Carol Ann Isbell

Carol Ann Isbell is a children's book author who writes funny and heartfelt picture books for kids who feel deeply and wonder loudly. Her stories are shaped by years of listening closely and taking children seriously without making everything too serious. She is represented by Lindsey Aduskevich at Martin-Newens Literary Management for publishing-related inquiries.

Some reviewers praise her for creating stories full of humor, tenderness, and memorable characters that address big emotional questions children carry before they have words for them. Her writing is noted for bringing a deep respect for children's inner worlds, including their fears, contradictions, and fierce opinions. The stories are described as aimed at children who feel deeply and wonder hard.

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families across many settings. For nearly two decades, she has listened closely to people's stories, which continues to shape the stories she tells for children. She is also the co-founder and co-owner of Northstar Counseling Center and Northstar Learning Lab.

Carol Ann is legally blind because of an inherited retinal condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Living with vision loss has shaped her perspective on identity, assumptions, belonging, and the gap between how others perceive us and who we know ourselves to be. This experience deepened her belief that limitations do not have to erase creativity, ambition, humor, joy, or wonder.

She is an Adjunct Professor in the Couple and Family Therapy Program at the University of Louisville's Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. She has provided training, mentorship, and clinical supervision to graduate students and mental health professionals in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Her professional work includes trauma-informed care, relationship education, emotional wellness, and family systems.

She received the 2021–2022 Dean's Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Louisville's Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. She earned her Master of Science in Social Work with a Marriage and Family Therapy specialization from the same university. These credentials support her authority in writing about emotional flexibility and the human experience.

For school and library visits, storytimes, speaking engagements, and events, you can use the contact form on her website. For publishing-related inquiries, you must contact her agent, Lindsey Aduskevich at Martin-Newens Literary Management. She also offers a newsletter signup for occasional notes on picture books, big feelings, and writing life.

The website provides a sign-up form for occasional email updates about her books and writing. Users can enter their first name, last name, and email address to receive book news and other small bits of delightful chaos. The site explicitly states there will be no spam, just occasional notes, and allows users to unsubscribe at any time.

Her stories are especially drawn to themes of identity, belonging, assumptions, emotional flexibility, and the wonderfully messy work of being human. She writes picture books alongside her ongoing work as a therapist, educator, speaker, and clinical supervisor. The content is designed for children who notice more than grown-ups realize.

She has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families across many settings for nearly two decades. Her professional background includes trauma-informed care, compassion fatigue, and clinician development. This extensive experience informs the emotional depth of her characters and their struggles.

Her writing takes kids seriously without making everything too serious, balancing humor with heartfelt moments. She aims to help children understand that their big emotional questions are valid and important. The stories are full of excellent nonsense and giant joys alongside tiny heartbreaks.

You can reach Carol Ann Isbell by e-mail at [email protected].

The official website of Carol Ann Isbell is carolannisbell.com.

On Trustburn, Carol Ann Isbell has a rating of 4 out of 5 based on 4 reviews.