Issue 08 · August 2026 · Cover Reveal!

In this issue:

• Little Star Cover Reveal

• My Favorite Gifted Books

• The Science of Imagination

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Little Star Cover Reveal

This has been an exciting week in the life of Little Star! Final files have been sent to the printer and we're officially on track to publish this Fall. If all goes well, we'll open pre-order sales in just a of couple weeks!

And with that bit of good news, I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of Little Star to you:

I can't wait for you all to meet this rambunctious celestial sprite and journey through the wild and wondrous universe with her.

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My Favorite Gifted Books

One of the greatest surprises I've experienced since becoming an author has been the friends who've generously gifted their favorite children's books to me. This little collection has become a library of nostalgia and new inspiration, and has further cemented my conviction that these books have the power to resonate in the hearts of adults and kids alike.

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  A Sich Day for Amos McGee

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  I Want My Hat Back

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  My Rows and Piles of Coins

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  Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

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  We're Going On A Bear Hunt

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  The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can

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  Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

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  The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination

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  Little Egret and Toro

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  The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Each of these books was given to me along with personal memories of sweet evenings reading aloud to kids, illustrations that inspired aspiring artists, and stories that ignited a passion for a world beyond their own. Hopefully these can be as much of a gift to you as they have been to me.

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The Science of Imagination

This week I happened upon a compelling interview with Dr. Cassandra Vieten, PhD, a clinical psychologist and one of the world's leading researchers on imagination and consciousness.

While much of the discourse around manifestation centers around woo-woo thoughts of becoming wealthy or famous, the science tells us that imagination (via visualization and manifestation) is the key to unlocking mental health, innovation, and human connection.

The interview was a great primer into Dr. Vieten's research on the subject and the perfect introduction to her incredible book, Imagine That: Transform How You Think, Feel, and Live with the Science of Imagination.

“I really believe in imagination's power to bring the magic back into your life. And I don't mean magic in a fake sense. I mean the vitality, the awe, the wonder, the mystery, the beauty, just the fun parts of life, the spices that make life so interesting and bring back that curiosity.”

- Dr. Cassandra Vieten, PhD

From The Mel Robbins Podcast: World Leading Psychologist: How to Manifest Anything & Create the Life You Want, Aug 9, 2026