Blog Archives
Bella & Chantey: Mama Wants a Blue Mushroom
Bella & Chantey: Mama Wants a Blue Mushroom is a quirky jungle adventure with a heartwarming twist. It’s the story of Bella, a determined little pig, and her macaw sidekick, Chantey, as they embark on a mission to find a special blue mushroom for Bella’s mother’s birthday. The journey takes them through the lush, mysterious rainforest of the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, past a grumpy black panther, and into the fantastical Land of Mushrooms. Along the way, they encounter colorful creatures, tricky riddles, and challenges that test their courage.
What I loved most about this children’s book was its charm. Bella’s personality shines through, especially with her dramatic “oh dear” moments. Like when she nervously tackles a suspension bridge blindfolded or builds a raft to cross a river because she can’t swim, each scene feels relatable and funny in that “overcoming your fears” kind of way. Chantey’s witty remarks, like reminding Bella to stop eating every mushroom in sight, add just the right amount of humor. It’s these little interactions that make their friendship feel so real and delightful.
The illustrations by César Meléndez absolutely stole the show for me. The rainforest scenes, with vibrant plants and exotic animals like giant anteaters and purple snakes, are nothing short of magical. The pages where they finally find the indigo milk cap mushroom, with its vivid blue “bleeding” juice, are amazing. The art pulls you into this lush world and adds so much depth to the story. Honestly, I found myself flipping back just to soak it all in again.
One thing that caught me by surprise was how the story introduced cultural elements, like the reference to Urracá, a Ngäbe warrior. It’s such a thoughtful way to teach kids about history while keeping the tone light and adventurous. Plus, there’s a handy mushroom facts section at the end, which is both fun and educational. Did you know some mushrooms glow in the dark? It’s clear that the author wanted this book to be more than just a story. It’s a window into the beauty of Panama’s rainforest and the importance of respecting nature. What makes this book even more special is that it’s a bilingual story, with text in both English and Spanish, making it a fantastic way for kids to learn or enjoy two languages while diving into Bella and Chantey’s adventure.
I think this picture book is a gem. It’s perfect for kids who love adventure and animals, and it’s a great pick for parents who want a story that sparks curiosity about the environment and other cultures. I’d recommend it for bedtime reading or as a fun gift for young explorers.
ASIN : B0BSRCVF16
Dogs Looking For Homes
The Odd Dog follows a dog in a shelter who is adopted and becomes nervous, worried that his new family will not accept his odd behaviors. What was the inspiration for your story?
My dog Layla was definitely the inspiration, but I didn’t want this to be ‘her’ story. There are so many rescue dogs looking for homes, and many have difficult pasts. In the ‘adoption’ scene we wanted Odd to look scruffy and scared, cowering in the corner because it’s so different from Odd’s real personality. So many dogs struggle to show their ‘true’ self when meeting strangers for the first time, and dogs like Odd often have trouble getting adopted. I hope this story will inspire people to give more introverted dogs a second look.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The Odd Dog is definitely about acceptance at its core. In the early drafts we initially had Odd getting in trouble and wondering if they’d found the right home. We realized quickly, however, that it was up to the parents to make a home where Odd felt welcomed. I think it’s important to teach children that building rapport and making others welcome is a two-way street. Finding common ground with others is a soft skill that you can use any time, anywhere. It doesn’t require anything but empathy and a desire to serve others, and it makes your life, and the lives around you, better.
I loved the artwork in this book; it is an excellent blend of humor and whimsy. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Shannon McKeon?
Shannon is such a versatile artist; it was truly a pleasure to work with her. While she mainly worked with my art editor/publishing consultant Melinda Martin, I loved everything Shannon submitted because she has such a knack for capturing the silliness in doggies. Every dog in the book is based on a real dog; friends, family, and fans had the opportunity to put their dogs in the book as extras. Shannon not only made them recognizable, but added so much ‘dogginess’ to each one. We originally had a more lifelike dog as the mockup for Odd, but giving Shannon free reign allowed her to create a truly odd dog. I think my favorite part about working with Shannon is her ability to bring the background characters to life. I’ve re-read this book many times, and each time I’ll find another background character who makes me laugh.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Right now we’re working on a follow-up book for Odd called “The Odd Dog’s Guide to Making Friends”. In it, Odd’s parents adopt another dog (a Great Dane named Tiny who has an ‘adopt me’ bandana on in The Odd Dog) and we watch Odd navigating the transition Tiny takes in their new home. The book teaches kids and parents about the ‘3/3/3 rule’. As I familiarized myself with adoption practices for The Odd Dog, the 3/3/3 rule was referenced again and again. Basically, nearly every dog goes through behavior transitions that roughly occur in the three days, three weeks, and three months after they’ve been adopted. While not every dog exhibits every behavior, dogs who have been living in a shelter often do, and these behaviors can be concerning for first time adopters. The 3/3/3 rule was created to assure adopters that, with time and effort, these behaviors are short lived. My hope is that The Odd Dog Guide to Making Friends is not only an entertaining story, but also helps start discussions around empathy, patience, and understanding with families considering adoption. We’re actively working on it now; we’re aiming for completion in September 2025.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Instagram
“little people in fur coats”
Maxi Roo Is Just Like You! follows a young kangaroo exploring the world around him who discovers friendship, adventure, and the joys of being a part of nature. What was the inspiration for your story?
In 2022, I took two orphaned kangaroo joeys into care. While watching them grow up I was soon referring to them as “little people in fur coats”. I couldn’t get over how distinct their personalities were just like ours. I found their curiosity, love of play, communication styles, sincerity, love of me and each other all very human. Maybe in part because they are standing up most of the time, the way we do and they use their hands, the way we do. But to know a kangaroo is different from any other animal I have ever been in contact with. Unfortunately here in Australia, much of the population has never gotten to know how truly special these beautiful animals are.
While walking around my property with these two baby kangaroos following me around, showing off for each other, hopping off and then rushing back to me to hear me tell them how proud I was of them before running off again I wondered if maybe there was a way to educate young people about the specialness of kangaroos through a bedtime book.
I had recently turned my focus into becoming a Wildlife Conservation Artist, so an illustrated children’s book seemed to be a natural fit. Having now done book readings followed by kangaroo Q&A sessions in schools, I am delighted to see it all coming to fruition.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to get the details right.
- Yes, a young joey’s first solid food is DIRT! And even as adults, if their tummy is upset, they eat dirt. The natural organisms in dirt establish their gut flora.
- Joeys first best friend is their mother, then later they form a strong friendship with a buddy (especially the boys) but they are mob animals, they love to love and they hate being all alone. So when a kangaroo looses its mother or its buddy this can be absolutely devastating.
- They hate the wind, it’s more stressful than any other weather events.
- And I wanted my illustrations to depict actual kangaroos, not an anthropomorphic cartoon.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Max’s morning routine – he always loved a good stretch, belly scratch, a fart and a poo. Totally true and I knew kids would relate to that.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes it is the first book in a series. I am currently working on Indie Roo Is a Mother Too! and plan to have that out before Christmas this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Designed to inspire children to value wildlife conservation.
Funny and heartwarming, this rhyming picture book filled with fun facts about kangaroos and classic illustrations is the perfect bedtime or anytime read.
“Aussie or not, this book will teach your children about nature, conservation and friendship.”
Award-Winning Books
When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East follows a friendly snake and his pals who set off together to tour famous landmarks along the eastern coast of the United States. What inspired you to write this children’s book?
Peter Cotton is a retired MUSC Professor living on Dewees Island in South Carolina, writing books for young children about Fred the snake and his friends. Peter grew up in England where the first tale was conceived long ago as a bedtime story for his then-young children about how (not) to cross the road.
When they had their kids, they asked what happened to “Fred-Fred?” (They called him that because he was temporarily divided in an accident). Peter teamed up with a special illustrator (Canadian Bonnie Lemaire) and published the first book When Fred the Snake Got Squished and Mended. Together they now have a series of nine popular award-winning books, having fun in rhyme with Jungle Jim, Perdy, and Jack and several animal friends. They go to school, welcome Jungle Jim, try camping, visit the beach, tour Charleston, and recently have been exploring the sights of the USA. Peter’s books have received numerous 5-star reviews (some mention comparisons with Hillaire Belloc, Roald Dahl, and Lewis Carroll) and 5 Mom’s Choice gold awards. Peter enjoys presenting Fred at schools and libraries.
When not busy with Fred’s adventures, Peter travels widely to lecture, to enjoy his family, and to play golf. He reflects on life, and on his career at www.petercottontales.com/blog, and in his published memoirs The Tunnel at the End of the Light.
Peter says that he was not named after a rabbit.
The artwork in your book is fantastic. What was the collaboration process like with illustrator Bonnie Lemaire?
Easy, she is terrific. Not only draws my ideas but enhances them
What draws you to write books for young readers?
I like writing, having almost a thousand medical papers and 10 textbooks, can’t stop once retired! Grandkids like them, especially Perdy and Jack who feature in the last few books
Can we look forward to seeing Book 8 in this series soon? Where will it take readers?
Books 8 and 9 are published covering USA Central and West See details at www.petercottontales.com/books.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Amazon
Hold on tight, and go along on their ride.
When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East (Fred the Snake Series Book 7)
When Fred The Snake and Friends Explore USA East, book seven in the Fred and Snake series by Peter B. Cotton, takes young readers on a playful, rhyming adventure across some of the most famous cities and landmarks on the eastern side of the United States. Fred, the friendly snake, and his pals board a plane and set out on a whirlwind tour that includes Washington D.C., New York City, Niagara Falls, Chicago, New Orleans, Orlando, and more. Along the way, they marvel at skyscrapers, visit museums, try new foods, and even dream of space travel. The book blends geography, adventure, and humor, making learning about new places feel like an exciting game.
Right off the bat, the book’s rhyming style is fun and bouncy. It keeps the energy up, making it a great read-aloud story. Lines like “Past the Statue of Liberty, it welcomes all who come to visit” introduce history in a way that feels light and engaging. The rhythm gives the book a sing-song quality, though, at times, it leans a little too heavily on keeping the rhyme scheme intact rather than deepening the descriptions. While this makes it easy to follow, I sometimes wished for a bit more storytelling beyond the playful tour guide format.
The illustrations by Bonnie Lemaire are another highlight. They are bright, cheerful, and full of movement, capturing the joy of adventure. Whether it’s Jim flying low under the Charleston bridge or the gang looking up at the towering Freedom Tower in New York, the art makes each location feel alive. One of my favorite moments was the scene at Niagara Falls, where the characters admire the waterfall from a balloon—it’s whimsical and visually exciting. The colorful, cartoonish style fits the tone perfectly and will keep kids engaged.
One thing I really appreciated was the way the book slips in fun facts without making it feel like a textbook. When the story mentions the Freedom Tower’s height of 1,776 feet and why that number is important, it’s an important little history lesson wrapped in an adventure. Similarly, the quick stop at Kitty Hawk to acknowledge the Wright brothers adds a nod to aviation history.
When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East is a great pick for young kids who love adventure and silly characters. It’s perfect for early readers, especially those who enjoy rhyming books with lively illustrations. Parents and teachers looking for a light introduction to U.S. geography will find it useful, though older kids might want something with a bit more detail. If you’ve got a little traveler at home or a child who loves Fred’s previous adventures, this book is a delightful journey worth taking.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B09XVL9N5K
Moly’s First Adventure
The Adventures of Moly, The Time Traveling Dog: Visiting Teotihuacan, follows a resilient Beagle Terrier who finds herself homeless and struggling to survive, who is rescued and trained for a mission to travel back in time and learn about the Aztec civilization. What was the inspiration for your story?
Great question. There were a couple of sources that inspired me to write The Adventures of Moly. The first was Moly herself. She was my wife and my first dog and a lot of what happened in the first part of the book actually happened when we first adopted her. Another inspiration is my background as an educator as a history teacher, a charter school owner, and an Instructional Assistant at Roosevelt Elementary in Mesa. That background also provided a lot of material for the first part of the book. Finally, living in Arizona, I wanted Moly’s first adventure to center on a major civilization somewhat close geographically to that area. That is why I chose the Aztecs.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Valeria Leonova?
The collaboration was excellent and it is a testament to how seamless conducting business across the world wide web is. Valeria, who already has an extensive and well regarded background in illustrating children’s books, is a Ukrainian refugee living with her family in the United Kingdom. When I first sent her the draft of the book, I indicated what drawings I wanted and where they should be placed in the book. After the development of the cover and the first sketches, the process went like clockwork. She would routinely send me new illustrations to review and approve. Again, after the development of the cover and the first sketches, especially on what Moly would look like, the process went without any hitches.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
For me, it was important not just to tell an entertaining tale but an educational one as well where children in grades K-2 can learn about history and geography. Being a history teacher, I feel that the subject is neglected too much in education and children should be exposed to as much of it as possible.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
It is the first book in the series. The Second Book, The Adventures of Moly: Journey to Pompeii has been written and is already off to Valeria to illustrate. The cover and first drawing is already complete. It will be coming out just before the holidays. The Third book: The Adventures of Moly: Riding on the Underground Railroad will be out in the fall of 2026.
Here are my links.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | BlueSky | Website
Moly, the sweet Beagle Terrier, was feeling sad and lonely until Ferrara came to the rescue!
Now, Moly has a cozy home, lots of love, and amazing adventures.
She visits kids at the special magical school to make them smile.
And she even has a special job—traveling back in time!
Moly goes on exciting trips to different times in history to take pictures and meet new friends.
Come along and see what fun she’ll have next!
Creating My Vision
Ichi-ban Goes Hiking follows an adventurous pup and her mommy as they explore mountain trails, celebrating the joy of nature and discovery, and the unbreakable bond between a dog and her family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Ichi-ban was my first dog (1996-2010) and we shared many adventures hiking together in Colorado. She continues to live in my heart and one morning in the winter of 2024, as I was sitting quietly after breakfast, she started speaking in my head. “Hi! My name is Ichi-ban! I know, it’s a funny name…” I grabbed a notebook and kept on writing and in less than thirty minutes I had the first draft of Ichi-ban Goes Hiking.
Within a few days, I found myself with the drafts for three books and it was just a matter creating my vision for them and then slowly bringing them to fruition. I feel like these books are the perfect coming together of my love of dogs, kids, nature, writing, and graphic design.
How do your own outdoor adventures influence the book’s storytelling?
Everything that I write about in the book actually happened, although sometimes simplified a bit to be suitable for a children’s book.
What message do you hope young readers take away from Ichi-ban’s journey?
The outdoors, and life, are a fun adventure. Sure, you might make some mistakes from time to time as you learn, but that’s okay and part of growing up. You can still go on to have more fun.
Do you have plans for more adventures featuring Ichi-ban in the future?
There are three books out now and, at the moment, Ichi-ban’s adventures feel complete.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
READERS’ FAVORITE 5-STAR SEAL RECIPIENT
Life lessons all wrapped up in a fun and furry package!
Join Ichi-ban as she shares about her adventures hiking in the Colorado Rocky Mountains while growing from a puppy into a big, strong hiking dog. Her name means “number one best” and she and her human mommy are each other’s number one best hiking buddies.
Kids will love Ichi-ban’s relatable and enthusiastic personality as they follow her adventures, learning life lessons and exploring the world along the way. At the end of the day, Ichi-ban gets a bath, eats dinner and curls up in her cozy bed ready for dreams, just like her reading companions.
Beautifully illustrated and told from Ichi-ban’s perspective, this story will engage animal and nature-loving children of all ages. And every adventure is inspired by actual events!
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Family and Friends
Coco’s Tea Party beautifully captures the wonder of childhood imagination and family bonding. What inspired you to write this story, and is Coco based on a real child in your life?
My inspiration for this story was from my Coco’s Life Adventures book series, and I wanted to show my character growing up and meeting new friends who look different than Coco, which my Dad recommended to show on my book cover. I also love drinking tea and thought it would be fun for little girls and parents to be inspired to have tea parties of their own.
The tea-making tips and the fun guessing game add an interactive element to the book. How did you decide to include these features, and what do you hope young readers take away from them?
I thought of the tea games to make the tea party engaging and fun for the characters in my book and for the readers to also know the difference between hot and cold tea and have fun drinking tea with family and friends.
The ending, where Coco expresses gratitude to her mom, is particularly touching. Why was it important for you to highlight appreciation and meaningful moments in the story?
I believed this moment was special because it helps parents and children to see how important it is for parents to be creative with their children’s learning, activities, and social skills.
If a young reader were inspired to host their own tea party after reading Coco’s Tea Party, what advice would you give them to make it extra special?
I would recommend that young readers ask their parents to help them with learning about the purpose of drinking tea, how to plan a fun tea party, inviting family and friends, with special bakery treats, games, and gifts, and taking fun photos, to make it memorable for a time of bonding and sharing fun with the ones they love.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 