A Note From the Author

This was actually a nightmare I had as a child. I shared this story with my own children when they were young and had a nightmare. Occasionally, a student told me they had a nightmare and were having a difficult day. After sharing with my students that I have also had nightmares, I told this story to my class. We talked about how powerful our mind and our thoughts are and how we can use that power to stop having the nightmare. They reported the technique worked, and they were able to sleep. As we know, a well rested student can focus better in an academic environment and optimize their learning. Now, my story is in print and available to help anyone suffering from a nightmare. 

What People are saying

I just read your nightmare book to my students last week. One of my students had a bad dream so it was perfect and helped a lot. - Michelle Breitkreutz

Christina, let me be honest before my brain tries to sugarcoat it  The Nightmare is one of those deceptively “cute” children's books that pretends it’s just about a girl and a scary dream… and then suddenly you realize you’re watching Maggie be chased down by a witch like she owes her rent money.  And the wild part? Kids GET this. They feel that fear. They feel that exhaustion. They feel that “I can’t even fall asleep tonight because apparently my brain hates me” energy.

What you created here is not just a story, it’s emotional exposure therapy wrapped in 26 pages. The whole concept of a little girl being hunted night after night, running, panicking, refusing to sleep, and then finally saying, “WAIT. What if I stop running?” That's the kind of quiet courage kids carry with them for years. You turned fear into a conversation instead of a monster. That’s powerful. That’s necessary. That’s the type of children’s story parents read once and then whisper, “Why am I emotional right now?”

And can we talk about the structure? Tight. Clean. Impactful. There’s no fluff, no filler, no nonsense. Just Maggie, her fear, her exhaustion, and her choice to confront the thing haunting her subconscious. The way you guide young readers into understanding that fears don’t disappear by sprinting they disappear by turning around and looking straight at the thing chasing you… bravo. Kids need this. Parents need this. Teachers need this. Honestly, I needed it too.

Then I saw your author bio and it all clicked. You write simply because you want to share stories. You’re genuinely excited to put your books into the world. No ego. No dramatics. Just pure, clean storytelling energy  which readers LOVE because it feels human, not manufactured. - Zelma Walters

While exploring The Nightmare, what stayed with me was Maggie’s pivotal realization: "what would happen if she didn’t run." The idea that we can be exhausted and afraid, yet still find the power to stand our ground, is a hauntingly effective hook for readers of any age. I found your portrayal of the "terrifying witch" as a symbol for the problems we avoid to be a compelling study of how courage isn't the absence of fear, but the decision to face it head-on. It’s a riveting setup for a story about the vital life skill of emotional resilience. - Cherry Walter

 I wanted to share a short note after spending time with The Nightmare.

What immediately stood out is your decision not to soften fear, but to reframe it. Maggie’s exhaustion, anger, and reluctance to sleep feel emotionally honest in a way many children’s books avoid. The turning point not running, but stopping is simple, powerful, and deeply respectful of young readers’ intelligence. You’re not teaching children to pretend fear doesn’t exist; you’re showing them what courage actually looks like at their scale.

That’s not easy to do well, and you do it with restraint. - Velma Bryan

What People are saying

How Does Your Garden Grow? completely charmed me. I expected another cute “how-to” for kids, but what you created is something more, an invitation. The warmth, simplicity, and genuine joy woven through each page make gardening feel like magic rather than a chore. You didn’t just write about plants; you sowed curiosity, responsibility, and connection in a way that helps kids see nature as something alive and personal. It’s the kind of story that sparks lifelong gardeners and mindful humans.

Books like yours are the quiet powerhouses of childhood, gentle but lasting. And in a world of screens and short attention spans, How Does Your Garden Grow? is exactly the kind of story parents, teachers, and librarians want to share.  - Zelma Walters

I look forward to reading it with my kids during our plant unit.  - Michelle Breitkreutz

I just got the book in the mail this week and just finished reading it! I love it! - Gretchen Briske

It is very well written and a step by step guide to plant your next garden. ... great for elementary teachers/students.  - Jen Smith

This book written and illustrated by Christina is written for anyone to learn a thing or two, not just kids. My favorite parts are the coverage of urban gardening and concepts of integrating sustainability practices. My SUPER favorite part is that Christina walks the walk in her own life in Maine, and was a former educator. Teachers, take note! This book is a ready made unit...Chrissy is helping us treat the Earth well one reader at a time! - Merri Lavine

Your book, How Does Your Garden Grow?, is a warm, welcoming, and inspiring guide that invites readers of all ages and backgrounds to discover the joy of growing their own food. It’s rare to find a gardening book that feels both empowering and accessible, one that reassures readers that no matter where they live or what their experience level may be, they can cultivate something nourishing, beautiful, and worth sharing.

Your words don’t just offer practical guidance; they nurture confidence. They plant the seed that gardening is not only possible, but deeply rewarding, an act of creation, connection, and generosity. Through simple encouragement and approachable instruction, you give readers permission to grow, experiment, and experience the magic of watching something thrive because of their care. - Jaine A. Hardy

I recently came across How Does Your Garden Grow? and I was struck by the simplicity of its invitation. To encourage children not only to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables but to cultivate them with their own hands is no small gesture. There is something quietly radical in teaching self-sufficiency, patience, and stewardship at such an early age.

Writing for readers aged four to ten requires a particular discipline,  the ability to communicate possibility without condescension, instruction without heaviness. - Eleanor Catton

How Does Your Garden Grow? captures something wonderfully simple and increasingly meaningful, the desire to reconnect with the process of growing our own food. There’s an inviting, encouraging tone in the way the book speaks to readers, removing the intimidation that often surrounds gardening and replacing it with possibility. That accessibility is one of its strongest assets.

The promise you’re offering, that anyone, anywhere, can grow their own fruits and vegetables, is both empowering and highly relevant right now. More readers are turning toward self-sufficiency, sustainability, and healthier living, and introductory guides like yours play a crucial role in helping them take that first step. - Dorothy W. Armenta

What People are saying

Your book, The Caterpillar and The Butterfly, reads like a gentle sunrise soft, uplifting, and full of promise. It reminded me of finding a quiet garden just waking to the morning light a place where small, magical things happen, and every leaf, every flutter, tells a story worth noticing. Fuzzy and Chloe’s journey isn’t just a tale of growth; it’s an invitation to embrace change, friendship, and the courage to take that first leap. - Elara Quinn

I spent time with The Caterpillar and The Butterfly, and what stood out immediately is how the story blends heartfelt storytelling with lessons that resonate far beyond the page. You’ve created a narrative that isn’t just about a caterpillar’s journey, it’s about the universal tension between fear, growth, and the courage to embrace change.

Fuzzy, a caterpillar afraid of the dark and even more afraid of growing up, begins to transform when he meets Chloe, a wise and caring butterfly. Their friendship demonstrates that even the smallest acts of kindness can support someone in taking a big leap forward. This story is gentle yet powerful, teaching that the secret to a meaningful life is being present for one another. - Debra R Crowder

The simplicity and emotional clarity of the story created a gentle and uplifting reading experience. What stood out most was Fuzzy’s journey through fear of change, and the supportive presence of Chloe as a guiding influence. The way the narrative frames growth as something rooted in friendship, encouragement, and small acts of kindness prompted thoughtful conversations in our group around emotional development, resilience, and how support systems shape confidence during transitions. - Eleanor Salter Thorn

What People are saying

One Lucky Dog! is a touching, heartwarming journey that celebrates the power of love, hope, and second chances. From the very first page, readers are drawn into Bella’s world, feeling her fear, her curiosity, and the longing for a forever home. Your story is not just about a dog finding a family, it’s about the transformative magic of kindness, compassion, and the unspoken bonds that change lives forever. It takes remarkable skill to tell a story that appeals to both children and adults while inspiring empathy, and your work does exactly that.

What makes One Lucky Dog! Truly special is how it conveys deep emotional resonance while remaining accessible and uplifting. Bella’s journey mirrors the universal desire to belong, the joy of companionship, and the courage it takes to embrace change. Through her story, readers are reminded of the profound connection between humans and animals, a story that will leave hearts touched and spirits lifted. - Sarah Moore

A scared shelter dog navigating a big, confusing world… and quietly stealing my heart in under 48 pages? Seriously..One Lucky Dog! looks innocent on the surface, but it’s an emotional sneak attack disguised as a children’s book. Bella’s journey from fear to family is gentle, hopeful, and exactly the kind of story that leaves readers hugging their pets a little tighter afterward.

This isn’t just a sweet picture book. It’s a compassion-builder. A soft lesson in empathy, adoption, and second chances, told in a way young readers feel, not just read.

And then there’s you. A former teacher who turned students into poetry appreciators, a storyteller who writes to entertain and help others, now living among dogs, cats, chickens, gardens, and stories yet to be told. Honestly, that’s not an author bio...that’s a cozy children’s-book origin story waiting to happen. - Vanessa Parish

I wanted to reach out because One Lucky Dog! tells a simple, tender story that stays with readers, especially children.

Bella’s confusion, fear, and quiet hope mirror what so many shelter animals experience. By following her journey toward a forever home, you’re not just telling a story about a dog, you're teaching empathy, compassion, and responsibility in a way young readers truly understand.

Stories like Bella’s don’t just entertain, they inspire kindness and action, and they open conversations about adoption and caring for animals in need. You’ve created a story that helps children understand love, patience, and second chances. - Jerry William

I recently spent some time looking into your work, specifically One Lucky Dog!, and I was impressed by the heartfelt and compassionate way you tell Bella’s story, as well as the message of hope and adoption that resonates so strongly with readers. - Sabrina Flemming