Chin Up began as a photo essay, born from the gratitude I felt for my family during a time that tested all of us. Covid was a year that demanded resilience, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the quiet moments we often overlook. As the project evolved, it became an illustrated story told through poetry and imagery, a product of love and care.
This book is not just a story. It’s a celebration of the everyday, meals together, shared silence, sunlight on the floor. Under the weight of a global crisis, these small moments became everything. I wanted to honor how much meaning they held.
I chose the format of a children’s book because of its universal warmth. Picture books can traverse all ages. They’re layered, nuanced, and at their core, just fun. I’ve always loved how they carry a dual narrative, the text, the image, and then a third story created in the interplay between them. The stories run in parallel, allowing readers to experience both what the author is saying and what they discover on their own.
I’ve always believed that art is at its best when it pulls us into something larger than ourselves—when it sparks curiosity and reminds us of the unseen connections we share. That’s what The Postcard Project became for me: a small, physical way to create moments of wonder, to slow down, and to feel part of something bigger.
In a time of isolation, it felt like a way to reach across the silence and offer a quiet, human connection.