I Made This Book for My Son… and Now I Think Other Kids Might Love It Too
I didn’t plan to write a children’s book.
I was just trying to make something for my son.
At the time, I was building a simple memory match game to help him with focus and recognition. Nothing fancy—just something fun we could play together.
That’s where Koobi started.
A small character on a few cards.
A lion cub with a little personality.
But while I was working on the game, something else was happening.
My son hit that phase.
You probably know the one.
More confidence.
More curiosity.
More “I’ll try it anyway.”
And with that came:
- broken things
- questionable decisions
- the occasional attempt to avoid getting in trouble
As a parent, I wanted to teach him something important:
Not “don’t mess up.”
That’s impossible.
But what to do after you mess up.
That’s When the Story Clicked
I didn’t want to lecture him.
I didn’t want another “lesson book” that kids sit through but don’t connect with.
So I wrote a story instead.
- the mistake happens fast
- the consequences feel real
- the decision to be honest actually matters
That story became Welcome to Roarwood.
What Makes This Book Different
A lot of children’s books fall into one of two categories:
- calm and gentle
- loud and silly
This one sits right in the middle.
- fast-paced
- funny
- a little chaotic
But it still lands on something meaningful.
The Story (Without Spoiling It)
Koobi dares his best friend Milo to try a wild jungle stunt.
Two vines. One flip. Big air.
It goes exactly how you’d expect.
They crash.
They break something important.
And suddenly, the fun is over.
Now Koobi has a decision to make.
Try to fix it?
Hide it?
Or tell the truth?
Why Kids Actually Get Into It
“Would my kid laugh at this?”
That was the filter.
- moves quickly
- keeps things playful
- doesn’t talk down to them
There’s chaos. Humor. And moments kids recognize instantly.
The Characters Kids Remember
- Koobi – learning responsibility
- Milo – chaotic and fearless
- Quinny – smart and calm
- King Lyle – confident… not always correct
- Queen Mazi – the emotional anchor
The Moment That Told Me This Was Worth Sharing
After I read it to my son, he started retelling the story on his own.
He laughed at the right parts. Remembered the mistake. Talked about what Koobi should have done.
That’s when I knew.
If You’re Looking for a Book That…
- keeps your child engaged
- makes them laugh
- creates real conversations
This is exactly why I made Welcome to Roarwood.
Final Thought
I didn’t build this as a business first.
I built it for one kid.
But if it connects with yours the same way it did with mine… then it’s already done more than I hoped for.