About Tumbleberry Tales children's books and author

The Tumbleberry mission: Grow Up & Grow Good

At Tumbleberry Tales, we believe every story is an adventure with a purpose. Our dream is to spark curiosity and cultivate character through global journeys with Tumbleberry’s many animal friends. We hope to inspire every child to grow up with wonder and grow good with kindness, guided by our three core pillars:

Tumbleberry's Three E's

EXPLORE the world

From rainy jungles to sunny savannas, our stories take little adventurers around the globe to discover the beauty of our planet and the animals who call it home.

EMBRACE goodness

We believe in "growing good." Each tale is a gentle invitation for children to practice kindness, show courage, discover the value in keeping promises, and so much more.

We intrigue curious minds by blending fun adventures with foundational values, fostering both a love for learning and a lifelong passion for reading to discover new things.

EDUCATE young minds

The ❤️ behind our tales

Tumbleberry isn’t your normal hedgehog. While most hedgehogs are content staying in a cozy garden, Tumbleberry’s curiosity pushed him to explore the world! With his sturdy paws and a nose for wonder, he is a tiny explorer on a GIANT mission.

From the whispering sands of the Sahara to Australia’s billabongs, Tumbleberry travels the world to meet fascinating new friends. Whether he’s learning to keep promises from a flighty flamingo or to be brave like an empathetic emu, he's discovered that no matter how different we look or where we live, we all speak the same language of kindness and friendship.

Charissa Stastny

Author & Illustrator

Tumbleberry Hedgehog

World Explorer

Charissa is the creative heart behind Tumbleberry Tales. With a degree in Elementary Education and experience teaching 2nd grade, she knows how to spark a child’s imagination. She lives in Salem, Utah, where she spends time exploring the mountains with her husband, hanging out with her amazing kids and grandkids, and finding excuses to share a plate of chocolate chip cookies. For Charissa, every new book is a chance to learn more about our beautiful planet and share its magic with young readers.

Her journey with Tumbleberry began when she wanted to create meaningful stories for her own grandkids. She partnered up with Tumbleberry and planned almost a dozen sets to introduce all of Tumbleberry's friends he's met on his adventures. Together, they hope their stories will spark curiosity and inspire imaginations, helping the next generation grow up and grow good, one story at a time.