This interview about I Read the Book is presented in partnership with Meggy Finn and The Children’s Book Review.
In this insightful interview, the mother-son author duo Meggy Finn share the heartfelt inspiration behind their children’s book I Read the Book, winner of a Mom’s Choice Award.
Drawing from a memorable experience volunteering at Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City, author Meggy Finn reflects on how a young boy named Jordan and his triumphant moment of reading aloud sparked the idea for the story. Through the journey of Kit-Kit, a tiny cat with big dreams, and Lightning, a wise fox, the book celebrates the magic of reading, friendship, and overcoming self-doubt. In this conversation, Meggy discusses the creative process, the messages she hopes to impart to young readers, and the joy of writing the book with her son.
The dedication at the beginning of the book is quite sweet. Will you share with our readers who inspired you to write I Read the Book?
Meggy Finn (MF): The inspiration for this book is Miss Veronica and her kindergarten student, Jordan, from Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City. At Christmas, my son and I volunteered with the kindergarten class and met Miss Veronica and Jordan. Jordan told us the story about how he read a book out loud (and we got to see a video, too). He was so excited, and Miss Veronica was too. Jordan inspired us. We wanted to celebrate him and encourage other children to do the same.
In case you are unfamiliar with it, Operation Breakthrough is a nationally accredited, not-for-profit corporation that began in 1971 to provide quality childcare for the children of the working poor. Today, Operation Breakthrough serves over 700 children daily, aged 6 weeks to 18 years.
Could you share the story behind the title and how it relates to the overall message of your book?
MF: The title is inspired by Jordan’s big accomplishment of reading a book.
Without giving away too much, could you share a brief overview of the plot or main concepts readers will encounter?
MF: Meet Kit-Kit, a tiny cat with big dreams, and Lightning, a wise and supportive fox, in I Read the Book!—a heartwarming and inspiring tale for children.
Kit-Kit dreams of reading out loud but struggles with self-doubt and the fear of making mistakes. With the help of Lightning, Kit-Kit embarks on a delightful adventure to overcome those fears and discover the magic of reading out loud. Kit-Kit has some misadventures along the way, particularly when Kit-Kit starts reading in Catspeak!
Through humorous and heartfelt moments, Kit-Kit learns to ask for help, whisper words with growing confidence, and finally read Kit-Kit’s first book aloud. “The end. I read the book!”—a triumphant moment filled with celebration and joy.
This picture book celebrates friendship, self-belief, and the magical world of storytelling. It will leave your little one saying, “I can do it too!”
Who is your target audience for this book, and what do you hope readers will take away from the experience?
MF: The target audience is children aged 2–7.
The illustrations are adorable. Do you have a favorite spread or moment in the book?
MF: Yes, my favorite is when Kit-Kit is nervous and speaks in Catspeak.
What was your writing process like for this particular book? Did it differ from your approach to previous works?
MF: We started the process by defining our goals. First, we wanted to ensure the book was easy to read so early readers could succeed. Second, we wanted funny moments in the book because my son loved funny books while learning to read. Third, we wanted to ensure the illustrations were amazing. Then, we wrote the book.
This was our first time writing a book together.
Were there any significant challenges you faced while writing this book, and how did you overcome them?
MF: The biggest challenge was creating the characters and defining the illustration style.
Are there plans for future books that connect to or build upon the ideas presented in I Read the Book?
MF: Yes, we have already released two other books with these characters, and a fourth book is in the works.
Have you always been a reader yourself? Or were you a reluctant reader as a child?
MF: Both my son and I love to read.
Is there anything else you think we should know about I Read the Book or yourself?
MF: We surprised Miss Veronica’s class with this book, and they were so excited. As a group project, we plan on writing a book with Miss Veronica’s class.
About the Book
Written by Meggy Finn
Ages 2+ | 32 Pages
Publisher: Pemaquid Books LLC (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1967046003
Publisher’s Summary: A humorous and heartfelt children’s book about overcoming your fears…. and reading your first book out loud!
Meet Kit-Kit, a tiny cat with big dreams, and Lighting, a wise and supportive fox, in I Read the Book!—a heartwarming and inspiring tale for children.
Kit-Kit dreams of reading out loud but struggles with self-doubt and the fear of making mistakes. With the help of Lighting, Kit-Kit embarks on a delightful adventure to overcome those fears and discover the magic of reading out loud. Kit-Kit has some misadventures along the way, particularly when Kit-Kit starts reading in Catspeak!
Through humorous and heartfelt moments, Kit-Kit learns to ask for help, whisper words with growing confidence, and finally read Kit-Kit’s first book aloud. “The end. I read the book!”—a triumphant moment filled with celebration and joy.
This picture book celebrates friendship, self-belief, and the magical world of storytelling that will leave your little one saying, “I can do it too!”
Buy the Book
About the Authors
Meggy Finn is the dynamic duo of a passionate mother-and-son team committed to inspiring young readers and fostering a love for learning. Behind the creative force is Finn, a curious and imaginative middle schooler who thrives on exploring the world around him. With hours of volunteer work under his belt, including time spent with early readers as a beloved “big” friend in Mrs. Richardson’s kindergarten class, Finn is a natural at connecting with and uplifting young minds.
Meggy, a lifelong learner and dedicated reading enthusiast, shares her son’s passion for nurturing curiosity and growth in children. Together, they combine Meggy’s wisdom and Finn’s fresh perspective to create educational and meaningful experiences that empower kids to see challenges as stepping stones to growth. At their core, Meggy and Finn’s mission is to spark joy, connection, and a lasting love of learning in every reader they meet.
This interview— Interview with Meggy Finn, Author of ‘I Read the Book’ —was conducted between Meggy Finn and Bianca Schulze.
*Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.
