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My Visit with 5th Graders

There are moments in life that reaffirm why we pursue our passions, and my visit to my daughter’s 5th-grade class last month was one of them. (Don’t worry, I only caused her mild embarrassment.) Since my books might be a bit young for these almost-middle-schoolers (Also, how is my baby already on the brink of middle school?!!) I chose to focus on sharing my journey to becoming an author instead of reading from my work. I talked about how my love for writing took root at a young age and grew stronger through journaling, storytelling, and eventually studying English in college.

The students were very engaged in the conversation and their questions were thoughtful and curious. We talked about goal setting—how recognizing our interests early can shape the skills we cultivate. Seeing their excitement reinforced the power of storytelling and the importance of pursuing what sparks joy.

After my visit, the students surprised me with a heartfelt thank-you card, signed by each of them. Their words and appreciation put the biggest smile on my face—a beautiful reminder of why I love sharing my passion for writing.

I left with a renewed sense of purpose, hoping that my visit inspired even one future writer in that room. Because every story begins with an idea, and sometimes, all it takes is encouragement to bring it to life.

Spreading the Word About Mac and Cheese in Outer Space

Since publishing Mac and Cheese in Outer Space last November, I’ve been on an incredible journey sharing the whimsical world of intergalactic cheesy adventures with readers of all ages. One of the most rewarding highlights so far has been my recent visit to my children’s school for an in-house author event.

I had the absolute pleasure of reading my book to a room full of bright-eyed, curious second graders. Their energy was contagious and they were completely immersed in the story.

During the Q&A session, the students blew me away with their thoughtful questions and creative ideas. They told me which planet’s mac and cheese they’d want to try the most (most votes went to Flaming Hot Cheeto dust on Mars, while others were intrigued by Neptune’s blue). Then came their suggestions for where the Mac and Cheese Please, Please, Please crew should venture next. Let me tell you, their imaginations are out of this world! I couldn’t help but grab my phone to jot down their incredible ideas—they were simply too good to forget.

This visit reminded me why I wrote this book in the first place: to spark joy, creativity, and a sense of wonder. Seeing young readers engage with the story and contribute their own imaginative twists has been nothing short of magical.

As I continue to spread the word about Mac and Cheese in Outer Space, I’m more inspired than ever to reach more schools, libraries, and communities.

Let’s keep the creativity flowing, one cheesy idea at a time.