I can remember reading my first Angelina Ballerina by Helen Craig and just falling in love with the character. It all began with Angelina and the Princess, a tale that not only featured a delightful little mouse with aspirations of becoming a ballerina, much like my own childhood dreams, but also showcased the extraordinary illustrations that brought the story to life. Illustrator Katharine Holabird, wove her artistic magic, weaving a tapestry of wonder and captivating my imagination with the heartfelt tale of a mouse yearning to dance.
I recently went home and was able to find my copy of Angelina books buried deep in my closet. The covers have turned yellow, but you can still make out where I signed my name in the inside cover with a pencil. When I was working on my first children’s book, I did some research and looked through pages of children’s book just get a feel for the format. When I found an Angelina book at a bookstore, I knew I had to buy it and it took me right back to when I was a kid.
Another series of books that I fell in love with was the Amelia notebooks by Marissa Moss. How I loved these books and would save up any money I could muster just to purchase another copy. I loved how the author incorporated little doodles onto the pages of the books. It made you feel as though the character really was the one who had made those little notes. Moss has been a huge inspiration to me as I’ve been developing my Piper character.
I think many writers and readers can relate to how the books we read as children leave an indelible mark on us. There are always those special ones that stand out, making us look back with fondness and a touch of nostalgia.
That's what I hope my own books can become—one day, a cherished memory. Storytelling has been my anchor, keeping me grounded through life's ups and downs. When I think back to the first time I held an Angelina or Amelia book in my hands, I'm filled with awe and wonder. They allowed my mind to wander to places I could never have imagined before—a true escape into limitless possibilities.
So my hope is that my readers find my books something special in their hearts; something that they will always remember.