February-Shana Gorian
Meet Shana Gorian, Author
(Very Popular Children’s Author!)
Why do you write in the first place?
I still believe in telling stories that kids want to read and families want to share. The tools and platforms may evolve, but storytelling is timeless, and that’s what keeps me excited to keep going.
Will you tell us about your children’s books?
Sure! I write children’s books across a few different age ranges, and I have about 40 books, but they all have one thing in common—they’ve all got a touch of my humor, lots of my positivity, and they’re all written in series. I write middle-grade mystery adventures, early chapter books, and picture books, and I love being able to grow with my readers as they move from one stage to the next.
My middle-grade for ages 8-12 tend to lean toward mystery and adventure, with kids who are curious, brave, and still finding their way. Think Nancy Drew meets ghosts meets modern kids with cell phones. Alongside those, I write chapter books like my Rosco the Rascal series, which are shorter, fast-paced stories around a lovable dog meant to hook early readers who are just gaining confidence. I also write rhyming picture books, including seasonal and holiday stories, where rhythm, humor, and illustrations play a big role—series like A Cat Named Whiskers and What Am I?
Before I became an author, I worked as a graphic designer, which definitely shaped how I think about books—both visually and structurally. But I’ve always loved stories. I started writing when my children were little (they are now young adults), at first just for them, and then realized I wanted to keep going. In 2014, I published my first Rosco the Rascalbook, and once I started, I never stopped. One series led to another, and over time I found my rhythm writing stories that are adventurous, comforting, and meant to be shared—whether that’s a mystery read under the covers or a picture book read aloud at school.
What books would you suggest we look for first?
If you’re new to my books, spring is actually a really nice place to start. I tend to write seasonally, and these stories were created to be read right around this time of year.
For early readers, Rosco the Rascal at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a fun introduction to Rosco and his family—it’s lighthearted, a little mischievous, and very much about being part of a community celebration. Younger readers may enjoy Whiskers Finds His Luck or Whiskers’ Easter Adventure, which are both gentle, cozy picture books that focus on friendship, curiosity, and small moments of kindness, all wrapped in a springtime setting.
Thank you, Shana, for sharing with us! Check out her website HERE.
A Moment of Wonder
Not every lesson needs a classroom. Sometimes it begins with noticing.
The Quiet Work of Snow
Snow makes the world smaller. (Though we haven’t seen much this year, have we?)
Sound softens. Edges blur. Familiar places seem changed—not because they are different, but because they are covered. Fields disappear beneath white drifts. Paths vanish. Even fences lose their sharp lines.
It can feel as though winter has stopped everything.
But snow is not an ending.
It is a cover.
Beneath the snow, the ground stays warmer than the air above it. Snow traps pockets of air, and those tiny spaces act like insulation. While the surface may freeze hard, the soil below rests in a quieter cold—protected, not punished.
Seeds lie waiting there.
Roots hold fast.
Small animals tunnel and sleep, sheltered from the worst of winter’s reach.
Snow, which looks cold and empty, is actually doing careful work.
People have learned to read this quiet over time.
Farmers welcome a good snowfall, knowing it protects winter crops and replenishes the soil when it melts. Gardeners watch for bare patches, worrying when the land is left exposed. Travelers learn how much harder the cold feels when snow is absent and the ground freezes solid.
What seems like stillness is often preparation.
Snow does not hurry.
It does not announce its purpose.
It simply settles in, holding space until the season turns.
And when it finally melts away, it leaves the land ready—rested, softened, prepared for what comes next.
A Moment to Reflect
Snow reminds us that rest is not wasted time. Much of the world depends on seasons of quiet to survive and grow. When we allow space for stillness—especially in winter—we honor a rhythm older than we are, one that understands the value of waiting.
