What’s Next for Scout and Stephens Farm?

Balloons, streamers, carrot cake with extra frosting, and a glimpse at where the journey is heading

I get asked this question more than almost any other: "What's next for Scout?"

It's a question that makes me smile every single time. Because the fact that readers care about what happens next on Stephens Farm means these characters have become real to you too. And that's the greatest compliment an author can receive.

So let's talk about it. What IS next for Scout and Stephens Farm?

If you've been paying attention, you might have noticed a little hint at the end of Scout's Rainy Day. Pickles, with his knowing grin, mentions that he knows a certain little goat with a birthday coming up real soon. And Scout's eyes light up, imagining balloons, streamers, and carrot cake with extra frosting.

Well, friends. It's almost time.

Something Special Is Brewing

I've been working on a new Scout adventure, and I've been bursting to tell you about it. While I can't reveal everything yet (where's the fun in that?), I can share that the next book in the Goat on the Go series is all about Scout's very special day.

And knowing Scout, nothing goes exactly according to plan.

What I Can Tell You

This story has been an absolute joy to write. There's something about writing a birthday story that brings out all the best feelings. The anticipation. The excitement. The wanting everything to be perfect. The discovery that perfect isn't always what you expected.

If you've ever planned a birthday party for a child (or been a child who desperately wanted a specific kind of birthday), you'll recognize every moment in this story. The buildup is enormous. The expectations are sky high. And what actually happens? Well, you'll have to wait for the book to find out.

But I will tell you this: Scout's friends are involved. Stephens Farm is buzzing. And there might be a surprise or two that nobody saw coming.

Why a Birthday Story

Every child understands birthdays. The waiting. The counting down. The absolute certainty that THIS birthday will be the best one ever.

Birthdays are also a perfect vehicle for exploring themes that matter. What happens when we build something up in our minds? How do we handle it when reality looks different from our fantasy? What makes a celebration truly special: the decorations and the cake, or the people around you?

These are questions every child (and every adult) grapples with. And Scout, with his big heart and bigger expectations, is the perfect character to explore them through.

The Writing Process

People sometimes ask what it's like to write a children's picture book. They assume it's quick because the books are short. Twenty pages. How hard can that be?

The truth is that writing short is harder than writing long. Every single word in a picture book carries weight. There's no room for filler. No space for words that don't earn their place.

This book went through more drafts than I can count. Scenes were added, removed, rearranged. Dialogue was trimmed, expanded, trimmed again. I read it aloud probably a hundred times, listening for the rhythm, making sure every sentence felt right in the mouth.

Writing Scout's stories feels like a conversation with a friend at this point. I know how he talks, how he moves, how he reacts. I know what would make him bounce with excitement and what would make him scrunch his face. These characters have become real to me, and I hope they feel real to you too.

Cosette's Magic

Once again, the incredible Cosette Alcalde will be bringing this story to life. The expressions, the colors, the tiny details she hides in every scene, it's going to be beautiful.

What This Means for Families

Like every Goat on the Go book, this one is designed to be read, reread, and lived with. It will work for bedtime reading, classroom discussions, birthday party gift giving, and those random Tuesday afternoons when your child needs a story that makes them feel happy.

I've also been thinking about activities and resources to accompany the release. Families who have done the Bumpy Pumpkin craft or the Barn Fair activity know how much fun it is to bring these stories into real life. Stay tuned for some birthday themed ideas that will make any day feel like a celebration.

The Bigger Picture

This will be the fourth book in the Goat on the Go series, and I sometimes have to pinch myself that this is real. A few years ago, I was a nurse with a dream and a bumpy pumpkin story. Now Scout has found his way into homes, classrooms, and libraries around the world.

None of that happens without you. Your support, your reviews, your messages, your willingness to share these books with the children in your lives. You made this possible, and every new Scout adventure exists because you showed up for the ones before it.

When Will It Be Here?

2026. That's the honest answer. I'll share more details as we get closer to the release date. If you want to be the first to know, make sure you're following along on social media and signed up for updates.

In the meantime, you might want to reread Scout's Rainy Day and catch that birthday hint at the end. Read it to the kids in your life and watch their eyes light up when Pickles mentions the birthday. Ask them what they think Scout's party will look like.

Then stay tuned. Because Stephens Farm is about to throw one heck of a party.

And you're all invited.