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Sometimes a Story Writes Itself
Superconscious Dave and the Collective Soup takes readers on an intergalactic adventure with Dave as he discovers a magical realm of connection, wisdom, and playful oddities, guided by a quirky green ape. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In Superconscious Dave and the Collective Soup, the third installment of the wondrous Superconscious Dave series, the story takes an unexpected turn, leading readers on a journey far beyond the initial scope of a simple origin story.
Originally this book was to be Superconscious Dave’s origin story. But sometimes a story writes itself and creates something completely different to what you originally had imagined. So I went with it.
Guided by curiosity and an insatiable desire to uncover the mysteries of existence, Dave delves into the wonders beyond our world, exploring concepts that connect us all through time and space.
Dave’s past adventures have seen him traveling to Australia in his star car and venturing back to ancient Egypt.
In Superconscious Dave and the Collective Soup this time, Dave embarks on a multi-dimensional exploration that transcends our understanding of the universe.
This story navigates the vast and interconnected expanse of the cosmos, uncovering truths that challenge our perception of reality.
What inspired the creation of the “Sea of Ying and Yang” and its fantastical elements?
As a medium, I know we are eternal beings, but no one really knows what existence is like beyond death other than the fact that we can continue to have a mind to mind connection with our loved ones.
As we are all energy, we simply change forms because as we know energy can never be destroyed but can change forms.
The Sea of Ying and Yang represents a multiple perspective of things.
The higher, the lower, the opposites of things. We have all heard of the saying ‘as below and so above. As above, so below’ and this is what I wanted the illustrations to reflect. It’s an adult concept portrayed in fun and playful illustrations.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Magic, mysticism, wonder, exploration, curiosity, and specifically interconnectedness – a collective consciousness that we are all a part of.
Understanding that we are all connected brings a different perspective of how we live in life. How we interact with each other and the flow on effect of our decisions not only to ourselves but to others and ultimately, everything.
What was your collaboration process like with the illustrator to bring your vision to life?
Fun, challenging, and imaginative.
If I showed you my first attempt of what Dave would look like, you would laugh and wonder how a gifted illustrator could create something so magical from a rough drawing and a few descriptive details about Superconscious Dave. But Sue (Susan) did. She is a creative genius.
It helped that Sue and I have been friends for many years, so we already knew how each other worked.
Sue was very patient with me and asked all the right questions and was super keen to create amazing illustrations that I saw in my head but couldn’t visually show her. It was a trial-and-error process.
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on his magical quests,
where imagination thrives,
and dreams are blessed.
For Superconscious Dave.
the enigmatic star.
offers a journey like no other.
from near to far.
A Common Childhood Struggle
Leo Gets His Nighttime Zzzs follows a busy boy and his diverse group of friends as they discover the power of teamwork and relaxation to overcome sleepless nights. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
All our Kids Can Club Collection stories are inspired by the fact that children often face difficult problems and emotional struggles as they grow up. They can feel helpless and believe no one else shares their challenges. We felt it was important to introduce young readers to characters who are experiencing the same issues they are and then find the strength and motivation to seek solutions and share these solutions with others.
Leo’s problem, his losing sleep at night because his mind fills up with Important Things to Remember and Worries, reflects a common childhood struggle. A review of literature reveals that up to 25% of children experience difficulties with sleep. Research studies have demonstrated that the Progressive Relaxation exercise (our “Scrunch Up Five – Unscrunch”) is an effective relaxation-promoting tool.
We want young readers to see themselves in the Kids Can Club kids. Leo, Clementine, Clara, Iris, and Nico are each unique, with varying ethnicity, backgrounds, skills, interests, and styles, and are also relatable to so many real kids. Both the child and adult characters in our book series are based on people we know, our own experiences, families, and friends.
What was the process of collaborating with Dana Regan to create illustrations that enhance the story?
We worked with Dana on our first book, Clementine Gets UNSTUCK! (published in 2022) and were so excited she partnered with us again in 2024 for Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs! Dana is an amazing artist and has so much experience with the book printing and publishing process. She not only illustrated our stories, but she also developed the layout and created the final files to the publisher’s specifications for both Paperback and eBook versions.
For both stories, we connected with Dana and provided her with a detailed character background/description document and the manuscript, along with our general thoughts about pagination and visuals. We also discussed font choices and variations for emphasized words and phrases. Dana provided us with an initial sketch version, then, after we reviewed, color versions with pages and text outlined, adding so many of her own amazing ideas! We had multiple rounds of reviewing, proofing, and commenting, with Dana always open to feedback. Due to busy schedules, it took about eight months from when we sent the initial manuscript to Dana to the date each book was published.
We are so appreciative that Dana takes the time to really understand our characters. This is reflected in the wonderful details she includes in her illustrations. We are lucky to have Dana on our Kids Can Club Collection team!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Through the personal experiences of the Kids Can Club kids and their club Missions, described in the first pages of Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs, we wanted to engage young readers and introduce them to multiple themes: 1) Universality-that we all share similar challenges, thoughts, feelings and are not alone with our struggles; 2) Empowerment and Agency-that we have the strength and ability make positive changes in our lives and environments; 3) Empathy-understanding and considering the feelings of others; and 4) Teamwork-learning that we can do so much for others and our community if we work together.
Can you share more about the Kids Can! series and its mission to empower young readers?
Our Kids Can Club Collection will continue to grow, with characters facing additional childhood challenges and finding THEY CAN find solutions for themselves and others. We are planning for a series of at least five books. Our series mission currently expands through our KidsCanClub.com site. Here we offer free activities, games, and additional wellness exercises. We also show kids (with the participation of their trusted adults) how to start their own Kids Can Club.
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Based on True Events
Arfie’s Adventures follows an endearing little dog with a knack for escaping who winds up in all kinds of amusing predicaments. What was the inspiration for your story?
My dog Arfie was the inspiration behind the story. All of these escapades are based on true events.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Michael R. Voogd?
The “Art Ninja” was incredible to work with from start to finish. He captured Arfie’s expressions perfectly. I simply sent hiim real pictures of Arfie and he was able to apply it to the story.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
Definitely the scene where Arfie chases the oppossum and gets stuck under the deck. The entire scenario came rushing back, it was not funny at the time of course (hence the 911 call lol) but now we can laugh.
I find a problem in well-written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
Yes. In the works as we speak. Hopefully, by this year, it will be out 🙂
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Book DescriptionMeet Arfie, the dog with a knack for adventure and a heart full of mischief. In “Arfie’s Adventures,” you’ll embark on a journey filled with true stories of Arfie’s escapades, from his daring escapes to his encounters with new friends and curious places. Each tale captures Arfie’s indomitable spirit and boundless joy, reminding us of the simple pleasures in life and the extraordinary bonds we share with our pets.
Perfect for animal lovers and anyone who enjoys a good laugh, this book is a tribute to the unbreakable spirit of a dog determined to explore the world on his own terms. Get ready to fall in love with Arfie and join him on his many unforgettable adventures.
Don’t miss out on Arfie’s adventures! Grab your copy today and let the fun begin!
Make Readers Laugh
Nate’s Noisy Nose follows the hilarious and heartwarming journey of a boy whose musical nose disrupts his life until he discovers the power of embracing his unique melody. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I honestly don’t know where this idea came from! It just popped into my head and away it went! I liked the idea of having a noisy book where kids join in to repeat the sound words and I had great fun thinking up the words to accompany the character’s noisy nose.
I like to write stories that are fun. There are so many books out there that want to teach a moral lesson or highlight a particular theme – and although my story does have an underlying message, it’s not the main idea of the book. The main idea is to make readers laugh.
How did you develop the character of Gabby the Geek, and what was her role in shaping the story’s resolution?
My illustrator and I dreamed up Gabby. We wanted a mad-looking techy person who could invent a machine to help Nate. I liked the idea of kids being inspired by Gabby and designing their own machines. Initially, the machine Gabby invented was going to solve Nate’s problem by having a dial on it so he could turn the volume up and down, thereby being noisy when necessary but quiet in school and around town. But we thought it would be much funnier if the machine caused Nate’s nose to ‘explode’ and spew out the instruments! Do I give a spoiler alert here and say what happened next – perhaps not!
The illustrations are incredibly vibrant. Did you work closely with the illustrator, and how did you bring Nate’s world to life visually?
Dotti Colvin is an extremely talented illustrator. She illustrated one of my other picture books, Baby Worries, and I just knew she would be perfect for this story. We had great fun inventing each character and Dotti is an expert at adding hilarious detail to every scene. Her illustrations brought the story to life in a way that many other illustrators could not achieve. Nothing is left to chance with her illustrations – they are expertly planned and beautifully finished.
Can we expect more adventures featuring Nate, Rascal, or Gabby in the future?
I already have plans for future tales involving Nate and Rascal – after all, Rascal does become world famous! I am thinking of creating a chapter book series as a spin-off. There’s so much that these characters could get up to. Will have to wait and see what happens.
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Join Nate as he navigates the challenges of a nose that’s a bit too special. With every tuneful toot, he finds himself in a new misadventure, whether it’s at home, at school, or out and about, making him the centre of attention wherever he goes – but not always in a good way!
Amid the chaos, Nate’s longing for peace grows stronger. If only he could find silence and slip under the radar like a regular kid.
But fear not! Nate isn’t alone on his quest. His loyal furry friend, Rascal, is by his side, ready to help him snuffle out solutions. Will Rascal’s devotion be the key to Nate’s noisy problem, or will a team of brilliant doctors and scientists come to the rescue?
This laugh-out-loud gem is perfect for families who love to giggle together. As Nate’s story unfolds, readers are reminded that even the quirkiest traits can lead to the most unexpected outcomes.
This noisy, interactive book is more than just a funny tale of a musical nose; it’s a celebration of friendship, loyalty, creativity, and finding solutions when life gets a little too loud.
Deciding Their Own Fate
The Candies’ Last Stand is a whimsical adventure where a brave group of candies stage a daring rebellion during a Kindergarten holiday party to escape their sweet fate. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This story just kind of came to me early last year. I thought about a story where the candy came to life and decided that being eaten at a holiday party was not to be their fate. It was supposed to be a fun and silly holiday book for kids to enjoy that was unlike any other one out there on the market.
I learned a lot by working on this book regarding story dynamics, character development, editing, illustrations, and formatting.
How did you decide on the unique personalities and traits for each candy character?
I wanted to make the main candy character have a distinct personality so that they felt more real to my readers. It seemed like having candies as main characters just by themselves was not enough. So I picked different emotions which gave each character a place to start and navigate through the story.
Can you share insights into your collaboration with illustrator Sangi Parvin to create the vibrant visuals?
My collaboration efforts with Sangi Parvin began in 2022 when I hired her to create the illustrations for my book, “Are We Friends?” This book was the third book in my Gia Toddler-Preschool series that focuses on teaching life lessons and focused on friendship.
I felt that Sangi would be the right illustrator for this book because she has good ideas and is willing to put in the time & work to make them just right. Since there were different obstacles in the development of this story we started it in the summer of 2023 and then took a break because it wasn’t getting completed in time for the holidays. After a short break we decided to continue working on the book in the spring of 2024 and then I published the book on 11/1/24 once the formatting & illustrations were completed.
Sangi has a good eye for colors, contrasts, and is good at putting together the scenery for the illustrations. Once she has an idea what I am looking for regarding the illustrations, she will create a visual and come back to me for approval. It takes time to get the illustrations just right and we both had to learn to be patient with each other to make sure that everything worked out.
Are there plans for a sequel or more adventures featuring the rebellious candies?
I have some ideas in my head for things that can come after this book, The Candies’ Last Stand but nothing has been written as of yet. I hope to put some of them down on paper very soon. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this book! Thank you for your support!
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Mrs. Thompson’s class is gearing up for a sweet celebration, but the candies have other plans. These magical treats refuse to be anyone’s snack and are ready to stage a hilarious escape! As the candies cause chaos in the classroom, the kids, teacher, and even the parents are left wondering how to stop the sugary rebellion.
Readers of all ages will love following the unpredictable antics of the candy, but that’s not all! Along with the story, you’ll meet the quirky characters on a special “Meet the Characters” page, enjoy fun activity pages, and learn some fascinating candy facts in a bonus section at the end of the book. It’s a holiday adventure that mixes magic, mischief, and lots of laughs.
Join in the fun and find out how this candy showdown ends! Get your copy of The Candies’ Last Stand today for a story packed with action, activities, and holiday magic!
Features:
Size: 8.5″ x 8.5″
40 Pages
Colorful Illustrations
Gorgeous book cover
Fun facts, meet the characters, interactive activities, and author/illustrator page.
Be True To Ourselves – Always
Kloe’s New Start follows a young cat excited for her first day at a new school who becomes caught up in her troublemaking brother’s drama. Where did the idea for this story come from?
The idea for the story came from my personal difficulties of going to the same school at the same time as my older sibling who has mental health issues. He was supposed to have graduated a year prior to my starting this high school but was held back. It created a lot of personal and emotional circumstances that were very hard to deal with as a high school freshman. A new school with new people – I was so hopeful that I would blend in and stand on my own two feet but that wasn’t the case. As in the story, it was found out fairly quickly that we were related.
Which scene did you have the most fun writing?
The last chapter. It was fun to write because although it was one of the most difficult high school years of my life, it was also a great way to internally come to terms – as much as one can at 14 – with who I was wihtin myself. It was an awakening to realize that it really is ok to be different from everyone else. That you bring your own personality and talents to those who really matter in your life – your true freinds and family.
Is there anything from your own childhood included in the characters in this story?
Yes, alot was taken from my own personal story. I wanted to let others who may be struggling with their own anxieties about who they are or where they came from understand that things will turn out well in the end through persistence. We are not alone. We should and need to be true to ourselves – always. This will lead to the best outcome for our future selves.
Can young readers look forward to more books featuring Kloe? What are you currently working on?
They definitaly can! Book 2 is in the works that will go a little deeper with what Kloe had to deal with within her own family as she grew up with mental illness setting a tone in her home. I’ll be creating more stories that will hopefully come out shortly that offer other anecdotes of life within Kloe’s World.
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The Donkey We Named Albert
Albert the Donkey Solves a Mystery follows a charming donkey and his dog companion set out to assist their bunny friend in finding her missing carrots. Where did the idea for this book come from?
There is a small horse farm in a neighboring town and they have a donkey. My family started making up stories about the donkey and my mother encouraged me to write a children’s book about the donkey we named Albert. And that is how the character was born.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the collaboration process like with your illustrator?
My illustrator (Daisyblue Publishing) is absolutely wonderful to work with! I send them detailed descriptions of each image and the snippet of story that goes with the picture and they do the rest! I receive a sketch first and make any necessary adjustments if any and then receive the colored version for final approval. It’s fast, easy, and marvelous!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this children’s adventure book?
Four aspects of my books are friendship, kindness, helping those in need, and doing what is right. I believe those are all attributes that can and should be instilled in our children and encouraged and nurtured in our kids today. I hope that a key take away from my Albert the Donkey books is that despite everything he goes through, Albert remains kind and friendly and ready to help those in need. I think those are great qualities that everyone can aspire to have.
Can we look forward to more books featuring this engaging duo? What are you currently working on?
I am working on a series of Albert books based on the four seasons I hope to release in 2025-2026. I am also currently working on a book about Hank the Hamster and an accidental adventure I hope to release in 2025.
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LITERARY TITAN 