MY STORY
​Hello! I am Irina.
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Growing up, I spent every summer at my grandparents' dacha, a small wooden house beside a little lake in Northern Russia. The summers were short and not always warm, but starkly contrasted to the harsh winters we endured in the city. The air hummed with the sounds of insects, and the lake was quiet, reflecting the sky. I loved exploring the surrounding forest, its depths filled with the scent of pine needles and damp earth. I'd search for wild berries and mushrooms. My grandparents had a garden, providing us with a supply of fresh vegetables and herbs.
My two younger cousins were my constant companions. Along with a few other children from the village, we spent our days riding our bikes along dusty paths, exploring the forest, and playing games. We'd swim in the calm lake or go fishing. Evenings were spent on the balcony, eating grandmother's delicious berry pies and listening to the stories my grandfather would tell.
These were simple pleasures, but they filled our days with joy and laughter. The freedom of the forest, the abundance of nature, and the warmth of family created a perfect summer haven.
As the summers passed, I grew older, but the magic of the dacha remained. Northern Russia's familiar sights and sounds became deeply ingrained in my memory. The summers spent at my grandparent's lake house remained the happiest and most carefree of my childhood, a treasured time of simple pleasures, close family, and a deep connection to nature. The memories of that little house, the quiet lake, and the forests continue to bring me peace and a sense of belonging.
​My inspiration
As a twenty-something with a passion for literature and a bachelor's degree in teaching English, I worked as a school teacher for young children and, to make more money, took on a few private tutoring students. These interactions, filled with unique perspectives and innocent logic, planted a seed of an idea. I became increasingly fascinated by the kids' narratives and their boundless creativity.
The children's stories started small. I kept a notebook, jotting down snippets of their conversations, playful theories, and unique perspectives on the world. I realized those kids were natural storytellers; their imaginations were a treasure trove of inspiration.
I discovered a joy in creating narratives tailored to their unique understanding of the world. The vibrant creativity of my young students not only fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming an author but also provided the inspiration and foundation for being a children’s book writer.
My new chapter
My marriage brought me to the United States, Arizona. I’d always dreamed of writing and illustrating children’s books, and I carefully packed several notebooks filled with character sketches and story drafts. The whimsical illustrations of talking animals filled pages, a tangible representation of a future I envisioned. Moving to a new country, however, proved more challenging than I'd anticipated. After four years, my marriage ended. The initial excitement of exploring a new culture quickly gave way to the everyday realities of finding a new home, securing a job, and navigating a vastly different social landscape.
Slowly, the urgency of completing the children's book collection faded into the background. The initial energy that fueled my creative endeavors began to wane, replaced by the fatigue of adjusting to a new life and the demands of everyday living. My focus shifted from imaginary creatures to real-world matters. My notebooks, once a constant companion, became a silent reminder of a dream deferred.
I married again. My husband and I settled into a comfortable routine. Ten years into our marriage, the unthinkable happened: Daniel was diagnosed with stage four cancer. The following months were a blur of appointments, treatments, and the unwavering support of family and friends. He fought bravely, enduring chemotherapy and radiation with remarkable resilience. His strength gave me strength, and I channelled my anxieties into domestic routines and working full-time, providing a sense of stability and normalcy amidst the storm.
Two decades passed since I moved to the United States. One day, while clearing out the spare room, I stumbled upon a folder filled with notebooks and loose sketches. It was my long-forgotten project – a children's book. The story, complete with charming, hand-drawn illustrations, had been a cherished dream abandoned during the whirlwind of my first marriage and the subsequent years of rebuilding my life. Finding it reignited a long-dormant passion. The memory of meticulously crafting the story, the joy of bringing the illustrations to life, flooded back. Suddenly, the time felt right. It was time to fulfill a long-held dream.
With Daniel's encouragement, I dusted off the old manuscript, revising and polishing the text. I bought an iPad, downloaded Procreate, and learned the craft of creating digital art. The process was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Months later, after countless hours of work, Obu and Yobu book series was born. A testament to perseverance, both Daniel's in his battle with cancer and my own in pursuing my creative aspirations. A journey marked by hardship, a story mirrored in the pages of my own life, and now, in the pages of my books.
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I hope you like them.