Today is a very special day for us both because ‘Building Beaver Dam’ is finally out in the world for young readers to experience and (hopefully) enjoy!
After 18 months of creativity, collaboration (and maybe some sleepless nights) I am beyond excited to finally share with you lovely readers that our second children’s picture book ‘Building Beaver Dam’ is finally released and available. Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered their very own copy on the brand new Shop page of our website, hopefully those books will be with you very soon!
This story has been a true labour of love and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve created together. Once again, I had the absolute pleasure of working alongside the incredibly talented tattoo artist turned illustrator Ricky Baird. From the very beginning, we worked hand in hand to bring this story to life — carefully shaping each page, each character and each moment. Seeing it all come together has been nothing short of magical.
A New Chapter: Self-Publishing with Noel Smith Stories
This book also marks an incredibly exciting milestone for us. This book is our first self-published book under our own publishing name, Noel Smith Stories. Taking this step gave us the freedom to fully embrace our creativity and make decisions that truly reflected our vision for the story. From storytelling choices to visual details, every element was crafted with care, passion and authenticity. It’s been an empowering and rewarding experience – and one that feels especially meaningful during this exciting phase of our lives.
In Building Beaver Dam we return to Buzz Meadows, a familiar setting to those who have read our first book, The Adventures of Mr Bumble. This time, the spotlight shines on Bertie the beaver, who faces a big challenge when an autumn storm threatens to flood the farm. With rising waters and time running out, Bertie has to come up with a plan to help save the farm. But he quickly learns that he doesn’t have to do it alone. Through teamwork, courage and the willingness to ask for help, Bertie and his friends discover just how much they can achieve together.
At its heart, this story is about:
- The power of teamwork
- The importance of asking for help
- Building resilience when things feel overwhelming
Like our first book, Building Beaver Dam has been developed as a sensory story. Designed to be engaging, interactive and accessible for all children. Creating stories that children can truly experience is something I am deeply passionate about, and I’m so excited to continue that journey with this new release.
I’m also thrilled to begin offering sensory story readings in schools, day cares, and libraries. Bringing these stories to life in person and seeing children connect with them in real time is something I’ve been planning and dreaming about for the last 18 months, and I can’t wait to get started.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. Your encouragement means the world, and I hope Building Beaver Dam finds a special place in your homes, classrooms, and hearts.
Building Beaver Dam
When heavy rain puts Buzz Meadows Farm at risk, only one beaver has a plan! Join Bertie the Beaver and his friends as they work together to build a dam strong enough to stop the flood and save the day. Building Beaver Dam is a heartwarming tale of teamwork, friendship and the magic of nature. Perfect for little readers who love animals and big adventures!
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