Children's Author Cindy J. Vanous
Award-Winning Children’s Author Cindy J. Vanous
Cindy writes vintage-inspired children’s stories where animals have feelings, small moments matter, and young hearts find courage, love, and belonging.
Her books tend to live in the small, meaningful moments, where kindness shows up in simple ways, and where even hard moments can lead to something new.
Her work has received multiple distinctions from Kirkus Reviews, including four “Get It” recommendations, and recognition from the Mom’s Choice Awards®. She was selected as a featured indie author in the April 15, 2026, issue of Kirkus Reviews magazine.
Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, Cindy shares her stories with schools, libraries, bookstores, and families across the country.
If you’re looking for Christmas stories to share with a child, you can explore my Christmas books here.
Cindy's Children's Books
Available now:
Asher's Christmas Adventure
Asher's Christmas Adventure invites you to experience a range of emotions as Asher the dog discovers he hasn't been invited to his family's holiday gathering at Grandma Helen's house. Being left behind, he embarks on an adventure within his own neighborhood.
A Christmas picture book for children about belonging, family love, resilience, kindness, and finding courage when you feel left behind.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available Now:
Ziva the Great
Ziva the Great is a children's picture book about a cautious Maine Coon cat and a quiet little girl whose unexpected friendship helps them both learn to trust again. With gentle emotion and soft warmth, this vintage-inspired children's story explores themes of healing, love, and emotional safety, showing two hearts can find each other when they need it most.
Recipient of a Kirkus Reviews “Get It” recommendation, selected as a Kirkus Editor’s Pick and featured in the January 15 issue of Kirkus Reviews.
Supports Social-Emotional Learning:
A children's picture book about a Maine Coon cat, trust, emotional safety, compassion, and learning to look beyond behavior to understand what someone may be feeling.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available 2027:
The Ghost Who Collected Dreams
A gentle ghost named Elias collects the laughter, dreams, and bedtime stories of the children in his town, until one night they disappear. As he searches for answers, he discovers that some things are too special to keep all to himself.
Recipient of a Kirkus Reviews “Get It” recommendation.
A children's picture book about sharing, empathy, belonging, emotional growth, and discovering that some of the most precious things are meant to be shared with others.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available Now:
Asher's
Christmas Wish
Asher’s Christmas Wish is the heartwarming tale of a lost puppy who makes a wish for the perfect family, and Santa hears it. Taken to the North Pole, Asher is cared for by Mrs. Claus and two kind-hearted elves as he waits for his wish to come true.
Recipient of a Kirkus Reviews “Get It” recommendation.
A Christmas picture book for children about belonging, hope, second chances, kindness, and a lost puppy's wish to find a family of his own.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available Now:
Brave Belle Saves The Day
Brave Belle Saves the Day tells the story of a tiny pup with a huge heart. When trouble strikes, Belle leaps into action, proving that courage comes in all sizes. Full of warmth, humor, and family love, this vintage-inspired children's book celebrates bravery and the power of one small dog’s big spirit.
A children's picture book about bravery, problem-solving, confidence, helping others, and discovering that you don't have to be big to do something brave.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available Now:
Maddie - A Little Ghost with a Secret
Maddie, a friendly spirit, seeks her unique superpower among other ghosts. She learns each power is personal, and her passion, tied to fond memories with her mom, brings loving memories to her life. Ultimately, Maddie discovers her true talent, deepening her family bond and showing that the most magical gifts come from the heart.
A children’s picture book about self-discovery, embracing what makes you different, building confidence, and discovering that your greatest gift may already be a part of who you are.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available Now:
Brave Belle's First Halloween
In Belle's First Halloween, when Halloween arrives, everything feels different to Belle—strange decorations, unusual smells, and unfamiliar visitors at the door. As she tries to make sense of it all, Belle discovers that sometimes new experiences aren’t quite as scary as they seem.
A Halloween picture book for children about bravery, curiosity, building confidence, overcoming fear, and discovering that new experiences may not be as scary as they first seem.
Available wherever books are sold.
Available Now:
A Christmas for Belle
Belle doesn't know much about Christmas, but she knows something unusual is happening. Strange figures dressed in red are standing in front yards, a man named Santa Claus is handing out treats at the mall, and when Belle gets home, her house is covered in sparkling lights and decorations. Surely everyone must be celebrating her!
Recipient of a Kirkus Reviews “Get It” recommendation.
A Christmas picture book for children about curiosity, family traditions, new experiences, and the humorous misunderstandings that can happen when a little dog experiences Christmas for the first time.
Available wherever books are sold.
About the Author
Cindy J. Vanous
Cindy J. Vanous is a Dallas children’s author, speaker, and workshop presenter who writes vintage-inspired picture books about courage, kindness, belonging, and the small moments that can change us. Inspired by real animals, real people, and the world around her, Cindy creates stories that help children feel seen, understood, and loved.
Her children’s books have received recognition from Kirkus Reviews, the Mom’s Choice Awards®, and Readers’ Favorite. Cindy has received four Kirkus Reviews “Get It” recommendations for Asher’s Christmas Wish, Ziva the Great, A Christmas for Belle, and The Ghost Who Collected Dreams. Ziva the Great was also selected as a Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Pick in January 2026 and received a Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold designation.
Kirkus Reviews has described Cindy’s writing as having “a lovely lyricism” and praised her stories for their themes of love, acceptance, kindness, and family. Her books are brought to life through hand-drawn and painted illustrations that reflect Cindy’s love of vintage children’s books and classic picture-book art.
Before becoming a children’s author, Cindy spent 33 years as a corporate instructional designer. Today, she brings that experience together with her love of storytelling through school and library visits, author events, speaking engagements, and writing workshops. In 2026, she presented a fairy tale writing workshop for the Garland Public Library, moderated a children’s author panel, and served as a judge for the Cat Writers’ Association Communications Contest.
Cindy’s writing has also taken her beyond the pages of her picture books. Her flash fiction was selected for Stories from the Archives at the Frisco Heritage Museum, where original stories were paired with objects from the museum’s collection. She has contributed writing to Texas literary publications and has been featured in author interviews and literary organizations discussing her books, her writing journey, and the animals that inspire many of her stories.
Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, Cindy continues to share her books with children and families through schools, libraries, independent bookstores, museums, book festivals, and community events.
Her mission remains simple and steadfast: to write stories that touch the heart.
