Press Kit

Dozens of Doughnuts

Description: A generous but increasingly put-upon bear makes batch after batch of doughnuts for her woodland friends without saving any for herself in this delightful debut picture book about counting, sharing, and being a good friend.

LouAnn (a bear) is making a doughnut feast in preparation for her long winter’s nap. But just before she takes the first bite, DING DONG! Her friend Woodrow (a woodchuck) drops by. LouAnn is happy to share her doughnuts, but as soon as she and Woodrow sit down to eat, DING DONG! Clyde (a raccoon) is at the door. One by one, LouAnn’s friends come over–Topsy (an opossum) and then Moufette (a skunk) and then Chip and Chomp (chipmunks)–until it’s one big party. Louann welcomes her surprise guests and makes batch after batch of doughnuts, always dividing them equally among her friends. But she makes one BIG miscalculation. Soon LouAnn’s kitchen is bare, winter is near, and she’s had nothing to eat at all!

Themes: Friendship, sharing, social-emotional learning, math, division, hibernation

Awards: Amazon Editors’ Pick, ages 3-5; Junior Library Guild selection; BookRiot Must-Read Picture Book of 2020; TODAY Show Top 25 Best Summer Reads for Kids, 2020; New England SCBWI Crystal Kite Finalist, 2021; Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award nominee, 2022; Oklahoma Redbud Read-Aloud Award nominee, 2022; Iowa Bridge to Reading Picture Book Award nominee, 2022; California Young Readers Medal nominee, 2022-23; Missouri Show Me Readers Book Award nominee, 2022-23; New Hampshire Ladybug Book Award nominee, 2023; North Carolina Children’s Book Award nominee, 2023

Dozens of Doughnuts – Penguin/Random House page

Plenty of Pancakes

From the creators of Dozens of Doughnuts comes a lively take on friendship, springtime, and counting by fives.

Opossum Topsy is preparing a “Welcome Spring!” meal for her bear friend LouAnn, who has been asleep all winter long. She’s brought milk, eggs, berries, and syrup, and soon she has five perfect pancakes, fresh from the pan. But when Topsy’s back is turned—MUNCH! MUNCH! MUNCH!—she discovers someone has eaten all of the pancakes! No problem, she’ll just make more, counting out five at a time. But then, it happens again! Who could the thief be?

Whether it’s squirrels, or crows, or someone else swiping the food, Topsy knows she doesn’t have much time left before hungry LouAnn wakes up. And it will take the help of all her animal friends to get the feast done in time. Can they make enough pancakes to feed everyone?

Themes: Friendship, persistence, math, counting by fives

Awards: Jan/Feb 2026 Kids’ Indie Next List selection; Amazon Editors’ Pick, ages 3-5

Plenty of Pancakes – Penguin/Random House page

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It)

Description: Meet Doug, an ordinary kid who doesn’t like hugs, in this fun and exuberant story which aims to spark discussions about bodily autonomy and consent.

Doug doesn’t like hugs. He thinks hugs are too squeezy, too squashy, too squooshy, too smooshy. He doesn’t like hello hugs or goodbye hugs, game-winning home run hugs or dropped ice cream cone hugs, and he definitely doesn’t like birthday hugs. He’d much rather give a high five–or a low five, a side five, a double five, or a spinny five. Yup, some people love hugs; other people don’t. So how can you tell if someone likes hugs or not? There’s only one way to find out: Ask! Because everybody gets to decide for themselves whether they want a hug or not.

Themes: Bodily autonomy, consent, friendship, social-emotional learning

Awards: An ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2022; A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2022; A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, 2021; Anna Dewdney Read Together Award honoree, 2022; Illinois Monarch Book Award Masterlist, 2023; Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee, 2022-23; Michigan Great Lakes Great Books nominee, 2022-23; Nevada Young Readers Book Award nominee, 2023; Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award nominee, 2023; Capitol Choices Reading List, 2022; Texas 2×2 2022 Reading List, 2022; Alabama Camellia Award nominee 2022-23; Missouri Building Block Award nominee, 2022; Massachusetts Picture Book Award “Must Read,” 2021; South Dakota Prairie Bud Children’s Book Award nominee 2023-24; Iowa Bridge to Reading Picture Book Award nominee, 2022; Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award nominee, 2023-24; Indiana Library Federation Primary Read Aloud nominee, 2024; South Carolina Picture Book Award nominee, 2023-24

​Don’t Hug Doug – Penguin/Random House page

Even Steven: A Book About Sharing

A lighthearted, humorous picture book from the author/illustrator duo behind Don’t Hug Doug about a boy who wants everything to be perfectly even.

Say hello to Steven. Steven likes to share! He knows the best way to share something is to split it in half. It’s fun! It’s fair! And it’s EVEN.

But some things aren’t so easy to split in half . . . Like a nickel. Or a book. Or a slide. Sometimes taking turns is better. Or giving one of something to each person. Steven likes these options because they’re fun, and fair, and still EVEN!

But…can some things be even, but not fair? Can some things be fair, but not even? Steven isn’t so sure, and he’ll need YOUR help to figure it out!

Themes: Sharing, friendship

Awards: Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection

Even Steven – Penguin/Random House page

Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story

Description: Sometimes Lulu wants to play, but her big sister Zoey doesn’t. Sometimes Zoey tries to share, but Lulu won’t. Sometimes, it is HARD to get along with a sister! But, sometimes, sisters come together and create something wonderful. This charming story follows the adventures of Lulu and Zoey as they navigate the ups and downs of sisterhood and find there is room in their hearts for each other.​

Themes: Sisterhood, sibling rivalry, family, conflict resolution

Awards: Massachusetts Picture Book Award “Must Read,” 2022

Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story – Running Press Kids page

Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School

​Description: It’s the first day of school and Little Tortoise is worried. Can she get there on time?

It’s the first day of school and Little Tortoise is ready with a backpack filled with new school supplies. Little Tortoise can’t wait to get to school and tries very hard not to be the last student there.

But soon Cheetah, Llama, and even a snail on a scooter, overtake her.
And then when she gets stuck in the gutter of the book, she’s sure she’ll be the last pupil to arrive! But the timely arrival of Mr. Sloth, her new teacher, changes everything.

Gentle reassuring language full of wordplay, and bold and bright art by an up and coming artist offer students a comforting story about this new experience. Here’s a fresh way to encourage reluctant students to be on their way.

Themes: First day of school, self acceptance, differences connections with teacher

Awards: Children’s Book Council Librarian Favorites Selection, 2023

Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School – Random House Studio page

Pigs Dig a Road

Description: A rhyming picture book featuring pig construction workers that’s perfect for fans of Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site.

Construction crew chief Rosie and her team are building a new road to the Hamshire County Fair. It’s time to put on hard hats and boots, grab their hammers and stakes, and, of course, bring out the big trucks: bulldozers, excavators, pavers, rollers, and more!

Unfortunately, work with Rosie’s crew doesn’t always go as planned, and Curly, Pinky, and Stinky end up making one huge mess. Rosie is there to save the day, but she can’t do such a big job all by herself. The county fair is starting soon, and there’s only one way to get the road done on time . . . teamwork!

Themes: Friendship, teamwork, construction vehicles, road-building process

Awards: Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Selection, 2024; Iowa Bridge to Reading Award finalist, 2025; Boston Authors Club Julia Ward Howe award – Notable Book, 2024; SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist, New England region, 2025

Pigs Dig a Road – Penguin/Random House page

Touch a Truck Day: A Lift-the-Flap Book

Description: Today’s the day to TOUCH A TRUCK! This rhyming, tabbed novelty book invites young vehicle fans to explore eight fascinating trucks, with a sweet and special surprise at the end.

Climb inside eight different trucks—including a fire engine, garbage truck, ambulance, and more!—and discover what makes each of them unique. Use the tabs to skip straight to your favorite vehicle, then lift the flaps and learn about the important features found inside and out.

• Eight different vehicles to choose from!
• Tabs across the top let you open to your favorite vehicle.
• Each vehicle page has one to three flaps to lift and learn.
• There are sixteen information-packed flaps throughout the book.

Brightly illustrated and filled with dynamic, fun-to-read rhymes and engaging facts, this celebration of trucks puts readers in the driver’s seat and in the middle of the action.

KIDS LOVE TRUCKS!: Books about trucks and vehicles are a perennial hit with young readers. With its engaging format and variety of trucks, this life-the-flap book is sure to capture the attention of any young truck fan.

FUN AND INFORMATIVE: Touch a Truck Day is packed with fascinating details about how trucks work and what’s inside each one. It combines cheerful rhymes with informative, labeled pages to engage kids and spark their curiosity.

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE: Tabbed pages and liftable flap features encourage readers to develop their motor skills, learn about vehicles, and play independently. A fun and sweet surprise at the end will have children eager to turn every page.

ASPIRING TRUCK DRIVERS: This book celebrates trucks and their hardworking drivers, as well as the skills and stamina they possess to operate these essential vehicles. Appreciating and admiring these public service professionals makes for an enriching read for any truck fan.

Perfect for:

• Young readers enthusiastic about trucks of all kinds
• Parents and family members looking for a fun, interactive gift for birthdays and baby showers
• Gift-givers looking for an item with good play-and-read value
• Fans of vehicle books like Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site; Trucks Go; and First 100 Trucks

Themes: Trucks, jobs, community events

Touch a Truck Day – Chronicle Books page