If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a children’s author and illustrator, it’s that stories don’t always arrive in big bursts of inspiration. Sometimes, they arrive slowly—like soft whispers on a walk, a funny moment with a child, or a tiny spark from something I see in my everyday life. As I’ve been working on my second book, I’ve given myself permission to slow down . Unlike the whirlwind of excitement (and nerves!) that came with creating If Kids Were in Charge , this new project has...

When I pictured doing story times for my book, I imagined a room full of excited kids, parents smiling, giggles in the air. But reality doesn’t always look like the dream—sometimes only one or two kiddos show up. And you know what? That’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay. Small story times are still meaningful. They still matter. Those one or two little listeners are giving me their time, curiosity, and wonder—and that deserves my best. I remind myself every time: you’ve got to start...

When you put your very first book out into the world, you brace yourself for all kinds of feedback—excitement, support, and yes…...