Brandon Moore Shares His Mission to Empower Children Through Storytelling and Emotional Growth

PHOTO: Author Brandon Moore, inspiring the next generation through heartfelt storytelling and life lessons rooted in family, fatherhood, and military service.

A Veteran Turned Author Inspires Kids With Life Lessons and Heart

Brandon Moore discusses how fatherhood, military service, and family storytelling inspired his children’s book Bridget Kimble Learns Self-Control, aiming to teach emotional regulation and resilience through engaging stories.

Brandon Moore is a name readers—young and old—will come to cherish. A retired Army veteran turned children’s author, Moore has channeled a life of discipline, mentorship, and service into stories that are as heartfelt as they are impactful. His debut book, Bridget Kimble Learns Self-Control, is more than a charming children’s tale—it’s a thoughtful guide wrapped in vibrant illustrations, filled with emotional wisdom that speaks directly to kids and the parents raising them.

What sets Moore apart is his rare ability to blend life lessons with storytelling in a way that feels genuine, not preachy. Drawing on his military background, his role as a father, and the deep storytelling traditions of his family, Moore writes with purpose and warmth. Bridget Kimble isn’t just a character; she’s a reflection of the author’s own hopes for his children—and for a generation learning to navigate a complex world.

In this exclusive interview, Moore opens up about the inspiration behind his work, his creative process, and what’s next for the Bridget Kimble universe. It’s a conversation that reveals not just an author, but a teacher at heart—one who continues to serve by helping children grow emotionally, one story at a time.

Brandon Moore is a powerful new voice in children’s literature, combining heart, purpose, and life experience into meaningful, lasting stories.

What inspired you to create the character of Bridget Kimble?  

In 2021, my daughter was about to start Pre-K, and I couldn’t help but think about the challenges she would face, especially going to school during COVID. That’s when I created Bridget Kimble. I wanted to give her a character that could embody some of the lessons I wanted my own children to learn. After considering several titles, one really stood out to me—Bridget Kimble Learns Self-Control. I wrote the story and initially worked with my brother to develop Bridget. In 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to work with an amazing illustrator who took Bridget from my initial sketches to the vibrant character you see on the book cover. His vision truly brought the story to life, and the rest, as they say, is history.

How did your military background influence your approach to writing children’s books?  

Before I medically retired, I was the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for my unit. One question we always asked soldiers during our classes was, “What’s in your rucksack?”—what tools or practices do you rely on to self-regulate throughout your day, week, or month? Teaching and mentoring soldiers was something I deeply valued, and after retiring, I realized I missed that outlet. I turned back to writing as a way to fill that void. Bridget Kimble emerged from that need to teach, mentor, and provide a positive, guiding influence, especially when it comes to emotional regulation.

“Teaching and mentoring soldiers was something I deeply valued… I turned back to writing as a way to fill that void.” — Brandon Moore

What lessons from your family members shaped your storytelling style?  

My uncles are fantastic storytellers, particularly my great uncle, who had a natural ability to captivate an audience. His stories were usually centered around his life and experiences, and his delivery always left you in stitches. My stepdad, on the other hand, told deeper, more profound stories with lessons at the end. I’ve inherited a bit of both styles. Like my uncles, I can be humorous, but like my stepdad, I also aim to tell stories with a deeper, more thoughtful message.

How do you balance writing about serious topics like self-control while keeping the story engaging for young readers? 

My goal is always to keep the story relatable to both kids and their parents. By weaving important life lessons into engaging, fun narratives, I aim to create a balance where the message is impactful but not overwhelming.

What was the most challenging part of writing “Bridget Kimble Learns Self-Control”?  

I’m naturally a bit wordy, especially when writing. My biggest challenge was condensing my thoughts into a clear, fun, and easily digestible message without losing the heart of the story. It was a delicate balance between being transparent and maintaining readability. 

“My biggest challenge was condensing my thoughts into a clear, fun, and easily digestible message without losing the heart of the story.” — Brandon Moore

How did you collaborate with illustrator Mick Edrick M Marcellana to bring your characters to life? 

It’s funny how it all came together. In 2024, I was working with Tyree Searcy from Moguls Staffing Solutions on my mom’s e-commerce website called MommasHobby. During one of our strategy sessions, I mentioned the children’s book I’d written years ago. Tyree immediately asked, “What’s stopping you from publishing it?” I told him that my illustrator had backed out, and that was the only thing holding me back. He quickly introduced me to Mick Marcellana, and from there, things moved fast. I sent Mick the script, and he worked his magic, transforming my words into the Bridget Kimble character you see today. It was an amazing process, and I’m so grateful for how it all came together.

What message do you hope readers will take away from Bridget’s journey? 

I want readers to understand the importance of self-control, resilience, and emotional regulation. I hope they take away that with practice, patience, and support, they can overcome challenges and grow into stronger individuals.

How does your experience as a parent inform the themes you choose to explore in your books?

Though I’ve only been a parent for eight years, those years have been filled with valuable insights into child development and the challenges children face. As parents, we can relate to the struggles our kids go through because we were once in their shoes. That shared experience helps me write stories that resonate with both children and parents. 

Can you share any upcoming projects or ideas from the Bridget Kimble universe? 

Yes! My team at Moguls Staffing Solutions and I have been brainstorming a spin-off featuring one of the characters from Bridget Kimble Learns Self-Control, specifically Ryan Studdabaker. Stay tuned for more updates and keep following me for exciting news about what’s next for Bridget Kimble!

“Your words might be exactly what a parent or child needs to hear.” — Brandon Moore

What advice would you give to other aspiring authors who want to write meaningful stories for children? 

The best advice I can give is this: You already have everything you need, so just start. Don’t worry about perfection—just get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. You’ll have plenty of time to edit later. Your words might be exactly what a parent or child needs to hear. If you care about people, children, and society, then your effort will find its way to the right people, the right audience, and the right platform. So, just start.