STEM + SEL: The Dynamic Duo
Every great superhero needs a sidekick. Batman has Robin. Buzz has Woody. And in the world of learning, STEM has SEL. Together, they make an unbeatable team.

STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—helps kids discover how the world works. It’s the power of asking questions, solving problems, and exploring everything from baking cookies to launching rockets.

​​SEL—Social-Emotional Learning—helps kids discover how they work in the world. It gives them the super-skills of empathy, resilience, teamwork, and kindness.
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On their own, they’re strong. But when STEM and SEL team up, they become a storytelling superpower. Let's talk about how, together, they can conquer the world.

I’m thrilled to share that The Wonder of Under won 3rd Place in the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) KidLit Awards, with judges also naming its title as one of their favorites. For a debut, self-published picture book, this recognition is such an incredible honor.
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What makes this moment even sweeter is remembering how the book came to life. The story was inspired by my granddaughter, who, as a curious crawler, loved peeking under rugs and couches again and again. I jokingly called it “the wonder of under,” and soon the phrase grew into a story about imagination and discovery.

As both a children’s author and someone who’s passionate about creating playful, purposeful stories, I wanted to take a moment to spotlight one of my own books, The Wonder of Under. This story was such a joy to write, and it held Amazon's #1 New Release spot for three weeks! But beyond the fun and whimsy, The Wonder of Under was written with intention—blending imaginative play with early STEM discovery and gentle SEL growth.

Attending Fables Books' Local Author Event on Nov. 23 was like walking into a world where stories come alive, imaginations run wild, and laughter fills the air.
 
First of all, the coziness of this little shop in downtown Goshen, Indiana, envelopes you in warm fuzzies from the moment you enter the front door. It’s not a browse, buy, and leave kind of place. Nope. You want to linger a bit, soaking up the friendly bookish atmosphere that seem to whisk you away from all of life’s stresses.

Guess what, friends? My debut book, The Wonder of Under has just clinched the #1 spot as a New Release on Amazon in the competitive children's concept book category! 

This achievement is unexpected but so exciting, especially considering the book outshines titles from heavyweight publishers like Golden Books and Candlewick Press. I was not expecting this as a self-published author.