Children’s author Karen Charles chats with me about her new children’s literature, Evan’s Gift.
Bio:
Karen Charles is an author and former teacher who writes stories inspired by real-life experiences and the emotional lives of children and adults alike. Her work spans psychological thrillers based on true events and heartfelt children’s stories that encourage kindness, empathy, and connection. Drawing from decades spent in classrooms and communities, Karen believes stories can heal, teach, and gently open hearts. Evan’s Gift reflects her lifelong passion for helping children understand the power of compassion and small acts of goodness. Karen Charles has two businesses: a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English, and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she resides with her husband.
What do you enjoy most about writing children’s books?
What I enjoy most is the immediacy. With children’s stories, especially, every word matters. You’re speaking directly to a child’s heart and imagination, often in just a few pages. I love knowing that a short story can be read in one sitting and still linger, sparking conversations, comfort, or a moment of reflection long after the book is closed.
Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
Evan’s Gift is very close to my heart. It grew out of moments I witnessed in classrooms, children wanting to help, connect, and make sense of the world, but not always knowing how. Evan discovers that his “gift” isn’t something flashy or loud, but something quiet and powerful: kindness. I love stories that show children they already have what they need to make a difference.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
I’m most inspired by stories rooted in emotional truth, whether that’s children’s literature or psychological thrillers. In both, I’m exploring how people respond to fear, loss, injustice, or love. With children’s books, the focus is on building empathy early, before the world hardens us too much.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m continuing to explore stories that help children navigate big feelings, stories about belonging, courage, and understanding others who may seem different at first, hopefully another Evan story. I’m also always writing thrillers, on the adult side, weaving true experiences into fiction that ask deeper questions about human behavior.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think I became a writer the moment I realized stories were how I processed the world. Teaching, life experiences, and witnessing moments of pain and beauty all pushed me toward the page. At some point, writing stopped being something I did and became part of who I am.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
I pay close attention to who a story is truly for. For children’s books, that means educators, parents, counselors, and librarians, not just readers, but the adults guiding them. My advice to writers is to listen carefully, read widely in your genre, and don’t be afraid to reach out to communities that already care about the themes you’re writing about.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I often write scenes in my head long before they ever reach the page. I’ll carry them around while walking, driving, or lying awake at night until they feel emotionally right, then I write them down.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher and a storyteller like my mother, though I didn’t know at the time that I’d eventually become both.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I truly believe stories matter, especially the ones we share with children. Evan’s Gift is an invitation to slow down, notice one another, and remember that kindness doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Sometimes, it’s the smallest gestures that stay with us the longest.
Links:
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