The Tales of Sidney and JoJo by Lauren Isaacson

Adventures in Thailand

Traveling Abroad Is the Cat’s Meow in Lauren Isaacson’s Debut Children’s Book, The Tales of Sidney and JoJo

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN—From noisy planes to travel crates, luggage belts, and everything in between, international travel is always full of new and eye-opening experiences. But what might it be like for our pets to make the same journey?

When veteran teacher and tutor, Lauren Isaacson, moved to Thailand several years ago, there was no question that her two feline “children,” Sidney and JoJo, would accompany her. Due to travel restrictions surrounding the COVID pandemic, however, they ended up making the trek solo.

What did her furry friends —one curious, one cautious— experience during their airborne adventure? What did they hear, what did they smell, and what cultural snippets did they discover? These questions, said Isaacson, and their possible answers, are what sparked her debut children’s book, The Tales of Sidney and JoJo: Adventures in Thailand.

“This is their story of making the long journey over 8,000 miles to their new home!” she said. “I was inspired by [that] and their ability to adapt to their new surroundings, so the book came naturally.”

A Tale of Two Kitties

As a passionate educator and the founder of tutoring and educational advocacy service, The Tutoring Hub: Tutoring and Advocacy, LLC, Isaacson also approached the book from the lens of childhood development; in particular, as a read-aloud tool to support early literacy, as well as supporting understanding of and curiosity about other cultures in young readers.

Per Isaacson, The Tales of Sidney and JoJo surrounds themes of travel, bravery, and resilience, while introducing kids and their parents to Thai culture and its traditions, which is “rarely portrayed in children’s literature in the Western world,” she noted. As an added bonus, Isaacson also speckled the story with nods to Thai vocabulary—in fact, readers might just be meowing along in a new language by the end!

The goal, she said, is not only for readers to revisit Sidney and JoJo’s adventures (there might even be a series in the works!), but also to foster excitement for travel and discovering places unlike their home country.

“The beauty of Thailand is impossible to convey in just this short story,” noted Isaacson. “I hope it inspires a curiosity for diving more into this culture, just as I did when I lived there.”

And it all starts with two kitty sisters on an inimitable quest to see their Mama!

“Writing this book has been a dream for a few years,” she added. “Now that it’s here, I can’t wait for others to experience the journey with us!”

Advance Praise

“A delightful, engaging journey awaits in this heartwarming tale of two cats who fly to Thailand. Blending entertainment with gentle instruction, the story offers young readers a window into feline curiosity, the challenges of change, and the quiet triumphs of resilience. Children and cat lovers alike will connect with the endearing characters while absorbing lessons in empathy. Set against the vivid backdrop of Thailand, this beautifully told adventure is a rich, highly recommended read for parents, educators, and anyone who loves a good journey.”

—Jyllian L. Clarke, speaker, leadership and personal‑development coach, and author of Pure Excellence: The Joy in Finding You

The Author

Lauren Isaacson is an educator, business owner, and is excited to add children’s book author to her repertoire. Inspired by the real-life journey of her two adventurous cats during a move abroad, Lauren wrote this story to share with her students and families around the world. She is the founder of The Tutoring Hub: Tutoring & Advocacy, LLC, where she supports students, families, and educators. As her students learned about her two cats and their adventures, a desire grew to give them a story they could take home. Lauren is excited to continue the adventures of The Tales of Sidney and JoJo. You can contact Lauren at sidandjobooks@gmail.com.

The Illustrator

Megan Heller is a Michigan-based contemporary artist who earned her BFA in illustration from the College for Creative Studies. Her work blends intricate detail with rich symbolism. Working primarily in mixed media, such as watercolors and colored pencils, with just a dash of digital magic, her pieces have been shown at Black Box Gallery’s Fantasy Exhibition in Dearborn, the Midland Center for the Arts, as well as galleries and exhibitions throughout Detroit and her hometown of Saginaw. This is her first foray into children’s book illustration.

The Book

The Tales of Sidney and JoJo: Adventures in Thailand

Written by Lauren Isaacson, Illustrated by Megan Heller

36 pages, 8 x 10, Color

JUVENILE FICTION: Animals/Cats, Places/Asia, Travel, Diversity & Multicultural, Action & Adventure/General

ISBN: 978-1-968761-01-1, $26.95 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-968761-02-8, $18.95 (Softcover)

Publication Date: June 23, 2026

Nightlight Stories, an imprint of Mission Point Press

Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other online retailers. On its June 23, 2026, publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at sidandjobooks@gmail.com or visit the-tutoring-hub.com.