Li'l Hedgehog Publishing
Hello ~
Welcome to My World!
Whether through the gentle messages in my whimsical children's picture books or my more serious writings for teens and adults, I hope to encourage the imagination and create a springboard to thoughtful conversations. I truly believe that by listening to one another's stories, we can create a kinder, more loving world.
NEW! Board books for ages 0 - 2!
Maddy & the Hedgehogs
Maddy and the Fish!
Maddy and the Fish!
Maddy is set for adventure! In this sweet tale, Maddy is searching for hedgehogs to hug, while the hedgehogs are peeking out at her from their hiding places. Children will love spotting them! Maddy learns to approach animals carefully, with the help of her faithful little dog.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
Maddy and the Fish!
Maddy and the Fish!
Maddy and the Fish!
Maddy heads out on another adventure, determined to kiss a fish! She must first learn to swim to be safe around water. She then explores ocean, pond and river environments looking for fish. She is finally successful when she comes across a creek.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
Maddy and the Penguins
Maddy and the Fish!
Maddy and the Penguins
Maddy never stops! This time she wants to pet a penguin! She learns that penguins live very far away. Not to be deterred, she builds a raft, then a hot air balloon, then wings to find them. She perseveres and is ultimately successful. She dreams of living with the penguins.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
More board books for ages 0 - 2!
SMUDGE!
SLUDGE!
SMUDGE!
This little boy and SMUDGE, his very friendly monster, have fun making messes together. Is the monster real? The boy thinks yes, Mama thinks no. What does the kitty think? This sweet tale carries the underlying themes of imagination and responsibility.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
PUDGE!
SLUDGE!
SMUDGE!
Pudge is a rescue dog who is initially sad, thinking that no one loves him. After he is adopted, he begins to trust and eventually meets a little boy who needs his help. Pudge learns that giving love and helping others can be contagious.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
SLUDGE!
SLUDGE!
SLUDGE!
SLUDGE is a baby sloth who lives in the rain forest with his mother. They have an adventure when bulldozers come to gather trees for buildings. Beautifully vivid illustrations help emphasize the theme of cooperation and compromise.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
More board books for ages 0 - 2!
Wooly Mammoths in Mammoth!
Just for fun -creating 'Best Friends'
Wooly Mammoths in Mammoth!
Woolly Mammoths in Mammoth? What? This sweet story told in rhyming verse is set in beautiful Mammoth Lakes, California. As three children vacation, they learn a bit about the area's history while exploring the magical environment.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
Best Friends!
Just for fun -creating 'Best Friends'
Wooly Mammoths in Mammoth!
Best Friends is a very simple story featuring a number of best friends - people of a variety of ages and cultures, common and not-so-common animals, imaginary creatures and stuffies. The sweet story emphasizes the importance of friendships.
Perfect for ages 0 - 2.
$10.00 + shipping
(Any 3 board books for $25.00 + shipping)
To order - email:
or find me through Markets & Fair Dates
Just for fun -creating 'Best Friends'
Just for fun -creating 'Best Friends'
Just for fun -creating 'Best Friends'
I was a bit intimidated to try my hand at illustration, though I've always enjoyed some casual sketching. The idea of color was daunting. But my husband Ron encouraged me (my best friend!) and I found that painting opened up a whole new world. I've fallen in love with watercolors. The result is "Best Friends" ~ all about the importance of friendship as we encourage and lift one another up.
Its positivity follows my other story themes.
I hope you'll enjoy my work.
Love - Mariah
The NUDGE SERIES ~ Picture books in English & Spanish
SMUDGE!
SLUDGE!
SMUDGE!
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
$20.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
PUDGE!
SLUDGE!
SMUDGE!
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
$20.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
SLUDGE!
SLUDGE!
This baby sloth wants to be famous, but Mama says being safe and loved is more important. When SLUDGE finds himself mired in muck in the rain forest, he realizes he might be able to be all three. A gentle message of priorities and compromise, while caring for our earth.
For ages 5 - 10.
On Amazon or barnes&noble.com
$20.95 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 ~ Picture books in English
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
$20.95 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
$20.95 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
$20.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
Hedgehog Activity Book
Fish 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
Fish Activity Book
Fish 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
Fish Activity Book
Fish 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 ~ Picture books in Spanish!
NUNCA ABRACES A UN ERIZO
NUNCA ACARICIES A UN PINGUINO
NUNCA ABRACES A UN ERIZO
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
$20.95 hard cover
$ 12.95 soft cover
NUNCA BESES A UN PEZ
NUNCA ACARICIES A UN PINGUINO
NUNCA ABRACES A UN ERIZO
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
$20.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
NUNCA ACARICIES A UN PINGUINO
NUNCA ACARICIES A UN PINGUINO
NUNCA ACARICIES A UN PINGUINO
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
$20.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
OTHER FUN READS & USING MY BOOKS FOR LEARNING!
NEVER MIMIC A WOOLLY MAMMOTH
A new spin on The Never Series -
this time no Maddy!
Three children learn the history of Mammoth Lakes, California through a story that their uncle reads to them about the area. Told in rhyming verse, the children then explore and learn to appreciate the beauty of our Earth
On Amazon.com and barnes&noble.com
$20.95 hard cover
$12.95 soft cover
O is for PIG - An Alternative ABC Book!
AWARD WINNER!
Top 10 Finalist ~
Children's Books Ages 0 - 6 &
Illustration and Formatting
NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS
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
Instructional Guide!
This guide is designed to assist teachers and parents in the use of my books, encouraging children's developing reading skills and love of literature.
Included are suggestions for lessons and concepts to pre-teach for each book; descriptions of characters, settings and themes; prompts for discussions and writing; and small group and large group activities.
On Amazon and barnes&noble.com
$19.95 soft cover
MAMMOTH ACTIVITY BOOK
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: 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!
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH (See also PUDGE)
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
$20.95 hard cover
$ 12.95 soft cover
$ 7.95 Activity Book
Maddie's in the Middle
Quirky Grandma Jean
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!
AWARD WINNER!
Top 10 Finalist - Gift Books
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
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
$ 20.95 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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Li'l Hedgehog Publishing:
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.
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!