Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise: Encouraging Speech and Learning Through Play and Music

Ages 0 to 3, Grades P And Under

YouTube phenomenon and household name Ms. Rachel shares her sweet, charming humor and tried-and-true teaching approach in this debut book about finding a special surprise! Can you help Ms. Rachel find what she's looking for?

Ms. Rachel is looking for something, and she needs your help finding it.

Is it in this box here?

Or maybe that box over there?

As she opens more boxes and her frustration builds, she hopes that you and Herbie will save the day! 

With more than 20 featured milestones--including gestures and speech--Ms. Rachel brings her educational expertise to this brand-new picture book, taking key lessons from her YouTube channel and crafting them into an engaging story. Fans of "Songs for Littles" will recognize characters and music from their favorite videos while Ms. Rachel guides readers through exercises like pointing and call and response. And once you're done reading, use the helpful tips in the back to assist with brain and language development for your little. 

Kids are sure to read and re-read this new classic! And with fun song lyrics and phonetic spellings, there's plenty to keep them delighted and engaged with their favorite teacher.

Series Overview: Fall 2024

    Jacketed Hardcover Picturebook

Spring 2025

    My First Coloring Book    Board #1    Board #2

Summer 2025

    Little Golden Book #1    Novelty #1    8x8 #1

Fall 2025

    Five Minute Stories    Sound Book

Spring 2026    

    Novelty Board Book #2    Coloring & Activity #2    HC Storybook #1

Summer 2026

    Board #3    Coloring & Activity #3    SIR #1

Fall 2026  

    HC Storybook #2

Spring 2027

    Board # 4    

Summer 2027  

    Coloring & Activity #4

Fall 2027   

    Board Book Boxed Set

About the Author

MS. RACHEL (Rachel Griffin Accurso) is a passionate educator and award-winning songwriter. She has a masters in music education from NYU. She is currently pursuing a second masters degree in Early Childhood Education. She has done many trainings and courses in areas such as speech development, early childhood development and early intervention. Ms Rachel believes all children are capable, brilliant and important. Her sweet little son inspires her work, and she is married to the amazing Mr. Aron (AKA Herbie!). They live in New York City.

Author Residence: New York, NY

MONIQUE DONG loved drawing, imagining and creating as a child. At age 19, she headed off to the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa, where she studied animation at City Varsity and discovered the magic of storytelling! She has worked on animation for the Disney channel, including the project “Florrie’s Dragons.” Today, Monique is a freelance illustrator and her passion is creating images that encompass light, life, warmth and color.

Illustrator Residence:China

Illustrator Hometown:South Africa