Blog Archives
The Wonders of Oklahoma
Take Me Back to Oklahoma follows a young boy looking forward to his family’s summer road trip who is completely over his home state and can’t wait to hit the road and see the “real” excitement out in the big cities, beaches, and mountains. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Growing up in Oklahoma, I often longed to be anywhere else. It wasn’t until I left home for North Carolina to pursue my undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University that I realized how special my home state really was. The young boy in the story is very similar to how I was as a child, although it took me much longer than he did to appreciate the wonders of Oklahoma.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I want to show Oklahoman children what while their home state may seem boring, it is a place like no other. I hope that they learn to appreciate it the way I have learned to. In addition, I wanted to emphasize that the people of Oklahoma are what make it so special.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I most enjoyed coming up with the things that make Oklahoma a special place and collaborating on those pages with my illustrator.
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. Be on the lookout for the sequel titled Take Me Back to the U.S.A. in the near future.
Author Links: Instagram | Amazon
“Get me out of Oklahoma!” Thomas declares. He’s excited for his family’s summer road trip to a busy city, a sandy beach, and giant mountains. To Thomas, his home state is boring-and don’t even get him started on the weather.
But as Thomas explores new places, something surprising happens: he begins to miss home. He misses the delicious food, the music, the feeling that he’s a part of something bigger, and even the sound of the wind and rain. Most of all, he misses the people-their kindness, resilience, and sense of community that make Oklahoma truly special.
In the end, Thomas proclaims to his parents “Take me back to Oklahoma!”
Join Thomas on this heartwarming journey that celebrates the beauty, history, and spirit of Oklahoma. Perfect for families with young readers and anyone who knows the magic of home.
Take Me Back to Oklahoma
Cody Burke’s children’s book, Take Me Back to Oklahoma, is about a boy named Thomas who is completely over his home state. He’s itching to hit the road and see the “real” excitement out in the big cities, beaches, and mountains. Along the way, though, he realizes all these picture-perfect places come with their own set of problems—rude people, loud noises, sunburns, bear worries, and sand in awkward places. Eventually, he starts to miss the simple, comforting things about Oklahoma: the animals, the music, the wind, the people. By the end, he wants nothing more than to go back home to where his heart actually belongs.
I really liked how this children’s book flipped the script. At first, it’s all about how boring Oklahoma is, and I was kind of nodding along with the kid—like, yeah, I get it. But then, as he hits all these hyped-up destinations and slowly starts missing the quiet beauty of home, and it hit me right in the feels. The writing is simple but smart. It feels like it was written by someone who really gets kids and also remembers what it’s like to be one. There’s humor (that bit about Oklahoma history being just “blah blah blah” made me laugh), and there’s heart, too.
The illustrations by Camilla Crittenden are super charming. They are bold and colorful, but not overly polished. They’ve got that hand-drawn warmth that fits the tone of the story perfectly. But what really made this book stand out to me was how sneakily deep it is. It’s not just about a road trip. It’s about belonging, and how sometimes we need to step away to really appreciate what we’ve got. The way it ties up at the end, with the love for Oklahoma coming full circle, felt really genuine and sweet.
I’d totally recommend this book to kids who are 5 to 9 years old, especially if they’ve ever rolled their eyes at their hometown. It’s also great for parents who want to spark conversations about gratitude, home, and pride in where you’re from. Perfect for a bedtime read or even a classroom discussion. This one gave me the warm fuzzies.
Pages: 48 | ISBN : 1960810928
LITERARY TITAN 