How Raja's Pet Camel has done "out in the world" since its release
It’s hard to believe Raja’s Pet Camel has been out in the world for 3 years already! Raja and Kamal were born in my mind a decade before that, so...
The Book Blog
Books To Read
Cookie & Milk - A Sweet Deal with Cardinal Rule Press
Cookie & Milk has been out in the world since October 2019 and it’s been a great ride. When I wrote this story I knew I had something special and...
BUCKET FILLING AND A GROWTH MINDSET
This month marks one year since I began giving Bucket Filler Presentations for Cardinal Rule Press. I’d like to share some insight that I have learned along the way. This...
Fall is Coming, You Better Be-leaf it!
Do you know what September 23rd brings? FALL! There are many things I love about Fall. In some places, the air gets chilly and the leaves change colors, for example...
My Amazing Book Launch Month!
On July first, my picture book, “It’ll be Irie” published by Cardinal Rule Press, made its world debut. What seemed like such a far-off time back in Winter of 2022,...
Picture Books Celebrating Grandparents
I am honored today to share a few of my favorite picture books that showcase positive, loving relationships between children and grandparents. With the growing population of kids who live...
How Reading Books Empowers Children Going Back to School
The back-to-school season is upon us, alive with excitement and anticipation! New clothes, new school supplies, and–let’s not forget–wonderful books. For some kids, it’s their first venture into school. If...
So You Want to Write About Disability for Kids?
Here’s a phrase that took me over a decade to be able to say out loud: I’m disabled. Why? I think it was a mix of societal stigma and naivete...
Building Bridges and Filling Buckets on International Friendship Day
Happy International Friendship Day! On this day I’m thankful for the friends I’ve had throughout my life who have been there to share a hug, laugh, or cup of coffee...
Learning About Mental Health Through Picture Books
Mental health awareness month is May, but that doesn’t mean the importance goes away in July! Teaching children about mental health struggles and ways to overcome them is crucial. Reading...
Winnie-the-Pooh & Accessibility, too!
Children's illustrated books like Winnie the Pooh have not been fully accessible to over eight million children with special needs in the U.S., until now. Children ages 3-8 who are...
Bucket Filling: The Ins-and-Outs of Kindness
Kindness is free, but its effects are priceless. Kindness can turn a bad day into a good one, a frown into a smile, and a stranger into a friend. A...
THIS COULD BE YOU… A GROWTH MINDSET ISN’T JUST FOR KIDS
Just over a year ago I fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming a picture book author when Cardinal Rule Press published THIS COULD BE YOU. I, of course, wrote this...
The Bucket Filling Benefits of Nature
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt” -John Muir Travel with me in your mind for a moment as we walk...
Get Outdoors!
Books about the outdoors are a great way to get your kid interested in the outdoors but also teach them about nature! They can show children the wonders of...
Get Caught Reading Posters Featuring CRP’s own Vanessa Garcia!
Gotcha! There’s nothing more exciting than being caught reading your favorite book. To be asked what you’re reading is one of the most magical feelings; your eyes light up, your...
Finding Agency with Two Sisters in Hide and Shh!
Dinah and Chloe, the two sisters in Hide and Shh! A Not-So-Sneaky Sibling Story About Inclusion, have been out in the world for two months now. I’ve been lucky enough...
Picture Books to Read for Caribbean-American Heritage Month
The summer 2023 release of our new book It’ll Be Irie, by Donn Swaby, is fast approaching. It tells the story of a young boy named Raymond who moves from...
Helping Your Children Deal with Big Emotions: Reading and Growing Together
Navigating difficult situations involving feelings as a child can be very scary. Being nervous or anxious as an adult can oftentimes seem like part of our daily routine when we...
READY, SET, GO! Celebrating Three Years of Sportsmanship with EVIE’S FIELD DAY
Everyone loves to win, and no one likes to lose but both are part of life. How we deal with winning and losing is what matters. This is a core...