The Beginning

I grew up with a pen in my hand. As a child – pretty much all the way through college – I was forever making up stories. The imagination is a wondrous thing and I was often lost in mine, my head filled with fanciful characters’ adventures in magical lands.

Image credit: ‘Feather 2’ by Amy Hattori, deviantart.com

Over the years, as I turned to other interests, my writing evolved into essays on multicultural arts and crafts or exploring gardening and nature through science and art, including hands-on projects. These days, tapping into my background as an avowed foodie, I have been sharing original recipes smattered with the occasional food legend or how-to for nature-inspired table settings, on my food blog: In the Kitchen With Kelly. Sadly, my childhood stories were long-forgotten, both on paper and in my imagination. Until I had children.

Reading aloud to my two sons every night at bedtime reminded me of my own childhood delight in the power of stories. As a stalling tactic, once we finished a bedtime book, my younger son would beg for “one more story”. He’d look at me, his big brown eyes filled with hope, placing his tiny hand on mine – how could I refuse? So I started making up stories right there, in the moment. Some of these stories delighted my son so much, he would have me tell them again, night after night, especially the ones he starred in. Thankfully, I was smart enough to write some of these stories down.

The Skipping Stone – my first published children’s book – was one of these stories. Even though it took me a few years to publish it (my son is now grown), it remains a beloved family favorite. Brought to life with colorful illustrations by two extremely talented designers, Oona Risling-Sholl and Naomi Bardoff, I am extremely proud – if not a little awestruck – to finally be sharing my precious story with children everywhere.

Thanks for stopping by. I welcome your comments, feedback and questions. If you’d like to stay in touch and follow my writing journey, I welcome you to subscribe to my blog. And if you’d like to be notified when my next book is published, please sign up for my mailing list.

—Kelly