Children's author Angeli Skalberg has released her second book, Bubs & Chubs Were Made for More, a story that uses two caterpillars to explore themes of faith, purpose, and trusting God. The book, published by Lucid Books, arrives as a resource for parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers seeking an approachable way to begin conversations with children about obedience, courage, and the tension between comfort and calling.
In the story, Bubs and Chubs live a contented life with tasty green leaves, warm sunshine, and plenty of time together. Chubs is perfectly satisfied, but Bubs cannot shake a persistent question: Is there more? That question launches a journey in which Bubs senses that Jesus created him for something greater. Even when the path feels frightening and uncertain, Bubs chooses to trust Jesus and move forward. As he follows where Jesus leads, Chubs eventually discovers that he, too, was created for more.
The book is inspired by Proverbs 3:5–6, which calls believers to trust in the Lord rather than relying solely on their own understanding. Skalberg writes, "Deep in his heart, Bubs feels that Jesus created him for something greater. Even when the journey feels scary and uncertain, Bubs chooses to listen to that gentle voice guiding him forward." That message, she hopes, will remind children that they do not have to know everything that will happen next in order to trust the One who does.
The story also gently explores the tension between comfort and calling. Chubs represents the part of us that is happy to remain where life feels familiar, while Bubs wonders whether there might be something beyond what he can currently see. Neither knows exactly what the future holds, but Bubs discovers that trusting Jesus can open the door to a life he could never have imagined from his limited perspective. At the center of the book is a simple message Skalberg hopes children will carry with them long after the final page: "You were MADE for MORE."
For Skalberg, that message reflects a life shaped by faith, family, service, and a willingness to follow where God leads. She lives in the countryside outside a small rural town in Wyoming, where she and her husband of more than 30 years have built a life centered around family and serving others. Together, they have five children and many grandchildren. Her heart for service has also taken her around the world, giving her opportunities to encounter different people, cultures, needs, and stories.
Her own family journey became the inspiration for her first children's book, Baby Llama Has a New Mama, which was inspired by the adoption of the family's youngest daughter from Ethiopia. Now, with Bubs & Chubs Were Made for More, Skalberg continues writing stories that help children understand significant truths through characters and experiences that feel warm, memorable, and accessible.
Ultimately, Bubs and Chubs remind young readers that they may not always know where Jesus is leading them. They may feel uncertain. They may even be tempted to remain exactly where they are because it feels safe. But sometimes the greatest transformation begins with the courage to trust. And sometimes discovering that you were made for more begins simply by taking the next step.
