The Fairview Review: Virtual Book Tour I Don't Think So!

ABOUT THE BOOK

I Don’t Think So!

Editing and Art Direction by Monica Violet Joy

Ages: 3-8 | 34 Pages

Publisher: BookBaby (2025) | ISBN: 979-8218567026

Publisher’s Book Summary: Mia is a precocious kindergartner with two loving parents. She lives in a wonderful and colorful city, surrounded by curious characters. Mia seems to have it all. Unfortunately, try as she might, little Mia is terribly shy and it can be a real hindrance for any child to find the confidence they need to tackle new, scary challenges, like school! Luckily for Mia, she has her best friend Cody, and inspiring teacher, Ms. Doodlebee to help bring her out of her shell, and show her that the world is a wonderful, inspiring place, brimming with adventure, and fun!

PURCHASE LINK

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Bookshop.org

MY REVIEW

Mia is a little girl with decided opinions. She likes her room “just so.” And there are some things she doesn’t like - trying new foods, getting too close to the animals at the zoo, or starting kindergarten. Every time the teacher invites her to participate, Mia responds with “I don’t think so!” No matter what activity the class is doing, Mia does not join in. She sits huddled up with her arms around her knees at the back of the rug during circle time. She stays at her desk when everyone else is singing or writing their ABCs on the chalkboard. But Mia is paying attention. She notices that her classmate Cody isn’t afraid to try new things and seems to be having a great time. He plays and paints and even pretends to be a T-Rex. When he invites Mia to jump over a puddle with him one rainy day, she gives her usual response of “I don’t think so!” But Cody convinces her that it is actually a moat outside a castle, so she gives it a try. Each time he asks her to try the monkey bars or reading books, he always makes it a fun game of make believe and Mia slowly joins in. The illustrations show Mia and her family as brown-skinned with brown hair. The rest of their neighbors and her classmates are pictured in a range of skin tones and hair colors and textures to create a diverse community on the page. Mia’s personality comes through with her facial expressions and body language. And after seeing Mia conquer her aversion to new things, readers may decide they agree with her that “trying new things is not so bad. All it takes is a little bit of courage and a whole lot of imagination!” A great story to read with a youngster who is a bit reluctant to try something new or is nervous about the first day of school.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli Joyner (also known as K. Joyner) graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a B.S. Degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering. In 2020, she retired as a Vice President (VP) of Industrial Engineering from a Fortune 500, Atlanta-based company. Problem-solving, effective leadership, and strong communication skills were the characteristics that set Kelli apart from her peers, resulting in eighteen years of VP-level experience over her thirty-six-year career in industrial engineering with the company.

As a writer, she was drawn to great stories in both books and films as far back as she can remember, and knew she wanted to pursue a writing career at some point. Her first book, Unimaginable Loss…Godly Transformation was released in August of 2023. It is a memoir that recounts her childhood, her personal story of loss, and includes a guided grief journal. In 2024, Kelli wrote two young adult novels that are currently awaiting representation and adapted one into a screenplay.

I Don’t Think So! is Kelli’s debut children’s book. She plans to expand it into a series, called the Doodlebees, focused on instilling positive social skills and self-confidence in young children, while igniting their imagination and sprinkling in a bit of humor. In addition to writing, Kelli enjoys collecting miniature dollhouses and furniture, reading, traveling, and having fun with her family. Kelli resides in an Atlanta suburb, along with her husband. They have two young adult children.

To learn more, check out kjoynerbooks.com.

https://www.instagram.com/kjoynermedia/

https://bsky.app/profile/kjoynerbooks.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-franklin-joyner-mba-36220b13a/

ABOUT THE EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR

Monica Violet Joy is an acclaimed creative, renowned for developing and producing the beloved hit, CoComelon. She’s created series for athletes like Tony Hawk, and for revered toy companies such as Magna-Tiles as well as Build-A-Bear Workshop. She was a Consulting Producer on Netflix’s Go Dog Go!, a writer on Bubbles and Friends, and for Future Chicken. Monica has also worked as a writer, in development and production on: Blue’s Clues, Bubble Guppies, Kamp Koral, SpongeBob, Team Umizoomi, Wallykazam, Nimona, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, Ice Age V, and The Peanuts Movie. Her work has received Academy Awards, Annie Awards and Women of Inspiration Awards. Monica holds a Bachelor in Film Studies and Art History from the University of East Anglia, and a Master in History from the University of Birmingham.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-violet-joy-97637a5b/

https://www.instagram.com/monicavjoy/

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Asha Butler is an acclaimed artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Asha holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation from Kennesaw State University. She is an accomplished children’s book illustrator and animator. Inspired by her travels and playful moments with her beloved Shiba Inu, Kimi, Asha brings lively imaginative characters and worlds to life in her art.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashabutlerart/

https://www.instagram.com/ashabootlerart/

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, June 9, 2025

The Children’s Book Review

Book List Featuring I Don’t Think So!

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

The Fairview Review

Book Review of I Don’t Think So!

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of I Don’t Think So!