ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Teichen is a children’s author and illustrator who who writes and illustrates her stories during her toddler’s nap time. She creates gentle, emotionally supportive stories that help young readers feel seen, safe, and deeply loved. She writes with a focus on curiosity, confidence, and connection; inviting children to explore their inner world with warmth and wonder. Her debut book was illustrated in parked cars and hotel rooms, fueled by a mission to encourage kids to be true to themselves. Her husband, Alex, is her biggest supporter and helps brainstorm ideas and refine each story.
Laura is the founder of Moonbeam Learning Studio LLC, where she develops children’s books, young adult novels, homeschool curricula, and educational media that nurture self-worth and joyful learning.
THE MOMENT THAT SPARKED MY FIRST BOOK
When I was pregnant, my husband and I commissioned FOXRUN to create a custom song for our son through Songfinch. Our nickname for him was Baby Snowflake. We asked them to write a calming lullaby with a winter theme that emphasizes we will love him no matter what and boy, did Grace and Alex Fincher deliver a beautiful song (“Sweet Dreams, Little Snowflake”) with the perfect lyrics.
When our son was a newborn, during one late night nursing session I was singing his lullaby and thinking about whether or not I would return to work. I realized that I placed a lot of self-worth in my job and started wondering “who am I if I don’t have that?” I always knew that homeschooling would be something I pursued. So as I was holding my baby and thinking about all the ways I want his childhood to be different from mine, I started questioning why it was so important to me that I work.
Once I realized that drive came from wanting to make my family proud, I reflected how many juniors and seniors in college change their major, how many young adults are still finding their way, how many people completely change career paths after college, how many people are depressed and feel stuck in a job, etc. and yet we ask children all the time what they want to be when they grow up when most adults still don’t even know.
Since life is not static and our worth is not tied to a job, why do we do that?
In that moment, I took out my phone and started writing a poem about how no matter what job my son wanted to do, beyond anything else I wanted him to be happy. I want him to know without a shadow of a doubt that his parents will support him no matter what job he chooses to do or who is he. When my husband woke up, I showed it to him and he helped me refine the rhymes and personalize it more. It was just meant to be something we shared with our son as he grew up.
THE SEASON THAT CLARIFIED MY PURPOSE
When our son was eight months old, upon returning to work, someone close to me asked “how does it feel to be a contributing member of society again?” as though being a mom and raising an actual human is not contributing to society but designing workflows and running reports is. The next year was filled with many painful daycare experiences…We noticed signs that our son was becoming scared of people, new situations, and suddenly unsure of himself. It was a season filled with guilt, fear, and the sinking realization that the world can dim a child’s light long before they understand how to protect it.
Once we saw the emotional impact that environment had on our son, we withdrew him immediately. I quit my job and never looked back. Eight months later, I came back to the poem on my phone and smiled at how the meaning still resonates and decided it needed to be shared with others. Thus, the book “When I grow up, what will I be?” was born.
MY HOPE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
My hope is that the stories I create become gentle companions for your child; reminders that they are enough, they are loved, and their inner light deserves to shine. Thank you for being part of my journey and for believing in the power of raising children with intention and heart.
Blog post by Laura Teichen. © 2026 Moonbeam Learning Studio LLC. All rights reserved. Song and lyrics for “Sweet Dreams, Little Snowflake” by Grace Fincher and Alex Fincher. © 2023 FOXRUN. Used with permission. Author photo by Victoria Reynolds. © 2026 Victoria Reynolds Photography. Used with permission.