Author Charlotte Riggle
Charlotte Riggle is a writer and a reader and a passionate advocate of picture books. Her first book, Catherine’s Pascha, is as beautiful as Pascha itself, with words that sparkle and illustrations that glow with the joy of the feast. Catherine doesn’t like vegetables. She doesn’t like naps. She doesn’t like it when her mom combs her hair. She loves hot dogs, chocolate cake, and her best friend, Elizabeth. Most of all, she loves Pascha! Pascha, the Orthodox Christian Easter, is celebrated in the middle of the night, with processions and candles and bells and singing. And Catherine insists that she’s not a bit sleepy.
It’s been many years since Charlotte Riggle had to take candles away from her children before they set someone’s hair on fire. She won’t tell you which one tried to kiss a candle flame during a Holy Friday procession, or which one slept through the entire Pascha service and woke up the next morning wailing, “I missed Pascha!”
She will tell you that when she first wrote this book, they were much younger and much smaller than they are now. She’s learned that children grow up and find their way in the world sooner than books do.
If you visit Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Tacoma, Washington, where she is a member, you’ll find her on the north side of the nave, with a hat on her head. She’s married to Reader Alexis Riggle, who is a high school math teacher and has recently finished writing a book of saints. The house they share is filled with books, laughter, music, and a large, fluffy white dog.
Coming Soon
Charlotte’s first book, Catherine’s Pascha, took 20 years from start to finish. (You can read the story here.) Her next book, The St. Nicholas Snow, will be out in October 2017.
Awards
Catherine’s Pascha was a finalist in the 2015 Best Book Awards.
Social Media
On the Catherine’s Pascha website, Charlotte has a somewhat random blog where she shares recipes, stories about saints, occasional thoughts on raising kids with special needs, and weekly picture book reviews. Connect with her there, or on Facebook or Pinterest. Or sign up for her newsletter and get a dozen of her favorite cookie recipes!
Looking for Kindness Classroom books and activities for your students?
Multicultural Children’s Book Day’s Downloadable Kindness Classroom Kit for Educators, Caregivers and Homeschoolers is OUR gift to YOU.
Our FREE Classroom Kindness Kit from Multicultural Children’s Book Day includes:
– Diversity Kindness books for ages 4-12
– Classroom Kindness activities, both quick and project based
– Be A Hero Be Kind poster by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
– Multicultural Children’s Book Day poster by DEMI
Go here to download and Be Kind, Be a Hero today!
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