About Tarja Helena Nevala

Tarja was born in Finland and raised on three continents. She has lived in Finland, Australia, Canada and the USA. She sees her rich hertiage as a treasured gift.

Within Tarja's childhood home old family stories were shared, celebrated, and retold countless times. She believes oral storytelling is an important part of a child's early learning and development. Children's picture books rekindle the magical moments and experiences of ancient storytelling.

Tarja's spouse, family, friends, and community, inspire her on her author journey. She writes of real-life situations with imagination, humor, and delightful surprise. Tarja brings social and emotional learning SEL into her books as subtle lessons of fun and silliness. 

Being genuinely "you" is important to Tarja. She celebrates all the children of our amazing world and wishes to tell them tales that delight their ears, hearts, and minds.

Tarja is energized when hanging out with people, baking, singing, and taking long walks. Her most favorite walk was the Camino de Santiago (The Way of the Stars), a 500 mile ancient pilgrim route across northern Spain.

Tarja lives in the Inland Northwest with her husband and tiny dog, Miss Moo. She has self-publishing two children's picture books which are available on Amazon. Tarja is a member of INKED VOICES, KIDLIT AT HEART, SCBWI, and she is an active member of an amazing critique group of picture book writers.



She'd love to hear from all who visit here.