Early reader · ages 5 – 8

The sad happy story of Twinkle Tee Tum.

A small crab. A big feeling. A whole ocean of words to learn — paired with a keychain and digital resources to help new readers grow.

Written by Lisa Stewart.
Illustrated by Lisa & Russell Stewart.

Get the Book — $15 See what's inside

— pinchy, but soft on the inside.

The Sad Happy Story of Twinkle Tee Tum, watercolor cover by Lisa & Russell Stewart

What kids will learn

Big feelings, tiny words, and a brand-new sea creature on every page.

Twinkle Tee Tum is built for the wobbly, magical moment when a child starts reading on their own — and starts noticing what they feel, too.

Reading without overwhelmShort pages, repeating sight words, gentle rhythm — designed by a former classroom teacher.

Naming feelings"Sad happy" is a real thing. Twinkle teaches kids it's allowed to feel two things at once.

Curiosity about the natural worldReal (delightful) ocean facts woven into the story — kelp, crabs, and the strange beauty of tide pools.

Reading is playPrintable activity sheets and prompts that make new readers want to come back tomorrow — anytime, anywhere.

Inside the bundle

One little box. Three little wonders.

Each Twinkle Tee Tum bundle ships in a recycled kraft box, hand-tied with twine — ready to be a birthday gift, a back-to-school surprise, or a "you did it!" celebration.

Crab keychain

A tiny enamel Twinkle to clip onto a backpack and meet at the front door after school.

Literacy resources

A pull-out reading guide for grown-ups — sight word lists, gentle prompts, and a brave-reader chart.

Digital resources

Printable activity sheets, sea-creature fact cards, and reading prompts you can download anytime — no extra trip to the store.

Why early readers love it

The kind of book a kid re-reads on purpose.

I made Twinkle Tee Tum the way I wished books had been made for us: not just decodable, but loveable. With a little crab worth keeping in your pocket.

①
Decodable but not dullPhonics-aware language without sounding like a worksheet.
②
Emotion as adventureTwinkle's feelings drive the plot — kids learn the words for theirs along the way.
③
Shareable with siblingsOlder readers help; younger readers listen. Everyone gets a turn.
④
A keepsake, not a paperbackBuilt like a real book. Heirloom-quality, even at this size.

Take Twinkle home.

The book, beautifully made. Ships in the US with a small handwritten note. Makes any kid (and several grown-ups we know) absolutely lose their mind in the best way.

Get the Book — $15

written by Lisa Stewart · illustrated by Lisa & Russell Stewart