Dearest friends,

In a recent video of mine, "Writing/Illustrating A Book & Figuring Out Life After Art School," I told you all about my decision to become a freelance illustrator and writer! I'm currently working on a middle grade children's story, and it has been the highlight of my days! There's nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing than writing and illustrating this story! YAY!!!

I would like to send a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has been so supportive of my decision, and enthusiastic about eventually reading my book!

The topic of today's video is about the importance of reading children's literature as a child, but even more so, the importance of returning to children's literature as adults! This is something that has been on my mind for a very long time now, especially because of working on my own "children's story." As I've been writing my book, I've been thinking about it's potential readers. How, even though, it's a "children's" story, it's also an everyone's story! Something that I hope people of all ages could read and enjoy! As you may be able to tell, I'm very passionate about this topic and thought it would be fun to make a video about!
This is really just an excuse to chat to you about the great influence certain authors and illustrators have had on my life! (...and of course an excuse to show you their beautiful words and "decorations!") :)

All in all, my plea for you is to please return to children's literature! Just because you're an "adult" doesn't mean you can't reconnect with the child inside of you, and return to the books that shaped you in the very beginning!

If you do still read and love children's lit, I'd love to chat all about it in the comments!

Sending you my very best wishes!
Carolyn Marie :)

***The writing/illustrating vlog mentioned    • Writing/Illustrating A Book & Figurin...  

***The trailer for the film "Goodbye Christopher Robin" starring Domhnall Gleeson (A.K.A. LEVIN!!!!) as the writer A. A. Milne (a favorite of mine)    • Goodbye Christopher Robin Trailer #1 ...  

***Beatrix Potter documentary    • Who Was The Real Beatrix Potter? | Pa...  

***The Art of E H Shepard    • THE ART OF E. H. SHEPARD  

***The trailer for the stop motion film of "The Little Prince" (which is one of my top top TOP favorite movies EVER! Please watch it!!!)    • The Little Prince Official Trailer #1...  

My Social Media: CarolynMarieReads
***My Website/Portfolio https://carolyncastagnaart.wixsite.co...
***Art/Book Instagram   / carolynmariereads  
***GoodReads   / carolynmariereads  
***Business inquiries: [email protected]

***My Etsy Shop (some sold out, but more still available!!! https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolynMari...

***Want to write to me or send something?
Carolyn Castagna
P. O. Box 773
Greenlawn NY 11740
United States
**Please don't feel like you need to send me anything, but if you'd like to I would be honored!!!** :)

***About me
I just graduated from college at the Fashion Institute of Technology with my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration with a minor in English/Writing.
My greatest passion in life is combining my two loves, literature and art!

Happy Reading :)


#childrensliterature #childrensbookillustrators #beatrixpotter #aamilne #ehshepard #childrensclassics