Lady Ray's to Bring "Wise Words from the Wild" Children's Series to Market via Elevated Exchange
Authors Rachel and Jake Ploegmakers reading from one of their recent releases, Pandy, the Paranoid Panda.
DESTIN, FL - Rachel and Jake Ploegmakers are proud to announce the launch of their new children's book series, Wise Words from the Wild-a heartfelt project created to help children navigate big feelings and build emotional resilience. Rooted in the Ploegmakers' belief that confident, grounded children grow into strong adults, the series blends imaginative storytelling with practical tools for emotional growth.
Inspired by their own experiences and shared commitment to helping families thrive, Rachel and Jake created Wise Words from the Wild to offer children relatable characters, comforting guidance, and empowering lessons. Through warm, animal-inspired stories, the series teaches courage, patience, empathy, and emotional understanding in ways that feel approachable and encouraging for both children and parents. With gentle narrative, rich illustrations, and simple takeaways, the books lay the foundation for SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) skills.
Rachel Ploegmakers-widely known for her vibrant persona as Lady Ray, and recognized as the founding partner, General Manager, and Head Chef at Lady Ray's Culinary Delights-brings her creativity, heart, and community-focused spirit into the world of children's literature. Her husband and co-author, Jake Ploegmakers, adds his own storytelling perspective, making the series a true family collaboration.
"Kids today face so many emotional pressures," says Rachel. "Our goal is to create stories that help them feel safe, capable, and supported-no matter what feelings they're navigating."
Jake adds, "These lessons come from things we learned the hard way. If families can connect through these stories, we've done something meaningful."
The new series is being brought to market through Elevated Exchange, Lady Ray's distribution arm, further expanding the organization's mission to support creative projects that enrich families and strengthen communities.
"We're excited to bring Wise Words from the Wild to market through our distribution arm, Elevated Exchange," said Tim Vondell, owner of Lady Ray's. "Rachel and Jake have created something truly special, and it's an honor to support this project and help share it with families beyond our walls."
The series is now available at https://ladyrays.com/pages/childrens-books and https://ploegmakersvintagecollectables.com/all-products/ols/categories/childrens-books.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
Wise Words from the Wild is now available online and at select retailers.
Get ready to roar, soar, and explore. Wise Words from the Wild launches with a complete collection of nine children's books, each designed to empower kids to understand and navigate their "big feelings" through the magic of the animal kingdom.
The series introduces emotional resilience, courage, confidence, kindness, and healthy communication through unforgettable characters and heartwarming storytelling. From an alligator learning how to cool his anger to a panda discovering bravery through friendship, each book transforms SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) into an engaging adventure children can easily follow and connect with.
Featuring vivid illustrations, gentle guidance, and simple yet impactful lessons, the series helps young readers build essential skills such as empathy, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Ideal for parents, caregivers, and educators, Wise Words from the Wild reminds children that emotions-big or small-are a natural part of life's ecosystem.
Launching just in time for the holidays, this nine-book debut invites families everywhere to explore a world where every creature has a story, every feeling has a place, and every child can grow wiser through the words of the wild.
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About Lady Ray's:
Lady Ray's is a Destin-based, multi-concept culinary, beauty, and lifestyle brand operating a diversified portfolio of consumer experiences and product lines. The company integrates food service, wellness, retail, and branded distribution under a scalable platform designed for measured growth, strong community engagement, and long-term brand equity.
About Elevated Exchange:
Elevated Exchange is the distribution and white-label arm of the Lady Ray organization, specializing in premium artisan goods. The company supports retail partners, restaurants, and brands looking to scale through wholesale, private-labeling, and specialty product development