Monte’s Tales
Welcome to a special corner of the MonteCaro blog!
While my hands are often full with daily life and outdoor explorations, I wanted a way to capture the magic of growing up through Monte’s eyes.
Monte’s Tales are now live and available on Amazon.
Real Stories, Little Adventures
While I used illustration tools to help bring these books to life in a whimsical storybook style, every single story on these pages is based on Monte’s actual, real-life adventures.
They are all memories from our everyday life together!
Meet the Real-Life Inspiration
For anyone who hasn’t followed along with us on Instagram yet, meet Monte, my Miniature American Shepherd with a big personality.
Whether he is leading the way on a morning trail or discovering something new in the backyard, his world is full of wonder, making him the perfect guide for little listeners and young readers alike.
Monte
What are the Stories About?
Monte’s Tales is an engaging children’s picture-book series celebrating the real-life adventures of a clever and endlessly entertaining Miniature American Shepherd. The series captures Monte experiencing the world right alongside his family, turning everyday moments into wonderful discoveries:
- Outdoor Explorations & Nature: Discovering new landscapes, from sandy shores and coastal waters to peaceful nature trails and local wildlife.
- Family Life & Animal Friends: Sharing a home with his resident cat siblings and meeting gentle animals out on adventures, sparking big daydreams for a small pup.
- Playtime & Everyday Discoveries: The favorite toys that go everywhere with him and the small wonders found on every single daily walk.
Now Live on Amazon!
The wait is officially over
No matter where you are, you can bring a little slice of Monte’s joyful, tail-wagging world straight onto your bookshelf for the whole family to enjoy. Head over to Amazon to explore the collection and pick up your copy today!
Whether you prefer reading digitally or holding a classic paperback in your hands,
you can grab your copy in both English and German:
- Book 1 – Monte’s Farmyard Dream
Monte’s first big adventure begins at the farm gate, where a curious little pup discovers the gentle giants of the paddock.
- Book 2 – Monte’s Beach Trip
Pack your beach towels! Monte hits the sandy shores for a sun-drenched day of waves, seashells, and playful coastal discoveries.
From Real Life to the Page
Get a little glimpse of the magic coming to life!
Every illustration starts with a real-life moment, whether it is a snapshot from our daily walks or an everyday memory captured on the go.
For our very first release, Book 1 – Monte’s Farmyard Dream, watching Monte peek through the fence at a flock of fluffy sheep and joyfully dive right into a pile of fresh wool clippings sparked the whole story.
Using digital design tools to bring these scenes to life, I have loved watching our real-life moments transform into charming storybook illustrations.
This collage blends our actual everyday snapshots with the storybook artwork, where real-life inspiration meets the page!
Dive into the inspiration behind the second story!
Book 2 captures a whole different kind of energy: salty sea breezes, sandy paws, and the pure joy of chasing waves along the shoreline.
For Book 2 – Monte’s Beach Trip, watching Monte excitedly explore the coast, splash in the shallow surf, and dig enthusiastically into the sand inspired every single page.
Translating those sun-soaked coastal memories into vibrant storybook art was such a fun creative journey.
This collage pairs our actual beach snapshots with the final illustrations.
Follow Along on the Journey
If you want to keep up with all our latest updates and the progress on Book 3, follow along over on Instagram or save our site to your phone’s home screen to get instant updates and push notifications for all the latest news.