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The other day, my four-year-old daughter and I had a conversation that made me reflect on the importance of imagination. She was playing with her Barbie car and excitedly told me that it was flying. A moment later, she paused and corrected herself: "It doesn’t really fly."

Without missing a beat, I told her, "But it could one day."

That simple exchange opened the door to a discussion about imagination and innovation. I explained to her that everything she sees around her—from cars to buildings...

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my artwork—specifically, whether my illustrations are AI-generated. While I completely understand the curiosity, I want to take a moment to explain my creative process and highlight the key differences between AI-generated images and digital illustrations created by human artists like myself.

My Process: A Blend of Tools, Experimentation, and Creativity

Creating an illustration like Timmy Parker and the Magic Toy Chest is not a one-click...

Lately, I’ve been experiencing an exhilarating creative rush—the kind that comes from stepping beyond familiar territory and plunging into the limitless world of novel writing. As a storyteller, I’ve always found joy in weaving narratives, but recently, I’ve felt an undeniable craving for something more: the depth, complexity, and sheer imaginative freedom that comes with crafting entire worlds, intricate relationships, and unfolding events far beyond my own experiences.

The Thrill of...

Characters are the heartbeat of any story. For me, they are more than just names on a page—they are reflections of real people, emotions, and experiences that shape our lives. When I create characters, I don’t just invent them; I uncover them, pulling from the depths of memory, observation, and inspiration from stories that have shaped me.

Drawing from Real Life

Most of my characters are inspired by real people—some I know personally, others I’ve merely encountered in passing. They carry the...

Timmy Parker’s Time-Travel Adventure is more than just an engaging story—it’s a powerful educational tool that can help students connect with history, explore cultural changes, and develop creativity. By integrating this book into the classroom, teachers can create immersive lessons that combine literacy, history, and critical thinking in a way that excites students. Here are some ways Timmy Parker can be used educationally.

1. Bringing History to Life

One of the most exciting aspects of Timmy...

There’s a line from Beauty and the Beast that has lived in my heart for as long as I can remember. When Belle sings, "I crave adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell," I feel that line in my bones. That’s me. That’s who I’ve always been—someone longing for adventure, seeking out the magic in the world, and spinning wild stories even as a child.

That spirit of adventure is at the core of my new book, Timmy Parker and the Magic Toy Chest. And as I prepare for its...

The Alchemy of Nostalgia: Why We Feel the Past So Deeply

Nostalgia is more than just a fleeting memory—it is a golden thread that weaves together our past, present, and future. It is the warmth of a familiar melody, the scent of an old book, the whisper of laughter from years gone by. Nostalgia is not just about looking back; it is about feeling, reliving, and understanding. It holds the power to shape our emotions, inspire our creativity, and ground us in a world that is ever-changing. But...

The Books That Inspired Me as a Writer

Growing up, I was surrounded by stories that fueled my imagination, shaped my creativity, and made me fall in love with the magic of storytelling. Picture books, in particular, held a special place in my heart. The stories I cherished as a child continue to inspire my writing today, influencing the way I craft narratives, build characters, and connect with young readers.

Classic Authors Who Shaped My Love for Storytelling

Some of the greatest inspirations...

The Lasting Impact of Picture Books

Picture books are more than just stories with illustrations; they are a child's first introduction to the magic of reading, the joy of storytelling, and the power of imagination. As both an author and former educator, I have seen firsthand how picture books shape young minds, helping them explore emotions, develop literacy skills, and form lasting memories with their caregivers. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, picture books matter more than...

Why I Write Children's Picture Books

There’s something truly magical about picture books. They have the power to shape childhoods, spark imaginations, and create warm memories shared between parents and children. Growing up, I was captivated by the enchanting worlds of Dr. Seuss, the tender storytelling of Margaret Wise Brown, the heartfelt lessons from Eve Bunting, the wild imagination of Maurice Sendak, and the timeless charm of Ludwig Bemelmans. These books weren’t just stories to me; they...