The books shown on the left are by Katherine Davis-Gibbon. Click on the cover to order.

Diana Coyle:  Today I am interviewing the author Katherine Davis-Gibbon.Diana Coyle: Before asking you any questions I have regarding your book, “Words,” can you please tell us a little about yourself?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  I always knew that I wanted to write. Straight out of college, while I was doing my Pilates apprenticeship, I worked part-time at a publishing company and wrote for magazines and weeklies based in Los Angeles. As much as I loved the writing process, it made more sense to focus on movement while I was still young and my body still able, and circle back to writing later in life, when I was presumably older and wiser.

For twenty years, I was a dancer and choreographer, whose “dancers’ day job” was teaching yoga and Pilates (eventually owning and operating my own studio). Dance led me to yoga, which introduced me to mindfulness and meditation. I’m eternally grateful to have found these practices before  having kids, because they’ve helped me so much on my parenting journey.

After my first daughter was born, parenting became my full-time job, as well as the heart of my mindfulness practice. I hadn’t anticipated writing for children, but spending fifteen years surrounded by kids taught me how to speak their language. And so much of that time was devoted to reading that I became well-versed in children’s literature and sensed ways that I could contribute.

Both my debut book, My Old Friend, Then, and my new book Words, have been praised by teachers, parents, librarians, and therapists—and both have received awards recognition. This gives me hope that I’m onto something. Parents and others who work with children are finding value in my books, which help them connect with their kids while simultaneously broaching interesting topics.  

Diana Coyle: Can you please provide a brief synopsis of your children’s picture book “Words” to familiarize our readers with your book?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  A diverse group of children discovers a park where words quite literally come to life—looking and behaving a lot like kids. Some words are kinder and more inviting, while others are pushy or prickly or odd. Not every word makes the best first impression, but as they play and share adventures, these children connect more deeply with language. They learn that words have superpowers and grow to love them for their quirks. They see that words make excellent friends, who magically appear just as they’re needed and perfectly mirror how kids feel. The more these children bond with language, the more they tap into their inner voice—and as they dare to give it expression, they gain more respect for the power of words.

Diana Coyle: You are the proud founder of Riverlet Press, a children’s book publishing company. Can you please tell us a bit about that endeavor and what made you want to go into the publishing aspect of creating children’s books?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  After fifteen years of reading to kids, I found that I had strong opinions. As much as I love all children’s books, there was a particular type of book I was always searching for as a parent, that—instead of pretending to have all the answers—reveled in posing interesting questions; that got kids thinking for themselves and tapping into their innate wisdom.

Through Riverlet Press, I’ve been able to create these kinds of books. They’re not a series, and there’s nothing formulaic about them, but they all share the same intention: speaking to children in their own language while nourishing their inner life.

Additionally, I am a visual thinker. When I have an idea for a book, I don’t just “hear” the words, if you like. I see the images in my mind. I don’t simply think like an author; I often think like an illustrator, too. Starting my own imprint has afforded me creative control over more than just the telling of stories. I hand-pick illustrators and collaborate closely with them on the art. I design the covers. I write copy. I edit the books and work with the printer. In a hands-on way, I craft these books and enjoy all parts of the process.

Diana Coyle: What led you to the idea of writing “Words?”

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  During the dark, early days of the pandemic, I was homeschooling my third grader, who really needs quiet to concentrate, and entertaining my three-year-old, who is hyper-social and never stops talking. Overnight, we’d lost two schools, eight odd extracurricular activities, and access to friends (both child and adult). Suddenly, I had to be everyone for my kids—their teachers, their coaches, their playmates, too—while suffering the loss of my support system.

It was a lot like juggling a newborn and toddler, who take all your time and hoard your attention. I felt profoundly isolated, though ironically, I was never alone. Amid those pressures and all that loneliness, I found myself craving the company of words and turning to them for attunement. I started writing in the middle of the night, on my phone, while I was nursing my youngest,  because I needed to commune with language. I wrote my first batch of children’s books that way—in the dark, while the world was sleeping—and it deepened my appreciation for just how precious language is. Words can be our companions when that’s what we need. They can provide attunement in difficult times, when it feels like others don’t understand.

I wanted to share this message with kids, especially kids in the 4-8 age group, who are just beginning to read and write, and experimenting with finding their voice. I wanted to encourage children to hold words close. Language is more than a means to an end. If you invest in it and let it touch you, words can become ones’ very close friends.

Diana Coyle: Where do you look upon for inspiration for each book you write?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  One of the most transformative aspects of being a parent is having the opportunity to re-parent oneself. People learn lessons much later in life that eluded us when we were younger. If, eventually, we become parents, we can share with our kids what we wish we’d known. That helps us give them the best of ourselves while closing loopholes in our psychology and helping us heal unresolved issues.

My stories exist in that fertile space that exists between parents and children. For children, the books plant a seed, offering them something rich to ponder—about how they think, communicate, and relate to the world. For caregivers, they serve as a gentle reminder that brings into focus our deeper values and integrates them into our parenting.

Diana Coyle: When can readers look forward to another release of yours and what is that book about?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  My third book is coming out in the late summer or early fall of 2026. It’s about resilience and the hidden gifts of not always getting what we want.

Diana Coyle: What did you find to be the most difficult part about writing this book?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  Inspiration is never a problem for me, nor is discipline. I love everything about creating books. The most difficult part is probably the waiting (for art, for revisions of art, for revisions of revisions of revisions of art—because yes, I am that picky). It’s also hard waiting for feedback. When I’m working on a book, I can’t wait to share it! But when the project is finally finished, then I get scared. Reviewers are the first to see it, and I know how high their standards are. So, after all that waiting and wanting to share, overnight the prospect becomes terrifying!

Diana Coyle: What was the most enjoyable thing you experienced while writing this book?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  Given the vastness and complexity of the English language, it was truly a challenge to pick which words to include in this book and which ones to turn into word-characters. In those moments when I landed on the right ones, like “zig” and “zag,” or “push” and “pull,” which are so easy for children to relate to, but also hint at deeper concepts … it was exciting, to say the least! Those moments of breakthrough were always a thrill!

Equally, the process of working with Anne to turn those words into characters was incredibly fun. Oftentimes I’d present a scenario to her, as I did with “push” and “pull.” I said that I envisioned an older, larger boy pushing a smaller, younger girl—in a way that is clearly not nice but in a way that often happens amongst kids (especially via sibling dynamics). I threw out some ideas, like having “push” wear some camo, with a slingshot sticking out of his back pocket. But when the art arrived in my inbox, and I got to see Anne’s rendering of that, it was such a delight! For example, it was her idea to use the two Us in push and pull as arms that do the pushing and pulling actions. I thought that was a stroke of genius. In addition to working so well visually, she captured the notion that both children are participating, albeit in different ways, in the conflict they’re having. I thought that was a stroke of genius!

Diana Coyle: How long did it take you to write “Words?”

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  The first draft rushed out of me during the pandemic, but it was a little too serious, with some awkward transitions and lots of holes. I had to put it down for about fifteen months, but when I came back to it, over a year later (at a time when I had more access to joy), I finally understood what had been missing—what would make the draft more fun and playful and string the train of thought together. So, technically, it was written in eight or nine sittings, but the thought process and personal growth that informed this book was in the making for over a year. And inventing the word-characters, which were so interwoven with the narrative and central to the book’s theme, took another year-and-a-half of close, back-and-forth collaboration with Anne. I can’t really separate that from the writing process, because the words were characters and the characters were words. All told, then, it took two-and-a-half years.

Diana Coyle: To wrap up our interview, is there anything you would like to add that you would love your readers to know?

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  I do a program at schools, libraries, bookstores, and malls. It involves reading the book with children and then playing literacy-based games together. I can tailor this program for a younger set (Pre-K/K) or a slightly older set (Grades 1-3). If you are a teacher, librarian, bookseller, or you work at a children’s museum or mall, and you are interested in having me visit, please reach out to me via my web site, Riverlet Press – Children’s Books

I am passionate about bringing language to life for children. It’s fun, rewarding, and healthy for kids! Even if you don’t live near Santa Fe, please reach out and let me know where you’re located. I travel a lot, so you never know where I’ll pop up!

Diana Coyle: Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview with me.

Katherine Davis-Gibbon:  Thanks so much, Diana. I appreciate this opportunity to discuss kids, books, and the creative process. These are some of my favorite topics!