Stories for children and the people raising them
Think about your favorite books as a child. Were they silly, fluffy, loud? Or did they strike something deeper in you, something you didn’t quite have words for yet?
Maybe it was the rhythmic rhyming, hints of a strange grownup world, or simple ideas that somehow felt complex and true. Whatever it was, some part of those stories plucked a string in your soul that likely still resonates today.
Each of our children’s books is created with that same hope in mind: to make stories that ring true whether you’re 3 or 103.
To Be A Christmas Tree
An exquisitely illustrated, rhyming tale where grief meets hope, and even the smallest light can pierce the dark.
To Be A Christmas Tree tells the story of a young Christmas tree who overcomes setbacks and loss as he yearns to become one special family's chosen tree at Christmastime. Especially poignant for readers who are navigating grief, love meaningful holiday traditions, or desire timeless stories that resonate with both children and adults.
Praise for To Be A Christmas Tree
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"A moving, stunning read for all ages."
—Hannah Howard, Author of Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family
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"I will never look at a Christmas tree the same!"
—Elizabeth Gorcey, Author of Liv On Life, children's book series
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"To Be A Christmas Tree is an emotionally deep story rife with analogs to life’s gifts, challenges and changes."
—Cynthia Occelli, Hayhouse Author
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"Not just a children’s book but one that speaks to adults deeply on friendship, joy, love, loss and grief. It’s difficult to read without tears in my eyes."."
—5 star Amazon Review
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"I had to have (my daughter) read the final pages as I was in tears."
—Anonymous
From Page to Screen
A film adaptation of To Be A Christmas Tree is currently in production.
A tiny girl loves living in her egg until she finds that her body is growing, but her egg is not. She wants to break free from her now uncomfortable shell but is afraid of what’s on the other side. This beautifully photographed, modern children’s board book teaches young kids about growth, moving beyond fear, and that they’re not alone.
Recommended ages: 0-8 years
Made in the USA.
The Tiny Girl in the Egg stars Lira Jane Parent, the inspiration for this and all the Invisible Stories I ever told.
Written & Photographed by Leigh Marino
Design Mentoring & Editing by Natalie Mertz
Printed by Pint Size Productions
The Tiny Girl in the Egg
Before it was a book, The Tiny Girl in the Egg was an “Invisible Story” invented at bedtime for my daughter. Years later, that small imaginary tale became the first story I ever sent into the world.
Featuring photographs of real children and a gentle story about growth and stepping beyond what feels safe, this board book follows a tiny girl who has outgrown her egg but is afraid of what waits outside her shell. Written for that tender space between bedtime and sleep, this story plants potent seeds of courage and trust into the minds of our young ones.
Free stories to enjoy
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The Grassflier
A free audio bedtime story for gentle nights and quiet hearts.
Whispering wee winds. Glorious graceful grass. The heady hush before sweet sleep. Enjoy this dreamy tale delivered right to your inbox. -
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The Thoughtful Thought
A whimsical audio story for quiet moments, bedtime or mindful listening.
A little thought journeys through the world, noticing how each encounter leaves a mark and wondering what kind of thought he truly is.
Encourage Thought is designed as an interconnected creative ecosystem
where books, films, and creative guidance all help support one another. Every book purchased helps sustain the ongoing creation of future stories, films, and artistic projects rooted in meaning, beauty, and emotional resonance.