Does this sound familiar?
Your kids are glued to screens while you're desperately searching for activities that will spark their creativity and get them moving. You want them to problem-solve, use their imaginations, and maybe—just maybe—play together without fighting!
Meet the siblings whose blanket fort adventure got completely out of hand!
From award-winning author Travis D. Peterson comes Never Ever Build a Blanket Fort!—a book about bravery for kids featuring two siblings whose simple blanket fort transforms into something extraordinary through the power of imagination.
Here's what makes this adventure special:
The Plot That Pulls Kids In: Using the same irresistible chain reaction structure as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this story follows Brother and Sister as they face escalating challenges building their fort. Each problem leads to a bigger, more creative solution until their simple blanket fort has transformed into a medieval castle in their minds—complete with moats, drawbridges, and towers!
Perfect Readability for Growing Minds: This story is a quick read that hits the sweet spot for kids in preschool and early elementary students. The rhythmic "But when you do..." pattern makes it easy to read aloud while introducing vocabulary that gently challenges young readers without overwhelming them.
Visual Storytelling That Sparks Wonder: Lee Dixon's original, playful artwork doesn't just illustrate the text—it reveals a whole new dimension to the story! Watch as the children's stuffed animals come alive in their imaginations, turning from cuddly toys into medieval adversaries. The illustrations show the magical transformation from blanket fort to castle that exists only in the children's minds.
Entertainment With Purpose: The reverse psychology of the title gets kids giggling from the start, while the escalating absurdity (real crocodiles? cannons? full armor?) keeps them turning pages. But underneath the fun lies powerful messaging about creative problem-solving, sibling cooperation, and finding courage when facing challenges.
Inclusive Characters: The sister character wears cochlear implants, naturally representing hearing differences without making it the focus of the story—perfect for families looking for authentic inclusion.
Bonus Learning
After the main story, young readers discover "Never Ever Fill a Castle Moat With Water!"—a fascinating journey through real medieval castle facts, including the bear moat that still exists today at Český Krumlov Castle in the Czech Republic!
What Parents Get:
Immediate inspiration (don't be surprised when your kids start building forts before you finish reading)
Screen-free entertainment that encourages active, imaginative play
Confidence building through problem-solving and creative thinking
Biblical values inspired by the Full Armor of God in Ephesians 6
Special Features Only Available in Hardcover:
If your kids keep defaulting to screens, they miss out on developing creative problem-solving skills. If they struggle with confidence, they need stories that show them how to face challenges with courage. If you want books that inspire action—watch them immediately start gathering blankets and chairs.
This is the first book in the "Never Ever Build a..." collection, where imagination transforms ordinary kid creations into extraordinary adventures.
Ready to watch your kids' imaginations come alive? Order today and prepare for the fort-building frenzy about to take over your living room
Travis d. Peterson is a visual learner-which may be why he chose a career as a book designer. Born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, he currently lives near Bergen, Norway with his wife Anne Berit and two wildly imaginative kids: Aiden and Esther. He writes books that he hopes will inspire imaginations while also introducing biblical values to young readers.
Lee Dixon is an illustrator based in the coastal town of Bournemouth in the South of England. Studying illustrations is where he found his passion for children's books. Living with his wife and two children, he now spends his time creating art and stories that will help grow the imaginations of young minds and take readers on journeys through different worlds.
