Kristina M. Howlett

 From a young age, I knew that writing would play an important part of my life. In elementary school, I remember the love of learning new words and practicing for the annual Spelling Bee. In First Grade I won a First Place Award for my story, THE DAY THE CAT HAD KITTENS. In high school, I attended a diverse public school and had the chance to study in Normandy, France. These experiences changed my life, opening my world to the importance of communication and perspectives. My passions are learning about languages, cultures and our changing, yet interconnected world! In college, my writing skills improved when I set up my own business with an old-fashioned electric typewriter, editing, proofreading, and typing term papers. My first job was mentoring international and underrepresented students, which led me to my career in education. After teaching ESL and completing my doctoral degree, I moved into academic writing and published educational articles in my areas of interest: children's literature, service learning, and multiliterary.  

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Some of My Favorite Children's Books​

• The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater

• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Illustrated by Rafael López 

• Ish by Peter H. Reynolds 

• Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say

• Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

• Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh

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10 Facts About Me 

1. I love to travel and meet new people. 

2. I have lived in six different states and visited over 20 countries. 

3. My favorite flowers are daffodils, poppies, and irises.

4. My favorite flavor combination is coconut and chocolate (Mounds Bars are my go-to candy bars!)

5. I have an autoimmune disease and I am allergic to bee stings and wasps. 

6. When I was a kid, I loved reading, daydreaming, drawing, making arts and crafts, writing, playing sports, and riding my bicycle.  

7. My favorite dessert is homemade Italian cheesecake. 

8. I love to read and usually read about 100 books each year.

9. Some of my favorite places to go are thrift stores, art galleries, libraries, bookstores, flower gardens, and the beach. 

10. I speak French, Italian, Spanish, and English. 

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Collecting children's literature and sharing books and stories is another lifelong passion, and now it is one of my greatest joys to write for young readers. While I am still learning about the children's book industry and improving my craft, I have written 15 picture books, and I am almost finished with the illustrations for 2 of my stories. My goal is to find a literary agent who can support my efforts to inspire children to use their gifts and be kind and generous people who are lifelong learners. In my spare time, I read aloud to children and stock Little Free Libraries in high impact areas.

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Here are the beginning lines of one of my children's books, GRANDMA REMEMBERED.

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Grandma’s bedroom was dark.

She couldn’t speak anymore

to say what she wanted.

Mama said Grandma had Alzheimer’s.

But Rose knew what Grandma wanted.

So, Rose opened the curtains.

“Come on, Grandma,” Rose said.