The Unexpected Adventure of Writing My First Children’s Book

Reading has always been a part of my life, but I wasn’t always as passionate about it. In elementary school, I was an avid reader—books were my escape. But by the time I reached middle school, the joy of reading faded. Then, in a twist of fate, I married a book lover. Matt has always had a deep love for reading. After 12 years of marriage, he finally convinced me to listen to audiobooks. It was a game-changer. I quickly discovered the relaxation and enjoyment I had been missing. This all came together as we began discussing the idea of creating a children’s book together.

But the real magic happened when our daughter, Addison, came into the picture.

The Inspiration Behind Our Children’s Book: Fox Friends

Addison has always had a natural love for animals, particularly foxes. It all started when she received a stuffed fox named Foxy during a trip to The Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ever since then, foxes have been her thing. Her love for these adorable creatures has only grown. Her creativity shines through every day, especially when she starts telling stories. Addison is a chatterbox—she’s been that way since her first words—and she has an incredible gift for storytelling. If you give her the floor, she’ll keep talking about her foxes and their adventures all day long.

For the past couple of years, Addison has dreamed of creating something that kids would love. She’s always said that she wants to be a YouTube influencer when she grows up. She’s not entirely sure where to start. Honestly, I have no clue either! But I knew one thing for sure—I wanted to help her bring her dreams to life in a way that she’d be proud of.

The Christmas Spark That Led to Our First Children’s Book

The turning point came on Christmas 2024 when Addison was playing with her much older cousin, Lydia. They were talking about her beloved foxes, and Addison was enthusiastically introducing her new foxes to the others. It didn’t take long for Lydia, an amazing artist, to start drawing the foxes for Addison to color. What began as a simple conversation soon became something magical. Addison and Lydia even made up a little song about the Fox Friends and Addison. It was the cutest thing ever.

That conversation sparked an idea. Lydia agreed to illustrate Addison and her foxes for a coloring book. This wasn’t just any ordinary coloring book, though—it was going to tell a story that kids could interact with. The idea was to create a world where kids could read and color at the same time. A book that would bring the story to life in an engaging way, creating the ultimate children’s book.

The Beginning of the Journey: The Forest Adventure

Fast forward to a few months later. Matt and I were deep in thought, brainstorming ways to build a future for ourselves and our children. We’ve always been determined to work smarter, not harder, so we can achieve financial freedom and spend more time together. As we were brainstorming, Matt suggested something that would change the course of our year. Why not create a children’s book with Addison and her foxes?

Within hours, I had mapped out a full book outline—a story about Addison and her foxes having an adventure in the forest. The idea was that kids would not only read the story but also get to color the pages, making the experience even more immersive.

I immediately called Lydia, our Illustrator, and by the end of the day (with Matt’s budget approval), the project was officially underway. We were on our way to creating something special, and it felt like everything was falling into place.

The Magic Behind The Forest Adventure

The process wasn’t always smooth—getting the perfect illustrations, finalizing the story, and making sure everything fit together just right—but it was such a rewarding experience. The Forest Adventure tells the story of Addison, Foxy, and the gang as they navigate through the forest, teaching kids valuable lessons along the way. But it’s not just a book to read—it’s interactive! With every page, kids can color and create their own version of the forest adventure.

We created three versions of the children’s book to make it accessible to everyone: the coloring book version, which allows kids to color as they read; an early readers’ non-colorable storybook that introduces the adventure in a simple, fun way for younger children; and a more immersive, extended storybook for older readers, fully colored with stunning double-page illustrations. Each version brings the adventure to life in a unique way, giving kids the chance to explore their creativity while enjoying the fun and lessons of the story.

Expanding the Fox Friends Brand: What’s Next

But the fun doesn’t stop there! I’ve already started expanding the Fox Friends brand even further. Addison and I, along with Ethan (who got excited when I mentioned my idea for a chapter book aimed at his age), have begun developing Fox Friends Adventures, a middle school-aged children’s book series. This new series will take kids on an exciting, magical quest to save the forest—and maybe even the world! The first book in the series, The Whispering Shadow, is shaping up to be an adventure that will captivate young readers.

Fox Friends Adventures will be filled with mystery, bravery, and the kind of heartwarming friendships that kids love. It’s all about teaching them how to face their fears and work together to solve problems, all while having fun with our beloved fox characters… and maybe even a few sneaky coyotes.

Join Us on This Adventure

The journey of writing and publishing Fox Friends and Addison: The Forest Adventure has been an incredible adventure for both me and Addison. It’s a labor of love, creativity, and family. We’ve learned so much about publishing a children’s book, and we’re excited to continue sharing this journey with all of you.

If you want to follow along with our story, get updates on new books, or purchase Fox Friends and Addison: The Forest Adventure, head over to our website www.foxfriendsandme.com for all the details!