With their new children’s book, a Pacific Grove pair hope to inspire children and help animals.

Pick Me!, a children’s book by Camille Liscinsky from Pacific Grove (the writer) and Kathy Kopp from Monterey (the illustrator) is a publication with a cause, but would easily find readers without its purpose.

The characters in the book – a puppy, lizard, kitten, turtle, parrot and hamster – all speak English and have no problems sharing their thoughts and feelings. The human characters are Ruby and her mom, who are coming to a pet adoption day. Ruby is about to pick her own pet, but it’s so hard to decide. What makes the decision more difficult is that all the animals are pure cuteness overload, with big eyes and very human facial expressions

“It’s a fashion show of animals,” Liscinsky says about her friend’s powerful illustrations.

Spoiler alert: When Ruby discusses which animal to choose with her mom, all animals get into the family car and start honking. It doesn’t matter what Ruby says, they all picked Ruby.

Kopp and Liscinsky met while working for the same publishing company focused on educational material. That experience provided them with a lot of knowledge, which they applied to their own project. As a graphic designer, Kopp has worked with illustration for children’s books since 1999. Liscinsky has hundreds of stories and plays to her name, and developed games and reading tools.

Liscinsky is inspired by her grandchildren in Croatia, for whom Pick Me! was originally written. When the idea was conceived, she realized she has a good friend who can illustrate.

“Illustrations are equally important,” Liscinsky points out, adding that a children’s book has to be written right, with a rhythm and particular rhymes.

Despite not wanting at all to self-publish the book in a market that’s crushing small companies and benefits Amazon, Liscinsky eventually did just that. IngramSpark and Amazon are their retailers. The pair do the marketing by themselves, sending countless emails. They plan to work with local rescues, such as Animal Friends Rescue Project in Pacific Grove.

So far, 200 copies have been sold. If you want to make some toddler happy and grow emotionally, get them a copy of the book. Even adults can’t pick up this bright, colorful and smart book without a smile.

A PICK ME! BOOK SIGNING takes place at 1-2pm Saturday, April 27 (Independent Bookstore Day) in front of River House Books, 208 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. 626-2665.