May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Mental Health Awareness
Read a book ... start a conversation
My gentle stories re mental health:
- Quirky Grandma Jean
- PUDGE
- Maddie's in the Middle
- The ABCs of Hope & Healing
Hello
Welcome to My World!
Whether through my whimsical children's picture books or my more serious writings for teens and adults, I hope to raise the understanding of individuals living with learning, behavioral and mental health differences. I truly believe that by listening to one anothers' stories, we can create a kinder, more loving world.
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH: BOOKS FOR ALL AGES
Quirky Grandma Jean
Quirky Grandma Jean
A PICTURE BOOK FOR LITTLES!
Meet Quirky Grandma Jean. She isn't like other people's grandmas - she talks to people who aren't really there; she sometimes does embarrassing things; and she says that her cousin is the Queen! Told in rhyming verse, this sweet story introduces children to the differences in people in a gentle and loving way.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$ 12.95 soft cover
$ 7.95 Activity Book
Maddie's in the Middle
Quirky Grandma Jean
JUST RELEASED ~
MY FIRST NOVEL!
FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
Meet Maddie - a middle schooler who is a social misfit. Her dad has died, her mother's mental illness has left the family adrift, and her stepmother's alcoholism is becoming increasingly difficult to live with. You'll come to love Maddie and her resiliency - even though life is a challenge, she doesn't give up!
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$14.95 soft cover
$9.95 ebook
The ABC's of Hope & Healing
A GIFT BOOK FOR ADULTS!
The ABC's of Hope & Healing offers love and encouragement for those in recovery. Life can be challenging, especially when one is affected by abandonment, addiction, abuse or other trauma. A perfect gift for a loved one or even for oneself.
Life can be difficult,
but it can get better!
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$ 19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
HOW TO ORDER?
JOIN THE EMAIL LIST
All books are available in hard cover or soft cover on amazon.com or
barnesandnoble.com
Activity books are softcover only.
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Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review for each book on its amazon.com page. After 50 reviews, Amazon recommends it to others!
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Li'l Hedgehog Publishing:
NEW RELEASES
JUST RELEASED: SMUDGE!
O is for PIG - An Alternative ABC Book!
What is a little boy to do when SMUDGE is making all the messes, but Mama doesn't believe him? This adorable book appeals to littles and their parents, beautifully illustrated with the underlying theme of responsibility.
On Amazon and barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
$7.95 activity book
O is for PIG - An Alternative ABC Book!
O is for PIG - An Alternative ABC Book!
A fun twist on the traditional alphabet book with extraordinary hand-painted illustrations, the text is told in rhyming verse. Each page encourages children to find items that actually DO begin with the featured letter.
On Amazon and barnes&noble.com
$24.95 hard cover
$18.95 soft cover
$8.95 ebook
COMING SOON: MAX'S WORLD
COMING SOON: MAX'S WORLD
Max feels different. He's often creating ideas in his mind and not paying attention in class. He's smart and trying to understand his world. This collection of short stories celebrates the differences in all of us - a sweet read for children 6 - 10.
On Amazon and barnes&noble.com
SOON!
The NUDGE SERIES: sometimes we just need a nudge!
SMUDGE!
PUDGE! COMING IN MAY!
PUDGE! COMING IN MAY!
SMUDGE is a friendly monster who follows this little boy everywhere, making messes wherever they go! But Mama doesn't believe he is real. Can he convince her? This sweet tale carries the underlying theme of developing responsibility.
Perfect for ages 3 - 8.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
PUDGE! COMING IN MAY!
PUDGE! COMING IN MAY!
PUDGE! COMING IN MAY!
PUDGE doesn't want to be a therapy dog - he thinks he's the one who needs therapy! PUDGE is a sweet pug who has had a rough start in life. He learns that by helping others through their trauma, he also helps himself.
For ages 5 - 10.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
SLUDGE! THIS SUMMER!
PUDGE! COMING IN MAY!
This baby sloth wants to be famous, but Mama says being safe and loved is what's important. When he finds himself mired in SLUDGE in a Central American Rain Forest, he finds he might be able to be all three. A gentle message of priorities while caring for our earth.
For ages 5 - 10.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
SMUDGE! Activity Book
SLUDGE! Activity Book
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages, cooking activities, story prompts, and fun facts about friendly monsters.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$7.95
PUDGE! Activity Book
SLUDGE! Activity Book
SLUDGE! Activity Book
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages, cooking activities, story prompts, and fun facts about therapy and service animals.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$7.95
SLUDGE! Activity Book
SLUDGE! Activity Book
SLUDGE! Activity Book
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages, cooking activities, story prompts, and fun facts about sloths and rain forests.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$7.95
The NEVER SERIES: FOLLOW MADDy'S ADVENTURES!
NEVER HUG A HEDGEHOG
NEVER HUG A HEDGEHOG
NEVER HUG A HEDGEHOG
Maddy is an adventuresome child with an enormous curiosity who simply must explore the world! Nana encourages caution, but Maddy just doesn't listen. Thank goodness for the trusty pup who follows in all of the adventures, making sure to keep Maddy safe. Written for children ages 4 - 10, this fun adventure is quickly becoming a childhood favorite.
On amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$ 12.95 soft cover
NEVER KISS A FISH
NEVER HUG A HEDGEHOG
NEVER HUG A HEDGEHOG
Maddy continues the adventure, this time with Nana admonishing Maddy not to kiss a fish! But of course, Maddy's tenacity never stops. Maddy explores the seashore, rivers, ponds and creeks, searching for a fish to kiss -
always with the faithful pup in tow.
Children will love following Maddy through this new "misadventure".
On amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
NEVER PET A PENGUIN
NEVER HUG A HEDGEHOG
What is Maddy's next adventure going to be? A trip to the icy cold arctic perhaps? Maddy's desire for excitement never stops, but that doesn't keep Nana from warning Maddy to:
"Never Pet a Penguin!"
The third book and final book in the original Never Series.
On amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
Hedgehog Activity Book
Penguin Activity Book
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages from the story, cooking activities, story prompts, and fun facts about hedgehogs.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$7.95
Fish Activity Book
Penguin Activity Book
Penguin Activity Book
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages from the story, cooking activities, story prompts, and fun facts about fish and other sea animals.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$7.95
Penguin Activity Book
Penguin Activity Book
Penguin Activity Book
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages from the story, cooking activities, story prompts, and fun facts about penguins.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$7.95
The NEVER SERIES: A different twisT!
NEVER MIMIC A WOOLLY MAMMOTH
COMING SOON: WRITE A "NEVER BOOK"
NEVER MIMIC A WOOLLY MAMMOTH
A new spin on The Never Series -
this time no Maddy!
Three children explore the area of Mammoth Lakes, California as their uncle reads them a story about Woolly Mammoths and includes a bit of history of the Mammoth Mountain area.
Told in rhyming verse, the theme of the story is to explore and protect our Earth.
On amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
$19.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
MAMMOTH ACTIVITY BOOK
COMING SOON: WRITE A "NEVER BOOK"
NEVER MIMIC A WOOLLY MAMMOTH
The Activity Book has puzzles, arts & crafts, coloring pages, scavenger hunts, story prompts, and fun facts about Woolly Mammoths.
On amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
$7.95
COMING SOON: WRITE A "NEVER BOOK"
COMING SOON: WRITE A "NEVER BOOK"
COMING SOON: WRITE A "NEVER BOOK"
What book might come next in The Never Series - A Different Twist?
Children will have the opportunity to write their own adventure using the framework established in this series:
* Choose a character
* Never ____ a _________
* Three Challenges
* Success!
On amazon.com and barnes&noble.com SOON
$7.95 soft cover
Thank you!
So many people have helped me on this journey. I'd particularly like to thank my husband, Ron, my "chief encourager" who came up with "Li'l Hedgehog Publishing", and two of my artist kiddos - Christopher, who designed my logo, and Sara who gave artistic advice along the way. You are the best!
The Creative Process
I never thought I'd be writing children's picture books - and yet, here I am! I love the creative process - my characters and ideas come to me when I am in my "zen" moments – running on trails and country roads when I am least expecting them to make an appearance. There is something about the solitude of a beautiful long run that allows my mind to clear and the characters to present themselves. A recreational runner who had completed a large number of road races over the years, I turned to marathoning when my youngest child left home for college - and I've never looked back.
I have always loved children - babysitting at a young age, teaching and then serving as a school administrator, raising four of my own children, and now volunteering as a CASA with children in the foster care system. Children are children - and despite the way they may approach life, what they are all craving is love, acceptance and structure. I like to think that I've been able to provide a bit of that to the many children I’ve had the honor and pleasure to meet in my life.
Professionally, I hold my Bachelors' Degree in Psychology, my Masters' Degree in Special Education, and multiple teaching and administrative credentials. I am now mostly retired from my former professional life, other than coaching some amazing new administrators early in their careers, and I am finding the gift of time to be a wonderful experience that allows me to explore new things: writing of books, world travel, raising of honeybees, and competing in world marathons among them! I hope you'll enjoy my writing.
