My Story
Once upon a time... there were stories that were never meant to leave the children's room where they were born.
I have always been fascinated by beautiful books, stories, and drawing. I grew up in a small country village, surrounded by the animals that inhabit our forests and gardens. The books of Beatrix Potter, Antoon Krings, and Kenneth Grahame fed my imagination and gave me, from a very early age, the desire to create my own world.
Fifteen years ago, I moved to Zoufftgen. It was here that my first book was born: an illustrated story written for my niece, in which she was the heroine. Then my son was born, and with him came the daily ritual of storytelling. In the car, while cooking, at bedtime, he constantly asked me to tell him stories.
These stories took place where we lived: in the streets of Zoufftgen, in the heart of the surrounding forest, near the rivers where we used to walk. When he particularly liked a story, I promised myself that one day I would turn it into a book, so that he would have a record of it, just for him.
But stories sometimes have a mind of their own, and some decide not to remain locked away.
In 2023, while I was illustrating one of my Christmas stories, Saint Nicholas and the town hall of Zoufftgen decided to distribute it to all the children in the village. The regional newspaper reported on the event, and the book had to be reprinted to meet new demand. A second story was published the following year, and the adventure has continued ever since.
My work
Every time a story made my son's eyes light up, I wrote it down and kept it. Over time, these stories accumulated, forming a vast universe in the making.
A story only truly comes to life when it is told, and I hope that all those still slumbering in my notebooks will also manage to escape and travel to you.
I love drawing and painting, exploring different techniques: pencil, watercolor, felt-tip pens on glass... The illustrations for my first books were created using Procreate, a digital tool that allowed me to bring my world to life while juggling my daily life as a busy mom.
My books
To date, I have published three stories set in Zoufftgen. Each one opens a window onto the local heritage, which is an endless source of inspiration for me. The places described in these stories really exist... and so do the characters. Don't believe me? Come and visit Zoufftgen and see for yourself.
And now…
The world of the Tales of Zoufftgen continues to expand. Through new stories, illustrations, and narrative objects, I continue to explore this village, its forest, and the beings that inhabit it.
Each project builds on the previous ones, like fragments of the same world, passed down through the seasons.
My wish? To continue sharing my stories and offering a little poetry to the world around us.