The latest picture book to hit the children’s market features a bold premise: a kid decides to turn her annoying sister into a worm. The story, written by Julie and illustrated by Jessica, offers a humorous look at the everyday tension between siblings, while also delivering bright, detailed artwork that deepens the narrative.
Published just last week, the book has already sparked curiosity among parents, teachers, and picture-book collectors. Beyond the story itself, Julie is running a giveaway that includes a manuscript critique or a live Zoom visit for a classroom, and she’s offering a limited-time discount on her critique services.
The spark that grew into a worm-filled tale
The concept originated in a 2023 creative exercise known as Susanna Hill’s “May Mini Mix n’ Match Challenge.” Participants paired a character from one column with an element from another, then wrote a short “if/then” story. Julie matched “sister” with “worm,” a combination that felt both absurd and instantly visual. Drawing from her own childhood rivalry with her sister, she imagined the feeling of having a worm instead of a human sibling. The initial draft was a concise 130-word sketch, focusing on the humor of a worm disrupting birthday parties and bedtime routines.
As the idea matured, Julie expanded the one-liner jokes into full spreads, letting the illustrator flesh out the world. The turning point arrived when she moved the moment the narrator transforms her sister to the immediate aftermath of a birthday party, giving the narrative a clear inciting incident and a natural progression.
From sketch to full-color pages
With the skeleton in place, Julie revisited the manuscript, adding layers to the protagonist Maggie—named after her younger sister Jaclyn, who, she jokes, would have turned her into a worm without hesitation. Real-life details such as “Madison Elementary School” (a nod to Julie’s hometown) and an aunt named Colleen further personalize the story.
Jessica’s illustrations bring the absurdity to life. Although the text never mentions a cat, she introduced a mischievous feline that tangles with peas and darts around Great Uncle Chester’s dancing. Small touches—like barrette-clad hair, a mini-tea-party inside the worm’s house, and a cat sporting a top-hat monocle in a framed photo—create a vivid, immersive environment that extends beyond the written words.
What readers notice and remember
Julie hopes young audiences see themselves in Maggie’s feelings of being eclipsed by a sibling, even if they don’t have sisters. The story’s core message is that imagination can transform frustration into humor, and that relationships with family members are a mix of joy and occasional annoyance. A favorite spread (pages 24-25) showcases Maggie as the sole flower girl at Aunt Colleen’s wedding, with Jessica’s art amplifying the absurdity of a worm laughing at Maggie’s misfortune.
Readers are also invited to reflect on the broader theme: sibling rivalry is universal, and acknowledging the whole emotional spectrum—including the “mean-spirited” impulses—can open honest conversations about feelings.
Giveaway, discount, and how to join
To celebrate the launch, Julie is offering a 25% discount on manuscript critiques through November 16th. The promo code “Yak25off” applies to all services, including her picture-book mentorship program. Additionally, a contest runs until 9 AM CST on November 2, rewarding one winner with either a short manuscript critique (under 750 words, non-rhyming) or a 30-minute Zoom author visit for a classroom of their choosing.
Entering the raffle requires a free subscription to the blog and completing a short form. Extra entries are granted by sharing the post on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the #PBSpotlight hashtag and tagging the host. Winners will be contacted on the contest deadline day and announced via social media.
Author background and future plans
Julie’s career began in education, where she served as a teacher, department chair, and literacy specialist before turning to writing full-time. She holds a BA in English with a creative-writing focus from the University of Central Florida and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Active in SCBWI, Mighty Kidlit, and a local critique group, Julie continues to submit manuscripts, believing that stories should help children “develop a deep love of reading.”
When she isn’t drafting or revising, Julie lives in Florida with her husband and two sons, often found cheering from the soccer sidelines, singing karaoke, or baking treats she stealthily hides from her family.
