Carla Kessler
Carla Kessler’s author journey began in elementary school, where she immersed herself in the world of her beloved fantasy characters—those heroic figures destined to save the world. From there, she transitioned to actively participating in civil rights protests during her high school years. She discovered her true source of empowerment as a teacher, nurturing the minds of the next generation through the transformative mediums of music and writing.
A cellist, passionate gardener, and writer, Carla aspires to ignite the same fervor in those embarking on a similar journey. Dive into the enchanting tale of Terracolina, the first of the Terracolina Series, where fanciful creatures and vibrant plants empower a young Thomas to create a meaningful impact in his real world.
Carla collaborated with her husband, Richard, in crafting the illustrations. While their musical partnership was well-established, venturing into the realm of illustration marked a novel undertaking for them both. Richard’s vibrant artwork enhances the enchanting essence of Terracolina.
“…incredibly vivid and magical.”
In a world teetering on the brink of ruin, 12-year-old Thomas Smithers discovers a magical garden through a perilous portal.
Mourning the loss of his grandpa, he yearns to share this enchanted place with his cherished mentor. Instead, he finds purpose through the discovery of a note with plans to save their favorite forest from a destructive parasite.
When the mystical realm is also attacked, he is summoned to play a key role, and wonders if it was all part of Grandpa’s design.
But can he preserve both worlds?
The riveting first entry in The Terracolina Trilogy’s middle-grade magical realism series features talking plants, a telepathic gardener, and a nymph-girl who speaks in rhymes. Thomas’s sense of wonder and adventure will inspire young readers, and offer a nature lover’s “place to belong—soothing and enchanting.”
Thomas thought he saved the magical garden world of Terracolina from the slimy, oil-spewing Olgrots. He was wrong.
His return home gives him a chance to save the hemlock forest he and Grandpa used to frequent and he’s finally making some friends in his real world. But he still misses his Terracolina buddies and finds a way to visit them. What he discovers is shocking. Not only have the Olgrots attacked again, but an aggressive vine is strangling the garden.
He realizes this time he alone can’t stop the tragedy unfolding in Terracolina. His real world friends have just the right skills to help out. He wants to connect his two worlds but can they coexist?