games, and adventure. It feels perfect for early chapter book readers. It would also be great as a read-aloud. Parents and grandparents will enjoy it too.
Pages: 38 | ASIN : B0G2GV33YQ
Royce Saves The Day; A Magic Propeller Cap Book 1
Royce Saves the Day is a sweet and lively children’s book about a boy who finds a magical propeller cap that lets him and his little sister float out of their bodies and zip into all sorts of wild adventures. One minute, they are at home in Portland, and the next, they are helping an old woman find her lost cat, putting out a fire behind a hotel, or hanging out with Sasquatch families near their soon-to-be Habitat for Humanity house. The book hops from normal life to magic in a blink, and the whole thing feels warm and cozy and full of a big heart.
While I was reading it, I kept smiling because the writing feels soft and gentle, almost like someone telling a bedtime story. The moments with Royce and Yoey were very emotional. I loved how the author lets their bond guide every choice. The magic never feels scary, just surprising, and it works because the story keeps circling back to kindness and curiosity. I found myself really rooting for Royce, especially when he tries so hard to be brave for Yoey, even when he is obviously freaking out a little. That felt real and sweet.
The images were fun and humorous, just like the story. I also liked how much everyday stuff sits next to the big magic. Pancakes and pool days. Habitat for Humanity visits. Video games with friends. It makes the magical bits feel even brighter. The writing is simple but not boring, and some scenes pulled me in more than I expected. The fire scene caught me off guard and made my stomach twist for a second. The Sasquatch world made me laugh because it was just so cheerful and weird in the best way. A unicorn. Why not. It all felt like a kid dreaming with total freedom.
This children’s chapter book was a fun ride. I would definitely recommend it to young readers who like gentle adventures, kids who enjoy stories about siblings sticking together, or families looking for something light and magical to read out loud. It has the kind of charm that makes you want to grab a snack, curl up under a blanket, and drift along with Royce and Yoey as they float toward their next surprise.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0G6VPNWTH
