Book Tour Interview with Literarily Speaking
- karenrabe18
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Literarily Speaking
Evan’s Gift
By Karen Charles
Can you share a story about what brought you to this particular career path (becoming an author)?
I didn’t start out thinking, I want to be an author. I started as a teacher and a listener. For years, I worked with children during moments of real upheaval, social unrest, trauma, fear, and uncertainty. I saw how deeply children absorb what’s happening around them, even when they don’t have the words to express it.
Writing became a way for me to make sense of those experiences and to offer stories that could help others do the same. Whether I’m writing for adults or children, my goal has always been to tell stories that heal, that open conversations, and that remind us of our shared humanity. Evan’s Gift came from that same place, wanting to reach children early, before the world hardens them.
Your latest book, Evan’s Gift, is a delightful children’s book that teaches kindness and empathy. How did you come up with this very unique idea?
The story is based on my experience as a kid earning my own bike, growing up in Africa.
The idea came from watching how children respond to kindness, both when they receive it and when they give it. I’ve seen classrooms change because of one child’s gentle act or quiet courage.
Evan’s Gift grew out of the belief that kindness is not small or passive; it’s powerful. I wanted to create a story that shows children that they already have something meaningful to offer the world, simply by noticing others and choosing compassion. Evan doesn’t have superpowers; his “gift” is something every child can access, and that was very important to me.
Can you tell us more about the main character in your book?
Evan is a thoughtful, observant child. He’s not the loudest or the most outgoing, but he pays attention. He notices when others are hurting or left out. Evan represents so many children who feel deeply but don’t always know how to express it.
What makes Evan special is that he learns his kindness matters, that even small actions can ripple outward and change how people feel about themselves and each other.
Who are the other main characters?
The other characters are the people in Evan’s world—friends, classmates, roommates, and adults, who are affected by his kindness. They’re intentionally relatable because I wanted children to see themselves and their own communities in the story.
Each character reflects a different emotional experience, helping young readers recognize feelings like loneliness, gratitude, and connection in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
What’s the very first line of your book?
Cough! Sputter! Bang! R-O-A-R! The little plane’s engine finally caught, vibrating the whole cabin.
What’s the main reason someone should really read your book?
Kindness and empathy are skills we have to nurture, especially in children. Evan’s Gift opens the door to meaningful conversations at home, in classrooms, and in counseling spaces about how our actions affect others.
It’s a story that reassures children that they matter and empowers them to make a difference simply by being who they are. In today’s world, that message feels more important than ever.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would start a kindness-and-listening movement, one that teaches children and adults alike to truly see one another. Not just to react, but to pause, notice, and respond with compassion.
If we could raise children who understand empathy, who know their feelings matter and that the feelings of others do too, I truly believe we would change schools, communities, and eventually the world. Evan’s Gift is a small part of that larger hope.
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