Candy Stokes

Wheeeee! It's published! After years of wanting to write for children, it's finally happening. /

Hey friends! 👋🏼 I’ve never officially introduced myself, so I thought it would be fun to share some fun facts about me so we can get to know each other a little bit better!😊 For those who don't know me, I'm Candy, your Grandma, mentor & friend whose mission is to help kids broaden their imagination & discover their purpose through reading 📚 10+ fun facts you might not know about me: ✨ Mom to an autistic son ✨ Just adopted our first dog from A New Life Rescue, and he’s the BEST (“Bolt,” Maltese/poodle mix) ✨ I’m a neat freak ✨ Live in San Diego, but was born in Germany to a German mom and Croatian dad, currently brushing up on my German via DuoLingo. ✨ Been writing stories since high school, encouraged by my Creative Writing teacher. ✨ Oldest of 4 kids and have 4 kids of my own ✨Used to be a preschool teacher but am now working for a Christian Video Gaming Company (TruPlay Games) ✨ Owned my own staging and design company, but still love decorating for my family & friends ✨ Favorite meal is Schnitzel a la Holstein with Rot Kraut and Spaetzle. ✨ Fave children’s author is William Steig ✨ Love me a good road-trip with my hubs, Clay. Even better if it’s in a convertible. ✨ I am officially an author of a children’s book called The Blue Balloons Magnificent Day , which you can buy on Amazon! Do we have anything in common?! Let me know below👇 #childrensbooks #picturebook #books #kidsbooks #childrensauthor #imagination #bookrelease #firsttimeauthor #momlife #childrenillustration #childrensbookauthor #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #childrendevelopment #kidsreading #christianauthor #christianliving#autismom #autismparent

Because some mama out there needs to hear this, this holiday season ❤️ SAVE for a reminder & SHARE with a friend who might need some extra love & permission to buy the pie instead of make it this year 🥧 #childrensbooks #picturebook #books #kidsbooks #childrensauthor #imagination #bookrelease #firsttimeauthor #momlife #childrenillustration #childrensbookauthor #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #childrendevelopment #kidsreading #christianauthor #christianliving#autismom #autismparent #momhumor #youngmomsclub #readingtogether #momblogger

Looking for unique gifts? Stop in at this Holiday Market! I’ll be in one of the festive corners - happy to sign a Blue Balloon book for you.

Early holiday shopping! Come on out to this fun event with the fam and enjoy food, games and a variety of vendors (including me) signed copies of The Blue Balloon’s Magnificent Day will be available at discounted holiday prices. See you there!

Join the fun! We will be hosting a table with signed books for sale at this fall family event. See you there!

So thrilled that @thehiddenesco invited me to be a vendor at this fun family event! Come on by for a discounted and signed copy of The Blue Balloon’s Magnificent Day!

Happy Summer Sale! Do you know any Littles who would enjoy a fresh book? Buy one, get one free on Amazon!!! (Note: put “2” in your cart and the price of one will come off at checkout.) now through July 13. Happy reading! #summer #summerreads #childrensbook

🎉 GIVEAWAY ALERT! 📚 Exciting news, friends! My talented sister/illustrator and I are hosting a special giveaway just for YOU! 🌟 We’re thrilled to share the magic of our children’s book, “The Blue Balloon’s Magnificent Day,” with three lucky winners! 🎈📘✨ It’s a heartwarming tale filled with adventure, friendship, and endless possibilities! To enter: 1️⃣ Like this post 2️⃣ Follow @candy_stokes , @jenniferksiddens 3️⃣ Tag 2 friends who would love to dive into the world of “The Blue Balloon’s Magnificent Day”with their kiddos! *Bonus if you share this post to your story! Winner will be announced this Friday 3/15! Don’t miss your chance to win a copy of this enchanting story! 📖✨ Good luck to all! *Must be 18 or older to win. This promo is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administrated by or associated with Instagram. #childrensbook #kidsbooks #childrenreading #christianbooks #christianreads #youngmomsclub #momtips #momlife #kidspicturebooks #kidbookreview #bookrecommendations #childrenbookreview #childrenreadingbooks #picturebook #childrensbookstagram #kidsreading #christian #christianmom #christianparenting #parentingtips #christianreader

You have to read this series if👇 a) you have a dog and b) you want to understand Psalm 23 a little better (Owning a dog is optional, but it’s so fun to see the parallels he highlights out of the obedience and training of his dog.) 🐶 Phillip Keller is a former shepherd who offers fresh and useful insights into one of our favorite Psalms. Two of my favorite books of his are “Lessons From a Sheep Dog” (one of my faves, obviously), “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23”. ❤️ Both can be found on Amazon!✨ #bookrecommendations #kidsbookstagram #christianbooks #kidbookreview #childrenbookreview #kidsbookrecommendations #childrensbooks #picturebook #books #kidsbooks #childrensauthor #imagination #bookrelease #firsttimeauthor #momlife #childrenillustration #childrensbookauthor #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #childrendevelopment #kidsreading #christianauthor #christianliving#autismom #autismparent #momhumor #youngmomsclub #readingtogether #momblogger

Got a new diagnosis you weren’t expecting? 👇 1) Know that God hears your lament over having dreams crushed and understands your feeling of being overwhelmed. 2) Be assured that there is gobs and gobs of help and support out there for you. Find other autism moms who are ahead of you and can share their resources. 3) Take one day at a time and don’t borrow worry from the future. It’s amazing how God unfolds help and opens doors as the days and years go by. You are just responsible to do today the best that you can. 4) Accept, enjoy and determine to understand your child for who they are and what they CAN do. 5) I can’t stress to you enough how profoundly a few books written by autistic people have helped me approach my son with a much better understanding of the stress he has to deal with every day. Here is a reading recommendation list: Ido In Autismland, The Reason I Jump, Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8; all of these are available through Amazon.❤️ Like & SAVE to remind yourself later ✨ #autism #autistic #autismingirls #autismparenting #austismawareness #onthespectrum #neurodivergent #speechtherapy #occupationaltherapy #disabilityawareness #bookrecommendations #christian #christianliving #christianmom #childrensbook #kidsbooks #readingtips #readingtime #childreading #childrensauthor #kidsreading #childrenbookreview #picturebook  #christianblogger

Squabbling children? Here’s a verse that helped us maintain peacefulness in our home. 🏡 “The Holy Spirit makes you one in every way. So try your best to remain as one. Let peace keep you together.” Eph 4:3 When children are arguing there’s an adage that says “Let them work it out themselves!” That sounds super, but the problem is, it presupposes that they have the tools to do so. That’s not necessarily true. When our kids started fighting, everything stopped until we came to a point of resolution and peace. This helped them understand that the condition of the relationships within our home were of utmost importance to us, and most certainly to God. 1. Get to the root cause of the issue. 🌱 2. Involve them in figuring out a solution. 🤝 3. Have them apologize for their part in the difficulty, AND if they’ve hurt each other’s feelings. 💔 4. Say “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you”. The power of having to verbalize “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” is a motivator in two ways - it impacts us in understanding that we’ve actually hurt someone, And the discomfort in having to say those words makes you not want to have to do that very often. This process takes time, but it builds in tools that will be useful through all of life’s relationships. Make sure to SAVE for later as a reminder ❤️ #christianmom #parentingtips #parenting #christianquotes #christianblogger #christianwoman #christian #slowliving #christianparenting #christianunschooling #christianreading #scriptureoftheday #bibleverses #god #peace