Brightlight Orchard is open!
Hi!
On Friday, I told you the story of how Brightlight Orchard grew from a feelings wheel into an entire storybook world.
Today, I finally get to say:
The Orchard is open! 🌳✨🍎
And you are officially invited to visit.
The Kickstarter for Angry Apple and the Playground Problem is now LIVE!
This is the first interactive story from Brightlight Orchard, where children help the characters navigate big feelings by making choices and discovering what happens next.
Apple has been waiting for his turn on the tallest slide when Bouncy Banana goes first.
Apple gets angry.
But before the reader chooses what he does next, they get to notice what’s happening inside him too:
his thoughts, his body cues, and his feelings.
Then the reader decides what Apple does with all of that.
There are four possible endings, and readers can go back, choose differently, and see how the story changes.
A few things that make Brightlight Orchard different:
✨ Children notice before they choose.
Readers explore what’s happening inside the character before deciding what happens next.
✨ Children make the choices.
They participate in the story instead of simply being told what the character should do.
✨ There isn’t one “right” path to find.
Different choices lead to different reactions, misunderstandings, conversations, and opportunities for repair.
✨ Children and grown-ups explore together.
The stories invite them to notice, wonder, and talk about what happened, creating space to better understand the character, the story, and each other.
And Apple’s anger itself is never treated like the problem.
He gets to feel what he feels.
The reader gets to understand why.
They get to explore what he does with that feeling and what happens next.
Then they can go back and explore other paths.
Every feeling belongs. Every choice matters.
Backing the Kickstarter helps bring this first story from manuscript and artwork into a finished book children can hold, reread, explore, and choose their way through.
And if backing isn’t possible, sharing the campaign with someone who might connect with it helps too.
A parent.
A teacher.
A therapist or counselor.
A librarian.
A school.
Or simply someone who knows a child with BIG feelings.
COME EXPLORE BRIGHTLIGHT ORCHARD
Why visit the Kickstarter now instead of waiting for the book?
Kickstarter is the chance to be part of Brightlight Orchard at the very beginning. Backers can access special Kickstarter-only bonuses and reward options, and early support helps bring this first book from manuscript and artwork into a finished book children can actually hold.
Backing now gives you the chance to receive the book first, enjoy Kickstarter-only extras, and help Brightlight Orchard reach more children and families in the future.
I’ve spent a long time imagining what it would feel like to finally let people into this world.
Today I feel excited, nervous, and ready!
Thank you for being here at the beginning. 💜
Warmly,
Missy ✨
Dr. Missy Kleinz, PhD, LPC
Creator of BIG Feelings + Brightlight Orchard