Blog Archives
Where the Orchard Ends
Where the Orchard Ends is a quiet and emotionally stirring novel about grief, healing, and the deep connections that form when words fail. It follows twelve-year-old Wren Harper, who hasn’t spoken in seventy-three days after her mother’s death. Sent to live with her grandmother on an apple orchard in the Pacific Northwest, Wren drifts through silence and sorrow, until a storm leads her to a wounded Appaloosa mare, a wild horse who’s just as lost and broken. In that fragile, unspoken bond between girl and horse, the story slowly opens up to become a tale about trust, resilience, and finding a way back to oneself.
This book pulled at me in ways I didn’t expect. The writing is gentle and raw, full of details that make even silence feel loud. Wren doesn’t say a word for much of the book, but her thoughts and emotions are laid bare through beautiful imagery, quick sketches, and soft moments between her and her grandmother. The mare, Talowa, becomes more than a metaphor, she’s a mirror. The way Wells writes their connection is tender without being saccharine. And Mimi, Wren’s grandmother, is quietly wonderful. She gives Wren space, makes mistakes, and listens better than most people ever do.
Wren’s pain is sharp and honest, but so much of it is held back behind carefully drawn scenes. The pacing can feel slow, especially in the middle, where the book lingers on similar beats. Still, those moments aren’t empty. They just simmer. And honestly, the slower parts give the reader a chance to breathe, to sit in the orchard with Wren, to feel the weight of memory pressing down alongside her.
This book is best for readers who are okay with stories that unfold like mist slowly dissipating. It’s perfect for teens who feel out of place, for adults remembering the ache of being twelve, and for anyone who’s ever needed something unspoken to feel a little less alone. Where the Orchard Ends doesn’t shout. It hums.
Pages: 297 | ASIN: B0FHBQ2VXP
Reassurance and Belonging
The Backyard Detectives: Operation Family Mystery follows a brother and sister who overhear a secret phone call, and become detectives to uncover what divorce means while holding each other up as their world feels like it is falling apart. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
For this book, I drew deeply from my own childhood. While there are pieces I changed or left out, the heart of the story comes from my personal experiences growing up. I wanted to create the kind of book my younger self desperately needed, something that would have helped me feel seen and less alone.
Divorce can feel like the end of the world for a child, and in the moment, it truly does feel that way. But looking back, I can see that even though it was hard, things did work out, and in some cases, it was even the best thing that could have happened for the kids involved. I wanted to capture that balance of honesty and hope. The story includes not only what I went through but also the words and reassurance I wish someone had given me at the time. My hope is that kids reading it today will feel supported and maybe find a little bit of comfort in knowing they’ll be okay, too.
One thing that stands out in your children’s book is the relationship between siblings Rose and Jacob, not just with each other, but also with their mom and their desire to protect one another. What was your process in writing the characters’ interactions to develop the bond they have?
Even though I grew up as an only child, I knew I wanted this story to highlight the importance of leaning on someone when life feels overwhelming. For some kids, that’s a sibling; for others, it might be a best friend who feels just like family. Either way, having that bond can make a world of difference.
When writing Rose and Jacob, I imagined what my younger self would have needed to hear or say if I’d had a sibling by my side. That made their protectiveness and closeness come naturally in the story. Their bond doesn’t just help them through the divorce, it shapes who they’ll become, making them extra protective of their mom and strengthening their family unit in a new way. In the end, I wanted their relationship to show kids that it’s okay to rely on the people who love you, and that sometimes tough moments can create unbreakable connections.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Mental health has always been very important to me, and the older I get, the more I realize how early those struggles can begin. One of the most important lessons I wanted to weave into this book is the message that you are not alone, and there is nothing wrong with you.
So often, kids going through big changes like divorce feel isolated or even blame themselves. I wanted The Backyard Detectives to be a safe place where a child could see their own feelings reflected and know it’s okay to have those emotions. If even one child reads this book and finds comfort in knowing they aren’t the only one, then to me, this story has done its job. That sense of reassurance and belonging is the true educational takeaway I hope every reader carries with them.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, Operation Family Mystery is the very first book in The Backyard Detectives series. The second book will follow Rose and Jacob as they face another difficult chapter in life, learning about cancer and coping with grief when their grandfather becomes ill.
While it’s a heavier topic, the story is told with the same mix of heart, hope, and detective fun, giving kids tools to process big feelings while still feeling safe and supported. My goal is to help young readers see that even in sad or scary moments, there can be love, connection, and resilience. This next installment is set to release before the holidays this year, and I can’t wait to share it with families.
For the latest updates on release dates and new projects, you can always visit www.christalmajestic.com.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In this heartfelt early chapter book for ages 7–10, siblings Rose and Jacob find themselves caught in a mystery they didn’t ask for—but can’t ignore.
After overhearing a late-night phone call, the pair stumbles into a web of hidden photos, whispered secrets, and quiet sadness. Armed with a notebook and their best detective skills, they launch a secret mission to uncover the truth behind the word that turned their world upside down.
Set in a cozy southern town, The Backyard Detectives: Operation Family Mystery is a gentle, emotionally rich story about family change, resilience, and the unshakable bond between siblings. Perfect for children’s bookshelves at home, in the classroom, or in counseling offices.
A comforting story for kids experiencing family change or divorce
Great for fans of sibling adventures, secret missions, and detective tales
Ideal for parents, educators, and therapists helping children process emotions
This realistic fiction chapter book is perfect for:
• Early readers transitioning from picture books
• Families looking for age-appropriate books about divorce
• Kids who love solving mysteries and uncovering clues
• Adults seeking tools to help children navigate big emotions and life transitions
Whether read independently or shared aloud, this moving story reminds young readers that even when families shift, love stays—and courage grows.
An Invaluable Depth to Education
Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm follows a young girl who is in the garden with her grandmother when she is frightened by a bee, so her grandmother takes her to visit a bee farm to learn about these amazing insects. What was the inspiration for your story?
I surprised my wife, Alicia, with a visit to a local beekeeper store because she was interested in becoming a beekeeper.
While reading through the children’s books they had about bees, I realized I could write a story that would connect with young readers more effectively and help them understand these amazing creatures in a deeper way.
What were some educational aspects about bees that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The book shows eight-year-old Bella Brown’s journey from fear of bees to fascination as she learns more about them. This transformation applies to all of us – the more we understand our fears, the easier they become to manage.
After reading books about bees and researching everything I could find online, I contacted a bee farmer in Pennsylvania called Aunt Fancy, who was incredibly generous with her knowledge.
She not only answered the fifteen most common questions kids have about bees, but shared additional fascinating details – like how bees communicate with one another through a special wiggle dance.
Everything Aunt Fancy shared with me went directly into the book, which is one of the reasons I dedicated it to her. While any of us can search online for information, speaking directly with experts provides an invaluable depth to education that you simply can’t get from research alone.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
It’s a two-way tie between two scenes:
First, the scene where Grandma Yetta asks Bella to help in the backyard garden. Readers see Bella standing in the doorway, dressed in oversized garden clothes – hat, gloves, boots – hugging a larger-than-normal garden bag stuffed with every kind of gardening tool. She beams and says, ‘I’m ready!’ You can see all of Bella’s enthusiasm and eagerness to help Grandma Yetta.
Then, when you turn the page, readers see a humongous, non-threatening bee with a friendly smile splashed across its face on the far left page, following Bella, who’s on the far right page, screaming ‘AHHHHHHHhhhhhhh!’ with all her garden tools flying out of her bag.
While there are no bees that size in real life, in an eight-year-old’s mind who’s afraid of bees, this is exactly how they might perceive them. But for readers viewing the scene, this oversized, smiling, friendly-looking bee is the complete opposite of threatening, which sets up the book’s central message perfectly
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Bella Brown and the direction of the next book?
I’ve written twelve picture books for children ages four to eight. Two are standalone books that take place in the same universe, as well as ten Bella Brown books – the first eight make up the core Bella Brown series, while books nine and ten launch the Bella Brown Holiday Series.
And in all my picture books, readers with keen eyes can spot Pip the Domovoi hidden in the background of various illustrations – it’s like my signature, so they know they’re reading one of my books.
The series gets especially exciting in Book Four, Bella Brown Meets Pip the Domovoi, where Bella’s late-night encounter with a tiny, blue-haired house spirit changes everything. When Pip desperately needs her help before sunrise to prevent Sinti from threatening both worlds, Bella discovers that the butterfly locket Grandma Yetta gave her isn’t just a family heirloom – it’s a magical key that makes her the guardian between two worlds.
In Book Five, Bella Brown—Dragonfly-Dragonfly-Dragonfly, Pip comes to Bella for help saving both worlds when Sinti threatens to shatter an ancient crystal at Earth’s core. Riding on the backs of 300-million-year-old dragonflies at 60 miles per hour, Bella must use everything she’s learned about being a Key Keeper to prevent both realms from merging into darkness.
Book Six, Bella Brown—Pip’s Perfect Purple Present, brings delightful chaos when Pip borrows Papa Pip’s magic paintbrush without permission to surprise Bella by painting her bedroom purple. But the paintbrush escapes and paints everything – Bella’s cat, Grandma Yetta, houses, the school, teachers, classmates, even zoo animals – in every shade and tone of purple imaginable. Can Pip catch the runaway paintbrush and undo the colorful catastrophe before everyone’s permanently purple and before Bella gets home from school?
Book Seven, Bella Brown’s Ten-Moon Mysteries, takes readers on a camping adventure in Grandma Yetta’s backyard, where Bella and two school friends share stories about the different colored moons they’ve witnessed together – from dramatic blood moons to mysterious blue moons, golden harvest moons to rare purple moons. Each moon color becomes a gateway to both scientific understanding and cultural traditions from around the world.
In Book Eight, Bella Brown’s Baking Bedlam, Bella and Pip attempt to make Grandma Yetta’s cookies but don’t know how to measure correctly. Soon they’re swimming in a kitchen full of ingredients. This book teaches what happens when measurements go wrong and includes three delicious cookie recipes kids can actually make.
The Holiday Series begins with Book Nine, Bella Brown’s Candy Cane Curfuffle, where Bella’s class dresses as Christmas figures from around the world, leading to debates about which figure should represent their school on the parade float (Santa Claus, Christkind, the Three Kings, Ded Moroz, Krampus, and Christmas witches). Can Bella and her classmates come together and break through their Christmas figure curfuffle and participate in the town’s annual Candy Cane Festival Parade?
Finally, Bella Brown’s Turkey Trot Tizzy (Book Ten) features Bella – the slowest runner in school – participating in a charity run where she encounters classmates stuck in mud, tangled in circus balloon strings, and even escaped zoo monkeys.
Each stop to help puts her further behind, but Bella discovers that sometimes finishing last means finishing first because you’ve put others first.
And moving on to my standalone book, The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed, is told from the perspective of Fred, a monster living under Bella’s brother Billy’s bed. I wrote it because I always wanted to know how the monster felt about having noisy children above.
It completely flips the traditional story – now the monster and his dust bunny friends are terrified of the human child stomping overhead.
The other standalone book, Pip’s Epic Treasure Hunt, expands authentic Slavic domovoi folklore by creating an original nine-clan system where Pip teams up with domovoi from Earth, Air, Fire, and Dimensional clans to find five legendary magical objects before Sinti, a mischievous shadow creature who threatens both the human and magical worlds, can use them for cosmic pranks.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When a friendly bee sends Bella running through Grandma Yetta’s garden, she never imagines the amazing world she’s about to discover. What starts as a scary encounter becomes an unforgettable journey to Farmer Joe’s bee farm, where Bella learns that sometimes the things that frighten us most can become the most fascinating.
From Fear to Wonder Watch Bella transform from a bee-fearing little girl into a confident nature lover as she uncovers the secret life of these incredible insects. Through colorful observation hives and fragrant flower gardens, she discovers how bees dance to communicate, work together like tiny factories, and help our world bloom.
Perfect for Young Nature Lovers This beautifully illustrated story gently teaches children about:
How bees make honey and pollinate plants
Why bees are essential to our food supply
The amazing teamwork inside a beehive
How to safely observe and appreciate nature
More Than Just a Story Packed with fascinating bee facts, a helpful glossary, and practical tips for creating bee-friendly gardens, this book turns reading time into learning time. Young readers will finish the story eager to help these hardworking creatures in their own backyards.
From the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author The third book in the beloved Bella Brown series combines heartwarming storytelling with gentle science education, perfect for children ages 4-8 who love nature, adventure, and overcoming their fears.
Ideal for:
Bedtime reading and classroom sharing
Children afraid of insects or bees
Young environmentalists and garden enthusiasts
Parents seeking educational yet entertaining stories
Join Bella as she learns that being brave doesn’t mean you’re never scared—it means you’re curious enough to look closer!
Perfect for budding nature lovers and anyone who’s ever been afraid of something new.
The Power of Imagination
Luella’s Library follows a young book-lover who invites her tech-obsessed best friend to her home library, where they wind up on an unexpected journey when a book opens a magical portal to enchanted worlds. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Getting lost in a book gives kids the opportunity to connect with characters, go on wild adventures, and make choices and opinions based on the plot. So, I decided to write Luella’s Library to show kids the magic of reading a book. Children will be able to follow Luella and Lino on the many adventures their book takes them on. Lino is inspired by one of my own cousins who loves to spend time playing games on his iPad, and Luella has traits of my sister, who has a library of books in her bedroom. Together, Luella and Lino travel through many enchanted lands, all of which have been inspired by my favorite Barbie and Disney movies growing up. As a child, I fell in love with the magical settings in Barbie and Disney; they were places that I wished to visit, which is why I chose to make the settings of my story have a similar vibe. I want kids to be able to feel like they’ve been sucked into these vibrant worlds along with my main characters. My goal is to show children in a fun, interactive, and relatable way that picking up a book can be more of an exciting experience than picking up an iPad.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
In the past few years, I’ve seen a major shift in how young kids spend their free time. Rather than using their imaginations to play games, read a book, or enjoy the outdoors, I’ve noticed that their playtime is heavily spent on their iPads and phones. It’s become less reading and more tapping. If this trend continues, kids won’t know the experience of getting lost in a book anymore and expanding their imagination. Will kids even be creative if they’re always told what to believe through their iPads and never form opinions of their own? This question inspired me to write Luella’s Library. I believe kids should learn at a young age the power of imagination and creativity in this digital world we live in today.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
My favorite scene to write was the scene where Luella, Lino, and their newfound leprechaun friend ride Pegasuses into the sky in a land filled with fairies, mermaids, and mystical forests. My favorite movies growing up were always the ones that included fairies or mermaids, so I felt like I was tapping back into my childhood dreams of living in a land with magical creatures.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
As of right now, I haven’t decided if I will make this into a series. Yet, I loved writing it and bringing the world of Luella’s Library to life, so there is definitely a possibility!
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Amazon
Luella loves to read books, but her best friend, Lino, doesn’t.
What Lino soon discovers is that the books in Luella’s library are magical! When one of her books transports them to an enchanted land, they have to face unexpected obstacles and help new friends.
Will Luella and Lino complete their journeys along the way? Will they be able to help their new friend find his way back home? Or will Lino choose his phone over the adventures Luella’s library has in store?
I Had A Fantastic Time
The Boy Who Cried Wolf! contains the reimagining’s of thirteen of Aesop’s beloved tales, complete with fresh language and vivid illustrations. How did you choose which stories you would feature in this unique collection?
The full collection is over 200 fables. Almost all of the available collections have all of the stories in them so the available books are pretty dense. I hand picked 13 that I felt were relatable and the general public had a sense of “familiarity” with; for example, many people loosely use the expression “the boy who cried wolf” and “slow and steady” wins the race but may not know exactly what the original reference is.
What did you enjoy most about the collaborative writing process?
I had a fantastic time working with my teenage sons. We collaborated, laughed at each other, argued, voted on many gridlock items like particular vocabulary words. I wanted to create a core memory before they leave for college and I would not have this opportunity again.
The artwork in this book is wonderful. What was it like to work with illustrators Kam Wing Lo and Lai Sun Ip?
The artwork is truly special in this book, and I’m really proud of it. Each picture took weeks, with us directly telling them exactly what we wanted and going back-and-forth with details including colors and background and placement and even the expression on the animals faces. Kam and Lai are truly talented.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon?
I would love to do a part two of this book and pick out maybe 13 more fables!
What are you currently working on?
I’m still exploring the new world of promoting and celebrating this book.
Author Links: Facebook | Website
Profound Learning Experience
Freckles is the sweet and heartwarming story about the unlikely friendship between a young girl and a duck decoy who spreads the message that being unique is something to be proud of. What was the inspiration for your story?
My inspiration stemmed from my daughter’s charming and unique, real relationship with a duck decoy she named “Freckles.” Since she was three, Freckles has been her constant companion, and their unusual friendship has touched the hearts of many, spreading joy wherever they go. It became clear to me that this story was worth telling from the moment they started interacting with others.
I dove into the project, dedicating countless hours to writing and exploring the publishing landscape. Thankfully, I connected with a publisher who resonated with my vision and a talented illustrator who brought my ideas to life on the pages. This journey has been a profound learning experience, filled with late nights to bring this tale to light.
I’m excited to share this uplifting tale about friendship, self-discovery, and the power of kindness. It’s a family-oriented book that chronicles Freckles’ adventures alongside my daughter and captures their special bond. I hope it brings joy to all who read it.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The book is written simplistically but has some deep underlying and important messages for children, such as empathy and friendship, showing the importance of kindness, and reaching out to others. It also encourages imagination and creativity while fostering emotional growth and embracing one main, simple truth: it’s okay to be different. My goal was to allow children to learn some valuable lessons in a heartfelt, light, and meaningful way.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator?
Thank you! I wanted art for the book that was focused on being real and true to the story, so I set out on a journey to find the right illustrator to convey this tale with watercolor in the most vibrant way. The collaboration process was incredibly rewarding; I shared my vision and the essence of Freckles and my daughter’s adventures. The illustrator took the time to understand the emotions and nuances I wanted to capture, which resulted in an authentic representation of our story. Together, we explored various styles and color palettes, ensuring the art not only complemented the narrative but also engaged young readers. The exchange of ideas and feedback created a beautiful synergy, culminating in illustrations that truly brought our enchanting tale to life. Communication was absolutely key, and providing real-life images helped us get through all illustrated-related challenges!
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
We aren’t sure what’s next for Mave and Freckles, but we know they have many more adventures ahead!
Author Links: GoodReads | Blue Balloon Books | Instagram | Amazon
Freckles is a captivating children’s story based on a true friendship between a little girl named Mave and her beloved duck decoy, Freckles. From the moment Mave pulls Freckles out of the box, it’s clear that he is no ordinary duck.
As Mave takes Freckles to school, the library, and around the community, he quickly becomes a source of comfort and happiness for everyone he meets. He starts to make an impact with his unique presence, fostering connections and encouraging kindness in a world filled with challenges.
Throughout their adventures, Freckles proves that being different is not only acceptable but something to be celebrated. He teaches those around him the importance of joy, compassion, and friendship. The story culminates in a powerful message: It’s okay to be different.
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, by Bertie Stephens, is a quirky and fast-paced middle-grade adventure that blends science, humor, and environmental themes with a heavy dose of curiosity and chaos. It follows the story of Ellie, an 11-year-old self-proclaimed scientist living in the endlessly rainy town of Hapsie. After witnessing her brand-new school go up in strange purple flames, Ellie is drawn into a mystery that includes jam jar experiments, mysterious adults, glowing embers, suspicious teachers, a secret science club, and a new girl who seems just a little too perfect. Armed with a fierce love of science and a head full of questions, Ellie digs deeper into what’s really going on, and ends up discovering more about the world (and herself) than she bargained for.
The writing is seriously fun. Bertie Stephens has a wild energy in his prose that feels like Roald Dahl with a scientific twist. There’s a real rhythm to the way he plays with narration, slipping in clever asides and running gags that make you grin without feeling overdone. The world-building in Hapsie is rich in detail, from a pothole nicknamed “Stego-hole” to an art teacher who inexplicably wipes down students’ faces with talcum powder. It’s packed with oddball characters and moments that are both funny and surprisingly touching. I loved how the book never talks down to the reader; it trusts kids to understand big ideas, and that trust feels earned. The science woven into the story isn’t just accurate, it’s exciting. Ellie’s obsession with the periodic table, her experiments with rainwater, and her balloon hypothesis all made me want to pull out a notebook and start investigating things myself.
Ellie is a joy. She is relatable, sharp, stubborn, and delightfully flawed, but Kami, her main “rival,” didn’t feel quite as developed early on. I found myself wanting to understand her a bit more beneath the confident, polished surface. Some of that depth does come through later. I loved the fast pace and witty writing. While a few moments felt a little rushed or slightly tangled, there were still plot twists that surprised me in the best way. This is a story that’s bursting with creativity, warmth, and just the right amount of scientific mayhem.
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is one of those rare stories that feels smart and silly in equal measure. It’s great for curious kids who love science, adventure, or just getting into a little trouble in the name of learning. Teachers and parents will appreciate its environmental message and the way it champions creative thinking without preaching. It reminded me how important it is to question the world around us and to never accept “that’s just the way it is” as an answer. If I had this book when I was eleven, I would’ve read it twice.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0F6T1ZMFX
LITERARY TITAN 