 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.  The Wonder of Under: When Kids (and Dinosaurs) Take Center Stage Reading my book, The Wonder of Under, to a group of bright-eyed, engaged, and giggling kiddos is always hands-down one of the most magical moments of any day. And my time at Fables Books exceeded my magical moment expectations. Each page turned into an adventure as the children leaned in, searching for the hidden frogs scattered throughout the illustrations, while trying to guess what the main character would find next in the mysterious world of Under. “There’s one!” they’d shout, pointing to the frogs on different pages as if uncovering a long-lost treasure. And the cherry on top? When a little boy in the front row grabbed a dinosaur toy and acted out the scene featuring a pack of dinos—it was pure, unfiltered joy. When reading to kids, you often have to go with the flow. Their reactions, comments, and questions are spontaneous. And I love that. Kids have this incredible ability to take a simple story and make it their own, and that’s exactly what happened. It reminded me why I love writing: stories aren’t just words on a page—they’re invitations to play, imagine, and connect. Authors Unite: A Creative Collaboration I also had the privilege of sharing the stage with two other fantastic children’s authors: Sheila Rutter (Amelia Teaches Manners) and Paul Schreck (Prickly Kisses). Sheila’s heartwarming tale captured the kids’ imaginations with it’s charm, her giant crocheted elephant, and her cute elephant mask. Paul’s creative storytelling brought its own unique energy to the day. Kids related to getting prickly kisses from their loved ones and he had them laughing as he changed out different costume mustaches. Connecting with fellow authors is nearly as fun as connecting with readers. We learned a bit about each other’s writing journey, encouragement, and some laughs. If you’re not an author you might not understand this, but the writing community is truly one of a kind. STEM Meets Storytelling: Sailboat Kits and Creative Fun What’s a good book without a little hands-on fun to go with it? Inspired by The Wonder of Under, I brought along sailboat adventure kits and STEM activity sheets to keep the fun rolling long after the story was over. The kids were all-in when it came to picking out their sailboat kits. I was surprised to hear one kiddo say, “Oh, I love STEM!” That would’ve been considered nerdish in my first-grade days. Parents even came up to me saying how much they appreciated the educational twist—bonus points for sneaking in some learning with all that fun! Book Signing and Heartfelt Connections You know what never gets old? Seeing a child clutch your book like it’s their new best friend. Signing copies of The Wonder of Under was such a special part of the day, and I loved hearing the kids (and their parents!) share what they loved most about the story. Moments like these remind me that being an author isn’t just about writing—it’s about creating memories, sparking curiosity, and building connections that last long after the last page is read. Why Events Like These Matter Fables' Local Author Event wasn’t just about books—it was about community, creativity, and the simple joys that bring us all together. In a world where screens often dominate our time, events like this remind us of the magic that can only come from holding a book, sharing a story, and connecting face-to-face. To Kristin Saner and the team at Fables Books: thank you for creating a space where storytelling thrives, authors can shine, and little ones are treasured. And to every family who came out to share in the fun, thank you for the joy of reading to and interacting with your kids. Let's Keep the Fun Going! If you haven’t snagged your copy of The Wonder of Under yet, you can find signed paperback copies at Fables Books in Goshen, Indiana. You can also order from Amazon, Walmart, or Barnes & Noble where it’s available in hardback, paperback, and Kindle. This picture book is packed with hidden surprises, a “pack of dinosaurs” moment, and will encourage kids to find ways of turning tiny treasures into big adventures. Oh, and it’s now in its second edition which includes the STEM activities and DIY sailboat instruction in the last four pages. If you previously purchased the first version of the book without the activities, contact me and I will send you the activity sheets! FAQs Q1: What’s The Wonder of Under about? It’s a whimsical children’s book where your little one can join a little boy named Paxton on a journey to find adventure. He eventually learns that he can create his own by turning tiny treasures into something amazing. Q2: How can I get a copy? Grab a signed copy directly from me or from Fables Books in Goshen, Indiana. Or purchase online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Walmart. Q3: What’s included in the sailboat adventure kits? These kits are inspired by The Wonder of Under and include fun STEM activities that spark curiosity and creativity. There are instructions, a sponge, popsicle stick, and a sail made from craft foam. Easy items you can find around the house and easy for little ones to put together. PLUS, the materials and instructions are found at the back of the book. Here’s to celebrating the power of stories and the joy they bring to our lives!  Sign up for my monthly newsletter to receive a link to download your free resource: "7 Steps to Kickstart Your Family Reading Club."
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AuthorCindy Lynn Sawyer is an author with a passion for helping to build better futures for kids through reading (and writing) adventures. Subscribe
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