I’ve read a lot of books where the whole story hinges on someone — or something — being defeated. The dark lord falls. The bully gets his comeuppance. The monster is driven back. There’s a satisfaction to that structure, and it’s earned its place in storytelling for good reason.
But when I sat down to write Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue, I kept asking myself: what does the story actually need?
Not what convention says it needs. What this story needs.
And the answer kept coming back the same: not a villain. Not a threat. Just a small problem, a lonely dragon, and another creature stuck in a swamp.
Here’s what I’ve come to believe — conflict and villain are not the same thing. Conflict is essential. Every story needs something to push against, some reason to keep turning the page. But that friction doesn’t have to come from an antagonist. It can come from uncertainty. From longing. From a marshmallow mole named Mooch who is very, very stuck and not sure whether to trust the dragon leaning over him.
That’s tension. It’s just quieter.
In Dibs’ world — a candy-colored place called Lickitypop, where dragons blow bubbles and jellybean goggles are standard equipment — the stakes are small by design. Nobody’s trying to stop Dibs. There’s no force working against him. He just wants a friend, and he doesn’t quite know how to be one yet. That uncertainty, that gap between wanting connection and knowing how to create it, is what drives the story forward.
And children recognize it immediately. Because that’s their life.
The absence of a villain isn’t the absence of stakes — it’s a choice about where to locate them. Instead of external threat, the tension lives in the relationship itself. Will Dibs be brave enough to help? Will Mooch trust him? Can two very different creatures figure each other out?
Those are real questions. They don’t need a dark lord to make them matter.
I think there’s room in children’s literature — and honestly, in all literature — for stories that find their drama in connection rather than conflict, in kindness rather than combat. Not because the world isn’t full of real threats worth writing about. It is. But because some of the most important lessons kids carry into adulthood are the quiet ones: how to show up for someone, how to try even when you’re not sure, how to be the kind of creature worth trusting.
A villain gives you something to fight. A story without one teaches you something harder.
How to stay.
The Synopsis
How does a bubble-blowing dragon make his very first friend?
In the magical land of Lickitypop, Dibs the Dragon hears a tiny cry for help from the sticky syrup swamp and
discovers Mooch, a marshmallow mole who is very, very stuck. With a licorice vine, a bit of bravery, and a
whole lot of heart, Dibs leaps into action—and begins a friendship that will change everything.
This gentle, whimsical picture book is filled with kindness, imagination, and cozy read-aloud moments that
celebrate the joy of helping others and the magic of making friends.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or cozy-color enthusiast, this sweet story is sure to become a
beloved favorite on your shelf—and a magical introduction to the Lickitypop series.
About the Author
Ellie Moss is the creator of Lickitypop, an imaginative, candy-colored universe where jellybean forests
shimmer, bubble scooters zoom through cotton-candy skies, and problems are solved with courage, connection, and a sticky SPLAT.
What began as an escape during a difficult chapter in her life quickly grew into a world that helped her find
softness, hope, and joy again.
Her stories blend whimsy with emotional care: pastel illustrations designed for calm, playful sound words that encourage speech development, and gentle characters who model resilience, kindness, and friendship.
Ellie believes deeply that stories can be a form of healing for little readers discovering the world, and for
grown-ups rediscovering their breath. Through Lickitypop, she invites families to step into a place where
imagination is soothing, feelings are welcome, and magic is something we all deserve.
You can follow the author at:
Her website: https://www.lickitypop.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lickitypop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lickitypop/
Blog Tour Calendar
March 9 @ The Muffin
Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the blog tour launch for Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by
Ellie Moss. We interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy of her charming children's book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
March 10 @ What Is That Book About
Visit Michelle's blog for her feature of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://whatisthatbookabout.com
March 13 @ Chapter Break
Stop by Julie's blog for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss. She's also
sharing a guest post by the author about how to write for children without talking down to them.
March 15 @ The Shaggy Shepherd
Visit Isabelle's Instagram page for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://www.instagram.com/the_shaggy_shepherd
March 17 @ Words by Webb
Stop by Jodi's blog for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
March 20 @ Lisa's Reading
Join Lisa's blog for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
March 25 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Visit Ellie's blog for experts from Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com
March 27 @ Words From the Heart
Linda shares her thoughts about Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com
March 27 @ Musings From a Literary Wanderer
Stop by Angela's blog for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://musingsofaliterarywanderer.blogspot.com
March 30 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdre's blog for a guest post by Ellie Moss about why gentle stories matter in a loud world.
https://www.astorybookworld.com
April 2 @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog for his review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
https://www.authoranthonyavina.com
April 2 @ Just Katherine
Stop by Katherine's blog for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss. She also shares her response to our tour prompt about what makes a story a "repeat read" in her house.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com
April 3 @ Nicole Writes About Stuff
Ellie Moss is a guest on Nicole's weekly feature, Your Weekend Care Package.
https://nicolepyles.substack.com
April 4 @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Anthony shares a guest post by the author about why not every children's book needs a villain.
https://www.authoranthonyavina.com
April 5 @ Sarandipity
Join Sara for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
April 7 @ World of My Imagination
Stop by Nicole's blog for her review of Dibs the Dragon and the Marshmallow Rescue by Ellie Moss.
April 10 @ Jill Sheets' blog
Stop by Jill's blog for her interview with Ellie Moss.
https://jillsheets.blogspot.com
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