Why am I passionate about this?

As a mother of 3 kids, I’ve always valued story time in our home. It’s a moment in the day to catch your breath and watch your child’s imagination begin to run wild and free. It’s a moment that I believe should be enjoyed by everyone involved. I have read thousands of kids' books over the years, and when I began to find books that I could enjoy just as much as my kids, it was like striking gold. It became my passion to find books and then, in turn, write books that brought the family together. 


I wrote

My Lighthouse: A Story of Finding Your Way Home

By Ali Gilkeson, Lee Wildish (illustrator),

Book cover of My Lighthouse: A Story of Finding Your Way Home

What is my book about?

Join a reluctant young lighthouse keeper, his extremely round cat, and his trusty rowboat Rockshore, in a whimsical and tender…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Storm Whale

Ali Gilkeson Why did I love this book?

This was one of the first children’s books I read to my kid, and I enjoyed it just as much as he did. I love it when kids' books look quirky or whimsical with a simple message, and this book had all of that.

It also reminded me of being back in Ireland by the sea. And I loved the simple message of spending time with the people who mean the most to you.

By Benji Davies,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Storm Whale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The stunning bestseller by Benji Davies, winner of the inaugural Oscar's First Book Prize, now available in board format!

Noi and his father live in a house by the sea, his father works hard as a fisherman and Noi often has only their six cats for company. So when, one day, he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but there's only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad…


Book cover of Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

Ali Gilkeson Why did I love this book?

I am a huge fan of Oliver Jeffers. I find his artwork and expression so creative and fun. Even the simplest spread can look so beautiful. With every turn of the page, while the kids are enjoying the story, I am captivated by his artwork.

I love it when my kids pick this book to read at night. It also has a fantastic message about taking care of the planet and yourself, which I’m a big fan of.  

By Oliver Jeffers,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Here We Are as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

#1 New York Times Bestseller and #1 TIME Best Book of the Year for 2017!

The exquisite and thought-provoking new book from the multi award-winning, internationally best-selling picture book creator of Lost and Found, Oliver Jeffers.

Well, hello.
And welcome to this Planet.
We call it Earth.

Our world can be a bewildering place, especially if you've only just got here. Your head will be filled with questions, so let's explore what makes our planet and how we live on it. From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your…


Book cover of It Came in the Mail

Ali Gilkeson Why did I love this book?

I love kids' books that have little nods to the adults reading the story, and Ben does this beautifully. I love the quirky, fun artwork on each page and the variety of layouts. I also adored the message behind this story, teaching kids that having or getting more is not always better.

This is a book I always enjoy with my kids and its the perfect length to still get them to bed on time. Bonus!

By Ben Clanton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked It Came in the Mail as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


Book cover of Stuck

Ali Gilkeson Why did I love this book?

Okay, I may enjoy this book more than my kids at times and can more than likely recite it from memory. I find the story and character of Floyd delightful and funny, and I laughed out loud at parts.

I believe this is an excellent book that every age can love. Go ahead and add this to your library; I guarantee you won't regret it.

By Oliver Jeffers,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Stuck as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Delightful chaos ensues when a young boy gets his kite stuck up a tree in this laugh-out-loud new picture book from award-winning, internationally best-selling author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers!

Floyd gets his kite stuck up a tree. He throws up his shoe to shift it, but that gets stuck too. So he throws up his other shoe and that gets stuck, along with... a ladder, a pot of paint, the kitchen sink, an orang-utan and a whale, amongst other things!

Will Floyd ever get his kite back?

A hilarious book with a wonderful surprise ending.


Book cover of Odd Dog Out

Ali Gilkeson Why did I love this book?

I love this book because the artwork is so vibrant, and the message of teaching kids it's okay to be different from others is vital. The author created a fun rhyming scheme as you read through which normally I’m not into but when it is done this well I can jump on board.

I really enjoy reading this book with my kids and seeing them understand an important message while enjoying the beautiful rainbow color palette. It is wonderful.

By Rob Biddulph,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Odd Dog Out as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

It's a dog's life in the big city... Come join one busy dog on her journey to find her place in the world, from Rob Biddulph - the genius behind the #DrawWithRob phenomenon and the bestselling and award-winning Blown Away!

For busy dogs
A busy day
Of busy work
And busy play...

But one dog doesn't quite fit in. It's lonely being the odd dog out. She's willing to go to the other side of the world to look for her place in it... but it might take a different kind of journey for her to realise that maybe where…


Explore my book 😀

My Lighthouse: A Story of Finding Your Way Home

By Ali Gilkeson, Lee Wildish (illustrator),

Book cover of My Lighthouse: A Story of Finding Your Way Home

What is my book about?

Join a reluctant young lighthouse keeper, his extremely round cat, and his trusty rowboat Rockshore, in a whimsical and tender tale of finding adventure, losing your way, and learning to appreciate what you already have. Fynn has always lived in a lighthouse—just like his father and grandfathers before him. His dad insists that living in a roundhouse with a big lightbulb on top is special, but Fynn doesn't see how. All he knows is that it's weird—and often inconvenient. 

Fynn runs away from his lighthouse, seeking adventure on the sea. But when the winds and waves rise, and things get very dark, Fynn finds that the light he needs most is the one he's known all his life. 

Book cover of The Storm Whale
Book cover of Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
Book cover of It Came in the Mail

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The Flight to Brassbright

By Lori Alden Holuta,

Book cover of The Flight to Brassbright

Lori Alden Holuta Author Of The Flight to Brassbright

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Word addict Earth mama Avant garde crocheter Steampunk Expat Seattleite

Lori's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

Constance is a wild, stubborn young girl growing up poor in a small industrial town in the late 1800's. Beneath her thread-worn exterior beats the heart of a dreamer and a wordsmith. But at age twelve, she’s orphaned. Running away to join the circus—like kids do in adventure books—seems like such a brilliant idea…or is it?

"Flight to Brassbright appeals to my inner child's desire for adventure and independence as well as my (mostly) grown-up desire for really well-written stories that capture my imagination and hold my attention."​​​​​​​ - Tricia, Amazon Reviewer

"...well plotted with a likable protagonist...upbeat with…

The Flight to Brassbright

By Lori Alden Holuta,

What is this book about?

Constance is a wild, stubborn young girl growing up poor in a small industrial town in the late 1800's. Beneath her thread-worn exterior beats the heart of a dreamer and a wordsmith. But at age twelve, she’s orphaned. Running away to join the circus—like kids do in adventure books—seems like such a brilliant idea… or is it?


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