Once Upon a Mattox

Where wonder meets words.

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As a school librarian, I believe every story has the power to plant hope and spark imagination. Through my work, I’ve had the joy of watching countless young readers discover the magic that lives inside the pages of a good book — the kind of magic that makes them laugh, wonder, and dream a little bigger. I’ve decided to give writing children’s books a try. My stories are inspired by those moments of connection and curiosity I see every day in the library — when a child finds a character to relate to or a story that feels like it was written just for them. Whether I’m writing about a lost bear rediscovering friendship or a child learning to be brave, my goal is always the same: to create stories that stay with readers long after the book is closed.
  • Signs of Encouragement: Staying Strong as an Educator

    Signs of Encouragement: Staying Strong as an Educator

    Lately, I’ve found myself feeling a bit discouraged, even weary, doing my job. Teaching today looks so different from when I first started 25 years ago. The kids are still amazing. They are full of energy and heart. However, many of them carry emotional burdens. They have stories of trauma that no child should ever have to endure. It’s hard not to carry that weight home sometimes, and this week, it felt especially heavy.

    Then, two small, beautiful somethings happened.

    A couple days ago, I was given a birthday card a student had made me. It was “a little late” they said with an apologetic smile. (My birthday was a couple of weeks ago.). Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything. As I read the words printed on the back, I realized it was exactly what I needed. It was like the universe whispered, “Keep going. You’re making a difference, even when it doesn’t feel like it.”

    Then today, I was gifted a drink from our local nutrition place with the sweet note above.

    Wowzers! Funny how encouragement doesn’t always arrive on schedule. Sometimes it shows up a little late — but also right on time. There will be those days, but I have to keep smiling and moving forward. I’ve got this!

  • Ode to the Beloved Book Fair

    I try to love this magical time of year… really, I do, but WOW! It’s starting to feel more like a trial than a fun little fair. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching kids get excited walking in the door, telling me my decorations look cool, and when they get a new book in their hands. That part does fill my heart! The creative ways they bring their money in are starting to test my sanity, and let’s be honest, my patience. Monday morning started with a student proudly carrying their fortune in – wait for it – a Marvel Lego box and a disinfectant wipes container – at least $5 in pennies & uncounted. After all my work sorting and counting, he ended with a whopping $7.60. That, my friends, inspired me to write an ode to this glorious, chaotic adventure I call… Book Fair Week! If you’ve never helped out at a book fair, I challenge you to give it a whirl.

    Oh Book Fair,
    What a splendid week of chaos you bring,
    Your storm of diaries and scented bear erasers –
    How you arrive each year
    To test the patience of saints, like myself,
    And the arithmetic skills of children.

    They eagerly come –
    Bags jingling, boxes bulging,
    Butter tubs of treasure in tow.
    Rusty, crusty coins tumble like rain,
    Pennies roll under tables,
    Sticky nickels cling to fingers,
    And somewhere in the mix –
    A proudly presented handful of lint
    (That was lint, right? Another thought, where has that lint been?)

    Some crinkled dollar bills,
    Rolled tighter than a treasure map,
    Emerge from sweaty palms and fanny packs
    Forty-five dollars was the total,
    PAID IN SINGLES
    All done with only the best of intentions.

    Then there are the little optimists
    The ones who bring a crisp ten,
    Eyes shining at more than twenty dollars’ worth of treasures.
    They negotiate with confidence,
    Insisting that I count again
    They are sure more money will magically appear.

    Yes, lovely Book Fair,
    You bring out the best in us all.
    The sweet generosity.
    The sly cunning.
    The excited chaos.
    A beautiful dance of budgeting gone wrong,
    And yet,
    We love you still… maybe… just a little.

    For every jingling baggie,
    Every proud purchase,
    Every tiny reader clutching a new book,
    Is proof
    That beneath the rusty pennies and pandemonium,
    You’ve done what only a few can do…
    You’ve made books & trinkets, irresistible!

  • Once Upon a Time

    This is how Flint looked when I discovered him!

    Once upon a time, I had a dream. Over the years, as a mom, teacher, and now school librarian, I have fallen in love with stories. I have dreamed of the day that I could create my own. I lacked the confidence, though, to get it done. Here I am, at the age of 52, finally taking that leap. I can’t even express how eager I am to see my story finished and available to children everywhere.

    Once upon a time, I found a stuffed bear. Have you ever found something that truly tugged at your heartstrings, and you could feel a story in there wanting to be let out? Well, that happened to me. This stuffed bear had eyes that seemed to be pleading with me. Flint, the ALMOST Lost Bear, is a fictional story, but it’s based on something that actually happened over a year ago.

    We camp a lot in a gated community called Flint Ridge in Kansas, Oklahoma. I love to drive around and look at the houses, both old and new. Anytime I see a deserted old house or barn, I wonder about the family that used to live there. What is their story? Is their story full of happiness and love? Is their story full of sadness and loss?

    One afternoon, we were driving around in our UTV when we came across an almost empty lot with the remains of a house that had burned down. We walked around looking at what was left. Tons of questions were swirling through my mind as we did so. What caused the fire? Did everyone make it out safely? Where was the family now? As I walked back to our UTV to leave, I caught sight of what looked like a kid’s toy. I brushed away the leaves and pine needles, finding a stuffed bear in need of some TLC. It had moss growing on it, melted debris in its fur, and eyes that looked so sad. Right away, I knew this bear had a story to tell.

    So, it’s time for Flint to have his “once upon a time.” My dream is for this story to take off so Flint can share more adventures with you. Did you have a toy that went everywhere with you as a child? What were some of the adventures you had? Maybe you’ll see them in one of Flint’s stories down the road! Stay tuned!

  • A Good Cry Might Make It All Better

    Daily writing prompt
    What would you do if you lost all your possessions?
    View all responses

    If I lost all my possessions, the first thing I’d do is have a little cry for the things that are irreplaceable, like my pets and pictures. I tend to be an emotional person! Once I got that out of my system and had a moment to reflect on the importance of those lost items, I’d begin the process of replacing the things I truly needed, focusing on essentials and items with functionality rather than sentiment. I’d be happy to do some downsizing, though, as this experience would force me to reevaluate what truly matters to me. I feel like I have too much stuff now as it is, cluttering my space, and this would provide a valuable opportunity to simplify my life.

  • Why I Write For Children

    I’m a big child at heart I think. When I first thought about writing, I knew it would be children’s books first. As I started writing, I didn’t imagine a big publishing desk or a stack of manuscripts. I pictured a child, sitting cross-legged on a rug, eyes wide, listening to a story unfold, or even laying in bed listening to a story as my own children did. I have nine grandchildren and one on the way so creating stories they will enjoy is a huge priority. I want to create a spark of wonder. I love seeing that moment when imagination takes flight. That’s why I write for children. This is my adventure and how it’s coming to life because of an ALMOST lost bear I have named Flint. Stay tuned for more of my adventure of writing children’s books and the wonder I have found, and hopefully children will find, in Flint.