PHOTO: Barbara Pinke, award-winning children’s book author, capturing the magic of parenting and storytelling in her uplifting works.
Award-Winning Children’s Author Turning Everyday Moments Into Timeless Tales
Barbara Pinke, celebrated children’s author, blends warmth, humour, and emotional intelligence into stories that inspire families, teaching valuable lessons about love, connection, and the extraordinary power of ordinary moments.
Barbara Pinke is a storyteller whose words shimmer with warmth, connection, and an ever-present touch of magic. As an award-winning children’s book author, she draws inspiration from her own journey as a mother, transforming everyday moments of parenting into a rich tapestry of fun-filled narratives and gentle lessons. Her stories, like her Celebrating Special Bonds series and the charming Waves and Tales, are a celebration of family, emotions, and the quiet, heroic love of parents.
Rooted in her European upbringing, Barbara’s writing carries a sensitivity to the rhythm of life and the profound emotions that shape us. Whether capturing the exuberance of spring in Spring is… or exploring the complexities of temper and patience in The Fish and His Puffy Temper, her picture books and chapter books create safe spaces where children can feel seen and connected. Barbara doesn’t just write for children; she writes for families, offering shared moments of laughter, curiosity, and heartfelt discovery.
Beyond her enchanting books lies a writer who believes in the immense power of stories to inspire, educate, and unite. With a pen fuelled by her passion for emotional intelligence and the artful weaving of life’s lessons, Barbara creates worlds where imagination takes flight and love quietly shines at the centre. Through every rhyme, adventure, and splash of humour, she gently reminds us all—children and grown-ups alike—that the small, everyday acts of love are where true magic lives.
Barbara Pinke masterfully crafts stories that resonate with children and parents alike, infusing everyday life with meaning, creativity, and emotional depth.
What inspired you to write children’s books and what do you hope your stories convey to young readers?
Every story I write starts with the people I love most. My kids were my first inspiration. When they were small, I realised bedtime stories could do more than just settle them down. They could teach, comfort, and connect. That’s how The Fish Who Wanted to Dance with the Stars was born. Later, they became the adventurous heroes in my Magilicious Journeys chapter book series. Our cat, Pizza (with his ridiculous antics) inspired My Cat Is Like That. Dad, You Are My Influencer came from watching my husband show up every day with quiet strength and love. And my Rhyme in Time seasons books? These are our family activities during the seasons. I also love creating books that spark curiosity, like one of my newest releases, Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Show Me How You Roar, a rhythmic journey through the age of dinosaurs that invites kids to roar along.
As both a mom and an HR professional, I’ve learned that emotional connection matters. That awareness finds its way into every book I write. I want children to feel seen, loved, and uplifted. Whether through underwater adventures or superhero parents, each story carries a specific message wrapped in warmth.
“Every story I write starts with the people I love most.” – Barbara Pinke
How do you think your European upbringing and experiences have influenced your writing style and the themes you explore?
Storytelling is shaped by the books we read, the adventures we live, and the messages we carry in our hearts. Growing up in Hungary and living in Belgium, Italy, and now Germany, each place has left its mark on me and given me something unique to share through my stories.
European children’s literature is known for emotional depth. These stories are more than entertainment; they’re windows to understanding the world and ourselves. Experiencing different cultures showed me that family connection and quality time aren’t just nice to have; they’re everything.
The heartbeat of every story I write is being present, engaged, and emotionally available.
“Children are natural observers; they notice the tiny things—like the first ladybird or the smell of wet grass.” – Barbara Pinke
Can you tell us about your creative process when writing a picture book like ‘Dad, You Are My Influencer’?
Every story begins with a spark: a funny thought, a sweet moment, or something I overhear that sticks with me. From there, I grab my plum tea and pistachios and start scribbling. My goal is to balance humour and heart, so I spend a lot of time rewriting until the story feels like it’s winking at you while giving you a hug.
How do you ensure that your stories are both entertaining and educational for your target age group?
At the beginning, my kids were my immediate test audience. They were wonderfully honest critics; if a story didn’t hold their attention, I knew it needed work! Now I visit their primary school for read-alouds and story testing with small groups of children. Seeing their reactions in real time helps me fine-tune the humour and heart of each story.
What do you think is the most important lesson or message that children can take away from ‘Dad, You Are My Influencer’?
At its heart, Dad, You Are My Influencer is about the quiet power of presence. In a world full of online influencers, I wanted to celebrate the real ones: the parents who shape their children’s lives every day through love, patience, and example. The book shows that influence isn’t about followers or likes; it’s about showing up, listening, and being there.
“I want children to feel seen, loved, and uplifted in all my books.” – Barbara Pinke
For kids, I hope the story is a reminder that heroes don’t always wear capes or appear on screens. Sometimes they’re sitting right beside you, helping with homework or tucking you in at night. And for parents, I hope it’s a gentle nudge that their everyday moments matter more than they might realise.
Of course, I’d never leave moms out of the superhero circle! Mom, You Are My Influencer joined the family on October 24, celebrating love, laughter, and the powerful everyday influence of mothers.
Your book ‘Spring is…’ celebrates the magic of the season, what is your favourite thing about spring and how do you think it can be used to inspire creativity in children?
Spring is my favourite season: it’s life in its purest form. Everything wakes up, and it feels like the world is taking a deep breath and smiling again. The air smells of rain and new beginnings, colours return, and even the light feels softer and kinder.
When I wrote Spring is…, I wanted to capture that feeling of wonder. Children are natural observers; they notice the tiny things, the first ladybird, the smell of wet grass. My Rhyme in Time series helps kids see in each season not just the weather, but rather an emotional experience. Through those small details, spring invites them to imagine, create, and express themselves. I believe that creativity grows best when curiosity meets joy… and spring is full of both.
How do you balance the need to teach valuable lessons with the need to create an engaging and fun story for young readers?
For me, story always comes first. Children can sense when a story is trying too hard to teach them something, so I focus on creating a world they want to step into; one that makes them laugh, imagine, and feel. Once that spark is there, the lesson can gently unfold in the background.
In my Waves and Tales series, for example, The Fish and His Puffy Temper isn’t about teaching anger management. It’s about a fish who gets so frustrated his body puffs up like a balloon. Kids are entertained by the visual, the underwater adventure, and the silly predicament. But along the way, they see the fish learn to recognise his feelings and calm down. The lesson is embedded in the story, not stamped on top of it.
I also make sure my characters are flawed. Perfect characters are boring. Kids need to see someone struggle, make mistakes, and grow. That’s where the real learning happens, through authentic character development, not through a tidy moral at the end.
Another strategy I use is show, don’t tell. Instead of saying “be kind,” I show a character choosing kindness and experiencing the positive outcome. In Dad, You Are My Influencer, I don’t spell out what makes a good parent. Instead, I show those everyday moments of love, patience, and strength in action. Kids are smart. They pick up on the message without needing it explained.
The goal is always the same: to make kids smile, think, and want to turn the page again.
What advice would you give to fellow authors who are just starting out and looking to write children’s books that will resonate with their audience?
• Write the story that needs to be written, not the one you think will sell. Authentic stories outlast trends.
• Read children’s books constantly. Know your audience, their rhythm, and what makes them giggle.
• Test your stories on real kids, not just the ones who adore you. Their honesty is gold.
• Find your team! Collaborate with editors and illustrators; great books are never made alone.
• And above all, lead with emotion. If your story makes kids feel good, it will stay with them.
Remember your “why.” That’s your anchor when the process gets tough.
