Dori Durbin

Dori Durbin grew up most of her life in a small town in Michigan. After earning a BA in English and a secondary teaching certification, Dori taught high and middle school English and Science classes for ten years. She obtained her Master of Arts degree in Social work with an emphasis on Community Services.

After an illness, she switched gears and began her career as an certified personal trainer and fitness instructor. She also began to pursue her passion of being an artist and author. She currently still lives in Michigan with her amazingly smart and talented family: husband, son, daughter, three pleasantly pampered indoor cats, and her old Great Dane.

Dori teaches youth art and participates occasionally in art shows. She has additionally taken courses with Make Art that Sells (Lila Rogers), Story Teller Academy (Arree Chung), art classes, participates in a few of the gallery and special event shows the Little Blue Mushroom (Kristen Balouch). She hopes to continue to learn about writing and illustration for children-- and owning many cats!

Think Ahead Kids Book Reviews

"Little Cat and Dog's Birthday Bake: A Recipe for Caring"

“Little Cat and the Birthday Bake is one cute chapter book with animated illustrations that bring the story to life. Step into the world of birthday fun. Author and illustrator Dori Durbin creates a fun-filled atmosphere where children learn the importance of thinking of others. Little Cat loves her friend Dog and wants him to have the best birthday party. Little Cat shows readers that we are not alone when it comes to trying to make the perfect birthday cake for a friend. Be prepared to laugh as you read about how Little Cat watches a baking show and attempts to make a masterpiece for her friend Dog. In the end, Little Cat takes on challenges and meets others along the way that help her make the best birthday gift for her friend Dog. Parents and kids will love this book! ” -School Psychologist

"Little Cat Feels Left Out is an excellent story depicting the feelings of someone when they see their friend spending time with someone else. Little Cat and Dog are best of friends. When Cat sees Dog enjoying his time with a stuffed rabbit toy named Fuzzby, she begins to feel left out. Watching Dog enjoying himself and experiencing new situations with his new friend, Cat begins to wonder if she is still Dog’s friend. When Cat takes it upon herself to figure out what the toy friend has to offer, she realizes that it is ok to have another friend. New friends can bring about new adventures and new feelings. In the end, Dog and Cat realize that sharing time with other friends and including one another in games that require more than two people can be a fun experience.

Little Cat Feels Left Out is the perfect book to read with your children. The illustrations and storyline creatively address common feelings that children go through. Many children find a best friend and begin to spend a majority of their time with them. Then comes that day when they see their dear friend playing with someone else. That brings about many feelings and the thoughts that they have lost their friend or that there may be something wrong with them. When reading Little Cat Feels Left Out with your children, parents and children will be able to explore the feelings of a time when they felt left out. A great book. I highly recommend this book to parents!"

-School Psychologist

"Little cat feels left out is a wonderful and educational story. In the story Little Cat sees Dog playing with someone else. She wonders if Dog has a new best friend. Little Cat takes the rabbit toy named Fuzzby, and sees what this toy has to offer. She then realizes that Fuzzby is not just a toy, he is an amazing friend. Little Cat returns Fuzzby to Dog and he wakes up. Dog starts playing with Fuzzby and cat once again feels left out. Then Dog calls for her and she feels happy. I recommend this book to kids and their parents because I can relate to Little Cat’s feeling of being left out. This book’s illustrations and story line are amazing! I love your book! 😊"

-Child age 10

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