STEM + SEL: The Dynamic Duo
Every great superhero needs a sidekick. Batman has Robin. Buzz has Woody. And in the world of learning, STEM has SEL. Together, they make an unbeatable team.

STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math—helps kids discover how the world works. It’s the power of asking questions, solving problems, and exploring everything from baking cookies to launching rockets.

​​SEL—Social-Emotional Learning—helps kids discover how they work in the world. It gives them the super-skills of empathy, resilience, teamwork, and kindness.
​
On their own, they’re strong. But when STEM and SEL team up, they become a storytelling superpower. Let's talk about how, together, they can conquer the world.

I’m thrilled to share that The Wonder of Under won 3rd Place in the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) KidLit Awards, with judges also naming its title as one of their favorites. For a debut, self-published picture book, this recognition is such an incredible honor.
​
What makes this moment even sweeter is remembering how the book came to life. The story was inspired by my granddaughter, who, as a curious crawler, loved peeking under rugs and couches again and again. I jokingly called it “the wonder of under,” and soon the phrase grew into a story about imagination and discovery.

​Snip, Stitch, Storytime
Do you remember turning something old into something new—like magic with scissors and thread? Nancy Bess Had a Dress is a heartwarming picture book that wraps resilience, creativity, and vintage charm into one delightful daisy-print package. With awards already lining its metaphorical sewing basket (including the 2025 Librarians’ Favorite Award!), this little gem has clearly stitched its way into many hearts—and now, mine too.

In When the World Slowed Down: How We Were Reminded That We Are All Connected, author Ronda M. Wojcicki takes a moment in history and turns it into a beautifully told story for young readers. With a light touch and a lot of heart, this book gently helps kids understand what the world went through—and how we grew through it. Whether your child lived through 2020 or just hears whispers of it, this story makes sense of the moment with clarity, care, and a whole lot of hope.
​
A Gentle Welcome: First Impressions
Open the cover and you’re instantly greeted with “20 ways to slow down when life gets hectic”—an invitation to breathe deeply and dive in. The writing? It’s cozy and clear, like a warm cup of cocoa for the soul. Each page leaves room to think, feel, and just be, which is 

A Weekend With Writers, Wonder—and Tiny Moments of Divine Inspiration
There’s something delightfully reassuring about being around fellow writers who understand what it’s like when your protagonist refuses to behave. That’s the energy at the Taylor University Professional Writing Conference, held July 24–26.
​
It was a weekend sprinkled with insight, encouragement, humor, and the sense that God was right there in the middle of all our creative chaos. So, here’s what happened when writers, faith, and notebooks full of inspiration collided.