Mom’s Choice Awards is excited to announce another post in our interview series where we chat with the inventors, designers, publishers, and others behind some of our favorite family-friendly products.
Hello, Mom’s Choice readers! We recently had the chance to speak with Susan Brooke who is an Associate Publisher at Phoenix International Publications (PI Kids). PI Kids is the publishing company behind the Mom’s Choice Award-Winning book series, Disney My First Stories! Disney My First Stories Book Series is a collection of books that each tackles different topics and features different Disney character favorites. Disney My First Stories Book Series features Minnie and the Lost Unicorn, Tinker Bell’s Best Birthday Party, Alice Wants to Grow, The Aristocats Show, Mowgli’s First Dance, Dumbo Gets Dressed, Hooray for Nature, and the newest addition, Disney My First Stories with Mickey Mouse – Merry Christmas Chip and Dale! Keep reading to find out more about Susan Brooke and how the Disney My First Stories Book Series came to be!
MCA: Hi Suzie, thank you for joining us today, and congratulations on your multiple Mom’s Choice Award-Winning books! Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Susan Brooke, Associate Publisher at Phoenix International Publications (PI Kids).
Suzie: Hi, my name is Susie Brooke. I’m the Associate Publisher at Phoenix International Publications Inc., a leading licensed international children’s publisher whose mission is to create engaging books for young readers that encourage a lifelong love of storytime.
I’ve been an editor of children’s books for the past 18 years and a writer all my life, so I’m one of those people whose profession is their passion! Storytime was always a special time in our house. Though my two children are now grown up, each book still has to pass my “read-aloud test” — is this a story I would have enjoyed reading to my kids?
Outside of work, I like watching my two fluffy dogs do adorable things, cooking delicious vegetarian dishes with my husband, and traveling to visit friends and family.
MCA: It is truly a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together. We at Mom’s Choice can attest that each book within the Disney My First Stories Book Series is sure to pass any parent’s read-aloud test! They are so cute and bring about fun new experiences for the classic Disney characters that we all know and love. What was the inspiration for writing the Disney My First Stories Book Series?
Suzie: Disney characters and stories are beloved by fans of all ages, and we loved the idea of a “My First” set specifically designed with the youngest in mind. The stories have themes that little ones can relate to, like birthday parties, dress-up, outdoor play, imagination, and friendship, and they’re written with simple sentences and repetition, which keep children interested and involved at storytime.
MCA: I loved how these books appeal to children while still giving parents the nostalgia of the same beloved characters they read about while they were growing up. There are several books featured in the Disney My First Stories Book Series. Who are all the different Disney characters that can be found within each book?
Suzie: The series features favorite Disney characters such as Mickey and Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Olaf from Frozen, Tinker Bell, Bambi, and Dumbo, as well as Disney/Pixar characters such as Nemo, Woody from Toy Story, and The Incredibles.
MCA: What are the lengths of each story featured in the Disney My First Stories Book Series, and what is the significance of those lengths?
Suzie: On average the books are about 300 words, which is just the right length to tell a satisfying story while not exceeding our little readers’ attention spans!
MCA: Keeping the attention span of little readers is no easy feat, that is for sure! Can you tell us about the growing line of Disney My First Stories Book Series and what we can expect to see next?
Suzie: We’re so excited to be adding Disney Princess stories to the line, starting with Moana and Cinderella.
The MCA Award-Winning “Disney My First Stories” Book Series.
MCA: That is very exciting, we cannot wait to read them! What kind of response from readers of the Disney My First Stories Book Series have you received?
Suzie: Parents and caregivers tell us that their kids love looking at the adorable, brightly colored pictures of the Disney characters; that the stories are the right length and level for their little ones to sit and listen to and understand; that the books are the ideal size for little hands to carry around and turn pages; that the sturdy, durable, coated pages stand up well to those little hands; and that the books make great gifts!
MCA: Each book in the series definitely makes the best gift, and they also make perfect stocking stuffers! Thank you for taking the time to talk with us about the series, we are already excited to read the upcoming addition of the Disney Princess stories! We hope you have a lovely Holiday Season.
You can learn more about Susie Brooke and her award-winning book series, Disney My First Stories Book Series, by visiting her MCA Shop pages.
