Are you looking for Home Education Books?
I’m creating a series of fiction books for all ages. Follow my progress as I write and illustrate 20 books. This is my first post for the home education book updates here, but I have been posting on my Substack since 2023, as I overlapped consulting with writing/illustrating.
After years of working as an education consultant, I decided to step away from directly guiding parents, carers, and educators through the complexities of home education, homeschooling, and unschooling. While I’ve loved helping others develop curricula, plans, and strategies tailored to their children’s needs, I’m now pursuing a new direction that feels deeply meaningful to me. This path became clear after collaborating with Beverley Paine and April Jermey on the three workbooks, available through Always Learning Books, that I have detailed on my About Me page.
#AuthenticHomeEducationRepresentationInChildrensLiteratureMatters
Writing 20 books
I’m shifting my focus to writing—a creative outlet that allows me to share my passion for learning and the unique experiences of home-educating families. My goal is to write 20 books that highlight the diverse voices and stories within the home education community. These books will represent what it’s truly like to grow and learn outside traditional educational systems, giving children a chance to see their experiences reflected in literature.
This transition is about more than storytelling; it’s about inspiring parents and caregivers to respect children’s perspectives and autonomy in their learning journeys. I want to challenge traditional ideas about education and provide resources that empower families to create meaningful, child-centred learning experiences.
While leaving consulting is bittersweet, I’m excited to pour my knowledge and creativity into these books. Writing allows me to leave a lasting impact, amplifying the voices of children and families who deserve to be celebrated and understood.
Illustrating 9 Picture Books
When I decided to write these books, I knew the illustrations would play a crucial role, to the 9 that are picture books. I wanted the artwork to complement all the stories, bringing them to life in a unique and memorable way. I wanted to use a medium that felt tactile and personal. Miniature-making, and stop-motion film, have always been passions of mine. Instead of traditional drawings or digital art, I’m creating tiny 3D objects and sets.
These miniatures will be the characters and environments that visually tell the story for 9 of the 20 books, with behind the scenes photos in the Guide Book.
Once the sets are ready, I’ll photograph them to use as illustrations in the books. A home education graduate who has already completed Film Studies wants to make a short stop-motion film with me, which we hope to do after the books are completed.
There’s something magical about building a little world from scratch. Every detail, from the texture of the materials to the lighting of the scenes, feels intentional. It’s also a way to bring my stories to life in a tangible, immersive way. I think both children and adults will connect with the depth and personality that miniatures bring. They show what home education looks like without intruding on families by taking photos. Children’s age prevents them from legally consenting. Article 16 of the Rights of the Child is always in my mind.
The right combination
There’s a playfulness to miniatures that resonates with the spirit of these books. They invite curiosity, encouraging children to imagine themselves in the story’s world. I also love how this process mirrors what I’m writing about—creativity, freedom, and individuality.
Homeschooling and unschooling are about breaking free from traditional frameworks. Similarly, my illustrations are stepping outside the usual boundaries of children’s books. Each piece is handcrafted from recycled materials. I want everyone who picks up these books to feel the love and effort poured into them. I hope they inspire children to make their own mini-real-worlds as well.
Time to get back to making the books
The stories are based on the real lives I was privileged to witness over the past 20 years.
Follow along for updates on making books that celebrate home education, homeschooling, and unschooling. Get progress updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and creative inspiration for empowering learning journeys!