Blog Archives
Pari the Panda Learns About Patience: Patience Is a Fruit of the Spirit
Pari the Panda Learns about Patience, by J.M. Ashmore, follows a young panda who rushes from one thing to the next, first swimming too soon after breakfast, then wandering into a trap because she can’t resist the bamboo leaves inside. After a frightening escape, Pari finds a safer part of the forest and begins to understand what patience really means: not just waiting, but slowing down long enough to make wiser choices. The story gently ties that lesson to the Fruit of the Spirit, giving children a concrete way to think about patience through Pari’s mistakes, fear, relief, and growth.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t treat patience like a tidy little rule children should memorize. Pari learns it the hard way, through discomfort and danger, and that makes the message feel more alive. As a parent, I found that useful. Children know what it feels like to want something right now, whether it’s a snack, an adventure, or a shiny mystery across the lake. Pari’s impulsiveness feels recognizable without making her seem “bad,” and I liked that the story gives her room to reflect. The writing is simple and direct, with a clear sense of cause and consequence. I also liked the added questions at the end, because they turn the story into a real conversation about safety, self-control, and learning from a scary moment.
The artwork is bright, soft, and inviting, with lush bamboo forests, stirring scenes, and an expressive little panda whose eyes carry a lot of the emotional weight. There’s a sweetness to the illustrations that balances the more intense parts of the plot, especially the trapping scene. The story takes a surprisingly dramatic turn. That tension gives the book more substance than a simple moral tale. The faith element is present and clear, particularly with the Galatians verse near the end, but the central idea also works on a practical level: pause, think, ask for help, and don’t let curiosity outrun wisdom.
I found Pari the Panda Learns About Patience to be a heartfelt picture book with a sincere moral center and a memorable little heroine. It’s best suited for young children, Sunday school settings, or parents looking for a story that opens up gentle conversations about patience, safety, and making thoughtful choices. I’d recommend it for young children who like animal stories with a little adventure, especially when read with an adult who can talk through Pari’s fear, her decisions, and the relief of finding a safer place to belong.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B0FTRWHJ5F
If I Were A Butterfly?
If I Were a Butterfly?, written by MM Myers and her granddaughters, Samantha, Hope, and Ellie, follows little Michelle as a sunny backyard daydream carries her into a magical garden where she becomes a butterfly with sparkly pink wings. Along the way, she meets a friendly bumblebee, watches ants at work, talks with a dragonfly, gets help from a kind ladybug, and finally meets the Flower Queen, who teaches her that beauty isn’t only about wings or sparkle. It’s about the joy we bring into the world simply by being ourselves.
I found the sweetest part of this children’s book to be its tender belief in a child’s imagination. The writing has a soft, storybook quality, full of sunshine, flowers, nectar, and wonder, and I could easily picture reading it aloud to a little one who still sees magic in the backyard. The phrasing is gentle and affectionate, especially in the scenes between Michelle and her mommy, and that emotional warmth gives the story its heart. Michelle is enchanted by her pink wings, then slowly learns that her real value is deeper than how beautiful she looks. I appreciated that.
The artwork is bright, dreamy, and unabashedly whimsical. The garden scenes glow with golden light, bright flowers, and soft fantasy details that make the world feel safe and enchanted rather than strange or overwhelming. I especially liked the images of Michelle with her butterfly wings, because they capture that childhood feeling of stepping completely into a pretend world and believing in it with your whole body. The coloring pages at the end are a nice touch, too. They extend the experience beyond the story and invite children to spend more time in the book’s butterfly world with their own crayons and choices.
If I Were a Butterfly? is a loving picture book with a gentle message about imagination, confidence, and self-worth. It has the kind of tenderness that feels especially suited to bedtime reading or a quiet afternoon with a child curled close beside you. I’d recommend it for young children who love butterflies, gardens, princess-like fantasy touches, and reassuring stories that remind them they already make the world brighter just as they are.
Pages: 49 | ASIN : B0FJ3VYRWD
Wariness and Safety Tools
In Where is Robbie? Part 2, the grumpy, bumpy rooster who disappeared after terrifying the younger chickens has returned, leading his own rowdy rock band. What is the most rewarding aspect of writing a children’s series?
Children waiting to get the next story. Children laughing at the antics and talking chooks.
Many children’s stories encourage immediate forgiveness. Your book takes a more gradual approach. What influenced that decision?
Forgiveness when you are being hurt and confused by behaviour so deeply is not simple to forgive. In fact, a child does not need to forgive but develop wariness and safety tools to navigate such behaviour in life.
Do you have a favorite scene in this story? One that was especially fun to write?
Bringing back the rooster with his band of recalcitrants to atone. Not with a symphony or quartet but with a rock band. They can give children a sense of letting go and surprise at the development.
How do you hope children who may recognize some of Robbie’s behaviors in themselves respond to the story?
Hopefully, they might be allowed to share the naughty behaviours that have upset others or hurt them, and talk about why they behaved in this way.
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Robbie rooster was taken away because he was a bully… a BIG, BAD bully! He needed to change. A story about this rooster’s journey from being bad to learning to be better. Will Robbie’s past behaviour be forgotten by those he mistreated? One day he might be forgiven. It would just take time, hard work and trust.
Foreword
Bullying is never okay.
Never.
It hurts, it excludes, and it leaves a lasting impact. But it’s also true that those who bully have the potential to change. Often, they are the loudest voices in the room – full of energy, drive, and presence. With the right support, that same energy can be transformed into something powerful.
Lesa Melnyczuk beautifully shows us that even the most troublesome characters can turn things around. This story is a gentle reminder to children that behavioural change is possible, and that growth and leadership can emerge from the most unexpected places.
A heartfelt tale of growth, redemption, and the power of transformation.
Katie Govic National Manager, Schools & Communities
Memories From Childhood Summers
The Ghost of the Deserted House follows two friends who sneak into an abandoned house on a summer night, where they encounter an unexpected visitor and wonder if the house is haunted. What was the inspiration for your story?
My Active Kids Series currently includes four books: The Ghost of the Deserted House, Luke’s Sailing Adventure, A Museum Robbery, and The Leading Role. Already, the series’ name and the books’ titles suggest that the heroes are a group of children who encounter surprising, interesting, and sometimes even exciting situations. These stories are based on my own childhood games and the friends and siblings who joined in.
This particular book takes place during the summer and tells the story of a visit to a friend’s family’s summer cottage. I had similar visits as a child, and they always felt like an adventure. Spending the night with a strange family can be tough for a kid. It might be an unfamiliar place to sleep, and the family might eat something different from what you’re used to at home.
And how well do your skills hold up in unfamiliar environments? A beach can feel strange and unsettling. Is it deep? Is the bottom muddy, or are there nasty, slimy aquatic plants growing in the water? What about those dark, enticing yet scary attics or abandoned houses? I still get chills thinking about how exciting a nature walk at dusk is!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The main focus of this book is actually summer nature. At least Finnish children have the chance to experience it in many ways. I want to take my readers to an environment filled with summer scents, trees, plants, and birdsong. It was also the rural environment of my childhood, by the beautiful lakes of Eastern Finland.
I’ve drawn many memories from childhood summers throughout my adult life. I can still close my eyes and return to those landscapes in my mind. Nature is the greatest teacher. It allows us to see and experience things from small to large, helping us reflect on life as a whole. And children feel connected to the vastness of nature, even when they’re just playing a simple game with stones and squatting on the ground.
I also remember how inspiring it was to constantly learn new things. I believe a child is a kind of explorer, whom we adults should give a rich environment to explore and challenges to face. Ideally, children should explore and learn early with their friends. In this story, two young friends share the same experience, and supporting each other becomes essential when things get too exciting. – They say shared joy is double the joy, and I believe that, too!
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The adult me was, of course, captivated while writing a nostalgic journey through my childhood and its experiences in nature. But the most fun and inspiring part was writing the sections where the children set out on their own adventure in the abandoned house.
After all, the attic scene is the most exciting part of the story. There, the children display independence and a bit of daring. Such activities are usually the most fascinating for young readers.
I wanted to take my readers on an experience they might not have in real life. It’s always fun when an adult in a story does something funny or even gets caught up in a prank or trick. I think the father snoring in a hammock is quite endearing, especially when the kids attack this “ghost” in the dark attic.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
In our small family business, I get involved in various parts of our publishing process. It’s rewarding to have direct contact with the people who create illustrations, edit, and lay out the work. As usual, I have numerous book projects at different stages. Some are still in the illustration phase on the artist’s desk, while others have just returned from editing.
I just published my 80th English children’s book in my writing career—there are even more in Finnish. The book The Hermit’s Hut is the fourth installment in my Lyrics of Life Series. This time, the story was inspired by John Lennon’s song Imagine. I believe the next sequel to this series will likely be published sometime next year.
Before that, I plan to publish two slightly longer novels for young readers. Those are really fun to write now and then. You get to create a longer adventure with a more complex plot, which allows more focus on the characters. These upcoming children’s novels include the exciting time travel adventure Professor Dreistein and the Captured Lightning and The Singing Ghost of Troll Village, which centers on a talent competition in a troll village. We can expect these new novels to be released later this year.
Until then, we at Wickwick need to focus on promoting our Bilingual Books Series—there are many titles featuring various language pairs! I hope these books help children worldwide master situations where they need to immerse themselves in two languages. It’s definitely more enjoyable with a good story and beautiful illustrations.
Creating new books is truly wonderful, but it’s also rewarding to share them with international publishers, such as at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair or the Frankfurt Book Fair. I was especially excited this spring when the Finnish version of one of my stories, “Carried by Wings,” was nominated for a prize in a Finnish competition. Wish me luck!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Warm Values | Facebook | LinkedIn | Amazon
Something strange happens when the boys decide to escape the heat and mosquitoes and go to the attic of the deserted house next door.
Do ghosts suffer from the heat too?
Diverse Setting
A Museum Robbery follows two adventurous kids who stumble upon the shocking truth behind a puzzling heist, and the key to solving the mystery lies in a spilled jar of jam. What inspired you to create a mystery around a museum and a grumpy caretaker?
Sometimes, I enjoy writing lighter adventure books. Usually, my stories explore serious topics, but in this Active Kids Series, I have the child protagonists do exciting things that aren’t too heavy, so there’s less worry about the outcomes. I like to turn the protagonists into kind of small heroes that readers can easily relate to. They might imagine themselves in similar situations.
In A Museum Robbery, the children go on adventures in a museum, probably because I’ve always loved museums of all kinds. They also create a diverse setting for a children’s detective story, where a real crime happens in that very special environment. I described the criminal, the retiring caretaker, in a way that no one really needs to be afraid of him. In the illustration, the thief actually looks quite harmless.
Museum and exhibition guards are also interesting characters in real life. Some are friendly and enjoy interacting with visitors, while others are irritated and tired of their job, like Mr. Oddyman in this story.
The chalk art illustrations add so much charm—did you have a specific vision for the style, or was that the illustrator’s choice?
The illustrator of this book was discovered by chance through internet connections from Brazil. I have not previously worked with Dane D’Angel, but his illustration style seemed to fit well with these four Active Kids stories. In addition to A Museum Robbery, three other books have been published in the series: Luke’s Sailing Adventure, The Ghost of the Deserted House, and The Leading Role.
Dane D’Angeli has illustrated all four books quite independently. Of course, we discussed the work a bit during the process, but I try to give my illustrators a lot of freedom. I believe this approach makes illustrating more motivating for them, and the result looks more natural. I only address points that are particularly important. Naturally, the genre and interpretation need to align with the mood and the ideas expressed by the story’s twists, turns, and main points. However, the smaller details aren’t as important. Sometimes, the illustrators themselves come up with fun details or a new perspective that supports the story. It’s always enjoyable to see how the artwork develops.
If you were to write a sequel. What kind of mystery would Emma and Oliver solve next?
That’s a fun idea. I could have them investigate a case involving environmental littering, like one that causes serious damage in a remote hideout. Such a topic would fit well into my repertoire because nature and taking care of it are important to me.
I could also write a story about art forgeries. It might involve an entire gang of criminals and a lot of money. I think I’ll go ahead with such a story because it’s already starting to develop in my mind. I won’t reveal more, but that will surely come in time.
I already have a couple of separate children’s detective stories written, which I haven’t published yet. However, they feature completely different main characters. They take you, for example, through wilderness areas to find valuable river pearl mussels, which are forbidden to catch.
Children’s detective stories are a great way to introduce situations where readers have to think about right and wrong. It is also important to give children the opportunity to realize they have skills, such as sharp eyes and good observation, which can help uncover dishonesty and hold wrongdoers accountable.
Emma and Oliver feel like real kids—are they based on anyone you know?
I’m very happy if I have succeeded in creating realistic characters like Emma and Oliver. They don’t have direct role models, but they are a mix of many children I know.
Actually, I also see myself in this book, as a little girl playing with my best friend. Together with him, we even started a secret adventure club where we could do lots of exciting things. With the help of imagination, even the ordinary surroundings of the home village become exciting, and you can imagine anything happening there!
As a child, I was a big adventurer in my own environment, often exploring alone. It’s easy and fun to write stories about those experiences and memories for today’s children. When I immerse myself in writing to go on a fantasy adventure, I reconnect with my childhood. It feels as if I am just as enthusiastic and excited, and my imagination conjures up events that would have fascinated me as a child.
We can’t go back to our childhood, but we can immerse ourselves in the magic of children’s book adventures with our children. I believe many adults can still experience the same hilarious feelings they once had when reading bedtime stories aloud.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Warm Values | Facebook | LinkedIn | Amazon
Does Mr. Oddyman really have trouble walking? And why has he made so much jam? Emma and Oliver’s sharp eyes help to uncover the villain.
Lesa Melnyczuk Author Interview
Robbie, The Grumpy Bumpy Rooster follows a delicate blue pysanka chicken who learns to find her voice with the help of her barnyard friends. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Media stories of young children being bullied.
Robbie is a frightening presence in the story. What did you want young readers to understand about anger and bullying through his character?
I wanted them to be alerted at harsh actions or behaviour that is frightening others as well as themselves.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you share with us a little about your collaboration with illustrator Veronica Rooke?
Veronica has been doing the illustrations for my Babas Chook Series from the beginning. She understands my imagination and, unless confronted with a new character, is able to alter the images to suit the dialogue without many problems.
What conversations do you hope parents and caregivers have with children after reading the book?
I want the book to raise the notion of bullying and recognize various forms of it. I would like children to consider ways to help rehabilitate Robbie and compare how Humans are dealt with. Is it effective? Children will be provided with an option in Part 2. “Where’s Robbie.”
That book still elicits discussion. Was he let off easily?
The second book also indicates that you do not have to forgive these people but find ways to protect yourself…
Author Links: Website | Facebook
Robbie is a rooster who sometimes gets angry. REALLY angry. But when he picks on a smaller chicken in the coup, he learns a very valuable lesson.
Moments of Shared Joy
You Are My Yellow follows a very yellow monster trying to hide who he is in very green land until he meets a dragon who helps him find self-acceptance. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to create a story that would resonate with both children and adults. A friendship like theirs can spark conversation, inspire reflection, evoke memories, and bring moments of shared joy. Most importantly, it can foster understanding and nurture empathy. By placing a friendship like this at the heart of the story, I aimed to create a shared emotional experience that readers of all ages could connect with.
As the book took shape, it became increasingly apparent that the tenderness of their bond offered a different perspective. Through Penny’s fresh and accepting view of Tony, the mistaken belief that his yellow color is somehow a problem is gently and naturally challenged. Their friendship ultimately becomes a celebration of self-acceptance and kindness.
Why did you choose the color yellow as the symbol of Tony’s uniqueness?
I was inspired by nature and the way the lightest shades of green can appear almost yellow, blending beautifully with the colors around them. This became a clear metaphor for my story. Neither Tony nor the other monsters at his school could see how naturally he belonged in Land Green, how beautifully he complemented his surroundings, or how joyful and vibrant his own color truly was.
While Tony’s uniqueness is impossible to ignore, his bright yellow color helps underscore the story’s central message. He never needed to change to belong. His difference was never a flaw. In fact, it was part of what made him shine.
Penny ultimately discovers that her differences are what allow her to save the day. What do you think children can learn from that moment?
Not only is it a pivotal moment in the story, but it also reflects a truth about life. Our talents are not all the same, and what may seem irrelevant or insignificant in one situation can prove invaluable in another. For me, this is one of the story´s most important themes. There are no flaws, only different abilities, each with its own purpose and value.
Penny’s self-worth was never defined by her inability to breathe fire. She simply had a different talent, one that was equally important and better suited to another situation. Her love for her friend Tony helped her understand this, and I find it to be a beautiful lesson for children.
What do you hope children remember most after they finish reading You Are My Yellow?
My intention was to show how difficult it can be for Tony to navigate his sense of not belonging. His perspective is easy to understand, creating a natural sense of compassion. We see him almost through Penny’s eyes, and as the story unfolds, it also becomes clear that Penny struggles with her own lack of self-belief. Through her love for Tony, however, she begins to discover the courage and self-worth she has always had within her.
At its heart, the story is an exploration of empathy, courage, and self-esteem. I hope children come away understanding that they do not need to change who they are to be accepted, but instead learn to embrace their own uniqueness.
I also hope the story sparks meaningful conversations at home or in the classroom. Does Tony’s origin really matter? Was his aunt right to give him the advice she did? Or did Penny simply need to believe in her own abilities? I love the idea of children reaching their own conclusions and sharing different perspectives with one another.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Noble Intention
The Dream House follows a family who starts to build their dream home when things start going wrong, and soon their dream home is a nightmare. What was the inspiration for your story?
The spark for this story, The Dream House, came from a deeply personal and meaningful connection. I have an acquaintance with roots in India who now lives on the other side of the world. He has long been a reader of my children’s books, and we often have deep conversations about the stories and characters I create. He has always appreciated how my books tackle real emotions through a child’s eyes.
During one of our discussions, he shared two “true stories” from his life that he felt might hold the seeds of new picture books. These anecdotes were vivid and rich in authentic human detail. They stayed with me for a long time, circling in my mind as I thought about how to give them narrative shape. In fact, both of those “story seeds” eventually blossomed into published books: one became The Old Rose Villa, and the other became The Dream House.
While the core idea—the struggle of building a home—is rooted in real experiences, I let my imagination lead. As a storyteller, I didn’t want to write a literal biography. Instead, I transformed the experience into a “fable-like” version of reality, using the freedom of fiction to lean into fantasy and exaggeration where the story needed it. In a children’s book, you can amplify the “nightmare” aspects of the house—the cracks, the leaks, and the sheer absurdity of the situation—to create a stronger emotional impact. By stepping away from the literal facts, I was able to focus on universal feelings: the excitement of a new beginning, the frustration of being misled, and the ultimate joy of finding a solution.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
At the heart of this story is a father’s deep desire to reconnect with his roots by building a dream vacation home in the mountains where he grew up. He feels significant pressure and a longing to show his family how magnificent his home region is. However, this noble intention becomes tangled in a whirlwind of excessive enthusiasm and unrealistic expectations. I wanted to explore how our passions can sometimes blind us; the father is so eager to see the dream realized that he overlooks the warning signs about the builder. This is a very human trait—the way our hopes can outpace our common sense in a chaotic mix of excitement and pressure.
When I write, I usually start with a situation that forces characters to reveal who they really are. In The Dream House, one of the most important themes was exploring trust. We often teach children to follow their dreams, but we don’t always talk about how dreams often require help from others. When that help is dishonest, it creates a particular kind of hurt. I also wanted to highlight that the most stable foundation isn’t concrete or steel; it’s the relationships and the community around you.
The villagers’ role is crucial—they embody an honest strength that stands in stark contrast to the builder’s flashy promises. A key motivation was the idea that help often comes from unexpected, humble places. Ultimately, the story suggests that a “dream house” isn’t defined by its architectural grandeur but by the peace and authenticity within its walls. The story teaches us that being honest and keeping things simple is what truly makes a home beautiful.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Akanksha Priya?
For this project, I put a great deal of effort into finding an illustrator with the right cultural connection. It was very important to me that the artist be from India, so the environment, houses, and people would be depicted with authentic detail. Since the book’s inspiration came from a friend’s history, I felt a responsibility to ensure the book’s visual world honored those roots with a genuine spirit.
I was fortunate to find Akanksha Priya, a versatile artist who is also deeply involved in traditional handicrafts. Her approach was truly unique. She created the original illustrations by hand and incorporated mixed media elements, such as fabric scraps, to add a rough, tactile “local color” to the pages. This gave the art a wonderful texture that digital illustration simply couldn’t replicate.
I found this artistic choice incredibly successful. It brought a sense of the real world into the “fable.” Last summer, we displayed the original physical illustrations on the walls of the Wickwick Summer Shop in Finland. It was wonderful to see visitors’ reactions; the art sparked so much admiration because people could see the intricate details and the physical materials she used. Our collaboration was grounded in a shared goal of authenticity. I provided the narrative framework, but Akanksha brought the village to life with her artistic craftsmanship, ensuring the story remains beautifully rooted in the landscape that inspired it.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am always working on multiple projects simultaneously. My process is a constant flow: some stories are being written, others are being edited, some are in the illustration phase, and others are in the final layout stage. There is always interesting work to do in the world of books!
I recently presented several works, including The Hermit’s Hut, A Stargazer, The Fox and the Garbage War, and Thomas and the Magic Violin, to partners at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Now, my focus has shifted to new stories that address pressing contemporary issues. I am working on an important book about water—an essential condition for life. Water is the foundation of agriculture; it enables cities to function and provides energy. However, when water management fails, it can lead to serious disputes in real life. Even worse, neighboring areas, towns, and nations may start fighting over ownership of water supplies. I am exploring this vital theme through a fable, translating complex global issues into a story for children.
In addition, I have written three novels for young children, scheduled for publication later this autumn. My goal is to present them at the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair. Before then, there is still much to do: we have to finalize the layouts and develop compelling cover art—designs that hint at the grand adventures within. It is an exciting time at Wickwick Books, and I am motivated by the chance to create more stories that help children think, feel, and see their own challenges in a new light.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Warm Values | Facebook | LinkedIn | Amazon
Fortunately, loyal friends from the village come to the rescue. But what will the vacation home be like in the end?
