I’m so happy to welcome my friend, author Kari Ann Gonzalez, to the blog today. Kari Ann’s wonderful and clever new picture book, GOAT MAA-TH: AN ADDITION STORY!, illustrated by Bonnie Kelso, released from Gnome Road Publishing on September 8, 2026. Kari chats about her inspiration, as well as stories, creativity, and connection. Welcome, Kari Ann!
- STORIES – Discuss the inspiration for your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects.
This story was actually inspired by my book series How To Hatch A Reader, How To Hatch A Writer and forthcoming, How To Hatch A Story. My publisher, Sandra Foreman Sutter at Gnome Road, and I were talking about how amazing it would be to have a funny story building math connection, similar to how the Hatch series which built language art skills. We started dreaming up ideas, but it was the vision of goats begging to do maa-th that won us over and turned into, GOAT MAA-TH: AN ADDITION STORY!
- CREATIVITY — How do you showcase your creative side through writing/illustrating and other pursuits?
The beauty of a story is starting with a blank paper. Some may find it daunting. I find it empowering! I can take the story in any direction. I can write a terrible line, cross it out, and come up with a winner, or rewrite the whole story completely with a new ending. My favorite part of writing a story is the ending spreads. I love to come up with a joke, a heart-filled moment, or a juicy twist. Outside of storytelling, I love crafting with my kids, cooking, baking, gardening, making jam, or soap. The sky is the limit on creativity! I may find an entirely new set of creative pursuits to delve into tomorrow, but writing books has always been my favorite.
- CONNECTION — How do you connect to your young readers through your writing/illustrating, and how do you stay connected to the KidLit community?
Writing has always been a balm to my soul. Sweet, silly, funny, punny, sometimes serious…writing books for all ages is a beautiful way to express myself and build connections with others. I love getting to see reactions to my work, especially the giggles for humor projects in meet and greet events, readings, school visits and book festivals.
Writing Kidlit is not for the faint of heart. Publishing books is a long game, and inherently comes with a lot of rejection before you get that magical ‘Yes!’. Connecting with the Kidlit Community is so important- who will understandthe ups, downs, and in betweens better than our fellow writers? I love to stay connected with my critique groups (shout out to The Wonder Squad and CTC Group), my local SCBWI CA North/Central friends, social media marketing group, PBSpree, 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge friends and so many more.
KARI ANN’S BIO:
Kari Ann Gonzalez is a children’s writer who loves tending to her tiny hobby farm and stuffing her little free library full of books. Her debut picture book HOW TO HATCH A READER won the Northern Lights Picture Book award for humor, while HOW TO HATCH A WRITER has been named Hot Off The Press by CBC, and Reviewer’s Choice on Midwest Book Review’s Children’s Bookwatch. She is excited to share her newest titles, GOAT MAA-TH: AN ADDITION STORY, IF YOU LIVE ON A FARM, and more titles to be announced soon! A flock of plucky chickens are kind enough to share their home with Kari, her husband, and their two little girls. For more information, please visit Kari’s website at: www.karianngonzalez.com or her Instagram at: kari_gonzalez_writes
CONNECT WITH KARI ANN:
Website: www.karianngonzalez.com
Twitter: @karianngonzale1
Instagram: Kari_Gonzalez_Writes
Facebook: Kari Gonzalez
Bluesky: @karigonzalezwrites