Author & Illustrator Profile
Cori Doerrfeld
17 Books
Cori Doerrfeld is an acclaimed author and illustrator of heartwarming children's picture books and graphic novels. Her work often explores emotional themes and resilience, as seen in her bestselling book "The Rabbit Listened" and "Nellie's Big Splash." She has created numerous self-authored and self-illustrated titles that resonate deeply with both young readers and their parents.
Penny knows exactly what she loves: pink. Pink sunglasses, pink tea things, pink stuffed animals, even a pink potty. In Penny’s world, pink is the best color, the brightest color, and the only color that seems to matter.
Then something new arrives in her family, and it is not pink at all. As Penny meets her baby brother, she has to make room for a color she never expected to love. Simple, cheerful, and full of young-child certainty, this picture book turns a favorite color into a sweet story about change, family, and discovering that love can be bigger than your favorite thing.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Riley has made a paper airplane and is ready to watch it fly. Then the birds arrive. One says the plane is too small. Another says it is too plain. Soon Riley is changing, stretching, decorating, and reshaping the airplane to please everyone else.
But with every new suggestion, the joy of making something begins to slip away. When the plane no longer feels like Riley’s own, Riley must decide whose voice matters most. This thoughtful picture book is a gentle story about creativity, confidence, and learning to stay true to your own ideas, even when the world is full of advice.
6-8 Years
21 Pages
Maggie and Wendel do not need to travel far to have a grand adventure. With a little imagination, an ordinary afternoon can become something much bigger. Together, the brother and sister turn playtime into exciting make-believe, moving from one idea to the next as their shared world grows.
With easy-to-read text and expressive illustrations, this picture book is a friendly choice for young readers gaining confidence. The story celebrates sibling play, creativity, and the way children can build whole adventures from everyday moments. Warm and simple without feeling too small, it captures the fun of pretending with someone who knows how to play along.
6-8 Years
48 Pages
Nellie has just hatched with her sea turtle brothers and sisters, but the ocean looks nothing like a welcome home. It roars. It crashes. It stretches farther than she can see. While the others hurry toward the waves, Nellie stays on the dry sand, where everything feels safer.
As the beach grows darker and colder, Nellie begins to look again. Past the noise and the splashing water, there may be something wonderful waiting for her. This gentle picture book follows one tiny turtle as she faces a very big first step. With warmth and courage, it speaks to anyone who has ever felt nervous about trying something new.
6-8 Years
21 Pages
A lonely little puppy follows a kind girl into town, hoping he has found a friend. Instead, the busy world is full of trouble. He gets lost, frightened, chased, and called a bad dog, even when he is only trying to find where he belongs.
Then the girl leaves something precious behind, and the puppy has a chance to show the goodness others have missed. With spare text and expressive illustrations, this warm picture book is easy to follow and full of feeling. It is a tender story for young readers about kindness, misunderstanding, loyalty, and what it really means to be good.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Matilda the bunny lives in a very full house, with many brothers and sisters all around her. In such a busy family, it can be hard to be seen. Matilda often feels stuck in the middle, wishing for one special place where she can stand out.
When she begins bunny ballet, Matilda thinks she may finally have found her moment to shine. But getting her family to notice is not so simple. Sweet, gentle, and easy to love, this picture book follows a small dancer with a big hope. It is a warm story about family, attention, and finding confidence when you feel overlooked.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Every goodbye can make room for a hello. Snowmen melt, and puddles appear. Long walks end, and evening talks begin. Butterflies fade from the day, and fireflies glow in the dark. For two best friends, these small changes are part of the rhythm of life.
But some goodbyes are much harder. When one friend moves away, the emptiness feels bigger than a puddle or a fading season. This tender picture book helps young readers understand change without rushing their feelings. Gentle and hopeful, it explores friendship, sadness, new beginnings, and the quiet courage it takes to say goodbye.
6-8 Years
21 Pages
When something terrible happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the perfect answer to fix things. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that doesn't feel right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor exactly how to act, and one by one, they fail to offer real comfort. Then, the rabbit arrives. The rabbit doesn't offer advice or tell Taylor what to do. All the rabbit does is sit quietly and listen—which turns out to be exactly what Taylor needs. This gentle, moving story shows the incredible power of empathy and kindness. It is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the best way to help a friend heal is simply by being there and listening.
6-8 Years
41 Pages
Baby orangutan is off and running, and Mama has her hands full. Through the jungle he tumbles, bounces, dances, and grabs his way into one wild surprise after another. For Baby, every branch and animal looks like a chance for fun. For Mama, every leap means one more reason to hurry after him.
Told with playful energy and a lively sense of humor, this picture book celebrates the messy, noisy, loving bond between a parent and a curious child. Young readers will enjoy the jungle mischief, the animal encounters, and the feeling of being loved even when they are at their wildest.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
In Cubby Hill, a new neighbor is big news. Cooper Cub spots a family moving in and sets off on his scooter to gather his friends for a proper welcome. Along the way, everyone wonders what the newcomers will be like. Will they enjoy the same games? Will they like flowers? Will they be completely different?
The questions grow as the welcome wagon rolls through town, but so does the excitement. Warm, funny, and full of community spirit, this picture book invites young readers to think about meeting new people with curiosity instead of fear. It is a cheerful story about neighbors, kindness, and making friends.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Little Bunny Foo Foo has a reputation: he keeps bopping field mice on the head. But this playful retelling looks behind the familiar rhyme and asks what might really be going on. Maybe the story is sillier, stranger, and more surprising than everyone thinks.
With a mischievous twist on a well-known nursery rhyme character, this picture book gives young readers a funny new way to meet Little Bunny Foo Foo. The Good Fairy is here too, though even fairies may not understand everything at first glance. Lively and comic, it is a playful choice for readers who enjoy fractured tales, animal antics, and stories that turn expectations upside down.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
Sometimes the biggest feelings are the ones hiding underneath. In this thoughtful picture book, a child begins in a difficult mood, and a walk with a caring grandparent opens a quieter way of looking at the world. Beneath stones, trees, and the surface of things, there is more happening than first appears.
As the child notices the hidden life of nature, the story gently suggests that people have hidden feelings too. Calm, observant, and emotionally wise, this book invites young readers to slow down, look closer, and think about what may be beneath anger, silence, or sadness. It is a tender story about empathy, nature, and being understood.
6-8 Years
Cubby Hill is getting ready for Giving Day, a time when neighbors think about what they can share. In this warm picture book, the spirit of the day is not only about presents or things. It is about noticing others, joining in, and discovering how one small act can make a community feel brighter.
Set in the friendly world of Cubby Hill, this story offers young readers a gentle look at generosity and connection. Its animal characters and welcoming neighborhood setting make the idea of giving feel concrete, cheerful, and close to home. A thoughtful choice for reading about kindness, sharing, and caring for the people around you.
6-8 Years
When the sun goes down, school needs bedtime too. A security guard makes her gentle rounds, tucking in chairs, checking locks, and listening as the quiet building settles for the night. Classrooms, hallways, and even the silverware seem ready to sleep.
But not everyone is where they should be. The turtle from 2A is still on the move, turning a calm nighttime routine into a small school adventure. Cozy, imaginative, and just a little funny, this picture book gives young readers a new way to see a familiar place. It is a soothing read for children who like bedtime stories, school settings, and tiny surprises after dark.
6-8 Years
Answering a knock at your front door usually means greeting a neighbor or a delivery person, but what if the guest standing on your porch is actually Life itself? When one kid opens the door to find a literal, physical embodiment of Life waiting there, everything turns wonderfully weird. It turns out that Life does not always follow the rules, rarely cooperates with your plans, and can be extremely messy. But as the kid spends more time with this strange and unpredictable companion, they begin to see how beautiful and exciting things can be when you stop trying to control every single moment. This clever story plays with all the funny idioms and sayings we use to describe growing up. You will laugh at the bizarre situations while discovering a warm, thoughtful message about embracing the unexpected. It is a brilliant reminder that Life is exactly what you choose to make of it.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
41 Pages
Mom works from home, and her little helper is ready to assist. Meetings, phone calls, organizing, and big ideas all seem easier with a confident child nearby. At least, that is how it looks to the helper. For Mom, the workday may be getting a little more complicated.
Told with bouncy humor and lively family energy, this picture book turns the everyday world of working from home into a playful read-aloud. Young readers will recognize the wish to help, even when helping does not go exactly as planned. Funny and affectionate, it celebrates family, patience, and the small ways a child can brighten a long day.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Rain boots on, puddles waiting, spring is calling. This cheerful book follows a little one through a busy spring day filled with mud pies, splashing, sunshine, flowers, and the small creatures that make the season feel alive.
With rhyming text and lift-the-flap surprises, the story invites young readers to look closely and join the fun. Ducklings, butterflies, blossoms, and rainbows all become part of a bright outdoor adventure. Simple, playful, and full of seasonal details, it is a sweet introduction to springtime, nature, and the joy of exploring the world after the rain.
6-8 Years
