After pouring my heart and soul into this book, I’m thrilled to introduce "In My Garden," a story that has been a true labor of love for me. Gardening has always been one of my favorite pastimes, and writing this book has allowed me to combine my passion for children’s literature and nature with my desire to share meaningful lessons about patience, strength, and gratitude with young readers.

I started writing this children’s book as an outside of work passion-project during the pandemic. I loved turning my attention regularly to challenge myself to take on something new and different. While I’ve read children’s books my whole life and currently serve as a school leader, I’ve never authored a book for kids. I remember thinking at the time, truly - how hard could this be? (Laughing to myself now!)

Bit by bit I learned about the writing and book publishing process. I worked with an illustrator located in the Ukraine when the war first started and page by page she beautifully illustrated my words. I’ve become familiar with a wide range of publishing alternatives and formats. At times it felt like despite everything I did, it was just one small step in a project that truly only mattered to me. While we talk all the time about helping our students embrace growth experiences in life, it is entirely different for us as adults. Perseverance, patience and a willingness to admit what you don’t know are among the biggest lessons I have learned through my author journey. I’m proud to share this journey with our students and any interested adults who ask. Hard work leads to the biggest feelings of personal joy for me.

It’s my hope that In My Garden will inspire children (and adults!) to see the magic in nature and perhaps even start their own garden. The story follows young Jaki as she embarks on an adventure with her grandmother, discovering the beauty and magic of springtime gardening. Together, they explore the unique meanings of each flower, and Jaki learns how her garden can be a reflection of herself.