Bringing Moody Pootie to Life

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a children’s book, buckle up. It’s a wild ride of inspiration, frustration, and asking “Does this even make sense?” over and over again. As the proud parent of Moody Pootie, my second children’s book, I’ve learned more than I ever imagined about storytelling, branding, and figuring out how to make magic happen (while still getting the kids to bed on time).

It all started with an idea—a meltdown over ice cream. I wanted to help kids navigate big feelings while giving parents a playful way to defuse tantrums. Enter Pootie, an adorable little cutie whose story began forming in rhyme during naps and after bedtime.

Writing the Story

Writing Moody Pootie has been the easiest part of this journey. I've loved poetry since I was a child, and the verses flowed out rather effortlessly. Naturally, it still required a few iterations and tweaking based on feedback from some local moms, but the story came together relatively quickly! Figuring out the illustrations? That took a bit longer. I work with an illustrator that lives halfway around the world—conveying my bold (and sometimes vague) vision over text with a 12-hour time difference can really slow things down.

The Social Media Experiment That Wasn’t

Somewhere along the journey of bringing Moody Pootie to life, I dipped my toes into the world of social media. Armed with a few creative ideas (like rock painting for my daughter’s mud kitchen), I started making reels that showcased the quirky, colorful moments of our family life. My hope? Build a following, get noticed, and pave the way for Moody Pootie to become the breakout star of the publishing world.

But here’s the thing: trying to post consistently while staying true to my limited screen time philosophy was exhausting. I’d get caught up in the pressure of “the algorithm,” and after a few months, I accepted that being an influencer isn't authentic to me, and that's okay. This journey is something I do as a creative outlet, not my full-time job (maybe one day!). So, instead of chasing followers, I leaned on one of my greatest strengths: problem solving. If my ultimate goal is to be professionally published, then I’d create my own platform.

And that’s how Little Parker Books was born—a publishing company that feels true to who I am. It’s not just a way to share Pootie’s story with the world; it’s also a reminder that staying authentic to yourself can lead to something even better than what you originally planned. Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones you create yourself.

The Website Saga

Even if I’m the only author on the roster, Little Parker Books had to look the part of a legitimate publishing company—because it is! Crafting banners, adjusting margins, and writing content that didn’t scream I’m figuring this out as I go was… a journey. Thank goodness for coffee and motivation.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Whether you’re dreaming of publishing your own book or just cheering from the sidelines, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. The Vision Evolves: Your first idea won’t be your final one. Be patient with the process.

2. Details Matter: From choosing a font for “Moody Pootie” to tweaking banner sizes, the small stuff adds up.

3. Enjoy the Journey: At the heart of everything, whether it’s the story, the website, or the branding, is a sense of joy. Keep that joy alive, even when the details get overwhelming.

Now, with Moody Pootie nearly ready for the world, I’m more excited than ever to share her story. Whether you’re a parent navigating bedtime battles, an aspiring writer with a story to tell, or just someone who loves ice cream (relatable), this process has taught me that creativity thrives when you embrace both the magic and the mess.

Thanks for joining me on this journey. Stay tuned for more Pootie updates, behind-the-scenes chaos, and hopefully a little inspiration for whatever project you’re dreaming up next.

Love, Rachel