When Tiny Paws Meet Big Feelings by Katina Nadebaum

Hi and welcome to my very first blog post. I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m Katina Nadebaum, a children’s author with a love for stories that speak to the heart.

I write picture books about big feelings, misunderstood behaviours, and the quiet magic of being truly seen. My stories are inspired by lived experience and my advocacy for neurodiversity, but at their heart, they’re for every child — because every child has moments of feeling different, curious, energetic, or experiencing the world in their own unique way. I believe that what children sometimes experience as “challenges” are really strengths waiting to be understood.

My motto is simple: the unique traits of every child are gifts to embrace and celebrate. That means creating stories where children feel seen rather than corrected, supported rather than shaped, and celebrated exactly as they are.

The most important things to me in my stories are kindness, curiosity, emotional safety, and connection. I want every child who reads my books to feel comforted and understood. My characters don’t fix or change a child. Instead, they stand beside them, offering reassurance and support when the world feels big, loud, or overwhelming.

I also wanted to share a little story behind my new logo.

Squirrels are curious, energetic, and wonderfully determined. They gather, prepare, explore, and sometimes move through the world in ways that feel a little different to others. There’s something playful and resilient about them that I absolutely love. When I began thinking about the heart of my first book and the message, I want my stories to carry — the squirrel felt like the perfect symbol. Small but mighty, gentle but brave. A reminder that even the tiniest paws can leave the biggest mark.

And yes… Jeff sometimes pops up too — every author needs a Jeff by their side!

As I begin this publishing journey, I’ll be sharing more through my newsletter — updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the writing process, reflections on childhood and big feelings, and the little insights that inspire my stories, including my love for celebrating neurodiverse traits. I would truly love for you to join me.

Thank you so much for being here at the very beginning. I can’t wait to see where these tiny paws take us next!
With love,
Katina x