<p>“With picture books,” she adds, “it’s all about something scary turning out to be okay,” as evidenced in one of her imprint’s proposed titles. <i>The Hollow House</i> tells the story of a child who discovers a haunted house in his hometown. Instead of terror, he finds friendly ghosts and learns that things aren’t always as frightening as they seem.</p>
<p>Each of her Books Under the Stairs meet a key criteria. They must contain a meaningful lesson, feature engaging illustrations, and offer a sense of adventure that empowers young readers. “Fear doesn’t have to be a bad thing,” she says. “If we can teach kids that they’re capable of facing what scares them, we’re helping them grow into confident, curious adults.”</p>