Guest Post: Local Author & Mom Renee Casteel Cook

Meet Renee Casteel Cook, a local Author, Eater, Mother, Reader! Read on as she introduces her latest children’s book, “Meet Maddie,” and the inspiration behind the character.

My writing career started when I moved to Columbus four years ago and left my previous day job in advertising to write The Columbus Food Truck Cookbook (and follow up, Best of Trailer Food Diaries which spotlights Columbus alongside major food truck markets like Austin, Texas and Portland, Oregon). I was pregnant with my now three year old daughter as I researched the mobile food scene – an even better excuse to eat for two while visiting the trucks and recipe testing! Once she was born my reading list quickly transitioned to titles like “The Going to Bed Book” by Sandra Boynton and “I Love You Stinky Face” by Lisa McCourt, still two of our favorites. As she came into her spirited and fiercely independent personality (which is often attributed to her maternal genetics), I became inspired to create Maddie the Monkey, a modern mix of our favorite characters including Pippi, Eloise and Olivia.

In this debut of Meet Maddie, I hope to bring to life the strong willed, silly yet sophisticated, fashion forward and adventurous spirit I cherish in my own young daughter. My words have been paired up with illustrations from a budding young talent, a 14 year old illustrator named Dominic Tarantino, also making his debut in the genre. Our hope is that readers will embrace this story and offer us the opportunity to share future stories featuring Maddie and her family and friends.

During the month of November I’m hosting a variety of events at local children’s book and toy stores as well as an online campaign for your very own Meet Maddie plush. She’s the perfect reading buddy for anyone who loves books, children, monkeys, or all three!

Events