New Children's Book Celebrates Creativity and Family Acceptance Through Real-Life Inspiration
February 19th, 2026 8:00 AM
By: Newsworthy Staff
Shelley Smith Adams's new picture book "Coley Bear's Blue-Tastic Day!" highlights the importance of celebrating childhood creativity and parental patience through a story inspired by her son with Down Syndrome.

Shelley Smith Adams has released a new children's picture book titled "Coley Bear's Blue-Tastic Day!" which presents a tender and humorous look at childhood discovery. The story captures the innocence of imagination and emphasizes the importance of patience, love, and guidance in family life through an engaging narrative drawn from real-life inspiration.
The book is set against the familiar backdrop of a quiet morning at home, following young Cole as he becomes inspired by a cartoon artist on television and decides to embark on his own painting project. The narrative transports readers into a child's perspective where creativity knows no bounds, demonstrating how children absorb and act upon the world around them. After watching his favorite cartoon, Cole tiptoes to the craft cabinet and selects his favorite color—blue—from the available fingerpaints.
As Cole immerses himself in the creative process, he begins by dipping a single finger into the paint pot, then two fingers, then his whole hand. He giggles with delight while patting the cool paint onto his arms and smoothing it onto his legs, turning bluer by the second as he becomes fully engaged in the sensory experience. The scene shifts when Cole's sister Ryleigh discovers her blue brother and calls for their mother, creating a moment of tension as readers anticipate the adult's reaction to the colorful situation.
The mother's response becomes the heart of the story as she focuses not on the mess but on the beaming pride on her son's face. She immediately affirms his creative accomplishment, praising him for correctly identifying the color he had chosen. This emphasizes the choice to celebrate a child's joy and achievement rather than focusing on cleanup, turning what could be a frustrating situation into an uplifting lesson about family acceptance.
Adams writes to share her son Cole's wonderfully unique way of seeing the world, celebrating the joys of childhood, creativity, and the power of a family's love and acceptance. The book is available for families and educators seeking a lighthearted yet meaningful addition to children's literature through Amazon. The story transforms everyday moments into valuable lessons for both children and parents, demonstrating how simple acts of creativity can become opportunities for connection and understanding within families.
Source Statement
This news article relied primarily on a press release disributed by 24-7 Press Release. You can read the source press release here,
