A love note to my daughter—and to every little heart learning big lessons.
People often ask where story ideas come from. For me, the Temperance Tilly Jungle Series started with an elephant, an aardvark… and one very confused look from my daughter.
I still remember the day it happened. I said something random—something about an elephant and an aardvark—and my daughter Temperance looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Then she burst out laughing. From that moment on, it became an inside joke between us, one of those silly, sweet things only a parent and child understand. I told her, “I’m going to write a book about you, an elephant, and an aardvark.”
And well… I had to keep my promise.
But I didn’t just want to write a story to make her laugh, although that was definitely part of it. I wanted to create something more. A series of books that were bright, colorful, funny, and full of heart. Books that kids would love to read, and that parents could feel good about reading.
Each Temperance Tilly story is built around a biblical virtue—like self-control, kindness, or courage—and told in a way that makes the message memorable without being preachy. I believe kids learn best through joy and imagination, and I wanted to give them stories that entertain while gently planting seeds of truth.
Temperance Tilly, Ellie the Elephant, and Arlo the Aardvark have become more than just characters—they’re reminders that big lessons can come in small, silly packages. And that God’s Word isn’t boring—it’s bold, beautiful, and made for real life, even in the jungle.
I hope this series brings laughter to your home, truth to your heart, and maybe even a few inside jokes of your own.