Daily Inspiration: Meet Caroline Perry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Perry.

Hi Caroline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Manchester, England, but my family moved often during my childhood, and I’m not sure I ever had the chance to think of any one place as “home.” From a very early age, I found sanctuary in books. I was a voracious reader, and as soon as I learned to write, I began crafting short stories and poems of my own.

I started working as a journalist while I was still in college: first as an unpaid intern, then gradually earning my stripes to become a theater critic, a bar and restaurant columnist, beauty editor, entertainment correspondent, and celebrity interviewer/profile writer. I am relentlessly curious, and storytelling in all its forms has always been my compass.

In 2007, my New Zealander husband and I relocated to Los Angeles, and all three of our children were born here. With family spread across the globe we travel often, but we have a deep and abiding love for LA. When the fires were raging in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades, I felt powerless watching the devastation unfold. Three author friends and I decided to channel that helplessness into action by launching a KidLit for Los Angeles fundraiser, and we were overwhelmed by the response. Many of the biggest names in children’s publishing contributed, and together we raised nearly $180,000 in just two weeks. It was a powerful reminder that even in difficult times, there is still so much good in the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My childhood was turbulent, and living with chronic illness added to those early challenges. My extended family all lived overseas, and I yearned for the close relationships my friends had with cousins and grandparents. Books offered new worlds to slip into, and I discovered that writing can be highly cathartic. Even now, working on stories for young readers gives me a way to reframe (and reimagine) some of those struggles via the characters I create.
Nothing gives me greater joy than hearing that one of my books has helped a young reader feel “seen.”, or given them joy during a challenging time. Children’s books provide both escapism and healing: they can reflect readers’ own lives, mirroring their fears, hopes, and inner worlds, while also offering a sense of possibility, and a safe space to dream. I truly believe that children’s books are both magical and essential.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
2025 has been a very busy year, with three of my books releasing in quick succession. My most recent, I AM NOT HAPPY! (Simon & Schuster), is a funny story brought to life with the most adorable illustrations by fellow Angeleno Sydney Hanson. Our book introduces Quokka, a perma-smiling marsupial who wants the world to know that looks can be deceiving: sometimes his frown is simply upside down! I was thrilled when the book was voted by independent booksellers as a Kids’ Indie Next Pick, and it appeared on two wonderful ‘Best Picture Books Of 2025’ lists. I can’t wait for the sequel, I AM NOT GRUMPY!—centering on a rain frog with a serious case of RFF (Resting Frog Face)—which comes out next fall.

In September, Messi’s Magic (Scholastic Press) arrived. We’re a big soccer family, and I coach a U14 boys’ AYSO team, so telling Lionel Messi’s remarkable story was a privilege. He overcame enormous challenges on his rise to the pinnacle of his sport, and I think he more than deserves the G.O.A.T. accolade. Messi’s Magic was awarded a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and received a starred review from School Library Journal, and I’m so grateful for the support it has received from librarians, teachers, and young readers alike.

Earlier in the year came The Memory Cake (Holiday House), a touching, lyrical story in which a Maltese grandmother recounts her World War II experiences to her granddaughter as they bake a special cake. It’s a tribute to my Maltese heritage and a love letter to the tiny Mediterranean island that became the most heavily bombed place on earth. I was honored to launch the book at the Maltese Embassy in Washington, D.C., and I’m proud to shine a light on this lesser-known story of civilian courage and resilience, which helped to turn the tide of that terrible conflict. Sadly, many children today are living under siege conditions, and there are more armed conflicts now than at any time since the 1940s, so the themes of this book are especially relevant for young readers.

My debut, The Corgi and the Queen, explores the late Queen Elizabeth II’s relationship with her first corgi companion, Susan. Susan was an 18th-birthday gift from Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, during World War II—she became the great love of Elizabeth’s early life, and the matriarch of a regal dog dynasty. Almost all of the Queen’s 30 corgis were directly descended from her, and the corgi family tree in this book always surprises and delights!

I have more books in the pipeline, and I can’t wait to share more about those!

How do you define success?
This is a tough one! Publishing is an extremely challenging business, and rejection is something every author experiences on a very regular basis. Even when you have books in the world you worry about trade reviews, consumer feedback, industry acceptance… and imposter syndrome can very easily become your constant companion. I’ve learned to celebrate the small victories, and for me the truest measure of success comes directly from the child readers, because they are the people I want to impress! When I receive a message from a parent saying their six-year-old has read one of my books a dozen times, or when a student excitedly tells me that a title I wrote inspired them to create their own stories, I feel profoundly grateful that I get to do this for a living. Kids are a never-ending source of joy and inspiration, and the best audience an author can hope for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolinelperry.com
• Instagram: @carolinelperry