I’m so happy to feature my talented writing friend, Candace Spizzirri, on the blog again. Her adorable new picture book, FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE, releases from Gnome Road Publishing on April 28, 2026. It’s a companion to FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE. Both are beautifully illustrated by the team Chantelle and Burgen Thorne. I’m so glad to see Finley’s adventures continue. Below, Candace shares about stories, creativity, and connection. Welcome back, Candace!
Thank you, Melissa, for having me on your blog again to chat about stories, creativity, and connection. I’m so happy to be here!
1) STORIES – Discuss the inspiration for your ideas and stories, and share the process about your latest projects.
I draw story ideas from just about every corner of life! Quiet moments—like watching a vibrant sky at sunset or wandering through a still, whispering forest—spark my imagination just as much as the lively chaos of family gatherings or the energy of a big game. Everyday routines, snippets of overheard conversations, and milestone celebrations all feed my creative well.
My greatest source of inspiration, though, is my five grandchildren. They’re my built‑in storytellers, always ready to hand me a spark of magic when I least expect it. I love eavesdropping on their imaginative play, asking what kinds of tales they’re craving, or challenging them to dream up a story right then and there. Their ideas are delightful and often grow into full manuscripts. One of my favorites came from my grandson M.J., who takes his beloved walrus stuffie blanket everywhere. Walrus is his confidant, his sidekick, and sometimes the keeper of secrets. Watching their bond inspired M.J.’s Walrus, a manuscript close to my heart that I hope will find its way into print someday.
My next picture book entitled FINLEY: A MOOSE IN CHARTREUSE, releases on April 28th. I wrote this book as a companion to FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE, so my adorable, friendly moose could keep adventuring. Go, Finley, GO!
A trip to Paris, the City of Love, sparked the idea for this next journey. After I posted a photo on social media—me holding a copy of FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE in front of the Eiffel Tower—Chantelle and Burgen Thorne, the incredible award-winning illustrators, replied, “Finley in Paris! A sequel?” In that moment, I knew: Paris was the perfect next stop for Finley.
2) CREATIVITY — How do you showcase your creative side through writing/illustrating and other pursuits?
I find joy in the creativity of writing—the way a spark of an idea can set my heart racing, the freedom of letting my imagination spill across a first draft, and the satisfaction of arranging words until they fall into just the right order. Watching a story take shape feels a bit like watching something grow: surprising and full of possibility.
Revision is where I feel most at home. I read my work aloud again and again, listening and hoping for a manuscript that flows with melody and movement. I lean into rhythm and rhyme, savor wordplay, and delight in alliteration, onomatopoeia, metaphor, simile, and repeating refrains. Always adjusting, polishing, and coaxing the story into the strongest one possible.
Writing isn’t always easy, but it is always worth the effort. When I’m not shaping stories, I’m often exploring creativity in other ways—scribbling poems, cooking something comforting, decorating a cozy corner, or dancing just because it feels good. Creativity has a way of weaving itself through every part of my life.
3) CONNECTION — How do you connect to your young readers through your writing/illustrating, and how do you stay connected to the KidLit community?
I love bringing my books to kids wherever they are—classrooms, libraries, community events, or cozy reading corners. There’s nothing better than seeing a child light up during a story. My biggest hope is that my books spark joy, curiosity, and a little wonder about the world around them.
Community is such a vital part of my writing life. I stay active in the KidLit world through groups like SCBWI, 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Inked Voices, Storyteller Academy, The Writing Barn, and the Children’s Book Academy. I’m also lucky to be part of three incredibly supportive marketing groups—KidLitCollective, PBPros, and BusyPBs—as well as several critique groups that keep me inspired and growing. Conferences, webinars, classes, and social media give me even more chances to connect with fellow writers and illustrators. The KidLit community truly is a generous, uplifting place to belong!
Thanks again for hosting me, Melissa. And thank you for all you do for the KidLit community!
CANDACE’S BIO:
Candace Spizzirri crafts children’s books with humor and heart. Like her spirited character Finley, she adores Paris, bold adventures, and the color chartreuse. Passionate about education, Candace co-founded both an elementary and a high school in Southern California. She loves spending time with her husband, son, daughter, daughter-in-law, and five delightful grandkids. Visit her online at candacespizzirri.com
CONNECT WITH CANDACE:
http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023632007597
http://twitter.com/ccspizzirri1?lang=en