Once upon a time there was a little girl with brown curls that loved fairy tales. This is me. I love reading, movies, and storytelling. In high school I wrote sonnets, poetry and even wrote a Christmas play for the senior class. I had one college professor keep me after to class to question me about I paper I had written. He questioned me to make sure it hadn’t been plagiarized and when he felt satisfied that I was the writer he marked A plus on my paper. Writing is my creative outlet. Stories bounce in my head daily and my desk is filled with picture book stories, young adult novels and screenplays.
Razzle Dazzle, The Green-Nosed Reindeer was conceived during the holiday season of 2019. My granddaughter Sophia was staying with me, and I purchased a Christmas apron with an antler headband so we could make Christmas cookies together and decorate a gingerbread house. Looking at her with the antlers I got inspired. “Sophia, I think we need to create a new Christmas story. I can write the story and you can do the artwork.” Suddenly I started to tell the tale of Razzle who was the granddaughter of a famous reindeer. She had a heart shaped green nose and wanted to learn to fly and lead Santa’s sleigh; but Santa said “NO “to her. One day while Razzle was playing with her reindeer girl friends magic snow sparkled all over her that made her dazzle. My husband Chet was in the kitchen listening and was wowed by the story coming out of me. “This is wonderful.” He exclaimed.
During the lockdown of 2020, I completed writing the story and was fortunate that my daughter Alison shared
Nandi’s illustrations. Collaborating with Nandi on the illustrations started in December of 2020 and was finally completed in June of 2021. Nandi brought my vision to life with her exceptional talent. This story also combines my work as a shaman healer and teacher. Nature, animals, and all living life is interconnected to all of us. The divine feminine and her love for humanity is essential for the earth and all living life like the story of Moana depicts.
I discovered after writing the story, that female reindeers are stronger than the males and keep their antlers longer. I also found that there were legends that women were the ones that brought gifts to children during the winter solstice. My gift to all of you is this book. My hope is that the world will come back into balance. Men and women will be true partners and the world will return to harmony, joy, and merriment. Our hearts will be on the tip of our nose leading us to true peace.
Love is the true magic of Christmas!