Don’t Close the Book Just Yet
One meaningful picture book can become a week of learning, creativity, and family conversation. Discover how we use stories to inspire deeper homeschool moments.
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Why Children's Book Reviews Matter More Than You Think
Have you ever finished a book, enjoyed it, and then moved on with your day without leaving a review? Most of us have. In fact, until I became an author myself, I had no idea how much those reviews mattered. As a reader, a review feels like a small thing,
A Launch Week Full of Stories
There are some weeks that leave you tired, and then there are weeks that leave you grateful. Last week was both. A week and a half ago on Tuesday, we officially launched Made to Fly Free. After over a year of writing, editing, illustrating, proofing, and preparing, seeing stacks of
More Than Just a Book Release
Launch Day Is Here It’s a funny thing sitting here on launch day. I’m surrounded by stacks of books while I sign copies and pack up preorders to drop in the mail today. And I can’t help but think back to the original spark of this story…
What This Book Is Not (And What We Hope It Is)
There are a lot of children’s books out there. Some are loud, some are rushed, and some feel more like a marketing message than a story. As I created this book, I thought carefully about the kind of stories I want filling our own home, because as a homeschooling
The Conversations That Happen Around Picture Books
Over Mother’s Day this past weekend, we took a family walk together. It was one of those blustery spring days — still chilly, but irresistibly sunny. As we walked, one of the girls looked high into the swaying branches and spotted a delicate hanging nest. We’re pretty sure it
What It Feels Like to Read Made to Fly Free Together
Spring has sprung, but here in Minnesota, we’ve had a slow start with a fair share of gray days, so we’ve been taking those opportunities to snuggle up with books for read-aloud time. The girls usually like to keep their hands busy while I read, and lately
We Didn’t Want to Do This Alone
As Made to Fly Free gets closer to releasing, I’ve been thinking about how to share it in a way that feels right because this book didn’t come from a big idea, but from the small, meaningful moments of everyday family life.
Writing a Children’s Book During Our Homeschool Days
This is what it looked like for me to write a children’s book during our homeschool days, right in the middle of normal family life. This is the time of year when the birds are so busy. They’re building their nests, creating their little homes, preparing for what’
How We Found Our Illustrator
Right around this time last year, Dave and I were out on one of our evening walks, and our conversation drifted to what what might be next for Pathfinder Press. I had a children’s story ready. The manuscript was written. But there was one very obvious bottleneck—I didn’
Meet the Illustrator Behind Made to Fly Free: A Conversation with Hannah Bird
One of the sweetest parts of creating Made to Fly Free has been partnering with Hannah. I’m a homeschooling mom with a story on my heart, and she’s a young illustrator stewarding her creative gifts so beautifully. There’s something really special about the people who help bring
Why Preorders Matter (The Honest Version)
A simple look at how preorders help us make better, thoughtful decisions as a family. Some parts of creating a children’s book feel more natural like the brainstorming, the writing, the story, the message you hope your children carry with them. But then there are the parts that we
How Families Can Use Made to Fly Free
Looking for meaningful ways to read Made to Fly Free with your children? Here are simple ideas for read-aloud time, nature study, bedtime conversations, and creative activities. Some books are read once and placed back on the shelf. Others become part of family life. They show up in the
Stories That Help Our Children Know Who They Are
Some days it feels like our kids are growing up in a very different world than the one we knew. A louder, faster world. A world constantly telling them who they should be. And if we’re honest as parents, that can feel a little heavy because we know our
The Story Behind Made to Fly Free
One summer morning, our yard became a classroom. Not the kind with desks and worksheets. The kind with peeping, flapping wings, and three very observant children. Today I want to share the story behind my upcoming children’s book, Made to Fly Free. The Little Bird Who Started It All
Why Wholesome Children’s Books Matter More Than Ever
Have you ever experienced that moment when you share something deeply personal, something vulnerable, and realize it’s the only way to move forward? That’s how I felt when I sent my new children’s book manuscript to my illustrator for the very first time. Handing over a story
Behind The Scenes
Our New Look and the Story Behind It
Curious What Really Happens Behind the Scenes of a Rebrand? When we first started dreaming about giving our brand a fresh new name and look, we didn’t call a big design agency or book a fancy strategy session. Instead, we did what we do best. We gathered around the
Behind The Scenes
Every Family Has a Story Worth Telling
Have you ever paused and wondered what your family’s story might look like in ten, twenty, or even fifty years? In the thick of homeschooling lessons, meal prep, laundry piles, raising kids (and even launching them), it’s so easy to stay locked into today’s to-do list.
Behind The Scenes
The Bible Verses that Guide Our Path
Have you ever walked a trail as the sun was setting, when the light starts to fade and every sound feels louder than it should? Without a light, even familiar ground can feel uncertain. But once you switch on a flashlight, your shoulders relax. You can see where to place
Behind The Scenes
What It Means to Be a Pathfinder
When you hear the word pathfinder, what comes to mind? Maybe you picture pioneers heading into unknown territory, or a guide helping others navigate a winding trail through the woods. At its heart, a pathfinder is someone willing to go first, someone who clears a way so others don’t
Behind The Scenes
Why We Became Pathfinder Press (And What It Means for Families Like Yours)
Have you ever felt that quiet nudge that something needed to change? Not just for the sake of change, but because it was the next right step? That’s exactly how we felt when we decided to change our family publishing company’s name from Talya Press to Pathfinder Press.
Behind The Scenes
Book Launch Recap
We are happy to say that the launch of I Saw Bigfoot is in the books! And what an incredible launch week it was. What made it so incredible was all the love we felt coming through the special messages and encouragement we got from our readers. Toward the end
Behind The Scenes
Road Trip to the Printer
From state highways to county roads to gravel lanes, a recent trip to our new printer did not disappoint and I can’t wait to share the details! A few weeks ago we got word that the first run of books for Hope’s soon-to-be-launched I Saw
Behind The Scenes
How Ideas Become Characters
Have you ever wondered what goes into character creation? I’d like to walk you through a brief explanation of my character development process where I go from new ideas to finished sketches. Where the ideas came from When I started brainstorming for my book I Saw Bigfoot, I had