Pop!: Otto, the Kernel Who Didn't Pop is one of the heartwarming kids picture books that explores self-acceptance, resilience, and the courage to embrace what makes us different. In this self confidence book, Otto is a young Kernel eagerly awaiting Pop Day, the moment when every Kernel fulfills their destiny by popping. But when the big day arrives and Otto doesn’t pop, he feels left behind and unsure of his purpose. As Otto returns to his jar, feeling alone and defeated, a surprising scent leads him to an unexpected realization: he doesn’t need to pop to achieve his dreams. Brought to life by award-winning author and illustrator duo Kilpatrick and Blanco, this is one of those empowering self confidence books for kids that uses vibrant illustrations and a quirky narrative to teach children that it’s okay to stand out. Perfect for ages 3 and up, these read-aloud back to school books support social-emotional learning (SEL) by encouraging kids to embrace differences, diversity, build self-confidence, and overcome setbacks. A delightful choice for kindergarten books for classroom, family reading, or gifting, Pop! is one of the inspiring stories for kids, parents, families, teachers, librarians, and as classroom storytimes for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students celebrating inclusion and diversity. Ideal for fans of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed. Otto’s journey is a gentle reminder that being true to yourself is the best kind of pop there is. "Otto’s adventure is a quirky and endearing one. Kilpatrick effectively teaches readers that, like the protagonist, they can excel even in circumstances that may not be exactly what they pictured. Blanco’s charming, full-color illustrations depict Otto and other expressive Kernels in a cheerful kitchen setting. Also included is a creative, detailed illustration of a “map” to MicroWave City, including locales such as Pistachio Way and Juice Box Café. A clever and delightful snack-time story." - Kirkus Reviews Karen Kilpatrick knows her ABCs and likes to tell stories, so she makes up combinations of words on the computer! She also is a mom of three, runs a nonprofit called Authors4Education, is the Marketing Chair on the board of directors for Women in Toys, and created the plush toy brand MeBears. Some of Karen's other books include When Pencil Met Eraser and When Pencil Met the Markers . Germán Blanco likes doodling so he draws some caricatures and then puts them on the computer, voila. He is also a graphic designer, a former Creative Director for a global toy company, and a member of the board of directors for Authors4Education. Germán illustrated the books When Pencil Met Eraser and When Pencil Met the Markers .