Inside the Creative World of DeKalb & Willoughby Press

Welcome to DeKalb & Willoughby Press: A Peek Into All the Books We Create

If you’ve ever wandered through the pages of my website and thought, “Wow, there’s a lot happening here,”—you’re right. DeKalb & Willoughby Press is where creativity stretches out its legs, grabs a cozy seat, and settles in for a whole lot of fun. Over the years, I’ve created an entire library of puzzle books, activity books, coloring books, journals, and more—each one designed to spark joy, calm the mind, or simply give someone a relaxing screen-free moment.

Today, I thought I’d take you on a casual little tour of the kinds of books I make and what inspired them. Consider this your behind-the-scenes stroll through my creative workshop.

Puzzle Books for Every Mood and Every Brain

Let’s start with puzzles, because they’ve slowly become one of the pillars of DeKalb & Willoughby Press. I absolutely love creating books that make people think—but in a fun way. From classic word searches to mixed-puzzle mashups, there’s something for beginners, enthusiasts, and full-on puzzle addicts.

The “Half & Half” Word Search and Missing Words Series

This series has almost taken on a life of its own! Each volume is built around themes that surprise people—everything from careers, hobbies, music, and cities to spooky episodes, retro decades, and even fandom favorites. One side of the page is a themed word list, the other has missing entries you fill in as you uncover the answers. It’s a twist on the typical word search, and it’s been one of the most popular collections I’ve made.

Name-Matching Puzzles: Old Hollywood & Young Hollywood

This one exists purely because I love classic films—and I also love a good challenge. You’re matching stars to their films, roles, or taglines. There’s a nostalgic edition with the greats from the golden era… and a modern edition full of today’s rising icons. If you’re a movie buff, these books are a little treasure.

Coloring Books Designed With Heart (and Whimsy!)

Coloring wasn’t always part of my publishing plan, but once I started, I fell completely in love with it. There’s something magical about drawing a page knowing that someday someone else will bring it to life with their colors and creativity.

Positive Quotes to Empower Women

This is one of my personal favorites. Inspiring messages with elegant flourishes—exactly the kind of book that gives you a moment to breathe, center yourself, and feel uplifted.

Funny Cat Lover Coloring Book

I mean… cats + humor + coloring? This book practically wrote itself. Quirky cats, silly quotes, playful linework—it’s a feel-good mix.

Toddler-Friendly Books

Like the incredibly sweet “My First Christmas Coloring Book for Toddlers 1–3.” Big shapes, bold lines, adorable themes—everything is simplified so tiny hands can enjoy it. These books are some of the most charming pages I’ve ever drawn.

Activity Books Packed With Screens-Off Fun

Activity books are where everything comes together—creativity, puzzles, drawing prompts, learning moments, and fun themes all in one place.

The Ultimate Activity Books (Girls & Boys Editions)

These books contain everything: mazes, dot-to-dot, spot-the-difference, crosswords, coloring pages, and more. Each page is crafted to be fun and frustration-free. Parents love them for long car rides, quiet time, or vacation days—and kids love them because they never get bored.

Large Print Puzzle Books (Especially for Seniors)

These were designed with accessibility in mind. Crisp, big type. Clean grid layouts. High-contrast pages. But the fun part is the variety—word searches, crosswords, matching pairs, I-Spy, cryptograms, geography themes… I love imagining seniors, travelers, or anyone really, working through them over morning coffee.

Learn-to-Write and Early-Skills Books

Simple layout. Clean lines. Practice pages. These books help kids build confidence while keeping things light and encouraging. I’m especially proud of how child-friendly the pages feel—they’re educational but still fun.

Journals, Logs & Everyday Helpers

Not every book has to be entertainment—some help keep life organized. And I like making functional things look and feel nice.

Password Keeper

This one is sleek and discreet, perfect for people who want their info organized but private. I updated the interiors to include subscription notes and credit-card tracking. It’s simple, clean, and incredibly handy.

One-Minute Journals

These are designed for people who want reflection without the pressure of long writing sessions. Just one minute a day—quick, uplifting, and doable.

Gratitude & Mindfulness Journals

Sometimes you just need a moment. These books help create those little pauses that make the day nicer. Designed with calming layouts and plenty of breathing room.

Children’s Books and Early Learning Projects

Creating books for kids brings me the most joy. There’s something magical about knowing a child might flip through a book I made and feel happy, curious, or excited to learn something new.

Seasonal & Theme-Based Kids’ Books

Cute animals, holidays, simple puzzles—these books are made to bring smiles. Soft characters, big lines, and expressive faces create a safe, sweet reading and coloring experience.

Tracing & Letter-Practice Notebooks

These are simple but important. Clear tracing strokes, lots of repetition, and just enough fun illustrations to keep little learners engaged.

Why I Create So Many Different Kinds of Books

Honestly? Because I can’t help it! I’m a lifelong designer, illustrator, and puzzle-lover. Every time I get an idea—whether it’s a cute cat doodle, a spooky Halloween theme, a vintage 1950s vibe, or a clever puzzle twist—I start imagining how it could become a book someone would enjoy.

My goal has always been the same:
Make something that brings joy, comfort, ease, humor, creativity, or a sense of accomplishment.

Whether someone is solving a clever puzzle, coloring a relaxing illustration, or helping their toddler learn how to write letters, I want the experience to feel welcoming and warm.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

Moving forward, I’ll be sharing:

• Sneak peeks at new books

• Behind-the-scenes looks at illustration and design

• Tips for using activity books for learning and entertainment

• Seasonal guides with themed puzzle recommendations

• Coloring pages, printables, and freebies

• And yes—links to my full collection

If you’re here because you love puzzles, love coloring, love journals, or you’re just a parent looking for something wholesome for the kids—you’re in the right place.

Thanks for Being Here

Running DeKalb & Willoughby Press is more than just a creative outlet for me. It’s a way to spread joy and share the kinds of books I wish existed when I was younger or busier or needing a moment of calm.

So grab a puzzle, a coloring pencil, or a fresh journal page—and stay a while.
There’s always something new being created here.

Write, erase and rewrite repeatedly without damaging your documents.