Blog Archives
Experience Guided by Grace
It’s Christmas Tonight: Santa’s Visit follows a curious young girl who, in the stillness of a snowy evening, has a delightful encounter with Santa Claus himself and finds out the true meaning of the holiday. What was the inspiration for your story?
In a way, that’s a difficult question because inspiration just is. It comes from God. I wanted to write a Christmas verse and began playing with it. I remembered my own childhood when I was sitting by the window, looking at the dark garden with old trees covered in snow, and hoping for something amazing to happen.
And then, when I was working on the poem, I simply started writing and came up with some rhymes. And then, when the story reached Santa’s reply to the girl’s question, I had a feeling that I was writing it down while someone was dictating. Looking back at it, it was an experience guided by grace.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Chloé Nyíri?
Chloé is a very talented artist. She does something very few book illustrators do these days – draws and paints by hand on paper, with real watercolors. Her technique is beautiful and her art is a true reflection of her soul. Chloé is a lovely person. Also, she has a little daughter who is her inspiration, and she can truly relate to a child’s curiosity on a Christmas Eve.
Working with Chloé was a breeze. I simply shared the poem and told her to draw and paint as if it were her own. In the end, there were only one or two tiny revisions. The artwork was perfect.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
If we talk about the fun part, it was the bit where the girl is humming a tune she made up about Santa flying to the moon. That reminded me of myself and of my children who make up silly songs all the time.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Chloé and I are now working on a children’s story about a Border Collie dog who liked playing handball with his best friends – three boys. They play every day but then the boys grow up and move out.
Another project we’re working on together is a book about pregnancy and motherhood. So, hopefully, we’ll soon have plenty to share with our readers even though we don’t have a release date planned yet!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Bookbildr | Chloe Nyiri Illustrations | Amazon
Prepare to be transported to a cozy and magical Christmas evening in “It’s Christmas Tonight.” In this heartwarming rhyming story, join a curious young girl in her home as she has a special encounter with none other than Santa Claus himself. As the snow falls gently outside, she can’t help but pose the timeless question, “Santa, what makes Christmas truly unique?”
Santa, with his twinkling eyes and hearty laughter, sits down with the girl in her warm living room, sharing a magical revelation about the essence of Christmas, illuminating the profound significance of this holiday.
Beautifully illustrated by a traditional watercolor artist from Hungary, Chloé Nyíri, this picture book makes the perfect Christmas gift.
Environmental Responsibility
Jeremy and the Beetle Takedown follows a young boy in science class who discovers the world of entomology and is instantly fascinated with the subject. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My son’s school project inspired me to write Jeremy and the Beetle Takedown. It got me thinking about how hands-on experiences can inspire kids and I wanted to capture how even the smallest discoveries—like learning about insects—can make kids’ eyes light up with excitement.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to show that by asking questions, exploring, and working together, kids can solve problems and better the world. I also wanted to highlight environmental responsibility, like how invasive species affect ecosystems, and show kids that even the tiniest things they do can have a big impact.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Beatriz Gouveia?
Working with Beatriz was amazing! She brought the characters and the story to life in ways I never imagined. We had such a blast throwing ideas back and forth. Her work added so much to the story, and it was great to see how the illustrations made the adventure even more enjoyable for readers.
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! Jeremy and the Beetle Takedown starts the series. The second book, Sarah’s Gene-ius Discovery, came out on April 25th, taking kids into the world of DNA and genetics. Jeremy, Sarah, and friends will keep exploring new STEAM topics, solving real-world problems, and showing how curiosity and teamwork lead to big discoveries. Stay tuned for more adventures!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Jeremy and his friends set off on an adventure to observe insects, but their bug-watching turns into a mystery they must solve to save their beloved ash trees. Can they do it in time?
This picture book unlocks the fascinating world of Entomology, a branch of zoology dedicated to insects, inviting young explorers to learn about non-native insects, and how they impact our planet. It features simple vocabulary, easy science experiments, and a glossary that supports young readers aged 5-10.
This is an introductory book that explores concepts for early grades in a fun and engaging way.
Visually stimulating and educational
Acclaimed, trusted and informative
Great for classrooms and summer camps
Perfect for curious children who love to ask, “Why?” or “What?”
Encourages continual student-led learning
Perfect for kids interested in bugs and insects
Why get this book?
Entertain and educate kids to pursue science
Developmentally appropriate for early grade readers
High quality, picture book illustrations
Easy-to-follow information and activities to engage young scientists
Written/illustrated by parents, teachers, and experts
So, join Jeremy and his friends as they work to restore balance to their environment. Read along as they discover and learn.
Explore and Teach
Who Says Poo is a delightful and hilarious story that plays on words from different languages, each sounding like “poo” but with entirely distinct meanings. What was the inspiration for creating this unique story?
My partner was sitting on our couch in the living room using Duolingo to learn French. I was in the bedroom folding laundry. And then I heard her say “Poupée” and I giggled at how it sounded like “poo.” Then I instantly thought, ‘I wonder if there are words in other languages that also sound like poo!’ And that single moment sparked the creation of Who Says Poo!
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?
I wanted to make sure that the collaboration process was as seamless as possible. So I created a few PDFs that I sent to the artist. The first PDF was about character design, thoughts on color, and overall formatting. The other PDF was the full formatted layout of the book, and I included many reference images for each page, including detailed descriptions of exactly what I wanted in the illustration of each scene. But I also made sure to leave room for the artist to experiment, have fun, and add their own twists to each image.
My artist, Mark Nino Balita, did such a great job of making the art come alive! They were easy to talk with, and a joy to collaborate with. Mark would send me proofs, and if I had any notes, I’d send them their way. Mark nailed it! I had very few notes. Mark even added a few spins on the book that I had never even thought of doing. Mark’s hard work and expertise shine on every page.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I made so many wonderful memories while writing Who Says Poo. But the scene I had the most fun writing would be on page 24, the Japanese sound, あっぷっぷ (“A-Poo-Poo”). It was the most challenging to write. Unlike the other words that have a perfect literal translation, this does not. It’s like a colloquialism, mixed with an onomatopoeia. So to try to craft the right definition for it, and use it in a sentence created such a wonderfully fun challenge, and when I look back through the book, it makes me so proud that I nailed it.
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?
I never expected to actually write one children’s book, much less a series! For now this is just a single book. But if reception is good, I do have a few great ideas to turn this into a series of books where I might explore the onomatopoeia of different languages compared to English. There are some fun sounds out there to explore and teach. Other languages and cultures teach us so much about the world, and I think it’s a beautiful thing to start getting your child curious at a young age!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
With a pet dog and a pet chicken, there are no normal days for Sally and her family. As they go about their wacky day, you learn words in different languages that all sound like the English word, Poo!
Through these pages, your child will learn words in other languages in a fun and silly way that helps to foster an enthusiasm for foreign languages and cultures.
Ideal for children ages 3-8 who think the word “Poo” is funny! Not only will this book help them steer away from Poo being “poo”, but it will show them that other languages are fun!
This Book:
• Helps kids talk about poo differently!
• Encourages language learning
• Shows that learning new languages can be fun
• Suitable for all readers and dyslexic-friendly!
A More Significant Project
Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts is a bilingual illustrated children’s book that teaches readers about different plants, from everyday ones like dandelions to exotic East African plants like the blue waterlily. What inspired you to create this wonderful book?
Recalling the past interview with your platform on my book Alphabet of Flowers as a smaller version of a bilingual children’s project I was working on. Well, the bigger version of that book is this one.
For a long time, I harboured a deep wish to illustrate a book myself. After our son was born, I sketched a lot using wax crayons. Occasionally, I shared some flower sketches on Instagram. A fellow writer and educator in Tanzania suggested writing a book using those sketches. Because I love botany, I tested the waters by publishing Alphabet of Flowers. The success of that book encouraged me to embark on a more significant project, which resulted in the publication of Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts.
What ideas were important for you to share in this book?
I recognised the need to write a book that considers the natural environment of my home country, Tanzania. I wanted the book to carry familiarity when read by an African child. Besides the colourful drawings I did, I sought knowledge from a botanist and vegetation expert from Tanzania who guided me on endemic species, and I have acknowledged him in the book.
Tanzania’s official languages are Kiswahili and English. Most plants are known globally in English or by their scientific name, even those native to East Africa. Some plants lacked Kiswahili names and we maintained the names in local dialects. For those that we could not identify in either Kiswahili or the local dialect, we resorted to the process of “kutohoa,” which is pronouncing foreign words in the national language of Kiswahili. For example, Hydrangea became Mhaidangea. As I write this, my application to the National Kiswahili Council (BAKITA) to certify the Kiswahili language used in the book is approved.
How did you decide what plants and flowers to include in your book?
Initially, I listed random flowers I knew from Tanzania and abroad. Later, I added trees and even vegetables to create an array of flowers. The decision of what to include was as mentioned above, i.e., I wished to feature more flowers and plants endemic to Tanzania. However, I also grasped the importance of including some non-endemic types to enhance readers’ exposure and spark more curiosity in the subject.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have a few prose and poetry manuscripts, and I work on them simultaneously. Besides that, I am also co-authoring two projects with other writers.
I may complete a manuscript but that does not mean it will be the one to be published soon. The decision of what to publish next is determined by readiness on my end based on factors such as publishing timeline, budget, and developments related to the subject.
Author Links: GoodReads | Medium | Website
Space Adventures and Exploration
The Angry Vacuum takes readers on a thrilling space adventure with sibling superheroes Laura and Sid, who are back to save the day, but this time from an out-of-control AI vacuum. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for that story was my imagination and fascination with space adventures and exploration. I was thinking how could I share with other children how to manage emotions and I thought about using an A.I. robot in space to help tell the story because I thought it would be interesting.
Who was your favorite character to write for, and why?
I like Sid the Super Happy Kid. He is adventurous and smart. He does his best to control his emotions and he likes helping other kids. I think that is really cool. I have been writing about the Super Happy Kid since I was three years old and then I changed it to Sid the Super Happy Kid. My dad was responsible for creating the character of Laura the Emotions Explorer, the sister of Sid. I thought it was a good idea to have a brother and sister that practice teamwork and learn to manage emotions and I started writing about both of them using their powers to help children as well as teachers. I think it is great that kids can also teach adults and children about emotions.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I enjoyed writing about the A.I. robot flipping its lid and sucking up all the emotions in the room. It made it seem like an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns in the story.
What advice do you have for other children who are aspiring writers?
Kids should read books and take time to think about creating their stories and also write their own stories. Kids should also share with their parents their ideas because your parents can help support your development of your ideas. My dad encourage me and bought me sketch pads, storyboards, and tablets and books to help me.
You can start with a simple concept and just keep working on your story. You can also draw your ideas for your story. It is a very good feeling and I hope more children will be able to tell their stories and have fun creating them. I am a member of several reading clubs and that is a good start for children that like to write they should also read for enjoyment and inspiration.
Author Links: Website | GoodReads
The Night Sky Lined With Silver
The Night Sky Lined with Silver is an engaging and culturally rich story that follows Abbie and her three best friends, Stephen, Martin, and Eliot as they look forward to celebrating Hanukkah together in the snow-dusted Catskills. The group, fondly known as the “Bieman Buddies,” loves nothing more than sharing adventures, hearing Uncle Morrie’s riveting tales of wartime heroics, and enjoying winter’s many delights. But when a fierce snowstorm strikes and Uncle Morrie suddenly vanishes, the festive season takes a serious turn. Fear grips the children as they rally with their close-knit community to search for their beloved war hero.
This children’s book paints a vivid picture of Jewish life in pre-World War II America. The author’s meticulous research shines through, from the authentic Yiddish phrases to the nostalgic details, like Abbie’s treasured Shirley Temple doll. The story brims with the spirit of the era, evoking the charm of an old black-and-white film or a classic American Girl story, with lush illustrations by Robert Sauber that add to the book’s enchanting atmosphere.
One of the book’s standout strengths is how it honors Jewish heritage while also celebrating the broader fabric of 1940s American life. The depiction of tradition is both heartfelt and accessible for younger readers, making the story an excellent introduction to Jewish customs and values. The story delicately touches on the early rumblings of World War II, offering just enough context to educate without overwhelming.
The themes of community, faith, and resilience are interwoven beautifully, providing a meaningful and uplifting reading experience. The suspense surrounding Uncle Morrie’s disappearance may prove intense for some readers. The pacing is great, with bursts of tension interspersed with scenes that fill in the backstory and enrich the world. While these interludes offer depth, the reader can’t help but share Abbie’s anxiety, making the unfolding search all the more nerve-wracking. Sensitive readers might need some reassurance that the story concludes positively.
The Night Sky Lined with Silver is a heartwarming and artfully crafted tale. Its strong themes of faith, friendship, and the enduring bonds of community make it a perfect holiday read for children. Though it contains moments of stress, injury, and peril, the resolution is satisfying and leaves space for future adventures.
Pages: 113 | ASIN: B0CKK7B7HW
The Importance of Getting the Vaccine
Nurse Florence: Why Do I Need the Flu Shot? is an educational children’s book that explains the flu virus and the importance of vaccination in simple, science-based terms. What inspired you to focus on explaining flu vaccines to young readers?
I think this book answers the questions even adults have. For some, it seems strange that we have to get a new vaccine every year. Some might ask, Does that mean the old vaccine doesn’t work anymore? I wanted to clearly communicate to families the importance of getting the vaccine every year and why it is needed. The virus changes over time and I wanted to try to make that clear.
How did you approach simplifying complex scientific concepts like immunology and vaccines for a children’s audience?
I keep pages simplified with a main concept every page. It is important to not overload information with children. I think even adults appreciate that approach.
The book emphasizes community protection and empathy. Why was it important for you to include this message, and how do you hope children will respond to it?
As a Registered Nurse, I’m thinking about protecting the community and using empathy to provide a therapeutic environment. I would like children to see Nurse Florence’s empathy and care for others so that they will want to imitate that behavior. We need role models and Nurse Florence can be one.
What challenges did you face when trying to make medical ideas engaging and easy to visualize through illustrations?
I trust in my illustrators’ abilities to present science concepts to kids which are visually appealing and revealing core science concepts. The Nurse Florence series is powerful because of this approach where the illustrations compliment the writing, and the writing compliments the drawings.
Nurse Florence – Why Do I Need the Flu Shot?
Nurse Florence: Why Do I Need the Flu Shot? is an educational children’s book that aims to explain the flu and the importance of flu vaccinations. Written in a conversational tone, the story follows Nurse Florence as she visits a classroom to teach kids about the flu virus, how vaccines work, and why it’s important to get vaccinated. Complete with colorful drawings and clear explanations, it breaks down complex medical ideas into digestible parts for young readers. The book also includes a glossary, which can help kids learn and remember new scientific words.
I appreciate how thorough this picture book is. There’s a real effort to make sure readers understand why the flu virus changes every year and why new vaccines are needed annually. The illustrations, like the drawing of the virus, really help to visualize these concepts, and it’s clear the author put a lot of thought into how to present science in an engaging way.
The book effectively covers basic immunology in a way that is accessible to children. Nurse Florence’s explanations are clear and informative and are designed to communicate important scientific concepts simply. For example, the section that explains how antibodies work provides a detailed and accurate description.
One part that really worked for me was the emphasis on community protection. The idea that getting vaccinated not only helps you but also safeguards vulnerable people is presented with genuine care. This message is especially valuable, and I thought it was a sweet way to teach kids about empathy and responsibility. It’s clear the book’s heart is in the right place, and I felt that sense of purpose shining through Nurse Florence’s lessons.
This children’s book is best for curious young readers who have an interest in science or for parents wanting to teach their kids about the flu vaccine in an easy-to-digest way. Teachers looking to add some educational content to their classrooms will find it useful, too.
LITERARY TITAN 