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My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me follows a little boy who loves monster trucks and, after a day of playing at Grandma’s house, discovers his favorite truck is missing. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for my story came from my then-three-year-old grandson, whose boundless love for monster trucks sparked the idea. Every day, we played together—building ramps, creating challenges, and laughing joyfully. We took monster trucks everywhere. We cheered monster trucks and their drivers at our county fair’s Monster Truck Shows.The sounds of roaring engines filled our hearts with excitement.
When I had the opportunity to write a story for a contest, I quickly drafted a tale celebrating Dylan’s joy. As I wrote, I experienced an “ah-ha” moment; this was the perfect story I had longed to share since earning my Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Community Studies from Madonna University. During a class assignment, we were tasked with selecting a picture book and using our ASL skills to sign it. I went straight to the library, hoping to find a book featuring children using sign language. I was shocked to discover that there were none available.
This realization highlighted a crucial need for a children’s book that represents children and families using ASL.
That realization became the foundation for my award-winning picture book, My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me – Illustrated in American Sign Language, to fill that gap.
And so, the rest of the story unfolded, reflecting not just our play but a vision for inclusive storytelling.
This activity book seamlessly integrates ASL into the story and activities, making learning fun while providing an inclusive experience for children. How did you decide what activities to include in your book?
Thank you for the kind words about our Monster Truck fun! ASL is an untapped resource with limitless potential, and learning should be a playful and enjoyable experience. Many ideas came directly from children during author visits, where they enthusiastically shared how they use ASL in their daily lives, whether it’s counting or signing to friends. Their excitement inspired me to explore how ASL could enhance play and learning, leading to the creation of our new 77-page My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book.
To enrich the original story, we added time-telling activities using ASL numbers and included mazes for their fun and problem-solving aspects. I aimed to cater to all children, offering simple coloring for younger kids and engaging challenges for first- and second-graders, ensuring success and joy at every level.
With the help of Sue Mohr from The Inner Vizion, we drafted pages in Canva that included trucks, houses, and everyday scenes from My Monster Truck Series, along with matching games, math, journaling prompts, and coloring activities. Alexa Ang from Saflor Graphic Design Services then polished the pages, creating a natural flow alongside My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me, illustrated in ASL.
The variety of activities invites children to explore their creativity and connection through language. My goal is to make learning ASL fun, meaningful, and a journey of discovery for every child, allowing them to build on their strengths while gently challenging them to grow.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Our My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book is crafted to challenge children aged 3 to 8 across various subjects. Whether your child enjoys creative activities or has a knack for math, our book strikes a perfect balance. It gives kids the chance to explore different areas and succeed. One of our main goals is to foster a love for learning by offering activities that appeal to a wide range of interests, whether in the arts or mathematics.
A significant element of our educational approach centers around the benefits of American Sign Language (ASL). In our blog at ASL Picture Books, we frequently highlight how ASL boosts language skills, enriches vocabulary, enhances cognitive abilities, and fosters respectful relationships. With 95% of children born deaf coming from hearing families, it’s essential to emphasize that early access to any language—spoken or signed—is crucial for a child’s development.
A recent heartfelt email from a mother of newborn twins born deaf shared how our book impacted her family’s perspective. Initially filled with uncertainty, her hearing family found comfort in the relatable characters of My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book, who communicate using sign language. As they worked through their hesitations, they embraced ASL, opening new communication channels and deepening their bond with their children. This journey highlights how ASL nurtures relationships and deepens the love that grows when families embrace their unique journeys.
The activities in our book are thoughtfully designed to cater to children of various ages and skill levels. For instance, the mazes are simple enough for younger kids, while the math challenges cater to those looking for something a bit more challenging. Feedback from my five-year-old twins confirms this approach, as they excitedly announced that the mazes were “way too easy!” Meanwhile, our eight-year-old dove into the math problems first.
We wholeheartedly invite families to explore our My Monster Truck… Coloring and Activity Book at ASL Picture Books. It’s a delightful way for children to learn through fun stories and engaging activities while developing empathy and respect for the DHH community.
Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
Yes, there’s more to come! I’m currently working on another story — something a little silly and full of heart. Expanding the Monster Truck series is definitely a possibility, as families and teachers continue to share how much their children love it.
Each project I create shares the same goal: to inspire curiosity, build connection, and celebrate the beauty of ASL. Together, we can open more hearts and minds to the limitless potential of language and love.
If you’re interested in staying updated on upcoming projects or want to learn more about the Monster Truck series, visit ASLPictureBooks.com. You can also download our free ASL Starter Kit, filled with an alphabet chart, signing basics, and coloring pages — a great way to start learning and sharing ASL at home or in the classroom.
And don’t forget to join our email list for sneak peeks, exclusive content, and exciting updates. What kinds of stories would you like to see next? Your feedback is invaluable!
Thank you, Literary Titan, for this wonderful opportunity to share our new My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me – Coloring and Activity Book with you. We are truly honored by your thoughtful review and grateful for your support in celebrating inclusive stories and the limitless potential of ASL!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
This little boy loves monster trucks and playing at Grandma’s house! But after an exhausting day with his big, purple, and loud favorite toy, he’s devastated to discover the shiny truck is gone!
Is it hiding somewhere? Did he leave it at Grandma’s? Will he ever see his beloved best friend again?
In this delightfully engaging story with stunning illustrations and familiar themes, Kathleen Marcath invites young readers to interact by using American Sign Language along with the characters in the book. And with 32 ASL signs shown in easy-to-understand images, downloadable educational sheets, and a QR code for ASL video lessons, kids will spark their bilingual journey through a colorful and powerful resource.
My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me – Illustrated in American Sign Language is a beautiful children’s picture book. If you or your child like overcoming relatable problems, learning new things, and feel-good entertainment, then you’ll adore Kathleen Marcath’s happy ride.
Buy My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me to zoom into adventure today!
A Kirkus Starred Review and Best Indie Book of 2021!
My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me: Illustrated in American Sign Language (ASL Children’s Books)
Dylan and his mighty monster truck embark on countless adventures in My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me, a vibrant coloring and activity book by Kathleen Marcath. This delightful collection bursts with 77 action-packed pages filled with coloring fun, puzzles, mazes, journaling prompts, and hands-on challenges designed to spark creativity and learning in young minds.
What truly sets this book apart is its thoughtful inclusion of American Sign Language (ASL). Each page introduces children to new ASL signs and helpful tips, seamlessly blending play with education. From the moment I opened the book, the integration of sign language stood out as both unique and valuable. It’s rare to see a children’s activity book that so beautifully encourages communication and inclusivity while remaining entertaining.
Packed with variety, this book offers everything from sentence-writing practice and time-telling exercises to vocabulary building and art activities. The learning opportunities feel endless. I could easily envision this being used not only at home but also within classroom settings. The educational value is immense, children develop language, fine motor, and cognitive skills while discovering a new way to communicate through ASL.
A particularly charming addition is the journaling section. Encouraging kids to write, reflect, and express themselves instills early habits of mindfulness and emotional growth. Teaching children that journaling can be both fun and meaningful is a gift that extends well beyond the pages of this book.
The illustrations by Isaac Liang are simply wonderful. His art radiates energy and perfectly complements each activity. His illustrations bring every page to life, inviting children to immerse themselves in each new adventure. Author Kathleen Marcath’s passion for ASL and Deaf culture shines throughout. Her innovative approach bridges learning and play, encouraging inclusion in an engaging, memorable way.
My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me is a standout treasure among children’s books. It entertains, educates, and empowers, making it an ideal addition to any child’s library or classroom. With its dynamic activities and heartfelt mission to introduce ASL, this book comes highly recommended for readers young and old alike.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B08MCL5JGL
Yes I Can!
Yes I Can! Lessons Learned from a Life Less Ordinary is one book that will make you grateful for life and embrace all the world offers. The author shares his personal journey with what society calls developmental disabilities. As you read about Paul Wichansky’s story, you realize that, as human beings, we have a flawed perspective on what we consider normal. Raising a child, or being a child that is born with physical limitations, is not easy. With Paul Wichansky, however, the reader is enlightened on the multiple aspects of disabilities. The author himself is not a fan of the word disability. Paul Wichansky uses different phrases and embraces positivity when writing about his conditions. Paul Wichansky had hearing loss and cerebral palsy when he was young. Naturally, this would take a toll on the average kid but not Paul.
In his book, the author writes in-depth about what living with these conditions was like. Paul clinches on positivity. The author did not write this book to seek pity, nor did he feel sorry for himself. Dr. Wichansky starts the book by giving a little background about himself, writing about his family as he progresses to his later years. I like how the author took a free-style approach when writing. For example, Paul Wichansky could be narrating about his childhood, then in the middle of the paragraph, throws in some scientific information about specific conditions. By writing in this manner, the reader is educated on subjects rarely spoken about while enjoying the beautiful life story of the author.
Many things stand out from the author’s life and his writing. I like that the phrases used, the tales told, and the experience shared all have some positivity in them. Paul is here to help you deal with your sorrowful moments and convert them into happy moments. His life is testimony enough that no matter how difficult things may appear and how many obstacles you may have to overcome, you can still live an accomplished life. One of my favorite quotes from the book is ‘…that optimism can become your access to success’. This phrase makes a good inspirational quote that will keep many readers going.
While reading this book, the reader cannot help but ask themselves specific questions. Why are some things considered normal while others are not? Why are some conditions shunned? Why does society treat people that are differently abled peculiarly? Paul Wichansky answers these and more questions throughout the book. There are many lessons from the author, but the main lesson I got is that having a positive mindset will take you places.
Paul Wichansky has, through the chapters, discussed many crucial topics that will help everyone succeed in life. You learn about having a support group, having the proper perspective, building friendships, and keys to success, among many other topics. The best part of Yes I Can! Lessons Learned from a Life Less Ordinary is the photo section, where the author takes us down memory lane with his beautiful photos of family and friends.
Pages: 206 | ASIN : B0BJW1YKLH
The Weird Consequences of a Bedbug Incident
WEIRD – or Weird Consequences of a Bedbug Incident, by Regine Dubono is intended to help struggling families see things from a fresh perspective.
Desiree, the focal character in the story, suffers from several disabilities and regularly undergoes treatments for many of them, including mental illness, physical disabilities, and many others. Despite her many conditions, however, she was also highly talented in many ways.
Regine Dubono calls into question the modern psychiatric practice of creating within people a sense of weakness which should therefore be treated with any number of serious and life-altering psychiatric drugs.
The author brings a lot of things to focus through her story, but one of the most powerful is the fact that there is serious repercussions that come from taking these types of medications. Most notably, feelings of being helpless and dependent on the prescribed cocktail of pharmaceuticals. Even more, though, how damaging the wrong drugs can be for a person.
In fact, Desiree suffered the unfortunate fate of being experimented on through pharmaceutical trials on more than one occasion, ending up in states that seemed utterly hopeless, prompting ‘professional opinion’ to recommend Desiree to permanent hospitalization. It was only when she was allowed to stay clear from the drugs and given the personal agency to operate certain aspects of her life that she showed any real signs of improvement and comfort.
The moral of the story is clear and a much needed one at that. Parents, as well as anyone else acting as caretaker for a disabled person, should keep a close eye on the treatment programs and medications that are often administered. Are they doing more harm than good? Are they helping at all? Whatever the case may be, the author’s mission in writing this diary of events outlining Desiree’s life and experiences is to provide anecdotal evidence. The evidence suggests, among other things, that entrusting medical professionals to decisions related to the best interests of the patient is not always the best approach.
In terms of accessibility and style, the majority of Weird – or Weird Consequences of a Bedbug Incident is provided in diary form. As such, it reads as more of a collection of personal notes as opposed to being a dramatized novel. The situations are genuine. The times and places are all accurate. And the notes offered for all the various situations the author faced are about as eye opening as anything else in this category. This is certainly a unique work that deserves attention.
Pages: 220 | ASIN: 1329529731
LITERARY TITAN 