Hunny & Koko Go to the Wild West: A Jelly Bean Mystery for Kids
I have to be honest here…
The inspiration for this story didn’t start with a big idea, it started with a very silly image I couldn’t get out of my head.
I pictured Hunny and Koko in cowboy hats.
And immediately I thought…
Koko needs a giant feather in her hat. Like, so big it completely covers Hunny’s face.
It made me laugh so much that I knew right away: they had to go to the Wild West.
From Cowboy Hats to Solving a Mystery
Once I had them in the Wild West, I knew they needed an adventure.
And then it hit me… what if they solved a crime?
That’s how Sneaky Skunk was born — the jelly bean thief of Paw Prairie.
Because honestly… what’s more fun than a mystery involving stolen jelly beans?
Bringing Paw Prairie to Life
One of my favorite parts of creating this book was building out the world.
Once Hunny and Koko became the heroes of the story, I had so much fun imagining all the characters and how they would look in this Wild West setting.
My friend Lauren designed the town scene, and she absolutely nailed it.
It captured the silliness, charm, and adventure of the story perfectly.
There’s one part that makes me smile every time…
Hunny pulling Koko along on the little toy horse.
It’s such a small, funny moment — but it feels very them.
A Story with Heart (and a Little Lesson)
Even though Sneaky Skunk is the one stealing the jelly beans, I didn’t want him to just be “the bad guy.”
At the end of the story, he sends Hunny and Koko off into the sunset, back to Whisker Woods.
Because I wanted kids to see that:
Mistakes happen.
But what matters is learning from them.
A Few Fun Extras
I also got to sneak in a little surprise…
Hunny & Koko’s sister Penny makes an appearance as the owner of the Penny Store.
And at the end of the book, there are two fun activities:
“Count the Jelly Beans”
“Design Your Own Cowboy Hat”
A Little Note From Me
This story is playful, a little silly, and full of adventure — exactly how I imagined it from that very first image in my head.
I hope your little ones enjoy this rootin’ tootin’ journey as much as I enjoyed creating it.
– AdELA
If your little one loves adventure, mystery, and a little silliness…
You can find Hunny & Koko Go to the Wild West here:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/067CdHNH
Barnes & Nobel: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunny-koko-go-to-the-wild-west-adela/1146581138?ean=9781965019221