Hello, Karolyn!
Meet the Author—Karolyn Denson Landrieux
When my first granddaughter was born in 2017, I went to bed one night and dreamed a story about a little girl. The next morning, I decided to write it into a book series. The girl, of course, would need a friend—that’s how Maxine and Beanie were born.
Bits and pieces of their story were inspired by my real life—for example, Maxine’s mommy likes to cook and create just like my daughter and I do. Maxine was inspired by my granddaughter and Beanie was inspired by their tuxedo cat, Penelope Cruz—but Maxine and Beanie would soon grow to have a life all their own.
I created Maxine as an homage to my granddaughter, Leilani. And what little person doesn't need a sidekick?
Beanie is Maxine's kitty and lifelong friend. In the Adventures series, Beanie is a stuffed bean bag kitty that goes everywhere with Maxine.
Another thing Maxine and I have in common is that we both come from diverse families where everyone has different shades of skin, different colored eyes, and even different beliefs! In these books, I tell the story of an ordinary little girl, living an extraordinary life that reflects the way other Black and Brown girls can see themselves in the world.
Representation is important for children from all backgrounds. Maxine teaches us that we are more similar than different overall. In an inclusive world, all children can do and be whatever they choose. The Maxine and Beanie series is meant to be visually exciting and intellectually stimulating. It’s full of fun, colorful stories the entire family will enjoy.
More About Karolyn...
Karolyn is a retired flight attendant/purser living in Paris and the United States. She is CEO of Landrieux Holdings LLC, Zaria LLC, and co-owner of Goudelock and 3 Bears Publishing. Karolyn loves to travel but loves her time at home with her family. She loves cooking, painting, writing, designing, and decorating. Karolyn previously curated her own art gallery. She has studied graphic, fashion, and interior design. Aside from Maxine and Beanie, Karolyn also writes short stories and poetry. Karolyn has a blog, Paris2Pittsburgh.com, where she talks about her journey from a small town in the suburbs of Pittsburgh to being an expat in the heart of Paris. Although she loves to travel and has traveled much of the world, she enjoys her time at home with her family the most.
Karen Light, Illustrator
Karen Light is the Founder, Chief Creative, Illustrator, and Artist / Mentor at Studio Light Illustration. Karen partners with authors to nurture humanity through the magic of storytelling. She believes that stories connect us as humans, forge understanding, evoke empathy, and challenge us to think of ways to create a world in which all living creatures can thrive! Karen can also be found hiking, swing dancing, spending time with loved ones, or curled up with a good book.
