Welcome to Chez Stiles Books
A November Note: On Gratitude and New Beginnings
There’s something perfect about launching Chez Stiles Books during the season of Thanksgiving. As we gather around tables counting our blessings, I’m counting mine: a decade of teaching incredible children, a lifetime of adventures that shaped my stories, and now this—the chance to share tales of kindness and gratitude with a whole new generation of young readers.
If there’s one thing I’m thankful for this November, it’s the opportunity to do work that matters. Work that whispers to children, “Your kindness counts. Your differences are beautiful. Your grateful heart can change the world.”
So, here’s the thing about life—it rarely goes in a straight line. And honestly? That’s where all the good stories live.
My journey to becoming a children’s book author started with a crown (yes, really—Miss Delaware, circa way back when), wound through a decade of opening a dance studio and coaching tap, ballet, jazz, and baton, and then took a scenic detour through countless boating adventures with two Black Labs who thought they were pirates, and somehow landed me here: Chez Stiles Books. For those wondering, “Chez Stiles” is French for “House of Stiles.” I thought it sounded far more sophisticated than “Donna’s Book Situation,” which was the working title for approximately ten minutes.
From Studio to Coastline to Chapters—Here’s what many years of teaching children shows you: kids are the most honest audience you’ll ever have. They’ll tell you straight up what you’re doing is boring (usually by wandering away or making that face), and when they love something, their joy is contagious.
I learned that the lessons that stick aren’t about memorizing a routine; they’re about kindness, gratitude, and understanding that being different isn’t just okay, it’s what makes the world beautiful. Those classroom moments when a shy child stood up for someone, when children celebrated each other’s unique quirks, when they learned to say ‘thank you’ and actually mean it—those are the moments that changed me as much as them.
And here’s the beautiful part: I still hear from many of those students as adults, some now parents themselves, and those connections remain some of my most precious treasures.”
Beach Girl – My years in Ocean City, Maryland, weren’t just about raising two amazing humans and perfecting my crab cake recipe. They were about understanding the rhythm of coastal living—those endless summer days, the way light dances on water, and the adventures that happen when you have a boat, two kids, and labs named Raven and Captain who were convinced they were part of the crew.
I’ve always been a beach girl at heart. Give me sandy toes, salt air, and a good book—preferably one about pirates and adventure—and I’m perfectly content. There’s something about the freedom of the ocean, the call of adventure on the open water, and yes, my lifelong love affair with pirate tales that shaped not just my lifestyle but also my storytelling voice. Those swashbuckling stories I devoured as a kid. They taught me that the best adventures often involve being brave enough to be different, kind enough to help your crew, and bold enough to chart your own course. The beach life shaped everything: my design aesthetic, my storytelling style, and my firm belief that the best childhood memories involve a little salt air and a lot of freedom.
The Tampa Chapter – These days, I’ve traded the Atlantic for the Gulf and the black labs for Hook—a French Bulldog with more personality than should be legal in one small, snorty package. He’s become my studio companion, occasional character inspiration, and the most honest critic of my lunch choices. (Still a beach girl, just with warmer winters and better sunsets.) Then there’s my grandson JJ and the grand-dogs, Tate and Camie, who remind me daily why I do this work. Watching JJ discover the world with fresh eyes, watching his contagious smile—that’s the stuff that fuels every whimsical tale and enchanting illustration I create.
Beautiful Living, One Story at a Time – Through all of life’s chapters—from pageant stages to dance studios, from boat decks to my Tampa writing nook—I’ve held onto one belief: beautiful living comes from embracing both elegance and authenticity. And you know what? That applies to people too. We’re all a little different, a little quirky, beautifully imperfect—and that’s exactly how we should be.
So that’s what you’ll find here: children’s books that are beautifully crafted but genuinely real. Stories with heart, humor, and messages about kindness, acceptance, and thankfulness woven so naturally into the adventure that kids don’t even realize they’re learning life’s most important lessons. Just enough magic to make bedtime the best time, and just enough truth to make little hearts a little kinder. Perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, or any moment when you want to remind a child that being kind and being different are both beautiful things.
Find all Chez Stiles books on Amazon or my website, ChezStilesBooks.com. Perfect for bedtime stories, classroom read-alouds, or any moment when you want to remind a child that being kind and being different are both beautiful things. 👉 Shop on Amazon | Browse Our Website Collection
You can follow me on Instagram [@chezstilesbooks] for behind-the-scenes peeks at new books and gentle reminders about kindness. Because we’re all in this beautiful, messy, wonderful journey together. Thank you for being here. Thank you for choosing stories that matter. And thank you for helping raise a generation of kinder, more grateful humans.
