Boomer’s Big Win!
Boomer Wins First Place at The BookFest!
Great news! Boomer Hears the Forest: The Curious Bunny, Book II has won First Place at The BookFest Fall 2026 in the Fiction/Children’s/Animals category.
I am so excited to share this news! Boomer’s second adventure encourages young readers to slow down, listen closely and discover the wonder, sounds and living beauty of nature. It means so much to see this story recognised, and I am grateful to everyone who has helped bring Boomer’s adventures to life.
A big thank-you goes to my publisher, Plum Creek Press, for producing such a beautiful book, and to all of you who continue to support my stories. Your emails, kind words and ideas mean more than you know.
One of my favourite things is receiving pictures of children enjoying my books. Seeing a young reader become absorbed in a story reminds me why I love writing for children in the first place.
If you haven't met Boomer yet, now is a wonderful time to join him on his forest adventure. You can find *Boomer Hears the Forest* on Amazon or order a copy through your favourite bookstore.
Thank you for being part of Boomer’s journey!
Let's Think About Ruby's Pearls: Dreams Made Real
https://mitzithinkinc.podbean.com/e/lta-ruby-s-pearls-dreams-made-real-wsg-diann-floyd-boehmRuby’s Pearls: Dreams Made Real
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely Mitzi on her show, Mitzi, Let’s Think About It, for a conversation about dreams. We talked about the dreams that follow us from childhood, the ones we put on a shelf and the ones we finally give ourselves permission to chase.
Much of our conversation centred on my grandmother, Ruby Pearl. Born in 1904 as one of ten children, she was a fierce redhead with big plans. Her brothers went to college, and Ruby Pearl wanted to go too. At a time when many believed a woman’s place was in the home, she ran away to make it happen. She paid her way by tutoring and dancing the Charleston.
Her story has stayed with me, and I love being able to share it. Ruby Pearl reminds me that determination and courage can take us in directions we might never have imagined.
I also shared a memory from my visits to international schools. When I asked students about their dreams, some told me they didn't need to dream because the government would tell them what to do. That moment has stayed with me for years, and it is part of why I write. Every child, and every grown-up, deserves the chance to dream.
We also talked about the singing I set aside so my daughter could find her own voice, how that pause led me towards storytelling and how our dreams can change as we grow.
Your purpose doesn't have to be grand. It might be collecting toys for children in need or making a card with a kind message. Small steps, taken with courage, are how dreams become real.
I hope you'll join us for this thoughtful conversation and perhaps take a moment to think about a dream of your own. Is there one you've put aside that might be ready for a new beginning?
Conversations About Creativity and Storytelling
I've had a wonderful time connecting with fellow authors and creative people this month. Each conversation is an opportunity to explore where stories begin, how imagination grows and how our experiences shape the books we write.
In Connections Magazine, I enjoyed a fun interview with Melanie P. Smith. It's always a pleasure to talk about my work and share a little more of the journey behind the stories.
I also joined host akaRed on The Creative People Roundtable, alongside children's book authors Emi Mae and Ben Welch and Jan Burl. We talked about the creativity behind children's books and the experiences that inspire us to write for young readers.
I was also delighted to be an invited author at The BookFest on October 24. During the Author Chat, I shared how Boomer Hears the Forest encourages children to slow down, listen carefully and discover the wonder of nature. The event also offered a lovely opportunity to connect with other authors during the after-party and networking session.
If you love children's books, creativity or simply discovering how a story comes to life, I hope you'll take a look at these features.
Explore the conversations:
Meet Humphrey the Camel!
I promised to share the name of my new book, coming this November, so here it is: Humphrey the Camel!
Meet a curious camel with a big journey ahead. I'm excited to introduce this new character and share another children's story with you.
Humphrey is a children's Christmas story, and I'll have more news to share in November. I hope you'll check back for a look at the cover and a few more hints about the adventure.
There are always new stories waiting to be told, and I can't wait for you to meet Humphrey!
A Little Halloween Fun!
October has brought plenty of opportunities for a little creativity outside my writing desk!
My grandson asked me to make him a Batman birthday cake, and I'm so lucky that his parents like me to make their cakes. If you remember, last year I made a pirate cake, so this year's Batman theme was a fun new challenge.
The cake included a Batcave with a remote-controlled Batmobile that could drive right out. Then Batman himself showed up, and of course I had to get my picture with him!
We also enjoyed our church's Trunk or Treat. We decorated our SUV with a mix of Halloween and fall decorations, and I dressed up as a pumpkin to match the theme. The children had great fun posing for pictures in the scarecrow cutout.
There was also a bake-sale fundraiser, where I made haunted-house graveyard brownies. They were a big hit!
I hope your October has brought a little fun, creativity and time with the people you love, too.
Joy, a Little Word With So Much Meaning
Sometimes a little word can hold a great deal of meaning. This month, I’m sharing a new reflection on Substack titled “Joy: A Little Word With So Much Meaning.”
As we move through the busy seasons of life, it is worth taking a moment to notice the little things that bring us joy. They might be time with family, a kind message, a favourite book or a moment that makes us smile when we least expect it.
I hope you'll take a moment to read my latest reflection and think about the little things that bring joy into your own life.
