I’ve never been so excited about introducing a new book, of my creation, to the world. There’s something really special about a children’s book—or is it… magical?

(Actually, the feeling does rival—or surpass—the excitement of publication day for a first novel…!)

Is it the tiny size—or the tiny human who’s the intended audience? Is it the thrill of being the first to introduce some concept about life—and the living of it—to a brand-new mind? Or is it the chance to get in touch with my own inner child and dwell on all that makes life sometimes so wondrous?

I’ve always wanted to write for children. What can possibly be more fun? There’s that indescribable draw of writing for children, writing in the land of “everything is fun and new.”

I picked one idea and ran with it: how all my stories come to be. And What Wonders Do You See… When You Dream? was born. In some ways, it was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever written. For one, it rhymes! And then, there’s the standard, acceptable length of a children’s picture book. Thirty-two pages is very concise! (Especially after writing a 626-page novel.)

And then, there’s the choice of writing to be read by children or heard by children. I chose the latter. And I took the choice seriously. I read the verses aloud over and over and over again to get the rhythm, the rhyming, the tone and playfulness, all just right.

And that’s even before navigating the ocean of artists to find the perfect illustrator! But I found her—in Ukraine—and Liuba Syrotiuk’s watercolor paintings and imagination create the perfect, dreamy atmosphere for a dream theme.

I loved the challenge, the entire process, of writing my first children’s book. So much so that the new ideas came flooding in, and I’ve been writing the next and the next.

There are more gorgeous children’s picture books and surprising themes to come. I can’t wait to take you on the adventure with me!

And it all starts with a question for you: What Wonders Do You See… When You Dream?