Blog Archives
Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street
Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street bursts with color, curiosity, and charm, a lively children’s story that transforms a simple neighborhood mystery into an unforgettable adventure. Shani T. Night welcomes young readers into the vibrant world of Bixby, a confident, radiant peacock who saunters through suburbia with effortless flair and a personality as bold as his feathers.
Bixby’s arrival on Maple Street immediately sweeps readers into a lively blend of whimsy and discovery. The rhyming text creates a rhythmic, almost musical flow, ideal for read-aloud moments with children ages 4–8. Night’s spirited word choices and vivid scenes spark laughter and wide-eyed fascination as Bixby weaves through gardens, sidesteps household pets, crosses busy streets, and carries himself as if the entire neighborhood is his personal stage.
Beyond its cheerful storytelling, the book quietly delivers genuine peacock facts, offering an engaging dose of learning within the playful narrative. This smooth fusion of imagination and information nurtures a child’s natural curiosity about the world, presenting knowledge in a way that feels inviting, light, and wonderfully accessible.
As part of the Interesting Tales series, Night once again turns everyday surprises into moments of magic. Bixby’s escapade reminds readers, young and old, that extraordinary wonders often wait just beyond the front door.
Bright, witty, and beautifully composed, Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street is a heartwarming celebration of exploration, nature, and the delight of storytelling. It deserves a spot on bedtime bookshelves, classroom collections, and in the hands of any young reader drawn to animals or unexpected adventures.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0FNGVM32L
The Right Inspiration
Whisk of Dust is a collection of poems that weave together themes of love, faith, struggle, and beauty. What inspired you to write this particular collection of poems?
I’m often inspired by simple things that others might take for granted. I found inspiration from different aspects of my life in writing this collection.
Were there any poems that were particularly difficult to write? If so, why?
None were difficult to write. With the right inspiration and motivation, the words were not difficult.
Did you write these poems with a specific audience in mind, or was it a more personal endeavor?
I like to think of this collection as universal. They are for anyone who can relate and or just enjoys poetry.
How has this poetry book changed you as a writer, or what did you learn about yourself through writing it?
There has been no change, my desire has always been and still is to inspire and uplift with my writing.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Amazon
A Letter Home
Soos Creek: A Celebration of Place is a collection of essays about a stream just outside Seattle, sharing with readers the trails, wildlife, geology, and weather of this little-known place, and building a case for why the ordinary is often extraordinary, if you are paying attention. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As my parents aged, they stopped traveling. When I realized they would never again visit me at my home the Pacific Northwest, I found that I wanted to continue to share with them small details about my life as it unfolded 900 miles away. So each chapter of the book became something like a letter home, describing in great detail some small event in my natural surroundings, attempting to create a vivid sense of location and presence. At some subconscious level, I suppose I was aiming to magically transport my parents here.
Your book blends several writing styles to share your message. What were some key ideas that were important for you to share?
I wanted to show what new understandings can open up when we take the time to notice fine details in the natural world, particularly details that change seasonally. I also wanted readers to share my personal surprise and delight with small new discoveries that are possible every day.
The writing in your essays is artful and creative, giving readers a feeling that they are sitting and having a conversation with you. Was it a conscious effort to write in this fashion, or is this style of writing reflective of your writing style in general?
Adam Rapoport, a now-retired editor for GQ and Bon Appetit magazines, was extremely influential in my development as an author. He had a wonderful conversational style, expansive curiosity, and a gentle, often gently self-deprecating humor that made for delightful reading. In the two decades that I regularly wrote editorials for a medical journal, I practiced creating a similar narrative voice. It seemed to me this would be the best writing style for the Soos Creek project as well.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when is that book due out?
After Soos Creek was completed, and during the Covid lockdown, I wrote my first book of poetry (Mirror to the Clockwork Sky: Poems of Nature and Science–also available at Amazon Books). Now I am working on a second book of poetry, tentatively titled Thermal, which will explore global warming, temperature extremes, and phase changes. I hope to have it completed by August 2026.
Author Links: Amazon
Soos Creek: A Celebration of Place
After reading Soos Creek: A Celebration of Place by Jon O. Neher, I can say this book is both a love letter and a field journal, wrapped in a deeply personal narrative. Neher, a family doctor turned naturalist-writer, shares his 30-year relationship with the Soos Creek watershed, a modest ribbon of wetland and woods just outside Seattle. The book is part memoir, part environmental history, part poetic observation, and part scientific notebook. Through five sections loosely tied to the seasons, Neher walks us through the trails, wildlife, geology, and weather of this little-known place, slowly building a case for why the ordinary is often extraordinary, if we’re paying attention.
What really moved me was Neher’s voice. It’s clear he wrote this out of love, not ambition. The writing is personal without being sentimental, curious without being preachy. He weaves history, biology, and reflection with ease, making me often feel as though I were alongside him. I especially admired how he doesn’t separate science from emotion. He explains things like glacial rebound and native plant migration, but always circles back to what it means to be a person rooted in place. His metaphors are crisp, often funny, and sometimes quietly profound.
There’s no plot, no conflict, no climactic moment. It’s built out of small, quiet moments. Watching ducklings, running in the rain, wondering about worms. Some readers might find it too slow or too local, but I found those very qualities comforting. In a time when everything feels big and fast and loud, Neher offers a reminder that wonder lives in small, muddy places. I also appreciated his honesty about aging, risk, and staying put. This isn’t a book about conquering mountains, it’s about walking the same path over and over until it reveals itself.
I’d recommend Soos Creek to anyone who loves the Pacific Northwest, or who has ever found comfort in returning to the same trail or pond or patch of woods again and again. It’s for readers who enjoy writers like Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, or Robin Wall Kimmerer, people who understand that knowledge deepens when paired with humility and awe.
Pages: 232 | ASIN : B0DX83KQ6Z
A Frequently Misunderstood Sea Creature
Pontus and Electra: To the Depths of the Sea follows two lonely great white sharks who find purpose and connection in each other. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It started with a single shark fact: Great white sharks are often solitary creatures, though there are exceptions (sharks are occasionally found travelling in pairs). I wanted to explore the idea of loneliness through the lens of a frequently misunderstood sea creature. Initially, I had no clue what the book was going to be about other than that. But as I progressed with the concept, I began to incorporate themes of adoration and resilience, eventually settling upon a heartwarming and tragic tale of two sharks. The more I researched the issues plaguing sharks, the more the underlying messages began to shape the story—but originally, it started from a singular fact I happened to come across online.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Ultimately, the most important and relevant theme in Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea is the environment, and the senseless havoc wreaked upon it. When I began writing the book, I knew little about shark finning. It was only when I did my research on the most prominent issues affecting the species that I discovered the practice—and realized this book was so much more important and so much more necessary than a silly book about two sharks. It became imperative that I shine a light on this matter, painting it in a way that allows the reader to sympathize with the beautiful creatures and approach the topic first and foremost with empathy.
The writing in your story is very artful and creative. Was it a conscious effort to create a story in this fashion or is this style of writing reflective of your writing style in general?
Yes and no! Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea is my second novel in verse, and my third collection of poetry overall. It is both a reflection of my prose writing and a newfound style I needed to lean into in order to write this book. Writing Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea as a full-length novel in prose felt as though it would not work for me, as the poetic manner allows for a more dream-like and whimsical experience for the reader (it also allows me to experiment more with my methods of storytelling). In a way, I made the poetry flow like the ocean.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
For the last year and a half (alongside other projects), I have been working on Good Kids, Bad Choices, a long and timely novel combining the high school experience with modern-day American politics (and a sprinkle of my personal experiences as well), exploring themes of bullying, injustice, power dynamics, and rebellion in the school setting. So far, I’ve been releasing two chapters a week on my Patreon, but when it is finished, I plan to self-publish. It is still unclear whether it’ll be my next release or if I’ll publish a book from my backlog in between, but either way, readers can expect it to be released in 2026 (or late 2025).
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Welcome to the lonely life of Pontus. Until the most pivotal moment of his life (other than the day a thick darkness consumed the waters), he believes he is the only great white shark in his underwater world.
Welcome to the lonely life of Electra. Until the most unexpected moment of her life (other than the day a monster snatched her mother from the waters), she believes she will never find comfort in another again.
Together, Pontus and Electra find meaning in their lives through unconditional love and the hope and joy of company in an expansive ocean. But plagued by humanity’s horrors and a drizzle of existential dread, their bonds are tested, and the innocence of a romance under the sea will never be so simple again.
As unconventional as it is captivating, Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea is both a romance and a tragedy told in poetry. It is a testament to the terrors of our habitats and a story of true love outside human norms. As an award-winning teen author’s third work of poetry, it stands out as a book every person who cares about the environment should experience at least once.
Lifelong Love for Nature
Macie and the Magic Veggies follows a lively five-year-old who adores vegetables and when she gets to go grocery shopping, it turns into a thrilling adventure. What was the inspiration for your story?
After I stepped away from the corporate world, my initial plan was to write a leadership book—something that distilled the professional lessons I’d picked up over the years. But then my granddaughter, Macie, was born, and it hit me that the most meaningful way to pass on those insights might be through her eyes instead. That’s how Macie and the Magic Veggies came about. I wanted to infuse the story with curiosity, compassion, and a sense of wonder—so it wouldn’t just share lessons, but truly inspire Macie and future generations to grow a little magic in their everyday lives.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
My goal in writing Macie and the Magic Veggies was to create a story that not only entertains but also educates and inspires. It’s an engaging tale that blends vibrant illustrations with hands-on, interactive elements—making the learning journey fun from start to finish. Through Macie’s eyes, I want to spark a passion for growing vegetables, a love for the environment, and a deeper understanding of how caring and kindness can help things flourish. This story shows children that the world around them is brimming with magic, just waiting to be discovered!
And the best part? The adventure doesn’t end when you turn the last page. Kids can keep the fun going with activities like singing Macie’s Veggie Song, searching for hidden gems in the artwork, or even starting their own little gardens at home. Ultimately, it’s all about fostering a lifelong love for nature, a sense of wonder, and bringing families closer together.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The scene that brings me the most joy is when Macie exclaims, “Now I’m a farmer too!” Originally, she said something more along the lines of “I can share with you,” but I changed it after one of my daughter’s elementary school students mentioned she’d never seen a book where a girl took on the farmer’s role. That moment flipped a switch for me—I wanted to celebrate the idea that girls can absolutely be farmers, too! It’s a small line change that carries big meaning, reflecting how excited my own family felt when we planted blueberries and built a barn on our property. Even now, that scene makes me smile every time, knowing it might inspire a future generation of young farmers.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
I’m so glad you asked! The Macieverse is expanding in wonderful ways, with fresh adventures designed to spark curiosity and fun at every turn. We’ve already started crafting stories like Macie and the Magic Berries, shining a light on sharing and kindness; Macie and the Magic Beans, where kids discover patience and perseverance; and Macie and the Magic Dirt, showing how we can turn “waste to wow!” through composting. Each story even comes with its own original song, so children can sing along while they learn.
But that’s just the beginning! We’re also hard at work on Macie and the Magic Water Garden, exploring how small spaces can hold big gardening ideas—thanks to vertical planting. Plus, there are more songs and even Macieverse TV projects on the horizon.
At the heart of it all, every Macieverse story is created to inspire young minds to explore nature, care for each other, and nurture our planet. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more magic on the way!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Linkedin | Amazon
From Grocery Aisles to Garden Rows-Join Macie’s Journey to Where Real Magic Grows!
Are you ready to discover where all your favorite veggies come from? Macie sure is!
As Macie sets off on her adventure, she learns that the true magic of vegetables reaches far beyond soil and sunshine. With the guidance of her Grandpa, they meet Farmer Lundyn, a friendly young farm girl who helps Macie discover the joy of planting, nurturing, and harvesting her own food-and shares the secret that makes her farm extra special.
Filled with vibrant illustrations and rhythmic, engaging language, Macie and the Magic Veggies captures the wonder of a child’s curiosity and celebrates the love that grows from family and nature. This heartwarming story is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, inviting them to explore the magical journey from seed to table and the power of connection.
Sprinkle on Some Extra Magic-Activities Await!
Once the last page is turned, the adventure continues! Macie and Grandpa invite you and your little one to enjoy fun interactive questions and delightful activities to deepen the story’s magic and meaning. Let the learning and laughter continue as you revisit Macie and the Magic Veggies, cultivating curiosity and a love for nature together, one page at a time.
Free-Growing Nature
A Parrot Tail Lily follows a gardener who discovers a rare plant growing in his garden and focuses all his attention on that one plant, neglecting the others. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for this book was not originally related to gardens and plants at all, but rather, they have been used as a metaphor for some important issues. Through the roles related to the garden, I wanted to highlight how even a good thing can become a burden and a problem if the attitude is wrong. In this book, the gardener Cosmo gets into a mental breakdown with his rare plant, and eventually, the whole garden suffers. Even the specialty, the parrot tail lily that gets all possible care and attention, will hardy survive.
Of course, I admire flourishing gardens and have tried to take care of some of my own as an adult, but with hardly any success. I admit I’m more of a friend of free-growing nature – forests, beaches, and flower meadows. Such elements are not included in this book. Instead, it focuses on cherishing a rare object or thing and showing how that can go wrong and ultimately no longer bring joy to anyone.
One metaphor that lurks behind this book is parenting. I have always been worried about parents who start excessively grooming their child who has some special skill. With good intentions, they can eventually isolate the child from their natural environment and a free and joyful childhood life. This situation can be related to some talent at school, music, or sports. A child or young person who is the target of the wrong kind of encouragement can begin to feel unwell. There is a risk that the demands and pressures take over and the growing child’s life becomes too narrow and focuses just on a limited view.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
As I already mentioned, the garden, with its plants and the people associated with it, is a metaphor for something bigger. Through it, I can express my appreciation for the diversity of life. While a unique and rare plant deserves attention, it is essential to remember that nature is a whole—more than the sum of its parts.
We must understand the mutual interaction of the different parts of nature and the importance of everyone for the other’s well-being. Plants and flowers need wind, water, sun, warmth, insects, and shelter before they can do well. People also need more than just some rarity to care for. We need the joy of color, abundance, the scent of plants, and the opportunity to admire everything around them. This fairy tale emphasizes how important it is to work together with others and enjoy the results with friends.
However, the core message can be summed up in two words: respect and balance. These concepts can encompass the entire human relationship with nature.
Do you enjoy gardening, if so do you have a favorite plant or flower?
I’m not precisely the gardening type. I sometimes build flower beds, plant seedlings, and tend to them, but too many obstacles often arise.
As a child, I made my first flower bed in our yard, but the neighbor’s overactive children rode their bikes over it just as the seedlings sprouted buds. Sometimes, I had to weed and water my mother’s and neighbor’s flower beds, but other summer activities were much more fun. In recent years, I have mainly focused on plants in the yard of our summer house that wouldn’t be appetizing to the nearby herds of roe deer! They eat almost everything!
Of course, I admire beautiful gardens and their floral splendor, but my particular favorites are wildflowers. I collected dozens of plants from the meadows and forests near my childhood home during summer leaves. This school assignment was quite a chore: collecting plants, taking notes, drying, pressing, attaching the dried plants to cardboard, and labeling them with their Finnish and Latin names. However, the chore was enjoyable and taught me a lot about plants and their growing environment.
However, my favorite natural plants are trees—especially birches and pines. Birches are generally gentle-looking trees that change their appearance with the seasons, while majestic pines are easy to admire when they grow, for example, on a high sandy ridge. I also like the idea of trees sheltering birds.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
As usual, I have many books in different stages. Right now, I spend most of my time collaborating with several illustrators—Bangladesh, India, Brazil, Italy, and Ukraine. Even though the brush is elsewhere, it is nice to follow the progress of the work, comment on it if necessary, and answer any questions the illustrators may have.
I just received the illustrations for two books in my Lyrics of Life Series. The pair will be published later this year. The whole series is based on a new, interesting idea. I have also found more books for the new Wickwick Global Hearts Project. There, I translate the stories from English into Finnish. So far, these books have come from Bangladesh, Turkey, and Ghana. It is nice to connect cultures with this bridge-building project. I believe I will also have the book from Africa ready by the next Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Wish me luck!
It is also enjoyable to follow along and comment on the evolving book layouts. Two unique books illustrated in India are nearing completion: The Old Rose Villa and A Dream House. I created these books based on stories my Indian-born friend shared with me. I can’t wait to see how they will be received, and I hope my friend will also like the result!
It will be nice to meet international publisher friends at the upcoming book fairs in London, Bologna, and Frankfurt and present our work results to them. Of course, I am particularly interested in reader feedback, which is always a pleasure to receive! If I reach the target audience, I haven’t written in vain.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As Cosmo concentrates on taking care of the rare flower, he forgets everything else. His whole garden suffers, and eventually, the parrot tail lily dies, too. Was it too lonely to survive?
Cosmo’s young niece Nelly reminds the sad gardener about something he has forgotten. The plants need each other and nature around them – just like humans.
The Secrets of the Shallows
Gloria Barnett’s The Secrets of the Shallows plunges readers into a mesmerizing underwater world brimming with life, adventure, and purpose. Set on the idyllic Caribbean island of Pontus, the story revolves around Lucy, a resourceful and spirited young diver who shares her love of the sea with her close-knit group of friends. Their paradise, however, is threatened when a corporation proposes building hotels to attract tourists. As tensions rise, unscrupulous individuals destroy turtle eggs on the beach to fabricate a narrative of marine life decline, further pushing the project forward. Refusing to stand by as their home and its fragile ecosystem face destruction, Lucy and her friends embark on a mission to protect what they love.
Barnett’s evocative storytelling stands out as one of its most compelling aspects. Vivid descriptions effortlessly transport readers into the underwater realm, capturing the fluid dance of light on water and the rich biodiversity of the ocean. The narrative structure is tight and engrossing, propelling the reader through Lucy’s challenges while celebrating her bond with her friends. Humor, camaraderie, and the power of solidarity infuse the story with warmth and relatability. Barnett’s passion for marine conservation is evident in every word, fostering empathy for sea creatures and a profound respect for nature without ever feeling preachy.
Adding to the book’s charm are supplementary features, including a photo guide to the marine species featured in the story and a detailed illustration of Lucy’s diving equipment. These thoughtful additions enrich the reading experience, making the book not only a compelling narrative but also an educational resource.
The illustrations, while beautifully executed, are relatively sparse. I feel that including them within the chapters could have enhanced the reader’s ability to visualize the marine creatures as they appear. However, their placement at the end provides convenient access for quick reference. Beyond the visuals, the book’s detailed world-building and character development shine. Lucy and her friends aren’t just brave adventurers—they embody teamwork, critical thinking, and proactive problem-solving. Their efforts to engage the mayor and propose peaceful solutions underscore the importance of collaboration and dialogue in tackling real-world challenges.
Gloria Barnett weaves a tale that is both entertaining and inspiring, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the ocean and the urgency of protecting it. The Secrets of the Shallows is a testament to the power of storytelling to ignite passion, educate, and empower, making it a must-read for nature lovers of all ages.
Pages: 139 | ASIN : B08JKP56TR
LITERARY TITAN 