Reviewers say it is direct and to-the-point, but is that the point of a rhyming children's picturebook? This is one of the most direct and to-the-point tales I have read in a long while.” These are the words of Rosie Malezer of Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, who gave Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma a FIVE-STAR review! Her words are music to my ears. Writing children’s books — especially rhyming children’s books — isn’t as easy as it might seem. The children’s picturebook genre comes with expectations. In 300 to 1,000 words and 32 pages, you must deliver a storyline that has a distinct “arc” or rising action, peak action and falling action. Because your 32 pages must make room for a title, dedication, copyright and end pages, you actually have only 12-14 double-page spreads to achieve your mission. I try to keep my manuscripts to around 500 to 600 words because research says that is most effective—and allows room for the illustrations to do their part. In Toy Trauma, Illustrator Emily Hagen saw to it that the illustrations definitely did their part and our reviewer agreed: Emily Hagen's illustrations brought Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma to life beautifully and ensured that each and every reader would become immediately engaged with the characters. I couldn't have been more delighted with those illustrations! Check out Nurse Nate as he dances with MomOx, DocOx and his patient--they make you want to get up and dance with them! That the illustrations did their part to move the story along--but what about the rhyming manuscript itself? The book industry doesn’t encourage debut authors like me to publish rhyming books. Why? Because poetry has a tendency to lengthen a story arc -- to go in search of rhyme that ultimately drags out the story. When you only have 500 to 600 words and 24 pages to achieve the arc of a story, each word matters. Each must lend to the story—and not to the rhyme itself. Do you see why Rosie Malezer’s review of Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma means so much to me? Here’s what else she said: “Quite often people tend to over-explain things, but Callen Kropp has kept the story and the message simple, making it very easy for all readers to learn and understand how to avoid such accidents - keep the room tidy." Thank you, Rosie Malezer for more of your encouraging words: "I liked that the sequence of events from the noise caused at the beginning to the cleaning-up message at the end gave this tale a very realistic feel. Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma is a children's book that should be kept in every home library for young readers so that they learn how messiness, no matter where you are, is an accident waiting to happen. I look forward to reading more of Ozzy Ox's stories in the future.” Love it! But don’t take Ms. Malezer’s words for it—you can order Ozzy Ox Toy Trauma on Amazon, Walmart or Barnes and Noble—and then review it yourself! Or shop for it at Story Nook or Dakota Store in Jamestown, or Ferguson’s Books in West Fargo and Bismarck.

It might be Friday the 13th, but I am feeling very lucky! I have received word that our book Ozzy Ox: Moody Morning has received very positive reviews by professional reviewers whose job it is to identify books that are outstanding in their genres. The only thing better than these reviews are those from readers who describe a child’s reactions! Those reviews—by you, the reader—are actually what will determine the life of Ozzy Ox on Amazon. So don’t feel your review has to be anything more than a few words describing your (and/or your child’s reactions to the book. If you don't do Amazon, it's easy to submit a review on Goodreads by clicking here . Reviewing Ozzy Ox is worth your while too— I just FINALLY got paper copies of Ozzy Ox: Moody Morning and am working to get those books out to all who reviewed the first book, Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash. If I haven’t heard from you regarding a Candy Stash review, please send me your address and I will get those out—hopefully in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, pinch me as I ponder these excerpts from three professional reviewers: " Callen Kropp's storytelling and the vivid illustrations make this book an invaluable addition to any child's library, leaving a lasting impression about the power of kindness, responsibility, and the enduring strength of friendship." -- Demetria Head, "A Look Inside" Blog, 5 Star Review "Ozzy Ox learns an important lesson about friendship, kindness, and caring for others. We all make poor choices, but everything that is broken can be fixed again, even friendships. This is a great story to encourage young people to be accepting of others and ready to forgive and, most importantly, to make better choices..." - Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Reader's Favorite, 5 Star Review " The storybook will have your children laughing out loud as they learn valuable lessons about how words & actions impact those around them." - Kameron Brook, Reedsy Discovery But, despite the accolades, it is the little listening ears--and the people reading to them--that I cherish the most. I find SO MUCH reward when hearing of the children that are enjoying and learning life's great lessons from Ozzy Ox. Thank you to ALL for your words! Five- Star Reviews from Amazon buyers: - " Fun Story to read to my grandkids, and the illustrations are so entertaining: This is the 2nd book in the series. It sure kept my grandkids attention and the 3-year-old thought the pictures were so much fun to look at while I read. We will look forward to book 3 and see what Ozzy Ox will be up to next." - "Fantastic book! This is the 2nd book in the series. Love them both well written and illustrated. Grandkids love them, can’t wait for the 3rd book to be released." - "Another fun book! Ozzy wakes up in a bad mood, and the day unravels from there! It's a great book about the effect we have on others, and how we can make it right. The pictures are fun and keep your attention on the story!" - "Wonderful book! This book is wonderful. The pictures are even more wonderful and sure to catch the eye of every child." - "Fun to read!" Another fun yet educational book from this author. And if the story doesn't capture your child's attention the colorful pictures certainly will!!" - "Another fun book! This is another great book by Callen Krapp. It teaches an important life lesson. The illustrations are wonderful! I highly recommend this book for youngsters and those of us who love to read to our children and grandchildren!" - "Love Ozzy Ox series so far! I am buying the Ozzy Ox series to share with my grandchildren. Love the message and the lovely artwork. Looking forward to the next release."

Moody Morning—could describe today for me. We’ve had a whirlwind couple of weeks and it’s tempting to sit back and try to get a grip. But the excitement of releasing our second children's picture book in the Ozzy Ox series is energizing. Illustrator Emily Hagen and I have SO been looking forward to sharing Ozzy Ox: Moody Morning. When I first shared the manuscript with my critique group, they responded, “that’s a great story, but how are you going to illustrate THAT?” NEVER FEAR. Emily knocked it out of the park. The expressions on Ozzy and the many characters in this book are priceless. She has done her best work and I am so proud of this book! Not only is it a lot of fun, but it packs a message that every family will want to share with their children: that their WORDS and friendships MATTER! Ozzy Ox: Moody Morning is now available in paperback (discounted to $7.99 now through the end of September), hard copy and Ebook at this link. And beginning Monday, Sept. 18 through Friday, Sept. 22, YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE EBOOK FOR FREE! All we ask in return is an Amazon review. As in all books released on Amazon, it is the REVIEWS that determine the life of the book. So please take a minute - go to this LINK when you can!

We were humbled and honored to see Ozzy in the Jamestown Sun, Foster County Independent, KVLY/ North Dakota Today and North Dakota Now! Thanks so much to each of these entities for introducing Ozzy to the world! Such publicity has helped Ozzy become the #1 New Release in its category on Amazon. Your reviews will help keep it there! If you have submitted a review, thank you SO much! If you would still like to, you can always go to Amazon at this link: This is a super helpful way to help Ozzy answer the question: "How am I doing?" But there are several other ways to submit reviews, too: (Note-you do not have to purchase from these sites in order to review). 1 - Submit to Goodreads here: 2- Submit to Barnes and Noble here: (once there, scroll all the way down) 3- Fill out our form right here on our site on the Contact page. 4- Email to: info@callenkropp.com (we also appreciate PHOTOS of our book as you share them with your children!) 5 - Go on any of our social media accounts (see links on this page) and submit photos or comments. We are on most platforms as @callenkropp or @CallenKropp. Any way you submit, we truly appreciate your support! Thank you SO much!

I saw a post on Facebook the other day: “Feeling guilty because last night I helped my husband look for the chocolate that I ate.” So why are visions of opened chocolate chip bags tucked in the far reaches of my freezer floating through my head right now? Along those lines, have you seen Jimmy Kimmel’s Halloween show in which he calls for videos of parents breaking the news to their children that they’ve eaten all their Halloween candy? It’s bittersweet—a part of you feels bad the kids are so heartbroken. But you can’t help but laugh at their reactions: down right desperation. So, what’s your candy stash story? Everyone who knows him realizes my husband, Oren, stashes his sweets in a slot on the inside of his pickup door. I don’t know if it’s a throwback to the years he thought he was fooling our kids, but he still acts like an undercover sleuth sneaking up on a meth lab when he taps into his “secret” candy stash. The same guy who overwhelms the surround sound in a movie theatre when retrieving popcorn from its paper bag manages to soundlessly slip from the crinkly wrap in the slot in the pickup door complete fistfuls of gum drops-- undetected! The candy man, at it again. 

 And here I am, at it again too—bragging about the release of my first children's' picture book--Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash. Coming July 31 on Amazon. You can check out my Author Page (still a work in progress) ahead of time at authorcentral.com/callenkropp . 
 In the meantime, it’s late. At night. Do you know where YOUR candy stash is?

Ozzy Ox is finally on the move—his debut is coming to Amazon on July 31! To celebrate the launch of one of the best children's picture books to go on Amazon, we are offering an introductory special. Beginning July 31 through August 13, Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash, a 32-page full color beautifully illustrated picture book, will be a vailable for $7.99—that’s $3 off the regular price of $10.99! And there’s more: For the same time period, you will be able to download an E-book copy of Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash FREE of charge. The only thing we ask in return for this is that you leave an HONEST REVIEW on the Amazon page where you order! So set your calendars for this special introduction and stay tuned to learn more about Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash as it goes live on Amazon (link to be shared on callenkropp.com when it becomes available). —Ozzy Ox: Candy Stash Releasing July 31 —Ozzy Ox: Toy Trauma Releasing August 31 —Ozzy Ox: Moody Morning Releasing September 30 —Ozzy Ox Takes a Stand Against Socks Releasing Autumn 2023

It was quite a day—the day I received the first copy of my first Ozzy book. I didn't scream or jump up and down or anything the minute I got my hands on it. Ok, fine, I may have jumped and screamed- I did all of that, but only after I looked around. Wouldn't want to set off sirens or anything. It felt good to finally see it in print! With any luck, it’ll be available on Amazon and on other outlets on July 31. So who is this dude Ozzy? He’s a pre-school oxen who is just like the typical human kid—living his life, trying to follow the guidance of his MomOx. It doesn’t always go well. In the first book, Ozzy’s sweet tooth gets the best of him. Who hasn’t had a child who relentlessly tries to sweet talk you into feeding his sweet tooth? Which of us adults hasn’t secretly stashed our own cache of sweet relief? But, when it involves her beloved boy, MomOx never gives up. Through sickness and in health, through good times and bad, MomOx—like her human parent peers—doesn’t ever give up on her Ozzy. Her relationship with her beloved son is best summed up this way: “In the land of oxen lives a lad Whose MomOx teaches good from bad. She won’t have Ozzy misunderstood. Even when he’s bad, he’s very, very good.” As a parent, can you relate to that? MomOx is a lot like every parent out there—thinking that parenthood is the best gig she’s ever had, and then, moments later, shaking her head and thinking parenthood is the hardest gig she’s ever had. She, like so many parents, goes to the ends of the earth to take every mistake her child makes and turn it into a learning moment. To distract her child in order to avoid the next meltdown. To be thunderstruck by the way a child can go from the sweetest, most charming child to a puddle of frenzied flesh. Even those of us whose days of parenthood are blurred by years can still relate to the challenges that come with raising children to be responsible, accountable, kind and considerate. You’ll see that struggle - along with sweet resolution-- in the four Ozzy books that will be coming to the market in 2023. I don't expect you to jump up and down the first moment you encounter an Ozzy book. I don't expect you to scream or set off sirens. But I do hope that you'll check Ozzy out, to see if you and your child can relate to the rollicking young ox. Check it out on Amazon beginning July 31!

Red, white and blue.  What does it mean to you?  As the Independence Day approaches, I remember July 4, 1989 when it was 101 degrees in the shade and we still played the annual softball game.  I recall 2004, when the day average was not even 60, but the wind made it feel more like 50.  We shivered under several layers of blankets by the lake. Fireworks figured in always, but so did storytelling around the fire.  It’s what I cherish the most. Once Oren became a grandpa, it seems his fireside tales got even taller.  He’d start the first story, and it was typically based on summer and fireworks, the county fair and the lake.  Then, the grandkids would take their turns.  Most were a creative version of their Papa’s story, but all packed a punch of their own. Telling stories that made sense wasn’t relevant.  Telling stores that had settings, plots or arcs wasn’t important either.  What WAS important was expression—and the countenance that came along with it.  Big eyes and a smirk.  Timid eyes and a bashful grin.  Searching little eyes looking for approval.  Smiling eyes responding to acclamation and applause. Story time after dusk,, around a fire.  Is there anything better?  Whether you read a child stories from books, or tell them stories from your heart, there’s no better investment in the life of a child.  Happy Storytelling on this Independence Day!

We are about to roll out the first book of the Ozzy Ox series and that, alone, is worthy as the subject of this entire post on Party on Paper.  But, this is also Father’s Day week, and I can’t let that go by without acknowledging the role my children’s father played at story time in our house as they grew up.  Not to brag, but our three kids had exemplary academic experiences both in public school and college.   I accredit that to story time. But before I pat myself on the back for establishing from early on a bedtime routine that involved books from Berenstain Bears to Little House on the Prairie, I can’t discount what our kids most likely value the most to this day:  Hubert and Pubert. No, these weren’t characters from Harper Collins.  These were characters who, in Oren’s zany, nightly stores, magically mirrored exactly what our kids experienced.   If Jerrad went to the spelling bee that day, Hubert at bedtime also had to share HIS spelling bee experience.  If Amber went to horse camp, Pubert, ironically, just came home from horse camp.  If Kelsey went fishing with Grandpa, Hubert, at the evening’s end, would recount that he went fishing, too. The “Bert” duo wasn’t very mannerly.  These were dudes who were often politically incorrect and mostly struggling to learn life’s everyday lessons.  Somewhere in the calamity of their everyday hysterics, though, there was an ever so subtle snippet of enlightenment. A gentle nudge that quietly suggested to the listener that there is an underlying moral value free for the taking. Not everyone is as crafty as Oren when it comes to storytelling.  Never fear.  Reading to children is the more conventional way to bond together for story time.  Either way, this is the week to pay tribute to every father and grandfather who put a child on his lap for the most important 15 minutes of each day. Happy Father's Day to all the daddies and granddaddies out there!

Beginning a blog—that and writing children’s books has been a longtime dream of mine, one I never seemed to find time for. But last fall I had an unnerving trip to an emergency room that ultimately put me in an ambulance and then a hospital. What they thought was a blood clot in my head turned out to be what I always knew I had: spider webs where brains are supposed to be. The good news is that there’s nothing wrong with me! But the experience prompted me to get on with it. Writing and blogging—along with photography and traveling. Bucket list dreams that can’t stay put for too much longer, that’s what my spider-web laden brain is trying to tell me! So, along with bringing Ozzy Ox to life (look for him in four rhyming picture books to be released in 2023) I am heading to Ireland in a few weeks with grandson Isaac—the destination he chose as his graduation gift. He’s a fun guy, a real personality. Just can’t wait to see how he and the cloggers of Ireland get along! So please visit often to see us in Ireland. And meanwhile, come back often to see how my very first book launch is going. Look for that —Ozzy Ox Candy Stash—on July 31!!