Q: First tell us something about yourself?
Paula M. Karll is an avid educator with over 10 years of experience working with grades K through 12. As a wife and mother, she has direct experience navigating challenges that families face every day and uses the art of storytelling and her love of literacy to offer actionable tools and practical solutions. As a graduate from Trinity Christian College with a master’s degree in Special Education, Karll has extensive experience working with parents, educators, and schools to help provide supportive services for diverse learners.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Paula used her extra time to reflect. During those moments, Paula connected her gifts of storytelling with her children’s development. They have inspired her in so many ways as she reflected on many stories through their eyes. Paula was inspired to share their story to embrace diversity and incorporate inclusive depiction of families like theirs, and to allow readers to become familiar with characters that may look differently, or simply have a different kind of family, but are basically the same. Paula also wanted her daughters to be comfortable having discussions about their own diverse family. Paula’s hope is to inspire you through her reflections to embrace inclusion, to embrace diversity, and to embrace all.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
Paula started writing her first story in August of 2020 and in March of 2021 the book was published.
Q: Tell us something more about your books?
Education opens the doors of opportunity and books allow children to explore and learn through identifying with characters and content. Representation is important in the books that are accessible to our children. It is important that we celebrate the things we have in common while embracing our unique individuality. As a member of a diverse family, I emphasize the importance of love, kindness, and inclusiveness. Families come in different shapes and forms yet are bonded by the experiences that they create together. Reading is one of the very significant ways that I have connected with my family and my community. The Adventures of Elle and Eve is my gift to other families developed during the pandemic…a time that many families had to pivot and engage children creatively at home.
In the new book, Ellie Meets the new baby, Karll illustrates some challenges and plausible solutions to help older siblings understand the needs of a new baby while growing into and embracing their role as a big brother or sister.
Q: Why do you choose kids as your reader? is there any specific reason?
Paula chose kids as her targeted readers as reading is part of their daily routine. In addition to Paula having experiences teaching in the primary setting both in the general and diverse settings.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
These stories and characters came to Paula’s mind through reflections. Paula connected her gifts of storytelling with her children’s development. They have inspired her in so many ways as she reflected on many stories through their eyes. Paula was inspired to share their story to embrace diversity and incorporate inclusive depiction of families like theirs, and to allow readers to become familiar with characters that may look differently, or simply have a different kind of family, but are basically the same. Paula also wanted her daughters to be comfortable having discussions about their own diverse family.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
Paula loves to inspire you through her reflections. Come join her on this journey and follow her on Facebook: The Adventures of Ellie and Eve & Instagram: @paulamkarll.
