{"product_id":"the-mat-and-the-star-kelley-m-likes-9798889021148","title":"The Mat and the Star","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis funny story starring a mat, a jar, and a star helps kids learn to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mat takes off on a fun trip to see the star!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollow along to see where it goes!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerfect for Emergent Readers at home or in the classroom!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn The Mat and the Star, Author Kelley M Likes and debut Illustrator Lauren Blunck invite children to learn and practice -ar words in a groovy kind of way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eINCLUDES 15 FLASHCARDS!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKids ages: 4, 5, and 6\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrades: Pre-K and Kindergarten\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEmergent Reader\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLexile Level 100L\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDecodable Book\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eABOUT THE AUTHOR\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKelley M Likes is an award-winning children's author, publisher, and former T6 Certified educator who creates stories that inspire curiosity and kindness, build confidence, creativity, and resilience. Her books range from humorous picture books and beginning readers to social-emotional learning stories that help children navigate real-life challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on her background in business, education, and educational technology, Kelley creates engaging books for children of all ages, from beginning readers and humorous adventures to social-emotional learning stories and imaginative picture books.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer growing catalog includes titles such as Panic and the Happy Thought, The Pumpkin Who Stayed for Christmas, Quest for the Momma Violin, Snout, Ben Wise and the Purple Dragon, and the Mat early reader series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs founder of Likes Publishing, Kelley is dedicated to producing high-quality books that inspire a lifelong love of reading while helping children navigate friendship, emotions, creativity, and personal growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA mini-stroke survivor, brain tumor host, and lifelong storyteller, Kelley believes books can help children see the world, and themselves, in new ways. When she's not writing, Kelley enjoys encouraging young writers, speaking to students about the publishing process, and helping aspiring authors bring their own stories to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEDUCATION: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Media and Technology\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Business Education\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Marketing and Management\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMEMBER: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e SCBWI\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Storyteller Academy\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The Authors Guild\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e IBPA Independent Book Publishers Association\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Book an Author\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Alliance of Independent Authors\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAUTHOR VISITS\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI offer a full day of age-specific presentations for grades 1st to 12th, focused on what it means to be an author \u0026amp; publisher and creating stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVisits can include: Lunch with students, book signings, contest judging, classroom drop-ins, and individual classroom presentations and discussions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn addition, free lesson plans with projects to extend the visit are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLauren Blunck is a student artist who works both in the illustrating field and in multiple traditional media. In particular, she has assisted with easy reader books, online marketing imagery, small amounts of character design, and some card game design. She mainly uses digital for her illustration work but also specializes in charcoal or acrylic painting realism and is always up to try something new in art.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kelley M. Likes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798889021148\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Likes Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/28\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 48\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.58lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.25d","brand":"Kelley M. Likes","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":50665693217023,"sku":"9798889021148","price":26.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-mat-and-the-star-kelley-m-likes-9798889021148","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}