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The Mat and the Ray
Hardcover
Early ReadersGeneral Juvenile FictionScience & Nature
Publisher: Likes Publishing
Published: May 28 2026
Pages: 48
Weight: 0.58
Height: 0.25 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
This funny story starring a mat, all it's friends, and a gray day helps kids learn to read.
The mat just wants the ray to stay so the day isn't so gray!
Follow along to see what happens when the ray doesn't stay!
Perfect for Emergent Readers at home or in the classroom!
In The Mat and the Star, Author Kelley M Likes and debut Illustrator Lauren Blunck invite children to learn and practice -ay words in a groovy kind of way.
INCLUDES 15 FLASHCARDS!
Kids ages: 4, 5, and 6
Grades: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Emergent Reader
Lexile Level 110L
Decodable Book
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelley M Likes is an award-winning children's author, publisher, and former T6 Certified educator who creates stories that inspire curiosity and kindness, build confidence, creativity, and resilience. Her books range from humorous picture books and beginning readers to social-emotional learning stories that help children navigate real-life challenges.
Drawing on her background in business, education, and educational technology, Kelley creates engaging books for children of all ages, from beginning readers and humorous adventures to social-emotional learning stories and imaginative picture books.
Her growing catalog includes titles such as Panic and the Happy Thought, The Pumpkin Who Stayed for Christmas, Quest for the Momma Violin, Snout, Ben Wise and the Purple Dragon, and the Mat early reader series.
As founder of Likes Publishing, Kelley is dedicated to producing high-quality books that inspire a lifelong love of reading while helping children navigate friendship, emotions, creativity, and personal growth.
A mini-stroke survivor, brain tumor host, and lifelong storyteller, Kelley believes books can help children see the world, and themselves, in new ways. When she's not writing, Kelley enjoys encouraging young writers, speaking to students about the publishing process, and helping aspiring authors bring their own stories to life.
EDUCATION:
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Media and Technology
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Business Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration
Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Marketing and Management
MEMBER:
SCBWI
Storyteller Academy
The Authors Guild
IBPA Independent Book Publishers Association
Book an Author
Alliance of Independent Authors
AUTHOR VISITS
I offer a full day of age-specific presentations for grades 1st to 12th, focused on what it means to be an author & publisher and creating stories.
Visits can include: Lunch with students, book signings, contest judging, classroom drop-ins, and individual classroom presentations and discussions.
In addition, free lesson plans with projects to extend the visit are included.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Lauren Blunck is a student artist who works both in the illustrating field and in multiple traditional media. In particular, she has assisted with easy reader books, online marketing imagery, small amounts of character design, and some card game design. She mainly uses digital for her illustration work but also specializes in charcoal or acrylic painting realism and is always up to try something new in art.
1 different editions
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