1. What inspired
you to write this book? In 2000, our
youngest daughter, Hunter—just four years old at the time—slipped on an apron
to help her mother make dinner. With a proud smile, she carried a plate over
and declared, “Miss Floo Flocky Doo is here to serve YOU!” In that joyful moment, our family
knew this delightful character had the heart of a children’s story. Inspired by
Hunter’s imagination, Miss Floo Flocky Doo was born. Twenty-six years
later, that spark has come to life in my debut picture book, Floo Flocky Doo
to the Rescue!
2.
What exactly is it about — and for whom is it written for? Floo Flocky Doo to
the Rescue
is a beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates kindness, quick
thinking, and the joy of caring for others. The book introduces young readers
to Floo Flocky Doo, a spirited and imaginative girl whose motto—“Hootie Hoo, I
know what to do!”—guides her through unexpected adventures. When Floo rescues a baby squirrel
named Lucky Lou, she never expects him to escape inside a grocery store,
launching a wild chase filled with laughter, flying wigs, and blueberry jelly
footprints. With help from her hummingbird companion Peanut, Floo uses courage,
creativity, and compassion to save the day. Ideal for children ages 2–8 and
perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, and early readers who love
funny animal adventures. Families will enjoy the heartwarming themes of caring,
problem-solving, and the magic of friendship.
3. What do you
hope readers will get out of reading your book? A joyful burst of
fun, smiles, and giggles! Kids will delight in the book’s whimsical rhymes and
love joining in on the catchy, confidence-boosting refrain—“Hootie Hoo, I
know what to do!”—as the main character faces each new challenge with
imagination and heart. It also combines the musicality of classic rhyming
books with a personal, grounded storytelling foundation, which gives it a warm
and authentic feel.
4. How did you
decide on your book’s title and cover design? The book was
originally titled Floo Flocky Doo in Lucky Lou, Where Are You? But as we
approached the finish line, it became clear that the story was about more than
just a mischievous squirrel—it’s an adventure built around two heartwarming
rescue moments. With that realization, we shifted to the title it carries
today. For the cover, I
wanted it to capture a glimpse of the playful chaos inside the story while
showcasing Floo and her lovable animal friends. The goal was to visually convey
a sense of fun, mischief, and energy—and thanks to the illustrator’s work, I
believe the cover does exactly that.
5. What kind of
girl is your protagonist, Floo Flocky Doo? First and
foremost, we wanted Floo to be a young girl who radiates confidence. At the
same time, it was important that she recognizes when her well-meaning choices
don’t quite go as planned and understands the value of taking responsibility.
We were careful to present this lesson in a way that encourages, rather than
discourages, young readers to explore, imagine, and have fun. That’s why we
gave the story a gentle, reassuring ending—a soft landing that balances
accountability with warmth and joy.
6. What trends are
you seeing in the children's book world? I’ll be the first
to admit that I don’t consider myself an authority on that question. That said,
it seems many children’s picture books today focus on hot social themes of the
moment. We deliberately chose a different path: to create a simple, fun, and engaging
book that would bring joy and put a smile on a child’s face.
7. Were there
experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when
writing this book? The structure of
the story and its plot almost wrote themselves, as so many moments are rooted
in our family’s real-life experiences. For example, the lead character, Floo
Flocky Doo, was imagined by our daughter. Rescuing a baby squirrel truly
happened in our family, as did the trip to the grocery store with it — not one
of my finer moments in my youth. The elderly lady in the story is named after
my mother, who always wore wigs. And “Hootie Hoo” has long been our family’s
playful way of calling out to one another when we’re out and about. Still, nothing prepared me for the
challenge of writing a rhyming picture book. Crafting consistent rhyme and
rhythm proved far more difficult than expected. In fact, I’m certain I created
at least 150 different versions before settling on what ultimately became the
final 600-word manuscript.
8. How would you
describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?I found that my
writing style for this book evolved over time alongside the manuscript itself.
It began with a simple goal: to craft a fun story using playful, imaginative
language while staying grounded in relatable experiences. Once I decided to
incorporate the repetitive “Hootie Hoo” phrases, the story naturally developed
a sing-song rhythm. By the end, this approach produced a rhyming and rhythmic
manuscript with a lively, musical flow to it. As for other books with a similar style, I’d say Floo
Flocky Doo to the Rescue is a blend of the warmth and gentle storytelling
found in Karma Wilson’s The Bear Books series and the high-energy humor,
mischief, and imaginative problem-solving of Andy Elkerton’s How to Catch
the Easter Bunny. The result is a story that combines heart, rhythm, and
playful fun.
9. What challenges
did you overcome in the writing of this book? Aside from the
fact that I had never written a children’s picture book — nor fully appreciated
the artistry involved in doing so — one of the greatest challenges was brevity.
No one in my family, me included, has ever mastered the art of saying something
in just a few words. We tend to be expressive, both in conversation and in
writing. So, when I set out
to create a children’s book — which ultimately evolved into a rhyming picture
book with its own unique challenges — I was faced with the task of telling a
complete story within the space limitations of a traditional 32-page format. My
first manuscript was close to 2,000 words, far too many for a typical picture
book. Trimming it down required considerable effort, discipline, and multiple
revisions, but the process ultimately strengthened the story and sharpened its
focus.
10. If people can
buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? If you’re going to
choose just one book to share with a child this week, make it Floo Flocky Doo
to the Rescue—because it delivers exactly what kids (and parents) are looking
for in a read-aloud experience: laughter, rhythm, heart, and a character they’ll
want to visit again and again. This isn’t just a
story—it’s an interactive adventure. Kids quickly latch onto Floo’s playful
catchphrase—“Hootie Hoo, I know what to do!”—and love jumping in to say
it out loud. That kind of participation turns reading into a shared moment, not
just a quiet activity.
It’s
also packed with high-energy, laugh-out-loud fun. A mischievous baby squirrel
on the loose, a chaotic grocery store chase, and a hummingbird with a clue
create the kind of delightful mayhem that keeps kids fully engaged from start
to finish. But beneath the
humor is something even more important: heart. The story gently weaves in
themes of kindness, responsibility, problem-solving, and friendship—giving
parents and educators something meaningful to feel good about and to discuss
with their children / students.
And
finally, Floo herself is unforgettable. She’s bold, imaginative, and full of
joy—the kind of character children connect with instantly and want to follow
into the next adventure.
If
you want a book that makes kids laugh, invites them to participate, and leaves
them smiling at the end…this is the one to bring home.
About The Author: Award-winning
author, David L. Gillespie brings a captivating blend of imagination and
real-world experience to children’s literature. Born and raised in Tallahassee,
Florida, he began an adventurous global journey with his family after earning
his commission in the United States Air Force. Over decades of leadership in
military intelligence, public policy, and executive program development, David
built a distinguished career before turning his storytelling passion into a
highly acclaimed children’s picture book – “Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue.” For more information, please see: https://www.FlooFlockyDoo.com.
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For
the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He
formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the
head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the
director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many
first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with
best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen,
Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard,
Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C.
Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.
His
writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s
The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs
He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah
Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association,
Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and
Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the
2024 IBPA Book Awards.
His
letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal,
USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester)
and The Washington Post. His first published book was The
Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook. It
was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.
Born
and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids,
and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.
You
can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum
