From pumpkin patches to polar bears, Crystal Beach shares how her books help children learn, imagine, and belong.
Author and illustrator Crystal Beach has built a body of work that celebrates curiosity, inclusion, and early learning. Her newest book, One Little Witch, moves from the Arctic setting of her earlier titles into a magical pumpkin patch inspired by her own backyard. In this interview, Crystal talks about what drives her storytelling, how her background shapes her creative process, and what she’s learned along the way.
“My passion for early learning comes from wanting to make stories that are both fun and meaningful for young readers.”
Crystal Beach Author/Illustrator
In One Little Witch, you venture beyond the Arctic and into a magical pumpkin patch. What inspired you to start a new series, and how does it connect to your previous books?
The inspiration for One Little Witch came from my oldest daughter, Makayla, and her incredible passion for growing pumpkins. Every year she plants and tends her own pumpkins, and last summer we built her a special raised garden bed—her very own pumpkin patch. This year she managed to grow more than 40 pumpkins, all of which are proudly displayed around our home. If you look closely at the illustrations in the book, you’ll notice that the magical pumpkin patch is actually inspired by our own backyard. I love knowing that, when I look at this story, I’ll always see a little piece of the place where we live right now.
Like my previous books, One Little Witch continues my focus on creating inclusive stories. My books always feature characters who reflect the diversity of our world—children with different abilities, neurodiversities, and cultural backgrounds. I also enjoy teaching readers new words in the top ten languages that make up Canada’s beautiful multicultural landscape. In my first book, readers learned how to say “welcome” in ten languages; in my second, “goodnight”; and in One Little Witch, we explore how to say “goodbye”—a magical way to celebrate connection and kindness across cultures.
What first drew you to focus on early-learning concepts like counting, language, and daily routines in your stories? Was there a moment or experience that sparked that interest?
I’ve been interested in early learning from a very young age. My mom ran a daycare, and I often helped her care for the children. As the oldest daughter with three younger brothers—and the eldest cousin in a large extended family of more than fifty younger cousins—I naturally grew into the role of a caregiver and developed a deep love for working with young children.
I started writing when I was just 13, and my parents encouraged me by enrolling me in a local creative-writing program for teens. That early spark for storytelling combined with my lifelong connection to children shaped the way I write today. My passion for early learning concepts—like counting, language, and daily routines—comes from wanting to make stories that are both fun and meaningful for young readers. From reading bedtime stories to my baby brother to later studying developmental psychology after my own children were diagnosed with disabilities, I’ve always been fascinated by how children learn and grow. It’s truly both a passion and a calling for me.
One Polar Bear and Two Polar Bears both celebrate inclusion and acceptance. Why do you think it’s so important to introduce these themes early in children’s lives?
Children are not born with prejudice. They naturally accept differences and often don’t even notice them as something “other” or negative. It’s only when we avoid talking about inclusion and acceptance that we miss valuable opportunities to guide their understanding. When children are young, curious, and open-minded, it’s the perfect time to help them grow into kind, empathetic, and accepting adults.
Representation also matters deeply. When children with differences can see themselves reflected in the stories they read, it helps them feel valued and included in their communities. I wrote and illustrated the kind of books I wished had existed when my own daughters were little—books that not only help children feel seen and accepted, but also teach them to extend that same understanding and kindness to others.
What were your biggest takeaways about the publishing process?
Realizing that I’m far more capable than I ever imagined. I learned that with determination, I could navigate an entirely new industry—and do it well. I also discovered how much I enjoy collaborating with a professional team and seeing everything come together in an organized, creative way.
Most importantly, I came away knowing how much I truly love what I do. The process reignited my passion and left me inspired to keep growing, learning, and creating. I know there’s still so much more for me to achieve, and that thought excites me.
You’ve studied creative writing, journalism, and developmental psychology. How do these different areas of expertise come together in your creative process?
I’ve always experienced my stories visually first—they often begin as an image I want to draw or a phrase that sparks my imagination. From there I love crafting meaningful, memorable rhymes that make the story fun for both the adult reading aloud and the child listening.
My background in creative writing and journalism helps me communicate ideas clearly and effectively, while my studies in developmental psychology give me insight into how children think, learn, and grow. Bringing these elements together allows me to create stories that are not only engaging and rhythmic but also intentionally designed to support early learning in playful, natural ways. It’s the perfect blend of art, language, and science—and I truly love how they work together in my creative process.
What did you enjoy most about working with Tellwell?
Tthe structured and supportive process. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn as I went, guided by their clear online tools and resources. The Octavo platform made it so easy to track progress, stay on top of timelines, and understand each step of the publishing journey. Everything felt well-organized and transparent, which helped me feel confident and in control throughout the process.
I absolutely loved working with my editor, Jen, who partnered with me on all three books. She not only refined the text beautifully but also reviewed my illustrations to ensure every detail aligned perfectly with the story. Her insight and care made a huge difference.
I also really enjoyed collaborating with Ben on the marketing team, especially the engaging phone calls and planning sessions where we could discuss what worked well, what we could improve, and how to grow with each release. Ben was fantastic at finding new opportunities to expand my books’ reach, and I deeply appreciated his creativity and support. The book reviews and tours were incredibly exciting, and the positive feedback I received was uplifting and motivating.
Overall, the entire experience with Tellwell was both educational and inspiring—a partnership that truly helped me grow as an author.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I truly hope that parents and children find my books to be a fun, meaningful, and delightful part of their reading and bedtime routines. Each story is created with love and intention, designed to spark imagination, encourage learning, and nurture kindness and inclusion from the very beginning.
These books are deeply personal to me. They were inspired by my daughters, who live with complex health challenges and disabilities, and my greatest hope is that they help other children like them feel seen, valued, and represented. I also want every child, regardless of their background or abilities, to feel a sense of belonging and joy when they open my books.
All proceeds from my work go directly toward the long-term care and support of my daughters, helping to improve their quality of life as they continue to grow and thrive. Writing these stories has been a gift, and I’m so grateful to share them with families everywhere. Thank you for reading, and for being part of this journey.
