Michael Kappler

Michael E. Kappler is the creator, author, and illustrator of The Adventures of Abby the Tabby, a children’s picture-book series inspired by his grandson Cullen and the real Abby, a curious gray tabby cat.

What began as a personal family inspiration grew into a story world filled with friendship, discovery, humor, seasonal adventures, and a growing cast of memorable farmyard friends. Through Abby’s experiences, Michael explores themes of kindness, curiosity, courage, teamwork, inclusion, and helping others in stories designed to be shared by young children and the adults who read with them.

The series includes Meeting New Friends, More New Friends, Abby’s Pumpkin Patch Party, and Abby’s Christmas Party. Each book expands Abby’s world while keeping the focus on gentle storytelling, expressive characters, and the small moments of friendship and discovery that make childhood memorable.

Michael develops the stories, illustrations, characters, and broader creative world of Abby himself, bringing together storytelling and visual design to create a consistent experience across the books.

At the center of it all remains the original inspiration: a real cat named Abby, a grandfather’s imagination, and the simple idea that even the smallest adventure can become a meaningful story.