Little Amanda’s Global Adventure: Sparking Wonder, Giving Back

In the second book of the Little Amanda series, A Trip Around the World, we take our fearless, little adventurer on a journey across the globe. Jack Etheridge, the illustrator behind the character, originally developed Little Amanda based on his wife for Inktober. After the success of the first book, The Adventures of Little A: A Journey into the Jungle, we wanted to continue her adventures—this time, on a global scale.  

The inspiration for A Trip Around the World came from one of Jack’s illustrations, which featured Little Amanda in India. From there, we decided to send her to 10 different cities, each known for its landmarks, monuments, and culture. She visits cities like Paris, London, Sydney, and more. As we brainstormed the destinations, we selected places that would both delight children and teach them about the world around them.

Jack’s illustrations capture the spunky traveler! Little Amanda zooms around the Colosseum while eating gelato in Rome, hang-glides above the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, and visits the breathtaking Taj Mahal in India. As Jack worked on bringing these vibrant illustrations to life, I crafted the rhyming verses. It was important to me that every page felt playful yet informative for a young audience.  

Working at a creative agency, we’re fortunate to have colleagues who are always eager to contribute ideas and help make things better. Everyone at Dose, along with some amazing folks at AbelsonTaylor, helped us pull the project together in record time, contributing their talents to make the book even more special. 

One of the best parts of this project is the impact it has on others. We donated all proceeds from the book, so far more than $1,700 this year, to Ronald McDonald House Charities. There’s no better feeling than knowing that the money raised from the sale of this book is helping to provide warmth, comfort, and care for families who need it most during the holidays. It’s our hope that the story itself will spark a sense of wonder and adventure in young readers, inspiring them to explore the world one day, too.