Bright-eyed Kids
book collection
Bright-eyed kids are very normal for their age. The love to be loud, be moving, and to be the best. But normal kids also have to learn limits, and these books reinforce those limits a the most gentle way.
Each book features a different child. Unlike the Bugs Club books, the children in these books won't overlap or interact with children in another book. Some books will rhyme, others will not. And the goal is to feature a variety of artists in these books. Read the summary under each book to find out more.
Current offerings from the Bright-eyed Kids collection
Loud Lucy
Lucy likes to yell!
Lucy likes to shout!
Lucy likes to stretch her lips
and let the sound come out!
Lucy Lucas loves to pick an outfit out of her dress-up box, then go outside for imaginary play time, which usually includes roars, engines, sirens... well, you get it.
Her neighbors, who all know Lucy well, are invited into her home one by one and discover she's NOT SO LOUD LUCY after all!
This is a fun book that flows with rhyming and repetition while reinforcing the concept of outside and inside voices.
Silly Sally
She crosses her eyes
and stands on her head.
She sticks out her tongue
and jumps on her bed.
She's such a Silly Sally!
Sally is a typical active child who loves to move her body. She's a non-stop whirlwind until it's time for her bedtime routine.
Silly Sally is a short but sweet rhyming book with larger-than-life graphics that will make it easy for your child to say "I do that, too!"
This book's message of moving from play to bedtime smoothly is sure to become a requested book at bedtime. Parents will love it because it is fast and easy to ready, but does the job!
Better Ben
Ben seems to always have his focus on a little notebook he is keeping.
But friends and siblings are able to pull him away by asking him to play with them. The play turns into challenges, and ultimately the other person goes higher, faster, further. Every. Single. Time!
Strangely enough, Ben doesn't get upset, but goes back to his routine of writing in his notebook.
What is this notebook, anyway? And why does Ben seem unphased that others are continually doing better than he is?
Better Ben focuses on teaching children that being "better" doesn't have to mean being the "best".
Watch this space
for future books
From Creative Slingers of Ink:
Lucy doesn’t just speak—she shouts with joy, imagination, and boldness! But when her volume causes a stir in the neighborhood, she and her visitors discover a lesson inside her home: self-expression and self-regulation can exist side by side. With playful illustrations and the empowering mantra “noisy outside / quiet inside,” Lucy’s story shows kids how to be loud, loving, and learning all at once. 🎩 The first book in the Bright-eyed Kids series, this one is perfect for classrooms, counselors, and families with big voices and even bigger hearts.
REVIEW OF BETTER BEN
Better Ben is an absolute gem for anyone trying to navigate social-emotional growth with young children. Instead of the typical "work hard and you'll place first" narrative, this story takes a refreshing turn by focusing on Ben's amazing attitude when he doesn't win. The plot keeps kids engaged because they want to figure out his big secret and what he's tracking in his notebook. The writing is incredibly accessible for early readers, and the artwork brings so much energy to every single page. It teaches humility, kindness, and mental strength in a way that feels playful rather than instructional. A fantastic resource for classrooms and home libraries alike! ~KERRY HOWARD