• Books,  San Diego

    How Do I Wonder? A Captivating New Picture Book That Inspires Curiosity and Imagination

    Discover the Magic of Curiosity with How Do I Wonder?

    Curiosity is the spark that ignites creativity, learning, and a lifelong love of discovery. In her latest picture book, How Do I Wonder?, author Gianna Davy invites children ages 4-8 to explore the world through imaginative questions and fresh perspectives. Following the success of No One Owns the Colors, Davy’s newest book, beautifully illustrated by Brenda Rodriguez, offers a lyrical and thought-provoking journey into the endless wonders of the mind.

    A Celebration of Curiosity and Imagination

    What makes water wet? Do snails see turtles as slow? How Do I Wonder? encourages young readers to embrace the power of questioning, demonstrating that sometimes, the magic lies not in finding answers, but in the act of wondering itself. By blending playful yet profound questions with vibrant and inclusive illustrations, the book fosters a growth mindset, urging children to see the world in new and exciting ways.

    Through poetic storytelling and engaging prompts, How Do I Wonder? transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities for discovery. Whether in a classroom or a cozy reading nook at home, this book inspires children to look beyond what they know and explore what could be.

    Why How Do I Wonder? is a Must-Read

    Gianna Davy has crafted a book that not only delights young readers but also encourages a way of thinking that will benefit them for life. The book’s key features include:

    • Igniting Imaginations – By posing questions without immediate answers, How Do I Wonder? teaches children the beauty of curiosity and open-ended thinking.
    • Growth Mindset Development – Thought-provoking prompts, such as “When I’m standing on Earth, am I upside down?” help children see beyond their own perspective and consider multiple viewpoints.
    • Inclusive Representation – Featuring diverse characters of various races, genders, abilities, and ages, the book ensures that every child feels seen and valued.
    • Evocative, Rhyming Text – Davy’s lyrical writing style captivates young readers, making the experience both educational and enchanting.
    • Encouraging Everyday Wonder – The book teaches children that curiosity can thrive anywhere—whether at home, in nature, or in the classroom.

    About the Author

    Gianna Davy is a dancer, artist, and educator whose career spans the worlds of performance, teaching, and creative expression. Raised in Oakland, CA, she performed with esteemed ballet companies before transitioning into a role as an advocate for artistic education. As the co-founder of the Healdsburg Dance Collective, she continues to inspire creativity and movement in her community.

    A graduate of St. Mary’s College and NYU, Gianna now blends her expertise in communication sciences and the arts to help individuals with complex communication needs. She lives in Northern California with her family, two cats, two chickens, a beehive, and a flourishing garden—each a daily source of inspiration for her storytelling.

    Where to Find How Do I Wonder?

    Released on February 18, 2025, How Do I Wonder?  has been available through The Collective Book Studio, a woman-owned publishing house renowned for producing beautifully designed, high-quality books.

    Book Details:

    • How Do I Wonder? by Gianna Davy
    • Illustrations by Brenda Rodriguez
    • Publisher: The Collective Book Studio
    • ISBN: 978-1-68555-571-9
    • Price: $19.95

    What makes water wet? Do snails see turtles as slow? How Do I Wonder? encourages young readers to embrace the power of questioning, demonstrating that sometimes, the magic lies not in finding answers, but in the act of wondering itself. By blending playful yet profound questions with vibrant and thoughtful illustrations, this book fosters curiosity, inspires creativity, and nurtures a growth mindset in young readers.

    With its engaging rhyming text and diverse representation, How Do I Wonder? is an essential addition to any child’s bookshelf. This book is more than a story—it’s an invitation to explore, dream, and see the world in a whole new way.

  • Art,  Books,  Children's Books,  San Diego

    A Magical Journey Through Nature: Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest

    Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest by Alexandra Claire is a delightful board book that brings the wonders of the woodland to life for young readers. Designed for ages 0-3, this beautifully crafted book combines stunning photography with gentle, rhythmic rhymes to create a captivating experience perfect for early learners and nature lovers alike.

    A Visual and Rhythmic Delight

    From sunrise to sunset, little ones will follow along as foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and other woodland creatures explore their forest home. The vibrant, full-color images and lyrical text work together to engage a child’s curiosity and foster a love for nature. The book’s calming tone and rhythmic storytelling make it an excellent choice for bedtime reading, helping little ones wind down while immersing them in the magic of the forest.

    A Perfect Addition to Any Child’s Library

    With its sturdy board book format, Day in the Forest is built to withstand little hands eager to explore its pages. Whether given as a baby shower gift, a birthday present, or simply as a bedtime favorite, this book is sure to become a treasured part of any child’s reading routine.

    A Series That Grows with Young Readers

    Part of the Animal Adventures series, this book is a wonderful introduction to the natural world. Young readers who enjoy it can continue their journey with Animal Adventures: Day at the Farm, making it a fantastic series for fostering early learning and a connection to the environment.

    If you’re looking for a beautifully illustrated, engaging book that nurtures a love for nature and storytelling, Animal Adventures: Day in the Forest is a must-have addition to your child’s bookshelf.

    The Collective Book Studio is a woman-owned, full-service publishing studio that works with authors, brands, and companies to create, develop, and publish high-quality books. With a focus on innovative content and striking design, The Collective Book Studio offers a unique approach to the publishing process, providing clients with expertise and collaborative support from concept to creation.
  • Art,  Books,  Children's Books,  San Diego

    A Vibrant Celebration of Self-Expression: No One Owns the Colors

    Winner of the Bookstagang Best of 2023 Picture Book Award for Best Read Aloud and a 2024 CIPA EVVY Awards Bronze Winner, No One Owns the Colors by Gianna Davy is a powerful picture book that encourages children to embrace their individuality and express themselves freely.

    A Bold Message of Inclusivity and Confidence

    With rhythmic, melodic text, this book delivers an empowering message: colors belong to everyone. No hue—whether pink, blue, or chartreuse—is restricted to a single gender, group, or culture. Instead, colors are a reflection of the natural world, meant to be enjoyed and celebrated by all. Inspired by real schoolyard experiences, Davy’s words give young readers the confidence to push back against outdated stereotypes and proudly embrace their personal choices—whether it’s the color of their clothing, art, or identity.

    Whimsical Illustrations That Bring Colors to Life

    Brenda Rodriguez’s bright, expressive artwork beautifully complements the book’s message. With a playful and dynamic style, her illustrations reflect the joy and diversity of color in both nature and human expression. The visual storytelling enhances the book’s impact, making it both engaging and thought-provoking for young readers.

    A Must-Have for Young Readers and Classrooms

    Perfect for parents, teachers, and caregivers, No One Owns the Colors is an excellent addition to any bookshelf. Its message of acceptance and individuality aligns with contemporary favorites like Pink is for Boys and The World Needs More Purple People. Whether read aloud at home or shared in a classroom setting, this book is a valuable tool for sparking discussions about self-expression, inclusion, and confidence.

    With its lyrical storytelling and vibrant illustrations, No One Owns the Colors is a joyful and essential celebration of creativity, identity, and the boundless possibilities of color.

  • Art,  Books,  San Diego

    A New Book Takes Children on the Adventure of a Lifetime with Leonardo DaVinci

    What would you do if one of the most famous artists in the world landed on your doorstep? In Leonardo and the Time Travelers, cousins Jack and Nick are in Silicon Valley for a summer technology class, when they discover a secret time travel app on an old iPad. Upon using the app, they bring back the world’s first-time traveler, artist, engineer and scientist, Leonardo da Vinci, and adventure ensues!

    This fun and entertaining book takes children on the adventure of a lifetime.  Joined by Jack’s sister Poppy, they solve problems, meet other time travelers, and have a summer they will never forget.

    Leonardo, affectionately nicknamed “Nardi” by the kids, is shocked by his new surroundings but as a man who loves to learn, he is highly curious about the technology he discovers everywhere throughout the house. He just can’t resist the urge to play with things. And Jack’s feisty and artistic sister, Poppy, isn’t shy about sharing her artwork with the man who painted The Last Supper.

    As “Nardi” tangles with today’s technology and traveling incognito, he and the kids bring other time travelers back from the past while facing up to challenges of their own. Nardi learns to ride a bike, makes a special drawing to tuck into a time capsule at Stanford, compares notes with the kids on delicious gelato, creates a bubble bath blizzard and gets stuck on top of the house when inspecting the solar panels!

    As the summer ends, the kids celebrate their accomplishments with a surprise trip to the Magic Kingdom, and a tour led by none other than time traveler Walt Disney himself! Nardi upstages everyone in his final fling before heading back into history – but he leaves an enormous imprint on Jack, Nick and Poppy, his creative compatriots and proteges.

    Leonardo and the Time Travelers is the product of a unique collaboration of five women from around the world who joined together to create a children’s book about learning and time travel during the pandemic.

    In 2020, two grandmothers across the pond from each other decided to do something positive during the lockdown: to write a book inspired by their grandchildren. Marian Lye and Patty McGuigan share a set of lively grandkids, who were to be the heroes of a Silicon Valley adventure. But they needed an illustrator. Rebekah Reif, just turning 21 and graduating, joined the creative team. Next was Maria Mayer Feng, an incredible creative director in New York and then Kate Ryan, an editor who lives in Hawaii and understood the writers’ vision.  The Circle of Five was established: women of all different ages, from Hawaii to England coming together to create Leonardo and the Time Travelers.

    “The pandemic has brought many changes to our world. We were determined to produce something positive out of this time,” says author Patty McGuigan. “The five of us put our creativity to work and created this fun and inspiring story.”

    This fall introduce kids to the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci and join him, Jack, Nick and Poppy on an adventurous journey and discover the answer to the big question – how to get their time travelers back home?

    “The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.” Leonardo da Vinci

    ABOUT THE AUTHORS

    Patty McGuigan is the proud grandmother of four grandchildren. She is also a successful commercial real estate agent, a past high school English teacher, and active in her San Francisco Bay Area community. Patty has created numerous books of her artwork and travel memories. Her creativity has been her defining factor throughout her life, and indeed she does believe in time travel.

    Marian Lye lives in Weymouth, England. She and her husband raised three boys, and she worked in administration for a government department for many years. Her love of history led her to write Weymouth at War, an account of World War 2 on the south coast of England. The book, now in its second edition, features the dramatic build up to D-Day in June 1944, when thousands of American servicemen set sail from the twin ports of Weymouth and Portland, bound for “Omaha Beach” in Normandy. In this millennium, the arrivals of three lively grandkids in California have been magical milestones.

    Rebekah Reif is based in New Hampshire, where she recently graduated from the School of Art and Design at New England College. An up-and-coming artist, she has a natural talent for drawing, and amazed her collaborators on this project with every new scene she sketched out. Rebekah specializes in comics and enjoys drawing stories from battles to slices of everyday life.

    To learn more about the creative team and Leonardo and the Time Travelers, visit leonardoandthetimetravelers.com

  • Los Angeles,  San Diego

    Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen – an appreciation of Latin cuisines and offers young chefs a hands-on experience creating recipes from other cultures

    Have you ever tried empanadas? Made cheesy arepas for your family? Or shared homemade sprinkle-covered chocolate brigadeiros with your friends? Celebrity chef Gaby Melian brings you into her kitchen to teach you her favorite recipes from all over Latin America. From desayuno (breakfast), to meriendas (snacks), to cena (dinner), to postre (dessert), you’ll be a pro in no time.

    America’s Test Kitchen Kids, the most trusted cooking brand for kids, announced the launch of Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen – an innovative new cookbook by author and celebrity chef, Gaby Melian. Available now on Amazon, the new title combines America’s Test Kitchen Kids’ rigorous recipe testing method with Gaby’s expansive culinary  background and fun, inviting style to create an inspiring new resource for young chefs around the country. Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen invites kids to travel the world of Latin America with 70 recipes, incorporating Gaby’s take on dishes from across the region like completos chilenos (Chilean hot dogs),  Cuban ropa vieja (shredded beef stew), Argentinian empanadas de pollo (chicken turnovers) and more.

    Growing up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Chef Gaby Melian began cooking at just eight years old. From crimping empanadas with her family to enjoying her grandmother’s “la pizza rapida,” Gaby has always  had a passion for cooking and teaching others how to develop confidence in the kitchen. Once she  moved to the United States, Gaby’s interest in food grew into a career and she climbed the culinary  ladder, from selling empanadas as a street food vendor to becoming a test kitchen manager with more  than 20 years of industry experience. Now adding cookbook author to the list, Gaby goes back to her roots with Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen, which features recipes and anecdotes from Gaby’s childhood  through her many travels and experiences.

    Aligning with America’s Test Kitchen Kids’ mission to build a new generation of empowered cooks and  engaged eaters, Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen fosters an appreciation of Latin cuisines and offers young  chefs a hands-on experience creating recipes from other cultures. The new title is divided into six chapters: desayuno (breakfast), almuerzo (lunch), meriendas y bebidas (snacks and drinks), cena (dinner), guarniciones y salsas (sides and sauces) and postre (dessert). From cheesy arepas to sprinkle covered chocolate brigadeiros, each recipe includes the country of origin, recipe history, and tips right  from Gaby’s own kitchen. Spanish language phrases and cooking terms are also translated throughout the book and highlighted in an educational Spanish glossary.

    Like all America’s Test Kitchen Kids cookbooks, the recipes in Gaby’s Latin American Kitchen were tested  and approved by a group of over 15,000 kid testers, so each dish is guaranteed to set young chefs up for success.

    About the Author

    Gaby Melian is a professional chef with almost twenty years of industry experience and a lifetime of personal knowledge about food and all its many wonderful flavors. She shares her deep love of food and vast kitchen know-how across multiple food media outlets. Her life in food has led her to many roles, including street vendor, culinary instructor, official Food Revolution ambassador, Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, cooking video host—and who knows what’s next! Gaby completed her culinary training at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City with degrees in Culinary Management, Culinary Arts, and Pastry Arts. Find her on Instagram @gabymelian.

    Editor: America’s Test Kitchen has been teaching home cooks how to be successful in the kitchen for 25 years. The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Kids is to build a new generation of empowered cooks, engaged eaters, and curious experimenters. ATK Kids’ kid-tested, kid-approved recipes and hands-on STEAM activities inspire families to spend quality time together in the kitchen, and a lifetime of cooking. Learn more at www.americastestkitchen.com/kids.

  • Art,  Gift Guide,  San Diego,  WorldWide

    New Children’s Book Tells Story of Self-Identity, Acceptance & Animal Rescue

    Robert Vincent’s real-life tale of son’s black cat saved by a homeless woman

    Author Robert Vincent has written and illustrated “From the Pocket of an Overcoat” (Friendly Falls Press; Archway Publishing from Simon & Schuster), a children’s book inspired by the real-life story of a black cat named Max who was rescued by a homeless woman in Dallas.

    “From the Pocket of an Overcoat” tells the story of an affable cat, Max Buckles, through his adventure of finding a new home and family – and being loved for who he is. He goes from the cozy overcoat pocket of Sally in the city, to the country with Farmer Buckles and his other animals, including his four dogs – Sam, Tots, Scotty, and Junior Buckles. Along the way, Max discovers a true sense of belonging within his new family. As told through the journey of Max the cat, this is a story about self-identity, acceptance, animal rescue and adoption. The inspiration for the story comes from Vincent’s son Matthew, who adopted Max in 2010.

    “I was inspired by the amazing story of the real Max the cat,” notes Vincent. “Almost everyone struggles with self-identity and being loved for their authentic selves. This book embraces those concepts and lets kids – and adults – find solace in the courage of this wonderful black cat.”

    “From the Pocket of an Overcoat” retails for $17.99 and is sold on BN online and Amazon begins from November 22, 2021; it is currently available at Valencia Sport Saddlery and Glenroy’s Equestrian Gifts in Los Angeles. A portion of each book sale will be donated to organizations that promote animal rescue and adoption – The Humane SocietyBest Friends, and Alley Cat Allies.

    About Robert Vincent

    Robert Vincent is a children’s book author and illustrator, as well as the author of a number of other literary works. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Kathy. Robert and Kathy’s son Matthew is a violinist with Oakland Symphony and Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera. In December 2010, Matthew adopted a lovable black cat named Max. And the rest, as they say, is history.