Why I Finally Began
For years, I carried children’s stories quietly with me, tucked into notebooks and held in imagination, waiting for the right moment to bring them to life. Becoming a mother, and watching my son fall in love with books, gave those stories new urgency and meaning.
Seeing the joy, comfort, and connection he found in reading inspired me to place one of my own stories into his hands, with the hope that it would become something familiar he could return to over time.
As I read alongside him, I became increasingly intentional about the kinds of messages I wanted children to encounter through my stories: language that not only engages and delights, but also supports emotional understanding, confidence, and self-awareness.
What Guides My Work
I am a Montreal-based educator, children’s author, and learning and communication specialist, as well as the founder of Mattatall Insights & Learning Solutions.
My work is shaped by an interdisciplinary background spanning education, linguistics, diplomacy, strategic studies, and learning development, all of which inform how I think about language, identity, and human development.
I hold the conviction that language is never neutral in its impact, and that the words children hear and the stories they encounter shape how they understand themselves, relate to others, and move through the world.
My mission is to create thoughtfully designed stories, learning experiences, and developmental resources that nurture confidence, communication, emotional awareness, and self-worth across different stages of development.
At the centre of my work is intentional design. Every story, phrase, and creative detail is shaped with care to ensure children feel seen, valued, and supported.
A Few Things About Me
What inspired you to start writing children’s books?
The desire had been with me for years, but motherhood gave it direction.
Watching my son engage so deeply with stories, and seeing how naturally he learns from them, reminded me that books can do far more than entertain. They shape confidence, offer comfort, and influence how children begin to understand themselves.
What is something you are especially proud of in your journey as a parent and educator?
One of the most meaningful outcomes has been creating a consistent, language-rich environment that supported my child in developing early literacy, including reading short sentences at 26 months.
It reinforced my belief that children respond powerfully to intentional communication and storytelling.
How would you describe your writing in three words?
Intentional. Affirming. Thought-provoking.
How has your professional experience influenced your approach to storytelling?
My background in education, diplomacy, linguistics, and learning design has shaped how I think about language and the lasting imprint it leaves behind.
I write with care for what children absorb, not only in meaning, but in message.
You have lived and worked across several countries. Has that shaped your perspective?
Profoundly. Living across cultures has deepened my understanding of language, identity, belonging, and human connection, reinforcing a truth I return to often: every child wants to feel understood, valued, and included.
What is a small personal quirk that says something about you?
I eat the crust of a sandwich before the middle and each fruit in a fruit salad separately.
Perhaps it reflects how I move through the world: attentive to nuance, appreciative of distinction, and rarely in a hurry to blend what deserves to be noticed on its own.
Do you have a personal philosophy you return to often?
That words matter. The way we communicate can affirm, shape, and strengthen how we see ourselves, which is why I believe children should encounter language that nurtures confidence, self-awareness, and emotional grounding.