A Tree For Me shares the story of a child and their bond with their favorite tree and the unconditional love they have for one another. What was the inspiration for your story?

The inspiration for my poem comes from my childhood. The illustrations depict a tree that I visited as a young girl, tirelessly searching for unconditional love. While working on my memoir, I recalled this beautiful oak tree and the deep sense of love I felt in its presence. Those memories flooded back, and I began to speak them out loud! My tree was always there for me—strong, steady, and a source of unconditional love. This realization shifted my focus from my memoir to a message meant for children: a message of love and acceptance. I wanted to help guide children to find this unconditional love within themselves early on, just as I did. As someone who was orphaned and adopted into a family where I didn’t quite fit, finding that love within was my saving grace.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The core idea is that the love we seek from the outside world must first be nurtured within ourselves. We often need to face our reflections much earlier in life than we might wish to.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Karine Makartichan?

Karine and I clicked right from our first collaboration. I shared my vision for the book, and she grasped it immediately. It felt like a perfect partnership, allowing us to bring the story to life beautifully.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

A Tree for Me is the first in the Nature and Nurture series, and I’m excited to share that the next book,

A Flower for You, is on the horizon and coming soon!

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