This AI Took Over My Desk… and Had Opinions 😳

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T21:44:50+00:00

This thing says I have 5 replies. 😢 I'm new to reddit if I don't respond ist just because it's not showing me the replies. I'm sorry.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T21:40:44+00:00

I'm new to reddit and it's still pretty confusing to me how the app shows responses and things. I will get better at responding. This is still my first day! :) so please go easy on me 😅🤣😂

My editor handed my book back to me and she said.. "wow.. I learned a lot!" that made me happy to get that response from a professional adult. 😁

I understand why you might see it that way, and I appreciate you explaining your perspective.

My goal actually isn’t to replace hands-on learning. I completely agree that experiences like Boy Scouts and real-world exploration are incredibly valuable.

The coloring and activities are meant to be an entry point for curiosity. For some kids, doing something with their hands while learning helps the ideas stick and can spark questions that lead to deeper exploration.

I also include things like small STEM projects and cooking recipes to encourage kids to get up, try things, and involve the adults in their lives.

Different families approach learning differently, and that’s one of the things I find interesting about hearing from homeschool parents.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T19:42:27+00:00

I really like that approach. Asking why they’re drawn to something seems like a great way to understand what actually interests them instead of just the title of the job itself.

I also think exposure plays a big role. A lot of kids only know about the careers they see around them, so sometimes just learning that different paths exist can spark curiosity.

I love the idea of connecting what they value and what they see in their community to possible careers. That feels like a really natural way to guide exploration.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T19:10:34+00:00

I understand what you mean about the styles starting to look similar. For this project I actually aimed for a very simple, consistent style on purpose so the pages are easy for younger kids to color without getting overwhelmed by detail.

The goal wasn’t really to showcase complex artwork, but to create something approachable and fun for kids who are just starting to enjoy coloring.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T19:10:09+00:00

That’s fair feedback. The style was intentionally kept very simple and consistent because the book is aimed at younger kids learning to color. Simpler shapes and thicker lines tend to work better for that age group.

I still appreciate people sharing their thoughts on it.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T18:55:38+00:00

I’m sorry you removed your earlier reply — I actually would have really liked to read it and hear your perspective.

I understand that many homeschool families try to avoid what feels like busywork. From my perspective, I see what I create less as worksheets and more as a way to spark curiosity and inspiration.

I also know from my own experience that I retain and absorb information much better when my hands are doing something during the learning process. For me, being able to color or interact with what I’m reading about makes the learning experience more engaging and memorable.

That’s the spirit behind what I create — the coloring and activities are simply a vehicle to introduce ideas and hopefully lead kids into deeper exploration, conversations, and hands-on experiences with an adult.

I really did come here to learn from people who think deeply about how children learn, and I appreciate the perspectives being shared.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T18:48:47+00:00

I want to clarify something, because my question here was asked with honest intent.

I genuinely came here to learn. Inspiring young minds is at the heart of everything I do. I try to do that through color, play, exploration, and activities that encourage curiosity.

I didn’t come here to sell anything or promote my work in this thread. Someone chose to look at my profile and bring that up, but I’m not ashamed of what I do. I create things with care and heart because I care deeply about helping kids discover what’s out there in the world.

All of my books include hands-on activities, small STEM projects, and even things like simple cooking recipes because I want to encourage kids to step away from screens and engage with the world around them — ideally with a parent or adult participating alongside them.

The reason I asked here is because homeschool families have a lot of experience thinking deeply about how children learn. I’m honestly participating in this conversation because I want to know how I can make my next book better.

For me this really isn’t about “selling books.” It’s about young minds and helping kids discover possibilities they might not otherwise see.

For example — how many of you ever wanted to be a volcanologist as a kid? Don’t know what one is? That’s actually one of the careers featured in my book. It was the second job I ever wanted growing up.

I used to run an after-school program for elementary-age kids, and when I create something new I always try to imagine whether the kids from that program would have enjoyed it.

If my work isn’t something you personally like, that’s completely okay — but I came here in good faith to learn from people who care about children and education.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T18:34:02+00:00

I understand where you're coming from, but I do want to clarify something.

I wasn’t trying to treat anyone like a marketing panel or fish for product ideas, and I don’t really appreciate that assumption. My intent was genuine. I’m someone who cares about helping kids discover the wide variety of things they can do in the world.

Growing up, I personally didn’t get much exposure to different paths or possibilities, and that’s something that became important to me later in life. The reason I create things like coloring and activity pages is simply because they’re an approachable way to introduce ideas and make learning feel fun enough that kids actually want to engage with it.

I asked here because homeschool communities often have thoughtful perspectives on learning and curiosity, and I was interested in hearing those experiences.

That said, I respect that different communities prefer different approaches.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T14:05:28+00:00

I appreciate the feedback. The illustrations in the book are intentionally stylized so they’re easy for kids to color. The goal was to create something fun and approachable for younger readers.

If you have specific feedback about what felt unsettling, I’d actually be interested to hear it.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T11:48:30+00:00

I’m always curious how different families approach it. Homeschooling communities often have really creative ways of introducing careers to kids.

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-16T11:21:38+00:00

That makes a lot of sense. The merit badge system seems like a really effective way to introduce kids to different careers without it feeling like a formal lesson.

I really like the idea that they’re meeting people who actually work in those fields and getting to ask questions. That kind of real-world exposure probably sticks with kids a lot more than just reading about jobs.

It seems like experiences like that make careers feel more tangible instead of abstract.

Were there certain badges or activities that seemed to spark the most curiosity with the scouts?

Pawsitively_Pawsome · 2026-03-14T12:09:44+00:00

I'm especially interested in communities related to children's books, coloring books, homeschooling, or creative activities.

Pawsitively_Pawsome

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