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Once you’re signed in, simply click the event link and you’re ready for storytime!

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✨ Adventure guaranteed.

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I intentionally saved Tails for last.

He isn’t the main character of Nora Escapes the Bakery, but somehow he enters every scene like he owns the boardwalk. Fast paws. Sharp eyes. A grin that usually means somebody is about to lose a crumb.

Tails is playful, energetic, and impossible to fully predict. Around the beach, you have to stay alert. One moment everything feels calm. The next moment something reddish-brown darts behind a palm tree and suddenly your snack is gone.

That’s part of what makes him fun and part of what makes him dangerous.

Adventures are exciting, but adventures also ask us to pay attention to what moves around us. Some dangers arrive loudly. Some arrive smiling.

Especially the ones who already have a reputation for snatching crumbs.

The Energy of the Chase

When I first imagined Tails, I knew I didn’t want him to feel still for even a second.

I pictured movement before I pictured dialogue. I imagined a creature who rushes into scenes with excitement spilling out ahead of him. A squirrel who leaps before thinking. A squirrel whose biggest brag is the chase itself.

When I described him to Brandon D. Gunning, my illustrator, I explained that I wanted Tails to feel sleek, agile, and slightly overwhelming. I imagined a body full of curved motion and fluffy reddish-brown fur that looked almost cinnamon-colored in the sunlight. I wanted his oversized tail to feel theatrical, like it enters the room before he does.

Most importantly, I wanted readers to feel his hunger for excitement… and cookies! Tails is about about pursuit. He loves the thrill of catching something before it escapes. Because it’s fun!

Brandon absolutely understood the assignment.

From Sketch to Squirrel

Seeing Tails fully illustrated for the first time actually made me laugh.

Brandon captured every ounce of his chaotic energy. The giant tail. The wide grin. The expressive eyes. The outstretched arms that make him feel like he is either about to hug someone or tackle them straight into the sand.

And that uncertainty is exactly who Tails is. He’s fun to watch, read about, and chase through the story. But you probably shouldn’t leave your cookies unattended around him.

Every character in Nora Escapes the Bakery carries a different emotional rhythm. Nora carries longing. Preston carries warmth. Gayle carries comfort. Dune carries wonder.

Tails carries momentum. The second he appears, things move faster.

The Lesson Hidden in the Crumbs

As I continued writing the story, I realized Tails represented something deeper for me.

Sometimes excitement pulls us forward so quickly that we stop paying attention to what’s happening around us. Sometimes curiosity outruns caution. Sometimes the things that sparkle and rush toward us are not always safe to follow blindly.

I’m not saying we stop exploring. But can we learn awareness while we wander.

I think that’s one of the quiet lessons hidden inside Nora Escapes the Bakery. Courage matters. Dreams matter. Adventure matters. But awareness matters too.

Especially near the boardwalk, palm trees, and when you hear tiny footsteps racing nearby.

The Final Character Reveal

And just like that… you’ve officially met the bakery crew.

Nora.
Preston.
Gayle.
Dune.
And now Tails.

Looking back at these character reveals has been emotional for me because each article brought this world a little closer to reality. What began as imagination, sketches, revisions, and scattered thoughts has slowly become something readers will finally get to hold in their hands.

The bakery door opens June 1.

Tails probably got there before everybody else.

Which character are you most excited to see in Nora Escapes the Bakery? 🍪🐿️

The adventure officially begins Sunday, May 31 from 7:00 PM–7:45 PM EST, and you’re invited to bring your little readers along for the journey.

Join me LIVE on Substack as I celebrate the launch of Nora Escapes the Bakery and officially kick off:

🍪🌞Nora’s Crumb Trail - Summer Reading Adventure 🍪🌞

During the Livestream, I will:

• Read a LIVE preview reading of the Nora Escapes the Bakery📖

• Share behind-the-scenes moments from Nora’s world✨

• Introduce the “Design Your Own Cookie” summer activity 🎨

• Launch a summer filled with imagination, courage, creativity, and adventure🧁

DESIGN YOUR OWN COOKIE 🍪

Kids can:

• Draw a cookie inspired by the story

• Name their cookie

• Describe its flavor, personality, or special powers

Selected drawings will be featured throughout the summer on www.crumbtrailpublishing.com

OFFICIAL RULES FOR PARENTS & EDUCATORS:

• Post their child or student’s drawing on Instagram📸

• Use #NoraEscapesTheBakery🏷️

• Tag @AuthorDevansEli 🏷️

• Your profile must be public and your DMs must be open so we can view your submission and contact selected Cookie Creators

Throughout June, July, and August, selected Cookie Creators will receive “Golden Crumb Prize Packs” filled with sweet summer surprises!

• Custom Nora beach towel🏖️

• Pizza adventure night prize🍕

• Sticker pack🍪

• Bracelets✨

• Bookmarks🔖

…and special recognition for joining Nora’s Summer Reading Adventure!

Giveaway submissions close August 23, 2026!

READY FOR TAKEOFF ✨

Bring your kids to the live, get cozy, and come celebrate the beginning of Nora’s next adventure with me. 🍪✨

LIVE📍

(Scheduled Aug 31st at 7pm EST):
https://open.substack.com/live-stream/204499

🌊 Hop on Nora’s Crumb Trail

Nora’s Crumb Trail

Adventures, games, and cookie fun with Nora & Preston!

By Devans Eli

Most of the stories that I come up with originate from conversations I’ve had with friends or dreams. And me being an overthinker, I usually ruminate every funny detail or surreal image I envision. But that ends up becoming a crazy outlandish story. Usually funny, shocking, and somehow relatable.

Nora is just that.

Though I spent my childhood drawing on paper, I’m only now venturing into digital art. I’m still a student of the craft. I also knew that I didn’t want to use AI for my children’s book because I wanted to ensure that a human could draw out the soul of the main character. I needed a person to capture those heavy moments and little nuances.

For Nora Escapes the Bakery, I partnered with Brandon D. Gunning, an experienced Black illustrator based in Jamaica whose work spans children’s books, comics, fantasy storytelling, and freehand digital art. From toddlers to early readers to older kids, his work captures personality in motion.

When I began searching for someone to bring Nora to life, I was looking for someone who would understand her and have that technical skill. Since I’m a creative myself, I can spot genuine artistry from a mile away.

Not only did Brandon take time to read my manuscript, he understood the themes in a story, saw the big picture moments, and he noticed very subtle details. I knew then that he was the “architect” I needed.

Below is our conversation about art, imagination, and why Nora matters.

Interview with Brandon D. Gunning

On Art & Background

Devans: Hi Brandon. Tell us about yourself, your illustration style, and how your background in Jamaica influences the stories you bring to life.

Brandon: Hi there! Brandon D. Gunning here! I love animation, story writing and illustration.

Growing up, there was a huge anime and Disney following. I love how Disney captures childhood wonder in their illustrations and movies, so I’ve tried to master that through years of studying the arts and human anatomy.

On Discovering Nora

Devans: When you first read Nora Escapes the Bakery, what stood out to you? And how did you approach visually capturing Nora’s emotional journey?

Brandon: I saw a girl who needed to see the world for herself. I wanted to capture her curiosity and determination in the new environment she was seeing for the first time.

When Nora was excited, I wanted the readers to see what she sees—a great big world to explore. But when she was sad, it was important to show the intimate close-ups of the emotional journey she was going through in the drawings.

~~~

Devans: What makes Nora different from other characters you’ve illustrated?

Brandon: She was the first cookie character I’ve ever drawn with such strong human-like qualities.

On Craft & Process

Devans: Walk us through your creative process. What does a Nora illustration look like from first sketch to final color, and what was the most challenging part of bringing her to life?

Brandon: The most challenging part was trying not to make Nora look like a generic round cookie like her siblings. She’s the main character, so she needed to stand out. Thankfully, you wanted to add a bow—I also added a heart-shaped symbol on her chest and gave her beautiful eyes. That’s when she really started to look like the lead.

~~~

Devans: Nora is a cookie. How do you visually communicate emotion in a character who isn’t human?

Brandon: The strongest emotional tools are usually the eyes and the body language. It was important to capture a visual image that fit the narrative of the story at that exact moment.

On Meaning

Devans: What does Nora mean to you personally?

Brandon: To me, she represents having the courage to explore what your heart desires. It might have its challenges, but the lessons learned are worth more than gold.

~~~

Devans: What do you hope children take away from this story?

Brandon: Don’t stay in your jar. It’s important to be brave and make friends.

~~~

Devans: Why do you believe a story like Nora is needed in our world right now?

Brandon: To remind us that even though the world can feel unfair sometimes, it is also filled with loved ones to help us through our journey.

Rapid Fire Questions

Devans: Favorite cookie flavor?

Brandon: Oatmeal raisin cookies (yum).

~~~

Devans: One word to describe Nora.

Brandon: Adventurous!

~~~

Devans: Which character took a life of their own during the illustration process?

Brandon: Tails the squirrel! He was so hungry that he ended up with such a crazy look in his expression.

Devans: Yes! He is always hot on the chase! Thanks for sitting down with me to chat about Nora, Brandon. Any parting words for our readers?

Brandon: Readers, I hope you and your loved ones enjoy Nora’s story and the important lessons that it holds. It was an honor working on this project.

About Brandon

Based in Jamaica, Brandon D. Gunning is a premier digital illustrator dedicated to bringing high-quality, human-driven artistry to children’s literature, comics, and fantasy worlds. By blending the expressive energy of Anime with the timeless wonder of Disney, Brandon creates vibrant narratives that resonate with everyone from toddlers to older children. He has spent years mastering human anatomy and dynamic composition, allowing him to breathe life into characters that feel authentic and relatable. Whether he is designing a unique character with deep emotional complexity or illustrating a grand adventure, Brandon’s focus remains on capturing the soul of the story… a detail only a human artist can truly achieve. For me, Brandon is a intentional artist who can make a full page illustration an entire experience.

For authors and creators looking to elevate their projects, Brandon offers a collaborative and professional experience as a top-rated illustrator on Fiverr. He specializes in transforming initial concepts into polished, professional-grade assets through a meticulous process of freehand digital art. Known for his ability to read between the lines and find the subtle emotional beats in a script, Brandon ensures every project stands out from the generic. From bold, outlandish tales to intimate character studies, he provides the artistic vision necessary to help independent authors compete on a global stage and truly connect with their readers.

Explore more of Brandon’s work:

Connect with Brandon to work with him on Fiverr

Brandon D. Gunning on Fiverr

Follow him on Instagram

@brandon_d_gunning on IG

Something special is coming next week. 🍪

For interviews, media inquiries, review copies, or event opportunities, please contact: authordevanseli@gmail.com

The blueprints are finalized, and the coast is clear.

I’ve been quiet for a reason. We’ve been preparing for the greatest breakout in bakery history.

On June 1st, 2026, the mission begins: Nora Escapes the Bakery.

The Mission: Run

What if there’s more to life than waiting to be chosen?

So one day… Nora, the spunky Butterscotch cookie, stops waiting.

She dashes!

And everything changes.

Get the Blueprint today (Preorder Now)

Choose an escape path.

The Pocket Map: eBook (Amazon)

Be ready to read the moment the mission begins.🗺️
Preorder the eBook

eBook Edition

The Master Plan: Hardcover (Barnes & Noble)

Be part of Nora’s very first batch leaving the bakery.📖
Preorder the Hardcover

Hardcover Laminate Edition

Official Release: June 1, 2026

Preorders help Nora’s story reach more readers 💛

What to expect from Nora

Nora’s escape plan is filled with:

• Courage in uncertain moments

• Friendship when things feel scary

• Discovery beyond what feels safe

It is a story that reminds children (and the inner child in us all):

Even when things fall apart, you are still enough. 🫂

Here’s a Peek Inside the Adventure

Nora leaves the bakery…

She runs from a hungry squirrel.

She climbs a mountain that isn’t what it seems.

She flies through the sky holding onto a kite.

And along the way, she learns something she never expected.

This “Master Plan” is perfect For

• Children ages 5–10

• Bedtime reading and shared storytime

• Classrooms and group learning

• SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) discussions

• Parents and caregivers seeking meaningful, fun stories

💡 Includes built-in discussion prompts and a bake + draw activity to extend the adventure and bring the story into real life.

Follow the Crumbs

Nora’s Crumb Trail—her safe house beyond the bakery—is now open:

Nora’s Crumb Trail

Adventures, games, and cookie fun with Nora & Preston!

By Devans Eli

This is where her story continues to grow:

• Analog Intel: Printable games to enjoy away from screens

• Creative Maneuvers: Activities to explore and create at home

• Cookie Profiles: Meet the friends (and a few surprises) in Nora’s world

• Beyond the Horizon: New adventures waiting outside the oven

Access Granted

If you’re reading this, you’ve officially been recruited. You’re now part of Nora’s inner circle, the Cookie Crew.

As we count down to June 1st, I’ll be sharing exclusive intel:

• The Visual Architect: A sit-down interview with our illustrator

• The Dossier: Behind-the-scenes moments from the making of the story

• Character Profiles: Get to know who’s part of the journey

• The Countdown: Everything leading up to launch day

The breach is complete. 🚨

Nora took the leap… now the world gets to see where she lands.

Secure Your Copy Before the Escape

Preorder the eBook

Reserve your hardcover copy

The countdown to June 1 begins now.

*Also available at Walmart

But before Nora fully steps into the world, I wanted to offer something you can experience right now. Something simple, joyful, and hands-on. Something that lets you meet her before the story officially begins.

The Nora Escapes the Bakery Coloring Pages are officially here!

Nora Escapes the Bakery - Coloring Pages

A Little Taste of the Bakery

These pages are more than just printable sheets. They are a doorway into the bakery. They give children, families, and educators the chance to sit down, pick up a crayon, and engage with the characters in a way that feels immediate and personal. Before the plot unfolds and before the adventure takes shape, you get to meet Nora, Preston, Dune, and Gayle right where they are—waiting, ready, and full of personality.

Inside the collection, you’ll find a growing set of pages featuring Nora, the curious butterscotch cookie who dares to dream; Preston, the steady and thoughtful friend who brings warmth wherever he goes; Dune, the playful and wandering pup who finds joy in every direction; and Gayle, the heart of the bakery, whose presence holds everything together. There is also an Adventure Pack filled with additional fun, and a mystery character quietly waiting to be discovered.

You can explore the full collection here:

Nora Escapes the Bakery - Coloring Pages

And if you’d like to see the store front, you can visit the full shop here:

Author Devans Eli Shopify Store

Something Special Already Happened

Before I even had the chance to formally share these, something meaningful happened. Two of my newest members of the Cookie Crew, Kinsley and McKenna, received their prints early. They sat down at the table, spread out their pages, and began coloring Nora and Gayle with care, focus, and their own creative choices. Watching them engage with these characters in real time reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. It is one thing to imagine a story. It is another thing entirely to see it come alive in someone else’s hands.

That moment stayed with me. It reminded me that this book was meant to be experienced, shared, and reimagined by the very people it was created for. That is why these coloring pages matter.

Why I Created These

I wanted children to step into Nora’s story instead of just reading it. I wanted them to make their own decisions about color, expression, and possibility. This is their moment to laugh, to explore, and maybe even begin asking their own questions about what lies beyond the familiar. These pages are a small but meaningful bridge between imagination and reality, and they allow Nora’s world to begin unfolding long before the book is released.

The Adventure Begins Here

So, are you ready? You don’t have to wait to begin the adventure. You can start now, right where you are. Download a page. Print it out. Sit at the table. Choose your colors. Meet the Cookie Crew in your own way. And if you feel moved to share what you create, I would genuinely love to see it. You reach out to me me directly at authordevanseli@gmail.com or reply to this article in your email!

Friends, this story has always been bigger than me. It was always meant to be shared.

Listen for What’s Next

Nora is coming. And trust me, she is not alone. Thank you for being here with me and waiting on the bakery doorbell chimes to ring. Thank you for BELIEVING in this story before it even reaches your hands. 🍪✨

Go ahead and grab your FREE coloring page now!

Nora Escapes the Bakery - Coloring Pages

Nora is coming soon. 🍪

When I cracked the egg, TWO yolks dropped into the pan.

I’ve been told that means you’re blessed, so I made a wish.

Don’t ask me what 37 means in numerology or what spiritual portal I’m supposedly entering, because I don’t have a magic answer. What I do have is gratitude. I’m thankful to be here. And when I look back at 36, I feel an unexpected mix: calmness, healthy anxiety, and excitement.

There’s also a darker part of me that wants to zoom in on what hurt. The part that still remembers how to bear burdens. The part that learned to live with one eye open. Trauma can make your mind feel like a smoke alarm that never stops chirping.

But Divine Spirit, You keep turning my face toward what’s been GOOD, and asking me to actually hold onto it. Not rush past it. Not minimize it. Not treat joy like it’s temporary.

So I’m cherishing the evidence.

I travelled to Colombia, the Carolinas, Florida, and New York. I painted. I wrote poetry. I reconnected with my illustrator for my children’s book. After almost five years, I stepped into a church I’m still attending, and it didn’t feel like obligation. I started an interest group with the help of a few faithful others. I danced in the snow with my mother-in-love. I picked up classes. I even made room for a few therapy sessions.

And I’m learning something that feels like a suture closing up an old wound: I can’t expect myself from everybody.

I don’t know what’s coming next. I don’t know what 37 will demand or deliver. I just know I’m trying to live fully, with what I have and what I’ve been given, without punishing myself for being human along the way.

Just like Nora, the main character of my children’s book, I’m finding my way home one way or another. There are lessons tucked inside my big adventure, and I’m meeting beloved friends along the way.

So here’s to an egg yolk of blessing.

I’m Devans Eli. And this is 37 years in the making.

Nora is baking.

Her family is being created as we speak. The kitchen smells of delight. The oven warms. Everyone in the bakery is leaning in, waiting to see her. Nora’s dreams are right at the tip of the jar.

Gayle is getting ready to welcome children through the door, wiping flour from her hands and smiling before the bell even rings.

Dune is chasing his tail again, running in circles, pausing only when the scent of something sweet drifts through the air.

Preston is running too. Running from a place that doesn’t feel like home. Running from someone who’s hungry. Running toward something better, even if he doesn’t know what it looks like yet.

Someone new is also near. He has a quiet presence. He’s hiding behind trees. Ducking behind corners. Waiting. Watching. Ready to leap when the moment is right.

What am I really saying?

The illustrations are almost finished. Just a few more to go. The cover is next, and it will be hot and ready before long. I’m standing at the doorway now, choosing how Nora will enter the world. The publishing path is coming into focus.

If you’re here reading this, thank you for waiting with Nora and me. Thank you for listening for the bell.

Nora is coming. 🍪

I think January arrives without asking for attention.

It’s a month that stretches quietly. It lingers. It lets the world breathe after the rush of so many festivities. The lights are dimmer now. The air is brick. Time feels looser in our hands. We are no longer running around, but we are not settled either. January is a month of movement without urgency. It feels like waiting without worry.

That makes me think about Dune.

Meet Dune, the Yellow Dog

Dune is the yellow dog in Nora Escapes the Bakery, and he carries that same sense of waiting and wandering. He is playful. He is patient. He is perpetually curious. He moves through the world with his tongue out, his tail wagging, and his eyes wide enough to catch everything at once.

A World Full of Invitations

Dune loves attention, not because he needs it, but because he delights in connection. Just about anything will make his ears perk up. A laugh. A call. A cookie waved in the air. Every sound feels like an invitation. Every moment feels new.

He is always looking around, never quite looking ahead. One step forward, two steps sideways. A pause. A pivot. A sudden sprint toward something only he noticed. Time moves differently for him. It stretches when he’s sniffing. It disappears when he’s running. By the time he circles back, the day has already changed.

Like January.

Running Toward Delight

You’ll find Dune charging through playgrounds with sand on his paws and joy in his chest. You’ll find him bounding across beaches where the wind tangles his fur and the seagulls scatter just in time. He doesn’t realize he might be bigger than the birds he greets or the crabs he tries to befriend. He only knows they are there. That feels like reason enough.

Dune runs toward delight. He doesn’t spend much time thinking about destinations.

And cookies. Oh, those are his weakness. The smell alone is enough to stop him mid-step. He will sit, stare, and scheme. If a cookie is within reach, Dune believes it was meant for him. And honestly, who could argue with that kind of faith?

January asks us move like that too.

This is the month where we learn how to wait without freezing. Where wandering becomes its own wisdom. Where patience doesn’t always mean stillness, and movement doesn’t require certainty. Like Dune, we follow what feels warm. What feels curious. What feels alive.

Soft Starts and Open Spaces

In the story, Dune doesn’t know where he’s going next. He just knows he wants to keep going. When I think about Dune, I think about how I’ve been learning to live with more spontaneity. I’m a planner. I’ve been clearing paths my whole life. But I’m learning that joy sometimes arrives through distraction. Through detours. Through moments I didn’t plan for. In 2025, my family signed up for the Baltimore Pride parade without realizing we needed choreography. Also, we were drawn to the beautiful tradition of Día de los Muertos, and chose at the last minute to embrace the celebration as a heartfelt way to honor our loved ones.

If I’m always constrained a plan, I’m not sure I would have the courage to turn around and notice anything new!

Dune reminds me that beginnings don’t have to be loud to be meaningful. That waiting can be playful. That time passing isn’t time wasted.

January is a season of soft starts and open spaces.

Until spring arrives, Dune will keep running. Through parks. Through beaches. Through moments that feel small but matter deeply. He will keep waiting in his own way.

He’s waiting to meet you.

With patience. With presence. With paws ready to move the moment something wonderful appears.

And maybe that’s enough for now.

Wandering Together

December arrives like the gentle bell chime above a bakery door. A sound that is soft, warm, inviting. It brings light into dim corners, sweetness into the air, and a sense of gathering that wraps itself around us like a scarf. The world leans into baking, gift-giving, and small moments with the people who bring us joy.

Gayle, the baker in my upcoming children’s book, carries that same spirit. From the moment she first appeared in my imagination, she felt like December itself: generous, creative, colorful, and full of wonder. She is the warmth inside the bakery when the weather outside cools, the first whiff of something sweet drifting from the oven, and the reminder that joy is made with intention.

Her presence shapes Nora’s entire world.

The Heart Behind the Apron

Long before I knew Gayle’s exact features, I knew her feeling. I felt the presence of a warm, nurturing African American woman with smiling eyes, someone whose spirit could touch a whole neighborhood. I saw hints of her purple apron with playful white polka dots, a soft green blouse, a classic black skirt, and brown curls bouncing whenever she laughed. Her entire look needed to carry the colors of the holidays. She needed to be fun, familiar, and full of comfort.

I always imagined her bakery as whimsical and cozy, filled with marble shelves and glass jars, each one lined with treats ready to be shared. Apple pie on display, lemon cake cooling on the counter, and the beloved butterscotch cookies resting in their glass jar with the lid ever so slightly tipped. Outside, the bell above the door would ring and purple shingles would glow in the sunlight, with the beach just a few steps away. Gayle’s bakery needed to be a place where imagination rises like dough and dreams feel possible.

But more than any shape or color, Gayle needed to be a baker who makes treats out of both sugar and stories. Someone whose kindness flavors every creation.

How Gayle Took Shape

Gayle didn’t come to life through early sketches like Nora and Preston did. She arrived in pieces of description, voice, and personality of someone I already know and hold close. She is in fact a real life person whom I love very much. So Gayle, the Baker, was a full-grown character waiting patiently for her turn.

She’d be seen as warm and nurturing, creative and intentional, round and comforting like a soft hug. She needed to love her bakery deeply and see potential in every cookie resting in her jars. In my mind, she was the anchor of the bakery. She’s the one who dreamt up the flavors, arranged the shelves, and kept the magic alive. She is the adult many of us needed growing up: steady, bright, imaginative, and full of love. She is essentially a mother. My mother.

When it was time to bring her fully into the world, I passed her into the hands of my illustrator, Brandon D. Gunning, whose talent and sensitivity captured her beautifully.

The Gayle You’ll Meet

Here she is! The baker who is radiant, joyful, and fully alive.

Brandon brought Gayle to life with such intentionality. Her warm brown skin, bright eyes, and purple apron glow with the spirit of December. She stands in a welcoming pose, almost as if she is mid-laughter, inviting you into her bakery with open arms. In her presence, you can almost smell the butterscotch cookies cooling on the counter, the apple pie steaming in the display case, and the lemon cake singing its citrus song. Right now in this moment, her spirit is lighting the Christmas tree.

Gayle feels like Christmas. Her hands are busy, her smile is wide, and her heart is full.

Why Gayle Matters

Gayle unknowingly shapes Nora’s courage. She designs the bakery, fills the jars, decorates the shelves, and creates the world Nora longs to explore. Through her gentle routines and creative spirit, she teaches without ever needing to say a word. Creativity, in her world, is a gift meant to be shared. Kindness makes people brave. Warmth has a way of helping others take their first steps. And joy, when given freely, always multiplies.

Gayle is the reason Nora believes something beautiful waits on the other side of the jar.

The Spirit of Gayle

If Nora represents courage and Preston represents gratitude, Gayle represents wonder that fills December with sparkle and warmth. Through her, I’ve learned that creativity is sacred, generosity leaves gentle ripples, and a sense of home can be crafted with your hands. She reminds me that love can be tasted, especially in something baked with intention.

Gayle is the magic inside the bakery windows. She is the glow that makes Nora dream. She is the steady heartbeat of the story.

Your Turn

What part of Gayle reminds you most of December. The warmth, the color, the creativity, or the sense of home?

I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

November snuck up on us quietly. Softly. The shutdown finally lifted, and many of us felt the breeze and warmth in November’s hands. Gratitude lingered in the air. Days became shorter, the wind cooler. We reached for sweaters, lit candles, and carved out space for quiet moments with people we love.

Preston, the Macadamia cookie in my upcoming children’s book, is the perfect companion for this season. From his first sketched lines to his final form, he reflects the heart of November. Gentleness, connection, and the peaceful joy of community. Through his kindness and steady presence, he reminds me that gratitude is something we embody.

The Birth of a Macadamia Cookie

Preston’s story carries a soft boldness. Where Nora bursts with courage and curiosity, Preston enters as her warm counterbalance. His sweetness lingers instead of shouts.

His macadamia flavor was intentional. Macadamia cookies are rarely the first pick in a bakery, yet they are rich, comforting, and unforgettable. They feel like a hug. They feel like home. That is Preston. He is a soft-spoken, steady friend whose presence brings warmth to every scene.

As I drafted the story, he slowly became the cookie who shows what gratitude looks like in motion. He is baked with small acts of kindness, gentle encouragement, and that unmistakable glow of someone who simply shows up.

From Pencil Lines to Possibility

Before Preston danced through the story, he lived here in the early sketches. Four windows into who he was becoming.

In the top-left sketch, he opens his arms wide, freckles scattered like soft macadamia pieces. His smile says, “I’m happy you are here.” Even without color, Preston already feels like a friend who welcomes everyone. He is full of generosity.

In the top-right sketch, he stands with one arm raised, hat tilted, I gave him a sense of confidence. A cookie at home in the world!

The bottom-left Preston laughs with a radiating joy that spreads wide. With one arm in the air, it’s as if he is mid-story. Like he just met someone new.

And the bottom-right sketch shows him simply poised with a quiet smile. There is no hat or fluff here. He’s just a cookie who knows how to show up.

Every early drawing shows up Preston was always meant to be a cookie baked with gratitude. Any good community would fully welcome him.

The Preston Concept Drawing

Here is Preston stepping into color for the first time. This concept drawing was the moment he walked out of my sketchbook and into his world with arms open.

Standing between two brick walls, arms wide, he looks ready to greet anyone who passes. That welcoming posture is Preston’s entire spirit. Steady. Cheerful. Making space for others without hesitation. His warm browns and soft tones echo the comforting feeling of November, a month held together by gratitude and community.

This concept captured who he is at his core: the friend who says “You’re safe here,” without having to speak.

The Preston You’ll Meet

And here he is! Preston brought to life not just on the page, but right into the room with me. That’s exactly who he is. Always there. In this updated illustration, Brandon D. Gunning, my illustrator, captured Preston’s spirit so vividly! He feels like he could hop right out of the book and join in on the joy. And honestly, that’s exactly what he did.

In this picture, Preston is strutting beside me with that same musical bounce he carries through every scene in Nora Escapes the Bakery. His warm macadamia glow, expressive brows, and bright red shorts shine even brighter when he’s placed next to everyday life. It’s as if his whole presence is saying, “I’m grateful to be here with you. Come dance with me.”

Preston stopped being just a character for me. He became a companion in this path of becoming. His character is a reminder that gratitude shows up in the ordinary moments: dancing in the living room, laughing with people we love, and choosing joy even when life feels heavy.

Brandon captured ALL of that in this final version. Preston hums while he walks. He lifts spirits quietly. His light shines. Bringing him into a real-life moment made me realize how deeply his character was shaped by warmth, belonging, and thankfulness.

We need more Prestons! He belongs in our world just as much as he belongs in the book.

The Heart of Preston

Looking back at these iterations of Preston feels like watching a relationship deepen, from first impressions, to understanding, to love. Each step reveals more of a quiet courage and gentle spirit.

Preston’s presence in the story reminds me that gratitude shows up in these small ways:

• Checking in with a friend

• Sharing a laughter on a cold day

• Calling on a steady friend when life feels heavy

• Hearing a soft hum in the background while you work or cook

We don’t have to make grand gestures to feel a sense of gratitude. Preston teaches that community is built crumb by crumb, moment by moment.

What Preston Teaches Me

This November, Preston is my reminder to be thankful for the people who bring warmth into my world. To be grateful for the ones who stand with me quietly without fanfare. To be glad to have the ones who make space for joy, even in difficult seasons.

Honestly, I have a new definition for gratitude now. It’s not just saying “Thank you.” It’s being present. Sticking around. Listening intentionally. Bringing out the best in others so that they feel that sense of warmth and connection.

Your Turn

How do you plan on being a beacon of gratitude this season? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Leave a comment

When I think of forty, I think of testing and refinement. I think of those stories where rain doesn’t stop or where someone wanders through a desert searching for what’s next. I think of the prophet Elijah—how he fled into the wilderness, exhausted and afraid, traveling forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God. I think of how he was fed by grace along the way. And how, after the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, God’s voice came not in thunder but in a sound of sheer silence.

That silence wasn’t confusion. It was full of revelation. And maybe ours could be too if we listen.

Lately, the air feels heavy with that horrific sound of silence. That not-knowing. People are tired. People are waiting. Some are counting coins. Many of us are repeating prayers. There’s an ache that sits between us when we talk, like we’re all holding the same invisible weight but pretending it’s light.

Forty days.

That number keeps echoing in my mind.

It feels ancient, sacred even—like a hidden lesson we’re being asked to learn again.

But this silence, for many of us, feels like punishment.

Not divine. Not cosmic. Not some cleansing fire from above.

It feels human. It feels cruel. And it’s too heavy.

The kind of punishment that comes when those in power forget who they serve.

While some try to speak up for the weary, others treat our lives like chess pieces on a board. They move us, delay us, and dismiss us.

And the cost keeps climbing: higher bills, higher fears, higher walls between us.

Even the heavens mirror us. In astronomy and astrology, Venus disappears from the sky for about forty days. The planet of love and connection retreats into shadow, turning inward, reevaluating. They call it retrograde which is time when light bends backward so that we might see what’s been hidden.

Maybe this season is a cosmic reflection of our own pause. A chance to ask: what still shines when everything goes dark?

I’m feeling a stirring in my spirit. Someone. Something. A current of justice waiting to rise. We need a voice. We need a people. We need a power that says, “We’ve had enough.”

Because forty days will come and go.

Eventually, rain stops. Ground dries. Hope breaks through the cracks.

But how we emerge will depend on what we do in the midst of the silence.

Have we only complained but not spoken up for others?

Have we lost so much strength that we are shrinking in our own skin?

Are we so anxious that every day feels like a repeat of the last?

Are we just angry, lashing out for the sake of lashing out?

Or are we being proactive? We are seeking wisdom, seeking guidance, seeking to move with courage and compassion again, right?

Someone needs to rise up.

Maybe it’s one of us. Maybe it’s all of us.

Maybe it’s a divine and undeniable wave rolling in to remind us who we are. And who we are becoming.

I hope that wave comes and ends the forty days of silence. Or however long it may be.

When this is all over, may we look back and say: we grew, we changed, we remembered.

We did not waste the waiting.

Autumn and The Art of Change

The month of October signaled a new season. Leaves are drifting softly. The air is cooling. Jackets and scarves are returning to their rightful places.

Nora, the main character of my upcoming children’s book, is a perfect reflection of fall itself. From her earliest sketch to her final form, she embodies transformation. Through her adventures and little hiccups, she’s taught me how to embrace change and press on with courage.

The Birth of the Butterscotch Cookie

Nora’s story began as a whisper in the springtime during a walk around Lake Artemisia. Her words landed in my notebook like a secret I was meant to keep.

Her butterscotch flavor was intentional. Not the most popular cookie in the jar but soft, sweet, and unforgettable. Butterscotch melts fast and lingers long; it can’t be ignored, even among more decadent aromas.

So my pencil spun the butterscotch chips, flour, and sugar. My breath gave her life, and inspiration brought the heat. When the oven bell rang, Nora the Butterscotch (with a capital B) cookie had risen. I then shared her with a few little friends whose joy lit up the room.

Three years later, she whispered again, asking to be seen by other children. That’s when I knew she needed to become a book filled with illustrations to match her courage.

From Pencil Lines to Possibility

Here she is — the earliest version of Nora, drawn long before she ever escaped the bakery.

She’s round, soft, and full of joy, her dotted surface hinting at the butterscotch chips she’ll one day wear proudly. With her bow perched high and hands on her hips, this Nora radiates confidence and sweetness all at once.

I drew her to capture her spirit: a cookie who already knew she was meant for more. She had her friends, her dreams, and plenty of attitude, even before her world was fully baked. This little sketch became the seed of everything that followed.

The Nora Concept Drawing

For the book, I wanted to work with someone familiar with digital illustration. There had to be someone who could truly understand Nora and all she is. Before I knew it, my cookie had started becoming.

This is the concept I created to help her step out of the sketchbook and into her world. With her golden butterscotch hue, bright blue bow, and joyful expression, I wanted to capture her curiosity and warmth before she was fully realized.

In this version, she stands proudly on her cookie hills, smiling into a wide blue sky. Nora is already beaming with confidence and wonder. I hoped the illustrator could feel her spirit through this drawing. It became the spark that set everything in motion.

So nervous little me reached out to an illustrator. I made my pitch, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best for Nora. And before I knew it, I was delighted.

The Nora You’ll Meet

Here she is — the Nora you’ll meet in the pages of Nora Escapes the Bakery. This final illustration was beautifully completed by Brandon D. Gunning, a talented artist and illustrator whose vibrant style brought Nora’s spirit to life.

Brandon captured everything I imagined and more. I see her confidence, her warmth, and that spark of curiosity that started it all. From her expressive eyes to the soft glow of butterscotch light, he gave Nora the presence of a true storybook hero.

This is imagination coming full circle. From pencil lines to concept art to this polished illustration, Nora grew alongside me. She was changing, brightening, and finding her voice. Creativity, like fall itself, is full of transformation.

The Seasons of Nora

Looking back at these three versions of Nora feels like watching the seasons change. The first sketch was a quiet winter, full of potential. The concept drawing was colorful spring bursting with possibility. And this final version by Brandon is a golden autumn that is confident and fully alive.

Each version carries its own beauty, and together they remind me that stories grow just like we do. They need patience, revision, and trust in transformation. Nora changed with time, but her heart stayed the same. She’s always hopeful, curious, and ready to leap into the unknown. And maybe that’s the real art of becoming.

What’s on the Other Side of the Jar?

This cookie began as a conversation and turned into a concept. Once I caught the sweet smell of butterscotch determination, I knew Nora had to enter her next stage of becoming as a fully illustrated story ready for the world.

Even as my own October brought unexpected change, Nora reminded me that life is never complete without its seasons. She whispers that courage isn’t found in staying still, but in daring to see what’s on the other side of the jar.

Just like the little girl who once inspired this story, I find myself inspired by the character I created. Nora is a manifestation of transformation, and I’m learning to follow her crumbs, one adventure at a time.

So tell me, which version of Nora speaks to you most: the sketch, the concept, or the final?

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This story began during a season when I had to trust my imagination again. In the same way, Nora Escapes the Bakery shares the world of a spunky little cookie who dares to explore her dreams, all with a handful of courage and a heart full of crumbs.

About the Book

When a curious cookie named Nora decides she’s meant for more than life inside a jar, an unexpected adventure begins.

This Butterscotch cookie lives in a cozy seaside bakery where she can hear waves crashing and children laughing. But Nora isn’t one to sit still! She dares to see what lies beyond the sweet shop she calls home.

Fully illustrated and recommended for ages 5 to 9, Nora Escapes the Bakery is perfect for storytime or early readers. It’s also a wonderful resource for parents and educators who want to spark imagination, creativity, and courage through interactive storytelling.

Meet the Cookie Crew

Nora

A curious cookie who a spark of courage and hear full of crumbs and questions. She’s always wondered what lies beyond the bakery door, and she’s just daring enough to find out!

Preston

A clever macadamia cookie who believes in loyalty, laughter, and second chances. He’s the kind of friend who would follow a crumb trail anywhere even into the unknown.

Yellow Dog

A playful puppy with a nose for mischief and a heart as golden as his fur. Wherever he runs, adventure (and a little chaos) are sure to follow.

Gayle (The Baker)

A kind, creative, and warm soul who believes every cookie has a purpose, even the ones who dream too big. The bakery is her world of sugar, stories, and imagination.

The Spark Behind Nora

I began writing Nora Escapes the Bakery in the spring of 2020, during a time when the world felt uncertain. Around that time, I learned that my earlier stories had inspired children at a local daycare including one girl named Nora, whose imagination was boundless.

In her honor, I decided to trust my own inventiveness again. When I read the first draft to a group of children, they couldn’t stop laughing. They thought Nora and her friends were bold and funny. That was my kite-lifting-from-the-ground moment. I realized this was the kind of joy I wanted to bring to life.

Over the next five years, I polished the story and collaborated with an illustrator to help Nora and her world take shape. If you’ve read my last five poems in The Path of Becoming series, you’ve already met her spirit: she dreams, she’s brave, and she’s ready to let the wind take her wherever it pleases.

Nora Escapes the Bakery is ultimately a story about adventure and growth — how taking that first small step can lead us into unexpected lessons about connection, courage, and finding our way home.

A Glimpse Inside Chapter One

Before Nora takes her first step into the unknown, she’s just a cookie in a jar. Curious, restless, and dreaming of something more. Here’s a sneak peek inside Chapter 1 of Nora Escapes the Bakery:

Gayle loved the Butterscotch cookies most. She offered her favorite treats, but all the children answered, “No thank you!” Gayle grinned and packed the desserts each child had chosen into a gift box. They all scampered out the bakery and back to the shore. Gayle tapped the glass jar of Butterscotch cookies and giggled, “You may be trapped here forever.”

All the Butterscotches waited patiently for a child to take them home… well, everyone except one little cookie named Nora.

“I’m tired of sitting in this glassy old jar,” Nora pouted, folding her arms. “Nobody picks us— not near, not far!”

“Nora, sweet cookie, be still and have peace of mind. Butterscotches are chosen at just the right time,” the others chimed.

“That will never happen,” Nora wailed as she threw her arms in the air and wagged her head. “Maybe there is more to life than waiting inside a bakery!”

What Nora doesn’t know is that adventure sometimes begins with a single crack in the lid.

What’s Next on Nora’s Crumb Trail

Subscribe to this Substack to follow Nora’s Crumb Trail, the behind-the-scenes journey to publication! You’ll be the first to know when Nora Escapes the Bakery hits the shelves in Fall 2026.

Each month, I’ll share exclusive sneak peeks:

• Character color reveals

• Early sketches and concept art

• Reflections from my creative process

• Interactive activities and coloring pages for kids

Thank you for being part of this adventure from the very beginning. Nora’s journey is just getting started. Trust me. She can’t wait to meet you.

This past May, my writing took a new direction. You may have noticed that I’ve been exploring a different style. I’ve blended my usual storytelling with more symbolic imagery, concrete language, and lyrical writing. I wanted to grow in this area and share that growth with you through the Path of Becoming series. This change was about expanding my voice, not leaving my old voice behind. It’s been a season of learning and trusting new ways to express myself. That growth is leading me toward the next chapter of my creative journey. I hope this series blessed you.

How We Become Who We’re Meant to Be

Becoming is the lifelong process of growing into who we truly are by learning, discovering new parts of ourselves, and changing. It means allowing life to shape us without losing our curiosity. There are chapters where we let mistakes teach us instead of define us. And in times where we feel unfinished, we trust we are still enough.

Each poem in this series was both personal and universal. They were drawn from my own journey but written for anyone navigating their own “becoming.” I shared my fears, my failures, and my joys. I also explored how creativity, courage, and community lift us higher than we can imagine.

I intentionally never mentioned perfection because it doesn’t have a place here. This isn’t about showing off a pristine version of ourselves. Becoming is about listening, forsaking, stepping out, dancing, and taking in the joy that is ahead of us. Ultimately, the fruits of becoming are shown in our movements, from one path to another.

Listening for the Voice Within

When I wrote, He Had Always Been Afraid to Be a Butterfly, I honed in on the idea of stillness and listening.

There were moments in the poem where the caterpillar realized he had to pause before taking flight:

But when my cocoon formed,

I feared what was on the outside.

Or rather, I feared the worst once I finally emerged…

I waited for a shout from the mountaintops.

But only the wind whispered.

It was mostly stillness

during echoes of chaos,

long pauses that caught my attention...

The sound of my own voice echoed inside the cocoon…

I spoke life into myself inside my own shell.

Looking back on this I realized my worries concerned others’ thoughts instead of my own insight.

Stillness is the space between who we were and who we are becoming. It’s the peace that lets transformation take root. It’s the listening place. It’s the hush of the wind, the hum of our breath, the waiting period before our petals bloom and our wings unfurl.

In stillness, we learn that movement doesn’t always start as motion. It can begin as introspection. It is listening inward.

I understand a lot is happening in the world right now, and it can feel difficult to be contemplative. But maybe it’s time to turn off the news or silence the notifications. It might be a moment to unplug and disconnect, giving myself the opportunity to hear the voice inside me. I spend enough time listening to outside noise. Today, however, I attend to the calm within me for a change.

But stillness doesn’t last forever. Once I begin to hear myself again, that quiet voice often points toward change. That calm gives me the courage to leave the cocoon.

Forsaking What Doesn’t Serve Us

The Girl Who Left the Orchard describes a Buttercup flower intentionally walking away from her home in search of her true self and her tribe.

She left The Orderly Orchard

when the breeze outside the vines

called her name…

…she stepped outside

the straight and narrow path.

She did not pack sorrow

but it still slipped into her bag,

tucked between the need to grow

and the ache for something more.

I’m noticing here that the flower feels both uncertainty and courage. Two opposing emotions. She steps anyway.

What does it mean for her exit to leave her community? Her home. Her things. It means she is choosing to forgo everything she once identified with or was attached to. She is saying goodbye to whomever or whatever belongs to that orchard. She may be unconsciously accepting the grief that will jump inside her duffel bag as she walks away.

Leaving is painful, but I learned that there are times when it is necessary:

She did not return to The Orderly Orchard.

But something sacred met her on the path.

Familiars. Friends.

A grove of courageous Wildflowers kissed by the Sun

and drinking from an ever-moving stream.

I’m seeing that the Buttercup may have looked back prior, but she didn’t turn around. Not even once. With heaviness looming about her, she kept strolling hoping something better was ahead: a source of strength and fountain of affirmation.

One of the biggest hurdles in leaving people, places, or things is the fear of rejection. It hurts— especially if you have spent years building close connections and found meaning. But think of it this way: when the Buttercup exited the orchard, she headed to another destination as the trees flapped closed behind her. It comes to my attention that sometimes rejection is just redirection. That’s becoming.

The Buttercup looked back at the orchard but kept walking until she encountered Bright Mother Sun. It may have felt good to stay behind or bend to the control of others. She had always done so. Doing the same thing over and over can be comfortable. But the flower discovered along the way that it was also stagnant.

Safety isn’t always growth.

Could it be time for you to step out and move on to a new destination in your life? Open the door and see— something brighter… something more plentiful… something more assuring could be waiting for you on the other side.

Leaving often brings fear with it. So, after the orchard, the next challenge is learning to step forward even so.

Stepping Out from Fear

The poems Where the Lily Pad Waited and The Dragon Who Became a Peacock both touch on this idea of actively coming out of hiding and overcoming fear.

She tucked her legs into her warm shell,
in her comfy makeshift home,
away from that cage of a world…

The wind whispered to his soul,
but the armored bug named it danger.
So he stayed still,
mindlessly tracing his questions into bark.

He wore his scales like armor

yet they whispered ‘bout his walk.

He stayed in pose, avoiding suspicion.

Kept his true colors beneath a thick smock.

Rereading these two excerpts, I see that staying away, staying still, and staying beneath were early signs of fear for these three characters.

Why do we hide like the ladybug and the little dragon? Why do we freeze in taking action as the beetle did?

I figured out that fear tells us we are safer if we are small. We are secure when we are are not an inconvenience. It convinces us that staying still means we will not break. It whispers that failure will destroy us, that rejection will define us, that our light will draw too much attention. Fear dresses itself as wisdom. It cosplays as caution. If we’re not careful, fear could even sound like logic. In reality, fear is longing. In our fear, we long to be seen, comforted, and affirmed. The truth is that fear does not protect us from pain. Fear protects us from growth. And when we give it too much attention, we mistake fear for gospel truth.

Becoming often means taking a risk despite what fear whispers. Once we step out, we may begin to find others who are taking the same step, like the ladybug and beetle. We’ll see that stepping off the branch of fear gives us room to fulfill the true longings of our heart. A lily pad of comfort. A fire of protection. Voices of assurance.

Fear doesn’t disappear, but we can still move despite its presence. We can trust and take action, whether that’s a literal step or a drop in the ocean. Maybe the first step away from fear is taking off a mask. Maybe it’s waltzing directly into the fire—with our head held high.

Dancing in the Midst of Shame

Recall both the peacock in The Dragon poem and the “Boy Kite” in my color guard story.

His bright feathered tail spread in full color...

In that holy flame, he started to twirl.

He danced where they expected disgrace.

Finally, he was higher than fear.

…his chest poked out.

A sigh flared from his nostrils.

His mind reassured his heart,

“Step right. Swing left.

I got this part.”

I love how their small strides (when put together) made for a grand display of strength.

The peacock and the boy were hiding to keep their sense of self secure. They hid to reduce shame because their brightness was not accepted. But later, they understood they had to let go of their false sense of security and unfurl the wings they had been keeping from everybody.

To dance in the midst of shame is to remember your body still belongs to you. It’s choosing movement when everything in you wants to hide. It’s the quiet rebellion of joy in a place that once told you to shrink. The fire that circles around you is not something to fear. That light reveals the truth— that you are still here. You’re still worthy. You’re still full of beauty. To dance in shame’s presence is to honor your own journey. Dancing lets grace free you from suppression and control.

Becoming involves twirling in circles that show your brightness; just expect the heat.

What would it look like for you to put your light on display despite the naysayers? How would it feel to let the scales fall and just prance?

When we learn to dance through shame, freedom follows. It’s the kind that lets us look forward with joy.

Taking Joy in What Is to Come

Let’s take a final look at the reflection part of The Boy Kite that Billowed, and focus on the kite imagery.

Each swing of the flag felt like a string pulling me upward…

I was a kite in the air, bright and bold swinging with the pockets of the wind…

I let gusts of wind pick me up knowing if I fell another gale was coming.

Whew… It dawned on me that to trust is to rely on something while not completely knowing the outcome.

To take joy in looking forward is to live with open hands. It means meeting tomorrow not with fear or control, but with curiosity and gratitude for what is still unfolding. The boy and his kite remind us that hope is the wind that lifts us. Perfection does nothing. Even when the string trembles or slips from our grip, something greater carries us onward. Looking forward with joy is an act of trust. It’s like having a vision. We see a celebration of the unseen paths that rise to meet us when we dare to lift our eyes.

Becoming involves listening. It includes trusting. It invites acceptance and the work of de-shaming. But it’s also about movement. When our soul is ready, we move into what’s next.

Closing

So here we are, at the end of this Path of Becoming series. But it’s not the end of the journey.

Every path teaches its own language of becoming. This path I am on taught me to trust what’s still forming. That trust has taken shape as something brand new: a story I can’t wait to share with you the next time we meet.

Until then, may you keep lifting like kites, dancing in fire, and stepping boldly into your own becoming.

Teammate Christina and I getting ready to march! Color Guard. October 20, 2006.