Creator Interview: Christina Shawn

Author, Reading Specialist, Literacy Coach, & Mother

I'm so excited that my first creator interview of the new year is with Christina. She's the author of 3 beautiful picture books: AND THEN CAME YOU (Chronicle Books, Illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani), LUCAS PLAYS (Illustrated by Shawn Yu), and NO LOVE POTION (illustrated by Merry Miller-Gass), which publishes September 2026. In 2027 Christina will add two more titles to her growing list of children's books: NO HATS ALLOWED (Sleeping Bear Press) and FIGALINA: Nonna's Italian Fig Tree (Ciao! Books).

I so enjoyed AND THEN CAME YOU, a story about how a growing family helps love grow, too. This book feels so personal and close to my heart... it's almost the exact story of my own family. It can be difficult to explain to young children how adding a new family member doesn't take any love away from them, but multiplies it instead. Christina's story does just that, with tender lyricism and fun page turns. Add this one to your next library haul if you haven't read it already!

I learned that Christina and I share similar journeys- we're both mothers with a background in literacy, and we began exploring our passion for writing while staying home with our children. I know so many women in the kidlit space who can relate, and I'm delighted to share her interview with you... plus a fantastic giveaway!

"I hope that my writing helps children feel seen, heard, and understood as their whole selves, validating their full range of emotions."

How did your journey as a KidLit creator begin?

I always loved to write but never planned to be a writer. I was a middle school English teacher and Reading Specialist, then a preschool Literacy Coach. While I was staying home to raise my kids I sort of accidentally wrote a book for them. At the time my son was 4 years old and playing the violin. I couldn’t find a book about a kid like him playing the violin so I wrote the story. That process sparked something inside of me and I was hooked.

What is your favorite thing about creating for children?

I hope that my writing helps children feel seen, heard, and understood as their whole selves, validating their full range of emotions. When children ask for my books again and again - that’s one of my favorite parts. Also, I love seeing the world through a child’s point of view. It allows me to experience life with wonder and playfulness and I like to live that way as much as possible.

This is an industry full of high highs and low lows. What are some of the peaks and valleys you've experienced in your career?

That is for sure! At my lowest I think I lost myself a bit. I let email responses, feedback, and rejections dictate my mood and even my self-worth at times. A high for me came as a direct result of that low. I decided to focus on what I could control - my literacy work, interacting with libraries and students, and having fun with my writing.

Do you have a "day job"? If so, what is it, and how do you create balance between your "day job" and your work as a creator?

My current “day job” is being a mom to three kids, showing up at all the soccer games and concerts, and trying to remember what day it is. There is rarely an even balance. My family is my priority, but I need a steady stream of creative endeavors to be my best self. Sometimes a story will hold my focus and I don’t make dinners or do laundry, etc. Other times, the stories are just whispers in the background while my family takes center stage. The best times are when I can write while they are at school and put it away (mostly) when they are home. 

Describe your perfect writing/illustrating/creating day.

It begins with a hot cup of coffee and a short cozy meditation. Maybe some journaling. Then time to write or revise. I will inevitably get stuck and need a walk or a snack. Then back to it. A break to shower or fold laundry, then back at it with fresh eyes. I love the days when the story plays in my mind while I’m driving or walking, when an idea pops up at the most unexpected moment and I jot it down, and when the hours of unpuzzling a problem result in the ah-ha moment that makes it all fit together.

What motivates you to keep going when this industry gets you down?

In those low moments I have to return to WHY it’s fun. Creating fun, silly, beautiful stories is FUN for me and the creativity makes me feel very Christina. If I can’t write, then in those moments I find something else creative to do (play piano, paint pumpkins, make a fairy house outside, make up a silly song) and that almost always leads me back to writing.

What is a favorite craft tip you'd like to share with other creators?

Trust your gut. If a part makes you giggle every time you read it, keep it. You will read your book more than anyone else. And if deep down you know you must kill a darling, do it. You will be glad you did later when you read your story one million times over. Write for yourself first, and then your story will find the readers who connect with it.

What are your top 3 favorite books of all time (any age range)?

The Paper Bag Princess

Kate Who Tamed the Wind

Norman Didn’t Do It (Yes He Did)

The Alchemist

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Who are some authors or illustrators that inspired your style as a creator?

Amy Krause Rosenthal

Dr. Seuss

Shel Silverstein

Adam Rex

Liz Garton Scanlon

And so many more!

What advice do you have for someone considering starting their journey as a KidLit creator?

Do it! Do it for yourself and then find the courage to share it with one person, three, then more and more. The joyful, creative energy that we put into our books travels through them to our readers and something as beautiful as that can bring light, love, and connection to the world.

Speed Round: This or That!

Let us get to know you better! You must pick ONE- no "I don't know" or "neither" allowed! Ready... Go!

Summer or Winter?	​Summer
Chocolate or Vanilla?	Vanilla​
Cats or Dogs?	Dogs​
Playlists or Podcasts?	Both
Text or Call?	Both​
Unicorn or Dragon?	Unicorn​
Ice Cream or Cake?	Ice Cream​
Physical Books or E-Books?	Physical for picture books, e-books for novels​
Fiction or Non-Fiction?	​Fiction
Sunrise or Sunset?	​Sunset

It's Giveaway Time!

Christina is generously offering one reader a choice of either a 30 minute AMA or a fiction picture book critique (up to 750 words)!

Click Here to Enter the Giveaway!

For an extra entry, share this post on X or Instagram! (Only one extra entry per person)

That's it! The giveaway closes on Monday, February 2nd at 11:59pm EST!

Be sure to connect with Christina! Visit her website or follow her on social media:

X: @ChristinaShawn2

Facebook: Christina Shawn Books

Instagram: @ChristinaShawnBooks

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