Welcome to my blog! 

I have my very first children’s book, A Birthday Surprise in Triple Oaks Forest. It’s about some forest animals putting together a surprise birthday party for Grandpa Bear. It is filled with lovable characters, a little bit of mischief, and a message.  When I saw the illustrations for the first time, it was like finally meeting old friends. For months, the world of Triple Oaks Forest lived only in my imagination. I could see the cozy clearing where the picnic table sits, the way William and Benjamin zip through the trees with a trail of leaves (and maybe a few snacks) behind them, and the warm smile of Mother Deer balancing one too many things in her hooves.

I knew these characters—really knew them. I could hear their voices, feel their energy, and see their expressions as clear as day. But all of that was in my head… until the day the first illustrations arrived. And oh, what a moment that was. Stephanie Lewis did a great job portraying those images that were in my head,  painting them, and making them come to life. The excitement of seeing my characters breathing on the page. I actually laughed out loud when I saw the raccoon twins caught mid-mischief, and I may or may not have teared up when I spotted Grandpa Bear looking gruff and lovable, exactly as I had imagined him. It felt like magic. Pure, joyful, slightly overwhelming magic.

All those months of dreaming, writing, editing, and second-guessing suddenly felt worth it. The forest I had built in words now had trees with shadows, skies with soft watercolor blues, and characters with twinkles in their eyes. Seeing the illustrations for the first time reminded me of why I started this journey—to bring stories to life for children, to make them smile, giggle, and maybe fall in love with a bear or a raccoon or a skunk with big feelings. And now, it’s not just in my head anymore. It’s real. It’s illustrated. It’s happening.

Stay tuned, friends. Triple Oaks Forest is blooming, and I can’t wait to share more of it with you.

— Patrice