What if Ocean City became Ocean Sweetie? What if a stroll along the Boardwalk led to candy-coated adventures, or an evening by the bay was filled with peppermint breezes instead of salty air?
Those familiar South Jersey places come to life in a delightfully imaginative way in “Sweet Tooth Scribbles,” the debut children’s book by Somers Point resident Diana Guaschino. Filled with hand-drawn illustrations and original stories, the book transforms beloved Jersey Shore landmarks into whimsical destinations while celebrating the power of creativity and imagination.
Many local residents already know Guaschino as the owner of Bark and Breakfast, her pet boarding business. Now, she’s adding another title to her résumé: author and illustrator.
While “Sweet Tooth Scribbles” may transport readers to a magical Candyland, its heart is unmistakably rooted in South Jersey.
“I had to write stories to go with the pictures,” Guaschino said. “Art has always been a part of my life.”
That passion for drawing began long before she ever imagined publishing a book.
Growing up in a creative family, Guaschino was surrounded by art. Both of her parents enjoyed drawing and sketching, and as a child she eagerly waited for each issue of “Highlights” magazine so she could flip straight to the illustrations by artist Bill Basso.
Like many creative hobbies, however, drawing slowly gave way to adulthood. Between work, responsibilities and building Bark and Breakfast into a thriving business, there wasn’t much time left for artistic pursuits.
Then, during a 2021 trip to Pittsburgh, inspiration arrived unexpectedly.
While visiting Sarah’s Candies, an old-fashioned candy and ice cream shop, Guaschino found herself captivated by enormous candy-themed murals covering the walls.
When she returned home to Somers Point, she began sketching her own Candyland—one illustration at a time.
Originally, every illustration was drawn the traditional way using colored pencils and markers. She occasionally shared the artwork on Instagram, where friends repeatedly encouraged her to turn it into a children’s book.
“It was an undertaking,” she said. “There were tears and doubt and wondering, ‘Why am I doing this?'”
But when the first printed copy finally arrived, every late night suddenly felt worthwhile.
Beneath the book’s whimsical Candyland setting are scenes inspired by the places many South Jersey residents know and love.
Readers first discover a secret doorway inside a candy shop before arriving in “Ocean Sweetie,” a playful tribute to Ocean City. Guaschino spent childhood summers there, and it was also where she worked her very first job as a beach tag inspector.
“Once you’re in Candyland, I started asking myself, ‘Where would I want to go next?'” she said.
Naturally, the next stop was the Boardwalk.
From there, readers cross the bridge to “Peppermint Bay,” inspired by Somers Point’s waterfront summer concert series. Other adventures include prehistoric landscapes, candy-covered mountains inspired by Guaschino’s years of snowboarding, and even “Spearmint Airlines,” where flights depart from Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The stories evolved much like planning a family vacation.
Beyond the recognizable locations, the illustrations are packed with hidden details that reward observant readers. As a nod to her business Bark N’Breakfast, paw prints are hidden across each page of the book.
Movie references, family memories, nods to South Philadelphia and playful inside jokes are scattered throughout the pages—details many adults will appreciate while reading alongside their children.
The response since the book’s release over the Fourth of July weekend has been beyond the author’s expectations. Friends immediately began placing orders, and before long Guaschino’s phone filled with photos of children proudly holding the book before bedtime.
Although she’s exploring opportunities to place copies in local coffee shops and businesses—including conversations with shops in Somers Point and nearby communities—commercial success was never the driving force behind the project.
Ideas for a second installment are already beginning to take shape, though Guaschino admits she is still recovering from the months-long process of creating the first book.
For Guaschino, holding the finished book was proof that taking creative risks is worthwhile.
“When you hold that finished product, even if you’re the only person who ever appreciates it, it’s such a testament to hard work and creativity,” she said. “I don’t think we should ever let imagination die.”
After all, imagination isn’t something reserved for childhood. “We don’t grow out of imagination,” she said. “It’s a little world you can always go into.”
“Sweet Tooth Scribbles” is available through Lulu’s online bookstore by searching the book’s title or by visiting the link in the book’s Instagram page, **@sweettoothscribbles**.
Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.
