Christine Kessides
|
Christine Kessides first conceived the tail stories (A TAIL TALE and TAIL TALE TOO, both released by Atmosphere Press in 2025) while a student, but didn’t think to publish until she became a grandmother. She lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The two picture books (illustrated brilliantly by Sarah Gledhill) have both won a Creative Child 2025 gold award and Literary Titan gold award. A TAIL TALE has also won the 2025 Mom's Choice Gold Award, and TAIL TALE TOO was Shortlisted for the 2025 Chanticleer Little Peeps Award.
In 2023, Christine published her debut historical novel, MAGDA, STANDING, loosely based on family history and set among German immigrants in Pittsburgh in the era of the Great War and Spanish flu (1916-19). The novel (released by Bold Story Press) has won multiple awards and was a Finalist for the 2024 IAN Book of the Year Award (Fiction/Teen-YA category).
|
Magda, Standing
|
Young Adult/Historical Fiction
When her father pulls her out of high school to care for her invalid mother and little brother, sixteen-year-old Magda is devastated—but the greater challenge is saving her family in the midst of a global war and pandemic. In 1916, the world is at war, even if America has not yet joined the effort. But for Magda, the growing hostility surrounding her German immigrant family in Pittsburgh hits close to home. Despite her domestic obligations, Magda persists with her education, determined to find an independent role for herself. Faced with the mounting crises of the Great War and the Spanish flu, Magda seeks the knowledge and strength to protect those she loves most. Standing up to a war and pandemic, traditions and expectations, Magda embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience that leads her back to embracing her family and caring for a wider community. 
|
A Tail Tale
|
Children's Fantasy Picture Book
Wally is starting a new school—will he make friends there? Wally thinks his new classmates are mean to him, so he decides he wants to be different from them. He meets the Tailor, who makes tails for the animals and offers to do the same for Wally. Wally tries them on, hoping for special powers, but the Snake (who is all tail, and who gets bullied too) has strong opinions about the tails. He helps Wally see another way they can both make friends. From the familiar anxiety about seeking new friendships in new places, this whimsical story imagines a unique solution (what would it be like to have a tail?), which Wally realizes is a fun idea—but not very practical. He learns empathy as the best cure for unkindness--from the Snake, who finally has a chance to be a hero. |
Tail Tale Too
|
Children's Fantasy Picture Book
Wally is back in TAIL TALE TOO, tackling life’s challenges with even more creativity and curiosity. From chores at home to camping outside, Wally turns to the magical Tailor for a tail to solve each problem. But with each new tail comes an unexpected lesson, and a reminder from his clever snake buddy Snoo that some things are best done the human way. |
