Hello, my friends!
You may have noticed that today is Thursday, which is not a usual post day for me, and yet, here I am in your inbox!
This is because apparently, we’re just throwing our regular schedule to the dogs the last couple weeks with extra Tuesday Debuts on Fridays and no Perfect Picture Books, and now a cover reveal/learn about a new book/giveaway post today, on a Thursday of all things! What madness! 🤣
But it’s for a good cause. And it’s fun!
So let’s just think of this as a celebration of a new book and of the kick-off of the little blog vacation I’m about to take for a few weeks after this post.
Should we have cake? Ooh! Maybe cookies! Something summery!
Help yourselves! They’re delicious! 😊
PLUS, for extra celebration, we have goodies to give away! (A side effect of throwing the schedule to the dogs is that I lost track of all the giveaways and forgot to post the winners of Amber Novak’s on Tuesday! 🤣) Although today is the last blog post for about 5 and 1/2 weeks, there will be giveaway winners to announce from Jessie Atkin (from Tuesday) and Kim Larson (from today) so someone give me a swift poke with the electric cattle prod if I don’t get those posted at some point!
Amber offered 2 winner’s choices of either a signed copy of her fabulous book, THE HULA PAINTED FROG, OR a Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming)!!!
And the winners are. . .
Kim Larson!!!
(how’s that for serendipitous when she’s on the blog today!)
and
anakellyinla!!!
Congratulations, Kim and anakellyinla! Please email me at your earliest convenience so I can get your prizes to you!
AND, for even more wonderfulness, there is a new giveaway!
Giveaway Details
Clavis Publishing is offering a copy of Doll Trouble (US & Canada only) to one lucky winner! Comment below for a chance to win. Leave a comment by Monday July 20th at 3 PM Eastern and you’ll be in the running to be the randomly selected winner of Kim’s book!
Bonus Giveaway
Subscribe to Kim’s newsletter by August first for another chance to win (US & Canada only). You’ll also receive a PDF copy of her first published book of short stories and poems: Love, Laughter, and a few Happily Ever Afters.
Now, kick back with your cookies and get ready to enjoy a glimpse of this brand new book, coming July 21st, from Kim Larson (whom you may remember from her Tuesday Debut of GOAT’S BOAT WON’T FLOAT back in October 2024!)
It is my pleasure to introduce you to DOLL TROUBLE!
Title: Doll Trouble
Written by: Kim A. Larson
Illustrated by: Nataša Vertelj
Publisher: Clavis Publishing, July 21, 2026
ISBN#: 979-8890631220
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Emma takes her beloved doll Mia everywhere she goes. They play, laugh, and cry together, but one day something happens that makes Mia look less than perfect. The children in the neighborhood tease Emma about her broken doll, so she hides Mia and plays with her new, beautiful doll instead. But no matter how hard she tries, Emma can’t forget Mia. When she meets Sophia, who doesn’t have a doll, Emma suddenly knows what to do.
Author Kim Larson has taken the time to put the ABCs of Doll Trouble together for us to enjoy!
Ready?
The ABCs of Doll Trouble
A is for Accident. A split second in the yard changes Emma’s beloved doll, Mia, forever and sends Emma on a journey toward true bravery.
B is for Best Friend. Emma and Mia go everywhere together.
text copyright Kim A. Larson 2026, illustration copyright Nataša Vertelj 2026, Clavis Publishing
C is for Courage. After being teased, it takes a lot of courage for Emma to show her imperfect doll to the world.
D is for Dutch. Doll Trouble was first published in Belgium in the Dutch language.
E is for Emma. The main character, Emma, must figure out how to be brave when things go wrong.
F is for Friends. Old friends, new friends, and doll friends—this book is all about the people (and dolls) who stick by us.
G is for Giving. When Emma sees a girl who has no doll, Emma knows what to do.
H is for Hugs. Emma gives Mia all-her-might hugs to help them both feel better.
text copyright Kim A. Larson 2026, illustration copyright Nataša Vertelj 2026, Clavis Publishing
I is for Illustrations. The wonderful artwork by Natasa Vertelj brings Emma and Mia’s world to life.
J is for July. Doll Trouble makes its U.S. debut on July 21!
K is for Kindness. Sophia shows us how one kind word can change someone’s outlook.
L is for Lawn Mower. Mia falls out of Emma’s backpack while Dad is mowing the lawn.
M is for My Doll Forever. This is the beautiful title of the book’s Dutch edition (Mijn pop voor altijd.)
N is for New. Sometimes new is hard to accept when you’re still missing the old.
text copyright Kim A. Larson 2026, illustration copyright Nataša Vertelj 2026, Clavis Publishing
O is for Owies. Mia gets quite a few of them, but Emma is there to patch them up.
P is for Park. Emma faces her biggest fear at the park.
Q is for Quiet. Emma and Mia spend quiet moments snuggling during scary storms.
R is for Retracing Steps. Emma retraces her steps to find the scrap of Mia’s dress after the accident.
S is for Siblings. Being the oldest of five meant I learned early on that toys rarely stay perfect!
T is for Teresa. This is the name of my favorite childhood doll.
Photo of sister Elicia with my favorite Doll, Teresa
U is for Ugly. That’s what the mean boy calls Mia, but Emma learns that ugly is just a matter of opinion.
text copyright Kim A. Larson 2026, illustration copyright Nataša Vertelj 2026, Clavis Publishing
V is for Voice. Finding your voice to stand up for your friends can be hard, but it’s always worth it.
W is for Writing. I’ve been blessed to write full-time for fifteen years, with the last eight of those writing for children.
X is for eXtra special. Mia isn’t a perfect doll anymore—but she’s irreplaceable.
Y is for You. Every book needs a reader to bring its story to life!
Z is for Zipper. Emma’s backpack could use a new zipper to keep Mia from falling out!
Wow! What fun! Thank you, Kim, for sharing all those fun details about your book with us. I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say we’re all looking forward to reading it! (Except me. I’ve already read it so I can recommend it! 😊)
Kim A. Larson writes humorous and lyrical picture books and more. She is the author of Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing, 2026) and Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press, 2024). She was honored to receive the SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, two Minnesota State Arts Board grants, and three Lake Region Arts Council grants. Kim lives in Minnesota, and when she’s not writing, you may find her gardening or playing Sequence with her husband. Visit Kim’s website to learn more about her and her work, or connect with her on social media via linktr.ee.
And now, my friends, I’m off to do some summery things like visit my kids and grandkids, work on cleaning out my attic and basement, hopefully finally finish updating my class so I can get it onto the new platform (I know! I’ve been saying that for AGES, so we’ll see!), and work on my own writing.
Have a wonderful summer and I will see you at the end of August! ❤️
Susanna Leonard Hill 
This sounds like such a great book!
Thank you, Jodie!
I think we’ve all had a doll or a stuffie or a lovey that something bad happened to, so a lot of kids will relate to this story and the emotions that come with this situation, Jodie. And I must say, I liked the way the story ended!
I can’t wait to read! The ABCs of Doll Trouble was very clever and fun to read, also!
Thank you so much, Theresa! I hope you enjoy reading it.
So glad you enjoyed it, Theresa! And I think you’ll like the book, too!
What a sweet story! Congratulations!
Thank you, Rose!
It’s very sweet, Rose. We all know how hard it is when something beloved gets damaged and we have to come to terms with the situation. This is a great story to help kids with that.
I look forward to finding and reading this sweet story. Congratulations, Kim!
Thank you so much!
I think you’ll like it, Patricia! I certainly did. I love that message that just because something gets damaged that doesn’t change your love for it.
Kim, Congrats! I can’t wait to buy this book. It will be a wonderful addition for my shelf.
Thank you, Leslie! I appreciate you purchasing it, and I hope you enjoy it!
I think you’ll really like it, Leslie!
Oh, a book after my own heart. I loved my dolls and sharing that love with my granddaughter who carried hers everywhere. I still have my favorite; she sits in the old school desk in my library inspiring me as I write.
Thank you, Kathryn! You are blessed to still have your beloved doll!
I LOVE that you still have your beloved doll, Kathryn, and that you get to share that love of dolls with your granddaughter. So sweet!
What a precious story! It sounds like it has so many wonderful layers to it. I love the alphabetical post; so clever. And the illustrations are beautiful. I look forward to reading it. Susanna, enjoy your well deserved break!
It does have wonderful layers, Mary. I think you’ll really like it. And thanks – I’m looking forward to my little break and hoping I can get about 10 times more done than I actually realistically have time for 🙂
Thank you, Mary! Your encouragement and support means so much!
What a great idea to explore these emotions at an authentic child’s point of view! I enjoyed reading the alphabet poem and each one brought me joy this morning. I had a stuffed tiger that I took everywhere and loved it so much that it lost most of its fur, but no other stuffed animal could replace it. I think kids and adults are going to love your book.
I think so, too, Danielle! I had a pink blankie that was my beloved, and I still have it, rather the worse for wear and tucked into a safe place where it won’t incur further damage from my dogs 🙂
Congrats, Kim. What a lovely story. Everyone can relate to their favorite doll. An excellent choice for any young reader. And the clever alphabetical post revealing aspects of the story is so clever. 💗😉👍
So glad you enjoyed the post, Gayle! I think Kim might have thought I was a little nuts when I suggested doing something fun with it, but then she got inspired and look how well it came out!
Kim, I love your idea. I remember how much I enjoyed taking care of my dolls – I even gave one a haircut once (big mistake!). A story that young children can relate to.
Congratulations on Doll Trouble!😊
It’s a great idea for a book, isn’t it, Jen? And sadly, I also gave my doll a haircut once. Poor Nancy Ann. She was forced to wear hats and scarves a lot after that mishap 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer! My mom was a beautician and had her salon in our home, so sadly many dolls got haircuts from my siblings and I, Lol.
🙂
Congratulations! This PB will certainly bring forth “memories” of our own favorite doll or stuffed animals as well as delight the little ones!
Susanna, enjoy your mini blog break! Have fun checking off your “to do” list, and find some time to rest and relax❣️
I agree, Susan. This was a great idea for a book, and is well done! And thanks, I’m looking forward to having a little more time to check what will probably amount to about 1/16th of the things I want to get done off my list 🙂
Thank you, Susan!
What a sweet, hearrfelt story! And so relatable. For many kids their favorite doll or stuffie is their best friend. My daughter dragged Snow Bear with her everywhere. When the time came (or was actually way overdue) to give him a wash, my daughter stood by the washer and offered words of comfort and reassurance.
Looking forward to finding finding Doll Trouble in my local library or bookstore!
Oh, I love that your daughter stood by to comfort Snow Bear! That sounds like another picture book idea!
Hmmm, interesting! My brain’s beginning to whirrrr!
Go, brain! Go! 🙂
Thank you! That is such a heartfelt moment, picturing your daughter by the washer. I hope you can find my book at your library!
I didn’t know you could build the kind of tension that makes me want to know what happens next with an ABC list format! Congratulations, Kim and Nataša!
Didn’t she do a great job, Jules? Nothing like having the blogger encourage you to step out of your comfort zone – I’m sure Kim was having doubts about being on my blog when I encouraged her to try something fun and different, but look what a great job she did!
Thank you, Julie and Susanna, for your compliments and encouragement!
Congratulations Kim, this book sounds so sweet!! Hope your book launch is amazing!
I hope so, too, Andi! And judging by the response she’s had so far today, I think it will be!
Thanks so much, Andi! I’m looking forward to reading it on Storytime Sprint in August!
What a clever way to tell us about you and your book. I also like how the illustrations are varied with that little rectangle on one side on some of the pages. Last night in our SCBWI Picture Book Breakdown with Taylor Girard, (Southern Breeze) we read BIG by Vashti Harrison. I got the same emotional vibes from your description as that book gave me last night. The world can always use more books about friendship and standing up for yourself and what you believe in. Congrats.
So true, Sonja, and this is a lovely book that will help kids navigate their feelings should they find themselves in this situation and show them that things can work out. And yes, BIG is a very emotional book (in a good way!)
Thank you, Sonja, and thanks for sharing you got a similar emotional “vibes” when reading BIG. That is a wonderful compliment : )
What a fun post and a sweet story. Congrats, Kim. And happy vacation, Susanna!
So glad you enjoyed it, Marty! And thanks! See you in a few weeks!
Thank you so much, Marty!
Congrats and thank you for sharing! I had a favorite stuffed pup with bells inside his ears, and when our Basset Hound chomped it, I sewed up the holes. Not pretty, but the repair worked. I still have that stuffie (Ringing Dell).
I know, Christy! That’s why this is such a great book. I think we all have those stories from our childhoods! So glad you enjoyed Kim’s post!
Have a great break! We’ll miss you. 🙂
❤
Thanks, Christy! Isn’t it fun to remember on our childhood lovies?
Yes! Thank you for writing this story and the illustrations are lovely.
What a fun way to introduce your book, Kim! Love the ABCs! Also, love the book (I’ve read the ARC). Congratulations!!
Thank you, Angie! I look forward to being on your blog soon! I appreciate the support of so many in this KidLit community. They’re the best!
They are the best!!
The book is wonderful, isn’t it, Angie? A topic lots of kids can really relate to!
Our dolls are our forever friends 🙂
So true, Trine!
They are, Trine 🙂
I can’t wait to read this. It sounds so sweet. Congratulations!
Thank you, Claire!
It is a lovely story about caring, Claire!
What a wonderful book about love and loyalty – so long since we had a doll book but they are still so important to kids.
Thank you, Robin!
That’s exactly what it is, Robin! And yes, I love a good doll book. Did you ever read The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright, and all the sequels? I LOVED those books!
What a wonderful story! Congratulations’
I hope you get to read it if you haven’t already, Judy!
Thank you, Judy!
Yay, Kim! I love this sweet story and can’t wait to receive my copy!
I hope you like it as much as I do, Sarah!
Thank you, Sarah! I appreciate you and your help on this story as my CP!
Congrats on writing a wonderful book! And the illustrations are gorgeous!
So glad you like it, Sandra. I hope you get to read it!
I love the loyalty and kindness this book portrays.
Such important concepts, Deborah!
Thank you, Deborah!