Blog Archives
Faith and Nature Are Woven Together
God’s Plants centers around three children and their great-grandparents as they share the day discovering “biblical plant signs” placed among flowers, herbs, vegetables, and trees. What inspired you to write this book for young readers?
I’m a 75-year-old first-time published author. proud great-grandmother of 7 beautiful great-grandchildren, I was inspired to write this book for them and for all GOD’s young readers. My husband suggested I build on the biblical plant signs we made. I researched a list of 66 biblical plant signs for my graduation project to become a Certified Gardener. The list is included in the back of the book. I actually have a greenhouse and even the Crown of Thorns plant. The only way to write about biblical plant signs is to introduce the Bible, GOD, and Jesus. God’s Plants provides a unique way to see how faith and nature are woven together.
Why is it important for children to see connections between faith and the natural world?
Biblical plants are usually overlooked when reading the Bible. GOD’S PLANTS will give readers an awareness of how nature is intertwined with faith. Plus, the book is a great way to introduce the Bible, GOD, and Jesus.
What do you think children learn differently from grandparents than they do from parents or teachers?
As a great-grandmother, I wish I could have done many things differently when raising my son. But now I can reflect on my past experiences and share them with my great- grandchildren so they can learn from my mistakes. Today’s parents are busy living in the moment, while teachers are teaching what is needed to live a fruitful life. Grand and great-grandparents can provide real-life occurrences that will help shape a child’s behavior and values.
All my books will have messages I would communicate to my great-grandchildren, and they can pass on. By publishing my books, I hope to connect with other families and children.
What was the most rewarding part of creating GOD’s Plants?
Being able to bring to life, in GOD’S PLANTS, the awareness and beauty of biblical plants. And sharing where they are found in the Bible from my list of 66 biblical plants. (And there are more.) But most of all, introducing the Bible, GOD, and Jesus to the young readers, and making this a joyful family book reading opportunity.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Mystical Encounter
A Stargazer centers around a sick little girl who is convinced she has been healed by a star boy and his magical stardust. Where did the idea of Vesper, the “star boy,” come from?
Already early on, I borrowed all the space-themed nonfiction books from the small library in my home village and tried to observe the starry sky on dark winter nights. However, without a telescope, you couldn’t see much detail, although you could spot some constellations. For my story, A Stargazer, I drew inspiration and details primarily from this childhood fascination with the starry sky.
There is also a particular incident that closely resembles the meeting between my story’s little girl and the starboy. As a child, I built a snow lantern in windy weather so enthusiastically and for so long that I ended up with a very high fever. I had to stay in bed for days, and the illness wouldn’t let up. Finally, in my feverish delirium, I saw a translucent figure descend onto my blanket and smile kindly at me. When I told my mother about this angelic visitor, she quickly arranged for me to see a doctor.
I’ve slightly modified this mystical encounter with my clear angel figure to the beginning of my book. As a teenager, I fell in love with David Bowie’s song “Starman.” There was – and still is – something very captivating about its lyrics and melody. What do we really know? What if this isn’t all there is? What else could there be in the universe?
Do you believe wonder is a starting point for learning, especially in children?
Absolutely. Curiosity and a desire for knowledge are powerful forces. It’s good to satisfy them by reading, asking questions, and listening to those who are more experienced and knowledgeable than you.
I have personally gained a lot of knowledge from libraries. Of course, schools and later studies have continually added to those lessons. I hope that learning never stops, not even now that I am in my senior years. At least, I remain just as curious about everything around me—only the things that need explanation have changed.
I believe that curiosity and wonder keep people engaged and active at any age. Mental fitness influences us throughout life and can support overall well- being. It’s unfortunate when adults discourage a child’s enthusiasm for exploring the world. I always try to encourage young minds to make their own observations and think independently. I see my children’s books as a tool for this as well!
Life is such an interesting and valuable gift, regardless of your age, that it’s worth embracing it as the ultimate journey of discovery. We never know where the winds and currents will carry us. There’s plenty to wonder about along the way, and the destination itself invites reflection.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you tell us about your collaboration with illustrator Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren?
I have had the pleasure of working with Mongolian illustrator Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren on several children’s books. Our collaboration started years ago through our mutual connection, Mongolian publisher Nepko Kids.
Initially, Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren illustrated my Axel and Ava Series. His interpretation added warmth, color, and humor to the everyday adventures of young children. When I started working on the Lyrics of Life Series for slightly older children, two stories immediately came to mind that would be perfect for Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren to illustrate. He was excited about the topics, so A Stargazer and The Hermit’s Hut were recently created and recently published in English and Finnish.
Lkhaasuren’s art is vibrant and detailed. In our two latest collaborations, his style creates enchanting and magical worlds with richer colors and more mystical details. He utilizes modern digital technology to its fullest, and the spreads he creates are a constant inspiration to me. He is exactly the kind of illustrator whose visual interpretations of my stories inspire me to write more and more.
I hope we can soon continue our collaboration on new books. I have already drafted some stories for this purpose. But first, I’m going to pitch A Stargazer and The Hermit’s Hut to the publishers I’ll meet at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair later this spring.
What do you hope children feel when they recognize themselves in Aylin?
Aylin, the main character, is both vulnerable and strong. I hope children find inspiration and encouragement in this story when they need to dig deep to build self-confidence and pursue their dreams.
Life is about standing your ground, even when others oppose you. Sometimes, obstacles are tough and require a lot of courage to overcome. Other times, they’re more subtle and involve just some headwinds. Aylin faces both types. It’s never easy to be the only one who believes in something, and enduring the laughter, teasing, and belittling from others makes it even harder.
Aylin’s behavior in the book also demonstrates a vital lesson: the value of seeking help and forming alliances with trustworthy, like-minded people. The young girl receives support from three different adults, each aiding her in a unique way. Her father shares her fascination with space and assists with the telescope, while the librarian respects her curiosity by guiding her toward the right books. Additionally, she finds a surprising kindred spirit in the old janitor of the observatory, who also has stardust in his eyes.
By featuring such a diverse cast of supporters, the story aims to encourage making friends across different ages and backgrounds and finding common ground with them. The best companions for life’s various journeys aren’t always found among peers—while those connections may feel more effortless, they don’t always challenge and refine our thoughts in the same way.
Growing up around people of all ages and generations simply taught me about humanity and the value of collaboration. These experiences gave me the courage to face life’s challenges together with others. I often say that age is a fluid concept. Some are born old, while others remain eternal children. These different starting points lead to fascinating encounters, where you might even find yourself talking about stardust, if the mood strikes you!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Warm Values | Facebook | LinkedIn | Amazon
But when Aylin’s class visits the city observatory, things don’t go the way she expects. Her most important questions are met with impatience-and laughter. Just when she’s about to give up, an unexpected friend appears: the observatory’s elderly janitor, who seems to understand stardust and the beauty of the universe better than anyone.
A luminous picture book about curiosity, resilience, and keeping your sense of wonder-even when others don’t understand.
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.
Chaos By Structure
Operation Gravy Blockade follows a cast of food characters as they battle against the forces trying to remove joy from Snackland. Where did the idea for this story come from?
The idea of Operation Gravy Blockade began when I found myself working a lot more than 40 hours. I was working 6-7 days a week and 10 hour days consistently. The only thing that got me through it was leaning on Obesseus. I asked myself what if I put Obesseus in my situation. I almost made this Obesssus book 400 pages but thought that the parts I didn’t use would be better served for book five.
The cast grows quickly throughout the story. How did you keep the chaos organized while writing?
I tried to plug the characters into the chaos based on how I saw the battle twisting. It became a lot. But thankfully I made characters like Grant the Grapefruit and Molly Mushroom that are versatile. This was the third Obesseus book that Grant the grapefruit was in.His ability to gaslight and be consistently five minutes late made him fit in most situations. Molly mushroom was also frequently late and can barely keep track of what was happening.The Slam- Fu series books are chaos by structure. I just put characters where I felt they made sense based on their personalities.
Do you think children respond strongly to stories where chaos defeats rigid control?
I think children respond to chaos very well. I’ve had it in a few reviews for Lord of the Buffet for example, that mentioned their kids loving the book. I feel like it’s not so much chaos as it is fun vs control. Together, children and their parents can join Obesseus in defeating the forces of overtime.
Is there a fifth book planned in the Slam-Fu Series? Where will it take readers?
The Slam -Fu series is going to see several more books to come. The fifth book is going to take us further into Snackland . Several characters like Jeff Jelly, Allen Apple, Grant the grapefruit, Molly mushroom, and of course our hero Obesseus will return . The chase for the crown of king of snackland is on.
Author Links: Website | Amazon | X | GoodReads
Glenna the Gorilla Learns About Gentleness: Gentleness Is a Fruit of the Spirit
Glenna the Gorilla Learns about Gentleness, by J.M. Ashmore, follows a playful young gorilla who’s full of energy, curiosity, and good intentions, but who hasn’t quite learned how much her strength affects the world around her. As Glenna swings, climbs, explores, and plays with her new friend Gia, she accidentally pushes too hard, breaks a fragile nest, startles a butterfly, and even hurts herself. Through these small but meaningful moments, she begins to understand that gentleness isn’t weakness. It’s care in action, for friends, animals, delicate things, and her own body.
I appreciated how simply the story handles a virtue that can feel abstract to young children. Gentleness becomes something visible and practical here: a softer push, a slower hand, a more careful step. I found that especially useful because the book doesn’t scold Glenna for being spirited. It lets her remain joyful and enthusiastic while gently showing her how to bring thoughtfulness into that energy. The writing is clear and steady, with enough repetition and playful sound to keep young readers anchored. There’s a sweetness to Glenna’s mistakes that feels true to childhood. Kids often learn through their bodies first, and this story understands that.
The artwork is warm, bright, and inviting, with soft forest greens, golden light, round expressive faces, and a cheerful sense of movement. Glenna’s world feels safe and sunny, which suits the book’s tender message. I especially liked the scenes with the tire swing, the butterfly, and the bird’s egg because they give the idea of gentleness a visual tenderness children can feel before they fully explain it. The faith element is present but not heavy-handed, framed through the Fruit of the Spirit and supported by discussion questions, a short gorilla fact section, and a Bible verse at the end. That extra material makes the book feel less like a quick read and more like a conversation starter for families.
Glenna the Gorilla Learns about Gentleness is a thoughtful picture book with a clear moral center and a genuinely useful message. It’s best for preschool and early elementary children, especially those who are big-hearted, busy, impulsive, or still learning how to be careful with their strength, their words, and the little living things around them.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0GT4876RD
So You Want To Be A Surgeon
So You Want To Be A Surgeon, by Linda Soules, is an engaging and impressively detailed nonfiction guide for young readers who are curious about medicine. Written for children ages 10 to 14, the book takes readers beyond the dramatic television version of surgery and into the real world of operating rooms, medical training, anatomy, teamwork, and patient care. Soules explains what surgeons actually do, from diagnosis and preparation to the operation itself and the follow-up care that helps patients heal. The result is a clear, fascinating look at a demanding career that requires far more than steady hands.
One of the strongest parts of this book is how honestly it presents the long road to becoming a surgeon. Readers learn about the thirteen-to-fifteen-year path through college, medical school, and residency, as well as the thousands of hours of practice needed to build true skill. Soules also highlights the atmosphere of the operating room, including the cool temperature, bright lights, sterile field, surgical tools, robotic instruments, and precise communication among the medical team. These details make the profession feel real and understandable without oversimplifying it. The book respects its young audience by giving them serious information in language they can follow.
The book also succeeds because it shows the human side of surgery. Soules emphasizes that great surgeons need focus, stamina, confidence, compassion, and the ability to stay calm when something unexpected happens. I especially liked the section titled “The People You Work With,” where Linda states, “A doctor is never working alone.” This stood out to me because it shows young readers that surgery is not just about one skilled doctor making important decisions. It’s also about teamwork, trust, and communication. I appreciated how this section helps children understand that saving lives is a shared effort, and that being a great surgeon also means knowing how to work well with others.
Colorful and bold illustrations make the material even more accessible, helping readers picture the operating room, medical tools, and complex procedures. The ‘What You Can Do To Prepare Right Now’ section gives curious children practical ways to explore the field right away. So You Want To Be A Surgeon is educational, realistic, and encouraging. It’s an excellent choice for classrooms, homeschooling families, career units, and any child interested in science, medicine, or helping others through a life-saving profession.
Pages: 38 | ISBN : 978-1972766224
The Very Angry Toolbox
The Very Angry Toolbox follows Leroy, a thoughtful eight-year-old who longs for a toolbox of his own so he can be like his hardworking dad and care for the special tools passed down by his grandfather. When Leroy discovers a lonely grey toolbox in an industrial mart, he sees past its shouting and grumpiness to the fear and sadness underneath. What begins as a story about anger slowly opens into one about kindness, second chances, teamwork, and the quiet pride of doing useful work well.
I found the heart of this book genuinely tender. I appreciated that Leroy isn’t written as perfect or overly saintly. He’s excited, unsure, disappointed, and even a little wary when the angry toolbox becomes his only real option. That hesitation made his compassion feel earned rather than automatic. The book has a lovely idea at its center: anger often comes from loneliness, fear, and feeling unwanted. I liked that the toolbox doesn’t magically become wonderful in one page. He has to practice being different. That’s a message children can actually understand, especially the children who feel big emotions before they know what to do with them.
The writing is earnest and full of detail, more chapter-book than picture book, with a steady, old-fashioned storytelling rhythm. I enjoyed the family warmth around Leroy, his dad, and his grandad, particularly the way tools become tied to memory, responsibility, and pride in craftsmanship. The later scenes with the international tools are playful and imaginative, though the book does ask young readers to sit with quite a lot of explanation. The artwork by Gemma Stanley gives the story a lot of charm. The toolbox’s expressive face, the bright character designs, and the little personalities given to the tools help soften the heavier moral moments. I especially liked how the illustrations make machinery feel friendly without losing the rough, workshop feeling of shelves, dust, screws, and old wood.
The Very Angry Toolbox is a sincere and quirky children’s book with a big emotional engine and a clear respect for patience, effort, and repair, both the practical kind and the personal kind. I’d recommend it for children who enjoy talking objects, tools, building, and hands-on work, and especially for families looking for a story that opens a gentle conversation about anger, kindness, and giving someone a chance to change.
Pages: 47 | ASIN : B09K4W67RN
