Kelsey Rae Dunckel

In the United States of America, we have 63 national parks. 🦅

🏔️ Each of these 63 parks are diverse and distinct: they have their own landscapes, animals, plants, and legends. The wild American frontier has always inspired exploration and adventure!

If your reader is curious about the natural world or if you plan to take a trip to any of these parks, I have the perfect book for you:

📚 Lonely Planet Kids presents America’s National Parks, written by Alexa Ward and illustrated by Mike Lowery : This ultimate guide explores the 63 National Parks found throughout the United States with vivid and colorful illustrations and photographs as well as incredible facts and engaging information.

Why I like it: 🫶🏻
✨ The National Parks are easy to find by being ordered alphabetically from Acadia to Zion and with an accessible table of contents that helps guide readers to a specific park.
✨ Numerous sidebars provide numerical facts regarding the national parks and information on things to do and see.
✨ Specific details on animal and plant life help readers understand the diversity of each national park.
✨ Wonderful illustrations and photographs of each national park inspires exploration, travel, and adventure.
✨ A glossary and index encourages independent reading and research as well as language development.
✨ Additional information can be found on national park safety and responsibility, the local indigenous peoples that have inhabited the land for thousands of years, and stargazing at national dark sky parks.

📚 Lonely Planet Kids America’s National Parks Activity Book : the perfect way to supplement and interact with the book above and a fun way to engage with the parks readers actually visit!

Why I like it: 🫶🏻
✨ 60 fun-filled activities such as crossword puzzles, mazes, coloring pages and more - help engage readers with facts and information from America’s National Parks book!
✨ encourages reading for fun and exploration.
✨ provides an excellent tool to engage young readers whether traveling or spending a rainy day inside.

Big thanks to and for these incredible gifts! 📚

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: FALL! 🍂

I think I love fall the most because it’s a very sensory oriented season: the colors of red, yellow, and orange leaves surround us in the trees, the smells of pumpkins, spices and baked apples fill our homes, the feeling of cool, crisp wind against our skin, and the familiar sounds of football and our favorite Halloween movies remind us of the seasonal change. 🎃

For children, it is an exciting time! Who doesn’t love carving pumpkins, playing football outside in the cooler air, visiting apple orchards and exploring the corn mazes!? 🌽

There are tons of books that celebrate fall and Halloween, but among all of these amazing books. The non-fiction selections can be the most exciting, informative, and colorful!

🍂 Seasons by Hannah Pang: Ages 4-8 years
✨ Why I like it: vivid illustrations and numerous sidebars provide specific facts on the science behind the seasons!

🍂 A Tree for All Seasons by Robin Bernard: Ages 2-6 years
✨ Why I like it: with highlighted words matching photographic illustrations (real-life photos), children can develop language skills by identifying words and matching them to real images.

🍂 When Fall Comes - Connecting with Nature as the Days Grow Shorter by Aimee M. Bissonette: Ages 3-8 years
✨ Why I like it: using beautiful illustrations and a fictional family, this book explores diverse ecosystems and animal habitats, inspiring exploration.

🍂 A Stroll Through the Seasons by Kay Barnham: Ages 5-8 years
✨ Why I like it: illustrations perfect for exploring and identifying specific facts and information about autumn and the natural world.

🍂 A Field Guide to Autumn by Gabby Dawnay: Ages 4-8 years
✨ Why I like it: filled with poems, activities and crafts, scientific facts and information and sidebars and pages highlighting specific animals and plants, this book is interactive and immersive.

🍂 Autumn in the Forest (lift the flap) Board Book by Rusty Finch: Ages 1-2 years
✨ Why I like it: perfect for babies and toddlers! Practicing dexterity and fine motor skills, our smallest littles can interact with the board book and explore the natural world!

Happy Reading! 📚

Here are some of my favorite things: cats, books, & history! 🐱📚🏛️

Within the pages of my new book: If Monuments Could Talk Notre-Dame, you can find River - my mischievous little Tabby Cat who enjoys time-traveling, reading, and history. 🐈

This seek-and-find element provides children with extra entertainment, and I love seeing her throughout the book. ✨

My book targets readers ages 8 to 13, and you might think finding a kitty in a book is too “young” for this age group. However, I found that children this age still find enjoyment searching for elements within a story, whether illustrated or written. 📖

Why is seek-and-find good for young readers? 🫶🏻
🐱 it can entice hesitate readers to explore pages of a book
🐱 it engages readers to explore the pages and see elements of the story they might not have seen before
🐱 it can improve focus and attention to detail
🐱 it provides interactive learning that keeps children entertained, fostering a sense of fun in reading
🐱 it can offer engagement with smaller children - although younger ages may not be able to read the words on the page, they can still interact with the pages, searching for the cat!

Seek-and-Find can be an excellent way to engage readers and foster a love for reading and learning. 👍 And who doesn’t like finding a sweet kitty in a book!? 🐈‍⬛

You can purchase my book in the link above! 🔝

Who loves mummies, pharaohs, pyramids, and anything ancient Egypt? ✨

Well, I have the book for you!

Recently, I am obsessed with informational/non-fiction picture books for kids: encyclopedias of sorts but generally focused on specific topics like Ancient Egypt, National Parks, the Human Anatomy, etc. They’re usually bigger in size and contain engaging illustrations with factual content.

📚 A Child’s Introduction to Egyptology: The Mummies, Pyramids, Pharaohs, Gods, and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Heather Alexander is one of my favorite non-fiction picture books (due to my obsession with ancient Egypt atm 🥰).

Why I like it: 🫶🏻
✨ vibrant illustrations that reflect the fascinating facts
✨ engaging stories and legends of ancient Gods and Pharaohs
✨ enhancing sidebars that offer context and additional details in a visually stimulating way
✨ includes fun and captivating experiments and activities to engage young readers
✨ contains a Table of Contents, Pronunciation Guide, Maps, Index and Definitions to encourage independent learning and information gathering

This book is perfect for any young Ancient Egypt enthusiast. Generally aimed for ages 8-12, but books have no age requirement. Younger egyptologists will find this book exciting too, and inspire more exploration and reading! ⚱️

✍️ You can find more informational, non-fiction picture books from like A Child’s Introduction to Norse Mythology, Greek Mythology, The World, Art, Natural History, and much more!

Happy Reading! ❤️

My favorite littles are getting their copy of my book, If Monuments Could Talk: Notre-Dame! 💖

Although my book is directed to ages around 8 to 13 years, it’s never too early to start exploring history! 📚

Our younger littles can still:
✨ explore the book
✨ point to illustrations
✨ find River the Cat throughout the pages
✨ and ask questions!

You can purchase my book in the link above! ⬆️

September 11, 2001 is history to many. Our littles grow up knowing about this day like I did about Pearl Harbor or the Fall of the Berlin Wall. But history should never be forgotten, and 9/11 is still very poignant in our society. 🇺🇸

We still have family members whose loved ones will never come home. We have veterans who still suffer from the effects of the wars that followed. And our society still deals with the fear that began that day. 🖤

As we teach our littles about 9/11 as a moment in our own life and as a part of history, books can be a wonderful source. They can provide context and background on that day, and it can share stories of so many incredible people who did extraordinary things for their neighbors. 🕊️

📚 Here are some of my historical fiction/non-fiction recommendations:

✨ What Were the Twin Towers? By Jim O’Connor
✨ National Geographic Kids September 11
✨ Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
✨ This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth by Sean Rubin
✨ I Survived The Attacks of September 11, 2001: The Graphic Novel by Lauren Tarshis
✨ Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes
✨ Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin
✨ Yusuf Azeem is not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi
✨ 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag by Amanda Davis

“Never Forget”. This common slogan and phrase that usually accompanies 9/11 memorials is more than never forgetting history. It means to never forget those we lost, those that sacrificed their lives to save others, and the beautiful innocence we had before. 🇺🇸

Read more about these particular books and how they can benefit your little’s learning experience on my blog! ✍️ Click the link above! 🔝

#9/11

My first order of books goes out today! 📬 I appreciate everyone’s support and patience as I navigate the world of self-publishing. There’s definitely lots to learn, but I am enjoying the process!

If you are a self-published author, please share your advice or experience! 🫶🏻

Happy Reading! 📚

If you’re interested in my book, send me a DM! And you can find the purchase link in my BIO! 🔝

When I was younger, one of my favorite series to read was “Dear America”. These historical fiction books cover various periods of American history from the perspective of young women, writing in their diaries. From the American Revolution to the Gold Rush, the books highlight major historical events and how these young children experienced them. ✨

📖 The young girls and their diaries help readers explore a wide-range of topics such as slavery, indigenous struggles, women’s suffrage, and war. The books I’ve highlighted here are:

• “The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl: A Picture of Freedom, Belmont Plantation, Virginia, 1859”
• “The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777”
• “The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl, New Mexico, 1863”
• “When Will This Cruel War Be Over: The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson, Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864”
• “Early Sunday Morning: The Pearl Harbor Diary of Amber Billows, Hawaii, 1941”

📚 These books are engaging and thought-provoking, and they provide children with an introduction to historical fiction. In addition, the focus on young women and how they experienced these historical events, adds a diverse way to explore history. Although these young women are fictional, they do show us a window into the past and connect us with people who shared similar feelings and ideas even when their world was so different from our own.

🤍 For myself, it opened my eyes to an area of interest. From these books, I wanted to read more about these historical events and these interesting people from the past.

Follow me for more historical fiction and nonfiction book recommendations! 👍

Life update! 🎊 I got married! 🤍

It’s been a busy month for me! Ryan and I got married in July in beautiful Oregon, among the vineyards and trees. 🌲 I am lucky to have a partner who is kind, intelligent, fun, and supportive. He encourages me and lifts me up, and I try to do the same for him.

Now that the wedding is over, I am looking forward to dedicating more time and effort towards my book and my platform! 📖

Life is good! ✌🏼

Dreaming of the day I can read my children’s book, “If Monuments Could Talk Notre-Dame” in beautiful Paris. 🇫🇷 For now the Paris Hotel on the Las Vegas strip will do. 😂

Click the link in bio for more information and to purchase my children’s book! ⬆️

Part 3 ✨ of children’s history nonfiction that influenced my own children’s book!

📚 Ordinary People Change the World: Ages - 5 to 8 years

Why I like it! 🫶🏻 Brad Meltzer created this series based on the idea that history’s biggest trailblazers started as young children, with big dreams. Every child has the power and potential to change the world. In Meltzer’s books, the main historical characters are always children and converse with the reader in a direct and personal way.

Special features! 🖼️ These engaging biographies include comic-book style illustrations that make it a perfect introduction to historical literature for our youngest readers. In the back of the books are timelines with real-life photos of the historical figures and their lives.

💫 As a history lover myself, I would have found these books extra enticing as a young reader.

These series definitely influenced my own children’s book: comic-style illustrations, word bubbles, humor, timelines, time-travel, and personification of the monument all came from the help of these amazing books.

If Monuments Could Talk: Notre-Dame is available now! Link to buy in my bio above! ⬆️

Part 2 ✨of children’s historical nonfiction books that influenced and inspired how I wrote my book.

📚 Who/What/Where Was?: Ages - 8 to 13 years

Why I like it! 🫶🏻 These chapter books explore the various people, places, events, and stories that shaped history. Whether your child is interested in the Titanic, the World Cup, or the stories of Batman, there is a book for every child with any interest.

Special features! 🖼️ With compelling facts and engaging details, this series is perfect for book reports and school projects. In addition, the pages are filled with over 80 eye-catching and educational illustrations.

BONUS! 🎓 Who HQ also includes Graphic Novels, Board Books, and Spanish books, as well as, workbooks and lesson plans perfect for history teachers.

At the early stages of brainstorming “If Monuments Could Talk Notre Dame”, I wanted to find children’s historical books that I found inspiring. Three series stood out to me, and they influenced the way I designed my book.

Part 1 💫

📚 You Wouldn’t Want to Be/Live: Ages - 8 to 12 years

This collection highlights some of the most infamous, bizarre, and sometimes dangerous historical stories, people, and events.

Why I like it! ✨ This interactive series allows the reader to become the main character of the past, encouraging readers to get emotionally involved with the story and people.

Special features! 🖼️ Entertaining, comic-style illustrations and speech bubbles provide humor to explore dark and grizzly moments in history, while informative captions and side boxes explain specific details and chronology.

Interesting and engaging, these books are perfect for any reluctant reader. 🎓

History motivated me to write “If Monuments Could Talk Notre Dame”. My book is for children ages 8 to 13 years, but anyone, older or younger, who is intrigued by the history of Paris or the Notre-Dame can find interest within the pages of my book. 📕

Why should a young child read history books? Many people question a child’s ability to comprehend tough historical events like the Holocaust or 9/11. However, there are many reasons for children to begin studying history at a young age. 💫

• Historical Value: History books give us an understanding of past events and provide an explanation for the current world we live in. 🌎
• Language Development: Historical literature often includes rich vocabulary, enhancing language development and literacy skills. 📚
• Research Elements: Historical literature includes research elements like glossaries, timelines, maps, primary and secondary sources, and bibliographies that children will need to be familiar with in future scholastic studies. 🧐
• Reading and Comprehension: Concepts like cause and effect, chronology and critical thinking can develop by reading historical literature. 🎓
• Values and Morals: History highlights moral lessons and values that are timeless, offering opportunities for discussions on ethics and human behavior. 🕊️
• Cultural Perspectives: History broadens children’s perspectives beyond their immediate surroundings, encouraging a global outlook and understanding of different societies and peoples. 🫶🏻

Historical literature can strengthen children’s compassion, understanding and ethical values, and it can enhance a child’s reading and research abilities.

My goal is to provide children with a book that not only discusses history but also provides a first look into research and study. I want children to have the ability to engage with information and understand how to find the information they need. Most importantly, I want to show that history is an amazing tool that humanity has at its disposal. If we study history, we can find the answers to the questions of today, and maybe we can avoid repeating the most horrific mistakes of our past. ✨

On July 4, 1776, the United States made a declaration of independence from a monarchy an ocean away. The men who were in charge of this declaration believed they could create a country where men had equal rights and freedom. 🇺🇸

That is only one part of our history as a country. 248 years later and we have come very far in terms of progress. We abolished slavery in 1865, women gained the right to vote in 1920, and same-sex marriage became protected by the Supreme Court in 2015. 📃

However, history is not only dates and legal documents. It’s not perfect. History is filled with complicated characters and ever-changing events. ✨

Martin Luther King Jr. preached for the end of segregation in the 1960s, 100 years after we had abolished slavery in 1865. Women and the LGBTQ+ community still fight for their rights every day, and the Indigenous Peoples throughout this country continue to fight for their land rights and sovereignty. ✊

The fight for democracy is never done. America fights to strengthen, grow, and build their democracy every year and every election. This 4th of July, let us remember it is okay to criticize our country. In fact, a Republic is safe only if one can criticize. The United States of America is beautiful because it can be better. 🫶🏻

“I’m an American” by Darshana Khiani and illustrated by Laura Freeman, is a great book to read to our young American learners. Its pages are filled with children from various backgrounds who share personal stories of their diverse families, reminding readers of the diversity that makes America unique. Their stories also remind us of the mistakes our country has made, but also the progress it continues to make because of diversity. 🗽

Happy 4th of July to all! 🎆

My book started with an idea that became real after my brother put it to paper. ✏️

These are the initial sketches my brother made the night I asked if he could personify the Notre-Dame. Ryan is my best friend, and he is beyond talented. He is the designer and sketch artist for my book If Monuments Could Talk: Notre Dame. 🎨

My brother is a graphic designer and illustrator. He loves video games and Pokémon. My brother is also high-functioning autistic. He’s overcome so much in his life, and I am beyond proud of him.

Being high-functioning autistic is not Ryan’s identity. It is only a small part of who he is, and I wouldn’t change any part of my brother. 👫🏻

Special thanks to Ryan for designing my book and bringing to life my imagination. ✨ I am so grateful I have the opportunity of working alongside my brother. 💕

For information on our book or if you’re interested in purchasing a copy, click the links above! ⬆️

I’m published! ✍️✨📖

Back in 2019, during Christmas, I sat down with my brother and asked him if he could sketch something for me. I wanted to know if he could personify the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Could the Notre-Dame frown, cry or smile? My brother completed it within a few hours, and my idea came to life. It was an idea that formed in my mind and molded into permanence on his paper.

Four and a half years later and my children’s book, “If Monuments Could Talk Notre Dame” is finished. From the tiny sketch on my brother’s notebook, to a 40-page book filled with colorful and informative pages on the history of Paris, the evolution of my little idea showcased my growing passion and dedication to teaching history to young readers. 📚

If Monuments Could Talk is a series that highlights significant historical monuments that come alive to teach the reader the history it saw from the time it was constructed to the current day. I picked the Notre Dame because it was built in 1163 and saw so much history: the Medieval Ages, the bubonic plague, the French Revolution, World War I and II, and the modern age. I thought it was a perfect start to my series of monuments personified.

My book targets children ages 8 to 13. I believe history is a significantly undervalued subject for young children. History can help children understand the world around them by providing context for current events and societal structures. Additionally, learning about history fosters critical thinking and empathy as children explore diverse perspectives and the experiences of different cultures and people throughout time. Finally, history for young readers can introduce research elements such as glossaries, bibliographies, maps, and timelines that will undoubtedly be important in their future scholastic endeavors. 🎓

The journey to write my own book was challenging and enlightening. My two passions, history and writing, come together in this instructional and entertaining book. Travel back in time with the Notre-Dame, who provides a window to the past. ✨

Order your copy in the link found in my bio! 🔝

If Monuments Could Talk Notre Dame The famous and iconic Notre Dame comes alive to show you the history of Paris. Imagine the moments, the people, and the changes it saw... Go back in time with the Notre Dame and experience history with your own eyes!

In recent history, many Arab nations suffer from various political, economical, and humanitarian issues. The turmoil is caused by internal and external events and circumstances. However, many innocent families and children are negatively affected by these upheavals. ❤️‍🩹

Refugees are individuals who are forced to leave their homeland because of war, persecution or natural disasters. Children can be refugees as well. The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict is creating a mass refugee crisis among Palestinians. Children included.

This current event is on the minds of Arab and non-Arab Americans. Our young children undoubtedly hear the stories involved. In order to explore these complicated issues, there are some beautiful children’s books that feature stories on refugee children and families. 🤍

📖 Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Doug K***z and Amy Shrodes, illustrated by Sue Cornelison: a heartwarming story about the reunion of an Iraqi refugee family and their beloved cat. A reminder that refugees are forced to leave all that they love behind them.

📖 The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan: a beautiful story about acceptance and compassion. When a young Egyptian immigrant enters an American school for the first time, a quilt from her grandmother back in Cairo helps build connection between her and her American classmates. A reminder to children (and adults) to show compassion and acceptance to those who come from different backgrounds.

📖 These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanameh: the hopeful story about a young Palestinian refugee who is forced to leave behind her beloved olive trees. Her trees remind her of her home and her heritage. Although she leaves her olive trees behind, her identity remains with her. This story is a reminder that war and destruction might force refugees to leave their homelands, but nothing can take their identity from them.

🕊️

With the world the way it is right now, I thought this would be a perfect time to share this beautiful children’s book. 🕊️

📖 Where Butterflies Fill the Sky: A story of immigration, family, and finding home, by Zahra Marwan is a heartwarming and moving true story about a family’s journey from Kuwait to New Mexico. Leaving home can be a terrifying experience for a young child, especially when there is internal conflict or turmoil within their home country. But home can be made by those around you and the kindness and compassion from those who welcome you.

🤍 Whatever happens between nations and national conflicts, let us remember those who are influenced. With compassion and love, we can provide a safe space for those who need it.

☮️