Tender Tales

I am the mother of two boys, ages 2 and 5. I am also a small business owner. I live with my family in Western Massachusetts.

I initially wrote and recorded Tender Tales stories as a fifth birthday present for my son, who craved stories that reflected his life—his struggles and joys. I was surprised to discover that my two-year-old also loved to listen to Tender Tales. The stories reflect my belief that children are more capable than we give them credit for when it comes to understanding and grappling with a range of emotions.

Instead of animals, children are the central characters in Tender Tales. Instead of fantastical story plots, everyday scenarios (that seem like nothing to adults but loom large for a child) are the focus. I hope your child sees themselves—human, resilient, deserving of empathy and grace—in these stories.

The story plots of Tender Tales are based on struggles that my children and other little listeners have encountered (as reported by their parents). Even the names of many of the characters are those of my listeners. I’m grateful to all the parents who allow me to share my stories with their children.

By creating relatable stories with scenarios that feel familiar to many young children, my hope is that little ones recognize themselves and their feelings—as well as those of their friends and family.

I hope this helps children learn to build resilience and navigate their world with empathy and kindness. I also believe that Yoto is also a powerful way to introduce children to families that may look different from their own, which is core to Tender Tales. But my number one goal is simple: to create stories that children want to listen to.

Why I love Yoto

In addition to being a creator on the Yoto platform, I am a “Yoto mom” myself. As soon as the Yoto arrived, I knew it was going to open up a whole new world for my children. It is such a compelling learning tool, without presenting overtly as one. My children love popular cards, including Frog and Toad. They dance to Casper Babypants. But my favorite feature is the make-your-own (MYO) cards. When my sons have new interests, we can find books or other resources and continue to foster those interests in the Yoto world. My older child just asked me to make him a MYO card about a new interest of his: Philipe Petit, the tightrope walker.

Some of my influences
My (and my children’s) favorite authors and illustrators include Arnold Lobel (Frog and Toad), Amy Schwartz (13 Stories About Harris), Eric Carle (Papa Please Get the Moon For Me), Robert McCloskey (Blueberries for Sal), Faith Ringgold (Tar Beach), The Life of a Car (Susan Steggall). One of my favorite places to bring my kids is the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. They have an incredible curated library and craft room. I highly recommend a visit if you’re ever in the area!
Finally, I grew up in a family that valued storytelling. My dad, Peter, made up stories for years about a character named Annette. Annette helped me make sense of the world—the good and the bad. My maternal grandmother, Ruth, heeded my requests and patiently told endless stories from her childhood.

I feel so lucky to have gotten positive feedback about Tender Tales from Yoto families across the world. Their enthusiasm led me to create Tender Tales: Second Collection, and I have several more in the works. Being a part of the Yoto community has been an incredibly rewarding experience.