In Deception Bay, local mum and veterinary surgeon Mariska Kerkhoff has channelled a difficult personal experience into a children’s book that promotes simple, everyday play for families. Her debut picture book, Tiny Tots Adventures at Home, is an illustrated rhyming story that encourages families to use everyday moments for play and learning.
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The book, now available for presale, blends storytelling and play to support connection, imagination and early learning in young children.
A Journey That Inspired Change
Mariska’s daughter was born three months premature, weighing less than 700 grams. During those early months in hospital, her family worked closely with physiotherapists, speech-pathologists and developmental specialists who guided her daughter’s progress.
As a parent and veterinary surgeon, Mariska observed how simple, interactive play supported her daughter’s development. She began exploring ways to make these experiences more accessible for other families and eventually launched Tiny Tots Adventures, a project aimed at helping parents nurture learning through play. What started as a few short social-media videos sharing play-based activities has since grown into a series of guides, play kits and now, a children’s book.
The Book: Tiny Tots Adventures at Home
Tiny Tots Adventures at Home takes young readers on a playful journey through familiar household settings, showing how everyday spaces can become the backdrop for creativity and learning. The story is written in rhyme and illustrated to accompany the play-based narrative. It encourages families to engage with their children through language, movement and imagination.
Mariska said, “We have learned the power of language-rich, interactive play in healthy brain development. I created this book to help families implement this in their daily lives, without needing screens or flashy toys.” The book is described as inviting families to connect, play and make memories together in everyday home spaces.
Originally from the Netherlands, Mariska moved to Australia in 2016 and now lives in Deception Bay with her family and several pets. Mariska’s background as a veterinary surgeon and her experience as a mother to a premature child inform her approach to play-based learning. Through Tiny Tots Adventures, she shares practical tools that make play accessible for all families, encouraging parents to use what they already have at home to spark engagement and connection.
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With Christmas approaching, Tiny Tots Adventures at Home is presented as a screen-free gift option that focuses on quality time and imagination. The book is currently available for presale through the Tiny Tots Adventures website, with the first shipment expected to arrive in mid-November.
Published 7-November-2025
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