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About Kristen

me

I am your friendly local children's librarian and author with a touch of speech aphasia. I’ve been an elementary education teacher, children’s librarian, and a national speaker on early literacy. Then I had a stroke, which slowed my roll. Now I spend my days writing, either my own books or about how to use other people's books to promote literacy skills. Aside from my deep, abiding love for chocolate, children’s books are my passion. Unlike chocolate, the more books I get my hands on, the better.

I am thrilled to announce that GROUNDHOG’S DILEMMA is available!  My debut picture book is published by Charlesbridge and is illustrated by the award-winning author/illustrator (and super-cute husband), Matt Faulkner.
You can buy the book at www.indiebound.org , at your local independent bookshop, at Barnes and Noble, or at Amazon.

The second book in the series, SQUIRREL NEEDS A BREAK, is available, too! Same great team, same great cast of characters! You can find this fun ode to dads at indiebound.org, your favorite local indie bookshop like Sidetrack Bookshop or The Book Beat, at Barnes and Noble, or at Amazon.

I'm hootin' for joy because the third book, OWL'S FALL FEAST FIASCO came out in the fall of 2025! Find it at your favorite independent bookshop, (mine are Sidetrack Bookshop, The Book Beat, and Calliope Bookshelf), at Barnes & Noble, or at Amazon.

I'm excited to announce that I'll have a new picture book published by Simon & Schuster in 2028! STORYTIME FOR PIERCE is about a young hedgehog who has trouble getting his words out in front of others but still wants very much to go to storytime, especially because Ms. Paige lets everyone dance with scarves at the end. Those of you who have been in my storytimes over the years will know exactly where I got this idea from! It will be illustrated by none other than the illustrious Matt Faulkner, exceptional artist and my amazing husband.

For those with a slightly darker sense of humor, my alter ego, Helen Wrath, has published a book called DRAW WITH A VENGEANCE: GET EVEN IN INK AND LET KARMA HANDLE THE REST. There's no cursing and it's all cartoon drawing, but it does go to the dark side, so only check it out if you need a good, cathartic laugh. If you'd like a signed copy, email me. We snarky ones need to stick together.