Inspired by moments spent reading with our own children (and soon grandchildren), Nichole and Mary-Jo hope their book will span generations, just as our favorite picture books have been read to us, by us, and with us through the years.

 

Long-time friends, author Nichole D. Evans & illustrator Mary-Jo Okawa, are creating Take Me on an Adventure to explore the marvelous journeys that can be shared by those who read stories together.

 

Nichole’s lyrical poem is an invitation for parents and caregivers to read with their children—opening a world of discovery, empathy, and imagination. The text evokes sweeping adventures, from mountain peaks to magical kingdoms, all from the safety of a child’s bedtime routine.

 

Mary-Jo has paired each stanza with vibrant, whimsical illustrations that draw children in and encourage families to read together—building literacy and connection through joy. Mary-Jo created thirty original paintings for this project!

Picture books, like Take Me on an Adventure, open a world of discovery, empathy, and imagination.

 

The research is clear. Reading with children early is instrumental in developing minds that can think, reason, and imagine. Studies show that children who are read to regularly develop early literacy skills like letter recognition and phonemic awareness, setting them up for success in school and beyond.

 

Stories written in lyrical verse, like Take Me on an Adventure, teach children that written language has a rhythm all its own, building literacy and connection through joy.

 

And the illustrations of picture books provide a window to the wonderfully diverse world we live in. Children are introduced to unique cultures and traditions, they learn about historic events and influential people, and they explore make-believe universes and characters.