Ember and the Cardboard Kingdom
Written & Illustrated by Matthew R. Paden
One sunny afternoon, Ember stumbles upon a giant cardboard box—one so big it could only be destined for something epic.
With her trusty hipa-corn Bubblegum at her side, Ember imagines a castle, a rocket ship, a cookie vault… maybe even all three!
But the adventure truly begins when a quiet, creative boy named Simon appears at the backyard fence with a lunchbox full of stickers and a brave “Hello.”
As Ember and Simon start building together, their simple cardboard box transforms into a wondrous kingdom full of painted dragons, googly-eyed grass, juice box goblets, and a Royal Cookie Chamber guarded by none other than Bubblegum.
With each tape strip and doodle, a brand-new friendship begins to take shape—one built on imagination, creativity, and shared giggles.
Ember and the Cardboard Kingdom is a playful and heartfelt picture book about building more than just forts.
It celebrates the joy of creative collaboration, the magic of new friendship, and the wonders of turning ordinary things—like cardboard and kindness—into something extraordinary.