5 Little Sweet Treats: Delivering Valentine Cheer!
I’m so excited to share that 5 Little Sweet Treats is officially out in the world! This book was released late last year, but as Valentine’s Day approaches, it feels like the perfect time to let people know more about it.
5 Little Sweet Treats follows Baker Mouse as they deliver oversized confections to the residents of Woodland Falls. It’s a gentle counting board book filled with cozy forest homes, friendly animal neighbors, and lots of tiny details meant to be discovered again and again. While it’s intended as a Valentine’s Day book, it was also intentionally designed to feel just as meaningful any time of year - especially when someone could use a small, unexpected dose of cheer.
Why Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day arrives during what a dark, cold, and gloomy time of year. I know this firsthand, having lived in Upstate New York, Los Angeles (yes, it’s gloomy there!), Minneapolis, and now Ohio. The excitement of the winter holidays has faded, spring still feels far away, and many people are feeling the weight of seasonal depression.
This is exactly when I like to lean into small, intentional moments of joy. I send thoughtful notes to friends and family, gather a stack of books to share with my kids, and put on a comfort-movie playlist filled with heart-warming classics like Tangled, Enchanted, and The Princess Bride.
For me, Valentine’s Day is a time to pause, do something kind for someone you love, and carve out a little brightness during an otherwise tough time of year. That spirit of simple generosity and warmth is very much captured in 5 Little Sweet Treats.
Bringing Woodland Falls to Life
From an illustration standpoint, this book was all about world-building. I wanted Woodland Falls to feel like a place you could wander through - where homes are tucked into the forest itself. You’ll find a log home, a gourd home, and a mushroom home…which I was particularly excited about since I grew up just a few streets away from these mushroom houses!
Baker Mouse is the main character and they use a sprinkle-covered food truck and a variety of kitchen tools to move the oversized treats, often doing so just on the brink of catastrophe!
Designing for Die-Cut Tabs
While these books may appear straightforward at first glance, the die-cut tab format adds a layer of design complexity. Each tab must function on both sides of the page because once turned, the backside becomes an active part of the following spread. As the book is flipped through, multiple tab backs overlap, requiring careful planning so the imagery aligns naturally and supports the scene rather than distract from it.
In 5 Little Sweet Treats, the tabs reveal small birds, while the vertical trunks and treetops continues across page turns, creating visual continuity.
Part of a Series I Truly Love
This book is part of a three-title board book series, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s coming together. 5 Silly Easter Eggs turned out beautifully, and Spooky Surprises (coming this fall!) is shaping up to be just as special. Each book showcases a distinct town filled with gentle characters. The format is incredibly sweet, with playful vehicles, chunky pages, and sparkly covers.
If you’d like to see more artwork from 5 Little Sweet Treats or learn more about the full series, you can explore it in my main gallery here! Whether you’re looking for a Valentine’s gift, a cheerful addition to your bookshelf, or a cozy counting book to share year-round, I hope this little mouse and their sweet deliveries bring a bit of joy into your home.